Price of Management

The old horseman responded without much fear because he had experience. The soldiers open the carriage door and check us out.

“Excuse me, may I ask your identity? ”

“Earl Randall Spay. ”

“Baron Caroc Kunt. ”

In our answer, the soldiers' faces changed.

“Show me your ID. ”

The soldiers take our IDs, check for forgeries and return them after a long time.

“Excuse me a lot. ”

“Are you always this thorough? ”

An officer who appeared to be in charge of my questions nodded.

“Yes, Duke Meutt's instructions are always thoroughly vetted. Especially since you've come from the direction of the Horn Empire. ”

“Got it.”

“I've heard a lot from Rick Kunt. Welcome."

Speaking of which, the officer let the gate open.

I guess Brother Rick heard about me. It was also Rick who was active and spacious when he saw that he was close enough to chat with one officer.

Due to his unannounced visit, it was a long wait to meet Duke Meutt.

I asked the servant if he was training with his disciples. Even though the sky is falling, do you have to train until dinner after lunch?

In response, Randall makes his way to the training ground to make sure he's restless. with Duke Meutt's permission.

In the meantime, I decided to hang out with the spirits in the prepared room.

“Noum, Undine, Salamander. ”

Norm in the ground, Wounded and Salamander in the air.

Murderly cute gnome and oundie give me a hug, but the salamander just stares at me with a grumpy look.

That look... reminds me of my past life. Don't give me that look on your son's face!

“What are you complaining about? ”

I didn't call you!

The salamander exclaims in a heartbreaking voice.

Ah...

I never summoned a salamander while I was in the capital city of the Kingdom of Ledon or the Horn, Tiberius. Because I didn't know what kind of trouble he was in.

That's why you're upset.

“Son, don't stare at me like that. Listen to your father. ”

I started typing the salamander with a bold voice.

“You know I don't hate you because you're a spirit, right? And you know I get in trouble every time you mess around without listening. You may find it even more amusing because it's fun, but remember that's why I can't call you in important places. ”

- …….

“Do you understand me? ”

Then the salamander opened his mouth.

- Ew.

The flame that protruded instead of the trim slightly burnt my face.

“Ow!”

I leapt back in shock.

Son of a bitch!

“Dude! Are you sure you want to do this?! ”

- Heheh heh heh! Burnt face!

I hurriedly saw a mirror hanging on the wall. Fortunately, I did not get burns to make sure the thermostat was regulated. It's just...

“My lashes! Khhh!”

Salamander's Trim (?) burned all my lashes. My eyes became very strange thanks to it. The snow is pooping more than it needs to be!

“No! ”

I cried my head off and cried, and the salamanders flew around the sky because they were good.

- Oh, my God!

The angry Woundee chases after her with a whip of water, and the Salamander runs out of the window.

When I lost my temper, I squatted down on the bed.

I must see Duke Meutt soon. King Erik or the Marquis of Duron will soon be upon us as well. Like this!

- You okay, Dad?

I fell on a bed of ragged nostrils.

“I'm fine, but my heart aches. ”

- I'm comforting you.

Norm kissed me on the forehead. I embraced gnome and rolled the bed.

“Phew, what a nice gnome we are. ”

- Heh heh, I'm good.

But no matter how cute the gnome is, my lashes won't come back... Washing with healing potions won't work.

What if Duke Meutt smiles at my face? Ah, he's too quiet. He wouldn't do that. Instead, Rick's gonna be laughing like crazy next to him.

“Ahh... ”

I asked him to take a nap because I was caught in the middle of the night.

After about an hour of sleep, I woke up, and the spirits were playing house.

Noonum is spreading dirt from the outside and rubbing it around. As Woundee pours water into the mud, it starts to form, scrubbing with her virtuous hands.

A gnome that makes pottery like a master potter.

When a round and pretty bowl was made, Norm motioned to Salamander.

The salamander bursts into flames and starts to bake the clay bowl.

My babies. Now you're doing all kinds of things.

Norm grilled the bowl evenly in the flames of the Salamander. And then I looked at it...,

- Not this one.

- Yeah, no.

- It's a mess!

Wajang Chang!

The gnome smashes the bowl. They were spirits with strange craftsmanship.

By the time the spirits had made about four vessels and smashed three of them, the servant had come.

“Baron Kunt. The Duke wants to see you for dinner. They're all washing up after training. ”

“And Count Spain? ”

“Yes. And Rick Kunt will be there for dinner. ”

“Got it.”

* * *

Usually Duke Meutt eats three meals with over a hundred disciples in an underground restaurant. It is for mental unity and is said to be a tradition for generating strong organizational strength in war.

But the other principle of Duke Meutt is not to waste time.

Duke Meutt's philosophy was to save all other time and invest even a minute more in training.

When guests come on important business trips, they have a meal with them at the annex in the back.

He was full of swords and war in his head.

