Paradigm Parasite - Chapter 205: "Negotiation"

“This is amazing.”

“I’ve heard about it, but never this much…”

Me and Marslan express our amazement.

The next walker, Cristela, was not as surprised as we were, but her eyes were wide open in amazement.

The end of the wall is – hey, hey, hey, are you joking?

You can’t see the end of the wall from here.

How vast an area did they build it over?

Are they carving out an entire corner of the territory?

Preparations for the Teardus Mountains?

Beyond the Oratorium is a series of mountain ranges infested with goblins, orcs and trolls.

It is true that with such a wall, they would be unlikely to get in.

However, given its location, if there is an attack from the mountain range, the lord’s mansion will be the first to be attacked.

Is that how confident you are in your defences?

According to our preliminary investigations, we did not hear that they have brought in any significant forces, but we wonder how they are covering their security…

… ah… a bad premonition is on my shoulders.

I want to go home…, I thought with all my heart.

Entering beyond the wall through a ridiculously large gate was like entering a different world.

The first thing you see is a rather large river on a neatly levelled road that is designed for the passage of carts and other vehicles.

Beyond that, a huge mansion could be seen.

As we passed through the gate, we glanced to the side.

They are the ones who opened the gate.

They are two times bigger than me and in full armour. They had their visors down so I couldn’t see their expressions.

When I wave a small hand, the gatekeepers bow.

They have good manners. Are they mercenaries after knighthood or something?

I quickly glance at their equipment as I pass them.

The splendid full-body armour is shiny and reflects the light.

It’s clean but not new. I could see that it had been well cared for.

It’s not a cheap piece of equipment by any stretch of the imagination.

Weapons varied from long-handled battle-axe halberds, great swords and war hammers, but these were also well maintained.

I can’t see their faces so I can’t make them out, but I can tell by their orientation.

They are not taking their eyes off our movements. Probably they would attack us all at once if we did anything strange.

They are also highly skilled.

Inwardly, I think it would be tricky to turn them against us. It wouldn’t be strange.

My intuition is noisily ranting at me to turn on my heel.

Inwardly, I quieten it down and move on.

On the way to the mansion, I see soldiers in full armour walking here and there.

…Is this the castle of the royal capital?

The security situation there was pretty good, but this place is pretty good too.

They seem to be walking around at random, but they are positioned in such a way that they can see each other so that they can react immediately if something unusual happens.

It’s too tight for a lord’s mansion.

…But what are these guys guarding against?

As long as there is a big wall, there should be no problem in reducing security in this area.

It’s the north side of the mountain range that should be on alert.

Or is the north side more heavily guarded?

…I wonder what I’ll find when I get to the compound.

I braced myself as I looked at the house, which was gradually getting closer and closer.

“Thank you for coming all the way from afar.”

The servants who greeted us with these words took us inside.

My men were made to wait outside the house, and I, Cristela, Marslan and a few of my men stepped into the house, which was also amazing.

It was a garden full of colourful, vibrant flowers that I had never seen before, and it was so beautiful that even I, who was not familiar with such things, wanted to look at it.

After the three of us were invited to sit down at the prepared table, another beautiful young lady appeared a short while later.

Fatima Rose Liard.

She is the lord of the neighbouring territory of Liard and the fiancée of Rothfeldt, the lord of Oratorium.

And acting lord of this territory. That’s a hell of a title alone.

She is so beautiful that you can see it when you look at her appearance.

She has a slender but well-proportioned body and a face that gives a rather sharp impression.

I can only come up with clichéd impressions, but she looks like a wise and beautiful woman.

In a sense, I think it may be a talent that gives her a noble impression at first sight.

You can see that there is a spark of intelligence in her eyes, and it doesn’t seem to be all looks and no substance.

When I saw that, something felt somewhat awkward and weighed down on my shoulders as if it wasn’t going to be easy.

It may be a sight to behold from a distance, but I don’t want to get close to it.

…Well, I’m not the one who talks, so there’s no point in getting worked up.

After a brief mutual introduction, we quickly moved on to the conversation.

Naturally, it was Cristela who started the conversation, as she was the one who brought it to them.

“First of all, I apologise for the sudden visit.”

