Price of Management

“You want a peaceful ending. ”

“Yes, except for the young men who can fight, they are all innocent people who can live their lives in peace. You can go back to your hometown and live as a loyal citizen. And my men, as I said, are worth using. With that in mind, can you please accept us without killing us? ”

I looked at the veil quietly.

Vale's attitude seemed to be true without a lie. A bandit leader, he was ridiculously a strong and resourceful type of man.

Even though I had never formally learned it, I also learned strategic tactics and insights to see the current. That's genius.

Wait…….

If you have defeated the Punitive Force several times while living in the Ballad Mountains, this Bandit means that it is very good at mountain warfare.

...... Should I take them all to my territory?

My crooked estate in the mountains to the south is sparsely populated and was being dealt with by monsters to set up a shipyard on the Tex River.

Bringing thousands of people here to my territory will increase your population and add a thousand more to fight monsters. If I supported my living expenses for about two years, I could have settled safely on my territory.

Of course, if the population of the area suddenly doubles, there will be chaos, but if the veil is strong, it is expected to be well controlled to avoid causing problems.

Above all, I was very interested in this man named Vale.

This man was clearly gifted.

As well as the leadership of the organization, he was born as a mercenary for mountain warfare.

I opened my mouth after my troubles.

“Vale.”

“Yes, Earl. ”

“I'll give you a couple of days. ”

“Yes?”

“Disarm your men in two days and get everyone in this place out of the Vallard Mountains. Then I will make you a knight of the Ligand family and provide a place for everyone else to live. If we don't arm ourselves and get everyone out of this mountain in two days, then we're fighting. How'd it go? ”

“Are you serious? Can we trust the erl? ”

“I have no reason to lie. I have the ability to annihilate everyone in this place in a minute, but if you use a dirty trick, you'll be bothered. ”

The veil remains calm in my words, but I feel a cold sweat on my forehead.

The veil nods.

“Very well. I'll have everyone out in two days. Thank you for the opportunity, Earl. ”

“Good. I'll see you then. ”

I tapped the shoulder of the veil and went outside.

* * *

On that day, I returned to the Fifth Platoon Faction and reported this to Captain Rhodem.

Rodem's writing seemed surprised by many things.

“Hiding a force of 100 archers would have been a big deal. Surely the Vale is a poor talent for rotting in bandit monsters. ”

If you are attacked unexpectedly, you will be in big trouble as a commander.

Without me, the 5th legion would have been devastated. In that sense, it was the right decision to detain the attack and request my support.

“So I plan to accept their surrender and take them all to my territory, but do you agree with me, commander? ”

“If the Earl decides so, then so be it. ”

“You're the commander in charge here, so I'd like to ask for your consent. ”

I deliberately sought understanding because I wanted to honor the authority of King Rhodem, the Five Commanders of the Royal Army. Because no matter how powerful I was, I didn't intend to rule the Royal Family.

Rodem nods joyfully to make sure he understood my concern.

“I agree. Otherwise, our 5th legion would have to take control of the Vallard Mountains here to restore security to the northern fleet." There's no reason to refuse as you can achieve your goal without bleeding. ”

The Vallard Mountains were the point of overlooking the northern highway at a glance. Plus, it's quite large.

The 5th Legion had to rule this place because inevitably the bandits and monster tribes of the Vale had to occupy it.

“Then the 5th Troops can take over the stronghold the Vale Bandits used. This place has thousands of inhabitants, so it looks like there's no shortage of garrisons in the 5th Legion. ”

“Yes, and with every major node on the block, it should be easier for our 5th legion to control the Balad Mountains. All of this has been handed over without a single battle, and it's all in the hands of the Earl. ”

Baron Rodem has expressed his gratitude with a genuine attitude.

“You're welcome. ”

I'm embarrassed. I just went to talk to him.

Bird of the Rhodem keeps saying,

“But in case they were faking it, I'll be prepared for a situation." ”

“Yes, of course. ”

It doesn't have to be, but the veil isn't at all likely to trick me into surrendering. That way, I'll be the one to grant the Salamander his wish. Of course, a wise man like Vale would never do such reckless things.

The 5th Battalion has taken heavy defensive positions in preparation for a surprise attack.

I casually stayed in the barracks and ate.

Salamanders sometimes insisted on fighting, but they ignored him lightly.

Then that night, the torch became a pillar of fire, and the soldiers who stood on guard jumped out of the sky.

It happened while I was asleep, and according to the soldiers' testimony, "Hehehe! Toaster, toileter, toileter! ’I heard the voice of the devil.

