Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 140

Chapter 140   The Land of Ferguson

August, Year 569 of the Unified Calendar—

The mountains were lush and green, and at night, the insects performed their symphony.
During the day, the sun was harsh, its rays sharp, making one sweat profusely in the heat.

I was headed west as a messenger to Duke Chad.
Riding my horse, Comet, I would stop occasionally to let him drink water.

I made a stop in the capital city of the Sork region, Ridley, to buy food and water.
As expected, the city’s security had somewhat deteriorated.

The residents rarely ventured outside, and the city no longer had the vibrancy it once did.
A stable ruler must be established soon.

But what kind of person makes the best ruler?
Being kind to the people alone would only leave them vulnerable to invasion by neighboring nations.

Yet, choosing a tyrant too easily might lead to constant uprisings.
Well, the royal family operates on a hereditary system, so it’s not like I have a choice in the matter…

“…That’s fine!”

I was unanimously chosen for the task of being the messenger.
I could have declined, but if it’s a personal request from Io, I couldn’t really refuse.
She likely nominated me with the family’s best interest in mind.

As I pondered these thoughts, I entered the region of Ferguson, under the effective control of Duke Chad.

◇◇◇◇◇

As I continued along the road lined with lush greenery toward the coast, a large walled city came into view.

The coastal city of Rockheart.

I decided to stop here to replenish my water and food supplies.

“Show your face!”

As I tried to enter the city, a guard clad in leather armor stopped me at the large gate.
It was no surprise—after all, I was wearing a mask to hide the terrible burns on my face.
Though I wore it to avoid frightening people, it often made me seem suspicious.

“Sorry, you’re free to go!”

Once I revealed the burns under my mask, the guard apologized and let me pass through the gate.
Inside, the bustling streets spread out before me.

The security seemed good, with little trash on the roads.
The vibrancy here was far beyond that of Ridley, ruled by the royal family.
It was clear that Duke Chad was governing far better than the royal family.

“Hey, old man, got any rooms available?”

“Yes, right this way.”

This time, I was dressed in clothes that made me look like a wealthy merchant.
Wearing royal attire wouldn’t get me through the checkpoints, and dressing too poorly would only cause trouble.
I took my horse, Comet, to the stable behind the inn and then entered the inn’s dining hall.

“Old man, give me a cold ale!”

The city of Rockheart served as a hub for the Ferguson region, attracting many travelers and merchants.
Naturally, the inn’s dining hall was also packed with various people, creating a lively atmosphere.

I paid six small silver coins in advance and ordered a rich T-bone steak from a fatty goat and warm corn porridge.
I liked to dip the soft, white bread into the warm porridge.
I refilled my cup with the deep red wine and had a pleasant night’s sleep in my room.

◇◇◇◇◇

The Next Morning—

A soft knock echoed on the door.

“Come in!”

As I said this, the person who entered silently was Eclair, the head of the spies.
She had been sent ahead to investigate the situation in the Ferguson region.

“So, how did it go?”

“Your Excellency, Duke Chad’s rule is quite impressive; there are no significant instances of misgovernment. The burden of military service is somewhat heavy, but the security is good, and there are no apparent weaknesses.”

I had hoped that if there were any weaknesses in the Chad family’s rule, they could be used as diplomatic leverage, but it seemed there were none.

“I see, thank you!”

With that, she vanished from sight.

…If there are no weaknesses, what should I do?
I closed the door to the window overlooking the beautiful coastline and departed from the inn.

I set my course directly for the city of Goldberg, the stronghold of Duke Chad.

◇◇◇◇◇

The City of Goldberg.

It is an ancient fortified city surrounded by the rich fields of Ishtar wheat.
In the past, it served as a crucial supply depot for the royal family in their campaigns against the Garland nation, which led to frequent enhancements of its defensive structures.

From the distant hills, one could see that the walls surrounding the city were tall, and the duke’s residence in the center of the city stood even higher.

I passed through the city gates and rented a room in a relatively large inn.
While the streets were not as prosperous as Rockheart, they exuded a calm atmosphere, likely due to their long history.

“Is this what I should wear?”

In my room at the inn, I pulled out an ornate diplomatic outfit from my backpack.
It was made of jet-black fabric adorned prominently with the emblem of House Rillburn, distinctly different from royal attire.

“Get me a carriage!”

“Yes, as always.”

I handed a tip to the innkeeper and had him arrange for a carriage.
It wouldn’t do for a messenger of the duke’s household to travel on foot alone.

I boarded the carriage and headed toward the duke’s residence.

“Oh, you’re from House Rillburn?”

“Yes, indeed.”

I pressed a large silver coin into the gatekeeper’s hand.

“Uh, ahem. Please proceed.”

My carriage crossed the drawbridge over the water moat and passed through the sturdy castle gates.
Then it made its way through the beautiful courtyard filled with trees, arriving in front of the duke’s grand residence.

“I would like to have an audience with Duke Chad.”

“Please wait a moment.”

I handed a letter outlining my business to a maid.
Afterward, I was guided by the maid to the duke’s office.