Chapter 16

"Well, that's why Matilda and I will return to the settlement with the new settlers tomorrow. If no one returns today, Yuri and the others will worry, so I want Pence and Mai to go back first and explain the situation. They need to prepare to receive them, after all."

"That's fine, but... I couldn't ask earlier because the soldiers from the Keinitz Viscount's territory were around, but is it really okay to suddenly take in over 20 refugees?"

"Wouldn't it be difficult to manage if there are many among the refugees who don't work seriously or are rebellious?"

"I don't think that will happen..."

Pence and Mai's concerns were not unfounded.

They were probably afraid. After being given farmland and a new place to settle, the sudden influx of dozens of unknown people was unsettling.

From what I observed today, the refugees seemed sincere, and Edgar, their leader, appeared to be a serious man. However, Pence and Mai hadn't met them directly, which is why they were anxious.

"Well, I'll take responsibility for that. Even though there are many of them, they are just weak and emaciated refugees. If anyone were to seriously disrupt the peace of the territory, I will deal with them appropriately."

By using the euphemism "deal with," he meant exactly that.

"Deal with...?"

Pence and Mai, who had expected him to say something like "expel," looked somewhat taken aback.

"Isn't that right? I love my subjects. If they threaten the peaceful lives of my subjects, they are not subjects but rather rebels threatening the territory. I have no mercy for such rebels."

I don't think those refugees will become such people, Noein said with a smile, but his expression was somewhat cold.

"…We're glad we work diligently."

"Yes, you are. You are diligent and ideal subjects. That's why I like you."

He is kind only to his subjects. For others, he prioritizes his own and his territory's interests and shows no mercy to those who oppose him. That is the noble Noein Alkivist.

...

After seeing Pence and Mai off to return to the settlement, Noein and Matilda took a room in Retvik.

They stayed at the same inn where they had stayed for a while before starting the development, preparing for it. The innkeeper and staff welcomed Noein's return with joy.

Entering the room and sitting on the bed, Noein sighed.

"I didn't expect things to turn out like this when we left the settlement this morning. Meeting the Keinitz Viscount and being surrounded by refugees... I'm quite exhausted."

"Well done, Noein. Your conversation with the Keinitz Viscount and your words to the refugees were impressive."

Sitting on the other bed, Matilda praised him.

"Thank you, Matilda... When I said I would 'deal with' the refugees if they disrupt the peace, were you surprised?"

"No. If there are subjects who do not understand your kindness, they deserve punishment. Such people should be eliminated from this world."

"That's good to hear."

Matilda affirmed Noein's words without hesitation, using somewhat extreme language.

I know she would never disagree with my thoughts, but it still reassures me when she fully supports me.

"Do you think the refugees will work peacefully as subjects?"

"I do. I don't think Edgar was acting when he showed that face and voice. Besides, once they arrive at the settlement, they won't even think of rebelling."

Noein smiled slyly.

Matilda didn't understand why he was so confident, but she trusted his judgment.

"By the way, Matilda, tonight we are alone without Yuri and the others. It's been a while since we've had a night alone."

"Yes, Noein."

"You don't have to worry about your voice."

"…Yes, Noein."

Matilda, who usually doesn't show much emotion, looked like a shy maiden.

"Come here, Matilda."

"Yes!"

They stayed in a double room but ended up using only one bed.

...

The next morning, after staying in Retvik, Noein and Matilda joined the refugees and set off for the settlement.

The refugees' belongings were only tattered blankets and tents given as charity by the church.

It was fine for now since it was summer, but before winter, their living conditions needed to be improved. Noein led the 24 refugees across the plains toward the Bazel Great Forest.

"It's only about half a day's walk to the settlement. It's not really a village yet, with only tents and fields."

"No, we are deeply grateful just to be accepted. We will work hard for the progress of the development."

Edgar was polite and well-organized, as he had been the day before. Noein thought there was no need to worry about rebellion.

When they entered the Bazel Great Forest, some of the refugees were intimidated, but Edgar encouraged them, saying, "We have no future unless we follow Noein." Other than that, there were no issues, and they arrived at the settlement by mid-afternoon.

"Oh, this is...","What a vast plain","We'll be living here from today," the refugees murmured as they saw the settlement.

Unlike Yuri, who had said, "There's nothing here" when he first arrived, their reactions were generally positive.

The reason was the vast plain. In three months, Noein had cleared a considerable area of the forest. The land was as large as a small village.

A sufficiently large plain, cleared from the fertile forest, was a dream new land for the former farmers.

"Noein, are these the new subjects?"

"Yes, they are. Thank you for welcoming them, Yuri."

The new subjects looked slightly frightened when they saw Yuri approaching.

As the leader of the mercenary group that had cut down the noble's regular army, Yuri was a wanted man. To change his appearance, he had shaved his head and grown a beard.

He looked like a different person from his previous self, with long hair and a clean-shaven face, but this new look gave him a bandit-like presence. It was understandable that everyone was afraid.

"Edgar, and everyone else, don't worry. He may look intimidating, but he's a decent person. He won't eat you."

"Hey, that's not a nice thing to say."

Seeing Noein and Yuri having such a casual conversation, the new subjects seemed to relax their guard somewhat.

"Then, let's decide the allocation of your land."

"Our... land?"

"Yes, your land."