Ch.157Chapter 157. No Money, But Plenty of Interest.

-Clack, clack.

After completing the procedures at the gateway, the expedition began.

Inside the carriage following the column of marching soldiers, I spent time with Cheska reviewing the current expedition’s finances.

“While we have sufficient troops, relying solely on imperial support for a long-term expedition would be difficult. We might manage for now, but if the expedition drags on, it will become burdensome. Do you have any solutions prepared for this?”

“Well, I was thinking we could work hard on subjugation to receive more support funds, and use bounty rewards to reinforce the expedition team… that’s about all I’ve considered.”

“Running the expedition that way would leave nothing to pay the expedition members. Surely you don’t intend to exploit them without compensation?”

“…That would absolutely not be acceptable.”

Even from my days as a porter, I still remember the wages I never received. How could I treat people who follow me into danger that way?

However, I also want to minimize casualties, so pushing them to achieve results recklessly isn’t feasible either.

“…Is there any good solution?”

“The best approach would be to recruit investors through publicity.”

“Investors?”

“During our expedition, we’ll arrive at garrison areas or gateways, where we’ll have opportunities to showcase our subjugation achievements. If news of our success spreads throughout the empire, authorities and interest groups seeking to profit from our reputation will approach us first.”

“That’s certainly a good idea, but… wouldn’t they have approached us already if they were interested?”

Given that I rose from being a Foreign Laborer to my current position, I’m not particularly well-regarded by those in power.

Even this expedition only received minimal support from the imperial court, so it’s difficult to expect things to work out as planned even if we achieve results.

“You needn’t worry about that. Sponsors are desperate to secure advantages in pioneering activities like ours. Even while pretending to cooperate, they all view each other as competitors.”

“Securing advantages? What do you mean?”

“Supporting a subjugation team brings more than just a share of bounties and fame. The main goal of investors is to be the first to establish their name in pioneering territories and secure monopoly rights or distribution channels before anyone else when stability returns.”

Right, this subjugation also aims to expand territory.

If we focus solely on profit, the secondary benefits of real estate speculation, resource acquisition, and securing distribution channels would exceed the fame and rewards from sponsorship.

Additionally, sponsoring a successful subjugation team would raise one’s standing with the imperial court, providing a good opportunity to secure a position in the changing political landscape before and after the succession ceremony.

“…So basically, once we achieve results, the investment environment will naturally form.”

“Of course, since Hero Hyoseong Woo isn’t well-regarded by authorities, some persuasion and incentives will be necessary. I’ll prepare strategies for this, so please focus on subjugation with the expedition members.”

“Ah, yes. That sounds good.”

“Next, I’d like to discuss supply management and expedition planning. In my personal opinion, we should…”

Afterward, Cheska continued explaining the outline of how to lead the current expedition.

Her explanation was extremely logical and easy enough for even someone like me, unfamiliar with such matters, to understand…

Indeed, judging by her abilities, she could easily be an accountant or CEO in my original world.

“You seem familiar with this kind of work.”

“I have to be.”

To my question, accompanied by curiosity about why such a capable person chose to support me, Cheska replied while reviewing documents.

“As a noble managing territory, accounting and law are essential skills to master.”

“That may be true, but many nobles don’t even handle these basic administrative duties… why did you volunteer for the subjugation team yourself?”

“This too is an investment. By providing personnel directly, I aim to receive a share of the results achieved by the subjugation team…”

“No, what I mean is, if that’s the case, material support or sending personnel would be enough. Why did you come personally?”

Despite being scorned as an imperial bastard, she’s still the head of a territory and family with her own domain.

Why would someone in a position of power choose to work in the field? It doesn’t seem profitable.

“…Haa.”

At my question, Cheska uncharacteristically sighed, dropping the documents she was holding onto the table.

Then, looking at me with indifferent eyes, she said:

“I have no money.”

“What?”

“I can’t provide supplies or even personnel to help. The territory I lead is so financially strained that even paying workers is difficult. If I want to provide next month’s wages, I have no choice but to go on dispatch and work myself.”

“…”

“Is that explanation sufficient?”

“Ah, yes. It is.”

There’s much I could say, but the reason was understandable.

Having power but unable to rest… is a poor noble such a pitiful and impoverished existence?

“…How is Garam doing?”

Feeling somewhat awkward, I changed the subject, and Cheska answered while continuing to review documents.

“Miss Garam finished reinforcing the previous excavation site and is now participating in establishing a refuge under my direction.”

“A refuge?”

“We never know what might happen. We need to build a place where people can evacuate in case of danger.”

Certainly, in a world where anything could happen, but considering what we’re doing now, it’s not necessarily a positive thing.

Our current subjugation mission is for the succession ceremony six months from now, which is meant to strengthen the empire’s stability.

In such circumstances, a refuge? Even without such intention, it could be interpreted as hoping for the empire’s downfall.

“…Aren’t you investing poorly if you have no money?”

“Do you really think so?”

Her immediate response to my concerned question.

With that, Cheska looked up from her documents and stared at me.

