Cave King – 269

Chapter 269 – Sales!?

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We arrived at our room in the inn, and then sat down in order to go over our current situation.

First, I told Rienna and Fule what I thought about Rish’s marriage.

Rienna nodded and answered.

“You believe that there is a connection between House Bessel and the bandits…”
“Right now, it is just a suspicion. After all, there are many nobles who would scheme, and many bandits who would use a fortress as their base.”

For instance, it could be a different noble who did not think well of Count Leodor. And also, it was not strange for bandits to start living in such a place.

Fule looked serious as she replied.

“But considering the timing of the proposal, it really is suspicious… Isn’t it?”
“Aye. And that is why I want to investigate them… Hmm?”

I noticed the magic energy approaching our room from the hallway. The shape of it was…

“Ah, it’s Rish.”

A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

“Heal. I know that it’s a little early for dinner. But there was something that was bothering me.”
“It’s fine. Please come in.”

I said, and Rish entered the room.

“Please sit down. What happened?”
“Well, you know the merchant who also visited our house?”
“The Arubal Company?”

“Yes. Those people were staring at your carriage the whole time.”

“Is it really strange for a merchant to wonder about other carriages? I don’t mean to brag, but you don’t see carriages like that every day.”

Of course, they likely thought that we were the reason that Count Leodor had suddenly turned down talks to borrow money. And maybe they looked at our carriage and thought that he had borrowed from us instead.

“Yes, that’s true. But he was also writing something on paper quite desperately.”
“Perhaps it was to contact others in the company. As we looked rich, they might want to talk to us.”
“I see. I-I’m sorry. I am acting so paranoid.”
“It’s no wonder.”

I did not want Rish to be upset.

However, it was worrying that they had set their eyes on us.

After all, the Arubal Company may be connected with House Bessel as well.

In any case, Number 15 was left with the carriage, so there was nothing to worry about. And I doubted the merchants would do anything so direct.

Besides, Rish was the daughter of a lord.

“More importantly, Rish. Since you are here, could you tell me about the Nostor mountains?”

“Yes, of course.”

Rish said as I placed a map of the Lushika area onto the table.

A map with Lushika in the center. The Nostor mountain, where the bandits lived, was on the south side, and there was a danger warning written under it.

Rish pointed at the map and began to explain.

“There are twenty towers and four guard houses surrounding the mountain. And a total of five hundred soldiers are stationed there. And so there are always men on patrol in between the towers and guard houses.”

Five hundred. It was definitely not enough for the Count to fight a war, but it was almost excessive for keeping the peace in just one area. Not only that, but he would have to pay them and provide food for as long as the bandits were there, so it would be quite costly.

“So, he is able to stop them for now.”
“Yes. For now…”

Rish understood that this could not continue for long.

However, if they had Bessel’s help, that would not be a problem. That was why Rish was considering accepting his proposal.

“…Rish. There was something that I was wondering about. You said the attacks from the bandits have been mild recently?”
“Yes. Especially during this last year. They generally just target times when there are no soldiers around, and steal from houses in the village. There are sometimes acts of violence, but they always leave immediately.”
“I see. But how could they feed themselves if that is all they do?”
“Well, there is some food in the mountains… But there are at least three hundred of the bandits.”
“Could the mountain really feed so many? Unless they have planted fields.”

And then there was one other thing.

“I also heard that they have good equipment. And that would need maintenance. Isn’t it strange?”

Upon hearing this, Rish seemed to think of something.

“In other words, someone is sending supplies to the top of the mountain…could it be…”

Her face darkened.

Perhaps there was a traitor…the idea was a shock to her.

“We don’t know that yet. And we don’t know if anything is really being sent to them.”

“Yes, you are right…”

“So for now, I want you to check the soldiers who are surrounding the mountain. See if there is any suspicious movement. To be precise, if there is any change in the amount of food supplies, or if anyone is buying a lot of food. I will have my butler, Raven, assist you.”

