Kays Translations

Chapter 18: Grace's Future Plan

I sipped my tea to wet my throat as I felt Lemech's gaze on me.

"I'm not a fan of this country where everything is determined by combat skills alone. Even if you're a good blacksmith, you'll be forced to make only weapons and only knights, soldiers and other people with fighting skills are given preferential treatment. ...... In this country, a person's value is all about power and usefulness in battle. The idea is that you can take everything you want. I think such a country is wrong and even if you can't play an active role in such a country, there must be capable people and it's important to develop various cultures and civilizations. It's not just about taking. I think it's important to nurture them."

Lemech-san listens to my words in silence. This is a way of life that contradicts that of my damn father and my damn brother. If he were to tell on me, I would be finished. But I didn't want to stop talking. I knew I wasn't wrong and I knew that this man in front of me wanted to hear what I really thought.

"In fact, I couldn't do anything in King's Landing, but here I was able to invent things and develop my territory and that's partly because Bowman, who only made weapons in King's Landing, made new metals and various other things, Vigna who followed me, Galatea who I met here and refugees who had no place in this country, who supported me. Those people are living their lives in my territory, doing what they want to do. I'm trying to develop Asgard not as a bleak country where power is all that matters, but as a lively city where everyone has a smile on their face."

If I had stayed in King's Landing, I wouldn't have been able to do all this. I wouldn't have been able to be a lord like the way I am now. It's also the same for the others. Bowman would still be making only weapons, Noel and Neil would have starved to death as peasants and Galatea would have remained sealed up.

Vigna would probably have stayed with me for a long time, but I don't know if we would have become lovers like this. Yes, we are going to get a new way of life here in Asgard.

"In other words, if you take a different path than the current king, do you mean that you don't need combat power?"

I shake my head at Lemech's words. I don't like it, but in a way, it's not wrong for a country like this to put combat power first. In fact, this country is developing even though it only specializes in combat power.

As a country or territory, combat power is still important. I know the importance of combat power from my previous battles.

"No, combat power alone is not wrong. It's sad to say, but if you stand out, some will attack you with malice. There are also monsters in the forests and mountains. In fact, if it weren't for Vigna and Galatea, who I met here when I first came to Asgard, I would probably be dead. But I don't think I only need the power to attack, I also need the power to protect.”

"I see.... Power to protect...."

"Yes, my people are very important to me. I believe I need the power to protect them."

"You've found your royal road......."

When I said that, Lemech-san said as if he was ruminating on my words. Yes, I came here to learn about the outside world. For starters, I started farming, living with Vigna, Bowman and Galatea. I found other ways to live in this city, making things, making life convenient and developing this city.

"I have one question. In your city, people who are not good at fighting... for example, people who have high control over magic but are not good at fighting, will they be allowed to live the way they want to?"

"Of course. If you're not really suited for the job, we'll give you some advice, but you'll be free to choose your own job in our city."

"I see...... Well, I can see it in her face. Noah is very happy now. You've seen her golem, right? When she was in King's Landing, she was almost forced to use her golem in battle and she came home crying. Since then, I've had her assist me, but I think she can find her own life here. Grace, please take care of Noah. In return, I will support Asgard as much as I can."

Lemech said this as if he was remembering something painful. That's true... Noah is good looking and has a good head on her shoulders and even her golem is going to be useful in a fight, though not as much as Galatea.

I should have noticed the fact that she had been supporting her father all these years. Maybe she heard the rumors about me in Asgard and came here grasping at straws. If that's the case, I'd like to help her as her former fiancé and current friend.

And to protect her and the people, I regret to say that my power alone is not enough. We'll never be able to match the absolute numbers with what we have now. No, if Galatea was here, she could at worst protect me and a few others, but that would be meaningless. I want to protect Asgard.

"Of course, I'll make Noah happy. In exchange, would it be possible for me to join your faction?"

"Yes, of course. It may take some time to convince the other nobles."

"No problem. Also, would you mind accepting this as a souvenir? Galatea! Give me that."

There was a knock at my door and after a short pause, Galatea came in with a wooden box. She bows to Lemech-san and opens the crate to show him.

"This is… an iron cylinder....? Don't tell me that's the new weapon I've heard so much about!"

"Yes, I want you to take this as a souvenir of my joining the faction. It also contains blueprints and I would like you to distribute it to people you can trust."

I said to Lemech, who was touching the gun with a shocked expression. The battle with Kyle had made the existence of the gun known. It is inevitable that they will eventually appear on the market. So I decided that it would be better to use them as a bargaining chip while we could.

Of course, I'm also considering the possibility that this could escalate the fighting. But my hands are already dirty. I've already prepared for that when I had Bowman make the weapon.

"I understand. I'm sure the factions will be convinced when I show them this. Thank you again. Grace Vermillion-sama."

"Yes, thank you very much. Lemech-Casius-san. But I am now the Lord of Asgard. Please call me Grace."

Then we shook hands, me and Lemech-san. Of course, I won't forget to use the "World Library" at that time.

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Noble

Lemech-Casius

Age: 43 years old

Strengths: Negotiation skills, charisma

Skill: Command of the God of War

Information: He used to lead troops in battle. He already has no desire to move up in the world and although he is not a gala, he is the leader of a faction at the behest of those around him. His purpose in life now is to make his daughter and son happy. He is  relieved that Noah, who he was worried about, is going to be happy.

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I'm glad...... He seems to really care about Noah. I can be sure that there is no hostility towards me.

"I'm going to go enjoy the bath that you are so proud of. Let's discuss various details again. Also… please take care of Noah for me."

He left the room with a smile on his face. I saw him off to the end and sat down in my chair, weak.

"I was nervous, but now I have someone backing me up! I'm glad."

"Thank you for your hard work Master. Have a cup of tea."

Galatea smiles at me as I show my true colors and makes me a cup of tea. If he had been more like taking advantage of me, or if he had said, "I want Noah back!" it wouldn't have been like this.

"Ufufu... it seems that Master has taken a liking to that man. He told you to take care of his daughter. You may have to take responsibility for this."

"Yeah, he was a good guy. ...... Hmm? What do you mean by responsibility?"

"No, it's just that ...... asking you to take care of his daughter sounds like the kind of thing a father would say to his daughter in marriage."

"Haha, no way....."

Right? I asked Galatea with a look, but she only smiled and chuckled. The party was a great success, but the letter that would soon arrive would cause me a new problem.

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