The conqueror from a dyi.., p.21
The Conqueror from a Dying Kingdom: Volume 3, page 21
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to tell Ho family members to run off together. If anything happens, please take her to a ship and carry her somewhere safe.”
“No. You have to come back.”
“But if I don’t...”
“No. If I say okay, you’re gonna stop worryin’ about her, and then you won’t come back.”
That’s definitely not going to happen.
“I feel better knowing you’ll do this for me,” I said, as if she’d agreed.
“I won’t...”
No matter how much she argued, I knew she’d look out for Sham. In fact, she’d be looking out for her even if nothing happened to me.
“I do value my own life too. I’ve got every intention of coming back, and it’s still possible that I won’t have to go at all.”
“I ain’t listening.”
“All right. I know I can count on you.”
“Okay, fine...”
I sensed she still wanted to argue, but not because she was reluctant to help. I wasn’t the best at understanding people, but I’d known Lilly long enough to understand that.
“I’ll be taking the lighter. It could come in handy.”
“When are you leavin’?”
“In about a month from now.”
“Then give it back.”
“Huh?”
Why can’t I have it?
“Think about it—in a month from now, I’ll have a better one for you.”
Ah, that’s why.
“Oh, okay. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
I handed back the lighter, and Lilly wrapped her hands around mine as she accepted it.
With that agreed on, we chatted for a while as I enjoyed my second tea session of the day. After that, we parted ways.
✧✧✧
“...So that’s my situation.”
I’d just finished explaining everything to Caph and Harol, and they sat there in silence.
“Well... I guess you nobles have responsibilities and all that. It’s just one of those things,” Caph said, though he looked less than pleased. “Not much use worrying about it. Let’s handle this calmly.”
“What? We’ve gotta plan for if he dies,” Harol disagreed.
That drew an irritated tsk from Caph. “Dumbass,” he muttered with another disapproving click of his tongue.
“Huh?!”
“He’s the brains and you’re the arms and legs. You don’t need to think about what to do without him.”
“You’re saying that if he goes down I go down with him? I’m not having that. You shut your mouth.”
They were at each other’s throats already. The pair had too much history to be good friends now.
“You’re both sort of right,” I said. “Just listen.”
They both went quiet and looked at me.
“There’s truth in what you said, Caph, but of course Harol’s going to worry. That’s why I’ll leave a will with my father. I’m not going to start talking about who’s going to get what while I’m still alive, though—it’ll just cause arguments.”
There had to be something very wrong with things if I was seriously contemplating how to divide my inheritance at this age, but it wasn’t something I could leave to chance.
“So don’t worry about all that,” I assured them.
I had to put Harol at ease because all of this could affect Ms. Ether—he was sure to be worried that he’d be bound to servitude for life if I died.
“Now, about how you’ll manage the company while I’m gone—you can handle it, can’t you, Caph? I want to leave everything besides Harol’s responsibilities in your hands.”
“Got it,” Caph instantly agreed.
He was always reliable.
“Harol. When will the third ship be ready?”
“Uh...” Harol threw his head back and looked at the ceiling while he mentally leafed through calendar pages. “Next week.”
“All right. After your next voyage, see the first and second ship back to Suomi, then head for Aisa Island.”
“Aisa Island?”
“Yeah. Then set out exploring from there.”
Harol looked a little dissatisfied. He clearly didn’t like the idea.
The third ship that was currently under construction in the Albio Republic was an exploration vessel, a compact ship with three fore-and-aft-rigged sails.
Although it wouldn’t go as fast as some vessels—masts with several square sails provided the most surface area per mast and thus traveled fastest—it didn’t need as large a crew. The speedier models mentioned took significant effort from several crew members to hoist the sails.
A slower speed meant the ship would take longer to reach its destination, but it could actually travel further because a limited crew number meant resources would last longer. It was like a choice between a light vehicle that moved slowly but with high fuel efficiency, or a large vehicle that moved fast while consuming a lot of fuel. When traveling to some unknown land, the former was much better suited to the task.
“If you say so, I’ll try it. You’re sure this new continent really exists?” Harol still looked unhappy with my decision.
Caph stared at me too, looking as though he shared Harol’s feelings.
“It does,” I said.
Given how similar this world was to Earth, it wouldn’t make sense for there to be no American continent. But I was the only one with this knowledge, so I couldn’t prove it to anyone. Without any kind of evidence, Harol and Caph were certain to doubt me.
“Is this really the time for that?” Caph asked.
I’d actually ordered Harol to use the first ship to set off exploring from Aisa Island back when the second ship was still being built, but it had been a failure. He hadn’t been able to find land at all.
It was my fault—I hadn’t given him clear instructions. According to the sea chart that Gora Hanyam had created during the voyage, the winds had carried Harol toward the Caribbean Sea, but then they’d had to turn back because food and water was running low.
