Dream Life

Tria history on the night of April 22nd, 318.

The blacksmiths' farewell party is over, but I have been hoping to meet with my father from Blacksmith Guildsmith General Ulrich Drexler and Katrina Brentwood, Queen of the Kingdom of Kaum. My father called my grandfather and brother, and me, to listen in the training institute conference room.

I'll get right to the point after Ulrich thanked me for this event.

"I intend to declare this training institute to the whole world as the foremost facility of the Blacksmith Guild. Naturally, it's an indispensable distillery."

My father couldn't read his intentions and said, "That being said, it's a training facility. I wonder if the most important facility is a big one."

Ulrich nodded loudly,

"Well, that's pre-construction. I'd call this village itself the most important place for a blacksmith's guild, but you can't just declare anything but the guild's facilities on your own. But I'm going to make it a declaration that I can read."

My grandfather doesn't follow the story and tilts his neck, "Sure, there's a distillery... but may I go out of my way to proclaim or something".

The Queen will take the question and explain it.

"Don't you think this village is dangerous? I asked Mr. Zach about the walls and moats he had built, the towers for air defense, and Mel and the others, but you think he even built a reconnaissance base and a wolf smoke table at the foot of Aquila? Aren't you concerned about the demonic invasion?

My father answers nothing merely by roaring, and my grandfather meditates and silences his eyes as well. I saw how you two were doing. I'll take it from you.

"Eleven years ago the behaviour of the orga and the orc herd, the fact that the orc herd attacked the villages last year… all of which pass just a few km (Kimmel) from this village. Especially last year when a suspicious young man is about to enter Bogwood, and I think it's clear that we need to protect the village"

And the queen said, "Right. I agree," he nodded with a serious look.

"On top of that, how defensive do you think you can be in this village right now?

When my grandfather asked me that question, he said, "A thousand if it's only an orc, fifty if it's an orga, etc. It's a condition, of course, that there are Zacharias," he replies. My grandfather's view matches my expectations. This would be the limit if it were a condition of repelling.

"Then what are you going to do when more demons come? This is a long way from the main cities of the Empire, and when it comes to gathering adventurers and mercenaries in Periclitle, you can't come in a month or two?

This is what we've always been thinking. Without having to take the Queen's pointer, there is no victory in a protracted battle that reinforcements cannot expect. Countries can move according to the agreement if they are clearly divided into demonic tribes, but an anti-demonic agreement is not activated just because there is a "suspicion” that demonic tribes are involved in, like last year.

When we are silent, the queen folds up even more.

"Seven thousand is said to have the power of war when Fort Toa fell. If that's all the demons go through Aquila, there may be some sign, but even half of them will completely ravage this village."

"But if I were to say that, wouldn't your country's villages and towns be the same," my brother argues.

"Yeah, you're right," the queen nodded,

"But the kingdom intends to host the Black Steel Knights' elite in the traffic stroke barveggie. In fact, we're strengthening the Knights after last year's oak riots, and we're strengthening our liaison system."

Barbezi is a trading city about a hundred and forty kilometers south of here. From there, to the east stretches the streets of Toa, leading to Fort Toa, the national defence imperative of the Kingdom of Kaum, not only as a major impulse for traffic, but also as an important base for backward support.

From Barbezy to Fort Toa, it is about two hundred kilometers long, with meadows and loose hills, and is also one of the leading barn zones in the mountainous state of the Kingdom of Kaum. However, only a small fraction of the development is progressing close to Barbezy due to concerns about the invasion of the Demon Nation.

"We are building a Black Steel Knights garrison in Barbezy. We intend to have at least two thousand soldiers stationed here. Of course, you'll always pay about a third for perimeter security..."

The Queen's story is that he will concentrate around Barbezy on soldiers other than those needed to defend the King's capital and guard the streets, so that if there are any anomalies in the towns and villages along Toa and Ars streets, he will be able to deploy them immediately.

Since so far we have good relations with the Caerm Empire, which borders the south and the north, and Fortis, the country of mercenaries in the west, has declared eternal neutrality, as a Kaum kingdom we can only worry about the invasion of the demons coming from the east.

When the queen finishes her explanation, she sees her father's face with a strange face.

