The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 133

“It's an incredibly surprising story, but is that all? What does that have to do with Duke Jang Si-on reappearing?”

Earl Rundel frowned, but High Priest Dilosys remained composed.

“The three priests have gained the ability to perform miracles.”

“A… miracle?”

“Yes. Simply by stroking a person’s body with their hands, they can heal wounds. It is truly a miracle and a sacred blessing bestowed by the Father. But that’s not all.”

“……!”

As Earl Rundel stood in shock, the high priest, who had transformed from a devout religious figure back into the face of a cunning merchant or schemer, whispered.

“There’s more. While they cannot perform miracles like our priests, others who have seen the same text have begun to appear one after another. Of course, most of them are being treated as lunatics. What do you think? Isn’t it fascinating?”

“Hah!”

“And here’s another crucial point—this phenomenon began around the same time that Duke Jang Si-on resurfaced. That is, assuming what you’re saying is true. What do you think? Doesn’t it seem like there’s a connection?”

“…….”

Earl Rundel had no choice but to nod in silence.

“Now then, let’s discuss the series of events unfolding and how they relate to the return of Duke Jang Si-on, who supposedly neither ages nor dies. Oh, by the way, do you have time?”

“Of course.”

Until just before arriving here, Earl Rundel had felt so overwhelmed by fear that it nearly took his breath away. But now, he could feel that fear slightly dissipating.

Not long after Earl Rundel and his envoys left, Burgos began changing at an astonishing speed.

Some might ask,

"How could Burgos undergo such a major transformation just because two Dwarven master craftsmen, a few dozen Peregrine Division members, and about two hundred mercenaries were added?"

But only someone completely ignorant of how the world worked would say such a thing.

First of all, this wasn’t just a small workshop but a full-scale armament manufacturing facility where dozens of people worked in perfect coordination. That meant an enormous amount of ore was being consumed.

And how many people would it take to mine and transport all that ore to Burgos?

At least several hundred.

On top of that, whether they were Peregrine Division members or mercenaries, fighters needed many things—especially when training and operating under the same banner as a unit.

People who wielded swords were only truly active when they went out to fight.

Apart from the couple of hours they spent training or exercising each day, they mostly rested and idled around.

And to support their eating, drinking, bathing, clothing, sleeping, and leisure, more people and supplies were required.

It was no different from how the economy around military bases functioned.

In fact, those base areas handled not only weapons but also most of the logistical supplies. Yet, unlike in modern Korea, everything here had to be done manually.

So, because of fewer than 300 soldiers, an additional workforce two to three times that size had to be brought in, and as a result, Burgos’s population exceeded ten thousand for the first time in its history.

“Long live the Governor! Long live His Excellency!”

“Long live Sir Salen! Long live the Peregrine Division!”

“Long live the monste—ack!”

Before someone could finish spouting nonsense, Administrator Swart and the town’s influential figures erupted in celebratory dancing.

But it wasn’t just because the population had increased by more than 10% in just a month.

Newcomers didn’t sustain themselves—they had to spend money to live.

And that meant the money circulating out of Burgos was coming back and being spent within Burgos again.

What happened when money flowed actively?

Money attracted people and goods, leading to even greater population and trade growth.

It was only at ten thousand now, but at this rate, in a few months—maybe even before the year ended—the population could grow by several thousand more. Perhaps even reach twenty thousand!

“Ohhh! To experience such prosperity while serving as Administrator… I could die without regrets—no, wait!”

“Of course! You must live long enough to see things flourish even more!”

“Hahahaha!”

The idea that Burgos might soon be promoted to a military district left Administrator Swart and the town’s key figures grinning from ear to ear.

But as the saying went, good times were always followed by bad ones.

And right now, the world was already in chaos, with monsters pouring in from the northeastern regions.

So, just as Burgos reached its peak excitement, a situation arose to remind them to stay humble.

“More Orcs have gathered!?”

“You’re joking, right? Didn’t His Excellency and the Peregrine Division drive them away last time?”

Before meeting with the envoys sent by Earl Rundel and the lords, Si-on had personally led the Peregrine Division to investigate the area where Orcs had been reported.

Orcs weren’t mere monsters—they were an intelligent species.

Of course, their temperament was as brutal and violent as any monster’s, but since communication was possible, Si-on had attempted to make contact with them first.

However, as soon as they spotted the fully mounted Peregrine Division, the Orcs immediately retreated.

Orcs were extremely aggressive, but they were intelligent enough to understand how foolish it would be to fight cavalry in the middle of an open wasteland.

And Si-on had let them go.

He knew that, much like humans, Orcs saw being pursued from behind—especially by outsiders or other tribes—as a challenge to battle. If that happened, they wouldn’t hesitate to fight back.

Fighting itself wasn’t the problem, but if he wanted to negotiate later, it was best to let them go for now.

Yet now, word had arrived that an Orc horde several times larger than the one he had seen earlier had appeared just 7 to 8 kilometers from Burgos.

“Should we exterminate them?”

Stelman, who had spent more time training recruits than engaging in actual combat since arriving in Burgos, was slightly frustrated and immediately leaned toward the idea of attacking.

