Isekai Taneuma

Anyway, it's gold. Give me the money.

After a long week or so, the refugee caravan managed to get out of the border city and arrived at the Heroic Leadership.

Looking up and seeing the blue sky, it was a very disheartening journey as if walking in the endless desert to continue on the streets of the big forest, which can only be seen in the forest at 360 degrees.

Fortunately, there have been more refugees and more people traveling around the streets for a while, or fewer chances of fighting, but if the monsters that would normally be twice or three times as many attacked, perhaps they didn't have a caravan. I was lucky in that regard.

However, when the few trees that deprived them of their sight finally reached the exit of the forest where the plains were visible, it was not hope for a new life that awaited them, but an exit recommendation from the land of Alma.

Through the street and into the plains, Scarsaha, who was walking at the head of the caravan, found several rides ahead of the road. When she realized that the flag of the land of Alma was flipping behind her, she found King Alma crossing a splendid horse in the middle.

She was acquainted with all the kings of the New World in a federal congress she had previously attended. Even with that nostalgia, she must have thought the King had taken the trouble to welcome her, and rushed in joy and courage.....

"... eh!? You want me to get out of here now?

She left the refugee caravan and ran away. That was the only word she could say.

Not knowing what he was saying, King Alma, the grand king, wrinkled his eyebrows and said with a difficult face before her.

"I can't bear to say this to you, an old friend of mine... things changed while you were here. We in Alma can no longer accept refugees. If we stay here, we will have to capture them and hand them over to the Empire."

The king looks definitely older, but in fact, Scarsaha, much older than him, has been dating his ancestors since the early days of the founding of the country. King Alma has looked up to her since she was a child and didn't want to say anything that would disappoint her....

As Waltstein noticed something strange about Scarsaha, he drove his white horse closer. When the SS of King Alma turned his horse to block his way, he stopped the horse before him.

"What happened? Trouble?"

"It seems that by the time we got here, things had changed in Bravery. The Federation Congress has accepted the demands of the Empire and changed its policy in the direction of handing over the refugees, so we need to get out of here now...."

Waltstein twisted his neck as Scarsaha explained the situation as his face turned pale.

"That's weird...."

She seems to be confused, but even if she says such a thing now, she can't go out and say yes. Then we'll have to reopen it. What worries me more than that is what happened suddenly.

If the Federation Congress gave in to the demands of the Empire, that would have been the case. But there is only one road between the Warriors and the Empire that they have come through. If the horse had passed, we would have certainly witnessed it. But a week before I came here, the caravan didn't see anything like that. So when did the Empire come to grips with that irrationality?

The caravan departs the day after Waltstein went straight to Caligula to negotiate. I mean, after they left, they couldn't afford to push such demands to the brave leader. Why does King Alma welcome Scarsaha in a way he doesn't know when he'll be coming? He knew from the beginning that a refugee caravan would arrive around today.

Oh, my God, are you fitted?

In other words, when Waltstein went to complain, it was decided that this would happen. Knowing that, Caligula dared to remain silent. He pretended to have no choice but to help him, but rather than actually escape the refugees, he wanted them safely delivered to Waltstein's courage.

Waltstein had a tight teeth. Honestly, I was thinking, but more questions prevailed. Why the hell is that? What does he want himself to do?

"The King. If you want to leave, could you tell me a little more about the situation? What happened between us? How did the federal parliament pass the resolution?"

King Alma suddenly broke in and seemed a little puzzled by Waltstein asking about it, but when he decided he was the leader of the caravan, not Scarsache, he began to tell the story of what had happened.

Apparently, about two weeks ago, the Empire pressed the Federation Congress for a declaration of war.

The Empire dealt with the Hermes War earlier in the position of Isaac XI's rebellion, but in the first place his rebellion was fuelled by a presence called the Bravery. Isaac XII, who succeeded him, therefore severely condemned the brave clans who had taken over his nephew in order to prevent division and regain an empire, and pressed for an army to be sent to eradicate the brave. You are hosting refugees from the Empire, but it is the same thing that breeds the bud of rebellion.

