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[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 50: Attack
Two weeks had passed since the desert flood had begun.
A wide river now cuts across the path that once connected Cron and Dreihart, completely blocking off human travel.
Rumble—!
Swoooosh—
“This is seriously bad.”
“Yeah, and there’s not even a hint of it letting up.”
The scouts dispatched from Cron sighed as they looked at the river.
With logistics between Dreihart and Cron severed, it wasn’t just Dreihart suffering—Cron was also taking the hit.
The spices and liquor brewed from desert cacti in Dreihart were bestsellers in Cron.
Now that they could no longer drink the sweet, stamina-boosting liquor that kept their nights lively, the scouts let out another sigh.
Klaus spies, who had been monitoring the scene, took note of this and reported back that the supply lines had been completely cut off.
After the desert flood began, the Klaus family had not only halted even the minimal wheat shipments to Dreihart, but they also sent knights under the pretext of "canal construction" to block all other possible routes from their territory—no goods could pass through.
Now, the Klaus family held Dreihart's lifeline in their hands.
Royce (Lord of Klaus) was convinced that in another two weeks, just before Dreihart starved to death, Calyx (Lord of Cron) would come crawling to him in submission.
Just as he was reveling in this belief, a report came in.
“A special envoy has arrived from Dreihart.”
“An envoy? Who is it?”
“It’s Nova White—Lord Calyx’s treasurer and Acting Representative of Dreihart.”
“The Acting Representative made the trip themselves, huh… Must mean they're really getting hungry. Beric, go have a good talk with them.”
“Understood, Lord Royce.”
The title of "Acting Representative" essentially meant Nova held all the authority of the Lord within Dreihart.
For someone in that position to personally come all this way—it could only mean one thing:
Desperation.
Royce couldn’t hide the smirk on his face. Everything was going exactly as planned.
Beric, his steward, was just as pleased. Normally, Beric tried to keep his perpetually squinting eyes open a little more since people found it creepy.
But today? He didn’t bother.
He didn’t feel the need to hide anything—because, in his mind, there was nothing to lose.
“Welcome to Klaus, Acting Representative Nova. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
Nova’s eyes were cold as she sat waiting with a cup of coffee in hand.
Calmly, she set it down and spoke.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I’m here to demand that the House of Klaus fulfill its wheat delivery, as per our contract.”
Dreihart had ordered the wheat in advance from Klaus and had already paid for it.
But for several months now, Klaus had breached the agreement.
“As I explained last time, due to internal circumstances, we are unable to deliver the wheat. We apologize.”
Nova’s gaze sharpened.
“I’m not blind, Steward Beric. What exactly is all that wheat in the warehouse going to be used for?”
“That stock is reserved for… other parties.”
Beric said, barely managing to hide the fact that he meant “your future selves.”
Then he dangled bait.
“However… if Dreihart is willing to pay 500 silver per sack, we would be open to resuming sales.”
Nova looked utterly stunned.
Then, with a furious expression Calyx had never once worn himself, she spoke.
“Are you serious? You're saying you'll sell a sack of wheat, normally worth 2 silver, for 500?”
“The value of goods always changes depending on the situation. Surely even you understand that, Acting Representative Nova.”
Without a word, Nova laid a copy of the original contract on the table.
Her eyes locked onto Beric’s.
“Our contract was signed a year ago. Let’s see if this supposed 'other party' signed theirs earlier than we did.”
“I’m afraid that’s a confidential matter of the Klaus family. We’re not at liberty to disclose it.”
“Then you're in clear violation of imperial trade law. I assume you're aware of that?”
“Naturally. That’s why we’re prepared to compensate you with a penalty fee.”
“You know full well that Dreihart doesn’t need your money. We need food.”
“That is… unfortunate.”
At that point, Nova realized further conversation was pointless.
Her voice became firm, ice-cold.
“Steward Beric, as the acting representative of the honorable Lord of Cron, I’ll ask you just one final time.”
She stared him down.
He returned her gaze with equal chill.
“Dreihart is facing a food shortage because the Klaus family has refused to honor its wheat delivery. If this continues, civilians will suffer and that suffering will be equivalent to war. In effect, the House of Klaus is declaring war on us. Is that how I should interpret this?”
