Chapter 60
There were several candidate routes for the highway connecting Rudek and Golbel.
Of these, the upper reaches of the Marle River were apparently chosen because the river was known to run wild.
When I saw it, it was calm, but apparently, if the mountain weather changes suddenly, the water level rises all at once, and downstream the river swallows bridges and people like a giant serpent.
Flooding is not welcome, but it is not entirely bad. It carries nutrient-rich soil from the mountains downstream. Moreover, this river apparently once carried even placer gold downstream.
Placer gold looks like sand shining white atop mud, so they called it Haksha, from "white sand." I see. That's a clever name.
Speaking of good food, yesterday's grilled fish was exquisite, but the sweet simmered dish that came afterward was also delicious.
The shop also sold dried river fish as souvenirs. I considered buying some, but thinking of stopping at the royal family's villa on the way back, I reluctantly gave up.
It pained me to do so, but I'll wait for another opportunity.
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"Yeah. This is the place mentioned in the report."
At Roa's words, we all looked around. The site was a hill rising above the surrounding area and overlooking the river. Across the river stood another hill of about the same height.
Roa's plan was to build a bridge from one high point to the other, minimizing the impact even when the river ran wild.
Judging from the drawings he showed us, it looked like it would be a large-scale construction project. Once completed, it did not seem like something that could easily be swept away.
But where had he acquired knowledge of a bridge like this? As always, this man was not someone one could afford to underestimate.
"So we'll build a bridge here and clear the forest beyond it...?"
Standing beside Roa, Prince Zerand narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the forest.
"That's right. It will require considerable effort, but looking ahead, I think it would be best to run a road straight through here. I'd also like to build a new town partway through the forest."
"Speaking of which, Teacher, how is security in this area?"
Prince Zerand called Roa Teacher. Apparently, Roa had originally been his tutor, but his everyday behavior made it clear that he was deeply devoted to him.
"Ah, there's no problem. We've already brought the bandits who claimed this area into the fold. We're planning to have them help clear the forest as well. We were lucky that their leader was someone we could reason with."
Roa said it casually, but this was frightening in its own way. Whatever methods he had used, he had taken advantage of the recent crop failure to ferret out the country's major bandits and the gang leaders who controlled them.
Apparently, the information had been extremely accurate, and even the King had been unable to hide his surprise.
Then, using the bandits' territories as a basis, he began negotiating with them, offering food during the crop failure as bait. Many of the bandits actually accepted the deal, while those who refused were apparently annihilated later.
Even bandits die if they do not eat. Those forced into a choice with no real alternative were no different from river fish merely waiting to be cooked.
Moreover, the fact that he had secured many of the bandits he brought into the fold as workers for the highway left me dumbfounded.
But thinking about it, this was not entirely without precedent.
Skit=Degroza, the face of the back alleys in the Imperial Capital. Roa's methods were very similar to that man's. Roa had probably taken inspiration from Skit when he came up with this approach.
As a result, Rudek currently maintains one of the highest levels of public safety on the Northern Continent. Of course, that is probably only temporary. Given enough time, outcasts will gather again and form gangs. That is unavoidable.
Roa seemed to understand that as well. When I pointed out the problem, he replied, "It will be enough if we can buy some time until conditions in Northern Rudek settle down."
"Now, we have secured the area's safety for the time being, but the current path through the forest is a rough road barely better than an animal trail. What do you think? I believe the princes would be better off taking a detour..."
"Since we're here, I'd like to see it... is what I'd like to say, but I'll follow your advice, Teacher. With Prince Shandar and Lufa here as well, I don't think this is the time to impose unnecessary hardship on the soldiers."
At Zerand's words, Roa nodded with satisfaction.
Even to me, Prince Zerand's growth was remarkable. He was still young, but he had already shown enough to make me think that Rudek would be secure if he continued to grow like this.
Prince Shandar gazed at the exchange between them with clear eyes. He was still a young prince, but his studies in Rudek would surely prove invaluable.
...Though I hate to admit it, being able to observe Grand Strategist Roa's methods up close was not something even a fortune could easily buy.
"Then we'll make our way through the forest and meet up once we emerge. ...What will you do, Livote?"
Roa suddenly addressed me. Since I was technically an envoy from another country, he was probably trying to be considerate.
"Livote-taro is taking the detour too, right?"
"You don't seem like the type for the forest."
"Hmph! I can make my way through more skillfully than the two of you. Roa, I'll accompany you through the forest."
I let their cheap provocation get me riled up and took the bait, but I did not particularly care either way, so it was no problem.
"I see. Then let's go together."
"Livote, be careful! Don't get caught on branches or something and hurt yourself!"
For some reason, with only Lufa worrying about me, we stepped onto the forest path.