Chapter 117
(Kyle
Calendar Year 508: Age 15)
Each One's
Path
Translator : PolterGlast
"Me... a
Mage?" Masrur's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yeah, it's not
certain, but I think there's a high possibility. Would you like to try the
aptitude confirmation ritual?"
I had previously confirmed
with him, before he left for foreign intelligence, whether he would be willing
to serve as a retainer in the Solis Barony (younger brother) household. His
answer was concise.
He would never betray
the kindness he and his comrades received as prisoners. If given a place to
work, he would gladly be of use, with one exception: if the Kingdom were to
invade the Empire, he would wish to be released at that time.
And, just in case, I
previously had the steward, Raymond, assess his character. Of course, I had
also received the reply, "His loyalty seems beyond doubt."
"Mages are
extremely rare in the Empire. Do you trust me, an Imperial, that much?"
"Yeah, I've
received recommendations not only from Bart but also from Miseri and Claire. I
would never tell this to someone I don't trust."
"Then... I would
gladly undergo the ritual."
Through this process,
it was decided that he, along with other candidates, would undergo Father
Grace's aptitude confirmation.
Currently, Masrur and
100 former Imperial soldiers, selected and recommended by the Imperial
Settlers' Liaison Committee (formerly the Detention Center Self-Government
Committee), are working at the construction site of the Demon Realm fort.
Masrur himself serves as the chairman of the Imperial Settlers' Liaison
Committee.
They are currently
engaged in the construction of the fort and defensive walls, in a role that
will eventually transition into Tondenhei (colonist soldiers). I had made two
major promises to them:
The first is...
For five years, they
will be involved in construction work, and a corresponding compensation will be
paid.
After five years, they
would be granted farmland in new settlement areas, and those who wished could
settle as pioneers and be exempt from taxes for five years.
Those who did not wish
to settle could purchase farmland at an appropriate price.
Furthermore, the
construction work will operate on a schedule of 20 working days followed by 10
days off, and free housing (row houses) will be provided in the town of Teigun.
If they had families
and wished, they could reside in housing other than the row houses in Teigun
town for a fee.
The second is...
The colonist soldiers
would not be deployed for combat missions other than fort defense (battles
against the Empire).
After five years, only
those who wished could enlist in the regular army (which includes combat
deployments outside the fort).
The selection of
colonist soldiers candidates was left to the Imperial Settlers' Liaison
Committee, so personnel (volunteers) were assembled without major issues.
Incidentally, other
settlers (former Imperial soldiers and their families) were assigned farmland
in the pioneer villages free of charge, and many were diligently engaged in
agriculture under the same conditions as other settlers. Some have opened
restaurants serving Imperial cuisine in Teigun town (which is quite
prosperous), while others are pursuing careers as craftmen, utilizing their
specialized skills. Each of them received subsidies and preparation funds.
As a result, the 280
former Gryphonia Imperial prisoners who remained in Teigun, along with their
approximately 200 family members, were newly recognized as citizens of Teigun
and are now thriving in their respective fields. Consequently, I myself gained
nearly 500 new citizens.
※
In the southernmost
fortress city of the Gryphonia Empire, the Third Imperial Prince is stationed
with his elite forces.
"Sieghart, how is
it? Is everything going well?"
"Yes, Your
Highness, I have brought the 120 individuals we accepted this time. They... are
strongly hoping to serve on the southern front."
"Well, that would
be helpful for us, but it would have been better if they, knowing the
circumstances, had remained in the North."
"As you've
already approved in writing, I believe they wish to go South precisely because
they know the circumstances. By the way, the information about enemy territory
that we were able to gather is compiled here."
"I see. And what
about Baron Durul, who led the prisoners? Is he useful?"
"He's an
interesting man, Your Highness. Well, I'll leave it up to you to decide how to
use him, though..."
The Third Imperial
Prince was also aware of some of the circumstances. He was intrigued by Durul,
whom the usually nonchalant Sieghart had found somewhat troublesome.
"After all, as
soon as he returned, he was in a terrible rage, shouting, 『Are you going to make the soldiers live in pigsties?!』"
Indeed, upon his
return, the town he had governed had already been taken over as one of the
direct imperial territories. While his title and property remained, he had no
territory to govern in the future. Despite being a noble, he was temporarily
living in the barracks among the soldiers. Sieghart had also improved the
soldiers' living conditions, which were considerably better than during the
time of the former Margrave Goth.
However, most of the
allocated budget had to be directed towards the recovery of the devastated
territory and securing military strength.
"I've been
thinking about it too, but I just haven't been able to get around to it yet.
And then he resorted to direct action..."
Yes, Baron Durul,
exasperated, took it upon himself to implement improvements.
