Ashes and Kingdoms

As we approached Winnea, a line of tension grew. Will Ancius hold up after all? People's lives, what about the distribution of supplies?

It was clear that it would be getting worse. The streets are in terrible condition, and the farmhouse in Shitsuji, which was helped on the run, was already abandoned.

"If you just ran away, fine."

The servant Valt also crushes with a harsh look. There are indications that I have brought up household belongings, but I am not sure if that is for evacuation or because the family was vandalized by thieves after being fed by the Dark Beast. Nobody said anything about the one person who broke up here.

When I put my hand in the abandoned house for a single rainstorm, I decided to reveal the night there. I was in a hurry, but it's too early to rush through the suburbs even though I don't know what's going on in Winnea.

Finn borrowed the dragon's sight to look around him, making him a difficult face.

"There still seems to be arable land around here, but there's no sign of people living there. It may only come while the sun is here and return to Winnea by sunset. I keep it like a field, but it looks pretty rough."

"Bye," Mac frowns, too. "It doesn't look like enough food is being given to the citizens of Winnea."

Valt laughed with his nose and flew sarcasm as he was listening.

"It's not like Dragon Marquis's Triumph Ceremony."

"It hasn't worked in the first place."

Finn doesn't hesitate and observes his surroundings even more closely. He closed his eyes unconsciously and used the same method as when he was looking for Oria and the others.

Sea with only a few creatures. It quiets back as desolation, and sometimes something small just moves under the sand. Flying further away into consciousness, fish large and small went out of their way to swarm into view.

As a whole, it is a cursory move, but in that flock, which is clustered like a giant cloud, one small movement after the other occurs that cannot be followed. Something that comes and goes busily up and down in search of food, something that pokes at other fish, or hits them with a strain, forcing them to move. And what we eat together.

Every fish has a dull dark tone. Even if you twist yourself, you will not flash with silver scales.

(Ancius is...)

I was immediately spotted. Coming down slowly around the outer edge of a huge group of fish, is that a shark? They look like they're protecting the herd, they look like they're watching not to let them get away with it.

(Are you sure that's it?

I am not familiar with Ancius' consciousness, but nevertheless, it is a sign of much sword swallowing. Even under tough circumstances, it's as if people have changed.

Finn gently moved away from the fish group, closing his consciousness and opening his eyes.

"Either way, don't feel very welcome. I've just been exploring Winnea for a little while now... pretty swordswallowing. I felt rough signs, and maybe Ancius has a good grip on the city."

Valt raised an eyebrow at his words and several turned their eyes to surprise. Nellis, who was in his shadow, roars "hmm" before anyone even tells him that.

"I don't know that far. But it sure doesn't have a very bright vibe. It feels dark over there."

When she vaguely pointed north, her companions, who had said something, also swallowed the words and gazed anxiously. The power of Dragon Marquis is hard to believe because of all the different digits, but do you mean that if it is the foresight of the priest, it is easy to accept?

Finn looked around at everyone and then asked Valt.

"What do you think I should do?

"Why are you asking me?"

"Must be ahead of my life"

It was something Finn responded to with a true face, and some of them laughed. Valt stares at them and then growls at them reluctantly. A little bit, he said as he thought about it too.

"Before you do that, make it clear what you want to do."

"I mean? You want to be there or not?

"No. I'm not talking about how we get into Winnea. After that. What are we doing here? What are you going to do with the Winneans, go for that city?

…………

Asked again, Finn thinks Hmm.

"Protect from the Dark Family. I want to help us live a decent life so that we can defend ourselves if we go further north."

"How?" Further pursued by Valt.

"Persuade them to change the way they fight. We'll fight together for a while until the night attack is a little weaker. If you have difficulty replenishing supplies, protect their distribution routes... is that the place?

While Finn answered, Valt was hammering, as he even knew he would. Nellis whispers, "What a great look," poisoning him. Valt ignored it and slammed his finger at Finn.

"What do you have to do with Ancius and the city if you want to do that? Like before, I don't know if you're a dragon marquis or a drooling kid, can you do what I just said?

Unexpectedly Finn smiled bitterly and nodded, OK.

"I can't. All the legions need to understand that I am truly a dragon marquis and that I have to be our way in order to get closer to my old life. That means... you can't go there looking for a way out. It's grand, it's grand."

"That's what happened"

Older man blows and Valt slaps Finn in the arm. Nellis frowned frightened and looked at Mac and her face.

