Chapter 103 : Chapter 103
Chapter 103. If It Can't Be Done, Make It Happen (7)
“The employees of the Sahar Caravan want to enlist in the Allied Forces. What do you mean by that? Does that mean they've figured out that we're the Allied Forces?”
Roden asked in a worried voice, but thankfully Chevalier shook his head.
“No, that's not it. The employees of the Sahar Caravan have not figured out that we are part of the Allied Forces, let alone the Billem Caravan. They are simply refusing to continue living in the Empire.”
“Why?”
“Because the Sahar Caravan saddled them with unpayable debts through absurd contracts, beat them for not paying back the money, raped them telling them to pay with their bodies, and when they were no longer useful after being treated like slaves, they were slaughtered like livestock. They say that the Empire never once looked after their well-being.”
“Ah.”
“Perhaps because of that, their animosity towards the Empire seemed to be as great as what they felt for the Sahar Caravan. And all the employees, without even knowing our identity, pleaded with us to send them to the kingdoms of the eastern continent.”
In conclusion, it seemed that the employees of the Sahar Caravan hadn't really said that they wanted to enlist in the Allied Forces.
From the circumstances, it was closer to a speculation that they would enlist in the Allied Forces as soon as they arrived on the eastern continent.
And Roden also felt that was likely.
Their resentment and anger were conveyed intact from Chevalier's story.
“So in the end, it's a speculation that they will want to enlist in the Allied Forces.”
“The possibility is very high. Therefore, I believe it is an opportunity that our company, which is suffering from a manpower shortage, should not miss.”
It was certainly true that Roden had been worried about a shortage of manpower just a moment ago.
And as Chevalier said, this could be a good opportunity.
It would be a way to fill the manpower shortage and at the same time gain spies who could operate locally.
However, that didn't mean it was right to seize this opportunity without any countermeasures.
If, by any chance, the caravan employees didn't want to enlist in the Allied Forces, it could become a headache.
Considering this, Roden spoke.
“We definitely need to fill the manpower shortage. But we first need to confirm for sure whether the Sahar Caravan employees really want to enlist in the Allied Forces.”
“Is there a way?”
“Take them one by one so they can't be swayed by the atmosphere or exchange information with each other, and conduct the interviews simultaneously. And tell them. The truth is, we are spies for the Allied Forces.”
“……Is it okay to say it so bluntly?”
“It's fine. Those who don't wish to enlist can be kept well and transported when we deliver the war funds to the Corps Commander. The secret will be kept naturally.”
“Ah.”
“And during the interview process, be sure to ask the following question.”
“What is it?”
“Specifically mention the name of one of the caravan employees and ask what they usually thought of that friend, since ‘so-and-so’ wants to enlist in the Allied Forces. Then you'll be able to get information about ‘so-and-so’ and at the same time learn about the character of the person who answered the question. After that, you make the enlistment proposal.”
“There is such a method.”
“Also, after confirming their intention to enlist, check what their purpose for enlisting in the Allied Forces is. Those who are sincere will mention their purpose specifically. But if they avoid answering, it's highly likely that they're lying.”
Chevalier nodded and spoke.
“Certainly, if we do as you say, Company Commander, we will be able to filter out those who want to enlist because of the heat of the moment or the enthusiastic atmosphere around them.”
“That's right. But even after they enlist, you shouldn't let your guard down for a while. While they undergo six weeks of basic training, continuously observe their receptiveness to discipline, their cooperative attitude as soldiers, and their response to the chain of command to confirm their enlistment.”
“Yes. I will handle the matter of these employees well as you have said, Company Commander. And I will report on the matter later.”
Roden believed that Chevalier would handle the matter well.
For that reason, he didn't nag any further and simply nodded.
“Alright. Good work. Then, is it farewell for a while again?”
“It's a pity. It was good to see you after a long time, Company Commander.”
“What's this? The Infantry Platoon Leader saying such things. Don't worry. We'll be able to meet again soon. There's a lot we have to do in this Empire.”
“For that time, I will train not only myself but also the soldiers well. I will contact you again.”
Chevalier saluted Roden, quietly closed the door, and left the Strutzen Inn.
Roden watched him leave and thought.
‘Is it now time to watch the Bazar family's reaction?’
***
“To think this was real……”
The treasurer's hands trembled as he read the letter from the investigator who had investigated the Sahar Caravan and submitted a report.
The letter stated that the Sahar Caravan had recently swapped 1st-grade food for 3rd-grade food and handed it over to the Vinchih garrison.
Leap!
The treasurer, who had sprung to his feet, had his face colored with rage.
It was only natural.
If he had learned this news late, and if this news had been delivered to Deniz first, his life would have been as good as over.
In effect, the Billem Caravan's tip had saved the treasurer's life.
