Chapter 32 - 032_Situation Report Meeting
2022.1.11
Added note about the Knight Commander.
Added explanation about the number of Rodney's Source Power.
■■■■■■■■■■
032_Situation Report Meeting
■■■■■■■■■■
The situation report meeting with the King was held seven days after arriving in the royal capital. During this period, because the King was listening to situation reports from nobles from various regions, one had to wait as long as seven days after applying. If it were a high-ranking noble like Count Banyusas, he would not have waited that long. This too is the sad reality of lower nobles.
"Therefore, through the sale of Galim Syrup, our finances have improved."
In a venue where high-ranking ministers gathered besides the King, Rodney explained the situation of Dedel Territory and Forvas House. The materials he had prepared as instructed were for five people (the King, two ministers, two generals), but here there were nine high-ranking officials besides the King (four ministers, four generals, one unknown). Count Banyusas had advised him to prepare at least ten copies. Therefore, he had prepared fifteen copies. In actuality, it was enough for eleven people including Rodney, and there were extra copies. Since five was the minimum number, Rodney was relieved that he had not taken it at face value, as he would have been criticized.
Count Banyusas said that in politics, things like this happen all the time. Rodney cannot understand or accept it, but he has no choice but to accept that this is the world of politics.
"Forvas House, aside from tax revenue, seems to have greatly increased profits through the production of Galim Syrup, which is for the best."
When the King said that, one of the ministers opened his mouth. An old man with no hair, characterized by a large hooked nose. According to materials investigated beforehand, he was Minister Coderate. He was the person who should be watched most carefully.
"Since your finances have become more comfortable and the number of soldiers has increased, how about undertaking public works?"
Public works are something like infrastructure projects. However, the cost is entirely borne by the noble house ordered to do so. Although the debt was gone, they did not have that much savings. For him to try to order public works for Forvas House, Rodney thought that this minister was indeed a person to watch out for, just as the information had indicated.
"Lord Forvas only recently succeeded his predecessor who died in battle. It would be fine to postpone public works."
With that one word from the King, Rodney avoided being ordered to do public works. However, he firmly remembered that minister's face. He needed to discern who was harmful and who was harmless to Forvas House. In this country, there are no specific ministers like Minister of Finance or Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport. The four ministers oversee and manage all government offices. Of course, each ministry has a position that corresponds to its top, and the ministers receive policy proposals and explanations of specialized fields from those people to conduct politics. Also, there are departments independent of the ministers. That is the military. Since the national army and the Knight Order are organizations for the direct use of force under the King, even the ministers cannot interfere at all.
"I also wish to ask a question."
General Dokovaisky, a large man whose military uniform seemed about to burst, asked Rodney a question. He was a person whose appearance should be called a veteran warrior, but Rodney felt that he was all show. Rather, the presence of the person sitting next to him was extraordinary. It was overwhelming, as if they dominated this place. That person was probably the Knight Commander, famous as the strongest in this Kuodo Kingdom. And another person. An old person sitting closest to the King, with no presence at all. He was so lacking in presence that he was conversely eerie. The Knight Commander was also a frightening person, but Rodney felt this old man was even more frightening.
"I hear that the soldiers of Dedel Territory are equipped with Red True Steel. Is that correct?"
"Yes. Because our territory has a small population, we consider even the local soldiers to be valuable human resources. Fortunately, we discovered a mineral deposit in the Labyrinth, so we used that to completely renew our equipment."
"According to this document, the number of soldiers is 45. Indeed, it's small."
For nobles who hold territories, the minimum number of soldiers is determined by their house rank. If there is an order to deploy troops, they must lead half of that number to the battlefield. Rodney is a knight, so the set number of soldiers is 30. 45 is a lot for a knight, but for a general in charge of the national army, it was a number equivalent to none.
"Being the northernmost, the population of Dedel Territory is about 1200 people, right? The number of soldiers seems somewhat large relative to the population. It seems that due to the profits from Galim Syrup, they can support a larger number of soldiers." The small-statured minister moved his gaze from the document to Rodney. The population of Dedel Territory had increased by about 100 from the previous situation report meeting, but actually the increase was over this past year. Rodney explained that the lord's mansion was being rebuilt, and that the number of craftsmen working at the construction site and those working at taverns had increased.