“War? A bit dramatic, don’t you think? Still, I do acknowledge the potential for such consequences. My condolences, Acting Representative Nova.”
Beric didn’t feel even the slightest bit sorry.
Nova closed her eyes briefly, deep in thought, then rose to her feet.
“I see. So that’s where the Klaus family stands.”
She saw no reason to say more—it was crystal clear now.
But as she turned to leave, she looked back one last time and delivered her parting words.
“Do enjoy what little peace you have left…”
The white-clad Nova’s voice landed like a death sentence—cold, final, like a black-robed reaper announcing judgment.
But Beric simply dismissed it as nothing more than the desperate cry of someone cornered.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Alright, Beric—what’s the verdict?”
“Dreihart is now on the verge of starvation, Lord Royce.”
“Yes! That’s it! HAHAHAHA!! The plan worked!”
Royce beamed with satisfaction—Dreihart will soon be forced to kneel.
“What do we do next, Beric?”
“There’s no need for anything more. Just continue the blockade—cut off every possible route to Dreihart, including all support from nearby territories.”
All supply lines to Dreihart were sealed. Intelligence confirmed every blockade was airtight.
Sure, military conflict between Cron and Dreihart might happen eventually—but Royce didn’t care. Cron couldn’t move any troops due to the desert flood, and Dreihart’s starving warriors were no match for the mighty Klaus knights.
Besides, even if Cron or Raion were stronger, Klaus had three dedicated mages.
Royce had confidence they could handle a skirmish. And if they provoked revenge from Cron afterward, Calyx—the kind lord—would negotiate before retaliating. With Dreihart’s gains transferred to the northern duke, Klaus would gain official protection, making retaliation difficult.
A good lord doesn’t survive this chaotic era. Only a cruel one does.
“We just wait for victory here, Lord Royce.”
“KWAHAHAHAHA!! Exactly! Just like old times—let’s have a drink, Beric!”
“Very well, my lord Royce!”
They toasted with Dreihart’s exotic desert liquor—celebrating starvation as their coursework.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, deep in the forest between Dreihart and Klaus, a rider approached under the cloak of night.
Moments later, armed riders emerged—Klaus knights leading on horseback, followed by Dreihart warriors headed by Zarha.
Then, beside them, the battle mage Sharon, knight Azelle, and Calyx Cron himself.
“They’re all here, my Lord.”
“Good. Let’s make final preparations.”
I moved alongside Rikain, thinking...
How did we end up here? We were supposed to be on the other side—in Cron. But instead, we stood across from Klaus.
That’s because we weren't moving food... we were moving people.
Klaus operatives focused only on the grain. Using that distraction, we smuggled in knights—bit by bit—into Dreihart, disguised as freefolk. Key figures like Rikain and Sharon even traveled under false names.
It would’ve been caught if Klaus had looked for ‘people,’ but they were obsessing only over food.
And so, without their knowledge, Dreihart now had our core force assembled.
Yet I gave them one last chance.
If they simply delivered the wheat they agreed to, I would forgive them.
But they crossed the line.
In the open field, Klaus knights and Dreihart’s warriors faced each other.
I stepped forward.
“A message came with the envoy just now.”
I held up Nova’s courier’s note. It detailed exactly how much they planned to resell the wheat back to us.
“That cruel Lord Klaus has declared he intends to starve Dreihart to death.”
Klaus never said it directly, but the message came through loud and clear from Beric—their steward.
Even if it was just Beric’s words, the responsibility lay with his lord.
“We gave them money. We gave them time. We gave them an opportunity. And they betrayed our trust.”
My voice tightened with anger. In truth, they’d said they’d pay penalties—but never intended to give ‘any’ money. That was the betrayal that cut deepest.
“Knights! Warriors!! We face traitors who betrayed our trust—what will our answer be?”
The army roared back in unison:
“Death to the traitors!!!”
“Kill them! Kill them!! Kill them!!!”
I don’t kill needlessly.
But I will not hesitate to fight for myself and my people.
“Yes! Today, we will show them! Show Cron! Show Dreihart! Show the entire continent what happens to those who dare scheme against us!!!”
I drew my sword.
“Everyone, advance on Klaus!!!”
If that bastard Klaus dares a food offensive against us...
Then I’ll answer him with an outright attack.
It’s time to show overwhelming force.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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