Chapter 43 - 043_Return
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043_Return
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Rodney, who conquered the Lake Bottom Temple and brought back the treasures from the treasury, gave bonuses to his attendants and garrison troops.
The treasures he brought back were 3,000 large gold coins, 200 rodem (400 kg) of gold bullion, two treasured swords, two suits of armor, three Life Light Stones, and five other items.
Galim Syrup, which was selling well, was being produced by increasing the number of kilns to ten and operating them in two shifts, an early shift and a late shift. The monthly production was 1,500 rodem, with sales of 120 large gold coins (1,440 per year).
The large gold coins alone brought back from the treasury were a huge fortune equivalent to two years of Galim Syrup sales.
A grand party celebrating the conquest of the Lake Bottom Temple was also held. Since it was the harvest season, they combined it with a harvest festival, and the entire Dedel Territory was excited.
"Rodney, these are weapons."
"I thought as much."
Among the items brought back from the treasury, two were clearly identifiable as weapons.
Rodney had thought from his previous life's memories that they were something that emitted a focused beam of light, like a beam, but Sage Daguldor's words gave him certainty.
"Weapons like these are excavated from ruins. Scholars are studying them, but even if simple repairs are possible, they have not been replicated."
There were weapons unearthed not only from the ruins in the Godorzak Forest in the Serudo Region, which is the cause of the conflict with the neighboring country, but also from other ruins.
For any country, excavating ruins is the highest priority. The reason is weapons like these.
"The ruins in the Godorzak Forest have been in a state where even a proper search is impossible for fifty years now."
"Master, can't you even repel the Jabaru Kingdom Army?"
"I could do it if I wanted to."
Rodney pondered why he didn't.
If you repel the Jabaru Kingdom Army, the exploration of the ruins would progress, so the kingdom would suffer no loss. No, Master would have to be given a suitable reward for such military merit. If it concerns the ruins, would the state have to relinquish ownership of such weapons... and that's why they don't request it from Master?
If that were the case, the nobles burdened with the war, and those who died or received lifelong wounds in that war, would be justified in resenting the royal family.
No, wait... could it be that they are using this war to weaken the power of the nobles?
That made more sense. Rodney thought the royal family was using this war to weaken the power of the nobles.
"Rodney, it's fine here, but don't say anything careless outside."
"Yes, Master."
Sage Daguldor suggested that Rodney's thoughts were correct.
War suppresses nobles from accumulating wealth and maintaining troops. At the same time, resentment towards the royal family also accumulates.
Lower nobles like Rodney might not realize the royal family's intentions, but higher nobles might see through the royal family's schemes.
We've already been at war for fifty years. Many people have been sacrificed in that time. There must be many nobles like me who lost their fathers in the war. Does the royal family feel that resentment?
"If this war continues as is, won't the royal family's centripetal force decline?"
"Such a thing has long since fallen to the ground. You may not know, but many nobles are dissatisfied. However, the ministers are suppressing it."
"Can't such things be appealed at the situation report meeting?"
The situation report meeting was a place where words of nobles with territory could be directly conveyed to the King. He wondered why no one said anything there.
"The ministers are there to check those who would take such actions."
"Then, if Master were to—"
"I have spoken to the King several times. But the current King, on the grounds that he had not heard it from the ministers, felt no sense of crisis at all. It's lamentable."
The King trusted the ministers' words more than Sage Daguldor's. Who the King trusted was up to him. He believed those he wanted to believe, and did not believe those he did not. Sage Daguldor shook his head, calling him a foolish monarch.
"Rodney, you will likely be called to the front lines soon. When that time comes, do not waste your life. Throwing away your life in a war like that is foolish."
Rodney's father had died in that war. Rodney made an indescribable expression.
"Oh, that was a slip of the tongue. I didn't mean to disparage Rodney's father."
"Yes, I understand."
Rodney, Sage Daguldor, and Bajis, who had become a disciple, secretly dismantled the beam cannon.
Rodney, who had memories of his previous life, understood what most of the dismantled parts were. The root power 'Understand' also did a good job.
Also, among the items brought back from the treasury was an Appraisal Monocle. Through the effect of this Appraisal Monocle, he was able to understand parts he couldn't comprehend.
Rodney replicated the parts of the beam cannon with 'Shape Processing' and created a new beam cannon.
"This is a big deal. You've replicated an ancient weapon. But, Rodney."
"It's not to be spoken of, is it?"
"That's right. This matter shall be kept in the hearts of us three. Understood, Rodney, Bajis?"
"Yes."
There was an obligation to report that the treasury had been opened. So he would report it, but the fact that Rodney could replicate the beam cannon would be kept strictly secret.
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Before winter, he sent Life Light Stones to Bassam. These were Life Light Stones for tribute to the royal family.
The Life Light Stones collected at Bassam from the northern territories were transported to the capital by the national army.
Usually, one of the attendants was assigned this duty, but this time Rodney personally commanded the transport.
After handing over the Life Light Stones to the Stone Collector dispatched from the central government, he immediately went to meet Count Banyusas.
"What, you opened the treasury!?"
"I managed it thanks to Master's guidance."
Count Banyusas knew about the Labyrinth's treasury. Rodney hadn't known about such things because his father died before he could receive education as a lord, but it was something any noble head of household would naturally know.
