Chapter 27

"Haa..."

It's really troublesome.

Currently, there's a bit of a spark in the village.

In short, it's a conflict between the refugees and us, the original residents.

To be fair, it's not as if we're completely at odds. Rather, we can say that we've managed to build a good relationship.

The refugee children and the children of our village often play together.

To the children, it doesn't matter who is being supported or who is supporting.

Moreover, there are children with a complex relationship, being former siblings. The children get along well with each other.

As for the adults and us, it's a mix of good and uneasy relations.

It has been revealed that the people of our village have extremely high physical abilities due to my blessing.

We also regularly practice swordsmanship, and the refugees see this, so they are afraid of us.

They are aware that they are being supported, and they are trying to build a good relationship with us.

Of course, I want to build a good relationship too.

That's why I regularly hold drinking parties. It's drinking communication.

Indeed, alcohol seems to be quite effective as a means of communication, and we can talk to some extent.

We also train together militarily.

It's to fight together when King Ferme attacks.

The refugees also understand that if they lose to King Ferme, they won't get off easily. After all, they fled from King Ferme.

At best, they would all become slaves, and realistically, they would all be killed.

That's why they are working hard in training. It's a matter of life and death, so it's only natural.

When they see us training hard, it makes them feel good and a sense of camaraderie grows.

Ron is good with spears, Rozward with swords, and Gram with bows, so they are teaching the refugees.

However, swords and bows are difficult to handle, so spears are likely to become the main weapon.

Having a common enemy is good, after all.

King Ferme... No, because of King Ferme, we ended up living together.

Now, the next issue... In short, it's the spark.

One is the group of people who don't want to listen to what the children say.

But when I killed a bear that attacked the village with a spear, everyone shut up.

Also, when Ron, Rozward, and Gram showed off their skills, the people who saw it became more subdued.

And it seems that Ial has been persuading them, so it's not much of a problem.

After all, they are a minority.

The second issue, this is the biggest problem.

It's the group that wants to reconcile with the abandoned children.

Besides Lulu, there are three other such relationships.

They seem to really want to reconcile with the children, and they are regularly being rejected.

When Lulu poured wine on her parents during a drinking party, it was nerve-wracking. Thanks to that, no one could talk for about an hour.

There was no choice but to issue a no-approach order to the four former families.

But they really want to reconcile...

"Didn't I order you not to come near? What's going on?"

I look down at the man and woman prostrating themselves in front of me.

They are Lulu's parents.

They seemed to really want to reconcile with Lulu, so they secretly left the refugee settlement to meet her.

But just because they met doesn't mean they would reconcile.

They were hit by stones thrown by an angry Lulu, and when they tried to get closer, Lulu started crying.

Gram, who was enraged, beat them up, knocked them out, and brought them to me. This is the incident.

Lulu, who was reminded of old wounds, is crying with Soyong and Tera.

I am human.

So I can't help but prioritize people.

First are Tera and Yuria. Next are those close to my age, like Ron and Lulu, who assist me. Then the other children. And Rozward's wife, Rea. These are the people I consider important.

Ial, who has been doing a good job managing the refugees, and I talk often, so we have a good relationship. He's almost about to become an important person.

Then there are the hardworking slaves. They serve me well, so they can be considered quasi-important people.

Next is King Rosais, with whom I have a decent relationship... Well, it's been a bit strained recently. And Eyns, the Kirisia merchant, whose favor I gained when he let me win in a weapon purchase.

And lastly, the refugees.

Since the lowest-priority refugees made the important Lulu cry, my mood is not good.

To be honest, I want to hit them.

Well, Gram hit them, so it's fine.

"Do you have any explanation?"

When I ask again, they cling to me and say,

"Please! Can you mediate for us?"

Haa...

They don't seem to be repentant. What should I do?

At the very least, I need to give them a punishment for disobeying my order, for the sake of the future.

But our village doesn't have any laws.

After all, we've been living with only children until now.

But if I punish them directly, it will create tension among the refugees.

What should I do...

"You've reopened Lulu's old wounds. She doesn't even want to see your faces. Lulu gets hurt just by seeing you. Do you understand that?"

"But we..."

"Reasons don't matter!! You abandoned Lulu. That's a fact. And Lulu hates you. That's also a fact. Give up!!"

I end up shouting.

At the same time as I shout, Ial enters the room.

Ial approaches quietly, grabs the collars of the two, and punches them.

"Hey!! Why did you disobey Lord Almus's orders!! Do you know what you've done?"

"But Ial..."

Ial's fist hits their cheeks again.

Then Ial kneels down, pressing their heads to the ground.

"I'm sorry. I've punished them. Please... Can you forgive them?"

"...If it happens again, I'll expel them. Got it?"

I say that and leave the room.

Ial's stock has risen in my eyes.

