50
Spring passed and turned into summer. After that summer passed, autumn arrived.
As this season came, the Caliper Kingdom faced a headache due to food shortages.
It was all because of the war with Albad & Madon that had occurred before.
At that time, the southern region, which was Caliper’s granary, was paralyzed due to the army of Madon that had pushed up from the south. The fact that farming was paralyzed for about a month during the planting season was a significant blow.
Furthermore, in the west, due to the raids of guerrilla units, territories were destroyed, and refugees emerged in large numbers, causing the west to lose some of its functionality as farmland.
As winter approached and food became scarce, Caliper had no choice but to import food from other countries.
And Rainfall was no exception.
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“Still not enough?”
“Yeah… It seems so.”
Max frowned. Although he had quickly moved to Rainfall to start agriculture, he had not achieved satisfactory results as he had to start with clearing the land.
Moreover, unlike Rebel located in the southwest, Rainfall in the northeast had a different climate, causing farmers to struggle, and even the efficiency of agriculture was not coming out.
“We might somehow manage until January… but it seems difficult until February. Alse, what do you think?”
“Crossing doesn’t seem to have much leeway either. After all, Crossing is not a country where agriculture is advanced. It seems like it might be possible to compensate through fishing, but there might not be enough leeway to provide aid.”
As they were already bringing in people from Kubel, there was not much surplus food storage.
“Phew! It would have been nice if we had land bordering the sea. But there’s no helping it. We have to buy food.”
“Where will you buy it from?”
“Hmm. Since Crossing is a country where it’s difficult to export crops, let’s say it’s impossible. Albad, Bekabia, and Madon don’t have good relations with us. So, it seems like it’s only Bureung.”
Bureung, the great country in the south. It was also the country to which the protagonist belonged.
“Bureung is a farming powerhouse, so they should have plenty of food.”
“That may be true, but they might play around with the prices.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s high demand. Albad and Madon will also try to import food from Bureung for similar reasons to us. Bureung will likely compete and sell food at the highest possible price.”
“Ugh, do we have the funds for that…?”
“Yes, that’s why let’s look towards the west.”
In the west, Svenner, a powerful country, and Europe and Tunkai, mid-sized countries, were prominent.
“Then it must be Europe. Since they have a proper trade route with our Caliper.”
“But there’s still a possibility that Europe might play around with the prices. So, let’s move quickly.”
“Um, I would like to go right away, but my territory affairs are too busy. I’m thinking of asking my father.”
“Um… No. I will go.”
“You, Alse? Are you sure?”
“I’m fine. I happened to have some business in that area.”
It was time to start recruiting a certain individual.
One of the Seven Sages.
Walang Beiolaf.
—
Beiolaf Dresden.
As a promising young talent in Europe, Europe believed without a doubt that he would become a noble or a great general who would support the nation in the future.
However, at the age of 23, he entered indefinite seclusion for unknown reasons.
Even in the game, nothing was known about this reason.
It was Alss who recruited such a Bayolaf.
Alss said to the protagonist, who was struggling with a shortage of talent.
“It seems like a remarkable figure is hiding in Europe. Since you’re quite busy, I’ll meet him and come back.”
This was not a sub-event but part of the main story. It meant that Bayolaf was an important figure related to the main story.
So, following the flow of the story, he could naturally meet him, but due to my identity, the situation could change, so I decided to try recruiting him immediately.
“But Waryong….”
When it comes to Waryong, the first thing that comes to mind is Jegalryang.
A legendary strategist of the Wicheon era. Well, in reality, he was more of a politician than a strategist, but anyway.
In the game, Bayolaf had the nickname Waryong. However, this was a title related to the recruitment process rather than abilities.
“Alss must have put a lot of thought into bringing Bayolaf.”
Alss traveled back and forth to Europe three times. The recruitment period took about six months. The specific reason for this is not clearly stated in the game.
“The event’s content is clear….”
When Alss went to find Bayolaf, he kept saying things like “He’s a formidable opponent.” “He’s eccentric.” and so on.
After that, for some reason, he went to see Ash, a playboy male character, and received strange advice.
Following that advice, he behaved recklessly towards any female characters, leading to a ridiculous event with disastrous consequences.
“Why did Alss do that in the first place?”
