Chapter 49

Today is Christmas, so there will be three updates.

Please be aware.

"Is this the border fortress?"

"Yeah. Is it really different from Kirisia?"

When Almus asked Ismea, she nodded.

"Yes. In Kirisia, all the borders are fortified with stone fortresses. The checkpoints within the country are made of wood, though..."

So, our fortresses are on par with Kirisia's checkpoints...

"Then, why aren't they fortified with stone?"

"Well, it's because we lack the technology. Building with stacked stones requires mathematical knowledge, and cutting stones to the right size also requires skill. Besides, transporting them is quite labor-intensive."

Still, wooden borders are only here.

This fortress was built about twenty years ago and has only been repaired, not rebuilt, since then.

There was a plan to rebuild it, but soon after, the As territory was taken by King Verm.

King Verm didn't have the resources to rebuild the fortress. Moreover, he had a friendly relationship with King Domorgal, so there was no need to rebuild the fortress.

But now that it's back in the hands of King Rosais' country, it can't be left as is.

"I think there are problems if it's not made of stone."

"You're right... but we can't get the right kind of stone in this territory."

We also lack the technology to cut it.

Even if Ismea could teach us how to stack stones, it wouldn't matter without the materials.

"Where do you get the stone from?"

"From what I remember, the Dibel territory is the best place for stone production in this country."

Tetra said.

Dibel territory, huh...

What should I do? Should I ask them?

But I don't want to negotiate with him...

"...Just because it's the best production site doesn't mean it's the only place. I think we can get it from the direct territory of King Rosais."

"Really? You should have said that first. You scared me."

It's best to avoid people you don't get along with.

Getting involved half-heartedly will only worsen the relationship.

"I'll order the stone from King Rosais. Ismea, can you handle the design?"

When I asked Ismea, she nodded.

"Yes, no problem. I can design it by tweaking the one I made a long time ago."

"How long will it take to complete?"

"About a week, including the material estimate."

Ismea puffed out her chest confidently.

"What kind of design do you plan to make?"

Seimei asked Ismea.

"Well, I don't plan to change much. Lord Almus wants the repairs to be done quickly. So, I'll reinforce the current fortress with wood and build a stone wall around it. With the technology of the Adelnia Peninsula, this should be doable, right?"

Ismea looked around the fortress, taking notes as she spoke.

"Is that all?"

Seimei sounded a bit disappointed, and Ismea chuckled.

"That's for now. After that, we'll gradually rebuild it, centered around the stone wall. We can't tear down the whole fortress and rebuild it, right?"

"You're right. Ha, sorry. I asked a silly question."

Seimei laughed awkwardly.

"Anyway, I'll definitely complete this job. I'll build up my achievements this way. After that, I want to work on the As family's mansion. I can't help but want to improve it. There are so many inefficiencies. By doing this, I hope to be favored and eventually become the royal architect of this country. Then, I can be involved in the construction of the entire country..."

Ismea sighed after saying this.

"What's wrong?"

"Because this is the end... King Rosais' country is a small country, so we can't build large structures. I wish the country would grow... but the king is dying, and his successor doesn't seem competent. I'm worried."

When Ismea said this, Seimei patted her shoulder to comfort her.

"You're an engineer, right? Even if the country falls, you won't be executed. I think you could still excel in King Domorgal's country? If it's known that you designed this fortress, especially if it's a great success..."

Seimei said jokingly, and Ismea hit him on the head.

"Don't say such things!! What if I get beheaded?"

Ismea said angrily but with a laugh.

What she likes is the country that employs her, not King Rosais' country, the As family, or Almus.

"Right. But I'm motivated now. It's my first job, after all. If I succeed, I might get a direct offer from King Rosais. Maybe even from King Rozel's country... Let's do our best!!"

Ismea pumped herself up.

As promised, Ismea completed the design in a week and showed me the necessary materials and labor force.

She's as good as she claims to be.

"So, I need to purchase the stone."

"Understood. No problem. It's for national defense, after all."

King Rosais agreed readily.

