After rescuing the merchant from his cage, we took the tunnel back to the
fort.
Anastasia magically covered the exit on the mountainside with earth and
sand, so that there would be no more monsters coming in.
It would be a bit of a challenge to completely collapse these many tunnels,
not only would it be a waste of time.
Besides, it can be used as an escape route in case of emergency or a supply
line during a siege.
Or perhaps, was that its main purpose originally?
While we were thinking about this, we returned to the fort.
"It's tiring to walk in a way I'm not used to. I hope my back doesn't get
sore."
The ceiling of the tunnel was low, so we had to bend down to move around,
which was quite painful.
When we emerged from the tunnel, we were met by soldiers who were
waiting for us.
When I asked them about the situation, they told me that the commotion
over here was subsiding.
About a dozen people have been killed so far, but it seems that the
evacuation of civilians and non-combatants has already been completed.
Currently, the entire garrison was engaged in a goblin sweep.
"It looks like things have settled down here, too. Now all that remains is the
fort commander."
Since then, I heard he was in a hurry to move to the command headquarters
and take command.
He seems to have a certain amount of ability as he is in charge of the fort,
but he must have had a hard time dealing with soldiers with low morale.
It was his own fault, but if the fort had fallen because of it, it would have
been a disaster.
I turn around behind me and look at the guy we have rescued beyond the
tunnel.
"We're going to the fort commander now. Do you understand?"
"I know. I didn't realize that next to smuggling, I'd have to be on the
receiving end of blackmail."
"You have it coming. Also, if you say too many unnecessary things, I'll
have to sew your tongue back together."
While observing him, I'm a bit relieved that he is a bit strong-willed. Or
should I say thick-skinned, perhaps? At least he won't flinch when I put him
in front of the fort commander.
We left the soldiers on guard at the entrance and exit of the tunnel and
headed for the command headquarters.
The inside of the fort was scratched here and there after the goblin rampage,
but there didn't seem to be much damage.
As long as this keeps up, the cleanup of the remnants will be over soon.
We continued on, talking with Lucy and the others about what to do next,
and arrived at the command headquarters. If y ou a re ab le t o re ad th i me
ssa ge, yo u are rea ing from an una utho r ized agg regate s ite. Rea d at my
W ordP ress at st abb ing with a syr i nge. ho me. b lo g to su pp ort me and
my tran sla tion s.
As usual for a headquarters, it was still busy transferring information here
and there, but it was good that they didn't pay attention to us even though
confidential information is being delivered simultaneously.
We went to the room where we had met the fort commander and had one of
my men tell him to come here.
Of course, we also told him about the merchant, who should be a key point
of concern for him.
Now, how will the fort commander respond to this?
The last time it was just Lucy and me, but now Tilda and Anastasia are also
in the room.
The reason for this is to protect us in case of an emergency and to show a
clear display of military strength.
The merchant was quiet in the corner of the room.
Not too long after, we heard footsteps pounding from the hallway.
Only that fort commander would be able to make footsteps like an ogre's.
The next moment, and as we expected, the fat fort commander burst
through the door as if to blast it open and entered.
"Look who it is, at this busy time!"
The fort commander sat down on the sofa opposite of Lucy and the three of
us standing behind her.
Then he glared at the merchant standing in the corner of the room and at
each of us in turn.
If it's the usual fort commander, he would definitely gawk his eyes on Tilda
and Anastasia, who are also beautiful women on their own right, but today
he didn't seem to be doing that.
Well, considering his situation, he no longer has the luxury of doing so.
"Thank you for your granting us reception, fort commander."
"Enough with the hogwash. You're now known as the heroine who saved
the fort. And you're here to proclaim me of my wrongdoings, aren't you?"
He then sinks his fat body down on the sofa.
I felt sorry for the sofa, which seemed it was screaming from the sheer
weight of this pig.
"If you have something to say, then say it quickly."
The fort commander is standing proudly, but he is probably bluffing.
He must be very impatient inwardly, and that is where I'll strike.
"We're not here to accuse you of anything, fort commander."
"…what do you mean?"
He raises an eyebrow at my words.
