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Chapter 260

The party arrived at Elkeney under the protection of the Seven Fangs, and the place had become even more fortified than Dran’s earlier visit here with his companions. New defensive walls had been erected, albeit hastily, and the soldiers along the path to Elkeney had been relatively numerous.

The tense atmosphere of the front lines seeped the air, and the escorted party was led to the southern urban area which had once been the residential district of Elkens and demi-humans. In the event that the war reached all the way to Elkeney, the plan was to focus on intercepting the former living area of second-class and first-class subjects in the north, while allowing for an escape route to other cities in the south.

Refugees who had fled from other cities and the battlefield were also gathered in this area, and they moved their belongings into the tents and simple huts erected in the vacant space for them. Finally, they could rest and take refuge in this place.

Sighs of relief could be heard from the refugees as they found themselves in safe shelter at long last. Amria was the first to get moving, seeking out those who had fallen ill or whose conditions had worsened over the several days of traveling. In no time, she was scrambling to check and prepare whatever was needed.

Yachiyo and Fuuko followed Amria around, while Dran made sure to keep his hands busy as well. Elkeney had completely devoted themselves to wartime preparations in the several months after his first visit, and this situation left him deeply moved.

Lynette, Gundeus, and Kyrlinne were working hectically with those who had been escorted here, while Gwandan worked on producing golems for caretaking and physical labor. He started walking toward the mounds of soil heaped around from the frequent civil works after the rebellion had been sparked.

Fesse had finished escorting the refugees and was now speaking with an old doctor responsible for briefing him on the situation. They were probably discussing the collection of food supplies and daily necessities prepared by Elkeney, as well as necessary emergency measures.

Gwandan watched as golems the size of little children took shape before him one by one, while also keeping an eye on the refugees and the rest of Elkeney which had undergone quite a change.

Elkeney had maintained an apparent state of calm despite the pressure from the governor-general of the Romal Empire, but that mask of composure was no longer detectable. That invisible weight on the residents here had also vanished, and in its place were folks ready to choose their own path even if it was one filled with thorns.

However, this state of mind only applied to the Elkens and those who were part of the rebellion in Elkeney. The refugees who had fled here did not share this belief, though this was an inevitable situation.

Everyone here had once been the victim of discrimination, coercion, and hardship under the Romal Empire’s rule. There was not a single one who did not bear dissatisfaction with the empire. That being said, there were certainly individuals who bore grievances against the Seven Fangs who had caused the loss of their homes and jobs by sparking the war.

「Fumu, a number of imperial spies should be involved, but internal cohesion or collapse really depends on the capabilities of the Seven Fangs and the Elken chieftain.」

Gwandan patted the head of his thirtieth golem, whose head was as round as a steamed bun. Even as he spoke, his tone sounded rather detached.

Unfortunately, it was not Gwandan’s goal to help the rebel forces, including the Seven Fangs, win their battles. He had sternly refrained from meddling excessively, but it was still very like him to go a little overboard by deploying Quin Fin as a guard for the last settlement.

I told myself not to meddle, but I’m not sure that I can ignore a burning city and its helpless people with utter nonchalance, Gwandan thought, bearing doubts even about himself due to his compelling propensity for taking care of others.

Gwandan quickly went on with giving instructions for the next step in creating the golems. That was when Lynette found some spare time to come over and report on her work.

「Master Gwandan, the unpacking of belongings is almost done, and the preparations for everyone’s beds are almost complete. Even if Torne and the few of us aren’t helping them, they’re able to get everything sorted with assistance from the Seven Fangs.

「Oh, that’s good to know. That being said, I’m glad that I cast the illusion now that I’m back here again. Yachiyo and Fuuko are as they are, but that’d be more convenient for them to get information from their acquaintances in the Adventurers’ Guild here.」

「Yes, they won’t be suspected of being spies with their personalities. I’m sure that everyone will agree that they don’t have what it takes for deception.」

「You’re absolutely right. If their usual attitudes were just an act, then they’d be unparalleled geniuses.」

「Master Gwandan, anyone who can fool you will have what it takes to fool even the god of theatre or scheming.」

A small, troubled smile pulled at Gwandan’s lips from the usual exaggerated praise. He then turned his gaze to the slight commotion nearby.

A woman was in a brown cloak that seemed like a piece of folk clothing with embroideries in red, blue, and other vibrant colors. With her was a burly Leopardese man as they sought out Fesse and the old doctor.

The familiar face alerted both Gwandan and Lynette. This woman had deliberately allowed herself to be captured by human traffickers when Sperion had visited Elkeney with them. Back then, they had not known her name, but things were different now. They knew her name, face, and identity as an important core member of the Seven Fangs.

「I wonder if it’s right to describe these as familiar faces. It sure is a grand welcome to see Elken Az Nessa, the female chieftain of the Elkens, and her right-hand man, Panz, coming forth.」

「Is that her? Torne hasn’t seen her since helping her sneak out with Diadora, Selina, and the others after the raid on the Governor-General’s office. I’m sure she doesn’t know about Torne’s involvement with the others in the dark.」

「She might have realized that someone was manipulating matters behind the scenes, but I didn’t get to interact much with her. Although it makes sense that she’d want to help out with the last settlement, considering how she took care of the children who were about to be trafficked.」

「There are many people who behave kindly in private, but who will she be when an organization is involved? Torne would like to think that she’s a pleasant person since she has accepted everyone from the last settlement, including former soldiers of the empire.」

「Fumu, that’ll be the best, but my desire to support her is the real problem.」

This was indeed a problem given Gwandan’s character. Lynette agreed with the statement silently. Even Gundeus and Kyrlinne, who were assisting refugees elsewhere, would have shared the same opinion as Lynette.

「As far as Arkrest Kingdom is concerned, it would be best if the Princess’s faction, the Grand Duke’s faction, and the rebel forces are defeated in one fell swoop.」

Gwandan confessed the real worry to Lynette, and then caught sight of Nessa and Panz looking over at him. It seemed like trouble was to be presented to him from Elkeney instead.