Chapter 98 "War situation"

"Oh, my? Did it cut out? Fufu...too bad."

　After finishing my conversation with my beloved one, I - Fatima - look out the window of my room.

This is the newly built Oratorium mansion. My office in it.

　The place is built on the border between the Oratorium and the old Liard.

　Although Liard nominally exists, it is no longer just a part of the Oratorium.

My older sister, younger sister, and parents were in the way, so they left forever.

They were originally connected to those scum who annoyed Mr. Rothfeldt, such as Derzain. It doesn't matter if they are dead.

My younger sister didn't seem to know anything about it, but it's a small matter.　

Standing by the window, I look out over the mansion. What spreads across my field of vision is green. It is overwhelmingly green.

　Not long ago it was a wilderness overrun by goblins, orcs, and other such vile creatures, but now it has become a splendid source of income for us.

But Mr. Rothfeldt brought us something really wonderful.

　Those huge seeds. It took a lot of effort to germinate them, but once they grew, they were very useful as long as I kept feeding them.

　I guess Mr. Rothfeldt had set up a lot of tricks in advance, so it could communicate with me and follow my instructions well, so it grew the way I wanted it to.

　As a result, the wilderness, which was just a big wasteland, was transformed into a field that looked like a huge forest with a huge head of trees.

　Moreover, it seems that the fruits and other fruits can be reproduced with improved varieties by feeding them seeds, so they produce fruits, vegetables, etc. with a quality that is a joke.

　Just by harvesting them and selling them off, they generated unbelievable sales.

Currently, we are selling them in Acothern and Medream, but based on these sales, we may be able to reach out to the Royal Capital. We need to get in touch with Mr. Rothfeldt, so that's convenient for us in some way.

　I don't think you are anticipating this! Quite the quintessence, Mr. Rothfeldt! Is this another act of love!

I pick up one of the fruits on the corner of my desk and take a bite.

　The sweetness fills my mouth.

It is a pumila fruit, formally known as a Marsupumila. It looks like the fruit called apple that I remember from Mr. Rothfeldt's memory.

　There are three of them on the table. Each has a different shade of color.

　The lightest color is the cheapest for the general public, the next darkest is for the wealthy and slightly more expensive, and finally the darkest is a luxury item for the wealthy and high class.

The darker the color, the sweeter and more ...... addictive ...... it is.

However, those with strong spirits, such as mages, can resist, but those who can't resist will become addicted to it.

　In fact, idiots are buying them at ridiculous prices.

　But still, it's wonderful of Mr. Rothfeld to send us such wonderful seeds when we are in need of funds! Is this also an act of love?

Thanks to this, the territory's finances were completely enriched, and preparations that would have taken several years were completed in a few months.

　The war situation is also slowly turning in our favor.

　...I think the lack of numbers is still affecting us.

　We can't afford to lose the men that Mr. Rothfeldt gave us, so our main forces will be golems and locally procured troops, but it's going to be tough to attack with just them....

　I lower my gaze. I see something moving busily in the field.

　It is not a human being.

It is goblins, orcs, or trolls.

　They have empty eyes and a lot of ivy growing from their bodies.

　They became like that when they were caught sneaking into the fields to steal vegetables and fruits.

　It's a very convenient thing, isn't it?

　Thanks to this, we can harvest without wasting money on labor, and they keep coming back again and again, so even if we leave them alone, their numbers will increase. Rarely do they have any equipment there, so it's a delicious catch in a double sense.

Even if they die, they become fertilizer, so there is no waste at all.

　In fact, they have increased so much that we can even afford to send them to the front lines.

　I turned my eyes to the mountains spreading out beyond the fields.

　Listening carefully, I could hear the faint sounds of impact and battle.

　Now that the ground in Oratorium has been consolidated to some extent, I decided to expand my territory.

　Currently, we are sending troops to take control of Mount Shudras.

　The resistance from goblins and other races is fierce, and things are not going as planned, but we are feeling a positive response.

　At this rate, we will be able to take that mountain range in the near future.

　I hear that they are at war with the elves, and that they will have two fronts across the mountains...hmmm...tough luck, isn't it?

　I hear banging on the door of the room.

　Oh, is it a report or something?

"Yes."

　"This is Dylan. May I come in?

　"Come in."

Dylan, a former Temple knight, comes in.

　"What's the status of the war?"

　I skip the unnecessary greetings and start the conversation.

"Ha. After taking down two villages, we've encountered heavy resistance, and now we're at a stalemate."

　"Is it tough?"

　"If it were only goblins, we could manage, but due to the geographical advantage and the participation of other races such as trolls, orcs, and dwarves, we are at a bit of a disadvantage. I think we can take them down if we give it some time..."

