I Became a Slave to a Mythical Shepherd

Episode 36. agony

“You mean you haven’t ordered the iron ingots that Skleos-nim manufactures yet?”

“Ah, well…”

“What do you think? Are you still just watching?”

“Right now, in that suburban smithy, steel is just shoveled out and distributed. Just like dirt!”

“Now is the time when iron ingots are at their peak. I heard rumors that a large amount of goods will be released to the capital soon, so I have to stock up in advance!”

Of course it’s bullsh*t. But thanks to that rumor, an economic frenzy is blowing in this small town.

It must be because of someone’s artificial intervention. Perhaps the subjects of intervention are the aristocrats who were said to be investing in our business.

very good.

“Heh, hehehehe… hehehehe…”

“What’re you doing? Why do you laugh and cry?”

“···glad.”

And since I couldn’t even earn enough money in my previous life, it’s sad that it only becomes like this after reincarnation.

Shouldn’t all the liberal arts students who can’t get a job be reincarnated into the past so that they can enjoy a happy life in another world?

“Ino, this is all thanks to you.”

“that’s right! I struggled a bit!”

Saying that, the arrogant Ino looked at me, but she didn’t hate me. No, I can’t hate it.

If it wasn’t for Ino, I really should have gone to the Aegean Sea that day to measure the water temperature with my body.

Trojan War? Oh, it just ruins everything. How can you defeat the angry gods? Agamemnon brings all his friends to beat a cowardly man.

But Agamemnon, the wicked townsfolk, will now fall to the iron-clad Trojan army.

What the Greek follicle Achilles is going to mess with… Think about it later.

There are remaining issues.

When I turn my head, I see Theo staring at me quietly with half-closed eyes.

“brother? What, is it already time?”

“Of course you have to go first. You are a slave and Anothos is a free man. Are you going to keep me waiting?”

“Hagi Knight…”

“I’ll borrow your boyfriend. Are you fine?”

“Don’t take me too long!”

After soothing Ino, Theo and I walked for a long time.

to Antandros.

As we walk, I glance at Theo.

I mean, Theo hyung is the biggest variable.

If King Priam makes an unexpected move according to Theo’s report, my plan will be greatly disrupted.

I don’t think that’s going to happen, but what if there’s an order to kill in the capital?

It’s over.

‘It is something that must be embraced…’

“Paris.”

“Uh, huh?”

Theo hyung’s smile was the same as usual, and his brisk steps were no different from before.

“What, why?”

“huh? what?”

“Why did you suddenly become so warm like before?”

“This is, well, something like that.”

Theo lightly drew the dagger and put it back into the scabbard.

“I just realized one thing.”

light sigh.

“Even if I wrote the surveillance contents and sent it to Troia, it would be useless. Wouldn’t it be better to stick around while teaching martial arts?”

As soon as I heard that, I was relieved and swept my heart.

“Yeah, well thought out…”

“Instead, swear by the Styx.”

Brother Theo says His stride length has not decreased, and his facial expression has not changed.

“You must never take away the position of the Trojan king and queen, princes and princesses, or threaten their lives.”

“The River Styx?”

“okay.”

Uh… something is ominous.

In Greek mythology, an oath on the River Styx must be kept. Even the gods keep what they swore on the River Styx.

What is the punishment for breaking that oath, so everyone is so afraid?

“So, I will, I will not”

“…”

“If you don’t swear, there’s no martial arts training, no further cooperation.

Of course, I will immediately report to the king of Troy about the prince ‘having disloyal thoughts’. What happens next is out of my control.”

“Yeah, I get it. I swear.”

“To the River Styx.”

“To the River Styx.”

I even made such a grandiose oath, but it didn’t feel like a big deal.

When you meet God in person, it feels like you have tear gas sprayed in your nose, and when you try to run away, the whole world stops… This is a pretty boring result compared to notoriety.

I raised my head and looked up at Theo.

“Is it done now?”

“okay.”

“Really all of this?”

“Is there any other way? You are a prince, and I am just a warrior.”

Theo sighed.

“Now, whatever it is, I will help. I may be left with you as a traitor who destroyed Troy…”

“It will never happen.”

“I was just complaining.”

“never. It won’t happen.”

It was fresher than I thought, but it seemed that Theo hyung had become an embrace.

The war is slowly drawing closer.

I am afraid that the moment will pass meaninglessly. I’m afraid I’ll be struck by an arrow later because of the seconds wasted now.

If Theo’s kicking kicked his shin right now, he could be healed, but on the battlefield it would lead to death.