That was a fake name I just came up with for Number 15. He would protect Rish.

“Very well. I will do that. And what about you?”

“I am going directly to the mountain. It would be difficult to carry such supplies to the top. And so there must be a method of making the transportation easier.”

There could be something like the railroad we had in Sheorl.

When it came to mountains, they often used ropes…but that might draw too much attention.

Perhaps there was a secret tunnel?

Rish tilted her head and said,

“I never saw such a thing on the map. Besides, the mountain has been searched already…”
“Well, perhaps they built something new.”

“Hmm… Could bandits really build something?”

I continued.

“I don’t think these bandits are ordinary bandits. As I said before, there is too little stealing for them to survive. And they cannot easily enter towns with all of the soldiers on patrol. I don’t understand why they would go through the trouble of staying in the mountains.”
“Perhaps they have nowhere else to go?”

“That might be a reason too… Well, we really don’t know yet. In any case, I will have to investigate.”

Rish nodded.

“Yes… I will…learn about the soldiers tomorrow…”

“We don’t know if any of your people are involved yet. Besides, if there was something strange happening with food, it would probably have been discovered by now. You probably don’t need to worry.”

“Thank you, Heal. It might be odd for me to say this now, but…I…”

She stopped and then looked away.

I could not tell what she wanted to say.

However, Fule grinned and Rienna nodded understandingly.

“Sho-should we have dinner now?”

“Yes. I’m starving!”

“It might be best to eat now so we can sleep early in preparation for tomorrow.”

Fule and Rienna agreed with Rish.

“Very well.”

And so we decided to eat in the dining hall on the first floor of the inn.

There was beef steak, potato stew and about ten other dishes on the table. Steam rose from them, and there was an appetizing smell.

Rish served the food and said,

“All of these are famous Leodor dishes. We are most known for our meat and dairy products.”

“Now that I think about it, there were a lot of cows… Ah, this is delicious!”

Fule looked very happy as she ate the steak.

Rienna also enjoyed her stew.

“The potatoes are large and rich. It really warms your body.”

I had eaten a lot of food, but this really was special. The meat skewers were cooked to perfection.

Just then, I noticed that someone was looking at us while standing by the door.

It was…the merchant from the Arubal Company.

And it did not look like he was staying at this inn.

He then walked up to us and bowed.

“Forgive me for disturbing you while you are eating. My name is Alva. I am the head clerk of the Arubal Company. I was wondering if you could not spare a moment to talk with me.”
“What do you want?”
“I just happened to see your carriage outside. And I wondered if you would not do us the honor of visiting the Arubal Company. We have some special items we would like to show you.”

These kinds of things happened a lot in the royal capital. They talked to anyone who looked like they had money.

I did not know if he knew that I was a prince. Regardless, it was best to not tell him myself.

“Thank you. Now that I think about it, the Arubal Company has a store here.”

“Yes. Would you like to come and see it?”

I shook my head.

“Not today. Also, it depends on what you have there.”
“Aside from specialties from this region, we have items from all corners of the Barleon continent.”
“I see. And what about armor and weapons?”
“Oh, so you are interested in such things… We do have some, but they are mostly for practical use, as we sell to the soldiers. There is nothing like the fancy items you would see in the capital.”
“Indeed. Well, I will have to go to the capital then.”

“I am sorry that we could not help you.”

Alva said with a bow.

“In any case, please consider paying us a visit. We would be happy to have you. Now, please excuse me.”

He bowed once again and then left the inn.

I turned to Rish.

“Was he telling the truth about the armor and weapons?”

“Yes… I did hear that they buy from the Arubal Company a lot lately.”
“Have they always done business in Count Leodor’s lands?”

“No. It started one year ago.”

They were a large company that was always expanding. And so it was natural to increase their bases and number of stores.

While I wanted to look into them…the bandits came first.

And so after we finished our dinner, we decided to retire early for the night.

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