The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 49

“I left a will that stated the last contract renewal with the Cheolsan Dwarves should be adjusted to 50-50.”

“Ah!”

“Only a few direct descendants of the current generation know about this will. Of course, Gede is included among them.”

“I-I see.”

Seated more comfortably, Sminov nodded his head.

“But he offered you 45%. You, being foolish, thought Gede cared about the Cheolsan Dwarves and readily accepted the proposal.”

“I have no excuse.”

“I didn’t bring this up to blame you. If anything, it’s Si-on’s fault too. I owe you and the Cheolsan Dwarves an apology.”

“N-no. How could you say that…?”

“But that aside, the fact remains that you conspired with outside forces to put your kin and Si-on in danger—a deed that you can’t justify, even in death.”

“……!”

Sminov froze mid-gesture, still attempting to wave his hands in denial.

“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll do anything to you. As I mentioned earlier, help me with one task, do it well, and everything will be forgotten.”

“I’ll do anything you ask. What would you have me do?”

Sminov was, in fact, no dwarf lacking in eloquence or negotiation skills.

After all, a dwarf without such skills would never have become Mine Master.

He was merely unaccustomed to dealing with someone superior after being at the top for so long. (Though Si-on didn’t know, Sminov’s nickname among the Cheolsan Dwarves was none other than ‘The Mouth of Hell.’)

“It’s simple. After wrapping up today’s events, bring a few Labor Council members and come with me to the Ducal Castle. Once we’re at the Ducal Castle….”

“Yes. Yes, yes. Oh! Understood. Is that all I need to do? Ah, yes.”

As Sminov listened to Si-on, he nodded incessantly.

Si-on’s proposal (essentially an order) was straightforward, so there was no difficulty in remembering it.

And there was no reason to question it.

Given the current situation, it was hardly a difficult task.

In fact, Sminov was more concerned about whether such a simple plan could truly resolve the matter.

“Um, is there anything else I should be aware of?”

“No. Well, there is one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Yes.”

“Are there any Cheolsan Dwarves who have been seeing strange letters in the air?”

“What!? How did you know that? Recently, a few crazies have popped up….”

“Hooh….”

Si-on’s eyes softened.

As expected, the dwarves had them too.

It was now confirmed that the upheaval spared no race or profession.

For dwarves, who had few capable warriors, those who could see the ‘status window’ were most likely tied to artisans or other specialized professions rather than warriors.

“Gather those so-called crazy folks later.”

“Eh? Oh, yes. I will. But, um….”

“Hm?”

Sminov hesitated and glanced at Si-on before speaking.

“What do you plan to do about Longlive and the soldiers?”

“Hm.”

It didn’t seem like Longlive had any ulterior motives.

Moreover, Longlive and the soldiers were troops from Paloma.

Though orders from the head of the household, Gede, took precedence, it would be difficult for them to openly defy Yonas, Gede’s half-brother, and Sirvan, Gede’s cherished youngest son.

Longlive didn’t seem so stubborn as to follow only the head’s orders blindly.

Most importantly, Longlive, like his ancestors, seemed especially weak against ‘Salen.’

“I will follow your orders, sir.”

Si-on’s guess was correct.

Longlive maintained a respectful and compliant demeanor.

Si-on thought that perhaps, beyond the Longlive family’s longstanding feelings toward Salen, the fact that everything had already been exposed had driven Longlive into a state of resignation that showed him the only way to survive.

“I know this may sound like an excuse, but I was simply following orders. As a knight serving Paloma, I could not disobey the head’s commands.”

To Si-on, it seemed like resignation indeed.

However, in this case, it looked like he had resigned to his circumstances.

The knight of Paloma, who had been panicked and hesitant when things first went awry, appeared to have made peace with his situation while Si-on was conversing with Sminov.

It seemed that the knight’s true self as a knight had emerged.

“Isn’t it because I am Salen?”

“It would be a lie to say otherwise. But I am also a knight of the Duchy. If you ask whether Paloma or the Duchy comes first, the Duchy, no, the Ducal Family comes first.

When I first received orders from the head, I wasn’t without doubts or anxiety. But I believed knights should not engage in politics. When given orders, we execute them—that’s what it means to be a knight of Si-on.”

Longlive’s calm demeanor, so different from when they first met, surprised Si-on a little.

And, in a way, it pleased him.

To be precise, it filled him with a sense of gratification.

It was reminiscent of how he felt when he first met Piotr.

Come to think of it, Sirvan and Yonas were the same.

Their first meetings had been somewhat disappointing, but as he got to know them, their strengths as descendants became apparent.

‘Of course, it’s because I provided good education… no, it’s because my wife raised them well, and my children taught them properly.’

Si-on, who wasn’t lacking in self-awareness, gave a wry smile inwardly.

In any case, it was fortunate and admirable that Longlive was not just a typical stubborn or inflexible knight.

And now, as before, Si-on liked those who were quick to reflect and honest.

“You are right, Sir. A knight’s duty is to obey orders. But if those orders seem like schemes to disrupt the Ducal Family, then a knight’s true duty is to think critically and exercise flexibility. So, I ask you.”

“…….”

Meeting Longlive’s gaze, who nervously swallowed, Si-on spoke.

“As a knight of Si-on, neither of Paloma nor Salen, are you prepared to fulfill your responsibility and duty?”

“Yes.”

Longlive, who did not know Si-on’s true identity, found it odd that someone not even part of the Si-on Ducal Family would speak such words, but he nodded anyway.

“The Mine Master of Cheolsan will testify about what happened when we go to the Ducal Castle. You will come with us.”

“Understood.”