But the treasurer was more fixated on the fact that the Sahar Caravan had deceived him and threatened his life than on this fact.
And he vowed to take thorough revenge.
As it happened, Deniz had given an order to thoroughly trample the Sahar Caravan if the food swapping turned out to be true, so there was nothing to hold him back.
And so, the treasurer hurried to meet the commander of the domain's army.
The commander of the domain's army, having been tipped off in advance, asked as soon as he saw the treasurer's enraged face.
“The Sahar Caravan? Or the Billem Caravan?”
“The Sahar Caravan.”
“Foolish bastards. To touch a hornet's nest with a honey pot right next to them. I understand. I'll take care of it.”
“When you behead Tark, be sure to show me his head. Only then will my anger subside.”
“Will that be alright? It'll stink of rot.”
“I don't care. In fact, my anger will subside even more.”
“Good. Then I'll have to behead the bastard cleanly. Since you'll have to confirm his face.”
“I'm counting on you.”
The commander of the domain's army nodded and then immediately led his troops and began to search every corner of Betalin Castle.
As a result, he succeeded in capturing most of the Sahar Caravan's employees.
“But why can't I see Tark?”
“I've just confirmed that he sensed something was wrong and fled outside the castle!”
“What? Why are you telling me that now! Everyone, follow me!”
The commander of the domain's army immediately mounted his horse with the cavalry and pursued Tark.
And in the end, he succeeded in catching up with Tark at the edge of a cliff in the Kalek Mountains near Betalin Castle.
“Tark! Now give up and obediently offer your neck!”
Tark panted and muttered to himself.
“Gasp, gasp. Damn it. I'm in this dog-like situation because of my stupid brother.”
Tark also didn't know exactly why things had turned out this way.
All he knew was that Yakub had definitely arrived in Vinchih with the Bazar family's 1st-grade food, but what was sold to the garrison was 3rd-grade food.
For that reason, Tark mistook this for a scheme concocted by Yakub.
“Perhaps it would have been right to deal with him at the party that day.”
In fact, Tark had also been aware of Yakub's plan of rebellion in advance.
For that reason, he had planned to deal with Yakub as soon as he returned from selling the Bazar family's food, but things had gotten twisted.
“What are you muttering to yourself about? If you want to make a will, do it so that everyone can hear.”
The commander of the domain's army spoke again, and only then did Tark raise his head towards him.
Then he spoke.
“You wouldn't believe me even if I made the excuse that it was Yakub who did it, not me, would you?”
“What your twin brother did is the same as what you did. It's what the Sahar Caravan did.”
“So where is Yakub? Did you kill him?”
“We haven't found him yet, but we'll send him to your side soon, so don't worry.”
“Damn it. They came for me first. In that case, I can't die feeling wronged. Even if I die, I have to see Yakub die first.”
As Tark said this, he took something out of his bosom.
It was a blue crystal orb that emitted a strange light.
And the moment he saw it, the commander of the domain's army must have had a bad feeling, as he jumped off his horse and immediately swung his sword at Tark.
Woosh!
But,
Vweee- Phat!
As soon as the blue crystal orb emitted light, Tark disappeared from that spot.
Whoosh.
A moment of silence fell on the desolate, windy cliff.
And a moment later, the commander of the domain's army muttered.
“……An artifact. Was that rumor that the Mage Tower was extending its hand to the Empire true?”
***
In the end, as per Roden's plan, the Sahar Caravan was retaliated against by the Bazar family and disappeared from the world without a trace.
Although there were rumors that the Caravan Leader, Tark, had not yet been caught, no one doubted that he would soon be tracked down and have his head cut off.
That was how immense the power of the Bazar family was.
“In the end, it turned out as you wished. But I will be watching you closely, so it would be better for you not to pull any foolish tricks.”
And Roden was finally able to make a deal with the Bazar family.
The fact that the treasurer had given Roden the above warning was proof of that.
But even with this warning, Roden was not afraid.
After all, if his identity was revealed, his life would be in danger anyway.
For that reason, he was instead satisfied with having succeeded in making deals with five of the six domains he had targeted.
For reference, the Sahar Caravan had been trading food with two other families besides the Bazar family.
And through this incident, Roden succeeded in signing food trade contracts with these families as well.
That was the reason why Roden had managed to secure additional contracts with three domains even though he had erased one Sahar Caravan from the world.
‘At this rate, it's as if the Billem Caravan has almost monopolized the food trade in this area.’
As a result, the scale of the Billem Caravan naturally had to become much larger.
Of course, due to the sudden increase in scale, the side effects were just as great, but Roden focused on solving problems and completing the system for a while and tried to stabilize the caravan.
And finally, about half a year after returning to Vinchih.
He was able to get his hands on a crucial piece of information.