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Chapter 92: To The Desert (1)

“Are you being serious?” Vulcanus gulped and asked one more time.

Henry began to explain in a logical manner. “You failed to make the poison gold alloy because you couldn\'t control the synthetic poison, right? And you’re using synthetic poison because you want a poison that’s strong enough to withstand the alloying process… It wasn’t the place to talk about this earlier, but I treated you by using another poison to neutralize your poison.”

Treat the poison with poison. He’d neutralized a poison with a stronger one, then treated the stronger poison with an antidote. The mayor was clever enough to understand Henry, and because Henry had saved his life, he was tempted to take the offer.

However, naturally, this would come with strings attached. Instead of acting surprised, Vulcanus behaved like a skillful businessman and asked what the price was. “What would you like in return?”

“As expected of you, mayor. It’s nice that you understand what I’m trying to do.”

“No, Sir Henry, you are truly amazing. Clearly, your skills made you a vassal of a Patrician Family at such a young age.”

“I’m flattered. I won’t hold back about my needs.” Even if Henry hadn’t saved his life, Vulcanus would’ve accepted Henry’s proposal since he was obsessed with innovations.

Since things were going smoothly, Henry continued, “I want two things.”

“Two?”

“That’s right. First of all, I would like you to sign an agreement with the mercenary group that I lead.”

“Agreement…”

“I’m aware that you do not make technology transfer agreements with any organization because you believe that technology should belong to everyone. That’s why I will have some conditions too.”

“...Let’s hear it.”

Vulcanus’s belief in the free availability of technology was one of the reasons why he was respected so much. Therefore, Henry had spoken in a way to prevent Vulcanus from refusing him right away even though he was asking for something difficult.

“First of all, the mercenary group that I’m running is not associated with the Shonan family. It is not a part of Count Eisen’s private army.”

“What? If it’s not the count’s private army then… Do you mean to tell me that you have a private army of your own?”

“Mayor, this is a complicated story, but I’ve only been the count’s vassal for a few days. I was already running a mercenary group called the Million Corps before then, and even though it’s called a mercenary group, the swordsmen you saw earlier are the only members.”

“Hmm, please continue.”

“I’m not asking to sign an agreement to monopolize technology. I plan to only have exclusive rights to the technology that we develop together for one year, and then I will give it up. The other technology won’t be restricted like this.”

“Hmm… Are those all the conditions?”

“Yes.”

“Sometimes, I create things that are so dangerous that I get rid of them before anyone even gets a chance to see them. I’ll make it clear now that this type of technology is off limits even for discussion.”

“Of course. I completely respect that.”

“I’m glad that you understand. What’s your second request?”

“This is also something that I was working on before I became the count’s vassal. Mayor, what do you think of the solidarity agreement between the free cities?”

“Solidarity agreement?”

“The solidarity agreement that seeks to strengthen the cities through unity.”

“The empire has already granted a certain level of autonomy, is there really a need for a solidarity agreement between the free cities?”

“Vivaldi Town and Enkelmann City have already signed a solidarity agreement. Although autonomy does exist, only a few of the free cities are guaranteed that. They might lose that autonomy at any time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Without the State Contributors, the empire is heading towards ruin. It has only been a year since the archmage was executed, and a rebellion has already broken out, and the empire is becoming corrupt.”

“...That\'s a bit of a stretch. Just like a frozen lake that thaws in spring, the empire can melt away at any moment.”

.

“Mayor, have you heard the news that the Crimson Patrician Family has been deported to Salgaera?”

“What…? Crimson family… Are you talking about Marquis Aubert?”

“Yes.”

“Are you joking?”

“I wish I were. In the past few days, while you hovered between life and death, the marquis fell and a rebellion broke out. If this isn’t proof that the empire is headed towards ruin, what is? In addition, there are many rumors circulating inside the palace that certain nobles are thinking of taking over the free cities to add to their territories.”

“I-is that true?”

“Yes. That’s why the mayors of Vivaldi and Enkelmann signed the solidarity agreement. If they form a solid partnership, even the nobles won’t be able to target the free cities so easily.”

