The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 21

“Don’t you realize that such behavior from an envoy is akin to insulting His Majesty the Emperor directly?”

“If I’ve offended you, I apologize again. But I couldn’t ignore hearing my name mentioned. Ah, don’t worry too much. Once I understand why my presence was brought up in your conversation, I’ll be on my way.”

“That won’t be necessary. Please leave immediately. I’m here with Baron Draghnil to discuss the Magic Tower’s directives, under the Magic Tower Lord’s authority. Even as an envoy of His Majesty, Baron Dove has no right to interfere in this matter.”

To Evan, Dove’s words were completely unacceptable. The moment he learned from Baron Draghnil about the mana stones for the Terra Barrier, he knew the Baron would rush to inform the Emperor. Would any predator simply watch another steal its kill? Especially one driven by hunger.

“Haha. If you insist, I have no choice. In that case, since I’m already here to see Baron Draghnil, allow me to state my business before I depart.”

Despite the obvious hostility, Dove remained perfectly composed. In fact, as he expressed his admiration and bowed to Baron Draghnil, Evan felt a sense of unease, a feeling that proved justified by Dove’s next words.

“As an envoy representing His Majesty the Emperor, and as a noble of the Empire, I commend your decision, Baron. Your choice will save countless lives within the Empire.”

‘He heard everything!’

Only a few words had been exchanged, yet Dove acted as if he knew the entire arrangement. It then dawned on Evan that Dove had feigned ignorance from the start, solely to provoke him. This realization left Baron Draghnil visibly flustered.

‘If only he had arrived a day later.’

For Baron Draghnil, choosing between the Imperial Family and the Magic Tower was a clear decision: the Imperial Family. While the Magic Tower held considerable power, it paled in comparison to the might of the Empire.

Furthermore, while the Magic Tower Lord held significant authority, it didn’t rival that of the Emperor. Given the choice, siding with the Imperial Family was the obvious path.

However, reality rarely aligns with such simple calculations. Baron Draghnil preferred not to antagonize either faction if possible. Should the Magic Tower plot something, the Emperor couldn’t prevent everything.

Had Dove arrived just one day later, the Baron could have avoided incurring resentment, as the decision would have already been made. But with Dove overhearing such pointed remarks, there was no guarantee the fallout wouldn’t extend to the Draghnil territory.

‘What should I do?’

Evan’s mind raced. In this situation, reacting emotionally would be counterproductive. He had risen to become the Magic Tower Lord’s adjutant at a young age, not only due to his talent but also his sharp intellect. Maintaining his composure, Evan searched for a solution and spotted a glimmer of opportunity.

“That’s an excellent decision. I have no doubt that your choice, as Baron Dove mentioned, will save countless lives in the Empire.”

Dove eyed Evan suspiciously, wondering what he was planning by agreeing so readily. In Dove’s experience, wizards were like bats, clinging to whichever side benefited them most, making them inherently untrustworthy.

“However, if it’s not too much to ask, could you specify what percentage you intend to allocate to the Terra Barrier? If you’re not sending the entire amount, the Magic Tower would be interested in purchasing the remainder.”

Baron Draghnil had never committed to sending the full amount. Dove, realizing this, attempted to interject, but Evan’s gaze remained fixed on Baron Draghnil. Regardless of Dove’s words, the final decision rested with the Baron.

#

In the end, Baron Draghnil, having navigated the difficult situation by allocating 60% of the mana stones to the Terra Barrier and 40% to the Magic Tower, sighed in his room. However, this sigh was one of relief, unlike the worried sighs he had been releasing earlier.

In his estimation, this decision was the best possible outcome. Aligning solely with one side could invite interference from the other. By maintaining ties with both, neither would be quick to abandon him. If a force seeking control of the territory offered more to one side, the other would act as a counterbalance.

‘That cheeky bastard.’

He had never concerned himself with such matters. Yet, without warning, he found himself a shrimp caught between two whales, a stark reminder of the peaceful life he had led until now.

He felt annoyed that Renil had presented him with this problem without a word, but also a sense of pride. It was as if his second son, whom he had always considered immature, had earned enough recognition from the Emperor to send him a gift. It just so happened that the gift was a little burdensome.

“I don’t even expect you to return unscathed. Just please come back alive.”

Why would he willingly send Renil to what amounted to a death trap? He believed he had shown equal affection to all his children, like how every finger hurts when you bite it. However, at the time, Renil going was the best option. For a while, his gaze remained fixed on the family portrait on the wall.

#

“Really, this place?”

I nodded slowly at the wizard, who was pointing at the empty air with a dumbfounded expression. He looked back and forth between the empty space and me as if in disbelief, but he wouldn’t find the answer he wanted from me.

