The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 13

After the meal, Baron Kilburn had a private meeting with Si-on, accompanied only by his youngest son, Piotr.

Si-on had wanted Administrator Swart to join them as well.

Baron Kilburn found it odd to involve an unrelated administrator in a discussion about his son’s future, but he agreed.

The reason Si-on insisted on Administrator Swart’s presence soon became clear.

* * *

“I am convinced that in 5 to 10 years, a significant event will occur in the Dragon’s Wasteland.”

“…!”

Baron Kilburn, who had expected to discuss his youngest son’s career, was taken aback by the unexpected statement, as were Piotr and Administrator Swart.

“What do you mean by that? Something will happen in the Dragon’s Wasteland? And how do you even know that, Sir Salen?”

With a suspicious look and tone, Baron Kilburn watched Si-on take a sip of wine before speaking.

“You bought my horses as a birthday gift for your youngest son, right? Why do you think I suddenly appeared after not looking for my horses for seven years?”

“…Ah! Could it be?”

Baron Kilburn, who had been furrowing his brows in thought, suddenly widened his eyes.

Si-on nodded.

“Yes. I spent those years exploring the Dragon’s Wasteland and beyond.”

“What!”

“That… such a thing!”

Shock was etched on all three of their faces.

“Is that really true? The Dragon’s Wasteland?”

“I swear on my honor and that of my family, it’s the truth.”

When Si-on answered the astonished Piotr, Administrator Swart mumbled to himself.

“That’s impossible. No one has lasted more than a few months in the Dragon’s Wasteland, let alone years…”

“But I survived and returned. Didn’t you check which gate I entered Burgos through?”

“Ah…!”

That was true.

After deciding to accept Si-on’s investment, Administrator Swart had tried to gather as much information about him as possible.

Although the royal identification plate Si-on presented had dispelled most doubts, Swart had still tried to learn as much as he could.

And the information he hastily obtained included that Si-on had entered through the east gate of Burgos—the gate leading toward the Dragon’s Wasteland.

“More importantly,” Si-on continued, scanning the three of them.

“What do I have to gain from lying? Fame and glory for being the first to explore the Dragon’s Wasteland? Baron Kilburn, as you might know, obtaining such fame as a royal family member now brings more harm than good.”

“Hmm.”

He had a point.

Even though the Obla Kingdom followed a primogeniture succession principle, the current crown prince had numerous issues, and concerns were growing even within the royal court.

In such a situation, if a Collateral branch royal gained significant fame, it would cause turmoil related to the line of succession, which the royal family would not tolerate.

In the worst-case scenario, they might find some excuse to imprison or exile the individual to a remote area.

“And aside from those of you here, I have no intention of revealing this information about the Dragon’s Wasteland to anyone else anytime soon. So, the idea that I’m seeking honor through lies is unfounded.”

“I see. But why are you telling us this? And how does it concern me and Piotr?”

Baron Kilburn’s question made Administrator Swart nod as well.

After all, he also wondered what this had to do with him or Burgos.

“There’s a high possibility that monsters from the Dragon’s Wasteland will head toward Burgos.”

“What did you say?”

“Huh!”

“And it won’t stop at Burgos. I believe the number of monsters within several dozen kilometers of Burgos will increase by at least two to five times.”

“This is ridiculous…”

Si-on turned his gaze away from Baron Kilburn, who was twitching with nervousness as his territory was also implicated, and looked at Administrator Swart, who was swallowing his breath, his eyes wide open.

“Administrator, you must have been curious about why I decided to invest in Burgos. Why would a royal suddenly invest a large sum in a remote place like Burgos? No matter how you look at it, it seems strange. The reason is that I see what will happen in the Dragon’s Wasteland as both a crisis and an opportunity.”

“An opportunity? How is this an opportunity?”

Administrator Swart’s face looked almost on the verge of tears.

Si-on calmly responded.

“Administrator, if monsters spread widely in this area, who do you think will come rushing here first and in the greatest numbers?”

“Pardon?”

“Knights, soldiers, and mercenaries. The royal court will not just stand by.”

“Ah…!”

He was right.

Burgos was a royal territory managed by an administrator, so if trouble arose, the military would be dispatched.

When hiring mercenaries, the capital would also provide funding.

This meant that anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand soldiers could be drawn to Burgos.

“Now, do you see why I decided to invest in Burgos? While the events in the Dragon’s Wasteland will indeed be a crisis for Burgos, on a larger scale, they could also present an opportunity.”

The influx of personnel alone would circulate enormous amounts of money just from their need to eat and sleep.

And would they only eat and sleep?

Mercenaries, in particular, lived as if there were no tomorrow, meaning at least half the money they earned in Burgos would be spent there as well.

“Oh? I see…”

“Excuse me… May I ask something?”

As Administrator Swart’s expression began to shift subtly, Piotr cautiously spoke up.

“If the military comes or a large number of mercenaries are hired, won’t the situation you mentioned end quickly? Wouldn’t you risk losing your investment if things are resolved too soon…?”

Administrator Swart, momentarily swayed by Piotr’s valid point, nodded vigorously.

“No, I won’t lose anything. I’m convinced this situation will drag on for a long time.”

Si-on’s words left everyone puzzled.

Conviction required evidence.

While the claim that monsters would swarm from the Dragon’s Wasteland held some credibility due to Si-on’s years of experience there, the current statement seemed to lack a solid basis for such confidence.

“I said a significant event would occur in the Dragon’s Wasteland. I didn’t say it would only occur there.”

“…!”

“Administrator, you must have checked with Jenna Olrot of the Burgos Information Guild; I’ve traveled to various places throughout the kingdom for quite some time. Before going to the Dragon’s Wasteland, I stopped in Exon. There, I heard that a cult based there was plotting schemes involving monsters.”

