Maouyome

173 Western Front (Mercenary King's Patrol)

The sky looking up is deep everywhere.

The late autumn sky clears blue enough to be sucked in, and remains unchanged. That seems to be the same even if, by analogy, it looked up more than a distant, exotic land.

One exhales loudly and faces reality.

Alistair's second commercial city, Dalmark.

The Grand Defender's residence is built in the heart of one of the continent's leading large cities with about 400,000 inhabitants. Sit in a sunny window chair and listen to the reports raised.

"... you've been nicely fitted"

"... they did it"

My two deputy Wines overlap in one of the occupied Grand Defender's mansions, a powerless grunt. The unfamiliar office air sinks deeper.

The Holy Nation (Alistair) is planning an invasion in concert with the Demons.

I thought an unlikely rumor had spread, and the "Agreement Against the Demon King" was activated within the city.

Ironically, my name was sold as the mercenary king of Russia, and I was entrusted with the role of commander-in-chief of the army in the western realm of the Royal Union, but... Honestly, I'm sorry.

While holding down the comet with his thumb, he floats and meditates on the pungent surface of the ancient (...) tame (...) stained (...) mi (...) behind his brain.

"This way is a (...) i (...) tsu (...) et al (...) and (...) ku (...) i (...).... maybe myrialdo corporation. Follow the pain."

Nature and overflowing sighs also get louder.

Is that coming from hard work, or is it for a moment's relief from not having to confront you directly?

A week after deploying a western army along Alistair's border and starting marching along with reports of war. The forces of the western realm of the Royal Union occupied the second city of Alistair, Dalmark.

It also sounded like a huge battle if only the results were heard, but the entity was truly pitiful.

He walked literally through a deserted field through an algae-draining territory where no one was present, and was greeted with a bloodless opening within not a single battle.... that's all.

I know you should be happy that you've come this far without causing any damage, but you can't even get things done quickly and easily.

It was 800,000 Alistair inhabitants who waited for us to enter the capital through the open gates of the castle beyond the city's allowable capacity.

Given the overall population distribution of Alistair, it would be a calculation that roughly all the inhabitants crossing this western region are evacuated to Dalmark.

Exhale loudly and hold your head.

"Dear Voldo..."

"I'm fine. It's just a little heavy, and I'm not as worried as I say."

"No, it is not, and the letters of petition have arrived like mountains from those from other countries who have joined the Union of Kingdoms"

The back of the eyebrows gets heavier in the words of Wines, though I'm sorry to say so clearly.

I glance at him with half my eyes, but it's nothing wrong with this deputy. Gently take your gaze off and sink deep into the chair.

"Permission to pillage, or... why not admit it"

Oh, my God, well, look at people's feet.

The treatment of asylum-seekers in excess of the city's allowable capacity is also cumbersome, but even more of a head-breaking problem is… this.

Rosidia has extremely few flat terrain and land unsuitable for cultivation occupies the majority of the national territory. Such land patterns do not even drive the development of logistics, and the country's main industries export the ore they produce and the blacksmithing techniques forged by them. It consists of the mercenary operation of soldiers wearing weapons and protective equipment, which is a gift.

Turn the country around with mercenary operations. Because it is such a Rosidia, there is a code of iron there that must never be respected.

It's iron insanity to keep mercenary operations going, not to leave resentment, but to elevate killings into business.

... one of which is now a problem.

"Prohibition of looting against a person who opened a castle without blood"

The looting assault on the war is a cliché, and it is also a winner's right against the loser.

That is why this code has also had a great effect on minimizing the damage done to allies and making war more efficient.

For those of us who take money and join the front, it's not much happier to draw more resentment than necessary. Because in some circumstances, it is not uncommon to cross factions on a daily basis. Prohibiting looting was in our own interest.

I didn't know the code would strangle me.

The Iron Code belongs only to Russian mercenaries.

For the other Yatsuras joining the kingdom coalition, there is no obligation or responsibility to protect it. Rather, as a winner, plunder is also a natural right, so I am happy to ask for that permission.

Honestly, don't think you should do it on your own.

But even if I were commander-in-chief of the army in the western realm of kingdom union, I am only Voldo, king of Russia.

You can't give me permission to loot in my name until you've broken the Russian code here. Rather, because he is a king, he is not allowed to break the code himself.

As a result, mountainous petitions are raised one after the other.

Honestly, to this status quo, all I get is a sigh.

"... if you want to plunder so much, you have to make me Commander-in-Chief."

"I don't think there are any other generals who can command this many armies, apart from Lord Tavold, king of the mercenary state of Rosidia."

A magnificent deputy turns to follow to the true meaning overflowing unexpectedly.

Flush it with your nose tip and correct your posture.

"Now that just sounds ironic. There was still a lot of grain left in the public hall, wasn't there, Haz? Hand him an extra one. You're gonna be a little worried."

"They say every country is full of discontent this year, so I was wondering if I could get rid of the discontent for a while. We will arrange that as soon as possible."

"... for a while, huh?"

For now, I'm just deluding the moment.

I know that well enough.

But still, that's the only way to do it.

"But in fact, I was surprised to see it with these eyes"

As he felt something bitter in his mouth, he dropped his gaze into the bundle of paperwork that Wines held with admiration.

The paper, which is caught and peeked in, describes the harvest this year in the western zone, mainly in Dalmark.

"... that's a brilliant abundance. As much as I'm flattered."

"This year is an unprecedented year in every region, and the civilian population in the country is haunted by the increase in the price of wheat. If you knew Alistair was this rich, you might have been able to hit something before this happened."

Before this happens, …?

"Remember what the fortune-tellers said?

Exclusive occupiers held by the Royal Rossidia Palace. Even Rosidian mercenaries who rarely pray for the salvation of the goddess are often overwhelmed with wonder and testing.

