The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 16

“Who the hell promoted that moron to first-class compiler?”

“I apologize.”

‘You’re the one who approved him without question because he’s your fifth cousin.’

…Of course, Stan, the deputy guild leader, couldn’t say that to Harman, the head of the Information Guild, so he bowed his head.

In truth, the guild leader had only approved the decision, while Stan was the one who proposed Jens’s promotion to first class.

“Get out.”

“Yes.”

Jens, who had been nervously fidgeting with his hands in front of his uncle, lowered his head and left the room.

For Jens, who had secretly dreamed of becoming the chief information compiler, then a deputy guild leader, and maybe even the guild leader someday, this incident was a major setback.

Though his uncle hadn’t given him any special favors, just having him as a powerful figure in the background was a comfort, making his rebuke all the more painful.

Not that Harman, who had over ten fifth cousins, cared about Jens’s personal circumstances.

He motioned to Stan to sit down.

“Let’s sit and talk.”

“Yes.”

Harman stared at Stan, who was seated on the opposite sofa, for a moment before speaking.

“It’s been about 20 years for you now, right?”

“It’s been 22 years.”

“And you’ve been a deputy guild leader for two years?”

“It’s my third year now, counting the calendar year, but yes, that’s correct.”

“I see. So that’s why you didn’t know.”

Didn’t know? Know what?

Stan held back his urge to ask and waited silently for Harman to continue.

“You know about scouts among field agents and that they report directly using coded messages, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know that the codes differ depending on the scout’s assigned mission?”

“Yes, I’m somewhat aware of that.”

“They’re all different. The terms used to refer to the target and the situation are all distinct.”

“….”

“For example, the report that fool mentioned earlier, the one that included the word ‘whale’? In a report from a scout active in Nios, that term meant a large warship.”

“I see.”

“But the whale mentioned in the code sent from the Burgos branch refers to a person.”

“A person, you say? If I may ask, who is that referring to…?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“…Alright.”

I shouldn’t be impatient.

No matter how high-ranking, there are always unauthorized pieces of information, and forcing knowledge could get you cut—both your job and your neck.

“But there’s one thing I can tell you right now.”

“…?”

Stan, who had momentarily lowered his head at Harman’s firm refusal, lifted it again.

“The whale mentioned in the Burgos branch’s report refers to one of the most important figures in our organization. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’s the most important.”

Stan was deeply shocked and quickly asked.

“More important than the monarchs of various nations?”

“Even if one of those monarchs were to start a war right now, this person would still be more important.”

“…!”

Harman continued, noting the slight gape of Stan’s mouth.

“And the part about changing dance partners means that this person is finishing one task and preparing to start something else.”

“Then, what does the Dragon Palace refer to…?”

“The Dragon Palace is the whale’s home. In other words, the code ‘The whale changes dance partners and returns to the Dragon Palace’ means that the most important figure in our Information Guild is finishing one task and returning home to start another.”

Stan nodded in understanding.

So far, so good. But the most important thing remained.

To understand what the whale did and why he was returning home, Stan needed to know who the whale was.

Without knowing the individual’s identity, the code, even when deciphered, wouldn’t reveal who was doing what.

This drastically reduced its value as information.

“I see why scouts have different codes depending on their targets.”

“If anyone could figure it out, it wouldn’t be truly valuable information.”

“Indeed. And I think I understand why you’re telling me this.”

Harman smiled slightly at Stan’s response.

“Good. From this moment on, you are in charge of all reports concerning the whale.”

Stan suppressed his excitement and spoke cautiously.

“But I thought scouts report directly to the Council of Eight. Am I authorized to take on this role?”

“Are you an idiot?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve just told you about a matter that’s reported directly to the Council of Eight, and you still don’t get why I assigned it to you?”

“Oh… Huh?!”

Forgetting his age, Stan gasped and looked at Harman with an expression of disbelief.

“Scouts report only to the Council of Eight, which includes the current guild leader.”

“Then… I’m….”

“You’re now a candidate for the next guild leader.”

“…!!!”

There are five deputy guild leaders in the Information Guild, who can each serve two consecutive three-year terms, but only one can become the guild leader.

Though the appointment of the guild leader requires the approval of guild members, it’s usually a formality within the guild.

If the current guild leader nominates someone, the Council of Eight must agree, barring any disqualifications, for that person to become the next guild leader.

‘Am I really going to become the guild leader?’

As Stan trembled with excitement, Harman continued with a smirk.

“From now until the end of your deputy guild leader term, you will be solely responsible for the whale. If you don’t make any major mistakes, you’ll be the next guild leader. But if you do make a big mistake….”

“If I do….”

Stan swallowed hard, having a pretty good idea of what would happen.

“You’ll be cut. Both your job and your head.”

“….”

Stan’s face turned pale at the confirmation of his suspicions.

“But don’t worry too much. Every past guild leader has managed the whale during their time as deputy.”

“Oh….”

“Though, in the last 30 years, three people who managed the whale became guild leaders, while two were cut.”