He's been promoted to an important person.

---

"Hey, Ial. There's something I need you to do."

"What is it?"

Tera and I walk to Ial.

"You were the village chief when this area was under Lagou's rule, right?"

"No, my father was the village chief at that time."

"Is that so? Well, it doesn't matter. Can you tell me who still swears loyalty to Lagou?"

"Most of the influential people have been executed... But there are still some people of the samurai class left."

"Can you contact them? And ask them to respond if necessary?"

"Um, I'll say it, but... The chances are slim. They probably don't think we'll win at all."

"That's fine. If I can confirm that their loyalty to Lagou is genuine, their hatred for King Ferme is real, and their character is trustworthy..."

I whisper in Ial's ear.

"Tell them Tera is Lagou's daughter."

Ial's eyes widen.

"Got it? Only six people, including you, know this. Absolutely don't let it slip. If you do... You know the consequences, right?"

"Of course. We've been saved by you, and we would never repay your kindness with ingratitude. But... Really?"

Well, he won't believe it.

He hardly knows Tera.

Wait, I haven't seen solid proof either.

"Hey, Tera. Can you show me your sacred script?"

"Understood."

Tera turns around and lifts her shirt slightly.

The family crest and the sacred script meaning 'wisdom' are engraved on her waist.

"Indeed, it's the As family crest... No doubt about it..."

Ial examines Tera's family crest closely.

Don't stare at my wife's back too much.

"I'm sorry. I'll infiltrate now."

"Take care. You don't have to push yourself. I'd be in trouble if you died."

After all, he's the only one who can manage the new residents.

"Also, write a will. And designate a successor."

"I can't write in Kirisia language?"

"Tera or I will write it for you."

---

Ial was visiting King Ferme's country.

King Ferme's country has hundreds of villages, ranging from fifty to two hundred people.

So there are hundreds of village chiefs.

Ial's village is one of the most remote in King Ferme's country, with a small population.

Ial became the village chief three years ago when his father died suddenly.

So his face is not well known.

However, it's better to assume that he is somewhat famous as the village chief who fled recently.

But since he is probably presumed dead, there's no need to worry too much.

Now, the problem is how to contact the As faction, who are likely to be dissatisfied with King Ferme.

Ial had a person in mind who might be part of the As faction.

His name is Boros.

He was a samurai of the As family and had achieved many merits in battles against King Domorgal.

When King Ferme rebelled, he was on leave at home.

That's why he was easily captured.

At first, King Ferme wanted to kill Boros.

Boros's loyalty to Lagou As seemed genuine.

But he couldn't kill him.

The reason was simple.

The soldiers who were incited by King Ferme and the residents of Boros's territory petitioned for his life.

Even King Ferme couldn't kill him when his supporters petitioned for his life.

After that, Boros was allowed to live by swearing loyalty to King Ferme and was demoted to guard the remote border.

There were many other samurais who were spared for similar reasons or because their status was low.

The problem is that it's unclear whether Boros swore loyalty to King Ferme out of fear for his life or to avenge his lord.

But Ial almost certainly believes he is part of the As faction.

There are rumors that he is in contact with other samurais who were spared.

Of course, it's just a rumor.

King Ferme can't execute him without solid evidence, and he is desperately denying it.

Still, there's no other choice but to rely on this.

---

First, Ial went to the village where Boros was demoted.

It's near the border with King Domorgal's country, but it has no strategic value.

Ial disguised himself as a merchant.

His goods were furs and wine from Almus.

First, he went to a small mountain near the village.

He climbed a tall tree with fruit and... fell when he saw a villager passing by.

He forcibly broke his right leg.

Kind-hearted villagers rescued him... and thus he infiltrated the village in a somewhat unnatural way.

He talked fluently about his fake name and background.

He asked if they could let him stay until his broken leg healed, in exchange for his goods as payment.

The villagers were delighted.

The value of the goods he offered as payment was greater than the food he would consume.

Through the village chief, Ial made contact with Boros.

They drank together and became friends.

This is how he found out that Boros is a good-natured man.

And cautious.

No matter how casually Ial brought up topics about King Ferme or Lagou As, Boros never expressed dissatisfaction with King Ferme.

But his expression changed slightly.

He seems to be a poor liar.

This is how Ial concluded that Boros is almost certainly part of the As faction.

Still, there's no solid proof yet.

He needs more concrete evidence.

But there was one unexpected thing.

His broken leg healed faster than expected.

It usually takes at least two months to heal.

But it healed in a week and he could walk in two weeks.

So Ial lied, saying it hadn't healed, and secretly watched Boros at midnight.

He couldn't just circle around Boros's house.

Ial walked around the village with a cane.

As an excuse, he could say he was practicing walking.

But he couldn't find any evidence easily.

