Ch.9494. Inspiration

“The day has come to witness an execution.”

After the flames that consumed Enrique had subsided, Ember muttered to herself. She realized she had unintentionally witnessed the entire burning at the stake from beginning to end.

Still, she had no regrets.

Even while busy helping her father, Ember had been allocating time to find a pretext to visit the imperial capital. Literally watching for an opportunity.

Fortunately, sharing the territory’s duties provided quite a few excuses. Even her awkward maid contributed wisdom, as if wanting to prove her worth.

She wanted to bring good news if possible, and actually did have some positive updates.

News that a retired member of the Black Iron Knights had opened a swordsmanship school in the territory, drawn by Erick and Garland’s reputation.

News that they had successfully purchased high-germination herb seeds at a low price, and planned to create products targeting women in the direct territories if the harvest was good.

And news that her great-uncle, the former Baron Hyde, had stabilized (though his dependence on alcohol had increased).

…However, unfortunately, there wasn’t just minor good news. There was information that would likely further annoy the already busy Erick.

‘But I can’t just not tell him.’

Ember spoke as she walked with Erick to a nearby teahouse. She still hadn’t let go of his arm.

“Erick, actually, there’s been quite an increase in adventurers visiting our territory.”

“Really?”

Up to this point, it was somewhat good news.

Adventurers were an important group throughout the continent. Their spending money in the territory alone was beneficial.

The problem was why adventurers were flocking to the Wellesley County.

“It seems strange rumors are circulating among adventurers.”

“Rumors?”

“It would be nice if they were coming because they admired Erick’s valor, but most of them are visiting because they mistakenly believe there’s an opportunity for instant wealth. …They were saying that Erick would soon infiltrate the border again to find an open-pit gold mine?”

“…Someone seems to be using my name to provoke adventurers.”

“Yes. And, well… this is awkward to say, but it seems someone is spreading rumors while impersonating Erick’s brother.”

“Huh. My brother was conscripted from the south and killed by orcs?”

Erick shook his head in disbelief.

Of course, adventurers were a group led by word of mouth. They would be even more tempted by words from someone impersonating Erick Wellesley’s brother.

“I met with several adventurers directly, and they believed the rumor was true. When I denied it, they actually seemed offended.”

“That’s strange. Any reasonably experienced adventurer would at least do minimal verification.”

“Even if they have to accept uncertainty… oh?”

Come to think of it, there was something odd.

The adventurers Ember had met for confirmation were groups with at least minimal skill. Some parties even had a proper composition with mages and priests.

And their faces all shared one thing: conviction. The conviction that Erick would lead them to a gold mine.

‘Now that I think about it, there were unusually many nobles and quasi-nobles among them. They didn’t seem to have much experience either.’

She had even received contact from her cousin who was active in the Unicorn Party, serving under Count Burko’s second son as their leader. He probably thought an open-pit gold mine was more realistic than a unicorn.

This was definitely suspicious.

Ember slightly furrowed her brow as she looked at Erick. She thought she should warn him, but judging by his expression, he seemed to have already noticed.

“Inexperienced adventurers probably paid one or two gold coins worth 100,000 each for the information. Beginners tend to put too much faith in information they’ve purchased.”

“So someone not only impersonated Erick’s brother but also sold false information for money? If Erick catches them, they’ll die… oh, or maybe not.”

“No, they will die. This is clearly the work of someone who doesn’t mind turning me into an enemy. It might not even be a human.”

“Then… a demon?”

When Ember asked, Erick silently nodded.

It was essentially declaring “The Demon Lord’s army is targeting me,” but it didn’t sound like nonsense at all. The current Erick was certainly someone of that caliber.

“Honestly, it’s a simple operation. Most succubi and vampires live in human territories anyway. Spreading rumors to annoy me is no big deal.”

“…My goodness.”

Having frequented salons for a long time, Ember knew how troublesome rumors could be.

There had been a noblewoman who lost a marriage prospect due to rumors of promiscuity, and territories that were stigmatized as places to avoid after rumors spread that they cheated adventurers out of their fees.

If rumors about the open-pit gold mine spread incorrectly, Erick’s reputation among adventurers would quickly deteriorate.

‘Those people would blame Erick. Not themselves for following baseless rumors.’

Ember looked at Erick with sympathy for a moment.

Master, Count, and on top of that, controlling assets worth nearly 120 billion when combining cash and non-cash assets. With such power and wealth, one might think receiving some criticism was no big deal, but to Ember’s eyes, Erick seemed somewhat forlorn.