“Have you ever fought an Orc warrior?”

“Uh… no, I haven’t.”

Si-on looked around at the others.

Not only the Peregrine Division members from his duchy but also the mercenary leaders of the northeastern region were silent.

“Do you know why Orc warriors are so fearsome?”

“……”

Faced with silence, Si-on let out a sigh and explained.

“Because they’re simply bigger and stronger than us humans? No. Their size matters, but the real reason is that once an Orc warrior enters combat, they never give up.”

Even ferocious medium-sized monsters reconsidered retreating when the situation became unfavorable or when they were injured.

Though they might bare their fangs and roar aggressively, if given an opening, they would seize the opportunity to flee.

But Orc warriors were different.

At least, every Orc Si-on had seen and fought was like that.

“In reliable records from the Dark Dragon War era, it is written that Orc warriors continue fighting even if they lose an arm or even if their entire army is annihilated. There was even an Orc warrior who, despite being the last survivor, refused to surrender and kept fighting.”

Of course, that so-called ‘reliable record’ was Si-on’s own experience.

“Orc warriors never give up. Once you engage them, you must be prepared to fight to the death. Fighting against Orc warriors is completely different from any battle you’ve faced before.”

“…Then, Your Excellency, what do you intend to do?”

One of the mercenary captains cautiously asked. Si-on pondered for a moment.

With the Orcs so close, a decision had to be made, whether they liked it or not. The situation was already bad due to the ongoing Monster Crisis.

If things escalated, they might have to face both the Orcs and the monsters, creating a two-front war.

“We need to see the Orcs first.”

“In that case, I will prepare the troops for deployment immediately.”

Si-on turned a calm gaze toward Stelman and a few others who were already reigniting their battle fervor.

“No. Only the Crown Prince, a few guards, and I will go.”

“W-what!?”

In a normal territory or a directly governed land, such a decision would have been unthinkable.

But this was Burgos—a city that, despite appearing normal on the surface, had already gone far beyond conventional norms.

Because of that, no one dared to object to Si-on’s decision, as he held both financial and political power over the city.

Of course, a few of the Royal Knights who had remained to protect Philon fiercely opposed the idea.

So, Si-on arranged a private meeting with them.

“A Royal Knight is different! Different from a mere domain knight!”

Even though they had personally witnessed Si-on’s terrifying swordsmanship, the Royal Knights, who took pride in their own skills, still exuded confidence.

However, under the bright moonlit night, their individual ‘meetings’ ended in less than a minute each.

And afterward, they realized that, at least in front of Sir Salen—no, in front of Si-on—they were no different from ordinary domain knights.

After successfully resolving the small and stubborn opposition, Si-on set out toward the reported Orc horde with only Philon and three Royal Knights.

“Your Highness, are you sure this is wise?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to tell Sir Salen that this is too reckless? It’s far too dangerous.”

The Royal Knights, who were sworn to serve not individuals but positions of power, placed the safety of their protectee above all else.

For that reason, they actively attempted to dissuade Philon, unlike their usual reserved behavior.

“I am fine. No, I will be fine.”

Since arriving in Burgos, Philon had changed considerably.

While his transformation had been for the better, the Royal Knights couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

‘It must be because of Duke Lloyd’s feats. That’s why he’s being so stubborn.’

‘Indeed. And at his age, no less…’

The Royal Knights were certain of it.

Duke Lloyd had survived a monster attack and even managed to repel them, turning him into a heroic figure across the capital.

Of course, in reality, Duke Lloyd hadn’t lifted a single finger, but the nobles of the capital, unaware of the truth, revered his prowess as a knight.

Since this had happened just before their departure to Burgos, Philon had shown intense jealousy over it.

So, it was only natural for the Royal Knights to assume that his current actions were driven by a desire to prove himself.

—What? Just monsters? Hah! I’ve fought Orc warriors!

Now he could boast about something even greater.

“With all due respect, Your Highness, this is an entirely different situation from a monster attack. If you were to suffer even the slightest injury…”

“There will be no such thing, so put your worries to rest.”

Unlike the Royal Knights, who were visibly anxious, Philon remained utterly composed.

“Haa…”

The Royal Knights let out a heavy sigh.

From their perspective, the Crown Prince was simply being stubborn out of wounded pride.

But what they didn’t know—what they couldn’t know—was that Philon wasn’t acting out of pride.

He wasn’t being stubborn.

Among everyone in Burgos, Philon was the only one who truly understood Si-on’s real strength.

Even more than Si-on’s direct descendant, Sirvan.

And that was because of the records of the Dark Dragon War still kept within the Royal Family of Obla.

A diary personally written by the previous king—Si-on’s sworn friend—who was known as the Hero King or the Champion King.

It detailed what the heroes actually did during the war, their skills, and which monsters they had slain, all in remarkable detail.

And at the very end of that diary, restricted to only the highest-ranking members of the Royal Family, was this passage:

The one who slew the Dark Dragon was not me, but my comrade, Jang Si-on.

In other words, the legendary Dragon Slayer was real.

And he was standing right beside Philon.