27 – Episode 27 Goal
＜Episode 27 Goal＞
One week later,
Commander’s Barracks.
“Can you defend the territory and its people from them?”
I couldn’t answer.
Hordes of large monsters relentlessly approaching.
Knights and wizards fighting them, along with the elite forces.
Among them, my father stood out with his exceptional performance.
I keenly felt why everyone desired a strong territory lord.
“As you can see, the southern coastal region? 15% of the territory? If we can occupy just 10% or even 5% of the power here, we can dominate.”
“…”
Once again, I couldn’t reply.
Because his words were true.
“However, we haven’t expanded our territory. Occupying land would be useless. It would only increase the area we need to defend.”
“…”
“The current frontier power is enough to safeguard the territory.”
Did I disappoint my father by expanding the area?
I raised my head and studied my father’s expression.
But,
“Are you smiling?”
Of course, it was a very faint smile.
To others, it might seem expressionless.
However, I could distinguish it.
Because I had become sensitive to even the slightest changes while reading Alencia’s expressions.
“On the other hand, you have expanded your territory. That’s why there are high expectations for you. It’s not just about expanding, but also about utilizing that land.”
Even land has its costs and profits.
Acquiring the land of Ireland comes with a high cost.
I must protect it from the monsters.
On the other hand, the profits are low.
This is land where even farming is impossible.
But, I am different.
If I take possession of the land, I can make a profit greater than the cost.
By cultivating the land, planting crops, I can cover defense costs and still have a surplus.
Father pointed this out.
“Did you ask if you are suitable as a feudal lord?”
“Yes, Father.”
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
“From the moment you showed no talent in magic, your qualification as a feudal lord disappeared.”
It seems Father has already made up his mind.
“But, you showed unexpected abilities. Cultivating land, gathering soldiers, expanding the territory.”
“…”
“So, I am giving you an opportunity.”
Father took out a prepared map.
On it, the newly acquired southern coastal area was drawn as a frontier territory.
He drew a line on it.
The north of the territory I acquired.
It included the area containing the troll habitat.
“If we can occupy this place, I won’t change Soyoungju even when Gibson comes of age. It doesn’t mean you’ll be the next lord, though.”
He clenched his fists.
Occupy the Troll Territory.
Even before Gibson’s coming-of-age ceremony.
The scene of battling three trolls flashed through his mind.
Even with 700 Palanx soldiers, they barely defeated three trolls.
And casualties amounted to a hundred.
But to annex the Troll Habitat into human territory?
“I see you’re not ready to answer.”
“…”
“But it must be done. If one without magical talent wishes to become a lord of the frontier.”
While hearing his father’s words through one ear, his mind continued to simulate.
How could they seize the Troll Habitat?
Yet, no answer came.
“Or are you considering giving up?”
Give up?
He couldn’t give up without even trying.
Through contemplation, discussion, and search, a solution might arise.
“No. I will do it. I will reclaim the Troll Habitat.”
Parting with my father,
Returning to the River.
I continued to ponder.
About how to occupy the troll habitat.
“Miss So Young-ju, we have arrived.”
“What did you say?”
“We have arrived at the River.”
“Already? Well done.”
The journey from the north to the south.
It is by no means a short distance.
But it felt short.
Perhaps because I had a lot to think about.
Expanding the territory,
I passed through the north during winter.
“Busy with the harvest season.”
The slaves were harvesting the winter wheat that had grown in each cultivation area.
As I approached the cultivation area, Isak, who was overseeing, greeted me.
“Have you arrived, master? I hope everything went well.”
I forced a bitter smile and nodded.
After meeting my father, my goal became clear.
The problem lies in the fact that the goal is too challenging.
“When will the harvest be finished?”
“It’s almost at the end. We can finish it in a few days.”
“After work, bring Russell and Hans to the office.”
“Yes, sir.”
Parting ways with Isaac,
they arrived at the office.
Even sitting there, the pondering continued.
“I can’t face trolls as an ordinary soldier.”
Soldiers wearing Phalanx gear.
They’re not weak in terms of ordinary soldiers.
Yet, three trolls posed a significant challenge.
More than 10% casualties occurred.
“What if we leave it to the hunters?”
That’s not it either.
To defeat large monsters, several veteran hunters must gather.
Not only are the numbers of veteran hunters not plentiful, but even if they gather, the hunting speed is too slow.
They observe the trolls for a few days.
And then set traps.
Lure them in.
I hunt.
This process alone takes about a week.
It would be fortunate if I catch them that way, but the probability of failure is high.
If even a small variable arises in the middle, I have to withdraw.
That’s how difficult it is to hunt trolls.
I looked at the map spread out on the desk.
How many trolls are living in that vast place?
It could take decades to catch them as a hunter.
“As expected, knights or wizards are needed.”
I wrote down knights on the paper and marked an X on top.
The knights of Monster Island are already affiliated with each territory.
