21st Century Archmage

Chapter 55: That Mans Knights

Pa-pang pa-pang.

“Raise the sign a bit more!”

“We have to finish all the repairs by today. Everyone, hurry!”

After checking out the plains bordering Havis Kingdom, I returned to Weyn Covert. The next day, the temporary workers started a ruckus from early in the morning with extensive repairs.

“Thank you for the meal today as well.”

“Hoho, it brings me incomparable joy to see you eat so happily, my lord.”

After I polished off a plate of smoked duck slathered in sauce and various baked breads with honey as well as a fish stew cooked with potatoes and other veggies, Lucias mother made a satisfied expression.

[TN: Author. Please. Give Lucias mother a name. Like wtf, she appears in almost every chapter.]

‘Wont I become obese at this rate?

The western-style dishes I ate every day were high in calories. It was tasty, but I had a Korean palate, so I longed for kimchi and fermented soybean paste soup.

‘When I have the time, I should at least make some kimchi.

Withself-reliance as an excuse, my mother used me from an early age as cheap labor for things like housework. Thanks to her, I learned how to make kimchi on my own as long as I had the ingredients.

‘I wonder what kind of events await me today.

I was sure that as soon as I went outside, Derval would run over, the same Derval who had probably spent his forced break thinking about countless things. He would surely pester and nag me for the sake of Nermans development.

“I will take the tea to your office, my lord.”

“Thank you.”

After eating an oily meal came a cup of tea. The people here always drank a cup of tea called alvrai after their meals, which was similar to black tea, and I was slowly getting addicted to it too.

‘I should construct a big fort in the area bordering the Havis Kingdom. If I block off the entrance to Nerman, I can perfectly control who comes in and out as well as prepare for danger I wouldnt know about otherwise.

During my flight yesterday, I had discovered the perfect spot for a fort near the Havis Kingdoms borders. As long as no threat arrives from the sea, the only things that could endanger Nerman were the coalition of Temir tribes as well as the route coming from the Havis Kingdom. Because of the Rual Mountains and the Kovilan Mountains, soldiers besides light infantry could not invade Nerman.

‘He was already waiting.

I could hear the faint sound of breathing from the office. It was Derval, no doubt.

Kerchunk.

“Did you sleep well, Derval?”

“My liege, you have come!”

Derval gave me an energetic response to my greeting. I couldnt be sure if it was because of the forced break, but the color had returned to his face.

“Theres a saying like this from the place I come from. No matter how long the path is, one achieves the journey one step at a time.”

“My liege, you no longer need to worry. I will repay your love by taking care of both my work and health now.”

‘Kya, hes always so trustworthy, seriously.

This person, who gave me his absolute faith like this and followed me, was a precious talent who, if I were without, would make managing this large territory impossible.

“Alright then, what do we have to do today?”

“First of all, the covert has gone into large-scale repairs today. You must now act with dignity befitting the master of great Nerman.”

‘The master of great Nerman? Sounds good. Huhu.

“Got it, Sir Derval, you take care of the small matters with your own discretion.”

“Thank you, my liege. There is something we must take care of as soon as possible.”

“As soon as possible?”

“Yes. If you have already eaten breakfast, please go to Count Yaix immediately.” Derval told me out of the blue to go looking for Count Yaix. “The Commander, Count Yaix, has most likely already heard the news about Viscount Lukence.”

“Most likely, yes.”

“If that is the case, then there is no need for hesitation—you should receive the transfer of native Nerman soldiers as promised. We can only attempt to secure the safety of the territory if those men are transferred as soon as possible.”

He was right. The empires troops were leaving anyway, so the native Nerman soldiers hearts would be wavering; it was a matter of course that I should secure them and use them to fill up the gap in our military power.

“And please receive all the military-related items you can get without reserve. Right now, there are not many blacksmiths in Nerman. If we were to make them mass produce military items as well, the other essentials will not be able to progress at all.”

That was something I had been thinking of as well. In Nerman, military power was more important than anything else. I was already lacking Skyknights, so if I didnt have soldiers either, then Id be all icing and no cake.

“Got it. Ill depart at once. That aside, where are the armors and airplates we got from Viscount Lukences Skyknights?”

“They are all in the hangar we are using as a storehouse. Just thinking about them makes me feel regret. We are unable to repair them unless we receive help from a magic tower… If we were to sell them in their current condition, we wouldnt be able to receive even half of the full price,” said Derval regretfully.

‘Dont worry too much, Derval. Because we dont need the help of a magic tower for that sort of thing.

Derval didnt exactly know my skills yet. When he inevitably later finds out, he would probably be disappointed that I had hidden it from him, but I didnt want to show all my cards yet.

“Sir Derval, do you have a lot of friends?”

“Pardon? By friends, you mean…”

“I mean people who will come running over at full speed if you ask them to.”

“Of course, I have some!”

“Then call them, as long as they are loyal, call them all. Tell them I will give them a beautiful dream.”

“My liege…”

Yesterday and today as well, Derval was completely taken by emotion.

‘As the old saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. If theyre friends with the smart Derval, they must all be worth putting to use, right?