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EPISODE 157

No Money, But Interest
1 week ago
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-Clop, clop.

The expedition began after passing through the gate procedures.

Inside the carriage, following the line of marching soldiers, I took the time to
assess the current expedition’s finances with Cheska.

“While the troops are filled, it will be difficult to sustain the entire
expedition with only the support from the Imperial Family. It might be
manageable for now, but if the expedition is prolonged, it will be burdensome.
Have you prepared any solutions for this?”

“Well, I thought about getting more support money by working hard on the
subjugations and using bounties to reinforce the expedition…”

“If you run the expedition like that, there won’t be any salary left for the
expedition members. You don’t plan to exploit them for free, do you?”

“…That’s absolutely unacceptable.”

Even now, I still remember not getting paid during my porter days. How could I
treat people who follow me to the brink of death like that?

But I want to minimize damage, and pushing them too hard for results is not an
easy task.

“…Is there any good way?”

“The best way is to recruit investors through promotion.”

“Investors?”

“During the expedition, we will arrive at garrison areas or gates, and there
will be opportunities to reveal the subjugation achievements of the current
expedition. If news of the achievements spreads throughout the empire,
authorities or interest groups seeking to gain from the reputation will approach
first.”

“That’s definitely a good opinion… But wouldn’t they have come by now if that
was the case?”



In the first place, I had a perception of having risen from an outsider to a
high position, so I wasn’t well-regarded by those in power.

Even this expedition barely received minimal support from the Imperial Family,
so it was hard to expect things to go as planned, even if we achieved results
afterward.

“There’s no need to worry about that. Sponsors are eager to take advantage of
pioneering activities like this, so even if they pretend to cooperate, they all
see each other as competitors.”

“Taking advantage, what do you mean?”

“Because sponsoring the subjugation team brings more than just a share of the
bounty and fame. The main purpose of investors is to be the first to establish
their name in the pioneering area and secure monopolies or distribution routes
when stability comes.”

Right, this subjugation also held significance for territorial expansion.



If we focused on profit, the secondary benefits, such as real estate
speculation, resource acquisition, and securing distribution routes, would be
greater than the fame and rewards from sponsorship.

Additionally, sponsoring an excellent subjugation team would also raise their
evaluation of the Imperial Family, providing a good opportunity to secure a
position in the government that would change dramatically before and after the
succession ceremony.

“…In short, if we achieve results, the environment will be created for
investment to follow naturally.”

“Of course, given that Hero Woo Hyo-sung’s reputation among the authorities
isn’t very good, some level of persuasion and incentive will be necessary. I
will prepare measures for this, so please focus on the subjugation with the
expedition members, Hero Woo Hyo-sung.”

“Oh, sure. That sounds good.”

“Next, I’d like to discuss the management of supplies and the expedition plan.
In my opinion, doing it this way…”

After that, Cheska continued to explain in detail how to lead the current
expedition.



It was very logical and easy to understand, even for someone like me who wasn’t
familiar with such things…

Honestly, it felt like he could be an accountant or CEO in our original world
without any issues.

“You seem to be quite familiar with this kind of work.”

“I have no choice but to be familiar.”

With that question accompanied by the curiosity of why such an excellent person
would support my side, Cheska replied while reviewing the documents.

“As a noble managing an estate, organizing ledgers, and learning law are
essential skills.”

“That’s true, but there are many nobles who don’t even do such minimal official
duties… So why did you volunteer for the subjugation team?”

“This is also part of the investment. I aim to receive a share of the
subjugation team’s achievements by directly providing personnel from my side…”

“No, I mean, if that’s the case, you could just send supplies or personnel. Why
did you personally come here?”

No matter how much he was scorned as a royal bastard, he was still the head of
an estate and family.

Isn’t it unprofitable for a person of authority to personally work on-site?

“…Sigh.“

With such a question, Cheska sighed, which was unusual for him, and put the
document he was holding on the table.

Then he looked at me indifferently and said.



“We have no money.”

“What?”

“We can’t afford to add to the supplies, nor do we have personnel to help. My
estate is so short of funds that it’s hard to even pay the workers, so I have no
choice but to personally go out and work to pay next month’s salaries.”

“…”

“Is this explanation sufficient?”

“Oh, yes. Sure.”

I had a lot to say, but the reason was understandable.

Having power yet unable to rest… I never knew poor nobles could be so pitiful
and deprived.

“How is Ga-ram doing?”

Feeling a bit awkward, I changed the subject, and Cheska, while skimming through
the documents, replied.

“Ms. Ga-ram is currently involved in setting up a shelter, following my
instructions, after completing the reinforcement work at the previous excavation
site.”

“A shelter?”

“You never know what might happen. We need to set up a place for people to take
refuge in case of danger.”

Certainly, we never know what might happen in this world, but considering what
we are doing now, I didn’t think it was something to look at positively.



This subjugation mission was for the succession ceremony that would take place
in six months, and it also aimed to strengthen the maintenance of the empire.

In such a situation, a shelter… Even if there was no such intention, it could be
interpreted as wishing for the downfall of the empire.

“…Isn’t it a bad investment, considering you said you don’t have money?”

