The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 42

“So, what kind of strategy was it?”

As Piotr, catching on to Si-on’s expression, showed keen interest, Sirvan became even more pleased and continued.

“Yes. He instructed the elves to constantly harass and draw away the rear and outskirts of the Pamel Count’s forces that entered the forest. In the end, the Pamel Count’s troops, which had spread widely into the forest, were forced to regroup in one place. That’s when the elves lured trolls to attack them.”

At that time, a family of trolls attacked the Pamel Count’s forces, and after a fierce battle that resulted in over two hundred casualties, they were finally able to kill the trolls.

But that wasn’t the end.

The elves continued to drive wild beasts and monsters toward the Pamel Count’s troops throughout their journey through the forest.

After five days, when they finally emerged from the forest, over a thousand additional casualties had occurred, leaving the army nearly annihilated.

Exhausted and demoralized, the Pamel Count’s army faced the well-rested and high-spirited forces of the Si-on Ducal family, and, seeing their forces outnumbered two to one, they surrendered on the spot.

Afterward, the Pamel Count’s family, like the August family, became ‘subordinates’ to the Si-on Duchal family through a few marriages.

They also paid a hefty indemnity and ceded part of their territory.

“Nephew, then… does that mean there are still large monsters like trolls or ogres around?”

“Well, I’m not entirely sure. Maybe? But honestly, I don’t really know…”

When heading to August Estate, they had used the only highway maintained by elven warriors, so there had been no incidents.

In fact, Sirvan, who had rarely ventured outside the duchy, didn’t fully understand why the highway was so safe.

If you think about it, the highway also cuts through the middle of the forest, and there’s no reason for wild beasts or monsters to spare just that road.

“There are still many wild beasts and monsters. But they’ve learned a thing or two.”

Si-on was the one who answered.

“They’ve… learned?”

“Wild beasts and monsters aren’t stupid. After the ducal family settled this land, they’ve learned over generations who hunted them the most ruthlessly and persistently. Especially, they know that if they linger near the highway, they will surely be hunted down and killed. By those over there.”

Si-on’s gaze lingered on the elves moving on their gau mounts.

“Stelman.”

“Yes, Master.”

“How many mercenaries are typically deployed to subdue medium-to-large monsters?”

“It depends on the number, but for an adult troll, it usually starts at around thirty mercenaries. If it’s a family group of three or four, you’d need at least a hundred to subdue them.”

After Stelman’s response, Si-on turned his gaze to his grandsons and said.

“The elves handle that with around thirty of their warriors.”

“Oh…”

Piotr, who let out an involuntary gasp, suddenly realized why Si-on had said the elves might see ‘levels’ before humans.

And he also understood why they weren’t going directly to the ducal castle but instead were meeting with other elf tribes along the way.

—It’s not just to show off that I’ve called the elves. Just as they played a crucial role when I first established the family in this land, the elves will play a key role in the newly reborn duchy. And the one who will serve as the bridge between the elves and our family, on the surface, will be you.

—Me? I will?

Recalling how he had stupidly reacted to Si-on’s words, Piotr’s ears turned slightly red.

This was Si-on’s first official mission for him, and Piotr was eager to make a good impression.

‘This is my chance. I have to leave a deep impression on Grandfather. Piotr, you can do this.’

If Si-on had heard his thoughts (and automatically thought of sunflowers that grew abundantly in the duchy alongside olive trees), he might have found it somewhat ominous. But Piotr, intent on impressing Si-on, initiated his first effort.

“Nephew, since there’s nothing else to do on the way, how about studying Elvish together?”

“Right now?”

“Yes. We’ll be moving together for a while, so wouldn’t it be good to build rapport with the Buksan Elves?”

Seeing Sirvan’s confusion, Piotr leaned in and whispered.

“Besides, Sirvan, you’re the one who’s going to lead Paloma in the future, right? It wouldn’t hurt to build ties with the leader of the Buksan Elf warriors. And look.”

Piotr glanced at the young child sleeping on the servant’s back.

The child was the chosen heir of the August family, handpicked by Si-on.

“When that kid wakes up, you and I have to take care of him, right? But if we’re chatting with the elves and learning Elvish, Big Brother Yonas might let it slide. Don’t you think?”

“Well, that’s… true…”

As Sirvan’s ears wavered, Piotr drove the point home.

“Come on, let’s go. We can learn Elvish while interpreting for each other and build some good connections too. Or what? Are you afraid to try interpreting Elvish?”

“What? Afraid? Let’s do it!”

As the indignant Sirvan moved forward, Piotr chuckled and followed.

Si-on watched with satisfaction as the two young men approached Friel, who was leading the elven warriors, gesturing animatedly and conversing with the elves.

Considering how openly they had disliked each other at their first meeting, Si-on was pleased with how far they’d come.

Yonas, on the other hand, watched Si-on’s back with a complicated expression.

—From the moment you arrive at the duchy, you must trust me.

His trust and loyalty to the patriarch would never waver, even if the sky split in two.

But what if the storm the patriarch was about to unleash turned toward his family, toward his brother and father? What then?

‘Brother… It can’t be, right? Please, let it not be….’

Watching the patriarch navigate the Forest Without Echoes as if it were his backyard, Yonas bit his lip.

He prayed that what he feared wouldn’t come to pass and that the patriarch’s steps would lead only to the Gosan and Namsan elf tribes before heading directly to the ducal castle.

As much as he was loyal to the patriarch and the family, Yonas also cared deeply about his own family.

But his hopes would soon be dashed.

* * *

“What?”

“You mean to say you’re going separately from here?”

As soon as they finished their lunch, Piotr, Yonas, and Friel were called by Si-on and were surprised by his instructions.

