December 10, 2020
"Nice to meet you, Your Grace, the Duke of Schwarhan. I am Cher Sezanta, the chancellor of Roakin. And the one behind me is my bodyguard, Fenril."
Cher, a middle-aged man with scattered gray hair, greeted Cabelenus first with proper respect. Cabelenus accepted his greeting without hesitation, shaking Cher's outstretched hand.
"You ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) must have had a long journey," Cabelenus remarked.
"Your Grace offered a good opportunity, how could I possibly refuse?" Cher replied.
"That will depend on how our discussion unfolds from here."
"Do not worry. Roakin is a people who give as much as they receive. Trust is one of Roakin's prides," Cher said, placing his hand over his heart and smiling slightly.
"Then there is no need to delay. I do not enjoy wasting time on unnecessary talk."
"I agree," Cher said as he took a seat at Cabelenus’s gesture. Their objectives had already been vaguely confirmed through letters. Now, all that was left was to make their mutual gains clear.
"It’s not difficult for us to pretend to be on the Emperor’s side and sway the public opinion of the Empire. But the problem comes after that," Cher continued.
"After that?"
"Roakin is a kind of alliance state formed by several tribes. Unless the suzerain maintains absolute power, internal strife among the vassals is inevitable," Cher explained.
"Roakin is not a fertile land, so that only makes sense," Cabelenus noted, tilting his head slightly. While Schwarhan was a frozen wasteland, Roakin was a barren land. Both lands, under the scorching sun and dry desert, struggled with the harshness of nature.
"You seem to know quite a bit about Roakin," Cher remarked.
"Schwarhan had similar troubles," Cabelenus replied.
"Similar, but the outcomes were different. Schwarhan overcame it successfully, but Roakin did not," Cher said.
"So you want magic, do you?" Cabelenus asked, a smirk on his face.
"Even if I wanted it, you wouldn’t give it, would you?" Cher laughed heartily.
"What if I could?" Cabelenus raised an eyebrow.
"...Are you serious?" Cher asked, his expression changing.
"Of course. But the magic you could obtain will depend on the results you provide that satisfy me," Cabelenus said arrogantly, a smile creeping across his face.
"My, my. It seems Your Grace really does want to strike a deal with us," Cher observed.
"I want to end this war quickly and cleanly. There’s no need to shed more blood than necessary," Cabelenus responded coolly.
"The Wolf of Schwarhan is hardly one to speak of such things," Cher teased.
"Even if it's not Roakin, I have plenty of prey lying around," Cabelenus said, leisurely stroking his chin. His expression remained unchanged, exuding a calm yet confident demeanor.
"If you say it like that, then we have no reason to hesitate either," Cher said.
"I’m glad to hear it. It looks like we’ll wrap this up quickly," Cabelenus replied.
"However, what we want is not magic," Cher continued.
"Not magic? Then what is it?" Cabelenus asked, intrigued.
"Do you remember Vaizen? The land you conquered eight years ago," Cher inquired.
Cabelenus’s eyes flickered at the mention of Vaizen. Though it was now called Vaizen, Cabelenus knew it by a different name, a more familiar one.
"...Are you talking about Neuschwein?" Cabelenus asked.
"I thought you wouldn’t like it if I mentioned its old name," Cher said with a hint of amusement.
"Names don’t matter. What’s important is the heart of Roakin," Cabelenus replied.
Cher placed his hand over his chest as he continued, "There is no real secret to it."
"Then why is Neuschwein necessary?" Cabelenus asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Because my homeland is Roakin," Cher said, raising his hand to his chest.
"What does that mean?" Cabelenus asked, now truly curious.
"Looking to the future, choosing magic would be the right decision. But Roakin, in its current state, lacks the strength to move toward the future," Cher said, his voice serious.
"..." Cabelenus fell silent.
"If magic were to come into the situation right now, we couldn’t even handle it properly. It would only fuel the vassals’ greed and sow the seeds of conflict," Cher added.
