Chapter 43: Conspiracy Price Tag

Asada_translation

For a while after that, I worked on the reconstruction of the Magical City Ryun Height.

Within a few days, the construction site will be surrounded by a large number of sandbags made by Inujins. This is to protect the workers for a short time even in a sudden enemy attack. If we can save time by a few tens of seconds, the werewolves will be able to rescue the workers.

I haven't told anyone about it, but when the enemy takes over the sandbag-enclosed position, I intend to throw a barrel of gunpowder inside. It appears to work well in my opinion.

The problem is that Technical Officer Kurtz doesn't let me touch the gunpowder at all.

"Vaito-dono, you must never approach the 'Dragon's Breath'!"

Why is he talking so sternly?

It's a secret to everyone, but I'm used to handling gunpowder.

In my previous life, I tried putting firecrackers in empty cans, burning weeds with fireworks, and many other things.

I'm sure I'll be able to make a gun corps soon.

I decided to keep an eye on the construction's progress while devising a plan to attach a bomb to the arrow of a large crossbow.

There are many things to do, but the most worrisome thing is measures against the heroes.

If they are as strong as the Demon King, then honestly I don't know how we can beat them. The levels are too different.

At least, it's certain that we won't be able to win even if we beat the entire werewolf troops.

Moreover, the trouble is that we don't know what kind of person the heroes are and what kind of plan they have.

Unlike the military, individual behavior is difficult to predict. It wouldn't be surprising if he suddenly appeared in front of the castle gates of Ryun Height tomorrow.

After all, this is "Magic City Ryun Height". There is more than enough reason for the heroes to invade.

At that time, I plan to attack with 1,000 skeleton soldiers, but it is difficult to capture them alone.

In case of emergency, we should consider the possibility that the entire werewolf troops will challenge them in battle. We've all been prepared for this since we left the hidden village.

However, I don't want to fight ....

"Vaito-dono, we're back!"

It was only a few days later that the veteran Inujin returned to Ryun Height.

"I'm glad to see you're doing well. How was the recruiting process?"

"Yes, it's 5 …"

"It's not 5, is it? 50?"

"500 people have gathered!"

"That's too many!"

We can't feed that many. It's a small town of three thousand people. Just the other day, five hundred men and horses were stationed in the city.

"But they're all gathered at the castle gate."

"You brought them here out of the blue?"

"If the Demon King's army is too much for them, they're willing to move to Ryun Height!"

They are so thick-skinned.

I hurriedly consulted with the non-commissioned officer class of the Inujis squads and hired 100 out of 500 recruits. They were divided into engineer squads and crossbow squads and then reorganized into 200-man engineering squads and 100-man crossbow squads.

The selection was left to the Inujis, so there should be no mistakes. They have a keen sense of smell when it comes to selecting their companions.

The remaining 400 men will be hired as workers for the expansion of the city walls. Once the new walls are completed, we'll build a new house for them to live in.

At any rate, we need manpower for now.

In this way, Ryun Height's population exceeds 4,000, and Airia will be busy dealing with these for a while.

"Migration of the demons is also welcome, but please adjust a little."

"I'll make sure they pay their taxes, so cut them some slack."

The long-awaited information finally came in amidst the boisterous shouting and construction noises that were echoing outside Ryun Height.

"The group of heroes was staying in the northern city of Schwerm."

Mao, one of the Ryun Height traders, reported that. A man who seems to be friendly.

"A group? Is there more than one hero?"

"No, there is only one hero. His name is Lanhard. It seems that he has three companions to assist him. All of them are said to be quite skilled"

It's tricky. Humans usually become stronger when they form a group.

However, Speaking of Schwerm, it must have been destroyed by the invasion of the Demon King's army. Now it has been retaken by the Mirarudia Alliance Army, but can it be used as a base?

"I saw that the recruitments had returned and were rebuilding the city. It seems that the hero group has exterminated the remnants of the Demon King's army in the vicinity and restored public safety."

This bastard treats the 2nd Division as a remnant. It's a fact.

Mao noticed my gaze and smirked.

"Excuse me. We've finished the emergency repairs to the destroyed walls and gates, and the 5000 troops stationed in Schwerm will be returning soon."

That's not good.

