<625 – Oknodie's Guard Unit (6)>
Prince Hector of Troy was deeply troubled as he read a letter sent from his homeland.
“The Empire has declared the lifting of the taboo on golems. My long-time friend and loyal retainer, Deipobos, what can we do to assist our homeland in retaining golems?”
“I believe we could purchase rare metals used for golems with points or invite technicians from the Production Department.”
“That alone won’t suffice. With our homeland’s impoverished finances and support, we won’t be able to secure a satisfactory level of power. It’s obvious that we can’t keep up with the arms race against neighboring countries.”
Noticing where the prince’s mind was wandering, Deipobos scratched the itching spot.
“You’re planning to focus on several knight-class golems or a single rook-class golem.”
“Exactly. However, knight-class golems are strategic resources in terms of materials, and golem owners are rare. Plus, there’s no way to obtain a manufacturer with money, so what can we do?”
“That’s a tough request. Competent individuals are often part of organizations or countries that prioritize them. Competent individuals not confined by barriers are even harder to deal with.”
“Ugh.”
“If you’re looking for a talent that’s not obsessed with money, skilled, and free, it’s not impossible.”
“Are you saying there’s someone that good? Hurry up and tell me instead of beating around the bush!”
Knowing the answer but reluctant to say it, Deipobos wore a stubborn face.
“It’s Oknodie.”
“…Are you referring to that Oknodie?”
“Oknodie is a noble of the Foundation. They’ve accumulated wealth that isn’t bound to money and points. There are also rumors that the points they’ve extracted from the Saintess Alliance and Divine Alliance are in the hundreds of millions.”
“That’s insane. Receiving the equivalent of our homeland’s annual budget in sponsorship?”
“There’s no question about their skills. Recently, there have been stories circulating about them playing with and defeating Miini, the top knight-class golem owner of the third year, even breaking golems with bare hands.”
“…How does one break a strategic weapon like a golem with human strength?”
“Though they are affiliated with the Foundation, they also have unpredictable elements as they don’t hesitate to act against the Foundation. The Director of the Foundation can’t control them, and they freely come and go from the Academy, without a doubt making them the most free spirit after the Dragon Principal and the Seonhwang of the Empire.”
“What wind has blown this free spirit to keep an eye on us and teach golem manufacturing technology?”
With a serious expression, Deipobos spoke.
“That is a path you, Prince, must contemplate. I have been at your side for many years as your loyal retainer, but in decisive moments, it’s your responsibility as the future ruler of Troy to find and lead a vision to lead the organization into the future.”
“Don’t lower yourself like that. I was just lamenting my frustrations. You’re right. Just expanding the influence of Hector’s Retainers won’t be enough to keep up with this complicated world situation. It’s time to aim beyond that.”
Summoning up courage, Hector said.
“Set up a meeting with Oknodie. I’ll confront them directly and settle this.”
Hector and Deipobos, belonging to the Administration Department, needed someone who could facilitate a meeting with Oknodie. Hector could easily pester Deipobos, but Deipobos could not afford to jeopardize a crucial matter concerning the future and survival of the Kingdom of Troy by pestering unreliable retainers.
Every important task within Hector’s Retainer group had to go through his hands directly.
“I beg you.”
Thus, the person he approached was unexpectedly an eccentric figure, even to the one making the request.
“Requesting me won’t help, you know… I have no connection with Oknodie.”
The Empire’s Third Princess, Yayoi.
She was a remote island with no ties to the influential 981st organization groups like the ones closely associated with Oknodie—Dark Trading Company, Jigoku Pirate Group, Seoguyeon, and Camela’s faction.
“Princess Yayoi is the younger sister of Empress Masugaki and an heir of the imperial princess faction. If you send a request to Empress Masugaki, she could arrange a meeting.”
In the midst of always growling and busy slandering each other, how they managed to become so close, Yayoi had received information about her sister and had grown interested in the rumors surrounding Masugaki’s pro-Oknodie stance circulating within the campus.
However, there was no reason for her to willingly ask her sister for a favor on Deipobos’s behalf.
“I have never once extended my hand to my sister since entering the Academy. I can’t burden her for the sake of a prince from a small country with whom I have no personal ties.”
“Then it’s even more important for you to accept our Prince Hector’s request. Our connection would also greatly benefit Empress Masugaki.”