As a result, in the Royal Palace, he and the rest of the fucking Baba sometimes have a power that cannot be overlooked.

"Anything this year's inaction in various countries was the result of the anger of Nu (...) Si (...) of the 'Land Defenders'. It's an eyebrow spit, but as the occupiers say, if Alistair is the only one who has forgiven it and spared it from inaction, it's not a slight fact that can be seen."

"... you think it's a coincidence?

"I can't judge anything."

"What's that 'land guard' in the first place? Sure, fortune tellers. Do it every time. Spirit. I've always said you're a land conservator, but can you believe that Soytes really exist?

"Rumor has it that around the beginning of summer, something appeared in the Holy Capital that seems to be 'land conservancy' or something? It was also a rumor that lacked credibility, and soon afterwards the Sacred Capital was sealed off, making it difficult to verify the facts. I'm sorry."

"... Seven Nights Fever"

Instruct the deputy who bows his head deeply to lift his head. In time, it wasn't a situation where something could be done.

When the Sacred Capital confirmed the outbreak of seven-night fever, I did get the news, too. A plague, Seven Nights Fever, called until the collapse of the country and feared that a huge number of human lives would be lost if outbreaks were confirmed.

Among the cities so far confirmed for its seven-night fever outbreak, the Holy City will be one of the largest. With hundreds of thousands of casualties, and countries watching carefully for the trend to see if that holy capital would sink, the news received was in turn suspicious of ears.

He said the seven-night fever that broke out in the Holy City came to an end with only 16 victims.

That was impossible.

Worst of all, the neighboring nations, fearful of the spread of further seven-night fever, mainly in the Holy City, were all amazed at the consequences, including ours. And brought, stunned fact.

Discovery of special effects of seven-night fever.

It is the presence of that special effect that is also leading to factors that are making things even more difficult.

"Again, this liver is that special effect."

"... abominably."

My thoughts cage in some of the deputy's sinking voices.

"More than Alistair has a special effect, Ladalest will take it away before it spreads. Alistair's winning eye for this battle is thin. After that, Ladalest will be the monopoly on it."

"So you're in this war?

"I understand your dissatisfaction, but I can't help it. Try turning down a special effects deal for non-participation. I can't even see it."

"Is the aim, the monopoly on special effects?"

"... I don't know. If that's the case, I know it's a rough way to go, but honestly, I don't know. There are too many things I don't know about this one. But in the circumstances, there's no choice, and I can't deny the feeling that you're in a goose mess."

Feels like a stuffy breath.

Unnaturally tidied environment.

"Do you regret joining the war?

"I don't know where to judge, but for now, I'm not going to be able to march any further until the current issues are cleared up. I'll settle for opportunism."

"So I hope Ladalest is convinced."

"Convince or nothing. Let all these refugees go and march or something, it's like planting a bomb on your back on purpose. You just have to say you can't do what you can't do.... What's happening to Gahak?

This time the Allied Forces of the Kingdom are to divide their armies into three parts and march towards the Holy Capital from each side. Gahak, king of Southland, commander-in-chief of the army in the southern realm, is also a highly rumored man of all kinds, with a slight trend and concern.

Especially if you hear that Southland's inaction this year seems serious at a level that can also be called famine.

"He said the army on the southern side also fell the castle fort city of Sabara, but there was nothing unusual about hitting it there. I can't get the food I was counting on or the prisoners, and I think I'm going to keep heading north toward the Holy City."

... Whoa, whoa, whoa.

"... how dare you, well, make a difference in treatment. He said the Mirialdo didn't look good on his face, he was barely feeding him."

"Are you going to break this foothold and destroy each and every one in the Holy City? Still, the army in the southern realm is formed to exceed 100,000. I know it's just hard."

"I don't know that far. It's just, well, it's also a hungry collection of 100,000. If you ask me if I can lead a yakuza like that, it'll be difficult. I can't judge you by the denomination."

As a matter of fact, the strategy's initiatives have been gripped. I can't see the way ahead when they say they are surrounded by a large army with a total of over 200,000 thanks to it.

"Totally. You don't know what you're talking about."

"Excuse me!

A young guard came into the office after he had corrected his posture to have to re-tighten his mind.

That young guard rushes early enough to allow him to enter the room, and the expression of the deafened Wines shows a subtle change.

"... what's up. Is something wrong?

"No, it's not a big deal. … Apparently one Merchant from the Conrad Free Traders Union is asking to see Master Voldo"

"Conrad Free Traders Union?... a merchant meets me directly? He's got a lot of nerve again, and so is Soze."

Conrad Free Traders Union. It must have been a gathering of traders seeking to trade freely, regardless of their nationality, but there is no reason for such a deep exchange.

It's also a big union there, but it's rare for you to ask me, the king, to see you in person.

... No, wait.

Feel something pinned from Wines' somewhere troubled, subtle expression, with harsh majesty in his voice, asking directly against the young guard.

"... Is Soitz a beauty?

"Heh? Oh, yes. Quite... What, yes?

"Okay! See you!

Stand up for momentum with two replies.

Was it a woman after all? Besides, based on how the guards look, they definitely look pretty pretty first.

Anything good hurry up.

Time in the name of life is finite.

Next to a properly bewildered guard, I get a deep sigh of Wines. He's pretty tired, too. I know how you feel. It fits when I felt like I needed to moisturize my heart, too.

Hurry up the guards that are guzzling and head to the office door. What are you blurring about?

And one thing I notice is that you missed a serious confirmation.

"What's the name of that lady?

"... they say it's Yuriferna Halladetend"

The deputy on the tannic side was clearly tired from inside the office where one was left, so he returned the answer.