And, until then, Islev, watching over what had been accomplished, opened his mouth in a thoughtful manner.

"Hmm, right. I don't know if I'll be lucky or vicious, either way. If you still boast that you are a grand dragon marquis from the beginning and enter the city, you will be safe in front of the citizens, because Ancius can't do anything too steep. But if the citizens are disappointed in the Dragon Horse, the recoil will be huge. Phineas, I'm sorry to keep you on the arrow."

"I don't mind. Lord Islev, please be careful around you. Even if the dragon marquis is missed making a scene with only a few of his companions, if he becomes an auditor from his own country, he won't talk about it."

"I get it. Taxpayers are always hated."

Islev flaunted his shoulders, but Finn couldn't laugh.

After considering this, one line decided to put the street repair behind it, and left Tsuji the next morning. Finn and Islev lead the way in three rows of columns, aligning their feet like legion soldiers. That said, many people were inexperienced, so it didn't go neat.

Some of them were chatting sometimes while walking. I wonder where the store is still doing it, the smoking there was delicious, I've never been to Winnea before, and so on. When Islev got old on purpose, and I was active, it was strictly forbidden to speak private language, but this would be another kind of private language.

Or maybe everyone wanted to ease the tension by slapping him in the mouth for nothing. As soon as I saw a shadow on the way, everyone changed their expression slightly, exposing themselves that they were not as swallowed as they pretended to be.

Far ahead of the flat streets, black stains appear, slightly reaching gutters and wheels. Finn narrowed his eyes and explored who he was.

"It would be a luggage truck and an army soldier of escorts. There seemed to be speculation that it would only appear in the field during the day."

When he whispered, on the side, Islev shook his head in mourning.

"In that way, we can't support the population of Winnea."

Even as we interact, our distance shrinks. A line of luggage continued carefully, but eventually stopped and waited for the fins. The Tenryu team also slows their gait and stops in between about ten steps.

One captain from a line of luggage, and Finn and Islev from the Tenryu squad, each advanced and exchanged greetings. The captain salutes with his right hand against his left chest and finally sees that the two returned the same thank you, a relieved look. He was lost for a moment talking to either of them and turned his gaze to Finn in the costume.

"I see you with the Legion, which one do you belong to"

"I'm not affiliated with the Imperial Corps, but I'm not hostile to you. We are the Northern Tenryu Squad. With the forgiveness of His Majesty the Emperor, I have come to do my utmost to improve security in the province of Vitier."

"So you are Lord Tenryu Hou Phineas?

"Yes, and this one..."

the auditor, Senator Islev, and Finn wanted to introduce,

"Ooh! Did you hear that, guys!?

The grateful captain did not wait for it. He looks back at the luggage truck and screams at his men.

"It's the Dragon Marquis! We're finally back in the north!

An army soldier who was pompous during the bundle raised a wailing of joy at the next moment. Where does the vigilance come from? Straw and Finn.

"My lord! I haven't forgotten that you helped me in the mountains!

"You're finally back!

The verbal content is as if it were a people who had been waiting for the return of their master. Finn was stunned and stunned. While he can't say anything, the Legion soldiers are thriving on their own. It's a welcome feast, we need to load up everything we can harvest and go home, etc.

Next to Finn as he stood, finally the invisible Islev coughed.

"Gentlemen, calm down a little!

Called in the tone of an army experienced, oops, the soldiers look back confused. The face of the Tenryu Squad chewed up a laugh and turned his sympathy to both the dumb Dragon Marquis and the innocent legion soldiers.

"I'm late on my offer, but I made Islev-Forsana-Caelius, a councillor, and I'm currently investigating in the north as an auditor. Tenryu Hou is also my escort."

Troubleshooting, face-to-face legion soldiers. Islev looked around at them and continued.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Lord Longhou Phineas is not the new Lord of the North. Nor is it easy for the situation in the north to turn around on his own. We need you to continue your patience and hard work. Hence"

And he looked so sad there.

"It's a great shame if we are, but the feast resigns. Just like always, do your job. Captain, is the destination still ahead of us?

"Ha..., yes, about four and a half miles away"

"Hmm, well. I'm sorry to interrupt. Can you answer one or two questions before you go?"

Islev asked succinctly and drew the information he wanted to know. that Winnea is currently under the control of Ancius and the Eighth Legion. that food is managed centrally by the Corps and distributed fairly and fairly to the citizens without distinction. That some wealthy people who once wielded power with Dilgius were also expelled from the city council -.