Henry had exaggerated a bit, but most of what he said was true.

However, to Vulcanus, the news was like a slap in the face. He was confused, and he stuttered and struggled to give an answer. “T-thank you for the advice, but… I think I should discuss this with the other mayors first.”

“No need, you can talk to me. I’ve already been entrusted with the authority by Mayor Vant and Mayor Harz.”

“...You, Sir Henry?”

“As I said, long before I became the count’s vassal, I was already working on many things, such as the agreements and the operation of my mercenary group.”

It was very confusing. A strange man had suddenly appeared one day and saved his life, and then he also offered a means of creating poison gold. In addition, even though Henry introduced himself as a vassal of the count, he had been preparing tactics to escape the nobles\' tyranny behind Eisen’s back.

Vulcanus was very confused to meet a person doing such contradictory things. Vulcanus closed his eyes. The situation was chaotic, and the man in front of him was making his head hurt.

However, Vulcanus was a smart old man, and he could pinpoint Henry’s intentions.“Sir Henry… It seems like you became the count’s vassal deliberately.”

“I have nothing to say regarding that.”

“I understand. At first, I was slightly surprised when I heard your name, but… I guess everyone who has the name Henry Morris is extraordinary.”

“...It’s a coincidence.”

“Alright. I’ve also met a lot of people in my old age and I can guess what that person is thinking just by looking at their eyes. You don’t seem to have the slightest bit of dishonesty in you.”

“That’s because I’m telling the truth.”

“It doesn’t mean telling the truth is always a good thing. How do I put this… This may sound off-putting, but I’ve met an archmage with the same name as you a few times in the past.”

Henry also remembered. Vulcanus had been the mayor of Monsieur back then too.

“I think I see the archmage’s eyes in yours, Sir Henry,” continued Vulcanus.

“I’ll… take it as a good thing.”

“Of course, it’s a good thing. I may be called a traitor for saying this, but I don’t believe in the slightest that the archmage committed treason. I’m definitely not the only one who thinks this. Many would also agree because the archmage was that kind of person.”

With a sad look in his eyes, the mayor made dangerous comments and Henry felt a wave of bitterness that could not be expressed in words boiling from the bottom of his heart.

‘What an appreciative person...’

Henry was grateful that there was a person who treated his death with great respect even though it had already been a year since he’d died. Henry knew that he couldn’t take this for granted. However, Henry suppressed his feelings and pretended not to know anything.

“I accept all the conditions,” said Vulcanus.

“...Thank you, mayor.”

“I’m not sure what this choice will lead to in the future, but… at least as mayor, I believe I’m doing the right thing.”

The two soon shook hands, confirming each other\'s sincerity.

“Oh, by the way, mayor.”

“Yes?”

“Other than the things I told you, there are things that I need to commission right away…”

“I’ll try my best to make them.”

“Thank you.”

After Vulcanus heard Henry’s commission, his face filled with surprise.

* * *

As there was a lot to prepare, Henry decided not to accompany Eisen. Instead, he met him at a gathering place near Shahatra. Henry used Teleportation as he had already revealed that he was a wizard.

Arriving near the gathering place, Henry passed hundreds of horses and soldiers stationed near the barracks and made his way inside.

Dozens of private officers and Count Eisen were waiting for Henry.

“You’re here.”

“I apologize for being late, count.”

“You’re not late at all, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“By the way, did you check the horses and soldiers stationed outside?”

“Yes. They look like they’re not as heavily armored.”

“Yeah. As you said, I’ve gathered up all the strongest men and given them the least amount of equipment possible. They all have a special Shahatra garment, Sutra, on.”

“Nice work.”

“Why did you only ask for 100 people and not a lot of equipment? What were you thinking when you made this request?”

“Simple. For the next few days, we won’t be able to suppress any rebels, let alone reach the capital of Shahatra anyway.”

“We won’t even be able to attempt it?”

“Yes. First of all, we will have to rescue the imperial family hiding in the safe zone, and we won’t be able to act recklessly until we figure out the approximate strength of our enemies.”

“Even so, shouldn’t we have more people in order to rescue the imperial family?”

“There