Chapter 630
Then Give Me Some Compensation. (2)
Claude had gone through quite a bit of hardship.
The suppression of the remaining stragglers itself wasn't difficult. The Ritania Kingdom's army that he had brought along was simply too strong for that.
What made things difficult for him was Amelia, who had now become the Queen of Norbagen.
As soon as Claude met Amelia, he presented his thoughts on the suppression of the remaining enemies. At the same time, he took out a small pouch from his coat.
Amelia, who had been silently observing, asked.
"What is that?"
"171 gold."
"Why…?"
"It’s the money I’ve taken so far."
"……."
Claude had been avoiding Amelia until now. However, he couldn't completely avoid meetings between the working-level officials.
During the war, everything from executing tactics and strategies, distributing war spoils, and discussing the finer details of various treaties had to be handled by the administrative officials.
On top of that, he had been doing business with the Actium Merchant Guild for quite some time. And each time, Claude had taken 1 gold.
That meant he had done this 171 times.
Amelia, dumbfounded, remained silent, while Claude bit his lip.
"Tch, so you already knew?"
"Knew what…?"
With a resigned expression, Claude pulled out another pouch.
"523 gold."
Amelia frowned. He claimed to have taken only 1 gold at a time, but just how much had he been pocketing to have accumulated this much?
Claude, looking wronged, quickly explained.
"This isn't a bribe! I won this fair and square!"
"Won it… fair and square?"
"Yes! It was an honest competition!"
Amelia shot a sharp glare at Bernarf. She could overlook a small bribe as a matter of custom, but was he seriously implying that they had gambled with public funds behind her back?
And without her knowing?
Feeling the weight of Amelia’s gaze, Bernarf broke into a cold sweat and stammered.
"H-he’s just… ridiculously skilled…."
"That’s not the issue here!"
Bernarf, still looking clueless, soon realized what the real problem was and frantically waved his hands.
"W-we didn't touch public funds! I swear! Everyone used their personal money!"
In short, everyone who had met with Claude had not only given him 1 gold in bribes but also gambled with him.
"Haa…."
Amelia closed her eyes and pressed her temples. Every time she dealt with these Fenris bastards, her headaches worsened. Even normal people started acting strange when they were around them.
It was better to just get straight to the point.
"So, you want help with the suppression of the remaining enemies?"
"Yes! If Your Majesty’s mighty army assists us, we can completely exterminate the Salvation Church remnants…! Your Majesty will be remembered as an unparalleled hero, praised for eternity…!"
Claude flattered her with all sorts of flowery words. To put it simply, he was asking for help because the scattered remnants were popping up everywhere.
Amelia nodded. While she had already eradicated the remnants near Norbagen, some stragglers who had been pushed out of other areas were starting to appear near the borders. She was going to have to mobilize her forces a few more times anyway.
Since she had seized a fallen kingdom by force, Amelia needed Ghislain’s solid support to ensure its stabilization.
She also had to display overwhelming strength to the people still trembling with fear.
Ascending the throne wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning. As the new ruler, she had to prove that she could protect her people in these turbulent times and earn their trust.
"Very well. You must have expected this to some extent, so I'll be direct. You can increase the support a bit more, can't you?"
Former residents of Raypold continued migrating to Norbagen, all of them voluntarily following Amelia, placing their faith in her.
If she successfully resettled them across the newly acquired lands, her reputation would naturally improve.
She also planned to return the land she had received at the westernmost edge of Ritania once its resources and people had been fully relocated.
That was the plan but before anything else, she needed to ensure the safe settlement of the people. Stabilizing the domestic turmoil required vast amounts of resources.
"Of course. As promised, I have brought the first wave of aid, food and money."
"Good. Then I shall mobilize the army immediately."
With the promised aid secured, Amelia’s ties with Ghislain would be completely severed. Now that she had achieved her goal, she had no intention of making more enemies.
It was time to focus on building a powerful kingdom that would realize her ambitions.
Claude, too, grinned widely. Amelia had accepted the deal more readily than he had expected.
Just as she was about to leave after concluding the negotiations, an interesting thought crossed Amelia’s mind.
"You seem to enjoy gambling. Seeing as you've played with my retainers several times and won every single time."