“….”

Stan’s expression, which had started to brighten, froze again.

“I hope you won’t become the third person to be cut. Now, let me tell you who the whale is.”

Didn’t you say you’d tell me later? Does ‘later’ mean right now? Can I not hear this?

Stan didn’t utter such words.

Having come this far, refusing the assignment would be like asking to be cut—both his job and his neck.

“The whale is Duke Si-on. Not the recently deceased Duke Si-on, but the first Duke Si-on, one of the six heroes.”

“Ah! Huh! What?!”

Stan let out a strangled cry almost identical to one made recently by someone a thousand kilometers away.

* * *

“That’s Alphmarine over there.”

Looking at the distant walls, Piotr murmured in a somewhat weary voice.

For him, born as a lord’s son and raised in luxury, the past six days of travel had been a new experience and a series of hardships.

Although Jenna and two Information Guild members accompanied them, Si-on paid no heed to status when assigning tasks.

In fact, whenever they camped, Si-on often took the lead by hunting or setting up tents, setting an example.

Out of a sense of duty, Piotr had to pitch in with various chores.

Piotr’s actions earned him a different kind of respect from Jenna and the guild members.

Initially, they had dismissed him as the pampered youngest son of the Lagos lord, ignorant of the ways of the world, but seeing his clumsy yet earnest efforts, their opinions began to change.

Jenna, in particular, had grown to view Piotr quite favorably for another reason.

“Weren’t you supposed to head straight to the Si-on Duchy? Is there a reason to stop in Alphmarine?”

Not knowing Si-on’s true identity, Piotr asked questions Jenna couldn’t even dream of voicing.

Si-on’s answers to these questions became extremely valuable “information” for Jenna.

“Alphmarine is the only royal territory in this region. It’s also the center where goods and people gather because of the Su-un River. That’s why it became a royal territory.”

“Oh, I see.”

“But that’s not the only reason it became a royal territory. There are four estates near Alphmarine, and there’s been a lot of conflict among them for a long time. They all surround a large granary region, and the mines are interconnected as well.”

“I see. But why does that….”

“Lots of conflicts mean constant need for military forces. And most of the mines are in deep mountains. And what do you often find in deep mountains?”

“…Oh!”

Si-on nodded at the realization dawning on Piotr.

“Right. Beasts and monsters. This region always needs a lot of mercenaries, and those mercenaries inevitably gather in Alphmarine, situated in the middle of the four estates.”

“I get what you mean. But why do we need mercenaries?”

“It’s not every day that a direct descendant of Si-on, who has been separated for decades, returns to his homeland. Showing up with just five people would be lacking in, well, face, wouldn’t it?”

High-ranking individuals in this world don’t keep large entourages for no reason.

While such displays might be frowned upon in democratic societies, this world closely resembled the class system of the medieval era.

Here, one of the best ways to display one’s status and rank to those you meet for the first time is through sheer numbers.

“Oh….”

Understanding Si-on’s point, Piotr nodded earnestly, though with a hint of guilt.

If that were the purpose, they should have arranged for an escort when they left Lagos Castle.

However, though Lagos was not in a dire situation, it was perpetually short of manpower. Si-on was likely sparing them from the burden.

“I’m sorry. If that’s the case, we should have prepared in advance….”

“I’ve already discussed it with your father, so there’s no need for you to apologize. And… never mind.”

Si-on didn’t mention that Piotr’s father had felt the same sense of guilt, instead smiling gently.

Both the grandson and great-grandson had grown up well.

Just the fact that they knew how to be considerate meant they had become decent human beings.

“Anyway, do you have any more questions?”

Si-on, who was quite pleased with his great-grandson’s good nature and willingness to visit his father’s estranged maternal family without much hesitation, extended his kindness.

“Ah, there is one more thing. If you want mercenaries, can’t you hire them once we’re near the Si-on Duchy? Why go to Alphmarine specifically?”

“It’s about the difference in dialect and temperament.”

“Pardon?”

“When a distant cousin from the northeastern region commands mercenaries who clearly look like northeasterners, does that feel the same as commanding those from the central or southern regions?”

“Oh!”

“More importantly, employing people involves money.”

“…?”

Isn’t it obvious that hiring people costs money?

But such thoughts quickly vanished from Piotr and the others listening closely to the conversation.

“Hiring locals near the duchy and leading them there looks entirely different to others than hiring them here and leading them to the duchy. To other nobles especially, the former makes you look like a miser trying to save money, while the latter marks you as a distinguished figure of great capability and largesse. Besides….”

Si-on drove his point home to the wide-eyed Piotr.

“I have a lot, a lot of money.”

Of course, it wasn’t just because Si-on had money to burn that he wanted to hire mercenaries here.

Alphmarine was simply the most convenient place for Si-on to find the people he needed.

‘It should have grown considerably by now, right? If it hasn’t, then it’s run by fools.’

Indeed, there was a mercenary group in Alphmarine that was, in essence, owned by Si-on himself.