◈ 301. [Side Story] Winter is coming
Refugees from the Principality of Bringer were first accommodated in a shelter north of the Cross Road.
Originally, it was a facility built to allow citizens to evacuate when monsters invade. The place where citizens evacuated whenever an emergency occurred.
It is a place equipped with first-aid beds, medicines, emergency food, drinking water, and simple lodgings, so a large group of 1,000 refugees could be accommodated without any problems.
First of all, the idea was to accommodate it here and gradually move it into the city.
“Those who are sick, please line up on this side in turn!”
“We have enough food, so come on! From hot tea… … !”
North Refuge.
The priests gave medicines and healing magic to the sick refugees, and food was distributed to the hungry.
Dusk Bringer received a blanket and wrapped it around his people, and the dragon knights poured hot tea into cups and handed them over.
Tired of the cold of late autumn and the long journey, the refugees looked skin-to-bone, but hope remained in their eyes.
As they wrapped themselves in blankets and sipped their tea, a hazy look passed over the haggard faces.
“… … .”
As I watched this scene from afar, the familiar sound of footsteps came and stopped beside me. I asked without looking back.
“Are you worried, Lucas?”
“… … It’s not like I didn’t expect you to do this.”
As I guessed, it was Lucas who came and stood next to me.
Lucas sighed lightly as he gazed at the crowded shelter.
“I am worried about the future.”
“What are you worried about?”
“There are two main things.”
I winked at Lucas to continue. Lucas nodded slightly and continued.
“The first, needless to say, is the Western Front, His Highness First Prince Lark and the 1st Corps of the Imperial Army.”
The biggest problem we faced came right out of the box.
“No matter how much the lord declared his own path, the fact that the 1st Corps of the Imperial Army accepted the Duke of Bringer with their eyes wide open… … It’s not usually a risk-taking thing.”
Then Lucas glanced at me.
“But, I think, there seems to be a compound eye that the lord has prepared for this problem.”
“Hoo. Why do you think so?”
“… … Dare I say it. Because my lord never fights without winning.”
I smiled involuntarily.
This guy knows all about my attacking style now.
“My lord will not move unless there is a solid reason. He enjoys fighting in situations where he must win, and is reluctant to gamble even when the odds are high. That’s why, at the point of accepting the Duke of Bringer, I think the preparations for the Western Front are over.”
“Sharp, Lucas. It is as you say.”
A few months ago when I decided to recruit Dusk Bringer.
As for how to conciliate the western front, simulations continued to run.
‘Things aren’t bad. No, I rather like it.’
I am pretty confident about this.
I smiled and nodded at Lucas.
“First, I decided to put my worries aside for a while. Shall we listen to the second concern?”
Lucas immediately spoke up.
“Citizens of Crossroads.”
It was a slightly unexpected answer. Lucas explained to me who opened my eyes wide.
“Since the lord started ruling this place, the proportion of outsiders in Crossroads has increased dramatically.”
“Um, that’s right.”
“Especially, the lord has been actively hiring not only foreign mercenaries, but also mercenaries of different races. Even the gaze toward them is still precious.”
Not from a person from the outside world possessed, but from the perspective of a person who has lived in this world.
Lucas was talking about real problems without adding or subtracting.
“But, lord. If the majority of imperials view the heterogeneous race as ‘uncomfortable outsiders’… … The gaze of the Principality of Bringer is an ‘enemy to fight’.
“… … .”
“The Empire and the Principality of Bringer are at war right now. Even before that, the ill feelings toward each other had been steadily rising.”
The Everblack Empire and the Principality of Bringer had a relationship like brotherhoods, but they are at war anyway.
There is no way the feelings between them will be normal.
In this situation, 1,000 refugees… … . From the point of view of the existing citizens, it must feel like a lightning strike.
I moaned and rubbed my chin.
“But isn’t this fundamentally a fortress for military purposes… … And I am the imperial family and the commander. Citizens will not be able to protest against my decision.”
“That’s right. It is essentially a fortress. But it is also a city where people have lived for generations for hundreds of years.”
fortress and city.
A place where soldiers and citizens live intertwinedly.
Crossroads was such a place.
“Of course, in the name of the imperial family, by right of the lord, by order of the commander… … It is also a way to ignore these objections. The lord is the commander-in-chief of this city. No one will argue.”
“… … .”