They hadn’t found a single island, or any evidence that land even existed, so their efforts had been futile.
“As I’ve said before, discovering the new continent is the whole reason I started this company. I understand why you’d doubt my judgment, but please have faith in me.”
In the same way many doubted Columbus at first, I must’ve looked like someone chasing phantoms to everyone around me.
It was reasonable for people to wonder why I was so focused on exploration during a time of crisis, rather than treating it as a side project to be pursued when we had more time and money. It was something that had to be done no matter the cost, though.
“Besides, all those luxury goods we’re bringing back from the republic are going to plummet in value as soon as people hear about the war. Business isn’t always going to be as profitable as it is now.”
People would start hoarding their cash once they learned of the war and began fearing for the future. There’d be fewer people willing to use their income on luxuries. The cotton that Harol was buying up in the republic and selling for a high price was used to make luxury goods. We were making a killing from it, but that wouldn’t continue for much longer.
“Suppose so.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Both of them were in agreement.
“If we can’t find this new continent, diplomacy with the Albio Republic is going to be vital. Harol, if I don’t come back, you might find yourself speaking with Her Majesty directly.”
“Uh... Okay,” Harol said with a grimace.
He’d rather not?
“It sounds weird when someone your age worries about what’ll happen after they’re dead,” Caph said.
“I’m not that worried—I’m fairly confident nothing bad will happen.”
If a few dozen students set out, there was a chance that one or two of the less careful students wouldn’t make it back, but that was all.
“Just make sure you return,” Caph said. “We can’t move forward without you.”
“I will. I’m not planning on dying.”
I decided that we could end our discussion here.
“I have a lot to do, so I need to go,” I said while getting up from my chair. “There’s a lot I have to see to.”
Standing up must’ve gotten my circulation going, because that was when I finally realized I’d forgotten the most important thing.
“Oh, I forgot to mention. Harol, there’s something I need you to get hold of while you’re in the Albio Republic.”
✧✧✧
“Yuri.”
When I left the head office, I noticed a black carriage parked outside. Myalo was standing in front of it, the main gate to my family’s residence right behind her. It was as if she’d taken up a part-time job guarding the place, though that obviously wasn’t why she was here.
“Please allow me to be of service.”
Myalo suddenly went down on one knee, getting dirt on her uniform. She’d obviously watched too many period dramas... Well, not that those existed here.
“Stand up,” I said.
Myalo rose to her feet like I’d asked.
This was a fairly busy street, which meant ordinary cityfolk were giving us suspicious glances as they passed by. It had to be a little embarrassing for her.
“We can’t talk here. Let’s get in the carriage.”
“After you,” Myalo said, opening the carriage door as if she was my servant, urging me to get in.
Uh... Having a girl my own age treat me like this just feels awkward, but I guess I’ll just go along with her... In more ways than one.
“Take us to the academy,” I said to the coach driver as I got in.
Myalo should’ve been the one to give them the destination, but she hadn’t disagreed with me. The coach driver remained silent as they set us moving.
Myalo remained quiet on our way to the academy, so I spent the time thinking about how I was going to deal with her.
We alighted from the carriage once we’d reached our destination. The carriage left us after Myalo ordered the coach driver to go back.
“Myalo, who told you?” I asked as we walked down the familiar path into the dorm.
“Oh? Well...”
She hesitated to answer, as if she wasn’t sure she could reveal her source.
“I don’t need to know exactly how you found out, but please tell me the expedition hasn’t been announced yet. If there’s a crowd of eager students waiting for me in the dorm...”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
So the announcement wasn’t made.
“I heard it from Her Highness,” Myalo explained. “I learned where you were going after speaking to her yesterday.”
It turned out her source had been Carol, and that she’d known since yesterday. Her Majesty had said that it had all been Carol’s idea, so that must’ve been when she’d first approved the plan.
I couldn’t imagine the conversation that had taken place between Carol and Her Majesty, but considering Her Majesty’s attitude earlier, it wouldn’t surprise me if she’d spurred Carol on. Then again, that didn’t make much difference.
“Does Carol know already?” I asked. “About me being captain, that is.”
“She does. She just returned from the royal castle a short while ago looking dour.”
That meant Myalo had heard the news from Carol, then headed straight for the Ho residence.
“Ah. Okay.”
I was a little reluctant to return to the dorm, but Carol was always going to find out regardless. I’d have to face her sooner or later.
“What is it you’re planning to do out there, Yuri?” Myalo asked with great interest.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you going to save Kilhinan people?”
What?! What’s she talking about? If it’s not period dramas, she must be reading too many novels.
“Why would it be my job to save them?” I asked.
“It isn’t?”
Of course it’s not. Just who do you think I am?
“If that’s your plan, then you’re definitely not coming with me,” I said.
“Oh, no. I wasn’t planning on anything like that either.”