“What makes you so confident about that?”
“The malevolent movements of the noble faction. Their disregard for the Empress. Don’t you think it’s necessary to control the imperial nobles, led by the Three Great Meritorious Families, who are walking their own path?”
“…!”
“Now that Empress Masugaki has left the Academy, the only person who can control the noble faction is you, Princess Yayoi.”
It would help her sister.
The sister who had sacrificed much for her incompetent younger sister since childhood.
Finally, it was a small assistance to her sister who had taken on the tremendous burden of governance.
For Yayoi, it was an old wish.
Even though she knew this was Deipobos’s cunning manipulation, she felt she had no choice to comply.
Yayoi let out a shallow sigh.
“Hector has a good retainer.”
“Too kind of you to say.”
“What do you intend to ask for by arranging this meeting?”
“I’m thinking about requesting knight-class golem production technology or a partnership in rook-class golem manufacturing along with a supply of raw materials.”
“That’s an absurd request. What can you offer Oknodie in return? Making a rude request could burden both my sister and me just by relaying it. You need to make me understand, or I can’t accept your proposal.”
“The answer to that question will come directly from Prince Hector himself. Please meet with him at least once.”
Yayoi contemplated.
Prince Hector of a small country.
He was just stretching out a hand in a desperate attempt to grab a lifeline.
There was no clear vision in him, she thought.
To be honest, she looked down on Hector as a man.
The formidable lineup of the 981st second years.
They had already surpassed not just the third years of the 980th class but also the upper-class lineup, overtaking or eclipsing even the fourth years of the 979th and fifth years of the 978th.
Even if students in their fifth year had to take a leave of absence due to lack of skills or points, they could only grow stronger in this academy overflowing with mana and knowledge.
Hector’s name was nowhere among that stellar lineup.
An ordinary prince.
A being destined to end with a small country.
A person with evident limits.
A minor group gathering commoners without strong ties.
Those were the only adjectives used to define him outwardly.
At least, based on what was evident.
After having a conversation with Hector.
Yayoi began to think.
Perhaps she had underestimated Hector.
In their private meeting, he said.
“I’m thinking about building a massive collection center for Oknodie’s treasures within the Kingdom of Hector.”
“Pardon?”
“It won’t just be Oknodie. I plan to construct collection facilities for treasures from various nations and actively accept talents from the Foundation for security.”
“Aren’t you afraid of future repercussions? Actively bringing in terrorist organizations into your country could heighten the likelihood of international conflict.”
“I don’t care. Eventually, this country will fall to invaders from neighboring nations as it fails to keep up with the arms race. Now is not the time to be picky about which kind of power we accept, whether good or evil.”
Yayoi was astounded by how far his ambition had exceeded what she expected, that he would only show a readiness to become a scholarship student of the Foundation.
Troy could very well become the landmark of the Foundation, truly planning an investment that risked the survival of the entire nation.
“Do you think Oknodie will accept that proposal? The Foundation has power even apart from the Kingdom of Troy, and it exerts its influence across the globe.”
“That strength belongs to the Foundation, not Oknodie. I have decided to be the first country to reach out to Oknodie, the heir of the Foundation.”
“That’s radical… still, there’s value in considering it. If the current king of the Kingdom of Troy supports the heir’s bold challenge, then I shall lend a hand.”
No matter how it was interpreted, how could a king of a nation be expected to watch the heir of a terrorist organization humiliatingly request support from the kingdom?
A person with common sense and intelligence would naturally have to refuse to bring in the Wahyhiemhai Foundation.
In other words, this would be a soft rejection.
It was merely a political act meant to consider Hector’s face.
Yayoi’s perception was not wrong.
Yayoi was undoubtedly a highly rational person.
However, Hector’s father, the current king of the Kingdom of Troy, wasn’t in the least bit rational.
[That’s a truly insane thought. Let’s do it right away.]
“He accepted. Now, please send a request to the Empress.”
“…”
Her sister would be different.
Her sister, who had protected her during the insane imperial succession war that had them pointing knives at each other, possessed both wisdom and rationality. She wouldn’t participate in such nonsense like this.
-Building an Oknodie landmark? snickers What a delightfully amusing story! I want to pass it on right now!♡
“……”
Thus, after going in circles, Yayoi found herself delivering this difficult and awkward news to Oknodie, her hands trembling with sweat.
