Chapter 147

(2)

3.

Seoric Al Gorphant.

Facing a middle-aged knight in front of him.

Noa quickly recalled the memory of playing as Marquis Gorphant. It was to negotiate with him about Ulan’s absorption.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Seoric looked puzzled.

“… What does that mean?”

How much did you find out?

While he was tilting his head at the nonsensical words, Noa, who snapped out of her thoughts, opened her mouth.

“That condition is utterly ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous?”

“Yes, I must reiterate, this is rather lacking to be considered a privilege. It would be more beneficial to not join the Empire at all.”

Her little palm tapped the papers.

As if to say she disliked the conditions he proposed. Seoric frowned slightly at the somewhat rude attitude.

“You only know one thing and not the other.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“How long do you think the prairie will be safe?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Six years ago, the Empire conquered the Western Canyon and expanded its territory. And now, having recovered its strength, it’s on the lookout for new territories to expand into.”

Those words sounded somewhat threatening. Quick-witted Noa nodded in understanding.

“Ah, I see what you mean.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“But even if you’ve recovered your strength, I don’t think you have the capacity to start a war right away.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Empire hasn’t completely taken control of the west yet, right?”

The question interrupted him.

Seoric closed his mouth. Observing his reaction, Noa continued to refute.

“If you withdraw your troops in this situation, the Resistance Force will surely rise up. Would it make sense to start a war under those circumstances?”

For a moment, his facial expression hardened.

Externally, the Empire declared that the western front was completely at peace.

However, the truth was just as Noa stated.

The Rubens Empire had not fully grasped the west, and that was why a Large Military Force was stationed there.

‘… How did she know that?’

The inner workings of the west were top-secret military information.

Not something a mere student could uncover.

But Seoric quickly regained his composure. It could just be a lucky guess. So, he coughed lightly to mask it.

“Ahem! You seem to be mistaken…”

“No, I’m speaking from a position of accurate knowledge. If you still don’t believe me, I can give you a few examples.”

From that point.

Noa recited the information she had acquired when she was playing as Seoric.

From the size of the Resistance Force operating out of the Western Canyon to the estimated time needed to completely suppress them.

The more varied the information flowed, the paler Seoric’s complexion became.

“…!?”

Naturally. There wasn’t a single wrong part in what Noa said. Seoric lost his composure, realizing how well she grasped the situation in the west.

“Where did you get that information…?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you. It doesn’t pertain to this matter.”

She shook her head.

As if indicating she had no intention of answering that. Then she steered the conversation back to the original topic.

“In any case, the Empire cannot mobilize its troops regarding the west right now. I suspect there won’t be a war for the next ten years.”

A prediction so accurate it sent shivers down the spine.

Because the Marquis Gorphant’s staff also estimated it would take at least ten years to fully pacify the west.

Seoric gulped dryly.

Now he realized. This girl was not an easy opponent.

‘Then…’

Maybe I should take a different approach.

His wrinkled eyes sharpened.

A moment later, regaining his calm, he asked in a stone-like voice as if to threaten.

“Aren’t you afraid of what will happen in ten years?”

After the Empire completely pacifies the west.

A question loaded with implications of pointing a spear toward the prairie. However, even with a threatening undertone, Noa didn’t flinch.

“No, I’m not particularly afraid.”

“What? What kind of confidence gives you that…?”

“Then let me ask you in return.”

After a brief pause.

Noa looked toward Ulan.

“If you were to meet Ulan on the battlefield in ten years, how much damage do you think the Empire would suffer?”

“…”

He was at a loss for words again.

Ulan had already defeated two of the Empire’s five greatest swordsmen.

Furthermore, the only one who could currently face him was the Empire’s strongest sword, Saxen Yul Orden.

What would happen ten years from now?

Unlike the other Masters who would be aging, Ulan would grow even stronger than he is now. He could easily take on a Master or two.

“Accepting Ulan would provide massive benefits to the Empire. With a Master and the vast prairie, the borders would widen significantly.”

Currently, the Rubens Empire’s northern border was adjacent to snow-capped mountains surrounding the prairie. And those mountains were crawling with Monsters and Demon Beasts.

If left unchecked, they would soon cross the borders into the Empire. The northern lords built battle lines near the borders to prevent this.

‘But if the Empire absorbs the prairie…’

The burdens on the lords would be significantly reduced.

With an expanded border, the battle lines would also grow, allowing Ulan and the barbarians to confront the monsters on a new front.

And this was the real reason the Empire sought to make Ulan a vassal.

“On the other hand, the prairie has nothing to gain.”

“What do you mean…?”

“There’s no promise of how long resources will be provided, and we would still have to pay taxes in a hundred years that we wouldn’t have to pay otherwise.”

Noa shrugged her shoulders.