He invested his
private fortune to renovate the barracks, giving every soldier a private room.
He hired professional
chefs, improving the quality of meals even with inexpensive ingredients.
He purchased a large
quantity of used, but clean, clothing, providing it to the soldiers in exchange
for their constant cleanliness.
He established an
"Improvement Committee," composed of soldier representatives, to
address problems and solve issues.
As a result, the
soldiers' morale increased, and his reputation became very high.
"I've heard about
him... an interesting man," the Third Imperial Prince's interest in him
grew, seeing a noble who lived among common soldiers.
"I've brought him
with me this time; would you like to meet him?"
"Ah, of course!
Please bring him in!"
Thus, Baron Durul made
his first acquaintance with the Third Imperial Prince.
※
"So you are Baron
Durul? Your hardships in enemy territory were truly commendable. I would very
much like to hear about your experiences there."
"It is my first
time to be granted an audience, Your Highness. I have returned as a defeated
man, but I wish to strive for the recovery of lost territories in the
future."
"No need for
formalities. Speak your frank opinion; tell me what you saw and heard in enemy
territory. First, how was that land?"
"Yes, the food
was exceptionally delicious."
"...I see. So the
land is rich and the food situation is good enough to feed prisoners
adequately, is that it? And what else?"
"We were provided
with clean, albeit small, private rooms, and life in the detention center was
comfortable, undisturbed by others."
"...I see. So,
they were managed individually to prevent prisoners from engaging in
mischievous schemes, were they? And what else?"
"Clean clothing
was provided, and our living conditions were such that, at first glance, we
could not be identified as prisoners."
"...I see.
Discipline, they say, is reflected in appearance. To demand that even of
prisoners means there is a well-disciplined army. Furthermore, providing food,
clothing, and shelter to disarm the enemy's hostility is not to be
underestimated. Continue."
"In that land,
young and beautiful maidens (Rosa) diligently nursed us, the enemy
soldiers."
"Not only food,
clothing, and shelter, but also using women to pacify enemy soldiers—that's not
to be underestimated either..."
"The soldiers
said that they could live a far richer life there than in the Empire."
"Even in their
position of being confined in a detention center?"
"We were free to
move within the post town fort, and even permitted to frequent taverns and
brothels. Although small, we were paid for our labor, and those who engaged in
labor outside regular hours or in strenuous work received additional allowances
as increased wages, many voluntarily working for that very purpose..."
"Terrifying.
Giving prisoners the motivation to work for immediate gain, and efficiently
utilizing them as a labor force..."
"We also had
opportunities to work alongside the local citizens, and the compensation for
work there was remarkably better than in the Empire..."
"So, those
factors led to 280 soldiers being entangled and becoming permanent residents
there. I understand now."
"All of us, our
loyalty to the Empire remains unchanged. However, today, with the truce, if
possible, we hope to be given opportunities to serve on the southern front. We
would prefer to avoid attacking that impregnable fortress where the people of
that land (Rosa) reside."
"For you to say
so much suggests that the enemy's defensive facilities are quite
formidable..."
Sieghart suppressed
his laughter at their slightly mismatched conversation. People often derive the
"solutions" they seek from conversations. These two, having
originally lived lives far removed from commoners, were in a sense, out of
touch with reality.
"So, what will
you do within my faction from now on? What should I expect?"
"I will strive to
improve the living environment for the soldiers and support them so that they
can live lives worthy of proud Imperial soldiers, not inferior to those in that
land."
"I see. The
soldiers sent to our faction from the central government often have low morale
and are useless on the front lines. I will entrust you with raising their
morale, establishing discipline, and managing them so that our faction becomes
their final home."
"Yes, Your
Highness! I will respond with all my heart and soul!"
Thus, Baron Durul was
given an opportunity to distinguish himself within the Third Imperial Prince's
faction in the Empire. The benefits of his reforms extended not only to the
Imperial soldiers in the Third Imperial Prince's faction but also to the prisoners
of the Principality of Sura. The treatment he heard about in the Teigun
detention center, which Baron Solis (the younger brother) himself reportedly
named the 【Matsuyama Method】, gradually permeated and began to boost the morale of
the Imperial soldiers. This also applied to the hostile Principality of Sura
prisoners.
Sometime later, news
of the Third Imperial Prince's army's treatment of prisoners reached the ears
of the Principality of Sura soldiers, who were hostile to the Gryphonia Empire.
This led to the Principality of Sura soldiers, when faced with unfavorable
situations, shouting "Matsuyama, Matsuyama!" and willingly
surrendering rather than fighting to the death.
While that wasn't the
only reason, as a result, the stalemate on the southern front gradually shifted
in favor of the Gryphonia Empire, allowing the Empire to advance its invading
territory further.
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