Having already steeled himself, Longlive agreed without hesitation.

Seeing that Longlive appeared at ease, Si-on asked.

“I feel odd asking, but are you alright with going against Paloma and Head Gede?”

“Yes, it doesn’t matter. I am a knight of Si-on as well. It’s not good for the Ducal Family to remain divided and at odds. This incident will settle things one way or another, won’t it? As a knight of Si-on, I’m actually relieved.”

“Good. What about the soldiers? No issues with them?”

The soldiers of Si-on weren’t slaves who followed orders blindly.

They obeyed commands, but they had their own thoughts too.

It wouldn’t be a good look for Longlive, their superior, to be seen following an outsider’s words without question. It could cause issues with the command structure later.

“A few keen-eyed veterans seemed to have figured things out. Some even asked what was happening when you spoke privately with the Mine Master. But now that this has unfolded, they’ll likely be relieved. The soldiers don’t like causing trouble with the Duchy’s longtime allies.”

“They are excellent soldiers.”

“Of course. Whether or not I am, our soldiers are outstanding.”

For the first time, Longlive straightened his shoulders.

Si-on couldn’t help but smile. He’s a good one, just like his grandfather.

“You’re a fine knight as well.”

Pleased with Longlive’s response, Si-on smiled lightly and patted his shoulder.

Though Si-on appeared about the same age as him, Longlive felt as though he was being encouraged by an elder, leaving him momentarily confused but comforted.

* * *

The next day, Sminov gathered the Labor Council members and announced that the contract with the Si-on Ducal Family had been renewed.

The Labor Council members, unaware of Si-on’s identity, questioned whether it was possible without a representative of the Ducal Family present, but after showing them the handwritten letter Si-on had obtained from Yonas, their doubts were somewhat quelled.

More importantly, Si-on was the one who had protected Cheolsan from the invaders.

Moreover, whatever had transpired, the fact that Mine Master Sminov was actively supporting him kept the dwarves silent.

“Sir Salen is a member of the royal family and closely connected to the Si-on Ducal Family. That means he is trustworthy. And if this contract renewal doesn’t go as explained, I will take responsibility.”

Some Labor Council members, ignorant of the inner workings, harbored ambitions to see Sminov step down and to become the next Mine Master themselves.

But with the direct assurance from the embodiment of the Si-on Ducal Family, Sminov had no worries.

Si-on also promised Sminov that he would remain in the Mine Master position for the next ten years.

He had made a foolish choice, but now only a smooth path lay ahead.

Of course, there were demands to hire more laborers from the duchy and increase production by 20%, but that was manageable.

Additional conditions were attached, such as cooperating with the Ducal Family’s inspector who would visit Cheolsan every three months, but even those were trivial.

To Sminov, the most important thing was that the benefactor who had saved his life as a child had once again saved him and secured his position.

Thus, Si-on renewed the contract with the Cheolsan Dwarves as planned decades ago, securing even more advantages.

In addition to the cooperation of the three Elven tribes of the Duchy, he had gained a powerful weapon.

‘Now, it’s just a matter of how to package this and put it to good use.’

As Si-on was walking, making various plans while accompanied by Sminov and the Cheolsan Dwarves, and the soldiers led by Longlive, he encountered Yonas’s group, whom he had parted with days ago, in the late afternoon.

“Si… Sir Salen!”

“We made it just in time, thankfully!”

Piotr and Yonas approached Si-on with the excitement of meeting someone they hadn’t seen in years.

“Sir Salen. This is an urgent letter from Jenna Olrot, the agent at the August Estate. That’s why we came here.”

Yonas handed over a letter sealed with an insignia.

Si-on, realizing why the group had shown up instead of heading to the Ducal Castle, took the letter and broke the seal.

As Si-on read the letter, Sirvan approached Longlive, who seemed bewildered.

“Sir Longlive, what are you doing here? You were dispatched to Cheolsan, weren’t you? Did you just leave?”

“Ah, Sirvan, young master. Yes, well, something like that.”

Longlive glanced nervously at Yonas standing beside Si-on.

“But why are you and Lord Yonas here? Sir Salen said you were supposed to be heading to Twin-headed Eagle Castle.”

“I have no idea. It was Uncle Yonas’s decision. But never mind the dwarves—who are those guys?”

Sirvan gestured towards the shabby-looking men whom the soldiers were escorting, causing Longlive’s expression to darken slightly.

Sirvan had no idea about the schemes his father, Gede, had orchestrated.

How could he possibly explain that those men were evidence of his father’s plot to involve Sirvan’s maternal family in order to secure the Ducal title, thereby endangering the Duchy’s alliance?

‘He said he’d handle it all….’

Longlive glanced at Si-on, who was reading the letter intently, and decided to avoid answering.

“It would be better for you to hear it from Sir Salen.”

“Hmm.”

Sirvan eyed Longlive suspiciously.

But as Sirvan didn’t have the authority to question a seasoned knight of the family, he let it go.

Even if he did have the authority.

‘It seems like that guy is involved. Better not to stir trouble unnecessarily.’

Sirvan, who was at least quick to learn, let his curiosity go.

At that moment, Si-on finished reading the urgent letter from Olrot and looked up.

Glancing at the many faces watching him, Si-on spoke with a slightly hardened expression.

“The plan has changed. We’re heading to Pamel Count’s territory.”

“…!?”

Suddenly?

Why the neighboring estate?

Only Longlive and Sminov, who had an inkling of what was going on, flinched, while everyone else looked surprised and confused.

Si-on continued calmly.

“The Count of Pamel has sent troops into the Duchy. We’ll go and deal with them.”

The announcement was met with a stunned silence.