Si-on spoke calmly.

“Yes. Namsan and Gosan Elves will follow Friel’s lead and do as I say.”

“But… still…”

“Then where are you going, Patriarch?”

Unlike the flustered Piotr, Yonas, who had already guessed something, asked politely but couldn’t hide his unease.

“I’m going to Cheolsan.”

“Cheol…san?”

Piotr, unfamiliar with the duchy, tilted his head.

But Yonas and Friel knew exactly what Si-on meant by Cheolsan.

“Of course…”

“Are you planning to summon the Dwarves of Cheolsan as well?”

“Naturally. The Cheolsan Dwarves are our allies.”

Not just ordinary residents—true allies.

That was the relationship the dwarves had with the Si-on Duchy.

When Si-on first received his territory and came to this land, he didn’t just bring elves with him.

It wasn’t only the elves that were facing extinction; the dwarves, too, were on a slow but certain path to extinction.

The dwarves had been cursed by some entity long ago.

The curse was simple yet fatal: the fertility period of dwarf females was drastically reduced to five years.

As a result, most dwarves could have only two or three children.

Pushing themselves, they might manage four, but considering the physical recovery time after childbirth, four was the maximum.

Another issue was that not all dwarf females found partners and conceived during their fertile period.

Though harsh, if the world had been peaceful, their population might not have declined but increased.

But this world was far from peaceful.

Conflicts were endless.

Especially the dwarves, who had closer relations with humans than the elves, were constantly affected by human conflicts.

Si-on persuaded these dwarves.

Of course, he couldn’t save all the dwarves in the world, nor did he intend to.

But he convinced the tribe that included a dwarf artisan he had known since his mercenary days, and a few other dwarves who were close to them accepted Si-on’s proposal and came to the duchy.

And just like the elves, they were given land by Si-on to settle.

Cheolsan.

The only mountain with a mine in the Si-on Duchy, and the land surrounding it.

“Allies? Aren’t the elves also allies?”

In response to Piotr’s question, Yonas answered on Si-on’s behalf.

“Both races have a special relationship with our duchy, but the elves are more like blood allies. Groups that fought alongside the patriarch long ago formed the core of those that migrated here one by one. So, the elves living in the duchy are either those who fought the Dark Dragon in the patriarch’s era or their descendants. But the dwarves aren’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“The dwarves came to the duchy through a strict contract. The patriarch and our family protect the dwarves, and in return, the dwarves develop the mines and pass on their knowledge and skills to our family.

So, Cheolsan is bound by contract, and the gold and iron ore mined there are distributed according to the contract. And that contract was signed by the patriarch and has continued ever since.”

Si-on spoke when Yonas looked at him.

“As Yonas said, I am the original party to the contract. The contract is renewed every five years with mutual agreement between the current duke and the chief dwarf artisan, the Mine Master. Usually, the terms don’t change much, but…”

Si-on’s gaze moved from the attentive Piotr to Yonas, whose expression had darkened as if he had realized something.

“This year happens to be the year the contract is renewed. And as I just mentioned, contract renewals—like all contracts—can only be done by the current duke, an officially appointed representative with the duke’s seal, or, as in this case, the original contracting party.”

“…Oh!”

Si-on nodded to Piotr, who finally understood what he was implying.

“With the duke’s seat vacant, no one, not even an official representative, can attend the renewal. But as the original party, I have no such problem. The dwarves may be a bit surprised, but what can they do? I’ve come myself.”

Si-on intended to renew the contract with the dwarves, thereby solidifying them as his supporters.

No one valued contracts more than the dwarves—not even the merchants.

Given that the Cheolsan Dwarves had long been left in an uncertain state and that the contract renewal was imminent without a current duke, Si-on judged that their concerns and discontent with the Si-on Ducal family were inevitable.

The dwarves living in Cheolsan had signed their contract with “Duke Si-on,” not with the duchy itself.

“If you or Yonas came with me, the dwarves would inevitably misunderstand. They’d think I support you or the descendants of Paloma. But if I go alone, whether they like it or not, they’ll have no choice but to trust my word.”

“That makes sense. But, may I ask something, Grandfather?”

“Go ahead.”

“For the dwarves to trust you and renew the contract, wouldn’t you have to reveal your identity?”

“I would.”

“Yes. But last night, you said that… you were going to be… a mastermind…”

Though it was a phrase he couldn’t bear to use for his revered patriarch, Piotr cautiously spoke since Si-on had said it himself.

Si-on, understanding his great-grandson’s feelings, smiled faintly.

“Yes, that’s true. That’s why I plan to reveal my identity only to the current Mine Master of Cheolsan Dwarves.”

“Uh… sorry to keep asking, but… do you think the Mine Master will be able to persuade the other dwarves?”

“We use the Twin-headed Eagle as our emblem, right? The Cheolsan Dwarves also have a crest.”

“What?”

Piotr’s eyes widened at the seemingly random response.

“It’s a crest with a red background representing iron ore, crossed with a hammer and a shovel.”

“Oh… is that so?”

Seeing his great-grandson clearly suppress the urge to ask “Why does that matter?”, Si-on recalled the red flag of the Cheolsan Dwarves that he had initially found ridiculous when he first saw it.

“The flag the dwarves carry is very similar to the flag of a certain country I know. Even when the leader makes absurd decisions, the subordinates, despite some discontent, still follow. It’s the same there.”

Whether the leader’s title was Secretary-General or Mine Master was a trivial difference.

The Cheolsan Dwarves, whose red flag with a hammer and shovel resembled the Soviet Union’s flag with a sickle and hammer, had a remarkably similar structure.