Dream Life

May 11.

We arrived in Fortis City, the capital of Fortis, the country of mercenaries.

Though it was in a demonic raid in Oakhope, there was no major trouble after that.

Brewers and their families unfamiliar with the havoc were also frightened only during the demonic raids, but after that they no longer trusted the Lockhart family and felt more terror than they needed to.

Temperatures have dropped due to the elevation, and the morning and evening are cold enough to whiten my breath, but no one, including the children, has been able to move forward within Fortis without breaking down.

Fortis as a nation has a total population of 500,000. Fifty thousand of them are mercenaries, most of whom are in a special country to earn money.

Geographically it is said to be a basin surrounded by rugged mountains: the Porta Mountains, the Testa Mountains, but sensibly the impression of a very narrow piece of land made between the two mountains.

It is also a harsh environment where many demons live in the deep woods stretching over mountainous areas and where even an expansionary empire considered the costs of developing streets and the risks of demons, and did not get their hands on them.

There is no industrial-like industry, and only the earning of mercenaries is a means of acquiring foreign currency.

The formation of this country, but in the first half of the 2600s, about four hundred years ago, mercenaries who did not have their home base, watched the land and set up the general headquarters of the mercenary guild.

The guild chief of the mercenary guild negotiated with the Empire to attain independence as a nation of petitions in the history of Tria 2635.

At the time, the Empire was burning its hands in the War of Independence of Light Theism, which had been waged for more than a hundred years on the western Sole Peninsula.

It was only in the early days of the War of Independence that Phototheism expanded its forces with a number of violence, but it did not push through the Imperial Army, which prevailed over local power, becoming a gradual retreat and began to employ mercenaries who knew the battle. Its effects appeared, gradually restoring momentum and widening the sphere of power.

Knowing that the mercenaries' joining changed the way they fought, the Empire ordered the mercenaries not to lend a hand to Light Divinity. But the Light Divinity, supported by commercial guilds, had a lot of money, and even if the Empire forbade it, there would never have been fewer mercenaries.

So the Empire thought it would be ineffective to exert pressure on the mercenary guild, cutting the rudder in the direction of flexion. In other words, instead of recognizing Fortis' independence, he moved to cut off his hand with light divinity.

At the time, Light Divinity was beginning to persecute the Beast Man, and there were times when a mercenary guild with many Beasts raised the voice that light divinity and hands should be cut off, and the mercenary guild also made a decision to turn down the request for Light Divinity to white-eyed fellow citizens if the independence of the petition could be fulfilled.

As a result, the Light Divinity, and later the Holy Kingdom of Lukes, took the Sole Peninsula, but they have reached their limits there and continue to this day.

This is the story of Fortis independence in the book of history.

My views differ a little. This independence is seen as the result of a commercial alliance.

At the time, the commercial guild was hitting various hands to keep the empire from unifying the continent. The same is true of the incineration of phototheism, and the system of supporting the Kingdom of Lax, which was the target of the Empire, namely the independence of the mercenary guild and its dispatch to Lax, is part of it.

To that end, he splashed gold on the senior nobles of the Empire and moved that the Imperial Government soften it.

It's like a match pump, but I think the person who profited most from Fortis being established is a commercial guild, and they could do it.

The city of Fortis today is developing around the Alliance's headquarters, growing to 300,000 large cities, including the surrounding population.

There was a seeping effort of mercenaries in this.

As I said earlier, there were few plains, and it was originally land surrounded by rugged mountains or deep woods. In addition, the cold climate was not suitable for the cultivation of cereals and required wider agricultural land. For this reason, Kaiju became a top priority as a nation, cutting through the forest using axes and vixens that retired mercenaries were unfamiliar with.

But there were many demons living in the woods. Some of them are first-class equivalent dragons and giants, and they are told that many superior mercenaries have lost their lives.

Now the cut forests become countryside and cultivate various crops, the hills become pastures and many cattle and sheep are kept.

Surrounded by mountains, the countryside was paired with deep forests to create beautiful landscapes.

The city of Fortis is a big city, but there's not even a fence around the walls.

This is because the Fortis people are mercenaries and former mercenaries, almost everyone is proud to be able to fight, and it is said that walls like the Imperial fortified cities do not have to be brazen and built fences.

