I Became a Slave to a Mythical Shepherd

Episode 70. secret conversation

Anchises’ analysis was valid.

The true value of the steel sword I made at this time was not in its quality. I didn’t even give much thought to that.

It is not that King Seonjo went on a long-term business trip to the north because the Japanese military’s rifles were better than Joseon bows. The quality of equipment has little effect on warfare unless the difference becomes overwhelming.

However, the amount of equipment is different.

No country can properly hold a weapon made of metal to all ordinary soldiers.

“But… Antandros can do it. If only Troia could do the same.”

What Anchises was trying to say was clear.

I shook my head.

“It’s not possible. For now, factors like river flow and wind are only valid in Antandros. All attempts to build forges in other cities have failed.”

“Is that so? It’s a pity, I’m sorry.”

Anchises clicks his tongue at my words and moves on to another chatter.

Did you notice?

you wouldn’t have noticed

you just lied

The steel must be Antandros’s own.

In my hands, I must be in control.

Anyway… these worries only have meaning after everything is completely finished.

Well, it wouldn’t be bad to develop the area around Troia even if it wasn’t forge, but I put off that idea until later.

I also cleared my head of Anchises’ complicated thoughts that might have been behind the question just now.

For now, I think about the movements of Dolon and his remnants.

***

Dolon had no other options.

From the beginning, there were not many elements that could be the center of his power.

Faithful people who want to be loved by the Hittite gods.

Or idiots with a queer admiration for the Hittites.

Children of noble families with a long history who are proud of their Hittite lineage.

If it wasn’t for this or that, those who just didn’t want to see Priam, who enjoys absolute power without a competitor.

It was Dolon himself who gathered such people here and there and united them as if they were only one force. He knew best that they could scatter like grains of sand when the time came.

From the name of the faction, it was like a phantom. Hittite loyalists? Or anti-royalty? Either this or that, or it was just called ‘Dolon’s forces’. I managed to gather these people and come all the way here.

I could be so proud of myself.

“···Paris.”

However, he did not expect that a village prince would stir up that power.

Since he was always in a vulnerable situation under the powerful kingship, his camp was already staggering even with a light attack from the prince.

Dolon had only one string left to hold on to. There was only one element left that could be the center of power.

Hittite.

He carefully selected his words and wrote his letters. And he sent the letter, leaving a handsome seal.

Before long, the Hittite envoy, Pitana, arrived at his mansion.

It was the same night as the letter was sent.

Bitten all the workers in the room. The hallways were also taken care of so that no one was present for the time being.

There were only two of them, Dolon and Pitana.

“I will be honest. It is true that things are not going well.”

Contrary to Dolon’s confession, Pitana still maintained a nonchalant smile.

“Our forces are in disarray. But there is still hope.”

“What is that hope?”

“Then I will tell you without hesitation. It is Pitana-sama’s support.”

“…”

“It’s enough for Pitana-sama to appear at various events in moderation. Buy time by pressing King Priam there.

In the meantime, I can rally the forces again and turn public opinion in Troy by supporting Pitana.

If it is for the glory of the Hittites, if it is for the glory of King Supiluliuma who will bloom again and the souls of our great ancestors, that much…”

Dolon stops talking.

It was because he realized that complex calculations were rolling in Pitana’s head.

Perhaps he was weighing the calculations with Dolon in front of his eyes to see how he could act to benefit himself and his family. He was the kind of man who was loyal to his interests rather than his country.

And soon, in Dolon’s eyes, the reckoning seemed over.

As a Hittite emissary, Pitana speaks in a soft voice.

“How, is there any other way? It’s not good to rely on just one method.”

He abandoned Dolon.

The fight isn’t over yet, and there’s a good chance of victory, but it’s not a victory worth investing resources in. That was his judgment.

“…”

Dolon noticed that. Pitana noticed that Dolon had noticed too.

“Then, there is nothing you can do. Chief Chamberlain, find another way. I will end here.”

“There is no other way. As soon as I leave without saying anything, your power will falter.”

“Is that so?”

“okay. As soon as I return, I will inform the great King Supiluliuma, who rules over Hattusha and countless other cities, about Troy’s current situation.”

Its meaning is perfectly clear.