After hearing them out, the Tenryu squad cleared their way through a line of luggage cars. The soldiers showed that they had gone with Dragon Hou even when they threw out their work, but Islev made them give it up softly, but resolutely.

After breaking up with them and going for a while, Valt shrugged him and snapped Finn's back from behind.

"Hold on, Dragon Marquis. You've been so freaked out, you can't handle the whole Eighth Corps."

"Oh... hey, surprise me..."

I can't even say Finn back to the boulder, and mumble vaguely. I had no idea that on that cold day I was selflessly obsessed and headed to help a legion soldier had so much influence.

He himself barely remembers who and who he helped, what he did, and number one, that situation wasn't very much, but it wasn't something we could say 'saved' or anything like that. We barely escaped the jaw of darkness while we were all together and we were all blurted out. A large number of them were eaten by dark beasts, and a few soldiers were frustrated with their hearts. Some of them would have been trampled to death by their companions in a shove.

As Finn sighed, Islev slapped him on the shoulder with a pound.

"People only see things the way they want to. That's no different under any circumstances at any given time. You have nothing to worry about, do what you have to do. I'll take care of the trouble."

"... thank you"

"What, as long as you're just in the luggage you're towing, whatever comes flying, flowers, stones, at best, until it's on you."

Islev gets away and Finn laughs bitterly. I asked for a round of flowers and said lightly.

"I was expecting you, but this is tough."

Walt roared as he looked up at the walls, and Finn had a rugged look as well.

Winnea is a central city in the northwest of the Empire, so it's huge and the fuel runs out instantly when you burn a bonfire around outside the walls of the castle. Thus, the bonfire platform was installed only on top of the walls, with countless scratches on the walls.

Apparently, the weakest guarded castle gate also has bonfires and sleeping numbers outside, but when you look at the tragic battle trail that remains in the strip, it is doubtful whether it can be said that it is not sacrificial at all.

When the two gatekeepers admitted to being in a row, they crossed their eyes and gently crossed their spears in a less attentive way, blocking all their shapes.

"Welcome to Winnea, fellow warriors. First, name your first and last name."

Finn, who was punished for his earlier encounter, advanced and first introduced him from Islev.

"This is Senator Islev-Forsana-Caelius, an auditor seconded by the Emperor and the Council with the approval of his own country. And me, Tenryu Hou Phineas and..."

"Lord Dragon Hou!?

The ingenuity was vain and the results were similar. Apparently, the gatekeeper had both seen Finn's face, and he raised his voice more of a surprise or stood up and made way with momentum that seemed to throw a spear.

"Well done. Welcome back! Our Eighth Regiment would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to Lord Phineas!!

…………

No, this.

Although Finn nostalgic on the inner pavement, he managed to return only salutes to the gatekeeper, passing through the castle gate without saying anything extra anymore. My buddies follow it as I bite off a laugh.

"I have to say hello to Ancius first. Let's head to the barracks."

Islev suggested, pretending to be unfamiliar, and Finn also nodded, ignoring the dull laughter behind him.

The city was pretty much a slaughter compared to when they left, but it still had a busy atmosphere with only the state capital on the boulder. To an unfamiliar group, the people of the city stop and shrug about something. Nellis walked right behind Finn, frightened to see if there was a face she could see.

"At this point, you're going to have to go outside. Maybe the commander will welcome you."

"I hope so."

"'Cause even Mr. Ancius was helped by Brother Finn, right? I'll be fine."

"Well, you'll see."

Climb the gentle slopes you once passed every day again. Eventually the Temple of Naena was on my right hand side, and I could see the barracks ahead.

Who also did what in the barracks, was thankful in name, and the line was put through the back. The companions are left in the modest room, and only Finn and Islev are guided to the Commander's Office. The place seemed the same as before.

The soldier who led the two laughed prankily, looking back at you and Finn.

"You won't remember me. For once, I asked His Excellency if he had seen a dragon. I never dreamed I'd ask you a question back then."

"Speaking of which, that happened. Then you'll remember that I'm the son of a miller."

When Finn responded that way, the soldier purposefully returned "forgotten". Finn tanned and Islev giggles. In the meantime, the soldiers were knocking on the commander's office door.

"Commander Ansius, you can see Lord Longhou Phineas and the auditor Islev from his own country."

"Get in."