Is war really good? History has already changed like this, but will there be a war as it is?

Walking upstairs on such idle thoughts, I soon found myself in the mansion of Anoitus.

The gates, fences, and hedges were all restored intact. Hagisa It’s already been 3 years since the old chaos.

The door opens, and Polemon greets us with a sullen expression.

“Just in time, Anoitus-nim has been waiting for you. Go to the drawing room.”

Everywhere there were more employees than when they had come before, and they were walking around more busily.

“Thanks to you, Anoitus-nim is pleased. Now that a large amount of iron ingots have been poured out, the scenery around here will change quite a bit.”

“This neighborhood won’t change.”

“…because even children have a lot of greed.”

Polemon opened the drawing room door with a small, but satisfied, muttering.

Anoitus was receiving reports from the employees, slumped on the long sofa of the courtesy.

“Now is the time to access the precious metals trade network near Delos! How arrogant have the people of Delos been, claiming that it is a holy place that Hephaestus loves?”

“It’s not possible. Didn’t Master Skleos speak clearly and resolutely? If you use the sea route, trade will stop immediately! stop!”

“Olive prices may drop drastically in this area in the future. It would be better to purchase a pressing machine in advance and prepare for an abundant olive harvest…”

“Keuheum, Mr. Anoitus.”

As if not to leave Anoitos even a moment of rest, they rushed at it with a fighting spirit, but with Polemon’s restraint, they sneakily noticed and disappeared.

“Ah, Polemon. I’m alive thanks

Even if the other people my father put in place want to rest, they say things like ‘You haven’t learned everything yet,’ and don’t give people a chance to breathe.”

“It must be because the young master is not yet as strong, strong, and outstanding as the master. You will only inherit the family in the future, so you should concentrate on learning now.”

“Haah, I talked to me. what’s the matter?”

“A guest has arrived.”

“customer? Where are you? ah!”

It was only then that I could see a little boy wriggling under my gaze, and as soon as I met my eyes, he greeted me by waving his hand.

“Paris? You are here too!”

“Hello, Mr. Anoitus.”

“You are the most comfortable among many, many customers. sit down Theo, you can sit down too.”

“thank you.”

After bowing politely, Theo sat down next to me and faced Anoitus.

Anoitus put his left hand on his head as if weary, and with his right he was constantly stuffing honey-soaked nuts into his mouth.

“It’s not usually the time when I have a lot of work these days… but thanks to you, I have a mountain of things to do.”

“ha ha ha.”

“Anyway, it’s better to be hit by work than not to do anything. What did you come for?”

Anoitos’ attitude toward literally ‘the most comfortable guest’ was informal.

“Could you cut the front and back and tell me the conclusion? Sooner or later, I have to inspect the pier again.”

“So, do you have any big projects going on right now?”

“There is nothing. Except for the deal with Skleos. very nice You are very lucky, lucky.”

“Then let’s start one more business.”

A short silence of about 2 seconds follows. This is the amount of time it took Anoitus to organize his thoughts in his head.

“Ah, Master Skleos must have thought of something else! What, this time, is he performing a miracle that transforms stones into bronze ingots?”

“hahahaha… not like that.”

“No?”

Anoitus’ head tilted. I spoke quickly.

“Please invest in us.”

“···what? invest?”

There is a slight bewilderment in Anoitus’ voice.

I can definitely see why Polemon said he needed to learn more. If it was Cassius, my father, I wouldn’t have blinked an eye.

The man I saw, Cassius, looked down at me with cold eyes without any reaction… and then asked, ‘Why should I do that?’

To pry out my intentions while putting as much pressure on me.

But Anoitus’s reaction was not.

Embarrassed for a moment…

“What, investment?”

I’m just blinking my eyes

Theo did not openly express his disapproval, though he might show a hint of discomfort. Because you have already agreed to cooperate with me.

Therefore, not Theo, but Anoitos, who was still calculating hard in his head about what my intentions were, should be the target of this conversation.

“I want to start distributing the iron ingots smelted in this city in earnest. If not right now, maybe someday.”

Although that ‘someday’ will be right before the war.

Anoitos, who opened his eyes wide at my words, soon rested his chin on the table with a subtle smile.

“ah? Ahhhhh, are you greedy? Brave guy, shouldn’t you have said that you wanted to take control of the maritime trade routes yourself?”

“It’s true that I want to hold onto it, but it’s a land trade route, not a sea route.”

I corrected Anoitus’ misunderstanding. As if taken aback by that statement, Anoitos raises one eyebrow and Polemon clears his throat.