However, this seems to be an exaggerated story. At the time of the founding of the country, we had no choice but to know that of the current inhabitants of the city of Fortis, mercenaries, whether active or retired, are only 20% of the population and about 100,000. The other 80% are ordinary citizens who have never even been trained.

Furthermore, about 80% of active mercenaries are said to be out of the country at all times, and there are about 10,000 people in Fortis City. For this reason, if there was a massive demonic incursion, it could be heavily damaged.

I entered the city of Fortis like that, but didn't realize that at first. Because the farmland was just spreading without any signs, and it just seemed rural.

As I was going down the street, there was a farmer engaged in farming, so I asked him, "How soon will I be in the city of Fortis," and he told me often.

"This is Fortis City, too. Well, I'm sure the first person will be mistaken."

"Really? So where should we go," my father asked. Fortis Street is a narrow road, because it cannot be distinguished from the road that connects rural to rural areas.

"It would be nice to head to the commercial district near the city centre and general headquarters. There are a lot of good lodges around there... if you take this place straight east and put it on the road where the apple trees are planted, there will be a headquarters..."

Hand gestures told me the way.

When asked in detail, the city of Fortis was divided into a centre with an administrative agency and a commercial district and a surrounding district where agricultural land was spread.

Then I think it would be nice to make the center Fortis City and the surrounding district a village of a different name, but they can't distinguish it because there is not much land originally suitable for agricultural land and it is spread out a little bit.

Believing the farmer's words and furthering the horse, there will be more splendid buildings built of stone.

Due to the heavy snow, it is characterised by steeply sloping roofs and gray stone foundations, white lacquered walls.

Unlike the Imperial Town, the road feels decomposed with wattage cars made of hardened soil.

Apart from the apple trees marked, many of the street trees in the city were fruit trees. Prepare for food shortages, they seem to be planting.

People walking through the city looked rarely at the aristocratic carriage and the carriage bearing the Blacksmith's Guild crest. Exactly isn't there a rumor circulating about the Lockhart family in Fortis, which is very quiet compared to the city so far.

This is normal, but it really makes me uncomfortable.

I have plans here, but I have no business other than to say hello to the Fortis branch of the Blacksmith Guild. However, the trip continued from Netherton, so I plan to stay two nights.

By the way, I'm not assuming I'm going to get hungover at my first banquet with Dwarf in a long time.

After entering the inn, he headed to the Fortis branch of the Blacksmith Guild. Five Dwarves and Netherton Branch staff Bertram, who learn to manufacture distillers, are accompanied, but the liquor makers are left in the inn with their families. As far as we're concerned, we could have been together, because the craftsmen were reluctant.

"We will take our time at the inn. There are many feasts for Dwarf blacksmiths…"

My father was going to tell me that I didn't have to worry about it, so I started,

"You sure do. The blacksmiths won't care without everyone, and you should take your time today and tomorrow."

I told you.

After the craftsmen walked away, my father expressed his doubts.

"Aren't you glad it's nothing? With you and Lydia, you won't be crushed."

"That's because you're as used to it as we are. The impression is that for normal (...) humans, Dwarf blacksmiths are difficult to get close to. Well, if you're in our village, you'll get used to it, but now that you're tired of traveling, you shouldn't be distracted."

My father looks unconvinced, but he admitted, "Is that it?" My father has also been with Dwarf longer and seems to be losing his sense of ordinary people.

Around 4pm we enter the Inn and head to the Blacksmith Guild after removing our gear. Netherton Branch official Bertram is ahead, but perhaps the Dwarves are aware. Because the Lockhart carriage has a “Zack Collection” for the Fortis branch.

When we get to the guild, the Dwarves will welcome us.

"Well done for coming! You're welcome!

That's what Branch Manager Rudiger Nichelle takes my father's right hand.

"Thank you for the welcome" and my father slaps him on the shoulder.

Rudiger has also attended the Dwarf Festival last year and is already familiar with it. There are about ten other faces I know.

Finish a street greeting and walk into the Alliance building. The making is pretty much the same as the other branches. The feast has already been prepared, but the food has not yet been served.

Because information is naturally shared here on how to sample the Zach collection.

It will be the usual tasting, but we are getting used to it, so I don't think so.