“This makes no sense! How are we supposed to defend against monsters in a place like this!”

I brought my index finger to my lips, gesturing for quiet to those protesting loudly. If the monsters were drawn in by the noise, we’d have to face them unarmed. Understanding my gesture, they remembered they were outside the Terra Barrier and reacted accordingly. They lowered their voices, but no one raised them again.

“Mana stones are valuable, that’s true. But they’re not as valuable as our lives!”

“But it seems like mana stones are more precious to the higher-ups. Besides, if we can just get on a certain track [achieve a breakthrough], it’ll be worth our lives.”

“Damn it. Why did they have to discover a mana stone mine…”

“No, weren’t you guys happy before we came here?”

“That’s because we didn’t know it would be this barren!”

The demonstration ended successfully, but there was still a long way to go before it could be used in actual combat. Because they were wizards who pursued perfection, they found points to be supplemented through field tests, and the improved ballista in particular attracted even more attention.

It was a means to inflict fatal wounds on the higher species that were a nuisance to the Terra Barrier even from a distance, so it was enough to expect that they would not have to go on the autumn expedition if the improvement went smoothly.

While they were putting their heads together like that, an order came from above: to determine the exact size of the mine and establish a defense plan. As the first discoverer and the only one with the map, I couldn’t be left out. This meant leaving the Terra Barrier again, something I only did twice a year at most.

“I wasn’t expecting a natural fortress, but I didn’t think it would be this flat. I was hoping for at least a small hill.”

“If there isn’t one, we can make one. We can do things that hundreds or thousands of ordinary people can’t…”

“I know. That’s why we’re called wizards. Still, this is… If the Terra Barrier were closer, we could try to link it, and if there was even a small hill, we could use it as bait, but it’s too flat.”

“I’m not saying to build it immediately. There’s a saying that starting is half the battle, so let’s just begin.”

I barely instilled some motivation and quickly scanned the map. Unfortunately, it didn’t show elevation, so I knew the planned mine site’s width but not its depth.

Nevertheless, my past experience digging mana stones was helpful, as we wouldn’t have to dig too deep.

If we were expecting a tunnel-type mine instead of an open-pit mine, we would have to be prepared to consume several times, several tens of times the human and material resources, and there would be even more skeptical views on development.

What if the tunnels collapsed due to the impact of monsters running in from hundreds of meters underground? It was a terrible thing to even imagine.

“It’s wide, it’s wide. We have to cover all of this?”

The area where mana was detected spanned several hundred meters, and if we considered the areas where mana density was lower and undetectable, it would be even wider. Of course, the decision was up to the higher-ups, but surrounding and defending this vast area with walls? In my opinion, it was a non-starter.

As the sun began to set, we hurried back to the Terra Barrier. The monsters of the night were more ferocious and dangerous.

“If we design this poorly, all the profits from development might be spent on protecting the mine.”

“I expected it, but it won’t be easy.”

“Let’s report it first. No matter what we say, we have to follow the orders from above, so they’ll make a good decision.”

#

From that time on, we were given an additional task: how to defend efficiently. Without development, there would be no mana stones or anything else, making it the most pressing issue.

“How about building high walls so that the monsters can’t even think of climbing over?”

“How high are you planning to make them? Besides, the thickness must be considerable because monsters can push in with their bodies, and what about the flying ones?”

“If you think like that, there’s no end to it. There’s no way to prevent all damage.”

“Besides, we can’t build it all at once, so it will take a considerable amount of time, and if the monsters destroy it in the meantime, are we going to start over from the beginning? According to Renil, the central area alone will be 1 km in diameter, so it’s impossible for us alone. Rather, how about building several small castles and just holding out inside them when the monsters rush in…”

However, no conclusion was easily reached. The only thing everyone agreed on was that it was impossible with the power of the Terra Barrier alone. The method would also depend on the scale of support from the center.

Ding ding ding ding ding-

“Yellow?”

“It’s yellow [alert level]. What are you doing! Hurry up and get up there.”

“Please just let us do one thing. The number of people is decreasing, but there are more and more things to do!”

“Just bear with it. Replacements will be here in a few months.”

Of course, even in the meantime, the Terra Barrier was not quiet. As always, the bell rang to announce an emergency, and everyone grumbled but hurried to climb the barrier. However, that day’s attack was different from any other. The dust clouds rising from afar were unusual, but the mana reaction identified through the map was also different from anything before.

Ding ding ding ding ding-!

“I knew I felt refreshed when I woke up this morning… Be tense. I don’t think it’ll end with yellow.”

It felt like the bell ringing to warn of the alarm was ringing much faster than usual today.