“The cunning royal family of Troy is against us, and the ignorant citizens of Troy support such a royal family. Now that they have better steel than ours, we must take it.”

War.

A war that would deprive Troy of its freedom and sovereignty.

Dolon loses his composure for a moment and bites his lip.

However, Pitana doesn’t even care and freely roams around Dolon’s room.

He placed his hand on the burning brazier, savoring its warmth, then tossing scented wood into it and enjoying the luxurious scent.

He strokes the fur of a goat hanging on the wall, opens the window, and inhales the cold air outside.

Every gesture offended Dolon.

And Pitana, who seemed to have enjoyed it enough, finally took a clay plate lying in a corner of the room and turned it around.

“It’s just the right size.”

“What the hell is the right size for…”

“Look at it.”

He threw the clay slab on the wooden table and said,

hit with fist

And, when Pitana removed her hand, the pattern engraved on the ring was stamped.

“Do you know what this is? Some people wait their whole lives to get their hands on something with this pattern.”

“Whether someone waits a lifetime or not, it was given to me cheaply.”

“Don’t be so rigid. My heart is still full of good will for you.”

Pitana, who was staring at Dolon’s stiff expression, opened her mouth while fiddling with the ring on her finger.

“This is the coat of arms of Chief Chamberlain Hattusha.”

“···What does it mean?”

“Smart guy, don’t you still know? Or are you pretending not to know?

Take this and bring it to Hattusa. You will be treated as an exile. No, no, we can be together as our key collaborators.”

“collaborator?”

“oh my god! It must be that someone has sucked all your brilliance! Haven’t the gods of this city been very fond of your brilliant intellect?

Didn’t you just talk about the war? We also need a collaborator who is knowledgeable about the internal affairs of Troy.”

collaborator.

Someone who will explain the strange features of the area and how to antagonize and subdue the surrounding forces.

In addition, a person who can minimize the backlash of local forces by appearing as a face madam.

Pitana was asking Dolon to be that kind of person.

“I thought about it when I came, but… the mermaids in this area have become very irritable. Our party also had to endure hardships because of the hordes of attackers.

. . . That’s how important the existence of local collaborators is.”

Pitana reaches out to Dolon. Dolon did not catch. Pitana casually waved her hands in the air and flapped the hem of her cloak.

“Maybe I don’t know. When Hattusha conquers this country once more, he may not leave the descendants of Dardanos as kings of the land.

Then your descendants will be able to establish a new dynasty.”

“…”

“Your expression doesn’t look good for someone who enjoys great fortune. Is it because of the war?

Hey, don’t you know what it means to be an acquaintance of the chief chamberlain? Some of your friends may be spared at my discretion…”

The blade of the dagger flicks by the side of Pitana’s neck.

A few strands of hair are cut off.

Dolon’s hand gripped the dagger trembled like a freshly plucked lyre string.

“You are doing something unwise.”

“If I kill you here, will it give the city time to prepare for war?”

“no. Besides, the reason for the coming war must have been given to the Hittites. Killing a Shinigami! Can your beloved Troia fight well without any reason to attract allies around you?”

The tip of the dagger Dolon picked up vibrates with anguish. Pitana said, carefully gripping the blade and clearing it from the side of her neck.

“Be smart. I will save your life and the lives of your family members.”

“…”

“What are you going to do? Will you come to Hattusa? It would be better for me to come soon after I leave.”

The silence was not broken for a long time. Just when Pitana wonders if it’s time to go back, Dolon’s voice is heard.

“good bye. We will positively review your suggestions.”

As if nothing had happened, Dolon bowed as he shoved the blade of his dagger into the scabbard.

However, blood was slowly oozing out of his lips.

“Oh yeah. yes. I knew it would come out like that.”

Pitana closes the door and leaves the room.

That was the end of the two people who usually exchange passionate letters with all sorts of rhetoric about loyalty. Because each other was a tool to each other anyway.

Soon, only indelible silence was with Dolon.

As I turned my head, the city lights went out one by one.

People fall asleep, and the stars slowly rotate over the silent darkness.

The moon shines…

From nob le mt l. co m

Like the day Hercules’ soldiers cut off his mother’s throat.

Just like the day the brother’s body fell into the Scamandros River and was nowhere to be found.

Dolon’s mind begins to recall more and more vivid memories of the day.