Just as she was about to continue speaking.

“… Let’s end this probing for now.”

Suddenly, Seoric cut her off.

He looked rather exhausted.

“I’ll ask you straightforwardly.”

“Huh? About what?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t understand.”

His cold eyes glared at her.

He then asked the main question.

“What do you really want?”

Finally, the long-awaited answer came.

However, since she couldn’t just blurt out her desires, Noa turned to look at Ulan. He noticed her gaze and quietly shook his head.

“Don’t worry about me.”

“But…”

“I told you earlier, right? I’m leaving it to you.”

In negotiations like this, Noa was far superior. And if it was Noa, she wouldn’t impose unreasonable conditions on him.

Therefore, Ulan replied.

“I trust you.”

A statement filled with unconditional support.

Noa smiled lightly once more. Then to repay Ulan’s faith, she moved her lips.

“There are three main conditions.”

“Go ahead.”

“First, please attach detailed explanations to all privileges. As I mentioned earlier, I’d like clarification on how long you will provide resource support.”

“Understood. That will definitely be conveyed.”

The first condition was resolved quickly.

Since all they had to do was adjust what was said earlier.

After a swift negotiation.

Noa held up two fingers.

“The next condition is a request to recognize Ulan not just as a vassal lord but as a true lord.”

“A… lord?!”

An expression of surprise appeared on his face.

Seoric asked in disbelief.

“Are you saying you want to establish the prairie as a duchy…?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

She asked to be recognized as independent, with autonomy while belonging to the Empire. Seoric shook his head in distress.

“That’s impossible.”

“Why not?”

“Because the Imperial Family and the military wish to effectively expand the Empire’s boundaries.”

Not as a duchy, but as an imperial territory.

Noa immediately understood the implications.

“Ah, in that case, there’s no need to worry.”

“What do you mean?”

“The prairie has no intention of being recognized as a duchy forever. I just need time to adapt, which is why I said that.”

“A period of adaptation?”

“Yes, the prairie tribes have lived isolated from civilization for over a hundred years.”

Their language, culture, and even ways of thinking are completely different. If the Empire were to absorb them without hesitation, most would certainly struggle to adapt.

“Just because the Empire sets the flag doesn’t mean they become civilized overnight. So, I said we need time to adapt.”

Initially recognized as a duchy, then gradually integrating into civilized society over time.

This was what she wanted to convey.

Seoric silently nodded.

“I understand what you mean.”

“I’m relieved.”

“However, this isn’t a matter I can decide unilaterally. It requires permission from the Imperial Family.”

A tone indicating the weight of this matter connected to the Imperial Family.

Noa shrugged her shoulders.

“Then you can just seek permission.”

“What?”

“Isn’t that right? After all, it’s not a time-sensitive matter, and it involves the fate of countless tribesmen, so it should be decided carefully.”

“…”

Indeed, this girl was no walk in the park.

He thought she would be intimidated and back down when the Imperial Family was mentioned, but she didn’t blink an eye.

As Seoric contemplated his next move.

Noa fell into a brief moment of thought.

‘I really didn’t need to go this far.’

The Empire would collapse within the next twenty years.

The loss of power from the Imperial Family was partly to blame, but more importantly, the Gate of the Abyss would open.

‘So…’

It would be fine to simply accept the conditions Seoric originally proposed.

After all, the Empire would fall apart anyway.

But Noa didn’t go that route.

‘Maybe this time it might be different.’

Ulan remembers his past life.

And he already defeated two lords before the gate was even opened. Meaning, the Empire might not collapse.

So, for the sake of preparing for the Empire’s survival, and for Ulan, negotiations needed to be concluded properly.

With complete resolve established.

Noa held up three fingers.

“Now, I’ll present the final condition.”

The third condition.

What could possibly come next? A mix of tension and curiosity filled the air as eyes turned to Noa.

Soon after, Noa’s lips opened.

With words no one expected at all.

“Please prepare to face the Abyss.”

“… The Abyss?”

“Yes, soon the Gate of the Abyss will open, unleashing countless monsters across the continent. I would like to request preparations against this.”

A flowing demand.

Seoric swiftly raised a hand.

“Wait just a moment.”

“What is it?”

“You say the Gate of the Abyss will open, what does that mean? You’re not telling me something like what happened last time is about to occur again?”

“Yes, it already happened recently.”

“What? It opened recently too?”

While watching Seoric’s surprise, Noa recounted the recent events at the Source of Magic.

From Abyssal erosion to the Swamp Ruler.

After a while, as the full explanation concluded, Seoric spoke with a heavily furrowed brow.

“How could it happen again in just a month…?”

“You already experienced it once, so you must know the dangers of the Abyss well.”

Seoric nodded silently.