When he thought it was about to end after several questions, the unidentified person who had been completely lacking in presence opened his mouth. He was neither a minister nor a general, but was present as if it were natural. Rodney had an inkling about that old man.
"Young man, I hear you defeated Bermuda in the Sea King Labyrinth and brought back its Life Light Stone."
Among those present, the only one who could be called a young man was Rodney. Including that person, more than half were old people, and the rest were at least middle-aged. This unidentified person's name was Argus Selbam Daguldor, a person over 70 years old. His name is known not only in the Kuodo Kingdom but also in neighboring countries.
"Yes, I have brought back Bermuda's Life Light Stone. Sage Daguldor-sama."
A person who made a name for himself in Labyrinths and battlefields from a young age, and eventually received the title of Sage from the King. He is now semi-retired, but occasionally comes to the castle as an advisor to the King. There is no precedent for Sage Daguldor attending a situation report meeting, but he is attending this one for some reason.
"So, did you obtain Source Power?"
That question would normally be forbidden. However, from Sage Daguldor, who is famous as a researcher and leading authority on Source Power, it is permissible.
"Fortunately, I was able to obtain Source Power."
The Source Power obtained from Bermuda's Life Light Stone is Heal, which heals wounds. The ministers seemed unaware, but the four generals who knew this fixed their gazes on Rodney.
"I hear it was a single Source Stone. Did you obtain Source Power from that?"
"Yes, I was fortunate, and I obtained Source Power."
"Luck is also part of ability. You should be proud."
"Thank you very much."
"Oh, that's right. How much Source Power has the young man obtained?"
Generally, one does not hide the number of Source Powers. If asked by a superior, one should answer immediately. However, Rodney could not answer immediately. There were too many, and he hadn't counted them.
"Hahaha. It seems counting is taking time."
"...Forgive me. The Source Power I currently possess is 24."
At that number, everyone in the place was thrown into an uproar, but only Sage Daguldor nodded. The Source Power obtained from Life Light Stones can overlap. Therefore, even if one consumes the Life Light Stone of a different Selvanui, one may not obtain Source Power. Also, if one uses a rare Source Power for Combine, it may not be replenished. There are also Selvanui that are rarely discovered, like White Rurumiru. Therefore, the Source Power Rodney possessed was limited to 24 types.
"Nonsense! The only one who has obtained 24 types of Source Power is none other than Sage-dono!"
General Dokovaisky slammed the desk and stood up, shouting and calling Rodney a liar. Rodney did not refute General Dokovaisky, and only stared at Sage Daguldor. The person asking the question was Sage Daguldor, not General Dokovaisky.
"I did not ask you. I was talking to the young man. Do you have a complaint?"
"N-no, I have no complaint against Sage-dono."
"Then shut up. Don't interfere. Understood, brat?"
"B-brat... understood..."
Only Sage Daguldor could call the 50-year-old General Dokovaisky a brat. Even the King would not say such a thing. General Dokovaisky made his large body small and sat down again. That sight was so comical that Rodney struggled to suppress his laughter.
"Young man, you opened the book, did you not?"
"!?"
Rodney recalled that night when he inherited Forvas House. Sage Daguldor spoke as if he knew about that event. If Sage Daguldor knew about that book, he wanted to ask what it was. However, the other party was someone who could even call General Dokovaisky, a heavy weight of the country, a brat.
"Hahaha. You don't have to answer. I understood from that. Oh, it seems time is up. Young man, what is your name?"
"It is Rodney Elias Forvas."
"Rodney, is it. I will make you my disciple. My first and last disciple. You may come visit my mansion tomorrow."
At those words, not only the ministers and generals but even the King showed a surprised expression. The difficult Sage Daguldor had never taken a single disciple. It was unknown how many people had wished to become his disciple. Since that Sage Daguldor said he would make Rodney his disciple, it was no wonder they were surprised.
"Your Majesty. Today is a good day. Hahaha."
Sage Daguldor bowed to the King, stood up, and left the room. Everyone was taken aback, and could not even call out to him. Rodney also suddenly became Sage Daguldor's disciple, and could not keep up with the understanding at all. Being a disciple of a Sage means that Sage Daguldor is his backer. Even Rodney could understand how much prestige that would bring.
I would be happy if you supported me with ★★★★★.
I am also looking for comments of support.