At the end of the tasting of the Zach collection, a banquet with the excited Dwarves began.

Fortis used to be a poor country, but it is now a rich country with a large number of good mercenaries. As a result, a wide array of ingredients and varied dishes are arranged.

Furthermore, the liquor was cold, so there were a variety of beers, all of which tasted excellent. White wine also has a sweet, gentle aroma like Riesling, so much so that it has raised its voice to an unprecedented flavour.

I was wondering if there was any red wine because I heard it was a cold land, but unexpectedly there was good wine.

"This red tastes a little lighter but better," Rudigger said as he handled his proud mustache, "let's do that,"

"Winter is cold around here, but summer is surprisingly hot and rainy. That's a good red wine, I hear."

The elevation is high, but the fact that it is a basin means that it is hot in summer and snowfall in winter is low from spring to autumn.

"Still, it would have been a lot to make something so far," he murmured.

"Exactly. The farmers seem to have a lot of difficulty, but they are always creative..."

Fortis is where mercenaries after work spend their vacations, often sparing no money for entertainment or gastronomy. As a result, neither farmers nor brewers spare any effort to make a little delicious liquor.

The dishes are the same, especially the cheeses, which are not only varied, but also devised.

It's delicious even if you eat it as it is, but it's varied: oven-roasted, melted and eaten like a cheese fondue. The ingredients are also plentiful with cows, sheep and goats, with their unique flavors, yet well suited to wine and beer.

"It was a surprise. I thought it might feel a little more boneless because it's a mercenary city, but you could call it a gastronomic city."

"That's right! That's why I can't get away from you!

After that, he goes on to say, "Well, except for the village of Rasmore".

I asked what I was concerned about because the village's name came up.

"With that said, how long are you going to be coming to the Proficient (Expert) course? The Ezzarington branch is coming soon, and if you don't adjust early, my body won't be free."

What bothered me was that I hadn't come to a skilled course to improve the magic team. I don't know if you're saying you can't come for work like the Ezarrington Branch. But Fortis shouldn't be so persecuted. In fact, young blacksmiths are coming to train for the distiller (pot stills) course.

My question makes Rudigger and the veteran blacksmiths look sinister.

"I'd like to go as soon as I can, but I don't have someone to make my weapon."

"Can't you find them in the mercenary city? I imagine an amazing mercenary."

"Of course I am. But I can't free my body for two months after my job is packed..."

When asked in detail, the demand for mercenaries increases abnormally, especially good mercenaries, who never get out of work. This was also the effect of the Northern Governor's Office hiring a large number of mercenaries.

When I hear about the impact of the measures I proposed, I mumble.

(I don't know how this is affecting you... do you mean you have to be careful when you pinch your mouth on a national level story...)

Without realizing how I was doing like that, Rudigger started talking to me.

"Can't you handle it with your wisdom? Mercenaries would love to know when they're out of work."

"Right... I'd like you to keep it inside everyone's chest from here..." he whispers and looks around at the Dwarves' faces. They are also about being involved in themselves, especially alcohol, and they nod with a serious look.

"In about two months, many of the mercenaries employed by the Northern Governor's Office will return. This is almost a decision."

That's where their eyes open wide.

"I mean, bye. That doesn't mean 3,000 mercenaries are coming back! That would also reduce the work of the man standing on his arm a little. That's what I'm talking about!

Not feeling impatient, but approaching with a strangely compelling face.

"That's the thing. But I want you to keep this a secret until the mercenaries come back..."

Briefly provide an overview of the demonic and bandit sweep operations conducted by the Northern Governor's Office and their objectives. I shouldn't because leaking anything other than the people involved is supposed to get into the bandits' ears, but the Dwarves can be trusted, and most importantly, they won't break their mouths under any kind of torture because it involves going to the village of Rasmore.

"Of course not. Around autumn, Nong et al can also go to the village of Rasmore. Start coordinating with headquarters in that direction, but that's good."

I press my precautions with stronger eyesight earlier.

"Absolutely. No problem if you don't even tell me why."

At the next moment, the veterans who plan to go on the proficiency course will raise their roar of joy.

"" Ooh!!

I feel a little sooner, but it would be fine because it would also involve distributing Zach collections, which would benefit blacksmiths who shouldn't go to the village.