“Do you really think so?”

An immediate response to such a concern-filled question.

Along with that, Cheska took his eyes off the documents and started glaring at
me.

Apart from public perception and political reasons, do you really think the
empire will be safe forever?

-Gulp.

The reason I unconsciously swallowed was that I recalled a conversation I had
with Airi before starting this expedition.

She said that the world would soon face destruction, and her mission was to save
as many people as possible from that destruction.

And she chose me as her partner necessary for that mission.



“It’s not bad to be prepared for contingencies. If someone has to do it, I think
it’s better that I do it.”

Yes, after this expedition ends, something incomparable to what we’ve faced so
far will definitely happen.

As that tension crept up, Cheska concluded the current conversation while still
looking over the documents.

“And when my mission is over, I have to settle my position, so I don’t need to
cling to authority…”

“Mission?”

“…I’ve talked too much.”

-Rustle, rustle.

The sound of flipping documents continued for a while.

In that silence, while looking over the documents together, I took time to mull
over Cheska’s previous words.

No need to cling to authority. What did he mean by that?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyway, after Cheska took charge of the expedition’s financial management, the
expedition proceeded more smoothly than expected.

Although some monsters appeared along the way, most of them were taken care of
by the well-trained soldiers without me having to intervene.

Supply was also regularly provided upon arrival at gates or garrison areas, so
our progress was not delayed.

Of course, this was only the case in safe areas.

“Hero, I’m sorry to interrupt the meeting, but may I have a moment?”

Yes, the problem will arise when we enter areas with less imperial influence.

Thinking that time was approaching, I stopped the meeting with Cheska and
immediately got out of the carriage to stand in front of the soldiers.



The soldiers, who had stopped for a moment, were facing a canyon area.

Amid the soldiers who opened the way for me while being on alert, Lieutenant
Sanson began to approach directly.

“Did something serious happen?”

“Rather than something serious happening, I’d say there are signs it might
happen soon.”

Sanson said so and took the lead, guiding me.

Following him, we arrived at a place where a protected adventurer surrounded by
soldiers was.

“Ugh, ugh, damn it. Damn it…!!”

“Let me treat you first. Calm down, and explain the situation…”

“Do I look like I can calm down?! The damn hero wrecked the expedition team!”

The adventurer yelled, pushing away the medics and clerics who had come to treat
him.

Even now, blood was pouring from various parts of his body, but he was focused
only on expressing his despair.

“I told them not to go! No matter how many orcs there were, only a hero could
handle that number. What about the rest of us…?!”

“…I get the gist.”

Fortunately, we all had enough background knowledge to understand the situation
just from his sobbing.

In short, another subjugation team led by a hero entered this canyon with
confidence and was annihilated by a horde of orcs.

I don’t know what happened to the hero who charged in confidently, but judging
by the condition of the hired adventurer, most of them didn’t fare well.

“Hero, what will you do?”

Sanson and the expedition members immediately asked me.

With their serious gazes on me, I took a moment to think.



The lieutenant and the administrative staff only assist with opinions. As the
total leader of the expedition, the final decision rests with me.

We just finished resupplying, the soldiers were in perfect condition, and the
opponent was a horde of orcs, which was less dangerous than demons or undead…

“Everyone, stay here. I’ll scout alone first.”

“What? You’ll scout personally, Hero…?”

“If the orcs have settled in the canyon, it would be better to move with a small
elite team.”

Even though they were caught off guard, wasn’t an entire expedition team led by
a hero annihilated?

In reality, orcs were stupid, and few could use magic, but their physique was
bigger than humans, and their reproductive ability was strong.

If such orcs were swarming in this canyon before the subjugation would even
begin, rushing in could be more dangerous.

“Scouts, focus on searching this area and looking for any survivors. The rest,
prepare to defend against orcs possibly swarming out of the canyon…”

“Ah, yes. If you say so, Hero, we will follow.”

Alright, with this, the expedition team shouldn’t suffer major damage in case of
an emergency.

I’d scout first, and if I deemed it safe, I’d lead the expedition team to start
the subjugation.

“Please wait a moment.”

As I was planning and about to walk into the forest, Cheska called out to me.

As always, his indifferent gaze seemed to show dissatisfaction with me heading
into the forest.

“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

Come to think of it, he had a somewhat principled side.

I thought he might point out that it would be dangerous for the person in charge
to step forward, or that it would disrupt the chain of command.

“If it’s alright, may I accompany you?”

“What?”

“I agree that a capable few should scout, but it’s better to have two than one
in case of an emergency.”

“No, that’s true, but if we were to select personnel, we would take from the
scout team. Why are you volunteering?”

Even though you volunteered for the expedition because you’re a poor noble, what
follows is heading straight into danger.

When I expressed my concern, Cheska quietly answered.

“Because I’m interested in you.”

“What?”

“I want to watch you closely, so I said I’d follow. Is there a problem?”

“…”

I stared at him blankly for ten seconds.

After understanding what he said, I quietly averted my gaze and spoke with a
slightly embarrassed voice.

“Sorry. I’m not into that, and I have a wife…”

“It’s not like that.”

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Episode 157: No Money, But Interest

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