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66. Fresh Life

「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.」

「Huh, you talk big.」

The power behind the Knights Order is “justice”. Everyone knows that if you make an enemy out of them, you won’t get away with it. The root of that arrogance is thinking that the soldiers wouldn’t dare cross swords with them.

If that is the case…

I interrupted the conversation between the two.

「Captain of the Knights Order. Do you recognize this girl? I’m sure you does, from what happened just a while ago.」

「…You! I mean… What about it?」

「Shizuku, you are permitted to speak. Tell us what he did in Kinui.」

Shizuku looked up at me. There was fire in her eyes.

「The man ordered the people of Kinui to be “normalized”. When the Kinui jeweler Rinono and the grain merchant Guran heard this, they turned against him!」

Not only do the soldiers know the word “normalization”, its meaning was quickly spread throughout the army.

「Kill the entire town…?」

「That’s right, “Normalization” means killing the whole population.」

「Without even differentiating the children and the elderly!?」

「Isn’t that what “whole” means?」

Fear, astonishment, and hostility.

The emotions of 700 soldiers fused and became a single spear aimed at the 26 knights.

「What is normalization? It is a measure taken by sentient beings to prevent those who have no hope of rehabilitation from falling into misfortune and–」

As if to interrupt the knight’s words, the sound of footsteps echoed. One of the soldiers was stomping his foot on the ground.

Another soldier joined in. Stomp, Stomp, Stomp.

Then, ten others who still had spears in their hands started hitting the ground with their stone hilt.

50, 100, 200 soldiers.

As the number increased, the sound also changed to a deep, heavy bassy sound.

「!!」

The sound of 700 people stomping on the ground echoed. It was a protest against those who threatened the people they were supposed to protect. A silent ultimatum to the knights to leave or be crushed.

「W-We can’t retreat! Ever since we got the information from the prisoners, we have been searching for the werewolf stronghold! We are finally about to accomplish it!」

「Retreat, White Phoenix. There is no guarantee that I will be able to control the soldiers in this state.」

「…!!」

The captain looked around once more and bit his lip.

「Retreat. Retreat!」

「Kinui will send exchange terms regarding the prisoners. They won’t be in danger, but please remember that it depends on your response.」

「Kuh…! Acknowledged!」

The soldiers cheered as the knights galloped away at full speed.

They won without killing or letting anyone die. They are employed soldiers whose duty is to protect their homes, families, and civilians. I guess there aren’t many who would want to see a blood-soaked battlefield.

As if trying to blend in with the cheers, Duke Abik addressed me.

「Marge Siu. Thank you.」

「Thank you for your understanding.」

「You said you were a king, right? The king who leads the werewolf race.」

「That’s right. This treasured sword and pendant are proof of that. They are borrowed items, though.」

「I see. You must be a wise king…」

Lord Abik stared into my eyes. The eyes of a man who was born into a feudal lord’s family and ruled this land for twenty years were staring at me.

「Ruling people and governing the land is not as easy as it sounds. Are you sure that the will of the people is with you?」

「Yes. I was given the throne by the people.」

「Do you have the power? The power to protect your people?」

「Yes. But I am not alone. The young werewolves are doing their best to grow into strong warriors.」

They also got to experience a real battle in Kinui. I’m sure they’ll grow up to be warriors on par with their ancestors.

「Then, the most important question is: Do you have enough to feed the people? Heaven, earth, and man will never forgive a ruler who makes the people starve.」

「…」

There is. I wanted to say but my voice choked up.

Our paddy field was affected by disease and turned into flames and ashes. The scene I saw just before I left for battle flashed through my mind.

If things continue like this then the only future awaiting the village withering away along with the dungeon.

Even so, it is the king’s duty to say that there is.

「Ther……」

A voice came from behind me, as if to challenge my claim.

「Master!」

「Why are you here?」

Carried by a golem onto the ice surface was a Koe-san covered in injuries.

「…Sorry, Lord Abik, but could you excuse me for a moment?」

「How beautiful! I mean, I don’t mind. Though, I do not have much time left.」

「I am grateful.」

With his approval, I turned my back to Lord Abik. Koe-san’s white feet were dirty with mud.

「Koe-san, why, no, how did you get here?」

「I got over the mountain with the help of Bellman and his friends. On the way, I also ran into Angelina-san and arrived here like this.」

The Bellman Squad are expert mountain hikers who crossed the mountains and discovered the village on their own. They certainly would have been able to lead Koe-san out of the village.

「But why?」

「…The truth is, I do not have an answer to the question of why. The villagers found this as soon as Master left for battle.」

Koe-san held something wrapped up in a cloth, as if it were incredibly important.

「This will probably not change the war situation. However, Asagi-sama said, “Those who stand at the top are always in doubt. Dispel them off.” I came this far thinking I had to show you this as soon as possible.」

Koe-san unwrapped the cloth.

「Master, please take a look.」

「…Yeah, this certainly doesn’t change anything. But… It is what I needed.」

A single rice plant was wrapped inside. From between the leaves, though small, an ear of grain can be seen.

「Our efforts have borne fruit.」