"Sure. We'll score some points if we expose your wrongdoings, but that's
the end of it. You see, the reason we called you here is because we want
long-term gains between you and I."
If we score points by accusing him and putting him on trial, that's where the
gains will end.
Besides, the points gained are only valid within the military.
If our goal is to make Krasland ours, we'll have to make the most of the
opportunity to get your own pawns.
"We will pretend that we saw nothing of this matter. Of course, that doesn't
mean we will allow your smuggling of goods, but you should have already
known that if you don't stop, even your troops won't save you. As an
exchange for this one-time silence, we want the fort commander to
cooperate with us when the time comes."
"You mean, if the push comes to shove for you, I'll assist you? Just what
are you guys up to?"
This fort commander is probably sensitive to the desires of others because
he is also wrapped up in his own personal greed.
He knows he is about to be used for our purposes, but in his current
position, he cannot refuse.
If he refuses, he will be immediately accused and court-martialed.
No matter how many titles he holds, he cannot defy a court-martial as long
as he is in the military.
He will probably be deprived of his military rank without giving a chance to
explain himself.
"In Krasland, which is built on the power of the nobility and the military, it
goes without saying how bad it would be to be deprived of military rank,
doesn't it?"
"Gghh…"
Not only the fort commander, but his entire family would no longer be able
to stay in Krasland.
In the eyes of the common people, he will be a great sinner who has lined
his own pockets with money on the goods that are the fruits of their blood
and sweat. Th is ch ap ter tra nsl ation is ma de poss ibl e by stab bi ng wi th
a sy ri nge tran slatio ns. Che ck on ly up-t o-da te trans lat ions on my W
ordpr ess sit e.
In a sense, the public will hate him more than ordinary murderers.
"All you have to do is maintain the morale of your soldiers and fulfill your
defensive duties as usual," I continued. "With your own facilities, men, and
those tunnels, that shouldn't be too difficult, should it?"
"Lady Finlay, your adjutant is an abomination… but fine, I'll take you up
on that offer."
The fort commander replies, shaking the lump of fat on his belly.
"I'll take you up on that offer? It seems you still don't understand your
position, you pig."
"What the…!"
The fort commander tried to lean forward at my words, but stopped before
he could stand up.
It is because he became aware of a cold sensation on his neck.
"Don't move. You're too oily. I don't want to cut you too much."
It was Tilda who stopped the fort commander.
With blinding speed, she drove her spear into his neck.
"Gghhhh…"
"Now, do you understand your position? Since we have a witness, we have
the option of taking your head here."
With that, I turned around, and the merchant nodded with pleasant clarity.
The fort commander gritted his teeth, but he could not move with a weapon
held against him.
Eventually, as if giving up, he relaxed his body and sat down as if
collapsing on the sofa.
"Okay, I understand. I'll give you whatever you want."
"Yes, I think that would be a good choice."
I smiled at the bowing fort commander.
This way, when the time comes, we can use this fortress and his men as we
please.
◆ ◆
After our 'meeting' with the fort commander, we returned to our barracks.
But when I was going to try to recover from all the commotion of the day…
"…Why are you still here?"
Before me was the same merchant, sitting in the chair in my room.
"Please don't do this, sir. I can't make it back to Krasland with just my legs.
I will die the instant I meet a monster on the road, even if it's a goblin."
"I don't really care what happens to you, though?"
"That's mean."
I sigh in response to the merchant's blatant depression.
"Well, whatever. We'll leave here tomorrow with the Transport Unit
anyway. You can hitch yourself a ride on any available wagon."
"Really!? No takebacks, okay? Once I arrive at Krasland, please visit our
shop! We can sell you anything!"
"Most of them are probably stolen or smuggled anyway. I refuse."
"Is that so? What a waste. And here I thought we're gonna be best of friends
with how you dealt with the fort commander. Welp, I'll just have to find a
new business partner to start making money again."
After saying this, the merchant plopped down on my desk and began to
sleep.
"Oh, come on. You're sleeping here?"
Amazed at the mercant's bold mentality even at this point in time, I can
only crawl onto my bed grumpily.