“No problem. I’ve just had a hole in my schedule, so I didn’t want to waste any time.”

…Really?

I thought that without expressing it.

The response is too smooth. You’ve obviously been waiting for this.

“So? What business does a Gnostic Cathedral Knight have in a frontier like this?”

What a frontier. How can there be a frontier that has been so well developed?

Cristela cuts straight to the chase without embellishment.

“Have you heard of a town called Oldia?”

“Yes, it’s in Nordia… I think it was famous for its ruins or something… what happened to it?”

Fatima puts her hands on her cheeks in a thoughtful gesture.

If you only look at the mannerisms, they are elegant, but if you think about the series of responses, they are already so stinky that they make you dizzy.

“It was a while ago. It was attacked by bandits called Darzain and was destroyed. We are currently in the process of rebuilding, but the inhabitants are still suffering from the plight of losing their homes and families.”

Fatima silently urges on, without offering any particular response.

Her only expression is a smile, but I have no idea what she is thinking.

Marslan, next to her, is glued to Fatima’s face.

He probably thinks he is hiding it, but his expression is slack and careless.

Seeing this, I sigh inwardly.

You’re an idiot. I don’t know how you feel, but you need to mend your ways a bit.

It’s obvious you’re not used to women.

Don’t react like a child.

I want to give you a poke, but you’re on the other side of the room from Cristela.

I can’t help it.

“Well, that’s a lot of work, isn’t it?”

Fatima gives an unimportant-looking phase.

This one is deliberate. She doesn’t want to hide it.

Cristela continues, unconcerned.

“I’m here this time because I’d really like to ask you to help us with the reconstruction work.”

“Reconstruction assistance…? What exactly is it that you expect us to do?”

Fatima puts her hand on her cheek as she wonders, ‘What is it?’

Frankly, at this point I can see the outcome. The rest is a farce.

“Without mincing words, everything is in short supply over there. Not only food, but also building materials, daily necessities and all other supplies are in short supply. And the money to support it…”

Cristela’s speech is gaining momentum.

Hey, hey, hey, girl. You’re being too stubborn.

You have to be a little more methodical…

Fatima sips from the cup in her hand and returns it.

The cup makes a small noise as it hits the saucer.

The sound brought her to her senses, and she closed her mouth with a shocked expression.

“Oh, excuse me. I was just…”

“No. I’m glad to see you’re so dedicated to your work.”

Fatima sighs when she says something that is neither ironic nor of interest.

“I understand what you’re saying. In short, you want me to give you money.”

Hearing this, Marslan’s eyes widened a little, and Cristela was unable to continue with her second sentence, with a small aghast look on her face.

I chuckle inwardly.

She’s saying it loud and clear, man.

“Since you say you don’t embellish your words, I thought I’d do the same.”

Then she laughs without offence.

“…To continue, you have seen our assets and are asking for our help. I understand that. But we can’t do such a thing as sharing our wealth with strangers when there is nothing in it for us. If we accept your request, what will be the benefit to our oratorium? That’s what we want to know, isn’t it?”

In short, show us the practical benefits.

Well, of course. I would have said exactly the same thing.

Not many people, when asked by a complete stranger to give them money, would say yes.

“There will be a strong bond between us Gnosis and you Oratorium. This bond will help you to overcome the hardships that may befall you.”

What Cristela is saying is simple.

She’s saying that we’re going to have your back. …… I wonder.

It reminds me of the guys in full body armour I saw earlier.

It doesn’t look like they need that kind of backing.

If you sign a contract with Gnosis, you’re going to be asked to pay them money on a regular basis.

As long as they have enough armed forces, that’s a waste of money.

…I don’t think we can do this.

It is unlikely that we will be able to prepare what they might want.

The forces are, no matter how you look at it, sufficient in time.

Even if you use the dispatch of the Holy Knights as bait, they won’t want it.

I would have given up as a failure, but what do you do, young lady?

“I was in Oldia not long ago, leading the reconstruction.”

After a short pause, Cristela began to speak slowly.

“When we first arrived, it was a terrible mess, the buildings were all destroyed and the surviving inhabitants were starving…”

Oh, come on.

What are you going to tell her?