The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 106

The Baron’s Second Son – Episode 106

I went to see the Emperor because he summoned me, wondering what he had to say. It was somewhat expected – an appeal that he hadn’t forgotten his promise and was working on it. So, having confirmed his commitment, I handed him a key that could help him. If his words to me weren’t empty, he would use it somehow.

“Hey! Are you still not done?”

“Just wait a bit longer. Do you think it’s something that can be made so easily?”

“Tsk, tsk. If you lack skill, you should at least put in the effort. You’re just making excuses; that’s why there’s no progress.”

[Even humans can be right sometimes. Work harder! It’s your laziness that’s hindering your training.]

It’s chaos from both sides. A day has 24 hours for both humans and dragons, but how can both tell me to work harder? If I dedicate time to one, the other will naturally be neglected.

“Please go back for now. I’ll contact you when it’s done. Or you can ride Glory over there, adjusting your strength appropriately.”

“How can an adult play with children’s toys?”

“Then please go back quietly. That’s the way to help me even a little, to shorten the deadline by even a day!”

I chased away Marquis Pongke, who was acting childishly for his age, and sat back down. I have so much to do, and instead of cheering me on, he’s just nagging and bothering me. How can I not be annoyed? At first, I treated him with respect because he was older, but after two or three times, it became unbearable.

Knock, knock-

“Who is it!”

As I was trying to concentrate on my research again, Armin hesitantly entered, breaking my focus. I answered irritably.

“What’s the matter?”

“I, I have something to tell you.”

#

“Is this really all there is? At this rate, it’s just a good-looking ornament!”

“But this is all I received. The body was described in detail, but the most important part, the power source called the core, is missing…”

“Are you trying to maintain at least a shred of loyalty after betraying us once? And can’t you do anything but pick up information given by others? If the core is missing, you shouldn’t just copy it as is, but fill it in!”

JoJo had passed information to another country. They rejoiced and began to create Titans and Glory [powerful magical constructs], and everything seemed to be going smoothly, at least until they touched the core.

Clearly, JoJo was an excellent magician. However, deciphering the engravings that Serena assessed as ‘not magic,’ something even Gadel, a magician superior to JoJo, had given up on understanding, was impossible.

In the end, the information JoJo passed on was incomplete, and it could only act as luck for some and misfortune for others. As Renil, Marquis Gunter, and many others who watched had assessed, without the core, Glory, with only its exoskeleton, was nothing more than a decorative sword.

“Renil, that young brat, created this alone from scratch in just a few years! But why can’t you climb even when you’re given a ladder and supported from below!”

“R, Renil is by no means a brat. Recently, he reached the 7th Circle…”

“He was a 6th Circle when he made this! And he’s only thirty!”

Even the 6th Circle was not a low level, but the subordinate couldn’t say a word to his superior. There was nothing to say. Even if he was in the 6th Circle, it only meant that his magic power and usable magic had increased. Knowledge and experience were also very important in research, as they were now.

The fact that dozens of magicians, who had been learning magic for at least two to three times longer than Renil, could not decipher the secret of the core that Renil had developed alone was nothing to be proud of.

“Request again from above! Send someone again and make sure they fill in the missing parts this time! If you’re going to betray us once, betray us thoroughly. Why are you still so attached!”

#

The Emperor was alone in his office, deep in thought. Not even the minimum number of soldiers for escort or attendants to serve him were present.

‘He’s capable.’

The problem that had been bothering him for months was solved with one meeting with Renil. It might not be perfect or completely clean, but it was certain that at least one promising path had emerged.

‘It’s enough that it’s not just abandoned land.’

The key Renil gave the Emperor was none other than a map of the mineral veins inside the Monster’s Land. Unlike the barren and cold surface, where monsters existed every step of the way, the underground was so rich in mineral deposits and varieties that it could be called a treasure.

Even though the Monster’s Land was only about 20-30% of the entire Empire’s area, developing all the mineral veins recorded on the map would surpass the amount of minerals currently supplied by the Empire.

A plan began to form in his mind. Since he hadn’t told anyone yet, and his personal desires were somewhat mixed in, he couldn’t guarantee that everything would go according to plan, but even if the Emperor thought about it coldly, it seemed like a pretty good idea.

‘I should start preparing soon.’

The Emperor’s thoughts, now that he had the key, were roughly as follows: First, the conquest of the Monster’s Land would begin with the Emperor’s faction’s forces alone. Since Glory, which was powerful against higher-level species, was mainly deployed to nobles belonging to the Emperor’s faction, there wouldn’t be any major problems at the beginning.

He planned to maximize initial results by putting Marquis Pongke, who had promised conditional participation, and Marquis Zeke, who loathed monsters, at the forefront.

