Chapter 11

Managing the mana stone fields was the responsibility of Kahel Fobian.

As a highly skilled Arch Mage, preventing or controlling mana stone explosions was well within his ability.

But it wasn’t reasonable to ask Kahel Fobian to till the soil and tend the fields himself.

Hiring ordinary people posed a security risk, and bringing in nobles who could be trusted to keep secrets only meant more mouths to share the pie with.

And entrusting the land to the mercenaries of the Black Wolf Corps? Their tongues would surely be cut out before long.

To Yuma, the perfect solution for cultivating mana stone fields was the Miryaks.

So long as they were fed and sheltered, they would work diligently. And as the only group protecting them was Puang’s merchant guild, betrayal was unlikely.

Above all, the Miryaks’ complaints carried no weight in the Empire.

In the hierarchy, beneath the royal family and nobles were the commoners. Below them, nameless slaves. Beneath slaves, livestock and beasts.

And beneath even that — the Miryaks.

“……Therefore, the Miryaks are the most suitable for labor in the mana stone fields.”

After hearing Yuma explain mana stone production and the Miryaks, Hugo looked down at him.

Even if they were Miryaks, describing humans as if they were worthless objects grated on him.

“You really have no qualms about using the weak.”

“Using them is better than abandoning them.”

“Your approach, however, leaves much to be desired.”

“Some might say the same of the strongest man in the world who refuses to use his strength to change it. That it leaves much to be desired.”

The cheeky rebuttal spilling from Yuma’s lips instantly raised the tension in the air.

The Black Wolf soldiers froze in disbelief, while Puang nearly jumped up, itching to tear out Yuma’s tongue on the spot.

But the two men at the center of it all simply gazed at one another with calm expressions.

“I may well be one of those who created the most Miryaks. In the wars I fought, at least five nations were wiped out.”

“Strength can’t always be forced in the direction you want. A life wasted in penance only benefits the one seeking it.”

“So, born with the talent of a War God, yet you wield your tongue like a sword.”

At Hugo’s gesture, a soldier brought forth an enormous seal, a sheet of paper, and a pen as thick as a child’s arm.

Hugo picked up the pen and began drafting the contract.

As Yuma stated the land and terms he required, Hugo finished the contract without a single attempt at bargaining.

No client ever dared toy with Hugo. For him, this was routine.

“Would it be alright if we stay here for two days while matters are arranged?”

“Do as you wish.”

For the next two days, Kahel wandered with a few Black Wolf soldiers, selecting a plot of land suitable for their use.

Normally, Puang should have gone, but he would only have been ignored as a merchant. That was why the Arch Mage himself went instead.

During this process, Kahel unexpectedly built rapport with some of the soldiers.

Though a great noble and Arch Mage, he revealed his commoner origins first and acted with disarming humility.

Puang, meanwhile, spent both days locked in his quarters, clutching his head.

Already, the money flowing out because of Yuma was considerable.

Weapons for Haiwan Uz, monthly shipments of mana stones to House Fobian… and now it seemed he’d be forced to provide full support for the Black Wolf Corps as well.

“Y-Yuma… at this rate I’ll be ruined before I make a single fortune! The bleeding is already severe. You said Hugo himself expects my direct support…”

Puang whined tearfully.

Looking back at all of Yuma’s reckless antics, he wanted to scream curses in his face. But whenever the moment came, fear always held him back.

After all, that cursed brat had already roped in Arch Mage Kahel and even the Black Wolf Corps into the Puang guild’s orbit.

“Hahaha, don’t worry too much, Puang. The Black Wolf Corps are surprisingly indifferent to wealth. If you just provide steady support after this mission, word will spread across the Empire that you’re a merchant backed by Hugo himself.”

“I… still don’t feel safe. Supporting such a massive mercenary corps, even if they aren’t greedy…”

“What choice do we have? There’s no turning back now, Puang.”

Yuma gave him a reassuring smile.

“One year. Just wait one year. When the first mana stone harvest comes, every worry will melt away. Vanish, like snow beneath the sun.”

Over the next two days, Yuma sparred with Malon more than ten times.

Each won about half the matches, so other soldiers began asking to duel them as well.