　I see.

After all, is it difficult with wooden dolls made from reused corpses?

They excel in durability and simple arm strength, but their skills are not even 30% of what they were before they were alive, so they seem to be unable to accomplish more than expected in anything other than simple tasks.

I am a little troubled.

Currently, we are sending two former Temple Knights and a dozen or so slaves and ruffians who have completed their training period and are able to move around a bit.

　It seems that it was a mistake to send only the minimum number of subordinates, underestimating them as goblins and subhumans.

　Is it necessary to send in additional forces? To be honest, I really didn't want to split up the number of people since most of them are used for internal affairs and maintaining security, but it can't be helped.

　The first candidate is Trust, a self-proclaimed "swordsman," and the second is Lamia, who has recently arrived here... but both are difficult to handle.

　Peggy would have been useful in some way, but we sent her back to Patrick.

It might have been a regrettable thing to do, as I think about it.

Trust works energetically to train the soldiers and to do things that involve the territory, but when it comes time to fight, he refuses to move. When I asked him why, he refused, saying, "My sword is wielded only by the command of the Lord."

　It is a little discomforting that he does not obey me, but there is no doubt that he is loyal to Master Rothfeldt, so let's put up with it to some extent.

The latter lamia can barely communicate, but its intelligence is low and it does not understand my instructions, so I hesitate to send it into a battle that is constantly changing.

Then........

　I give it some thought.

　I didn't want to use it too much because it would reduce the harvest, but...it's a good opportunity, let's give it a try.

　I calculated the costs and revenues for golem production, maintenance of the territory, etc....

　...Well, it's tough, but we'll make it work.

　Maybe I should start thinking about saving some money.

　I was dazzled by the inflated earnings and spent too much.

　Restraint, restraint. I lightly clears my throat and continues.

　"I understand what you are saying. For the time being, please do not attack aggressively and focus on maintaining the front line. I will send reinforcements soon."

　"I understand. As for..."

　"Food, equipment, and supplies. We have them downstairs. Please take them with you."

After a couple of brief meetings, Dylan left the room.

　Well, let's do what we can while we can.

　I left the room and headed for the basement of the mansion.

　I went down a long flight of stairs and found myself in a large space.

　This place uses the entire underground space of the mansion, so if it were just the size, it would be large enough to contain the entire ground level of the mansion.

　Now, what is in this vast space?

　"How are you doing?"

　When I call out, the space emits a thin luminescence and I can see all around me.

The lighting is only installed up to the stairs, so once you enter the space, no visibility is provided at all.

　The entire space is filled with ivy and other plants. The light source in this room is that plant, which emits a pale green light.

What a beautiful sight!

　I couldn't help but admire it.

　A huge flower appeared from behind it.

　At the same time, the surrounding lights flickered regularly.

　"She" cannot speak, but she is a being with a will, so she can communicate with thoughts.

　At first it was faltering, but recently the communication has become smoother.

　I think this is evidence that she is making progress in understanding me.

　When I smile, she also looks happy.

　It is hard to call her by her name, but I had been reluctant to give her a name without permission since she was entrusted to me by Mr. Rothfeldt.

I'll mention it next time I talk to him.

　"This time I have come to ask a small favor of you."

She urged me onward with a thought.

　"Yes. I'm thinking it's time to increase our strength. So I will ask you to create powerful plant-based monsters for me. If there is anything you need, please let me know. I will prepare it as soon as possible."

　She gave me her understanding, but she has never done this before, so she needs a little time.

　"I understand. Then, please take care of it."

　After that, we chatted for a while ...... mainly about how much I love Mr. Rothfeldt and went back to my room. It was a very meaningful time.

　I am lost in contemplation as I walk back to my room.

　But still....

　How long will Mr. Rothfeldt keep that woman by his side?

　It is true that the soul of that woman is an original of Mr. Rothfeldt's, but she is worthless to me now. It is true that the old Fatima might have cared a little, but from my current point of view, it doesn't matter.

Because I am a part of him.

　We have a connection that is thicker than blood. Compared to that, the love and friendship between strangers is so flimsy. At first, I sent her off as she was, but as the days went by when I couldn't see Mr. Rothfeldt, I became jealous of that woman who was always by my side.

To tell the truth, I'd like to get rid of her, but in case the matter is exposed, I'm sure I'll incur his displeasure.　

It is not my intention to offend him, so I will keep quiet until I have a chance to eliminate her legally.

　There is a gap between that woman and Mr. Rothfeld.

If there is a chance, it will be easy for her to collapse.

　When the time comes....

　"...Fufu..."

　I can't help but let out a little smile.

　Imagining that person smiling next to me, I feel very happy.