"So you want to focus on the present, rather than the future?" Cabelenus’s eyes narrowed. While most would think of the future, a ruler must consider the present. Given Roakin’s situation, Cabelenus understood.
"The embarrassing truth is, Roakin is not in a position to lead an alliance at this moment," Cher confessed.
"So, you want Neuschwein?" Cabelenus asked, pressing for clarity.
"Not exactly. What I want is the liberation of Neuschwein’s Eastern lands, Beltain," Cher corrected.
Cabelenus’s green eyes flashed for a moment between his furrowed brows. He rested his chin in his hand, silent.
"Will Beltain be enough?" Cabelenus asked, his voice measured.
"It’s not perfect, but it’s not bad either. Beltain is rich in food and lies next to Roakin, making it a valuable asset for us," Cher explained, spreading his arms wide, as though proving he was harmless.
"And it would be to Your Grace’s benefit as well," Cher added with a knowing smile.
Cabelenus’s expression remained unreadable as he rested his chin, his thoughts unclear.
"I’ll think about it," Cabelenus said, finally standing slowly.
"...Not a word on it yet?" Cher asked, still unsure.
"No matter how urgent it is, I can’t keep a guest here forever," Cabelenus said with a relaxed smile. His eyes, however, were on the young man standing behind Cher, not Cher himself.
***
"He’s a formidable opponent," Cher remarked.
"He may have figured out your plan," the young man with Cher said.
Cher glanced at the young man, who had been speaking to Cabelenus instead of him for some time. He realized that the true decision-maker had been identified.
"So what’s wrong with that?" Cher responded.
"What’s wrong? Your plans are always dark, extremely so," the young man retorted.
"You were the one who brought him along," Cher pointed out.
"At least he’s acting for Roakin," the young man said, shrugging.
"Flattering words," Cher muttered, his face souring at the young man’s nonchalant attitude.
"Now, what are we going to do?" the young man asked.
"What do you mean?" Cher replied.
"It seemed like the Duke knew everything already," the young man remarked.
"It doesn’t matter. The name ‘Fenril’ was always meant to be noticed. It’s just a difference in pronunciation between Roakin and Blanche. Who wouldn’t notice?" Cher answered, waving his hand dismissively.
Fenril smirked, drawing letters in the air with his fingers.
"Did you think we’d get caught? You told me it was impossible!" the young man laughed.
"I’m curious how much the Wolf of Schwarhan really knows about Roakin," Fenril remarked with a grin.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
"Was that your goal?"
"Yes. That was the goal."
Fenril playfully tapped the curtains. No matter how much he looked around, the landscape outside the window was covered in snow, yet Schwarhan was self-sustaining without any help. What was a dream for Roakin was a reality for Schwarhan.
"Why go through such pointless things?"
"I was curious about what kind of person the Wolf of Schwarhan is. Whether he’s just a crazy killer who can only swing a sword, or a power-holding ruler with a brain."
"Does it matter to us?"
"It does."
While many whispered that anyone on the throne would be better than Jerpeneus, Fenril disagreed. Cabelenus, depending on the situation, could easily be a far more malicious emperor than Jerpeneus.
"The current emperor lacks legitimacy, but Duke Schwarhan is different. The legitimacy he holds, along with his numerous victories, will unite the Empire," Fenril explained.
"So you’re saying the Empire’s power could become even stronger than it is now?"
"If the Duke is ambitious, he may even aim for the unification of the continent," Fenril replied casually.
Cher didn't laugh at this. He knew that this was not just a joke.
"That could be the worst case for us. It might not end with us being just a vassal," Cher said.
"I came here to make sure that doesn't happen," Fenril replied confidently, puffing out his chest. His green eyes, a proud symbol of Roakin, gleamed.
"So, what are you planning to do about it?"
"The Duke seems more intelligent than I expected. If he were just a bloodthirsty madman as the rumors say, he wouldn’t have noticed the difference in my name."