The Liberals were very upset about this.

The Warrior's Landing was founded 300 years ago as a warrior nation against the Empire, but over the years it was becoming a carcass. Now, even though the majority of the 13 clans were heroics, they were liberals who set a coordinated route with the Empire. That's why they were told that Isaac had been instigated, and they wanted the Empire to do something about it.

In the first place, the Hermes War began when Isaac realized that the Liberals were trying to make their own connections with the Empire and captured and killed their messengers.

Isaac was the one who wanted to strengthen the economic ties with the Empire so that nothing like this would happen to them. I can no longer bear to be thought of as one of those people. Show a respectful attitude, but do whatever it takes to resolve it. The Liberals insisted.

Of course, the Conservative clans were categorically opposed to the act of selling the country. Especially if the Alma kingdom was the closest to the Empire and there was something like inviting in the Imperial Army, it would be in a bad position first. Moreover, many refugees were coming from Hermes today, and they understood the severity of the situation best.

However, where the minority disagreed, the crowd was overwhelmed, their advice was not taken up, and Congress finally decided to listen to the Empire to the fullest extent possible.

"Wait! So you're telling me to let the Imperial Army through to catch the refugees?

Waltstein heard it, but unexpectedly shouted out in the middle of the conversation. It was disrespectful to the king's opponent, but the guards were so confused that no one even noticed it.

"But there's nothing Congress can do about it."

"... no matter what you think, there is no fault here. Geographically and overwhelmingly advantageous, I don't think a decent man would think that he would invite his enemies in without a fight. Thirteen clans are such idiots?

"You're fooling us!

Waltstein stunned and said something like that, and finally one of the guards stood up and shouted. But the king himself controlled him.

"I agree. But we are too accustomed to peace to even judge that. The Liberals won't listen to us drinking together and just talking about it. When I realized it was a dream story, the country might already be gone...."

Waltstein was ashamed of having the lord of a country say such a tyrannical thing, scratched his scalp and then laid his hand on his chest and lowered his head deep.

"I'm sorry. I'm so excited... so, my king. What do you want us to do?

"... I'm sorry, but I want you to take the refugees out immediately. I know it's impossible before I promised to accept it once, but as it is, it will be used as a pretext to accept the Imperial Army. They're sending troops on behalf of the refugees. Without the refugees, they will have no cause."

"So they're not sweet enough to give up....."

But there's no other way.

If the King and the Handicapped ask you so much, you won't be able to say no. Waltstein sighed. But it is impossible for the King to do what he says before he cares.

The refugees he is telling you to leave are not the 500 people the caravan brought in this time. All 10,000 men who have escaped to the brave realm. I simply told such a large number of people to leave, and they can't move properly. In the first place, where should I go?

"How about going to the New World? The land is still harsh, but the refugees will be convinced that it is better than returning to the Empire."

Scarsach suggested so, but Waltstein shook his head.

"No, I can't. The New World is also a champion's land. The Empire will continue to send troops."

"Really...?

"What they want now is not refugee status. That's why we're sending troops here."

"So, what do you think you should do?

Waltstein made the traffic, grunting his nose in disgust. To be honest, I have no reason to do so, but it is a boat that I have survived. Above all, I didn't like being caught by that creepy priest called Caligula. He said with a smooth expression.

"Then the King... is gold anyway. I want you to have the money."

"Of course, I'd like to thank you for that."

"That's not true. That's not enough. Specifically, 10,000 people are going to give me as much security as they can live for the time being."

"... what?

The king of the boulders also showed a harsh expression in his words.

"Isn't it too good for anything? The refugees had been accepted at the request of the Congress of the Federation, but also because they had followed a humanitarian conscience. You said that you have been taking on such troublesome things for free until now, and you still want to give me the money? Why should I do such a thing? On the contrary, how much did I charge you?"