"By the way, didn't you ask Rigar Dibel? His territory is next to yours, and the stone quality is excellent?"

"Please don't."

King Rosais smiled slyly.

He's being mean.

"By the way, don't you need to fortify the border with the Dibel territory?"

"...I haven't decided to succeed to the throne yet."

When I voiced my concern, King Rosais laughed.

"Either way, you and Rigar Dibel will end up in conflict. After he succeeds to the throne, who will be a thorn in his side? In that case, you'll also need to build a fort on the border with the direct territory."

"Are you trying to pressure me? It won't be that easy."

The possibility of Rigar Dibel deposing me after becoming king is very low.

That's because I'm in charge of the border with King Domorgal.

The Dibel territory also borders King Domorgal, but due to geographical reasons, the main battlefield is my As territory.

If I were to defect to King Domorgal, King Rosais' country's defense line would retreat significantly.

Rigar Dibel wouldn't want to cause trouble right after becoming king.

After careful consideration, I decided.

I plan to take my time and think it over until the last possible moment.

"By the way, why did you send Ismea to me?"

King Rosais' eyes are not blind. He also speaks Kirisia.

There's no reason to send Ismea back.

"Can she design the border fortress with Rigar Dibel's territory if she stays with me? Besides, your place, where you're about to die, is not as good as his."

Indeed, if the royal architect of the Rosais family did such a thing, it would completely sever ties between the Rosais and Dibel families...

"Do you really want me to succeed to the throne?"

"Yes, I do. I want my cute daughter to have a happy marriage. Besides, I don't want that boy to be my son. I'd rather have the boy from Verm as my son."

To say that much...

"I'll think about it carefully and make a decision."

I bowed to King Rosais and left the room.

When I returned to the mansion, for some reason, Tetra and the others were waiting for me.

"What's up? What happened?"

"Refugees have arrived. From the Dibel territory."

More trouble...

But refugees always bring trouble at the most inopportune times.

"How many? What does the Dibel family say? Are they demanding their return?"

"Two hundred people. We haven't received any communication yet."

They wouldn't have disappeared without notice... They'll probably demand their return soon.

"Who knows about the refugees?"

"Only the members here and some soldiers. They encountered them when Ron was hunting bears in the border forest, so the information is kept confidential."

If things go well, we can pretend we don't know anything.

After all, fleeing is a serious crime. Moreover, fleeing within the same country has a low success rate.

They must have fled because the governance was extremely harsh.

I've heard it's terrible, indeed.

Well, for now...

"Bring the representative of the refugees. I want to talk to them."

"Are you the representative of the refugees?"

"Yes, that's right. Please, can you accept us?"

"First, tell me about the circumstances of your escape."

I intend to turn them away if the reason is trivial.

First, let's summarize the taxes:

- 30% of wheat

- Land tax

- Cloth

- Specialty products

- Labor service

- Military service

- Marriage tax

- Death tax

- Funeral tax

- First night tax

That's quite a lot.

I wonder how they came up with so many taxes. I would find collecting them too troublesome.

Is Rigar actually a hard worker?

By the way, the death tax and funeral tax are separate.

So are the first night tax and marriage tax.

Yes, it's quite something.

I can understand why they fled.

"Also, the relatives of the Dibel family are violent."

Rape and robbery are common.

They even come to kill people on a whim.

This level of governance is unheard of, even in a novel.

It's really something.

Given how terrible it is, I suspect they might be exaggerating...

I told the representative to wait a moment and left the room.

Then, I called Tetra, Ial, and Boros.

I told them the representative's story and listened to their opinions.

"It sounds terrible, but is the story true?"

Tetra nodded.

"I asked others discreetly, and it seems mostly true. I met someone who cried because they were raped for not paying the first night tax."

Ial also nodded.

"I also heard about the taxes... It seems they are being heavily exploited. Some even sell their children regularly."

I see...

When I turned to Boros, he nodded.

"I've heard a lot about the harshness of the Dibel territory. In the old days, during Lord Lagou's rule, many refugees came here. Even during King Verm's time, they fled to this territory."