The reply was short and cold. But the soldier doesn't look like he cared, and opens the door and goes through the two of them.

Finn stared at Ancius in astonishment as he heard the door closing on his back. Looks like he still did more than the morning after he escaped from the Dark Beast with his other body. The cheeks are covered, and the knitting is dark and harsh.

"Long time no see, Commander Ancius."

Somehow, Finn said, Ancius just nodded small "um," prompting him to sit silently indicating the chair. Of course there are no words of welcome, not even a handshake of greeting. He stared at Islev with his emotionally unreadable eyes and cut him out quietly.

"A national auditor, you were told. Lord Islev."

"Come on. I'm from this north, but I'm a councillor in my own country. This time I have been ordered to have accurate information on the situation in the north and to inform Parliament and His Majesty the Emperor"

And Islev gave his prayers, and responded calmly. But Ancius' attitude doesn't soften at all.

"While ignoring repeated requests for assistance, let's face it."

"Unfortunately, Lord Ancius, your request has not reached your home country. Perhaps it was hindered by the beast of darkness or the kind of bandit. In my own country, therefore, the tragic situation in the north is completely unknown. Even what Lord Phineas told me was not considered a fact by many."

Lord Phineas, huh?

Ansius flashed a swordswallowing grin and turned his gaze to Finn.

"That's what made the miller's son splendid. I wonder how much he sold his charm to the Emperor in his own country. Why did you come back to this miserable north when it was fun?

The tone gets tougher and tougher, and the expression is like a dog peeling out his teeth and roaring. Quicker than Finn opened his mouth trying to knock him out, he slapped his desk flat.

"This is it! This is my town! Refresh the parliament that was privatized by Dilgius, secure food, let the soldiers keep discipline, I will! I've been protecting you!!

You make your face red and black and yell, all the same, just like Dilgius once did. Finn looked at him with shock and then shook his head sadly.

"I'm going to know how much you've done. I, too, once lived in a disorganized nanice. I think Winnea now is miraculously calm from the awesome scars on the walls. I just wish to help you and restore human life back to the North"

"You're saying there's no human life in this Winnea"

Capture the verbal butt and Ancius responds spicy. Finn fell on his way, silently looking back into the other person's eyes. The swirling emotions spread, almost covering up and hiding Ancius himself. Finn was unconsciously trying to quell it, drawing light from within himself.

Immediately, Ansius blinked and turned away, as if one had gone badly from being properly looked at. Don't miss that gap, Islev opens his mouth.

"In fact, Lord Ancius, you seem to have had nothing to do with human life for quite some time. When did you get a good night's sleep?

"... you're trying to say I'm powerless"

Still, Ancius resisted. but when the seemingly fin stood up and went beside him and put his hand on his shoulder, he became as snug as he had given up. When the anger drew, his face looked old all at once.

"Commander, I have a lead on how to make things better. Not right away... Anyway, we'll be on the night defense tonight, so just relax a little"

"Do as you please. All the soldiers were waiting for the Dragon Horse to return anyway. I would be more than happy to obey your orders."

"It will be now," Finn nodded undeniably. "But after Dragon Marquis is known not to live up to his expectations, he must ask you to help him."

Because, Ansius asks. Finn smiled bitterly and said, "I'm counting on you," leaving them. That's how I keep talking to you to hold between them, slowly returning to Islev's side in such a way that nothing happened.

"Councillors in the country view the fall in tax revenues from the north as a problem. So they also agreed to send Lord Islev, but His Majesty the Emperor and some understand that the North is not in a position to collect taxes. The name is Auditor, but it may be said that Lord Islev's main purpose is to investigate the current situation and to help improve life in the north… Commander, I'm sorry to add more work at a difficult time, but could you help Lord Islev?"

"Originally I'm in no position to refuse"

Ansius responded softly, but his hostility had decreased considerably. With a deep sigh, he turned his old obsession to Finn.

"There are enough vacancies in the barracks. Use this place for sleeping. With regard to meals, we need to distribute them fairly more than you can help defend Winnea. But you can't pay your legions."

"Of course I understand. So, Commander, can you gather the first troop leaders to take the lead? I want to explain how to fight the Dark Beast."

To Finn, who quickly got to work, Ansius smiled sarcastically, only for a moment. Well, aren't you still going to take the legions away from me - just like that? But he didn't say it.

Instead he stood up dauntlessly and said spitefully.

"Let's be good. Let's take a look at His Excellency the Dragon Hou."