The King was right… Waltstein did not change his expression and tried to remain calm.

"You're right. I agree with you. In fact, nobody will blame you for that."

"I guess so. Then...."

"But think a little bit about what happens when you do that. It's easy not to go out to the refugees. But they don't have time to go. If they try to force it out, let alone go back to the Empire, they will fall into poverty and go mad. Now I'm following him very closely, but soon there will be escapees, and the bandits will continue."

"Uh-huh... maybe so."

"When that happens, it's over. The Imperial Army will rough up the territory as it pleases, citing bandit crusades as a reason. Of course, not to capture the refugees who became bandits, but to rule over the brave."

When I heard his story, I was upset not only by the king, but also by the nearby guards surrounding him. The Brave Leader is peaceful and economically prosperous, and basically has little of his usual strength. Of course, there are gendarmes in various countries, but they are not confident that they alone can control that number.

"If 10,000 bandits show up, can we deal with you? People who don't have a place to run anymore are so desperate to die. Besides, they can be as cruel as they are when they hunt them down. So there's only one thing you can do. All you have to do is give me the money and get out."

"Isn't that like a threat!?

"That's fine with you. Anyway, that's what happens when you leave."

Waltstein replied. King Alma's warm face turned bright red and trembled. The guards who were watching it finally put their hands on this rude man. When Scarsaha rushed to pinch his mouth at such a sudden event, this time he turned around and continued to teach by lowering the tone and making a soft expression.

"But when you give money to a refugee and hire him as a soldier, the story changes. Originally, they have a negative feeling that they are causing you trouble for accepting. If you know that you're in trouble because of them, and stand up for you, everyone will probably agree. And once a man hired as a soldier must listen to the commander, even if it is somewhat demanding. This is the best way to get 10,000 people to act quickly."

The proposed language did not change anything from the initial request, but it was wonderful that King Alma had become more receptive. He was roaring for a while with a difficult face, but eventually he sighed and accepted the proposal.

"... maybe you're right. I didn't know what to do after forcibly evicting him. Not to mention handing them over to the Empire. Then... if you leave here in an orderly fashion, I think I can give you some money. No, that's definitely better."

"Are you sure? King."

The king nodded when Scarsaha, who was listening beside him, asked.

"But where are you going? The New World was useless, and of course I refused to return to the Empire. After all, if I stay in the brave domain, there's no point in giving me the money....."

It's Bohemia.

Waltstein answered when asked.

"It is a highland Bohemia rising in the northwest of the continent. It is a blank zone that has not been incorporated into the Empire or the Brave Realm due to too little flat ground. There are few people living here, but there are mines everywhere, so it doesn't mean there are no people at all. In other words, merchants will come even on land like that. For the time being, we will procure supplies from these traders, and when we go, we will build a fortress and move to a self-sufficient system. I hope the Alma Nation will help me do so."

"I see... do you need money for that? When you tell me, I'm kind of curious. [M] Very well, I will promise you the best possible financial assistance."

"Well then, let's start by telling the refugees what's going on and convincing them. I don't know how much time I have until the Imperial Army moves, but I've never moved faster."

So Waltstein, who brought the refugees from Hermes to Hercules, stayed the course of the story, and now brought 10,000 refugees on a long journey.

To be honest, there was no reason for him, a former Imperial General, to do such a thing, and he didn't know who the hell he was, but he naturally accepted it as a wonder.

I grew up in a mercenary lineage and spent all my life in the army. I wish I had been switched commanders and pulled out of the force with momentum, but I didn't know what to do now. I can only be a soldier anyway, so if you think you can have your own army when it comes to refugees, it's not a bad thing.

Thus, the refugees, led by Waltstein, a rare soldier, went to Bohemia, known as the Volunteer Army. To be honest, it was just a gathering of ordinary people, not a substitute for the army, but nobody realized at this time that this would be the power that would determine the victory and defeat of the war that would soon take place in the brave domain.