Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 6 - Preparations for war

Chapter 6: Preparations for war

The Four Demon Beasts, being minions of the Demon Lord, are all characterized by their enormous size.

Among them, the largest is the sea demon Straff.

The sea demon Straff is not particularly strong among the Four Demon Beasts.

Since size doesn’t necessarily correlate with strength.

In the story, the protagonist and their allies, along with reinforcements from the kingdom’s army, joined forces with battleships to achieve victory.

The main characters suppress the rampaging sea monsters, which had appeared in large numbers, while continuously targeting the sea demon Straff with the battleship’s artillery to secure victory.

In other words, the sea demon Straff can be killed with artillery.

Despite its size, it’s ultimately a soft-bodied creature.

But right now, there are no kingdom battleships here.

While our Lightless family could probably prepare a battleship, it’s unlikely that I would gain my father’s approval on such a short notice.

Should I explain the dream of mine of being killed in the future? Or about commoners rising to become king?

No, I would just be called in for a doctor, and it would end there.

Besides, moving battleships implies moving the military.

Even though I am the legitimate son of the Marquisate, there are things I can and cannot do.

But this is a port town.

And money is available.

There are plenty of ways to handle this situation better.

“Clinton. Carlos has apparently gathered all the evidence of your misdeeds.”

“W-What!?”

Clinton, in a state of shock and confusion, stammers.

Well, Carlos hasn’t been gone from the seat for even 30 minutes.

He probably didn’t expect the evidence to be collected so quickly.

Too bad for him, my Carlos is excellent.

“S-So, this must be some kind of mistake…”

Backing away from me as if to escape, Clinton glances nervously towards the door.

It’s quite obvious; does he really think he can escape?

“Oh, those who were waiting in the next room have already taken care of it.”

Carlos says as if it’s nothing.

“Fool…”

Collapsing to his knees, Clinton bows his head.

What? Did he set up an ambush?

Carlos, you’re quite quick with your work.

But an ambush, really?

Did he think he could deal with me and Carlos with that?

“Oh my, the list of reports to my father has increased again. Arbitrary heavy taxes, plundering of the people, kidnapping. And, attempted murder against me, the eldest son of the Lightless family? If I dig further, various other things might come to light.”

Looking down on the bowing Clinton, I present the facts as if stabbing them into him.

Clinton trembles, unable to even lift his face.

“With this much evidence, your personal punishment alone won’t suffice. Your parents, too, probably didn’t expect their son to cause such a scandal.”

Implied threats against the Serpente Viscount family, his ancestral home, also suggested potential accountability. Clinton twisted his face in fear, trying to cling to my legs.

“P-please, spare me, spare me!”

“Begone, insolent fool!”

“Ugh!?”

But even that was shot down by Carlos.

While being restrained from above, Clinton repeated “mercy, mercy” like a mantra.

Is this guy really a noble?

He’s more disgraceful than a commoner.

To such a foolish person, I extend a helping hand.

“Clinton, I’ll give you a chance.”

When people hit rock bottom, their judgment becomes dull.

Like the damned souls who blindly grasp the offered thread of salvation from hell.

Clinton slowly raised his head.

“A c-chance…?”

“That’s right, a chance. After all, you are a noble, different from the commoners. Isn’t it strange to be judged just for exploiting some commoners a bit?”

A glimmer of hope shone on Clinton’s face filled with despair.

“… Yes, yes, you’re right. Commoners are just meant to be exploited. I am a noble!”

Clinton stood up as if revived.

Carlos looked at him skeptically, but I gestured to silence him.

Be silent for now.

“But kingdom laws are absolute. At this rate, you’ll end up in prison. I can’t turn a blind eye to this much evidence. So… I’ll give you a chance.”

“O-oh, how merciful… B-but what should I do?”

“The monster damage in Rougvelt that you mentioned earlier… solve it.”

“Huh…? But that’s just a desperate lie by the residents…”

“Whether it’s a lie or not is not the issue, Clinton. What’s important is that a request for relief has come from Rougvelt, and you responded to it.”

“The appearance, you say?”

Clinton put his hand to his chin, pondering.

“Whether monsters exist or not, if I report to my father that Clinton Fou Serpente defeated the sea monsters in Rougvelt, it will become reality.”

Yes, the truth is not important.

Everything depends on my word alone.

“In other words, with just my word, you can become either a criminal who oppressed the people or a hero who saved Rougvelt.”

“…!”

Clinton’s eyes widened as if he had received a revelation.

“But my words also need support. I need you to take action.”

“Support… What should I do…?”

