Chapter 64

The town of Urfin, governed by the Viscount Urfart, was under strict security measures. Many soldiers patrolled the walls that surrounded the town. Urfin, being close to the border, had high walls and deep moats, making it a sturdy town capable of withstanding a month-long siege even if surrounded by the imperial army. However, it was now preparing to repel the royal army, which had been its ally until a few months ago.

"Alright, you may pass."

"Ah, thank you very much..."

Bowing to the soldier who nodded approvingly, a group of people dressed in tattered clothes passed through the city gate.

A long line of people had formed at the city gate, the entrance to the town. These were the villagers from the surrounding areas who had been ordered to evacuate to Urfin by the Viscount Urfart. Officially, it was an evacuation order to escape from the villages that might become battlefields, but some of the soldiers knew the true purpose.

"Captain... I still feel pained by this..."

One of the soldiers, who had finished screening a group of villagers and was guiding them into the city, let out a weak complaint. The man called Captain looked exasperated and slapped the young soldier on the head.

"Don't say that. What can we do about it now?"

"But these people are just villagers, not knights or mercenaries! There are women and children among them, and you're forcing them to fight..."

The Viscount Urfart had gathered the villagers not to save them, but rather to conscript them as soldiers to fight against the royal army.

"No, it would be better if they were soldiers! The Viscount is using them as hostages..."

"Say no more! Who knows who might be listening!?"

The captain shouted at the soldier, who had almost revealed the secret.

Another purpose for gathering the villagers was to use them as human shields when the royal army attacked.

The Viscount Urfart was a traitor who had betrayed the royal army and joined the empire. However, the people living in his domain were still citizens of the kingdom. If they were lined up as hostages on the walls, the royal army would not be able to attack aggressively.

The Viscount's goal was to buy time by using the villagers as shields and then send bribes to the nobles in the royal palace to persuade the king to grant him a pardon and the return of his lands.

‘Losing a capable person like me would be a loss for the kingdom! If I can repel the royal army coming here, the king will surely recognize my strength and welcome me back as a noble of the kingdom!’

—This was the arrogant boast of the Viscount Urfart.

The young soldier clenched his fists and vented his pent-up frustration at his superior.

"I volunteered to be a soldier to protect this country from the empire! Why is this town now part of the empire without a fight, and why do we have to fight against our own royal army? And it's even more wrong to use the villagers we're supposed to protect as shields!"

"...I think it's wrong too. But we are soldiers hired by the Viscount Urfart. We are not royal soldiers but the Viscount's private army. Our spears, armor, and even our food are provided by the Viscount."

"But..."

"Look, the next group of villagers is waiting! Get moving!"

The captain kicked the young soldier's back to cut off his further protests. No matter how much he disagreed, there were times when he had to get his hands dirty to support his family.

"Ugh..."

The young soldier, though still dissatisfied, returned to his duties and ran to the group of villagers waiting in front of the wall. There were about a dozen villagers, and behind them were carts loaded with supplies.

"Where are you from?"

"We are from Giza Village to the east. We have come in response to the evacuation order."

The elderly man leading the group of villagers answered politely. Among the dozen or so villagers were children. The soldier's heart ached as he recalled his earlier conversation with his superior.

"I see... What's in the cart?"

"It's wheat and millet we had in reserve. We brought it as emergency rations."

The soldier glanced at the burlap bags in the cart. Normally, he should have thoroughly checked the contents, but the young soldier had lost his sense of duty.

"You may pass. Set up tents in the square and live there for a while."

"...Ah, yes."

The villager, who had been momentarily taken aback by the quick permission, soon led the others into the town.

"Wait!"

"!"

However, a sharp voice was directed at their backs. The speaker was the captain who had reprimanded the young soldier earlier. The man who was called out slowly turned around.

"Is there a problem, soldier?"

"...No, if you have extra wheat, bring it to the soldiers' barracks later. We can provide you with some conveniences."

"...I see, thank you."

The man bowed deeply and entered the town.

"......?"

The young soldier, feeling a slight suspicion at the villagers' unusually tense demeanor, silently watched them go.