Should he risk it and stake out Boros's house...

Ial looked at the full moon.

Then a small shadow crossed in front of the full moon.

It was something that ordinary human eyes couldn't see, but Ial, who was starting to be affected by the blessing, could faintly see it.

It was an owl with a tube-like object tied to its leg.

The owl flew straight to Boros's house.

A formal messenger from King Ferme wouldn't use an owl.

So... it's either an ally of the As faction, King Rosais, or a spy for King Domorgal.

In any case, it's clear that they are dissatisfied with King Ferme.

This is how Ial obtained solid evidence.

The next day, Ial went to Boros's house.

"Actually, I saw an owl last night while secretly practicing walking. It had a letter tied to its leg."

Ial said this, and Boros drew his sword almost simultaneously.

The sword stopped just short of Ial's neck.

"What do you want?"

"Do you want to know where Lady Tera As is?"

Boros's face at that moment was quite a sight, Ial later said.

---

"Are you Lord Almus?"

"Yes."

In front of me is a tall, stern-looking man and an old woman with a cane.

Ial is next to them.

And Tera is next to me.

"May I see it?"

"Alright."

Tera turns her back to the tall man and lifts her shirt.

The old woman touches the sacred script on Tera's back. It faintly glows.

"There is no mistake. This is the sacred script and family crest I engraved on Tera when she was four."

The old woman declared.

"Lady Tera!!"

"Whoa!!"

The tall man kneels at Tera's feet as soon as he sees the family crest.

"I'm sorry for doubting you. But... I'm glad. So glad!! This Boros hasn't had a day as happy as today since the defeat!"

Wow, a grown man is crying...

Lagou must have been well-loved. I should visit his grave someday.

"Lord Almus!!"

"Whoa!"

Suddenly, my shoulder is grabbed.

His nails are digging in! It hurts, let go!

"I'm sorry! But, thank you! Thank you for protecting Lady Tera all this time. From now on, I and all my retainers will swear loyalty to you."

"Ah, thank you. I get it, stop crying."

I hand him a handkerchief.

Boros wipes his tears with the handkerchief.

Hey, don't blow your nose!

"But we're not necessarily going to fight, right? There's a power gap between us. We'll avoid fighting as much as possible, understand?"

"Yes. I understand that we should avoid battles with low chances of winning."

"Good."

My goal is to protect everyone and this place.

I don't want to become a king or a noble.

I'm just doing this because it's advantageous to have allies.

"Still, it's quite a setup for such a small village."

"I worked hard on the construction. We just need to dig more pits to complete it."

It's been ten months.

It was very difficult.

"By the way, I heard there's a secret weapon?"

"Sure. Do you want to see it? It's almost complete."

I take out the black powder prototype No. 100.

The 100th attempt. I want it to succeed.

The ratio is saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal = 75:10:15.

I put this in a sealed container.

This makes it a bomb.

"I've tried 99 times. I think this ratio is perfect."

Making black powder is easy.

But turning it into a lethal bomb is very difficult.

It explodes with a strong impact, but just lighting it will only make it burn.

That's all I've been getting.

I place the black powder on a magic circle and put my hand on it.

The magic circle starts to glow faintly.

Tera developed this magic circle.

Its effect is to ignite after five seconds of channeling magic power.

I quickly move away from the spot.

Five seconds pass.

A loud explosion reverberates through my head, and the ground shakes.

"I guess it's a success."

I look at the site of the explosion.

As the white smoke clears, the gouged ground appears. This should have considerable killing power.

"Wow, this is amazing. What kind of magic is this?"

"It's not magic. Well, I used a bit of magic, but..."

Boros looked a bit frightened.

A grown man is frightened. The soldiers of King Ferme won't stand a chance.

"With this, victory is certain!"

"Let's see about that."

That's quite doubtful.

After all, the enemy is numerous.

"If there's a battle, it will be in two months, right?"

"Yes. It's the harvest season. It will be a year, and the chances of them coming to collect tribute are high. This year was colder than usual, so they will likely have a poor harvest. They will try to take what they can. We will naturally refuse. We don't have any reserves either."

I would like to buy another year, but...

"The basic plan is to disrupt their formation with bombs and then charge."

Phalanx is strong because of its solid formation.

Once it's disrupted, it's ours.

The Phalanx has the weakness of being inflexible.

Moreover, the enemy soldiers have low training and morale.

It would be best if they retreat before reaching the village.

That's strange...

I feel like there was a chapter where Almus mentioned knowing the iron-making method before chapter 22... But I can't find it.

Did I delete it? And then forget and write chapter 22?

Hmm...

If you find it, please let me know.

If it doesn't exist, I'll change the content of chapter 22.

*Resolved*

It seems I didn't write it after all.

I'll revise the part about King Rosais giving the iron-making technique.