“If you’re going to falsify monster hunting achievements, my word alone is weak. So, I need you to leave evidence that you mobilized forces.”

I scribbled a note on parchment and tossed it to Clinton.

Clinton picked up the note in a hurry.

“Prepare the forces listed on this note by the end of today.”

The note listed personnel, large quantities of gunpowder, cannons, weapons, ships, etc., all the items necessary to defeat the sea monster Straff.

Clinton glanced over the note, his face contorting.

“R-Rofus-sama… If it’s soldiers, I can gather mercenaries, but weapons, cannons, and even ships by the end of today…”

Clinton stammered.

However, this military force is essential.

We have to defeat the sea demon Straff, not some imaginary monster.

There’s no room for compromise.

“No, it must be done. Have everything ready by the end of today. We depart tomorrow.”

“There are no monsters. Isn’t this force excessive…?”

“This level of force is necessary to be convincing. Besides, if it’s postponed until tomorrow, my father may intervene. Then, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“U-Understood…”

Clinton groaned as if pondering.

Does he think he has options?

“I see. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. I’ll report everything truthfully to my father. Next time we meet, it might be in court.”

“W-Wait! Please wait!”

“In that case, hurry. Use all the connections and money you’ve accumulated to prepare. You’ve surely squeezed a lot from the people of Lightless territory, right? I won’t accept any excuses.”

“I-I will prepare it quickly…!”

Displaying my power, Clinton tremblingly left the room.

From outside, I could hear Clinton giving instructions to his subordinates and the bustling footsteps.

This mansion is lively; it seems they’re in quite a hurry.

“Does he have any chance of having an escape plan?”

Suddenly, Carlos narrowed his eyes and asked me.

“Clinton? No chance. He’s at rock bottom right now. He’s too focused on reeling in the lifeline he’s been thrown into.”

Well, there’s still a slight possibility he might try to flee.

We should have a plan in place.

“Summon Lark the Summoner.”

I summon a familiar creature onto my hand.

It’s a black furball about the size of my palm.

With a single crimson eye blinking, it looks at me as if waiting for orders.

“Monitor Clinton Fou Serpente.”

Upon hearing my command, the familiar creature jumps up on my hand and disappears into mist.

It must have headed towards Clinton.

If there’s any trouble, we should receive a message immediately.

Now then, that night.

I was treated to a sumptuous meal at Clinton’s mansion.

They have also prepared a room for me to stay tonight.

It will surely be a better room than those inns in the town.

Considering the unjust takings from the residents, the meal is on par with the high-end restaurants in the capital.

Despite being a port town, the lack of fish dishes is probably due to the influence of the monster attacks.

I received a report from Clinton at the dinner table.

It seems that everything I requested has been prepared.

According to Carlos, a substantial amount of gold from the underground storage was missing.

So, the gold spoke, huh?

“Well done, Clinton. With this, tomorrow, you will be the hero who saved Rougvelt.”

“Oh no, it was worth sacrificing myself for.”

Clinton looked somewhat worn out.

“The delivery of cannons and gunpowder was quite timely.”

I think it would be difficult to procure cannons and cannonballs from merchants in the port town, let alone gunpowder.

Moreover, the trade of domestic weapons is prohibited by the kingdom’s law.

Well, that’s why I told him to use his connections.

The fact that they were abducting residents indicates a high possibility of involvement in human trafficking.

They are likely familiar with such underground markets.

“I gathered about half of them from our stockpile. As for the rest, I can’t speak too loudly, but through alternative routes…”

“Hmph, you managed to prepare well. I won’t nitpick on the details.”

Clinton bowed deeply.

Thanks to that, we were able to gather our forces this time, so I won’t pursue it for now.

But I understand that there are dark pests lurking in our Lightless territory.

Once everything is settled, I’ll crush them.

“Also, please accept this.”

When Clinton gave a signal, the door opened, and a wagon rattled in.

The servants removed the black cloth covering the wagon.

There were a large number of gold coins stacked inside.

“… What is this?”

“Because Lord Rofus showed mercy to me this time. Of course, I don’t expect this to be enough in return. Please give me any orders in the future if there’s anything I can do.”

Clinton had a smile plastered on his face.

I see, it’s hush money.

He ended up in a position where I have leverage over him this time.

It’s quite a sum, even if it’s probably dirty money.

“Well, I’ll accept it. It’s a good gesture.”

I offered some words that seemed appropriately pleased, and Clinton showed a relieved smile.

That’s all he can do for now.

After all, Clinton is scheduled to die in battle against the sea demon Straff tomorrow.

Did he think he could handle me and Carlos with that level of preparation?

Truly, he underestimates us.