So, the hell of Rigar Dibel is even worse than the hell of Verm...

There's always someone worse.

"But it seems they are exaggerating the rapes and murders. What should we do?"

Tetra asked.

Right... I want to help them. As a human, I can't abandon them.

If we send them back to such a terrible place, I can't guarantee they'll all survive.

But how do we cover it up...

In King Rosais' country, moving subjects requires the lord's permission.

In this case, I would be the one breaking the law.

As they say, even bad laws are laws. If I do nothing, I'll be labeled a criminal...

Well, well...

How about hiding them far away and pretending we don't know?

Fortunately, King Rosais, who will judge, is biased in my favor.

But a place where Rigar Dibel's investigation won't reach...

There is one. A perfect place.

"Then, let's send them to the previous village. No one was gathering there, right? They won't be found there."

There are only thirty people in that village.

It has enough space to support two hundred people.

It's a waste.

Let's send the two hundred refugees there.

The original thirty and the new refugees will likely get along, having similar experiences.

Let them experience the hard work we put into integrating new members.

It's a bit over capacity, but we can provide food support for a while.

It's perfect for hiding.

Many of the barriers we set up in the past are still there, and the forest is like our backyard.

Even if a cursed dog enters, we can deal with it quickly.

Few nobles know about the existence of that village, and even fewer know it's part of my territory.

It should be a blind spot.

"It's settled. We'll move them secretly at midnight."

"Then, let's do it tonight, quickly."

"Welcome, Lord Dibel... Please, have a seat. I'll have a simple meal prepared for you."

I welcomed Rigar Dibel politely.

I intend to earn as much goodwill as possible.

First, I served the meal to fill Rigar's stomach.

A full stomach should soften his aggression.

Now, after the meal...

"Lord Dibel, what brings you here today?"

I know what it is, of course.

Fugitives, right?

"Lord As, some of my subjects have fled. They are likely to have fled to your territory. Do you know anything about it?"

I answered his question.

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea. I'll have my people investigate immediately."

When I said this, Rigar raised an eyebrow.

The refugees either fled to my territory or to King Domorgal's country.

Considering the distance, the most likely place is my As territory.

It's a blatant lie, but... it's not impossible for them to have fled to King Domorgal's country, and without evidence, there's nothing he can do.

I ordered the curse workers to eliminate all evidence, like the smell and footprints of the refugees.

It's a perfect crime.

However, he doesn't seem convinced.

Of course not.

"Interesting. By the way, Lord Almus As, in this country, moving subjects requires the consent of both lords... Are you aware of this?"

"Of course, I am. What's your point?"

He's definitely suspicious of me.

But there's no evidence.

After that, Rigar asked me the same questions multiple times, but I maintained my ignorance.

"Damn!! You're playing dumb!"

Rigar kicked his chair, drew his sword, and slashed at the floor and walls.

After venting his stress, he called his close advisor, Bermet, and his closest relative and best friend, Gilbert.

"What do you think about this?"

Gilbert spoke first.

"Without a doubt, they fled to the As territory. ...I was in charge of that village. If they fled from there, the As territory is the only place they could have gone."

It's not impossible for them to go to King Domorgal's country.

But it would take several days to get there.

It's impossible to flee in one night.

"But without decisive evidence, we'll only lose if we sue. It seems Almus As has completely eliminated all evidence, like smells and footprints."

Moreover, King Rosais is clearly biased towards Almus.

We would be at a disadvantage in court. A loss is certain.

"But we've made our point. It won't happen again."

Gilbert concluded that Almus wouldn't do the same thing multiple times.

"So, we're just going to let it go... Just wait and see. Almus As..."

One week after this incident, a report spread throughout King Rosais' country that a large rock salt mine had been discovered near the border between the As territory and the Dibel territory in the eastern part of the As territory.

How many Japanese people can answer what Christmas is about?

Most would probably say "Santa's day" or "Christ's birthday"

By the way, the correct answer is "A day to celebrate Christ's birth." The exact date of his birth is unknown.