Now, exhausted, the wall he leans on is half-crumbled like that day, the murals torn off, and the air is filled with the scent of blood.

the sky is red

If you lower your head, the ground is also red.

Death, and only death, fills the world. In the distance, mad cries are heard saying that the king of Troy has been beheaded and that more than forty princes have been murdered.

Civilization, justice, morality, and the world itself are shattered and crumbling.

“sh*t···.”

Soldiers rush at Dolon, a half-naked boy. He manages to escape by throwing stones and sand. His brother can’t get away properly. So, so he…

“…”

it’s war again

Death and barbarism come to this land. It goes back to the days when people ate dogs and then dogs ate people.

He had already lost his mother and brother, and now he had brought his wife, sisters, and children to his devastation.

no.

Can not be done.

Death must never again come upon this country or upon this city. War must be stopped.

But how?

Dolon glared at the place where the Hittite envoy had left for a long time.

When the author returns to Hattusa, war breaks out soon.

then···

Dolon adjusts the hem of his cloak with trembling hands.

In my head, I try to organize the names of the servants in this mansion into a list.

Among them, he recalls those who were bought by Priam and Paris.

“There, outside.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Bring … and … and … and …”

he prepares

Exactly, getting ready to leave.

***

The fight ended easier than I thought. Blocking a single attack and landing a single effective hit just knocked them down.

Dolon’s junior boat, Pitana, will be leaving Troia, and as soon as the news spreads, Dolon’s forces are rapidly disintegrating. The meeting where he used to gather his comrades suddenly ceases to be held.

All that remains is post-processing.

…On the contrary, the palace has become busier.

The eunuchs and other servants run and stir through the city at the behest of Priam and Anchises. There was no bird to close the gates of the palace.

Because of the lack of personnel, Priam summoned other princes who were not very mobilized for political affairs into the palace and passed on orders.

Thanks to that, I was able to meet and greet many other ‘brothers’ whom I only knew by name.

“Have you drawn all the collaborators? Adjust their standing near the altar at the next Apollonian rite.”

“All right.”

“Anchises, have you secured the rest of the images?”

“I already have it sorted out. While the temples are being renovated, the land will be confiscated under one pretext or another.”

“good. What is the list of those to be banished?”

“I guessed up to six or seven.”

“Less. Just one… so that only three or four people can be expelled from the city and finished. Go as gently as possible.”

“All right.”

“Oh, and Paris.”

After giving orders to his subordinates, Priam turned his head and looked at me.

while giving a soft smile.

“…well done.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“I’m glad you’re doing more than I expected. Is there anything else you want?”

“No… no, I do have one wish.”

“What is it?”

“Father, please allow me to build a small mansion right next to the palace.”

“A mansion?”

“yes. And if you bring along with her maids who are good at combing and 10 soldiers who will always guard the mansion, I will ask for nothing more.”

Priam looked deep into my eyes for a moment and then nodded quietly.

“Yes, you too will need a base in this city from now on.”

You cannot acquire political influence by merely staying in the palace. Only with a mansion can you summon supporters there and plan something big.

It seems that Priam is mistaken for the same intention.

“Thank you for your understanding, Father.”

There is no such grandiose intention.

There are more urgent things to me than power struggles and trivial matters in the city.

Anyway, after meeting Priam, and after seeing Anchises and other affairs, he was able to leave the palace. As soon as I leave the palace, my brother Theo, who will be my escort, follows me.

However, Theo’s facial expression is strangely distorted.

like holding back laughter.

“…what, why?”

“No, I want you to live really hard when you’re young.”

“What do you mean?”

“never mind.”

Theo hyung changes his expression completely and speaks casually to me.

“Yes, the King is very proud of you. Second, it seems that the speed at which the prince adapts to the royal capital is very fast. Besides, living outside the royal castle, he seems to be expressing that he has no will to succeed to the throne.”

“Uh… well, that’s right. It’s to ease the worries of my older brother and father.”

“Ah… yes, that must be it.”

“…”

After walking for a long time to the plaza, Theo said as if tossing it.

“By the way, you asked for a lady-in-waiting at the mansion?”

“Why is that?”

“Why do you need a maid who is good at combing…?”

“…”

“Who will live there?”

“…”

“girl friend?”

“Ha, please, no.”