Claude nodded. It wasn’t hard to beat a few rookies who had barely dabbled in gambling.
"Heh, well, I do enjoy a good 'match.' I love the thrill of victory."
"Hmm. I don’t dislike that sort of thing myself. Since we’re on the subject, how about a game with me?"
"Pardon? Your Majesty? Do you know how to play card games?"
"A little. One should at least know what the people enjoy."
Claude’s lips curled into a sly grin. Now this… this was a big fish taking the bait.
"Hmm, I don’t mind… but are you truly serious about playing?"
"Yes. A brief diversion should be entertaining, don’t you think?"
"Then, what shall we wager?"
"No need to complicate things. Didn’t you say you brought quite a bit of military funds? Why not wager a portion of that?"
Claude lowered his head and chuckled. The amount of war funds they had brought was massive. Even using just a fraction of it could change someone’s entire life.
‘If I win, it’s all mine. Kukuku… Do you think I’d let such an opportunity slip by?’
"Understood. Then, let’s enjoy a light game."
As soon as Claude accepted, Wendy grabbed his sleeve and whispered urgently.
"Are you insane? Do you have a death wish? You’re betting military funds?! Don’t do it!"
"Ah, let go! I’m the commander here, you know? This is a violation of military law! I just have to win, winning solves everything!"
Wendy bit her lip. Claude’s eyes were already clouded with greed.
She turned to Ereneth, who was standing expressionlessly beside them.
"Great Chieftain, please stop him!"
"……That man is insane. He won’t stop unless you cut off his wrist. If you wish, I can do it right here."
Her chilling words were filled with absolute sincerity. But asking her to actually cut off Claude’s hand wasn’t an option. Wendy could only chew on her lip in frustration.
She couldn’t use force against her own Supreme Commander inside another kingdom’s royal palace. This was truly maddening.
When she glanced at the Norbagen officials, wondering why they weren’t stopping Amelia, all she saw were bowed heads. They were too afraid of Amelia to intervene.
Meanwhile, a table and cards had already been prepared. Wendy had no chance to stop this.
As Claude shuffled the cards, he smirked.
"So… can I take this seriously?"
"Of course. There’s no need to go easy on me. That would be an insult to my honor."
"Huhu, understood. But since I came here to ask for support, it would be rude of me to be too greedy."
"And how do you intend to be ‘respectful’?"
"I’ll only take half of what I win."
Claude grinned confidently. He was going to bet big anyway, so even half would be a fortune.
Amelia nodded without hesitation.
"Do as you please."
And so, the two played a high-stakes card game with military funds on the line.
A Moment Later
Tears welled up in Claude’s eyes.
"P-please… can you return at least half of what you won?"
"There is no such thing in a match."
"But I said I would only take half of what I won!"
"……Was that what you meant?"
Claude desperately tried to argue, but of course, it was futile.
Amelia rose from her seat and declared,
"Make sure to replenish the missing military funds before bringing them back."
With that, she briskly strode out to prepare for her campaign.
The Norbagen retainers who had lost money to Claude in the past followed after Amelia with satisfied smirks.
Meanwhile, Wendy furiously smacked Claude’s back as he sat there in tears.
"What are you going to do?! How are you going to replace that much money?!"
"Argh, I don’t know! Stop hitting me!"
Claude now had a massive hole in his military budget funds he had promised to Amelia. He had no choice but to replenish it, even if it cost him his life.
For now, he would have to inflate the request for additional support funds. With so many witnesses, he would eventually get caught, but he planned to secure the money before that happened one way or another.
As Claude carried out the suppression of the remaining enemies, he received news about Alfoi. The sheer envy nearly drove him mad.
But who was he? If there was one thing he excelled at, it was ruining Alfoi’s life.
He quickly started devising a plan.
"Keep checking the lord’s schedule and report back to me. As soon as possible."
Claude dispatched multiple messengers to monitor Ghislain’s movements. This plan needed Ghislain to be absent for it to succeed smoothly.
Seeing Claude scheming something, Wendy questioned him.
"I doubt the Chief Overseer will listen to you anymore. He’s not stupid he won’t make another bet."
"Exactly. That’s why I have to take him down by force."
Alfoi would no longer fall for his tricks. That meant he had to break him within a short window of time.