"So here's a suggestion: My Kingdom of Kaum wants to make an agreement that allows us to march reinforcements to your land without being identified as Demonic, if the Lockhart family so requests. The costs associated with the march will be borne by the Blacksmith Guild, so your home will not be burdened."

My father groans, "Does it have to be the devil tribe," but didn't utter any more words.

Take that word and I'll ask in the sense of confirmation.

"The Kingdom of Kaum, formally requested by the Blacksmith Guild, will enter into an agreement with the Imperial Government to protect the Blacksmith Guild's facilities."

"Yeah, you're right. Think of it as a formal bond between His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Emperor."

I nodded small, "I understand the purpose. For a while, could we just talk about the Lockhart family," he bows his head.

We bow our heads to the queens and get out of the conference room.

I became four, but neither my father nor my grandfather would open their mouths. My brother tells me, "I don't really see the story, Zach, explain it to me."

"Okay. This is the source of this proposal, but it will definitely be made by Her Highness the Queen. If that's the case, I think the only purpose is to protect the distillery, just like the blacksmith guild thought."

"I don't think so," my grandfather nods. But my father groans, "Even so, is it unacceptable to let in troops from other countries?"

"I think the acceptable formula is high," I said, and my father said, "I don't even have an alliance. I guess the Empire will admit it too," he shakes his head.

"We do not have an alliance, but it is possible if we invoke the agreement on the Demonic Crusade…"

An agreement on a demonic crusade is an agreement that states will send troops and hit them with the highest priority when demons living in Kwaedam Tenebre invade across the Aquila Mountains.

"But the agreement should be able to activate for the first time when the Demonic threat is confirmed to be across the board. I can march this proposal even if it's not Demonic. would be entirely separate from the agreement"

My father argues, but there was also an answer to that.

"If you can march unlimited, you're right, Father. But this proposal by Her Highness the Queen confines the area where the march can take place to Lockhart territory. Plus, at the request of the Lockhart family, we protect the Blacksmith Guild facility and their booze. That queen would say:“ If you can't march until you confirm with the Demons, and if their beloved liquor is lost, the Empire will take responsibility, "he said. Neither will the Empire want to undermine the mood of the Blacksmith Guild. Particularly those to be negotiated will be a liability issue, so if we can confine ourselves to the village of Rasmore, then supposedly we won't have a problem."

Three people nod at my explanation.

"I think I should take it. As Her Royal Highness said, if an enemy beyond our imagination strikes, we have no way of making it. Even if the Royal Kaum Army comes, it may be the same if more enemies come, but if they are so enemies, we are wiped out before reinforcements arrive. And isn't there a big difference in morale between what reinforcements can and can't expect?"

In the case of castles, it is easy to maintain morale if reinforcements come or the situation changes and the enemy may withdraw.

"It sure is. If the Imperial Capital will admit it, I think it would be better for Noon to take this story. Of course, we didn't ask for it."

In a word from my grandfather, my father also made a decision.

"Okay. Take this suggestion. If you think about Zach's mission, you better have more allies."

Returning to the Queen and Ulrich, my father speaks his conclusions.

"I'll take your suggestion. Because it's a thankful story for us, too. But let us say that our Lockhart family will follow the life of the Empire."

Ulrich gives a happy look, and the queen gives a relieved look.

What my father wanted to say was not that he actively requested it from the Lockhart family, but that the Lockhart family would follow without saying anything to what the Blacksmith Guild had requested from the Kingdom of Kaum and was able to agree between the Kingdom and the Empire.

This way, it doesn't look like the Lockhart family intends to invite troops from other countries of their own volition. Of course, it's only a pose because we benefit the most.

Adjustments are then made to the detailed conditions, such as treating the Rockhart family rush in accordance with the agreement and providing replacement horses up to the barbecue.

The queen has questioned me with a serious look, somewhat determined.

"I want you to tell me the truth. Do you think the Demons will attack from outside Fort Toa?

I snort loudly.

"We know very little about the Demons. They don't even know what kind of world is spreading ahead of Toa. I can't imagine by what means they're going to invade."

In fact, I know very little about the Demons. We know that there are winged races called Winged Demons and races that serve Orcs, Goblins, etc., but we have no idea of the country's form, population, culture, etc.

What is the land we call eternal darkness (Kwaedam Tenebre)? If it is a barren earth, as rumors have it, why can the Demons repeat massive invasions?