The knights of the continent do not come to Monster Island.
“Then, is it a wizard?”
Knock. Knock.
“Master, it’s me, Isaac.”
“Come in.”
Isaac, Hans, and Russell came in.
They may be two slaves for one knight,
But they are subordinates responsible for each field.
“Take a seat.”
They described the conversation they had with their father.
After the long story ended,
Hans was the first to react.
“It can’t be. This means they intend to strip Lady Soyoung of her position!”
“It’s not like that.”
“But didn’t they set an impossible task as a condition!”
He raised his hand to stop Hans’s words.
“Hans, it’s already decided. Think about how to occupy the Troll Territory.”
“I apologize, Lady Soyoung.”
Hans sat down.
He turned his gaze to Isaac sitting next to him.
Isaac, meeting his eyes, looked startled and raised both hands.
“Master, I don’t know much about these matters.”
“It’s okay, Isaac.”
Isaac had been farming all his life.
In a way, it was natural for him not to know.
Finally, he shifted his gaze to Russell.
“Could you give us some more time? It doesn’t come to me immediately.”
Russell nodded, meaning it was okay.
“If you come up with any good ideas, feel free to speak up. You can go back now.”
Hans, Isaac, and Russell bowed their heads and left the room.
After they had completely left, he sighed deeply.
Traces of contemplation were left on the paper.
There was an X marked on the knight,
and the last word written was “magician.”
‘If it’s a magician…’
Knights are affiliated and trained in each territory even before becoming knights.
On the other hand, magicians are different.
Most magicians in Monster Island study in the gray tower.
Some are affiliated with territories, but a considerable number are not.
‘If there’s even a slight possibility, I should give it a try.’
Early the next morning,
he set off for the Vampire Duchy.
Vampire Duchy.
Gray Tower.
Bumatop Prefecture Research Lab.
“So. Lord Elwin wants to hire a magician.”
“Rather than hiring… he wants to take them as guests.”
“I will gather applicants. Will you visit again in a week?”
“I appreciate it. Lord Bumatop.”
Separated from the Bumatapju,
I went to find Elena.
“Oppa!”
Elena ran towards me with joy,
Suddenly, she looked around.
Then she walked gracefully like a lady.
“Have you been well?”
“Yeah, I’ve been well.”
Her attempt to mimic adult speech looked cute.
In this world, adulthood begins at 16.
Although Elena is an adult here, on Earth, she’s nothing more than a middle or high school student.
“Speak comfortably.”
“Yeah! Oppa, what brings you here?”
“I came to see Bumatapju.”
“Bumatapju?”
I revealed the story of coming to hire a magician.
I added that we also need to subdue a troll.
After the long story,
Elena frowned.
“No one else would’ve gone for you, Oppa?”
“Will it really be like that?”
“Of course. Oppa, you see…”
Even though it was an expected story, hearing it directly made my heart ache.
Whether it showed on her face or not, Elena wore an apologetic expression.
“No, it’s okay. Thanks for telling me as it is. And this is a gift.”
To lighten the heavy atmosphere, Kariyan offered his staff.
“Wow! It looks really expensive.”
I pointed at the Kariyan Frontier engraved on the staff.
“It’s Kariyan-nim’s staff. This is for you to use.”
“Wow! Grandpa Kariyan!”
Even though he was a ancestor from a hundred years ago, Elena attached the title of ‘grandpa’ to him.
After inspecting the staff for a while, Elena looked up.
“Oppa! Should I help? Even though I may look like this, I’m already at Circle 2! I might be able to use Circle 3 soon!”
Frontier blood was flowing.
She was knocking on the door of Circle 3 in her teens.
I messed up Elena’s hair.
“No, you can’t. You should study more here. I’ll handle the troll problem.”
“Whimper… Then, what about becoming a cleric? Oppa, you’re a devotee blessed by the goddess, meeting even the goddess herself!”
“Well… um… you could say that.”
“I learned in class that clerics…”
Elena explained about the clerics.
While the mages specialize in attack and utility,
clerics have strengths in healing and buffing.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Do you know how clerics fight? They strengthen temple knights and temple soldiers to fight.”
According to Elena, a unit that receives buffs from high-ranking clerics can face trolls.
Although it may not be one-on-one like with knights,
the fact that regular units can fight trolls was impressive.
“But why would clerics come to Monster Island?”
300 years ago,
just like knights and mages, many clerics also died on Monster Island.
As a result, the religious landscape of the continent did not change.
Clerics feared Monster Island more than ordinary people.
“But you have your brother! Your brother is a devout follower of the Goddess of Earth!”
Unfortunately,
I have never met the Goddess of Earth, nor am I a follower.
It was all lies to show off my system abilities.
On the contrary, I could have been exposed as a liar if I went to the temple.
So, I can’t follow Elena’s words.
“No, I can’t. I’ve already received enough blessings. I have to solve the rest on my own.”
“Yeah… I see.”