“But unresolved conflicts will simmer beneath the surface.”
The world is not an innocent and beautiful place.
The problem will not be solved by showing kindness to refugees who have lost their country, by saving their lives, by wrapping a blanket around them and by handing them a teacup.
No, the real problem starts there.
“How should I solve it?”
I had something in mind, but I asked Lucas for his opinion. Lucas thought for a moment, then nodded.
“It would be helpful to look back on the process of the Shadow Unit, the Punishment Unit, and the refugees brought by the Punishment Unit melting into this place.”
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“indeed.”
This time, I have the same thoughts.
“They worked hard and voluntarily proved their usefulness. They have proven useful to this city.”
In the end, the truth.
This is the most useful thing in persuading people.
“Since the power of the Duke of Dusk Bringer and his knights has been fully demonstrated, now… … .”
Lucas looked towards the shelter again.
“These 1,000 refugees also know that there is something they can do for this city… … We have to show it to the existing citizens.”
It may be a heartless word, but the current position of refugees is overwhelming.
Efforts are needed to show the people of Crossroad that you are ready to show usefulness and live in harmony here.
Only after going through this process will the people of the Cross Road gradually be able to open their hearts and accept them.
that’s what a relationship is It is not something that can be solved by only one side opening their hearts and reaching out their hands.
It requires effort and agreement from both sides.
All I can do is… … It would be to create such an opportunity and place.
“I don’t know exactly what kind of city your lord is trying to build in the future.”
Lucas said with a bitter laugh.
“I know that it will never be an easy road.”
“That’s why it’s worth it.”
To reap big gains, you have to take big risks.
I’m trying to build the strongest dream team with the highest-rated heroes.
To do so, it is necessary to unravel the knots of the silver circle that are entangled between them one by one.
The fusion of 1,000 refugees will be a preparation for future work like this.
“Well, that’s the case with citizens… … For soldiers, it will be a little easier.”
“huh? okay?”
“Most of them are mercenaries who have wandered from other places. As an outsider, there are many things I can relate to. And, above all.”
Lucas chuckled.
“Here on the monster front, the more strong allies there are, the better it is for everyone. You can save my life right now.”
In that respect, Dusk Bringer and the knights under his command were quite effective in demonstrating their helplessness during the defensive battle.
Since they have proven that they are inexhaustible, there is little reason for other soldiers to be reluctant to recruit them.
“The dragon knights, called the berserkers of the west… … . It has long been an object of envy for those who revere martial arts.”
Dusk Bringer and his knights are still helping to supply supplies among the refugees. Watching this, Lucas was speechless.
“I also respect him as a military man. I want to see their proud sword face to face with mine.”
***
That night. central plaza. Defense Battle Victory Banquet Hall.
“The Bringer Knights, the leader of the dragon knights! Endymion!”
A white-haired knight with a neatly trimmed white beard.
Sir Endymion, the oldest of Dusk Bringer’s knights, roared.
“I’ll show you my talent show that I’ve honed my whole life!”
Then, holding a tambourine in both hands.
He made a trembling sound, then waved his arms loudly… … She started to do a crazy hula dance.
The gap was no joke since the old dragon knight was doing that with a solemn face.
The mercenaries, who were already drunk, burst onto their stomachs and turned over on their backs. At once, the atmosphere in the central square became hot.
“… … .”
Looking at this scene, Lucas freezes with his face white.
I murmured softly beside him.
“A proud sword… … object of envy… … um, that’s right… … .”
“no… … no. This isn’t… … !”
The situation is this.
Roughly after a round of alcohol in the banquet hall. The new dragon knights are still uncomfortable, so let’s look at the other mercenaries with a glance.
Unexpectedly, Sir Endymion, the oldest dragon knight, announced that he would go ahead and stir things up. Then he’s doing that amazing hula dance… … .
After finishing the dance, Nogisa bowed with a cool pose and exited the plaza.
The other mercenaries gave thunderous applause.
After that, the long-haired middle-aged knight Sir Berlin and the twin young knights Si-eun and Jet climbed up one after another and skillfully danced funny dances to lighten the mood.
no, what are you doing! Why are you so good!
Originally, a drinking party is when one person does something stupid, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Besides, the subject was the dragon knights who were the object of vigilance.
The atmosphere soon improved. The central plaza became lively as usual during the victory banquet.