Whatever the case, it seemed that Bayolaf’s reason for seclusion was related to it.
So, I thought it wouldn’t be difficult to meet him, but it turned out otherwise.
Expressing a desire to reveal my true identity as Wade and meet secretly, I soon received an invitation to the mansion.
I headed to the Dresden Viscount’s mansion with Yumir in tow.
“Are you Wade?”
The man who came out to greet me said that with a very puzzled expression. Dark circles were visible under his eyes, and his hair was greasy and unkempt.
“Nice to meet you. I am Bayolaf Dresden.”
“This must be a joke. You’re that Bayolaf?”
“hahahaha, I’m sorry for meeting you in this state, but since you’re wearing a helmet too, let’s call it even.”
Apart from Bayolaf, there were only five servants in the mansion. The peculiar thing was that all five servants were elves.
As we moved to the reception room, the elven servants brought in a carriage.
Yumir smelled and tasted the wine first, as if to confirm its quality. This made Bayolaf burst into laughter.
“This is something. It’s like royalty. hahahahaha!”
“I apologize. My attendant is quite meticulous.”
“No, it looks good. That elven maid. It’s clear she’s been with you for a long time.”
“Well, that’s how it has to be. She’s been taking care of me since I was a baby. She’s like family to me.”
“Wow! That’s impressive. I can see we’ll get along well.”
For some reason, there was a hint of affection in Yumir’s gaze as he looked at me.
Considering that people from the continent usually look down on elves, it was unusual.
“So? Mercenary Wade. What’s the reason you wanted to see me?”
“Before that. Do you think I’m a fake?”
“I don’t think so. There’s no reason for a fake to come see me. I mean, it’s nothing to say in front of you, but many people say that you are the real Wade.”
Violauf was unknowingly connected to me.
The genius abruptly left by Europa. And the mercenary Wade, who appeared around the same time.
The nobles strongly speculated that Wade’s true identity was Violauf.
As Violauf did not make any statement on this matter, his silence was being interpreted as a tacit affirmation.
While Casper impersonating me was only an issue within the Kingdom of Calipha, it was not the case for Violauf. If he were to step forward claiming to be Wade, it might even be accepted as the truth.
Of course, since Iliya, my mentor, and Eonia are under my command, the lie would be exposed quickly.
“So, there shouldn’t be any impostors coming for me. I will handle it myself. Therefore, if someone approaches me with interest, like this, then it goes without saying that they are genuine. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s correct. In that case, you must have some idea of my purpose.”
“You don’t seem to be talking about impersonation. Hm, are you suggesting something under the surface?”
“…”
“Is that the right answer? Huh, interesting. I am intrigued as well. The mercenary Wade who appeared like a supernova. Tell me about yourself.”
“Well, you seem to figure it out easily.”
This guy had a cunning air like Jurass, but fortunately, he didn’t seem as malicious as Jurass.
“Yes, Violauf Dresden. I hold your abilities in high regard. The talent that was once called the future of Europa. Instead of wasting away here, why not showcase it under my command?”
“The future of Europa… Is that so?”
“Do you have an aversion to that expression?”
“You mentioning it just seemed ironic. Elevating the part that was once the future of Europa while pledging loyalty to oneself.”
He faintly smiled and said, “Well, fine. Let’s have you work under me.”
“!?”
I never expected him to agree so readily like this. Then why exactly did Alz in the game contemplate and Europa leave the interest?
The reason was soon revealed.
“However, there is a condition.”
As expected.
“Money? Or perhaps land? Considering the scale of what you have been contemplating for years, it must be a significant condition.”
I thought within the boundaries of common sense, but the condition he presented far exceeded my imagination.
“Please bring me a sensual novel that satisfies me.”
“What did you say?”
I thought I misheard, but he hammered the nail.
“A sensual novel. That’s right. If you call it indecently, it’s also known as erotica.”
“You have a sense of humor. But more importantly, a true condition…”
“It’s not a joke. This is the condition for me to pledge loyalty to you. I have conveyed the same to the factions that have sought my abilities. Well, no group has met this condition so far.”
I thought he must be insane.
“Ask for erotica? And written by me personally?”
And there could be a group that met this condition.
“Can I at least hear the reason for this?”
“Ah, you are different from the authors who immediately get angry.”