A few months ago, he fought against monsters that spilled out from the Abyssal Rift alongside Ulan.

Additionally, he had faced the Abyss itself, so he fully understood how perilous it was. Thus, he had submitted a report to the Imperial Family directly.

“Therefore, I wish for thorough preparations from the Empire regarding this matter.”

“Thorough preparations, you say…?”

“There are various options. Deploying a Large Military Force near Arsen or training an army to face the Abyss would be a start.”

For example, like the Fang Brigade.

Noa held her tongue to avoid saying more.

She was waiting for Seoric’s response. After a moment, his formerly sealed lips finally began to move.

“I at least understand what you mean.”

After subtly nodding, he furrowed his brow.

“However, there is a part I don’t understand.”

“Yes? What part?”

“How does the Empire benefitting from preparing for an attack from the Abyss concern you?”

“That’s…”

This time, Noa struggled with her words.

She was pondering how to respond.

In that moment, someone interrupted to provide an answer.

“It would help prevent many deaths.”

It was Ulan, who had been silently observing.

Seoric turned to him in inquiry.

“But that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with you. Why include it as a condition when it could be left to the Holy Nation or the Magic Tower instead?”

“It’s relevant to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because it is my mission.”

Ulan answered without hesitation.

It was indeed a valid point. He was a hero who remembered his entire past life. However, Seoric, who didn’t understand the circumstances, looked puzzled.

“This is a matter of humanity’s fate.”

At that moment, Noa interjected into the conversation.

She did so to add clarification.

“So if you want to survive, it’s an issue that everyone needs to be involved in, regardless of who they are.”

An answer that was easier to understand compared to Ulan’s.

Seoric nodded silently.

As if to indicate he comprehended.

“Alright. I’ll make a note of your suggestion.”

After all, the Imperial Family was also paying attention to the Abyss.

Thus, the request for preparations against it would likely pass unexpectedly smoothly.

After nodding a few more times.

He turned back to both of them and asked.

“By the way, is an early graduation really unnecessary?”

“Not at all.”

“Yes, that’s settled.”

Both answered without hesitation.

Seoric wore a puzzled expression.

“Why? It seems you wouldn’t have much more to learn at the Academy…”

“I want to gather more knowledge.”

“K-knowledge?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Seoric’s bewildered face, Ulan nodded silently.

And one more thing.

There was a reason he shouldn’t graduate.

‘Source of Magic, Arsen.’

The place where the Gate of the Abyss will open someday.

A location that stands to be the forefront of the war against the Abyss. In other words, the moment the gate opens, there would be an opportunity to split the lords’ heads apart.

Therefore, he had no intention of leaving the Academy, even for a moment. Meanwhile, while Ulan was lost in thought, Noa spoke again.

“Ah, Marquis.”

“…? ”

“Finally, I have one small request.”

“What is it?”

“I’d like to request the authority to access anywhere related to the Abyss.”

“Authority, you say…?”

“For example, places like the Source of Magic.”

Seoric realized what she was implying.

He accepted happily.

“Understood. I’ll make that request too.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Noa beamed brightly.

But that didn’t last long; she suddenly wore a worried expression.

“But I’m a little concerned.”

“Hmm? Concerned about what?”

“As you might suspect, foreign professors have been continuously making contact lately.”

“Hmm, that…”

Seoric let out a low groan.

Undoubtedly, some of them would offer conditions better than the Empire’s. Seeking to acquire a new Master as a strategic weapon in their hands.

“So, I was wondering if it might be a good idea to document today’s conversation?”

“Are you suggesting we write a contract?”

“Exactly. That way, we’d have grounds to decline any offers from foreign nations.”

There wasn’t really a reason to refuse.

Seoric gladly accepted the proposition.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Oh, and to solidify this contract, I’d like to request a nominal deposit, if that’s alright?”

“Certainly. How much will it be?”

“For now, I think this amount should suffice.”

Noa spread out her ten fingers.

Seoric estimated the amount.

“Ten Gold Coins?”

“One hundred Large Gold Coins.”

“… What?”

His wrinkles stretched wide in surprise.

One hundred Large Gold Coins was a fortune enough to buy a three-story mansion in the capital’s bustling district. It wasn’t a sum that could be casually mentioned.

Just as he was left speechless by her abrupt request.

Noa spoke again.

“Or you could give me a little more.”

“You want even more…?”

“Yes, but you have plenty of money, Marquis.”

Noa replied shamelessly, wearing a cheeky expression.

Meanwhile, Seoric was momentarily lost in thought, staring blankly. Looking at him, Noa smiled brightly.

Yet her eyes were piercingly cold.

The eyes of a predator who just finished hunting. Like she was intent on tearing into her prey that was already caught.

Chapter 36. Second Outing