“Isn’t it worth watching? It is a tradition of the Knights under Guwain.”
Dusk Bringer laughed as he watched his knights get destroyed as if he was used to it.
“It is to show the wine party a joke party at a drinking party. These are cute dances trained with it. It’s quite fair to say that it’s quite an entertainment for a drinking party.”
Beside him, Sir Endymion, skillfully brushing his sweaty white hair and tidying it up, spat out calmly.
“I have often done worse things to cheer up His Excellency. It is as easy as this.”
“No, it’s not absurdity in the unit, is that?!”
“You are welcome. Your Excellency is the one who took us back and gave us a new life. It is rather our pleasure if we can make you laugh for a moment over such trivial things.”
Dusk Bringer tousled Sir Endymion’s white hair as he answered seriously.
“You choose only pretty sounds, Endymion! When I first picked it up, I was so small that I couldn’t even speak properly!”
“When are you talking about the enemy, Your Excellency? I’m ashamed… … .”
“Has it been 50 years? Ahahaha! When he was a teenager, he said, ‘I’m not playing with your Excellency!’ and tried not to even talk to him, and even confessed his love to him when he was over 20 years old! When I came to my senses, did my hair turn white like this?”
“Stop making fun of your immature days… … .”
Sir Endymion shyly turned his head away.
No, I didn’t see this grandfather like that, but he wakes up a lot! Rather, can I recite other people’s dark history like that? Isn’t this also absurd?
“… … Well, this is enough for entertainment.”
After removing his hand from the old knight’s head, Dusk Bringer’s face became serious.
“I would like to discuss the future. ash.”
I also made my face right. Sir Endymion and Lucas moved out of their seats, and Dusk Bringer and I sat down alone.
“While accepting the people of Guwain, we will hand over our command to you, but apart from that, I would like to hear your plans for the future.”
“… … .”
“Lark and the 1st Corps of the Imperial Army will arrive here soon. How are you going to stop them then? and.”
Dusk Bringer glanced north. It is toward the refuge where his own people dwell.
“What are we going to do here?”
Even Dusk Bringer knew it.
That his people, who are outsiders, had to step up and prove their worth in order to establish themselves here in the city.
I chuckled and pushed the glass forward.
“There is so much to do, Archduke. Trust me and follow me.”
“… … .”
“It’s going to be a long story tonight.”
Dusk Bringer looked at me with a narrowed brow and held out his drinking glass in front of me.
braided!
The sound of clinking glasses echoed through the night.
***
Crossroads has suffered from a chronic labor shortage.
In addition to being a fortress that has fallen to the southernmost tip of the world, it is also an extremely dangerous battlefield where monsters flock in all four seasons.
As winter approaches, there is always a shortage of workers during the winter preparation season.
In this situation, the refugees of the Principality of Bringer committed themselves to a tough job.
Cutting firewood in preparation for the winter, repairing frozen waterways, filling the warehouse with dry straw… … .
Dusk Bringer took the lead and took charge of these things.
He did not mind getting his hands dirty and splattered on his crown. He worked as hard as he could with his people.
Citizens of the Crossroads were still wary of the people of the Principality of Bringer, but their hostility gradually softened when they saw them taking the lead in dealing with rough things in late autumn.
Although conflicts large and small occurred constantly. The frequency decreased noticeably.
Above all, my will was firm.
Crossroads was already a city completely in my hands. Citizens respected my will.
Did you say that humans are animals of adaptation? The chaotic city quickly regained stability.
The night of a week after accepting Dusk Bringer and the refugees.
A guest has arrived.
***
“Lord.”
late night. Yeongju’s office.
I was secretly extending my office hours until late because my aching body was getting better, and Ader rushed into my room.
“The long-awaited guest has arrived. He is waiting for you at the entrance of the mansion.”
“… … Take her to the drawing room. Coming down soon.”
After that, catch your breath.
After tidying up my clothes, I went down to the parlor on the first floor.
In the parlor, a man of great stature stood silently.
Metal armor with a practical design. A man wearing a white cloak over it and a hood connected to it.
“It’s been a while. How many months?”
Because it was the opponent I was waiting for, I was able to calmly smile.
“brother.”
“… … .”
The first prince of the Everblack Empire.
Lark ‘Avalanche’ Everblack, his dark blue eyes flashing like blades – slowly took off his hood.