For Malon, who had been pestered endlessly for duels since joining, this was nothing new. But for Yuma, it was.

His swordsmanship was strange — rooted in techniques no one could identify.

A strike nearly as fast as teleportation, a technique he called Swift Step. Illusions caused by altering the hue and density of his Sword Aura.

Not a single ordinary Black Wolf soldier managed to win against him.

For both Yuma and the soldiers, crossing blades like this was a new experience.

Yuma learned the Black Wolf Corps’ signature stripped-down efficiency, while the soldiers encountered a different kind of genius than Malon.

“Malon, you said you’re from Perol, right?”

“Yes.”

The one stroking his chin as he asked was Kagor.

The traitor Kagor. Yet, unlike the warnings Yuma had given, he seemed surprisingly kind.

He wasn’t an unpredictable giant like Hugo, nor a cruel commander who abused his men.

Malon couldn’t understand why Yuma had warned him to be wary of Kagor.

“Hard to believe that backwater produced two prodigies like you.”

“I never thought I was a prodigy. I’m sure Yuma didn’t either.”

Kagor approached Yuma with curiosity.

“Then let me have a turn.”

Spinning his spear, he handled it as lightly as moving his own fingers.

Yuma, still dripping sweat from his last duel, answered:

“Alright.”

Even before the words fully left his mouth, Kagor’s spear darted like a snake toward his face.

Shhhk!

The sound of air splitting came faster than the motion itself. Yuma avoided the strike, but a thin cut opened across his cheek.

‘Bastard.’

Yuma didn’t bother rebuking him for the rude attack. Even if he hadn’t dodged, the spear likely would’ve stopped short before piercing him.

Kagor wasn’t foolish enough to kill a guest acknowledged by Hugo.

Steadying his temper, Yuma immediately raised his sword. Kagor smiled, satisfied.

“Ever fought against the brats of House Rolmandy?”

Compared to his usual self, Kagor’s sudden sharpness left Malon bewildered.

“The spear masters of House Rolmandy would never cross paths with a commoner like me.”

“Enough with the false modesty. You’re no mere commoner if you’ve got an Arch Mage from House Fobian following your lead. I just can’t stomach those Imperial lapdogs bragging that the Rolmandy pups are the greatest with a spear.”

“I’ll be sure to pass your compliments along to House Rolmandy.”

Though it was more provocation than sincerity, Kagor only grinned slyly.

“Good.”

Before leaving the Black Wolf Corps headquarters, Yuma pulled Malon into the washroom for one last warning.

“Be careful with that man, got it?”

“But he’s a good person. The only reason he attacked you like that was because he knew you could dodge it.”

“If I hadn’t, I’d be dead. Don’t give me that softhearted nonsense. Listen—someday, when Commander Hugo steps down, you’ll be the leader of the Black Wolf Corps. Because Kagor could never beat you, not in a million years.”

“Senior Kagor already beats me now.”

“That’s just for the moment. I’m telling you—never get tangled up with him. If you ever go on a mission together, always watch your back. You saw him try to stab me, didn’t you?”

Malon nodded, his expression still blank and clueless.

If Yuma himself had joined the Black Wolf Corps, he would have schemed to win Kagor over as an ally no matter what. But with Malon’s thick skull, that was impossible.

Before departing the Black Wolf fortress, Yuma bid farewell to Commander Hugo.

“I’ll make sure to exclude any Miryaks whose origins might connect back to you.”

“It makes no difference. Do you think I suffer from guilt?”

“It was presumptuous of me to say.”

“Next time we meet, it would be better if you hid your true thoughts less.”

“You speak as though I could meet you any time I wished.”

Like a rabbit acting coy before a tiger. Hugo didn’t find it unpleasant.

“Go. I’ll be expecting what you promised.”

“You won’t be disappointed.”

As they left the fortress and descended the mountains, Puang groaned like a dog desperate to relieve itself.

Once the Black Wolf Corps headquarters was out of sight, Puang finally snapped.

“What exactly did you promise Lord Hugo?! Now that I think of it, you never even told me the terms! You’re not just using me as your moneybag, are you? You’ll toss me aside the moment I’m no longer useful!”

Kahel only chuckled heartily in response.