“…A land trade route? Are you really going to do that?”

“yes.”

“To go ahead with such an inefficient plan is not an idea worthy of Skleos, who has completely turned the field of steel smelting upside down.”

Somehow, Anoitus exchanges certain messages with Polemon by winking.

Perhaps there is an intense meeting about whether to accept this project or not.

and,

“For now, tell me about your plan.”

The conclusion of the meeting seemed to be in our favor.

“We are going to build a massive road network. I’m going to ask Anoitus for that investment.”

“It’s an investment. Everyone knows that Skleos-sama is raking in all the gold and silver in this area with a pitchfork.”

“Of course, we pay the wages of the workers. However, it would be quite difficult to take the workers to the empty field to feed, clothe, and sleep.”

I thought of railroad workers’ villages built in the American West.

Like the settlements of the Chinese coolies that formed along those construction sites, new villages would spring up and people, livestock… and money would move.

“Help me control that. ”

In other words, it is a voice to share the control of the new villages.

In fact, it’s an incredibly good condition.

We also pay the workers’ wages. All Anoitus has to do is deliver the materials, the workers buy and eat, and give them things to buy.

The dividend received back is an excessive result to the extent that it does not fit there. In fact, it was like giving a new territory.

Anoitus tilts his head.

There is no sign of joy I expected. Rather, they just look at me with eyes close to curiosity.

As if trying to spy on my plans.

. . . His father’s aura can be seen in his composure this time.

No matter how immature he may seem, he must be the son of a great man named Cassius.

“What about Skleos?”

“You already gave me permission.”

“Aha… that’s funny.

Then you guys will have to leave this city in the middle?”

“I can’t help it if it’s for site management.”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean…”

Anoitus smiled and called to Polemon.

“When this child goes back, we have a separate escort. We have to keep the example as partners.”

“Did you say business partners?”

“Did you get ‘permission’ from Skleos-sama?”

Anoitos looked at me and winked one of his eyes.

“Then the decision must have been made by you. Polemon, we guessed right. You mean this little guy made it all right? hahahaha!”

“Are you curious?”

“No, well, why would you normally wear a child like you to work? He would not be a child or a concubine.”

Anoitus smiled indistinctly.

“Then what do you want now? Why is this slave boy so averse to the sea? What makes you want to connect deeply with us? There must be some reason.

What are you trying to get out of doing great business here and taking care of a high-ranking blacksmith?”

Anoitus stares at me, then turns to Theo when I don’t respond.

Theo also stood still, motionless. When the disappointed Anoitus withdrew, I said:

“You will find out later. Mr. Anoitus.”

“I hope so. What is our share?”

“20%.”

“40%.”

“… Let’s do it at 30%.”

“As expected, it’s good to communicate well even though you’re young.”

He smiled at me.

“I am grateful for the gift. I don’t know yet what the cost will be, but I’ll pay this debt someday.”

Price, debt… As soon as I heard those words, I faintly smiled.

You’ll pay it all off later.

***

“A blueprint?”

“hey. I have it dealt with.”

The original hieroglyphs were neatly erased, and new letters were overlaid. That password was never found out by anyone.

Because they were Korean sentences written in modern Hangeul, which could not exist in this era.

“If this is the case, you won’t be able to tell what the contents are even if you look at the blueprint right in front of you. It’s a password that only I can figure out.”

“You have created something strange again. If there is any other way to use it…”

“well. I don’t think it’ll be of any use.”

Uncle Skleos sighed and said after confirming that the blueprints for the water wheel and forge were all unconfirmed.

“I heard that you informed Anoitus that you invented this technology. Are you okay? I don’t know if we’ve found a weakness…”

“are you okay. That weakness won’t be used.”

The blacksmith must give the city a bridge in exchange for promises of wealth and status.

However, if the blacksmith was a prince, the story would be different.

Honestly, it’s nothing short of brute force, but I thought that Theo wouldn’t just watch me get stranded.

Even when I was kidnapped to Olympus, he desperately tried to rescue me.

Isn’t Anoitus also conscious of Theo’s existence?

I have many hands untouched by Anoitus. Anoitus knows that too.

“Yes, it must be because there is no one other than us to smelt and supply iron ingots in large quantities.”

Uncle Skleos nodded his head, convinced that he had found his own answer.

There is a sign that he looks a little uneasy, but it’s okay. That’s because they don’t know that I’m a prince.

Caught out that you’re a blacksmith’s apprentice? Theo is going to get me out somehow.

Who’s stabbing me in the back? The kid is also taken care of by Theo.

i am a prince Theo is invincible.