"What does that mean to us?"
"It means a lot. You and I are not blinded by a thirst for revenge, are we?"
"You’re not going to flatter me for nothing."
Cher laughed, but there was a hint of bitterness in his smile. The pressure from the Empire had driven Roakin to the brink. Even the traders they dealt with had turned their backs, fearful of the Empire’s influence. Even when they managed to bring in goods, the prices were several times higher than in other regions, causing constant frustration. No matter how much one tried to set emotions aside, relying on the Empire at this point wasn’t a pleasant prospect.
"I’m not trying to flatter you. I’m asking a favor," Fenril corrected.
"A favor? What kind of favor?"
"I mean, let’s at least throw away our pride. Instead of charging ahead with emotion like my foolish brothers, let’s do anything we can for Roakin, even if it means being humble when the time comes."
"Huh?"
Cher glanced at Fenril in disbelief, but Fenril only smiled brightly.
"The good news is that the Duke seems willing to endure more losses than we thought. In other words, he’ll likely grant our demands," Fenril continued.
"Didn’t it feel like there was a line being drawn?"
"If there’s a reason, then what is it?"
"What reason?"
"When Vaizen was mentioned, the Duke’s expression subtly changed."
Cabelenus wasn’t one to show many expressions. Unless one paid careful attention, it was hard to notice any change in his demeanor. But for someone like him, the occasional signs of agitation stood out all the more. If you could pick up on those subtle changes, it would be much easier to understand the situation.
"The Duke’s expression changed? When? I didn’t notice," Cher said.
"Well, you’re getting older, so—"
"What? So that’s what it is!" Cher snapped.
"Wait! Wait! Calm down and listen to me! This is the important part!" Fenril hurriedly tried to calm Cher, who looked ready to lash out like an angry bear.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I’m saying the Duke is suspicious."
"Suspicious?"
"Isn’t it strange? Why is the Duke so concerned about Vaizen?"
"Well, Vaizen’s food supply—"
"Schwarhan can produce its own food. There’s no need to get it from far-off Vaizen."
Fenril, noticing Cher’s softened gaze, cautiously stepped back.
"...So?"
"Schwarhan to the north has the sea, so there’s no need for us to fight over ports like you would. And it doesn’t really engage much in trade."
"Tell me more."
Cher beckoned with a finger, urging Fenril to continue. Fenril then brightened up, eager to explain.
"Also, the Duke has been generous to Vaizen from the start. Aside from restoring war damages, he’s never really been deeply involved with Vaizen."
"..."
"At first, I thought he just saw Vaizen as a gateway to Roakin, so he didn’t pay it much attention... but now..."
"You mean it might not be the case?"
"Yes. It’s very likely."
"Alright. I get what you’re saying. But is this something we need to worry about?"
"Of course, it’s something to worry about."
Fenril nodded vigorously.
"If the Duke has a special meaning tied to Vaizen, we might not get what we want," Fenril concluded.
"Really? Do you think it’s that serious? Honestly, getting some land is better than magic," Cher replied.
"That’s just our judgment, but it might not be the Duke’s perspective," Fenril said thoughtfully.
"Ugh. I hate when things get complicated."
Cher sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
"So, you want to figure it out before it gets any more complicated?" Cher asked.
"You might stir things up and make the problem worse," Cher warned.
"Don’t worry. Have I ever let you down?" Fenril said with a carefree attitude as he loosened his neck button. He had restrained himself in front of the Duke, but he hated being constricted.
"Don’t get cocky. Even the most experienced camel can get lost in the desert."
"Even if I get lost, an experienced camel always finds its way back. That’s what being experienced means," Fenril replied confidently.
"You sure talk a lot," Cher muttered.
"I talk well, and I’ll do well too," Fenril grinned, his confidence shining through.
"Soon, I’ll bring the Duke’s secret to you, my old friend." Fenril’s lips curved upward with a self-assured smile.