“Dude... ”

What's the matter? Do you have proof?

“I haven't said anything yet. ”

- Heheheh heh!

I was boiling inside, but I endured it.

“Come on, I'll give you plenty of fun when you defeat monsters while supporting other troops.“ ”

- Are you sure?

“Yes, I promise. I'll let you play with the vents all you want, so stop messing with me, okay? ”

- I'll be watching!

Then the salamander hid the trail because of my body temperature.

What are you watching? Let go of me. I'm not flirting. What kind of spirit doesn't listen to contractors? Who does she look like?

... Who could it be?

You must resemble my son from before. It's all my fault. It's my fault.

Anyway, it was the second day that I had promised not to have any problems.

Thousands of people started coming down from the Ballad Mountains. There was a veil at the forefront.

The bandits he led were all worried. Perhaps he was worried that the Royal Army would break their promise and attack.

On the other hand, the 5th Troop soldiers, who were very nervous, were relieved when the Vale Bandits showed up unarmed.

“Earl, I have brought everyone, as promised. ”

The veil comes forward and says,

I welcomed him.

“Welcome. I accept surrender without penalty as promised. ”

Soon, the 5th Army marched out and took them into the camp. I searched thoroughly to see if there were any weapons hidden from you, and then I sent Vale back inside. I met with me with Captain Rhodem, Captain of the Five.

“You're the Bandit Leader Vale. ”

“I'm sorry.”

The veil tightens its head against the bird of rodems. Rodem snickers.

“Well, what do you think? I've decided to mend my mind and serve Earl Ligand, so I won't ask for any more mistakes. ”

“Thank you, Captain. ”

“But more than that, I want to know more about your hometown.... ”

“I'll tell you anything. ”

Bale explained to Birch Rodem all about the Vallard Mountains.

The surprise was that the Vale Bandits fought not only the Punitive Force, but also the monsters living in the Vallard Mountains.

“We subjugated the old Goblin Tribe, but we're still fighting the Orcs to the north. I've been attacking with this route primarily, but I can defeat them with no difficulty as long as I keep the scepter at this peak. ”

“I see. What else is there to watch out for? ”

“I've heard that Minotaurs sometimes appear at the eastern end of the Balad Mountains. There are no other monsters. ”

You're not the bandit leader now, you're the lord now, this Vale. He was better than I thought.

Birch Rhodem also expressed his surprise as he listened to Vale's story.

“You've done a great job. I've been taking over the Ballard Mountains very efficiently. I hope you will continue to use your skills for Earl Ligand. ”

“Thank you, Captain. ”

Vale gives thanks to Baron Rodem, who does not hold out for praise.

After the conversation, I spoke with Vale alone.

“Earl, what happens to us now? ”

“Let me ask you something first. Remember that offer I made you? ”

“You mean be a Knight of the Ligand Family? Of course I remember.”

“Then I'll make you a formal offer. Will you serve me as a knight? ”

The veil kneels before me.

“Of course. It would be an honor to be a knight to the erl. ”

“Very well. I will formally appoint you the Knight of the Earl Ligand." Pledge your allegiance to the Ligand family in the future. ”

“I swear.”

I have appointed the veil as a knight in a simple ceremony.

“Then I'll give you your first assignment. ”

“Speak, Earl. ”

“From now on, call me Lord. ”

“Yes, Lord. ”

The veil bows and answers.

“Further south in Kunt territory is Earl Ligand. Lead all the residents of the Vallard Mountains there. And show this letter to the knight Dean who oversees the Count Ligand on my behalf. Then Dean will teach you what to do. ”

I handed the prepared letter to Vale.

The letter contained four contents:

First, an introduction to the veil and that he became my knight.

Secondly, he appoints his men to be military soldiers in his clan, and others to be territorial.

Third, ask the newly occupied to fund their settlement for two years.

Fourth, harness the power of the Vale and its minions to speed up the defeat of monsters in the Tex River Basin.

Dean will understand and obey my wishes. Dean was also a mercenary, not a nobleman. The veil will be treated with care.

“Yes, Lord. ”

Vale shrouds the letter in her arms.

* * *

Baron Rhodem provides some food for his party leaving for Earl Ligand. Thanks to me, I was able to complete the mission easily and in return.

The veil leads a large group of thousands to the south.

Rodem Zhuge set off for the headquarters used by the Vale Bandits to take over the Ballard Mountains.

I said good-bye to Birdie Rhodem and went back to the city of Leaden.

I still had a lot of work to do for the renovation in the north, but I was going to go home and rest for a while. I miss Julia and cis. I don't know if the baby's okay.