Looking back at Theo hyung with a feeling of satisfaction for some reason, his expression seems to harden even more when he sees me. I don’t know why.

“Anyway… since you’ve made a decision, you’re going to follow it. Can I really leave this city?”

“Sure. Obviously, even the nobles of this city would not be able to stop the blacksmith who produced such a huge amount of steel from building a road. What does their farm run on?

Obviously, the authority of the citizens is important, but I won’t be able to come out so stiff when I say I’m going to do something big for the city.”

At my words, Skleos nodded slowly as if lost in thought.

“…You, too, now understand what it means for a blacksmith to leave his home.”

life without liberation.

A glamorous but not chosen life.

The things I had to give up now flicker in front of my eyes.

Skleos looked out for a moment at his crushed left leg, then spoke quietly, barely parting his lips.

“thanks.”

I didn’t bother to answer.

I walked slowly out of the smithy while Skleos looked out at his feet and was deep in thought.

“After collecting the funds, build a relationship with the rich man Cassius and Anoitos?”

“that’s right.”

Theo said, walking close beside him.

“It is a grand plan. Are you really not a traitor?”

“Because it isn’t.”

I led Theo to our training ground.

This is the field that I always went to together because I couldn’t rely on the practice field that Anoitos provided. There were no passers-by and it was quiet, so it wasn’t bad to learn something, whether it’s swordsmanship or spearmanship.

“And other than that, there are more important things left.”

I picked up the broom I had been wielding instead of a spear. The head had been cut off, so it was just a long stick of wood.

“I have no intention of being swayed by anyone. To do that, I need economic power, and I also need political alliances.

It’s not that a rural idiot wears expensive clothes and rejoices, but he is determined to change this area as a powerful man.”

“…”

“And whoever holds that power will very often be in danger. We need safety.”

As I raised the wooden bar, Theo also carefully took out the practice spear.

“Guard my surroundings, escort me.”

“From what?”

“From anything that tries to harm or kill me.”

And the sparring began.

Of course it was terrific.

As I lay on the floor grunting, Theo lightly applied plaster to the bruised areas.

“I don’t know what the hell an 11-year-old kid is thinking so hard about…”

Theo sighs as he sees me in a state of disrepair. because he made it so

“Can’t we just give up? What kind of plan are you fooling around with?”

“Ah, that’s a lot to say. you were supposed to help Even if you can’t build a proper foundation by selling iron ingots, it will take another 2 or 3 years. In the meantime, am I supposed to be asking that question every day?”

“You mean you won’t give me an answer even if you ask me for three years, that’s it.”

“okay. can’t do it.”

“…Yes, it’s the child the gods wanted to take, so you have to be that stubborn.”

Theo lets out a final sigh, wondering if he might be tearing his lungs, and then pulls me up.

“3 years.”

“Yes, three years.”

“I don’t know what the heck you’re trying to do that requires so many resources.”

“If you try, you will find out. We will do it together.”

“…my God, such treason.”

“Because I don’t rebel.”

“False reporting, that alone is enough treason.”

Leaving behind Theo, who was muttering something, I looked at the doll running from afar for a while.

That fluttering and untidy appearance… probably

“Paris? Why are you so hurt?”

It’s Ino.

“Where else did you know?”

“The unnies nearby always let me know where you are!”

No, that’s kind of scary.

Ino glances at Theo, who is believed to have beaten me so mercilessly, and then begins to remove the plasters sitting on the bruises.

“Uh, uh… what are you doing?”

“I was told to tell me if you get hurt… You have a pretty face and won’t listen…”

Then I smeared something that looked like dirt from my pocket on my blistered knees, on my shoulders, on my neck and forehead.

Then join hands and sing in a light tone…

– Sarak.

– Sararak.

Grass grows in the freshly applied soil.

“What, what is it?”

“Stay still.”

Flowers bloomed and withered again following the song Ino sang.

And as the mounds naturally lost their moisture and fell from my body and scattered, the wounds were all gone.

“Uh… thank you.”

“I can cure anything. So if you get hurt, come!”

I have now roughly noticed the true identity of this child.

“Okay, Oh Inone.”

“what? how do you know its name Only my older sisters call me that!”

“I just happened to see it.”

“Where is the mere thing!”

I looked away from Ino who was grumbling while saying that.

Oh yes

Paris’ lover and first wife.

A fairy who married the original Paris and had a child and was abandoned.

A fairy who miserably commits suicide beside Paris’ corpse.

“Brother, anyway… I have to do it.”

Even in order not to see all that tragedy.