Chapter 3: Mutual Understanding

“Mahagumi, how much grain does Murey still have left? How long can it last?” It was after a long while that Komer spoke.
“It’s almost run out. The merchants from Muscat last supplied them with grain two weeks ago. At that time, they brought all the ore, coal, and items they could pawn. But two weeks is their limit. Their production is slightly better than that of Banasha and Izmel, so Knight Carrera has more confidence than Woodhard and Mizal. Yet, under the deliberate exploitation by those Muscat merchants, he’s also on the verge of collapse. I believe they’ll have to turn to us within three days.” Mahagumi was more confident. With the deliberate cooperation of the Muscat merchants, Murey might have held out longer, but Mahagumi wouldn’t allow that to happen. Thus, Knight Carrera had no other choice but despair.
“Good. Since Woodhard and Mizal have shown willingness to submit, there’s no need for us to be overly pretentious. As long as Banasha and Izmel yield, Murey won’t be able to stand. We didn’t see that Knight Carrera last time; this time, I’m quite interested in seeing how much kindness lies in the heart of this Knight of the Salvation Society,” Komer said with a faint smile.
Carrera came to Ugru with mixed feelings. After witnessing the order in Mando and the prosperity of Muscat, upon arriving in the heart of the Caucasus—Ugru—he was forced to admit grimly that everything he had done in Murey paled in comparison to this enigmatic lord. Though he had done his best, Murey still inevitably collapsed. The lack of food supply wasn’t his fault, but his incompetence had led to this situation.
Seeing how Mando had become orderly within just two or three months, with its coal and iron mines fully restored and even more prosperous, attracting people from Murey and other parts of Leon like a magnet—although food and other necessities were still not abundant, it was worlds apart from Murey.

Carreira came to Ugrukala out of desperation. Previously, with enough food, his authority was fairly strong, but now that supplies were running out, the people’s mood became unstable, with more and more fleeing, even spreading to the army. Although he tried various ways to restore some mine production, the efficiency was extremely low, and the miners were highly dissatisfied, arguing that some people could eat without working while they had to work.

The people’s discontent also affected the law and order in the Mere region. Many could not see the hard work of the Mando miners but only their improved living conditions. People’s attitudes toward him grew increasingly strange. If it weren’t for Sora’s influence among those half-orcs, it would be difficult for him alone to suppress the starving half-orc soldiers.

Carreira knew that this trip might render all his previous efforts in vain. He had no choice but to accept fate’s decision. The Salvation Society would have to continue living in secrecy, never able to openly promote its ideals, even worse off than the Dark Cult, which could at least spread its teachings semi-openly in several southern kingdoms. The Salvation Society was neither recognized by secular society nor suppressed outright by the Light Church. If things continued like this, its mission to help others would ultimately be lost in oblivion.

Under such circumstances, he took the risk of going to the most chaotic Leon under an alias, hoping to spread the Salvation Society’s teachings gradually among those half-orcs, who were not considered equal by ordinary people, and to get them to embrace its ideals. The only way for the Salvation Society to emerge from the shadow of the Light Church was to find such an alternative path. But he never expected it to be so difficult. Gaining the support of those simple-minded half-orcs faced numerous obstacles, and even solving their basic living problems proved extremely challenging. It seemed he was not a successful preacher, otherwise he wouldn’t struggle with such minor difficulties.

At this thought, Carreira couldn’t help but feel curious about the Caucasian lord he was about to meet. As far as he knew, this baron had arrived in the Caucasus—where conditions were even worse than in Leon—almost as penniless as he was, yet he had managed to bring about tremendous changes in just under a year. Describing it as rapid progress would be no exaggeration. Looking at the bustling and prosperous scene before him, could one imagine that this place had once been just a small village with only a thousand or two thousand people?

It was said that this baron also had a poor relationship with his direct lord and was quite indifferent toward the Church of Light, suggesting he was a rather rebellious character. If such a person could embrace the principles of the Order of Salvation, it would be truly delightful. Carreira speculated fantasistically about the ruler of the Caucasus he was about to meet.

Carreira had never encountered someone with such quick thinking. The man had shocked him greatly—ranging from his own status to Murey’s current predicament, from the psychology of the half-orcs to Leon’s future prospects, from the possible strategies the Homer region might adopt to the feasibility of the Kingdom of Nicomedia’s “Utrecht Edict.” The man’s attitude toward him, as if he were a close friend, almost made Carreira think he might also be a member or supporter of the Order of Salvation. But reason told him not to trust anyone easily, no matter how eloquent they seemed.

Komer also held great respect for this generous knight. In his eyes, Mr. Carreira was a true knight, whose code of chivalry was perfectly embodied. The fact that this knight was willing to travel thousands of miles to the wilderness to fight for his beliefs proved beyond doubt his integrity. Of course, he could also tell that since the Order of Salvation could entrust such a knight to take charge in Leon, this man was not someone rigid or inflexible, which made Komer feel even more admiration for him.

The coffee on the table was an import from the south, its delicate fragrance lingering around them, seemingly symbolizing the peaceful and serene mood they were in. Carreira hadn’t felt such tranquility in a long time. The handsome baron before him seemed to be waiting for him to speak.