She said that wasn’t what she’d had in mind, and I knew she wasn’t a selfless do-gooder, but she’d left me feeling a little suspicious. It made me wonder—if I’d said I wanted to save Kilhina, would Myalo have responded that she’d been thinking the exact same thing?
“Her Majesty did say something about a hero, but personally, the students who want to go for the sake of being a hero are the ones I’m most worried about. That’s not our mission,” I explained.
“Oh... Okay.”
She doesn’t sound convinced...
“Let me give you a little test.”
Myalo’s face suddenly turned serious. “Okay.”
“What’s the main priority of this mission?”
“To make sure Her Highness returns safely... I think,” Myalo replied instantly.
Precisely.
“All right. And what’s the main thing we need to watch out for while achieving that objective?”
“Projectiles fired by the Kulati?”
Well, that’s certainly one problem. Stray projectiles are a worry for sure.
“That’s a concern, yes, but not the biggest one. The real problem is that Carol might want to be a hero.”
“Oh... I suppose she might.”
“If anyone else gets killed trying to save people, we’ll just say it’s their own fault for getting carried away and we’d complete our mission regardless. But getting Carol home alive is our mission.”
“Now that I think about it, you’re right. It’s exactly as you say.”
“If you understand that, then I’ll bring you with me.”
Just like that, I’d given Myalo permission to come with me. I figured I’d test her first, but I was never going to have the option of leaving her behind.
“Thank you. I’ll do my utmost to be of service,” Myalo said boldly, a look of delight on her face.
When she said she’d do her utmost, I knew she wasn’t lying. She’d give it all she had.
“Just don’t get in my way,” I warned her.
“Of course. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I think so...” Myalo replied, taken aback.
“Do you know what I mean by getting in my way?”
“I thought I did, but... You don’t mean it literally?”
“I didn’t want to take you with me. We’re headed to a dangerous place—I’d rather leave everyone who’s important to me right here.”
Myalo instantly realized what I meant. Her expression defied description, but if I had to try, I’d say she looked sad. From her point of view, my concern for her was like an unwanted gift.
“All right... But you know, sometimes it’s useful to have those important people with you, even in a dangerous situation.”
“I know. You’re always useful—you’re more capable and reliable than anyone I know.”
Well, more to the point, she had qualities that I lacked. She was methodical, approached things from a very different point of view, and possessed both connections and knowledge. There was no doubt that she’d be useful.
“I’m honored.” Myalo bowed her head, genuinely pleased by the compliment.
“But you’re also my weak point. If I have to sacrifice multiple people to get Carol home, I’ll do it. But I couldn’t abandon you. I’ll be gaining a competent and reliable soldier, but now there’ll be twice as many people who I can’t leave behind.”
She seemed less pleased by that remark. “Are you saying that because I’m a girl?”
“No.”
“That’s not the reason?”
“What if the roles were reversed?” I asked her. “Suppose I became a liability out there. Would you be able to give up on me, like a soiled glove discarded by the roadside, just because I’m a boy?”
Myalo didn’t have an immediate response to that. We passed the next ten seconds in silence, save for the sound of our boots scuffing against the dirt.
Finally, she spoke. “I don’t think I could do it...but you might have to.”
It wasn’t the response I’d expected, but I had to agree.
“Yeah, I’ll be the one who has to make those choices.”
“That’s right.”
“But even if I have to, that doesn’t mean I can. I’m not made of stone.”
“Indeed.”
“I wouldn’t want to be the sort of person who can make those decisions easily. But I might be forced into it, just like you said.”
It was a difficult issue. Perhaps I should’ve left Myalo behind, rather than leading her into a battle.
“I wouldn’t want a commanding officer made of stone either,” Myalo said with a slight smile. “That would be a wearisome service.”
When I saw her smile, it put me at ease too.
“Yeah. Putting your heart into your work for the sake of a rock would be a miserable life.”
“Okay. I understand what you’re telling me, Yuri. I’ll be careful, and I’ll make sure I don’t get in your way.”
Myalo was probably making sure we wrapped up this discussion now that we’d reached the dorm’s entrance.
“That’ll make things easier for me.”
When we entered the building, we encountered the same old relaxed atmosphere. The news clearly hadn’t spread far yet.
After parting with Myalo, I entered my room.
Someone else was already there, and despite being the source of all my problems, she was scowling at me.
I can’t believe her.
“What’s with that face?” I asked.
Carol was sitting cross-legged on her bed and sulking.
She turned her head away from me. “Hmph.”
Part of me wanted to grab her puffed-up cheeks and mess with them, but I resisted the urge.
“You don’t like Her Majesty’s decision?” I asked, having a seat on my own desk chair.
We’d better get this conversation over with.
“I didn’t say that...”
“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I didn’t volunteer for the job. In fact, this is nothing but trouble for me.”