Marquis Pongke, who wouldn’t think of anything else as long as his demands were met and he was allowed to do as he pleased.

Marquis Zeke, who had proven his unwavering loyalty by serving at the Tera Wall [a fortified border] for a long time, which was no different from exile.

With those two, they would be faithful to their assigned tasks without thinking of anything else. Of course, he was planning to let Marquis Pongke run wild on his own and give Marquis Zeke command.

If he gave command to Marquis Pongke, who was excellent in personal combat but didn’t look back and was easily excitable, he didn’t need to see what would happen.

Marquis Zeke was also not sufficient to be the commander-in-chief due to his rigid personality, but it was hard to imagine that such shortcomings would appear against monsters.

‘After that, quickly develop the mines.’

And the Emperor’s faction, which participated in the conquest, would monopolize the profits.

Overwhelming initial results, numerous benefits gained from easily acquired land. What would the nobles, who were remarkably aware of what was beneficial to them, think when they saw that sight?

Was the Monster’s Land’s reputation actually exaggerated?

They can’t let others monopolize those numerous benefits, should they watch a little longer? What if it’s too late? Shouldn’t they get their foot in the door now to get even a crumb, and so on.

If he could seize the initial momentum properly, it wouldn’t be difficult to induce the participation of those who were hesitating.

‘Without Glory, they’re just cannon fodder after all.’

Nevertheless, the visible results could only be obtained by the nobles who had participated early and possessed Glory. No matter how many thousands or tens of thousands of low-level monsters like orcs or goblins they caught, it would be more noticeable to catch dozens of higher-level species.

The Emperor would entrust the maintenance of the front lines, security, etc., which had high consumption values but were not noticeable, to the noble faction. The Emperor’s faction would take the strike force, which was bound to be noticeable. They wouldn’t be able to object either. He had the initiative in command, and it was too inefficient to use Glory for security.

The Emperor himself and the nobles who followed him would increase their power, and the other nobles would have their power reduced. Killing two birds with one stone, killing two birds with one stone, everyone benefits.

“Hey!”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

Everything is according to plan.

#

“So, you suspect JoJo?”

“…Yes.”

Armin’s words, who had come suddenly, were as sudden as the timing of his visit. Suspecting JoJo.

‘JoJo?’

Personally, I trusted him, but I wasn’t giving him my full trust simply because of personal friendship. The path he had taken so far was enough to give him trust, even though he was from another country.

Even though he was from another country, his entire family and teacher had died, leaving him with no ties, and it was in the Empire that he was able to reconfirm his teacher’s achievements, which had been his lifelong wish, thanks to my help. He spent his prime in the Empire, so why would he betray me, the Empire, now?

“He’s been asking about the core.”

“He’s also re-examining the information about Glory, which is already complete, in detail.”

“…Aren’t you being too sensitive?”

The task JoJo was in charge of was the overall supervision and synchronization work of the entire process as the deputy director. It’s useless to investigate Glory now, which hasn’t changed much, but it’s not something he can’t do as someone in charge of the entire process. Isn’t it too much to suspect him just for that? I’m starting to feel suspicious of Armin instead.

“That’s not all. Some time ago…”

I saw JoJo moving suspiciously late one night while working overtime.

I saw JoJo busily transcribing the production process of Glory.

I saw him looking at the artifact containing Glory with a meaningful look for a long time.

Etc. These were actions that were bound to include personal opinions. Once you start thinking suspiciously, even ordinary actions can look suspicious afterwards.

“How long has it been since you came back from vacation that you’re so on edge? Do you want me to give you some more vacation if you want?”

“So, am I being too sensitive after all?”

“Yeah. So don’t tell anyone. If anyone hears, they’ll think you’re jealous of JoJo and envying him.”

“Yes. I’m sorry for disturbing your peace of mind with useless words.”

I sent Armin back with words telling him not to think useless thoughts. But I didn’t think Armin’s words were just nonsense. Armin had been watching JoJo for a long time too. He must have felt something suspicious, something hard to put into words, which is why he started to suspect a colleague he had been close to for so long.

‘I should look into it for now.’

It’s much better to suspect him thoroughly than to keep the suspicion unspoken and uneasy. If it turns out to be a pointless suspicion, I’ll have to scold Armin and apologize. If it’s true…

‘I can’t avoid responsibility either.’

It was me who fully supported JoJo. But what if he betrayed me? If he passed on information about Glory to someone, like Armin said? I would also be responsible. At that moment, I heard a knock on the door that had been closed after Armin left.

Knock, knock-

“It’s me. Can I come in?”

The Baron’s Second Son – Episode 106 – End