This rascal came to Yonke's wedding the last time. I could see how much Duke Meutt loved Brother Cezam Rick.

Following the servants' instructions, you move separately.

The restaurant in the annex has already heard chatter. When you get inside, you see Duke Meutt, Randall, and Rick. The source of the chatter is Randall and Rick.

“So you lost to Bird of Kunt? ”

“Hah, don't say that. I'm still embarrassed to think about that. I can't believe you lost to a criminal! ”

“I think your reflexes and your instincts for the sword are better than Bird of Kunt's. This is what your master, the Duke, will know better. ”

“Of course. I'm a genius. ”

Randall and Rick continue chatting without even knowing I'm here, as if they were fighting together.

“But it's also about experience. When you're faced with an extreme situation where your life is at stake, your brain stops spinning, and you only have to follow your body as it moves. ”

“Yes. There's no room for calculation. Follow your instincts. ”

“That's where the real experience comes in. Bird of Kunt, who has been to many wars, has already remembered how to move under certain circumstances. Not you.”

“Ugh, I knew a man had to go to war. I've never been in a war that changed. When people see you, they make fun of you for being a girl! ”

Rick grits his teeth in fury. What, the macho spirit that threatens the peace of humanity?

Duke Meutt, who was ignoring the silly chatter, found me and opened his mouth.

“There you are.”

The two horseshoes stopped chattering. As expected, Duke Meutt's words were powerful.

“Good to see you again, Duke Meutt. ”

I salute you with respect.

Rick waves cheerfully.

“Hey, my little brother! ”

“How have you been, sir? You seem to be very close to Earl Spain. ”

“Ah. I had a duel with you earlier and you were really good at it. Not as much as I do.”

“What?! ”

Randall frowns at Rick's arrogant remarks.

“You say that like you won? ”

“If I had more time, I would have won. I'm young and strong. ”

“Huh, I've never been in a war with a girl. ”

“What?! Cowardly in someone else's pain! ”

Duke Meutt restrained the two of them who seemed to be about to make a fist.

“Have a seat.”

“Yes.”

I sat in an empty seat.

Duke Meutt said:

“Earl Spain has told me. But it was hard to understand because there were so many exaggerated or abstract explanations. ”

Randall grimaces and scratches his head.

“Tell me, what kind of man is the emperor? Explain your strategy around the Baden River. ”

“I understand.”

I explained the story surrounding the Barden River toll negotiations from start to finish.

When the long explanation was over, Duke Meutt, who had been gossiping about my story, opened his mouth.

“That's why the Barden River toll negotiations involve the Royal, the Orient, and the Horn Empires. ”

“Yes. All three countries are affected by high tolls on the Baden River. It should be enough to exert intense pressure on the landscape. ”

“Bold plan. ”

“Thank you."

“Let me ask you one question. What about the Emperor of the Horn Empire? Did he seem like the kind of guy you'd expect to play? ”

“You don't seem like a gentleman, but the Horn Empire benefits from this..." ”

“Let me give you an example. ”

Duke Meutt cut me off.

“When fighting for life and death, I look to the opponent. I think I can figure out how they're going to attack. The Error Master is as complete as the sword. ”

Duke Meutt's voice of self-perfection had no arrogance at all. He seemed to be telling the truth, and we didn't think he was arrogant. Duke Meutt, the error master, deserved it.

“As soon as the opponent tries to attack, I'll move at the same time. ”

Of course you are.

Even my father couldn't attack or defeat me.

“Then let me ask you a question here. What would you do if you knew how they would react? Can we just avoid it? Or should I walk you down the aisle? Or do you want me to slit his throat with my sword? ”

“Of course...... I'll kill you. ”

I thought I knew what Duke Meutt was going to say.

It was a metaphor for whether Emperor Kars of the Horn would take advantage of this opportunity to play something more dangerous.

“When I was thirty, I became the new heir to the Meutt family. It was a time when the relationship with the Horn Empire was so bad that he didn't know when the war would start, and he suddenly got sick and had to retire. ”

Duke Meutt recalled the past.

“I was embarrassed by the sudden situation and asked my father. ‘What should I do?’ Your father said. Prepare for war. ’I asked you again.‘ What should we do after the crisis of war ends? ’Your father said." Prepare for war.’ I've been living preparing for war since I heard that word. ”

“ ……. ”

“I've been confronting the Horn Empire ever since Gaju rose, but I haven't had a massive military contact. There's been a small conflict, but the Horn Empire considers it the debut of a new military commander. ”

It was not hard to delay the rough disposition of the Horn Empire. You seem to recognize a true military commander when you fight an enemy and lose your courage.

“But for the first time in your line of work, the Horn Empire will be marching a large army towards us. ”

“As you say.”

“Wouldn't you do something more dangerous with that opportunity? I don't think the smart and ambitious Emperor would give up on this opportunity. ”

The heavy silence covered me.