"I hear that when you open a treasury, a powerful guardian appears. I assume you defeated it, correct?"
"Yes. A powerful Serbanui was lying in wait, but we defeated it."
Only three people could enter the treasury. The system was that if those three defeated the guardian, they could obtain the treasure.
Rodney, who had heard this from Sage Daguldor, challenged with the best team and defeated the giant Hekatonkheires guardian.
"Aside from gold and silver, you must have also obtained items from the treasury. I must report this to the royal family, but may I ask about the items?"
Rodney told Count Banyusas about the five items.
・Beam Cannon: Giant beam weapon. Fixed type.
・Railgun: Super-giant long-range attack weapon. Fixed type.
・Appraisal Monocle: Learns the uses and details of a target item.
・Monster Arm Ring: Provides the same effect as the root power 'Monster Arm'.
・Auto Defense Belt: Automatically defends against attacks on the wearer.
All were wonderful items. Count Banyusas also admired them, saying they were indeed items from a treasury.
There was no obligation to dedicate treasures from the treasury to the royal family, but there was an obligation to report. Concealing them was a crime.
When reported to the royal family, the details of the treasures become public. There was no need to hide them from Count Banyusas.
Also, when it becomes public that one has the military strength to defeat the guardian and possesses treasures, unknown relatives increase, and nobles and merchants who had no prior dealings but target the treasures approach.
Since he couldn't eliminate all such people, Count Banyusas urged him to be careful.
"Originally, there is no obligation to dedicate them, but dedicating even one is a feat worth a promotion in rank. What will you do, Lord Rodney?"
"Yes, I am considering dedicating the beam cannon."
He had already replicated the beam cannon and the Railgun. He could dedicate both to the royal family, but he had no attachment to the royal family enough to make such a lavish offering, so one would be enough.
"Hmm. Among these, it would be either the beam cannon, the Railgun, or the Auto Defense Belt. That is a reasonable choice."
The beam cannon and Railgun would boost the royal family's military strength. On the other hand, the Auto Defense Belt could prevent assassinations by being used by the King.
However, since he had not replicated the Auto Defense Belt, he would not make it a tribute item.
"And what do you intend to ask for in return?"
Since he was dedicating a treasure from the treasury, there would be a suitable reward. That was the custom.
Rodney told Count Banyusas what he wanted. He did so to gain understanding and cooperation.
"I understand your situation, Lord Rodney. Very well, I will also write a letter to the royal family."
"Thank you very much, Your Excellency."
Rodney immediately headed to the capital. He had to hurry before winter. Even if the lowest-ranked knight requested an audience, he would likely be made to wait for many days. Such time was wasteful, but it had to be done.
However, that expectation was overturned. One who opened a treasury was, in a sense, a hero. Moreover, there was the name value of being a disciple of Sage Daguldor. An audience with this Rodney was treated with the highest priority.
He didn't lend an ear to Sage Daguldor's words, but he feared his fame. The King's behavior was truly contradictory.
"Knight Rodney Elias Forbas, Lord of the northern Dedel Territory. Step forward."
Despite the audience being for a mere knight, it was held in the formal audience chamber. That was how valuable the treasury's treasures were.
"This time, Lord Forbas has opened the treasury of the Abandoned House Labyrinth. Lord Forbas slew the guardian, brought back the treasures of the treasury, and has now come to dedicate a treasure to the royal family. A commendable spirit."
For having created a custom where one must dedicate, he sure talks big. But thanks to that, my wish will be granted, so I won't complain.
One of the ministers, Minister Coderate with the hook nose, read aloud the contents written on the parchment. His expression was as if he had chewed a bitter bug.
Does it really bother him that much that I'm getting something?
"Lord Forbas. Your efforts in opening the treasury are appreciated. Also, you have dedicated a fine item. I am pleased."
The King seemed genuinely happy.
"I am deeply honored by your praise, Your Majesty."
"I hear you wish to open a port in Dedel Territory. In consideration of this devotion, I shall permit it. Continue to devote yourself to loyalty to the royal family from now on."
"I am deeply grateful. I pledge my utmost loyalty to Your Majesty."
What Rodney desired was a port. He wanted a port that could be used for exporting Galim Syrup, and from now on, a port that could also export large quantities of beer. Small fishing ports could be built at will, but a trading port could not be built without the permission of the royal family. Rodney wanted a trading port.
Of course, a shipyard would also need to be built. He would need to recruit shipwrights, but he was optimistic that he could manage by asking his grandfather, Hacklehoff. At worst, Rodney could build them with 'Shape Processing'.
In order to open a trading port, he also had to talk to Count Banyusas.
Currently, Bassam Port was the northernmost port, but if a port opened in Dedel Territory, Bassam Port would become a relay point. He had to pay his respects to Count Banyusas, who ruled there.
Since winter was coming soon, Rodney hurried back to his territory. The reason he had come to the capital at this time was also to have a ready excuse to return quickly due to the approaching winter.
The rumor that the northernmost knight had opened a treasury spread throughout the kingdom immediately. But no one could go to the north in winter. Especially the northernmost Dedel Territory was closed off by snow. It was a good period to cool the enthusiasm of those who wanted to get in on the good fortune.
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