Schwerm is next to Bachen, the last city where the 2nd Division is holed up. When 5,000 troops return to Schwerm, there is no chance of winning.

"Do you know what the Mirarudia Alliance is doing?"

"It's out of the scope of the request …"

Mao apologized and continued.

"I've done a little research. The main forces of the Mirarudia Alliance in the north are their 5,000 stationed troops in Schwerm and 10,000 citizen volunteers."

"Oh, thank goodness."

"The citizen volunteers seemed to have returned to their respective cities to rest since the war situation had calmed down. If there is to be a large-scale attack, there will be a recall."

All right, let's get someone to stick to Schwerm right away.

"Several members of our squad are staying in Schwerm for business negotiation. If you meet outside the city, you can always tell us what the city is like."

"... Isn't it a bit much?"

Then Mao laughed.

"I believe that sincere cooperation has a sincere reward."

"If the cooperation is truly sincere."

Like demons, there are many types of humans. It seems that this guy is the type that we should be a little cautious about.

It's a good thing that all the useful information has been gathered together.

I'm tired of playing tricks, so let's go straight to it.

"What is the sincere reward you are looking for? I'm guessing it's not just money."

Mao looks pleased.

"You're right, sir. I would like to welcome a few of the human-horse tribes into our convoy."

"Why?"

"Their strength, courage, and ability to negotiate with the demons are valuable to traders. They don't have to belong to the Demon King Army."

The human-horse tribes indeed have the wisdom of men and the mobility of horses. Even if they're not a trained warrior, they can kick the crap out of a wolf. And with them, you can safely pass through the demon-controlled areas.

A few of them, who don't have to be soldiers, will be able to deal with anything.

But I'm always wary of these good deals.

"Is that all?"

"Of course. It's the same for the Demon King's army and the traders who are looking for talented people."

I don't like the idea of giving this kind of cunning guy connections and privileges … I feel like there is something wrong with it.

"Oh, I understand."

"Are you planning to hire a human-horse tribe to promote your connections with the Demon King's army and use it for business?"

Mao smiled awkwardly.

"Oops, I guess I've been discovered …"

"You're a scoundrel."

"I am a scoundrel."

What a bastard!

"No. If that's your goal, I can't help you. It's a breeding ground for corruption."

Mao suddenly looked disappointed. He wasn't careful or had a chance.

After a while, I tell him.

"You can do that after you've contributed a little more to the Demon King's army"

"A little more?"

"Yeah, a little more"

Prepare yourself for a lot of hard work.

Mao sighed and bowed to me.

"Then let me be of some more use to you. From now on, I will serve as Master Vaito's personal secret agent and will provide you with information free of charge."

This guy's got a lot of bargaining chips.

There must be something more.

When I called on him with my gaze, Mao opened another room for negotiation.

"I'll also arrange for you to procure the building materials for the city walls secretly. If a large number of building materials are moved, it will be immediately exposed to the enemy."

"What exactly are you planning to do?"

In response to my question, Mao unfolded a map and pointed to it.

"We will disguise ourselves as merchants from the north, and buy good quality stone from the southern cities under the guise of using it to rebuild the northern cities."

"Come on, what kind of merchant comes from the north to buy heavy stone?"

Mao smirked.

"The north actually needs a lot of stone for reconstruction now. They won't be suspicious if you come from far away to buy it."

This guy is using the suffering of another human being as an excuse.

"You're a scoundrel."

"I am a scoundrel."

Mao smiles

I've seen a lot of people like this in my previous life, but it's not the type of person you'd expect to find in a demon tribe. Most of them end up getting beaten to a pulp.

However, it is also true that they can be useful.

As long as it's useful to the Demon King's army, I'll use it.

"That's fine. Keep up the good work. But if you get carried away, I'll get your head."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Mao bowed respectfully.

After he leaves, I make my way to the door of the next room and call out.

"Monza"

"Yes, captain"

Monza, one of the best agents in the werewolf squad, opened the door without a sound and appeared silently.

"Keep an eye on that guy with your squad."

She looked happy and laughed lightly.

"If he betrays us, will you kill him?"

"If he betrays me, I'll kill him. I don't care if you beat him up, just bring him back alive"

"Hmm, I understand."

Now, how will it turn out?