“Erick, how should we handle this?”

“The adventurers? They came following baseless rumors, so they’ll leave chasing other rumors. Of course, I’ll have the Intelligence Department… no, I’ll ask the Intelligence Department to track down who’s behind this.”

After saying this, Erick tapped the head of the warhammer at his waist. From this gesture alone, Ember could tell that Erick was very displeased. He was human after all; it would be stranger if he weren’t bothered.

‘I wonder if Erick’s burden would lighten a bit if a new Hero arrived.’

No, he might actually get busier. Ember wanted to ease Erick’s mind at least until then, so she changed the subject. It was the best she could do.

***

The day after the burning, in front of the old Cordana Exchange square.

The stake had been removed, but the square was still in disarray. Some people were even creating a gloomy atmosphere amid the chaos.

“Damn it. Is this really the end for the allied kingdoms?”

“I’m already going crazy, so don’t mention it. …Sigh. How am I supposed to dispose of these perception-inhibiting magical tools? I bought them at triple the price.”

Middle-aged men continuously spitting curses.

There had always been a group called “ghosts of the exchange” wandering around the exchange (long closed). Most of them were minor lords or quasi-nobles. They had been decreasing since Erick Wellesley’s futures transactions, but…

Recently, their numbers had swelled again.

This was thanks to several great nobles whose special interests in the allied kingdoms had been frustrated.

Though few in number, they were high in rank. They had lost large sums of money, but great nobles were still great nobles.

Count John Burko, who naturally assumed a leadership role due to his status, was still grumbling with an angry face.

“Wellesley, that filthy bastard. He killed seven kings and keeps all their gold, goods, and treasures for himself? How is this different from robbery?”

“Um, Count Burko? I heard they incorporated it into the imperial budget this time.”

“…Really? Cunning bastard. From what I can see, those futures transactions were just for him to make money too. When the prices of rapeseed oil, beer, and sugar rise, that Erick will take all the profits! He must have done it thinking this year’s harvest would be poor!”

“Count, if he could predict that much in advance, wouldn’t he be a god rather than a human?”

“Why do you keep contradicting me…!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

They continued wasting energy denouncing the Empire’s wealthy, especially Wellesley. His name came up most frequently.

Of course, such denunciations were utterly useless.

Count Burko seemed to realize this too, as after enthusiastically criticizing for about ten minutes, he quickly became dejected.

“Sigh. Damn it.”

A cold atmosphere settled with the quiet curse. As cold as the investment performance of Burko and his gang. There was a limit to passing time by badmouthing the rich.

Just then, several Academy students brushed past the nobles. Their conversation reached Count Burko’s ears.

“I think an older Hero might come this time?”

“No way. They should send a young Hero so Lord Wellesley can train and use them. Honestly, Gwon Heejin didn’t do what she did because she was immature.”

“That makes sense too. So, betting on drinks?”

Voices of those playfully betting on the age of the Hero.

They seemed to be making a modest wager for the cost of drinks, or at most a few silver coins rather than gold.

But Count Burko’s reaction to this joke was unusual. The same went for the nobles positioned around him.

Some nobles’ eyes sparkled, while others cleared their throats as if they found the idea preposterous even to themselves.

However, the embarrassment lasted only briefly.

After a moment of silence, Count Burko cleared his throat and began.

“Gentlemen. Actually… isn’t that right? In the past, it was common to see people placing bets on jousting or gladiatorial matches during festivals. That’s a healthy way to relieve frustrations.”

“Hmm. That’s true. Since Cordana, there have been no entertainment activities that nobles and commoners could enjoy together.”

Gambling on gladiatorial matches. It was indeed common before Cordana. To prevent disputes, merchant guilds typically managed such events. A reputable institution needed to oversee them to avoid brawls.

While there had never been gambling on Heroes, there was no reason it couldn’t be done.

Betting just on whether the Hero would be in their teens or twenties might be a bit dull, but…

Fortunately, there were other variables.

“Come to think of it, there’s no rule saying a woman can’t come, right? This is an exceptional situation in many ways.”

“Yes, yes. I heard the Holy See is preparing for all possibilities. Something about a male Saint? I think that was mentioned.”

The nobles naturally hastened their steps toward the merchant guild.

“It’s just for fun, really.”

Contrary to his words, their faces were already excited with anticipation. They realized they could potentially expand this significantly if they set it up well. This was on a completely different level from jousting gambling, which was merely a pastime.

Because not a single person wasn’t curious about the identity of the new Hero.