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65. Intention and Position

Is the girl in front of them, the werewolf race, more dangerous than monsters? Will he answer that it is okay to feed Shizuku to monsters?

Or will he admit his subordinate’s negligence and exterminate the soldier who protected him as a “vermin”?

「Lord Abik, your answer.」

No matter which answer he chooses, either the soldiers’ morale or the cause will have to be sacrificed. Both are essential for a duke who strives to be “thoughtful, compassionate, and tolerant.”

Duke Abik sighed. His body, which was supposed to be under pressure to respond, seemed to have lost some tension.

「Before I answer, I would like to tell you a story from the past.」

「…An old story?」

「The founder of House Abik was a member of the royal family.」

「I have heard of that. The second prince of the time established a branch family because he didn’t want to fight for the position of successor.」

「That’s only half true. The real reason was the conflict over the war with the demi-humans.」

House Abik left the royal family to restore this area, which was turned into a wasteland after the war. That’s what I explained to Koe-san.

I was wondering why someone considered the second prince would move to such a place. If it’s because of the war, it makes sense.

「Whether demi-humans should be considered humans or not. Simply put, that was the conflict.」

「Are you saying the founder of House Abik was the former?」

「Indeed. They were defeated and moved to this land where the demi-humans lived, but… there were already very few demi-humans left.」

There are no demi-humans, and the country’s law treats them as beasts. Even as a duke lord, there would have been no way to protect them.

「As the third generation lord, if possible, I would like to share the will of the first lord together with someone like you to–」

「Wait.」

I interrupted the Duke’s words.

「I understand the story of the first lord. However, as the third, you should be loyal to the country.」

「What……?」

Although I am not fond of interrupting someone else’s words, this was an emergency measure.

My sensing skills caught the presence of a person who shouldn’t be here.

「What are you doing, Duke Abik! Why are you having such a leisurely conversation with the enemy!?」

「White Phoenix Knights Order, huh.」

The Knights Order. A military organization under direct control of the state that specializes in hunting demihumans.

The cavalry, whose silver armor was stained with blood and mud – clearly showing that they were engaged in a battle, charged in, pushing the soldiers away.

「What are you doing, Lord Abik! Immediately pull out the sword from your waist and cut down the vermin in front of you! Or are you going against the national policy!?」

「Though you might be the Knights Order, this is my territory! Abstain from interfering, White Phoenix!」

「That is out of the question. To do so is to obey the country, and to not do so is to go against the country. However, I will only witness this with my own eyes and report it to the royal family!」

Duke Abik clenched his fists at the words of the man who seemed to be the captain. When it comes to demi-humans, the Knights Order are the “Justice.” Justice is the nation, and it is not easy for even a duke to stand up to it.

「–[Space Jump], activate.」

A technique for having secret conversations by teleporting sound through the air. I connected the same technique I used to talk with Mello before.

「I understand that you were in a position where you were forced to take action, duke.」

「…What a mysterious technique. You understand, huh.」

Negotiations are not coercion. The other person also has their own position, and nothing will come of it unless you take that into account.

「There are people who would be in trouble if there was no war. I understand that that is politics.」

This is not limited to military personnel. Even factions that make strong claims such as “The demi-humans bring nothing but disadvantage to us. Reparations and death!” need to vent in order to maintain their support.

Duke Abik is a moderate who doesn’t like pointless conflicts. Therefore, there was no war in this territory for a long time.

But suddenly, a complaint came from an S-class adventurer. A post town that was pitifully encroached by the demi-human rebellion. For some people, this is an opportunity they desperately wanted. It is easy to dismiss them as foolish, but it is also true that governance will not progress if such people are ignored.

「Duke Abik, continue protecting your family and the people of the territory. And I will do the same.」

After a few moments of thought. The Duke nodded slightly and raised his voice again.

「Knights Order, we will now temporarily return to base! After due examination and preparation, we will once again destroy the demi-humans!」

「W-What?」

「It turned out that everything happened because the man named Altora over there instigated an impossible rebellion. Furthermore, the enemy’s forces were strong. We did some damage by destroying their enemy’s golem, and our damage was minor, but… It will not be possible to annihilate them.」

He spoke with a firm attitude. Loss of cause and lack of military strength. The reason for the withdrawal could be said to be ironclad.

「How weak-willed! The demi-humans are eating away at the territory even at this moment!」

「In that case, let me ask you, White Phoenix. You are supposed to have thirty-six cavalry, but why are there so few now?」

「T-That is…」

「You are not going to say that you were beaten at your own game, are you?」

The captain was at a loss for words after hearing Lord Abik’s words.

「Let me ask another question, White Blood. Is the blood on that armor really that of a beast?」

「It’s the blood of those who joined the rebellion!」

Shizuku, I, and he himself, knows that that blood belongs to Guran, to the town resident.

「There was no rebellion. Nevertheless, you have hurt my people and are trying to pile on even more damage. If you wish to continue…」

Lord Abik spread his arms wide and pointed out his entire army.

「You will face 700 elite soldiers from the Abik territory.」