“I am equally baffled. If this is just mockery, then this conversation should end here.”
“Of course, there is a valid reason.”
With that, he spoke of his first appearance.
It was about two years after graduating from Epsilon Academy. I was entrusted by the king to lead an army of 30,000. It was the Western Front, facing off against Tonkai.
They say war wasn’t difficult. In reality, all we had to do was maintain the standoff, not engage in actual combat.
“For nearly half a year, that’s what we did. I thought it was all quite easy. There were no real challenges. But then, unexpected problems arose.”
Issues that arise as the war drags on.
The problem that arose was related to the soldiers’ s*xual desires.
“Some soldiers who ventured out would plunder the young women of the villages, while others would attack the mares and end up kicked to death. Before long, some even resorted to robbing and killing weaker male soldiers. This led to the spread of venereal diseases.”
“….”
“I didn’t know what to do. Despite enforcing military discipline, the soldiers’ misconduct didn’t decrease. It was then that my father, who was also on the expedition, proposed a solution. He used female slaves to pacify the soldiers.”
“That’s….”
“Yes, it was brutal. The slaves, who had to entertain men indiscriminately, mostly ended up dead. And those slaves… were all humans.”
“Ugh!”
“It was inevitable. Even though they were slaves, mistreating fellow humans in such a manner could tarnish the nobility’s reputation. On the other hand, despised humans wouldn’t cause such concerns.”
“Being able to use and discard without hesitation?”
“Feeling nauseous, aren’t you? For someone like me, who had a slave nanny in childhood, it was even more difficult to bear. You might understand, too.”
“I do understand… But can you justify your father’s choice? Leaving things as they were would have shattered military discipline.”
“I also came to terms with it. It was unavoidable due to the nature of the army. That’s why I thought of a solution. What about providing other ways for the soldiers to satisfy their desires? I pondered.”
“Are you suggesting erotica?”
“Exactly. Once the military provides the means, we can strictly enforce military discipline on those deviating soldiers. Providing no means would lower morale, but once provided, we can justify enforcing military law.”
“Letting the soldiers handle it themselves….”
It wasn’t a completely unreasonable idea. Even in modern armies, it’s often handled that way.
Of course, the situation differs from here due to various available means in modern times.
“That’s why we need a charismatic piece! A work so immersive and tantalizing that soldiers wouldn’t dare think of breaking military law. Unfortunately, I lack the writing skills to produce such a piece.”
Bayolaf intended to create such content. Circus performances, music bands, martial arts, and erotica were among them.
Through these, he aimed to break the prevalent vices in the army.
“So, did you ask someone else to do it?”
“That’s right. Everything else was prepared smoothly, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought to create sensual novels. No matter how much I racked my brains, I couldn’t write a good piece.”
So that’s why he ended up in this situation.
He seemed strange, but his reasoning was understandable.
In that case, one fact became clear.
‘Was Alss going to undergo an erotica inspection three times in a row!’
My head started to ache. I wanted to leave immediately.
“Can’t you have a ghostwriter? If you need a good piece, I don’t have to write it myself.”
“I’m not asking for a masterpiece right away. What I want now is someone who truly understands my thoughts. So, I’d appreciate your sincerity. After that, you don’t have to write it yourself. Whether it’s ghostwriting or not, it doesn’t matter.”
“I, I’ll think about it. I’ll take my leave for now.”
“When you come back next time, bring at least one volume. I’ll be looking forward to it. Wade.”
Leaving the mansion, I felt drained of energy.
‘He was a formidable opponent, beyond imagination….’
On the other hand, it was clear. If I brought erotica, it meant a successful recruitment.
‘So that’s what Alss meant!’
For the sake of writing an erotic novel, I consulted the playboy Ash, who had instigated Alse to flirt with any women just to tease him.
The crucial point here is that Alse eventually succeeded in luring Beiolaf to the protagonist’s side.
After being branded a traitor, Beiolaf followed Alse, who understood him, rather than the protagonist.
In other words, Beiolaf was not originally the protagonist but rather Alse’s devotee.
Even now, it was clear that if successful in recruiting, it would be a great strength.
“I must do it. Writing erotic novels….”
Everything turned dark. An erotic novel, really.
Me, becoming an erotic novel writer!