Chapter 10
(Kyle Calendar
Year 501: Age 8)
The Biggest Catastrophe
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Translator : PolterGlast
Today, I was also
showing my face at what was called an inspection... but really just helping
out.
Refugees first went to
the reception center to register the necessary information.
Upon registration,
they received a registration tag, which they could show to receive food at the
soup kitchen.
Also, at the reception
center, information on refugee camp assignments and job postings were
displayed, and it was possible to apply for desired jobs.
"There is plenty
of food available. Please line up in order in this queue. Those who do not have
bowls can receive one at the reception center. Even those from outside the
Estol territory, please feel free to line up.
At the reception, we
are confirming your name and the town, village (territory) you came from.
Registration is
required for everyone. After registration, we hand out a registration tag to
each person.
If you have a
registration tag, you can receive food directly at the soup kitchen from the
next time."
A group of refugees
heading this way caught my eye, so I immediately raised my voice and began
guiding them.
※
Actually, there was
one thing that was giving me a headache...
It was about the
Gorman Viscountcy making a fuss about the outflow of their citizens.
They were saying,
"Send the refugees from the Gorman Viscountcy back here," and we were
troubled because we couldn't just send the refugees back without a good reason.
I also heard rumors
that they had sealed off the borders of their territory and were on alert to
prevent any more citizens from leaving.
Well, we were guiding
refugees from the Gorman territory to the soup kitchens and refugee camps, but
we couldn't very well offer them jobs.
It was truly
troublesome.
"Then you should
properly save your own citizens!"
I wanted to say that,
but I couldn't.
However, the refugees
were one step ahead of them.
Many of the refugees
seemed to have grasped the situation from the rumors.
The refugees who came
from the Gorman Viscountcy, knowing the circumstances, didn't say they were
from the Gorman Viscountcy.
It was impossible for
us to verify whether the refugees' self-declarations were true, so we were
processing everything based on their own statements.
Of course, it was a
calculated move on their part...
Although few in
number, the refugees who came from the Cornell barony had received prior
consent from them through my mother that we could handle them as we saw fit in
the Estol territory from now on.
We had also confirmed
with the Hiyorimi Viscountcy the freedom to deal with refugees when there was
an outflow from their territory (although they seemed to think it was the
freedom to turn them away).
The Solis barony,
treating this information as mere rumors, was secretly spreading it among the
refugees, so the refugees were also keenly aware of the information.
※
I noticed a group
within the aforementioned refugees who had a different appearance from the
others.
They had sharp gazes
unlike farmers, well-built bodies, and the appearance of strong soldiers with
swords at their waists, but their clothes were dirty and shabby, and they
looked so exhausted they were about to collapse. Such a group was approaching
us.
Among them, a young
man who seemed to be the leader stepped forward and spoke to me.
"We were hired by
Viscount Gorman as mercenaries, but would we be able to receive food?"
Uh... this person is
too honest... what should I do...?
"Everyone, are
you mercenaries of Viscount Gorman?"
When I asked, he
replied with a slightly sullen face.
"Due to the
recent events, our contract was terminated. We were released as useless mouths
to feed, but in the viscount's territory, we outsiders couldn't even buy food
in any of the towns or villages..."
He spat out the words
bitterly.
"Ah, then there's
no problem. You must have had a hard time on your journey here.
We have warm meals and
simple but warm beds prepared.
If you register at the
reception center, you can receive food immediately, so please have each member
of your mercenary group register their names and other details at the reception
center over there."
"Thank you, I am
indebted to you."
His strained, but as
much as he could manage, smiling thanks was impressive.
※
After that, I was
running around for a while, helping out at the soup kitchen and guiding people
to the reception center.
Once things calmed
down, the person who seemed to be the leader of the mercenary group from before
came over and spoke to me.
"I heard at the
reception center a while ago, is it true that you are the son of the lord
here?"
Some of the people at
the reception center were former refugees who had already been hired here.
Perhaps grateful for
the Solis barony's response, some of them seemed to happily blurt out the
"open secret" to the new registrants who came to the reception
center...
"Ah, I don't look
like it, do I? I'm always being scolded for behaving unbefitting of an
aristocrat... and besides, I'm just a child..."
I answered the
question with a shy smile.
Then, he suddenly
knelt down.
"Not knowing
that, I apologize for my earlier impolite words and actions.
Also, I heard that you
devised this relief system. I was also impressed by the measures taken for the
vulnerable.
I am Weiss
Schwarzfalke, and though still young, I have been entrusted with the leadership
of the Doppelkopfiger Falken (Two-Headed Falcon) mercenary group.
I sincerely thank you
for your assistance. I offer my gratitude on behalf of our 30-member mercenary
group."
"No, no, we're in
the same boat when times get tough..."
I replied hastily.
Hmm? Weiss
Schwarzfalke...
Weiss the Black
Falcon...
That name sounds
familiar...
"Ashamedly, due
to the humiliation we suffered in the viscount's territory, where even a decree
was circulated saying that no support would be given to outsiders, we barely
managed to escape the territory and finally arrived here.
We were traveling
south through the Estol territory, passing through the hidden paths on the
demon realm side, heading from the border to the Griffonia Empire, on a journey
to find a new employer in that country."
Eh!
Eeeeeeeh!
Wait a minute! I
remembered!
Weiss, the Black
Falcon of the Griffonia Empire...
Isn't that Corps
Commander Weiss of the Northern Dispatch Army, the ever-victorious general!
Seriously...? This
person is the one who attacked the Kyle Kingdom 12 years later, occupied the
Estol territory, and executed me.
At that time, my eyes
were drawn to the person beside him, and I was also delirious from my injuries,
so I didn't realize that the person in front of me now was that person.
Viscount Gorman,
you're the one who set my doom flag!
"That bastard!
I'll never forgive him! I'll k-!"
I glared at the
Western Gorman Viscountcy with murderous intent.
※
If it were the
previous history...
The Estol territory
should have been directly hit by the effects of the great famine without any
preparation or countermeasures.
Even if they had
safely arrived in the Estol territory, it's uncertain whether their mercenary
group would have received any help.
No, they probably
wouldn't have been treated well.
And if they were to
pass through the hidden paths of the demon realm, they might also stop by the
Hiyorimi Viscountcy.
If they did,
absolutely nothing good would come of it!
If they headed to the
Griffonia Empire via such a route...
They were bound to
have an incredibly terrible experience!
This rotten kingdom
doesn't matter if it perishes! That's what would happen.
Even I am thoroughly
fed up with the Gorman Viscountcy.
Moreover, everyone is
quite weakened by hunger and fatigue.
At this rate, I
honestly think it will be difficult for everyone to reach the Griffonia Empire
safely.
Many comrades would
fall along the way...
Receiving unreasonable
treatment and losing comrades and friends... that's a tremendous grudge.
※
While I was imagining
the previous circumstances and was in a daze, Weiss bowed his head once more
beside me.
"Once again, I
would like to express my gratitude to you. If there is anything we can do to
repay this debt in the future, please do not hesitate to ask at that
time."
I will ask, of course
I will!
First of all, please
absolutely do not go to the Griffonia Empire. Absolutely!
While shouting that in
my heart, I thought that I had to formulate a future strategy.
In a great hurry!
Facing him, the
biggest doom flag in my life, I began to think about what to do next in a great
hurry.
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