3 bar menu

Vol 01 Chapter 21: Refugees

Two years have passed. I am finally seventeen years old.

The village current population is 130 people, of which 20 are slaves, so that means ten new children have joined. I’m not sure how to use slaves properly, but I haven’t resorted to whipping them or anything like that.

My way is probably wrong according to this world’s common sense. But for my mental health, I don’t want to use slaves the “right” way.

The ethical views of the children have become similar to mine over the years of being together. So no one thought of using the slaves in an inhumane way.

Food is more than enough. We have plenty of stock too. It was really good that we bought horses. Although horses are inefficient in terms of food consumption, they produce a lot of manure. They have an excellent synergy with the four-course system.

In fact, this spring brought a great harvest. And recently, we even started cultivating grapes.

If I had one complaint, it would be the poor performance of the slaves. Their physical abilities are too low.

That damned King Rosais sold me the worst slaves he had…

「This is wine made from grapes harvested in our village. Please try it.」

「Hmm.」

Griffon plunged its head into the large wine jug I had prepared and drank its contents with glee. What would be enough for twenty of us is just a single drink for Griffon.

「Not enough.」

「Well, there’s not much more I can do…」

If I give too much, there won’t be enough left for us to drink.

「How have things been recently?」

「Fine, thanks to you.」

「Hmph. I haven’t really done anything special.」

Griffon snorted through its nose.

「It’s about time you all became independent. What do you think?」

「I would prefer your protection if possible… but I do feel bad for always relying on you.」

Until now, we have been fortunate and haven’t needed much help from Griffon. However, the sense of security knowing it could help us is significant.

「But why is it that humans, while cute as children, become so ugly as adults?」

「Are you really asking me that?」

「You were ugly from the beginning.」

That’s rude. I was cute. In appearance, at least.

「Just kidding. But it’s true you weren’t cute. You were already an adult from the start.」

「Haha, a child’s body with an adult’s mind.」

I shrugged my shoulders. The reason for my reincarnation remains a mystery. At this point, it hardly matters tough.

「Even without your support, I’ll bring wine every year.」

「Of course. I still helped you when you were in need. You owe me.」

Griffon said arrogantly.

「Then, may I have my blessing back?」

「Yes, go ahead.」

As I responded, I felt something leaving my body. It was the [Blessing of Language] being lost.

「Well, I’ll be going then. See you.」

I turned my back on Griffon. The next meeting would be in the new year.

「Ah, I forgot to say one thing.」

Griffon said, stopping me.

「If you or your descendants ever find yourselves in a dire situation, depending on your attitude and how you ask, I’ll help you once.」

「That’s… thank you. I hope such a time never comes.」

Ideally, I’d like to overcome the challenges we will encounter from now on, using our own strength.

「I hope so, it will be troublesome otherwise. Try to avoid relying on me as much as possible.」

◇

「Hey, I’m back now!!」

As I called out at the entrance of the village, Tetra came running toward me.

「Welcome back, dear!」

When did I marry you?

「No time for jokes. Hurry up and come here.」

Tetra said this and pulled on my clothes. Her face was utterly serious.

What happened?

「Leader! It’s serious, really serious!」

Ron came running over, his face twisted with anxiety.

「What’s wrong?」

「Thirty people have just turned up.」

Thirty people? Why so many?

As we walked to the center of the village, I could see a group of thirty people. They were of various ages and genders.

「Are you the village chief here?」

A tall man rushed over to me.

「Yes, I am, in a sense. Who are you?」

I asked him directly.

「My name is Iarl. We are…」

The man began to explain their situation. Apparently, they were residents of King Ferme’s Country.

King Ferme’s Country has few magicians and is susceptible to the effects of curses. Therefore, famines are a frequent occurrence.

「Every year the taxes got heavier and heavier… and if we couldn’t pay, we would be killed. We initially thought of fleeing to King Rosais’ Country, but we were turned away. While wondering what to do, we heard rumors about this village.」

「Rumors?」

「Yes. There were rumors of a paradise deep in the forest, guarded by Griffon-sama. And that children abandoned in the forest were living there. We never thought it would be true.」

No, it’s not true. It’s not a paradise at all. We actually do farming and other normal activities, you know?

「So you mean, you all want to live here?」

「Please. We’ll do any kind of work…」

The thirty refugees all bowed their heads at once.

Now, what to do…

「Lulu-chan!!」

Suddenly, one of the refugees shouted.

What’s going on?

「Lulu-chan! It’s you, Lulu-chan, right?」

A woman, tears in her eyes, called out.

Could it be…

「Your mother?」

When I asked, Lulu nodded.

Lulu’s mother approached her, trying to embrace her, but Lulu pushed her away with her hands.

「Wh-why?」

Her mother stepped back in shock. Lulu glared at her.

「Don’t pretend to be my mother now. After you abandoned me!」

Lulu shouted and turned to me.

「Almus-san! I’m against this. Let’s just send them back to King Ferme. It’s ridiculous to get into trouble with King Ferme for people like these!」

Lulu’s words elicited various expressions from the refugees. Faces filled with anger, others with sorrow, and others with resignation.

「I’m also against it. It just doesn’t feel right!」

Ron said with a pout.

「I agree with Ron. They are outsiders, after all.」

Roswald spoke with displeasure.

「I think we should accept them! After all, they’re here for the same reasons as us, aren’t they?」

「I agree with Soyon. Humans should help each other when in trouble. Now it’s our turn to help.」

While saying this, Soyon and Gram looked at the children among the thirty people. 

It seems that they are more concerned about the children than the adults.

「Almus, I’m opposed for now. Because I can’t trust them. It might even be a strategy of King Ferme to infiltrate us from the inside and take over our village. We should verify first.」

Tetra said calmly. 

In other words, she would agree if they can be trusted.

Well, that makes sense. Verification is important.

「Then I’ll go with Tetra to King Ferme’s Country now to check. In the meantime, you guys keep an eye on these people.」

I told my companions before turning to the refugees.

「So, that’s the situation. Please wait outside for now. We will provide you with food. But please, don’t try anything funny.」

「Yes! Thank you for giving us a chance. I hope you find in your heart to accept us, we are willing to fall into slavery if necessary.」

Iarl bowed deeply as he said this.