The suppression of the stragglers didn’t take long. Claude’s terrible personality aside, his capabilities were recognized by all.
And now, Ereneth, one of the strongest warriors, was fighting alongside him. When Amelia joined in as well, the remaining enemies were eradicated in no time.
With the dragon hunt successfully completed, there was nothing left to worry about. Claude focused all his attention on Ghislain’s movements.
"He’s heading to the Kingdom of Sardina to discuss follow-up measures with the Allied Army commanders. The others will return to the kingdom first."
"Ohh, is that so?"
Hearing that only a few people would remain by Ghislain’s side, Claude’s face lit up. This would make things easier.
After the suppression campaign was complete, Claude bowed to Amelia.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Now, I must take my leave."
"Make sure to send the missing military funds and supplies quickly."
"……Yes."
He’d just doctor the records for now and replenish the funds later. As long as he had time, money could be earned anywhere.
After all, he had secretly been amassing personal wealth on the side.
With that, Claude led the Ritania Army back home. They needed to reach the kingdom as soon as possible.
"Waaaahhh!"
"The expedition forces have returned!"
"Long live the Ritania Army! Long live His Highness the Grand Duke!"
Even though Ghislain hadn’t even arrived yet, the entire kingdom was already in an uproar.
Word had spread quickly that the Salvation Church had fallen and even a dragon had been slain.
The citizens’ faces were filled with joy. The long, grueling war was finally over, and peace had returned.
Everyone laughed and cheered as they welcomed the returning soldiers except for Claude, whose expression remained dark.
A grand festival was held in honor of the troops who arrived ahead, as ordered by Zwalter Ferdium.
Everyone ate, drank, and rested in celebration, but Claude did not.
"Hurry up and get things ready! As soon as Kaor arrives, report to me immediately! Tell him we have something to discuss!"
Claude was moving faster than anyone - the dragon hunters would be arriving soon!
Not long after he finished making preparations, those who had participated in the dragon hunt finally returned.
Even the mages who had been captured from various kingdoms had come to the Ritania Kingdom instead of returning home.
Returning to their own kingdoms would have been humiliating for them. So, under Ghislain’s persuasion (and subtle threats?), they had accepted the excuse of staying to research the Rift and followed along.
"Waaaahhh!"
"The Dragon Slayers have returned!"
"The heroes are here!"
Everyone who had participated in the dragon hunt was met with thunderous praise.
And the one who received the most glory?
Alfoi.
His hunting companions had praised him so much that his reputation exploded beyond control.
"Waaaahhh! It’s Alfoi the White!"
"They say he’s the man who defeated a god!"
"There are rumors that he’s a 100th-circle mage!"
"Even if the dragon was only a 9th-circle, it’s nothing compared to someone at the 100th-circle. That’s a whole 91-circle difference!"
"Is it true he killed it in a single strike?!"
The rumors about Alfoi had spread so wildly through word of mouth that they had reached legendary, borderline absurd proportions.
Alfoi, basking in the cheers, felt utterly delighted. He sat atop his majestic white steed, Kkoko, draped once again in a brilliant white robe.
His expression radiated arrogance.
"Alfoi! Alfoi!"
"Lord Alfoi, please look this way!"
"Show us some magic!"
Alfoi closed his eyes, barely suppressing his overwhelming emotions.
Everyone was worshiping him.
Yes, this was the life he was meant to live.
A life where nobles were in awe, mages were struck with admiration and Claude was forced to kneel before him.
‘This is who I am.’
He had escaped his status as a slave he had nothing to fear now. No one could ever look down on him again.
Even Hubert, the very person who had stripped him of his right to inherit the Magic Towers, was sweating nervously beside him.
"A-Alfoi, how… how in the world did you do it? I just don’t understand…"
"Hmph."
Alfoi scoffed coldly, making Hubert shrink back further.
"A-about last time… I apologize. I was too angry back then… I never imagined you could handle mana that well."
"Hmph… So you’ve finally realized my ‘true’ strength."
Of course, if he had to do it again, it would be impossible but since he wouldn’t need to, it didn’t matter.
Alfoi kept up his arrogant act, especially since the dragon hunters treated him with the utmost respect.
But within just a few days…
The once-arrogant Alfoi’s reputation plummeted into the depths of ruin.