Excluding public perception and political reasons, did I really think the empire would be safe forever?

-Gulp.

The reason I unconsciously swallowed was because I recalled the conversation I had with Irie before starting this expedition.

That destruction would soon come to this world, and she had a mission to save as many people as possible from that destruction.

And that she had chosen me as her companion for this purpose.

“It’s not bad to prepare for contingencies. If someone has to do it, I think it’s better that I do.”

Yes, after this expedition ends, something incomparable to anything before will surely happen.

As that tension crept in, Cheska finished reviewing the documents and concluded our current conversation.

“And when my mission ends, I’ll need to settle matters, so there’s no need to cling to authority…”

“Mission?”

“…My personal talk has gone on too long.”

-Flip, flip.

Only the sound of turning pages continued in the situation.

In that silence, as I reviewed the documents with her, I took time to ponder what Cheska had said earlier.

No need to insist on being a noble? What did she mean by that?

****

Anyway, after Cheska took charge of the expedition’s financial management, the expedition proceeded more comfortably than I had expected.

Even when monsters appeared along the way, our well-trained soldiers handled most situations without requiring my intervention.

Supplies were also regularly available at gateways or garrison areas, so our advance wasn’t delayed.

Of course, this only applied while we were in safe zones.

“Hero, excuse me for interrupting the meeting, but could you spare a moment?”

Yes, the problem would arise when we entered areas with less imperial influence.

Thinking that time had come, I paused my meeting with Cheska, immediately left the carriage, and positioned myself in front of the soldiers.

The soldiers, who had temporarily halted their advance, were facing a ravine area.

Between the soldiers who made way for me while guarding the surroundings, Sanson, who served as my adjutant, approached immediately.

“Has something serious happened?”

“Rather than something serious having happened, I should say there are signs it might.”

Saying this, Sanson led the way.

Following him, I arrived at a place where an adventurer was surrounded and protected by soldiers.

“Ugh, damn it… damn it all!”

“I’ll treat you first. Please calm down and explain the situation…”

“Do I look like I can calm down?! The expedition team was destroyed because of that damn Hero!”

The adventurer shouted, pushing away the medics and clergy who came forward to treat him.

Blood was still flowing from various parts of his body, but he focused only on expressing his despair.

“That’s why I said we shouldn’t go! No matter how many orcs there are, only a Hero could handle that number easily, but what about the rest of us…!!”

“…I understand now.”

Fortunately, we all had enough background knowledge to understand the situation from his sobbing.

In short, another Hero’s subjugation team had confidently entered this ravine, encountered a horde of orcs, and was annihilated.

I don’t know what happened to the Hero who charged in confidently, but seeing the state of this hired adventurer, most probably didn’t fare well.

“Hero, what would you like to do?”

Sanson and the expedition members immediately asked me.

Under their serious gazes, I took a moment to think.

Both the adjutant and administrative staff ultimately only support opinions. As the expedition’s leader, the final decision rests with me.

We’ve just replenished supplies, the soldiers are in perfect condition, and the opponents are orcs, less dangerous than the Demon Tribe or the Undead…

“…Everyone, please stay here. I’ll go scout ahead alone first.”

“What? You’ll scout personally, Hero…?”

“Since orcs have settled in the ravine, it seems better to move with a small elite force.”

Despite their vigilance, wasn’t a Hero-led expedition team annihilated?

Orcs may be dull and few can handle magic, but they’re physically superior to humans and have tremendous reproductive capabilities.

If such orcs are swarming in this ravine before our subjugation begins, rushing in together might be dangerous.

“Scouts should focus on searching from this point and look for any survivors. The rest should concentrate on defending the perimeter in case orcs rush out of the ravine…”

“Ah, yes. If you say so, Hero, we’ll follow your orders.”

Good, this should prevent the expedition from suffering major damage in an emergency.

First, I’ll scout, and if I determine it’s safe enough, I’ll lead the expedition team to begin subjugation operations.

“Just a moment, please.”

As I was about to walk into the forest with this plan, Cheska called out to stop me.

As always, the bluntness in her gaze made it seem like she disapproved of my heading into the forest.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Come to think of it, she does have somewhat principled tendencies.

I thought she might object that it’s dangerous for the leader to go, or that it disrupts the chain of command, but…

“If it’s alright, may I accompany you?”

“What?”

“I agree that a small number of capable people should scout, but two would be better than one for responding to emergencies.”

“No, if we’re selecting personnel, I should take someone from the scout unit. Why are you volunteering?”

Even though she’s a penniless noble who volunteered for the expedition, what’s about to follow is clearly heading into danger.

When I expressed this concern, Cheska quietly replied:

“Because I’m interested in you.”

“…What?”

“I said I want to follow you to observe you up close. Is that a problem?”

“…”

I stared blankly at her for ten seconds.

After understanding what she said, I quietly turned my gaze away and spoke in a somewhat disgruntled voice.

“I’m sorry. I’m not into that, and I have a wife…”

“That’s not what I meant.”