While the part about the monsters was mostly made up, Si-on had indeed stayed in Exon.

This was known to the Information Guild, which had been tracking Si-on since Jenna’s father’s time.

Moreover, sharing this much with Administrator Swart and Baron Kilburn posed no problem.

“Not just Exon, but in various regions over the past few years, there have been increases in monster sightings and related incidents. The Dragon’s Wasteland is just one of many. Of course, its scale and severity will likely be the largest. Furthermore…”

Si-on turned his gaze to Piotr, who had asked the question, and continued.

“Do you think it’s possible to completely eradicate the monsters starting in such a vast area as the Dragon’s Wasteland? Even if something were to happen tomorrow, it would take over five years to resolve.”

“That does make sense. I apologize. I hadn’t thought it through.”

Acknowledging Si-on’s reasoning, Piotr nodded, and Si-on turned to speak to Baron Kilburn and Administrator Swart, whose expressions had grown serious.

“In any case, a crisis will surely come within the next few years. With support from the capital, we’ll need to navigate this crisis, focusing on Burgos and Lagos.”

“Hmm…”

“As a member of the royal family, I want to prepare for this. That’s why I’m investing in Burgos and making this proposal to you, Baron Kilburn, the lord of Lagos, who will also need to navigate this crisis alongside Burgos.”

Si-on placed his hand on Piotr’s shoulder and spoke.

“If your youngest son trains under the swordmaster of the Si-on Duchy, he could become a great knight and the sword of Lagos.”

“…!!!”

Baron Kilburn’s eyes widened as he finally understood why Si-on had brought up the Dragon’s Wasteland.

“If this young man becomes a proper knight, he will be a great asset to the territory. Moreover, if you mend relations with the Si-on Ducal Family, they will surely support you as well. No one can sever the ties of blood.”

And I will make that happen.

It was a declaration from Si-on, the alpha and omega of the Si-on Ducal Family.

* * *

“What do you think?”

After Si-on and Administrator Swart had left, Baron Kilburn, who had been silently sipping wine, asked Piotr.

Piotr, who had been lost in thought with a slightly excited expression, lifted his head.

After taking a small breath, he spoke.

“I’d like to go. Of course, the decision is yours, Father. I will follow your will.”

Baron Kilburn smiled faintly.

“Of course you’d want to go. I’m not asking whether you want to go or not. I’m asking if you trust Salen.”

“My opinion is…”

Piotr thought for a moment before raising his head.

“I believe I’ll have to see for myself. Even if he’s a Collateral branch royal, it’s hard to completely trust someone I just met today.”

“Indeed. I was so overwhelmed

with surprises that I nearly lost my senses, but on reflection, there are many suspicious aspects.”

“That’s true.”

A noble full of vanity might have already been swayed, throwing caution to the wind, but Baron Kilburn was not so easily moved.

He had become the lord of Lagos, despite not being a direct descendant of the previous lord, thanks to his abilities.

“In that case, perhaps it’s best to refuse…”

Piotr trailed off, watching Baron Kilburn’s reaction.

The baron smiled warmly.

“You’re saying what you don’t really feel.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Seeing his youngest son’s embarrassed face, Baron Kilburn’s smile grew deeper.

But slowly, that smile faded, replaced by a look of regret.

‘He has enough ability to be a lord, and his talent as a knight even surpasses his older brothers…’

Though he was a little rash and sometimes emotional, that was because he was still young.

Baron Kilburn himself had been far worse at that age.

If he had been the eldest, not the youngest, Piotr would have soared.

But it was impossible to replace the eldest son, who was consistently capable in many areas.

After his coming-of-age ceremony, Piotr had no choice but to leave the territory as a squire to a renowned knight, but even that path had been derailed by the accident, leaving him stuck at the age of twenty, unable to move forward.

In this situation, Salen’s proposal was the best and only option left for Piotr.

“Will you think it over for a few more days and decide, as Sir Salen suggested?”

“No. I was going to, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“What?”

When Piotr looked puzzled, Baron Kilburn rose from his seat.

“If Salen considered your situation and gave you a few days to think, then he’s more cunning than we thought.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“This proposal is compelling both in principle and practicality. If it were just about your future, the few days Salen allowed might matter. But when considering our family’s relationship with the Si-on Ducal Family and the issues with the Dragon’s Wasteland, there’s no room for hesitation.”

“…”

Baron Kilburn approached Piotr, placing his hand on his son’s sturdy shoulder as if realizing something.

“As the head of the Kilburn Family and the lord of Lagos, I cannot afford to even consider whether or not to accept Salen’s proposal.”

“Ah…”

“The possible crisis in the Dragon’s Wasteland? It’s not certain, just a potential occurrence. But since the Administrator of Burgos is involved, I must also prepare as the lord of Lagos.”

“…”

“And I must restore the honor of your grandmother, my mother. As Salen said, blood cannot be severed. My maternal family… the Si-on Ducal Family, has always been a matter we had to face.”

“Father…”

“Your future, my mother’s honor, and my duty as a lord—everything is tied to Salen’s proposal. Even achieving just one of the three is worthwhile, so of course, we must follow it.”

Baron Kilburn gently lifted his son with both hands.

He patted his youngest son’s shoulders, who had somehow grown to match his height, and spoke in a firm voice.

“Go to the Si-on Duchy. It’s okay if you don’t become a great knight. It’s fine if relations with the Si-on Ducal Family worsen. Just do your best. As your father, I will fulfill my duties as a lord and wait.”

“Yes, Father. Yes!”

Piotr nodded vigorously, his eyes mirroring those of his father, who looked at him with the same determination.