"The Demons will also attack the eastern part of the Kingdom of Lax. Not now, but in the past, it is on record that an army of demons has also appeared near Periclitle. Even now, at the end of Periclitle, in a village called Riccadale, there are stories of demons similar to the Winged Demons, and it's not strange to think of them as coming from anywhere in the Aquila Mountains."

"Right," the queen nodded, "what would Mr. Zach do?," he asked subtly.

"I would......" but keep my mouth shut.

I have a stomach proposal, but I'm not sure if I can talk about it.

My ventriloquist proposal is to infiltrate Kwaedam Tenebre with intelligence agents and obtain information on enemy countries; to investigate and obtain information on routes across the Aquila Mountains; to negotiate with the Demons after obtaining information, or to conduct a reverse invasion. I wish I could negotiate, but I probably can't. Then you can form a massive expeditionary army and cut off the anxiety element from the ground up.

Even if that is difficult, as long as information is available, we can look for options other than a passive strategy to just wait cartoonly at Fort Toa.

Intelligence is not impossible if they pretend to be exiles, but Aquila's investigation needs to put in aviation forces such as the Empire's Flying Dragon Squad and the Winged Lion Squad of the Kingdom of Lax. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Kaum does not have the aerial power and it will be difficult to achieve, and it involves a great deal of effort and risk to make it happen even when it comes to a large expeditionary force. But those aren't the reasons why I talked.

(If taking action here is going to cause the enemies of the gods to react... if they are going to bring in an unexpected big man to burn out... the race of example Moon Demons also remains a mystery. If you are capable of more than the Winged Demons......)

I believe time is on our side for us. In the Gods' story, my mission is to teach and guide Luna, the one sent by God. In other words, empowering her is a mission, and protecting it is only incidental to it. I will not poke a snake before Luna grows.

She's already been targeted twice. Eleven years ago, there was no evidence, but given the circumstances, it would be more reasonable to assume that we targeted her. So it's possible that the enemy will attack you even if you don't do anything. Still, I wonder if we should refrain from acting in such a way as to bring in the enemy.

(I think I'm passive at the same time, but I don't want to change my current peaceful state...)

As I mumbled, the queen said, "You can talk to me later," and pulled back.

The next day, the Dwarves returned to their respective cities.

The Periclittle and Doctus blacksmiths heading north are waving remorsefully many times as we drop them off.

Especially when he was acquainted with Zergius of Doctus and Geiselhale of Pericritle said, "I'll be back in a minute!," he said, riding himself out of the carriage and waving heavily.

And eighty vigilantes commanded by their grandfather are hitting the escort on the carriage heading south. It's because there's a queen of a country, albeit with patience.

In addition to the Dwarves returning to Ars, the carriage to the south will also be accompanied by blacksmiths from the Fortis and Plims branches, as well as the Dägenhardt and other Welburn branches.

The route back to Welburn is from Aurelia Avenue around the north through Periclitle into Ars Avenue and from Ars Avenue around the south through Fortis into the Empire.

The route around the south has many rugged mountain roads, which are not usually used, but is a measure because of the deteriorating security on the streets of Aurelia.

Dagenhardt offers his right hand, "You've been taken care of," and I grip it back tight, too.

"Kurt and Doris, plus Johnny and the distillers. We blacksmiths in Wellburn owe you. You can always tell me if you need anything."

"I'll take care of the Kurts. I'm more worried about you than that. Be very careful."

Say that and gently tap him on the shoulder with your left hand.

"I'm fine. I have a Zach collection of souvenirs. We're going to hire mercenaries in Ars to protect this."

Twenty litres of the Zach collection had been given to the Dagenhardts by the General Headquarters. Because the talented person was personally given the Zack collection for the skill assessment meeting notice, this time a 20-litre barrel of stainless steel tank in the form of a souvenir was given to the Welburn branch because of the competition.

A carriage to the south leaves.

Not only the Dwarves, but also Kati and Elwes, the bureaucrats, wave loudly to spare the remnants.

The merchants had already left, and the village quieted at once.

(after the festival or... kinda don't feel like another village when the dwarves are reduced...)

Thinking about that, he said from behind, "What are you snuggling about! I don't have time. Let's get started!" Ulrich's dra voice echoes.

"Whose magic team will explain it to me," I thought you were still there, and I started walking laughing.