They Came

“…Efaria.”

“…”

“…Is this… going to be all right…?”

“…”

I asked the grim-looking Efaria while feeling slightly awkward.

No, perhaps I should not have asked… But… reality was cruel.

Before our eyes were many people lying collapsed like puppets whose strings had been cut…

Why did we have to go through something like this…? Time went back a little.

“The royal capital of the Lufelon Holy Kingdom is nice. It is lively… and above all, it has a large population.”

“Thank you, Lord Fels. That may be one of the few points where the Lufelon Holy Kingdom can surpass Einheria.”

Efaria said that and smiled elegantly before bringing her tea to her lips.

Where we were now was a gazebo, I suppose… Or what would it be called in a Western style…? Yes, I did not know.

Well, anyway, it was that thing. A roofed place found in a slightly stylish garden!

In terms of image, it had the atmosphere of a place where noble young ladies would hold tea parties or read books… It was that kind of refined and compact place.

There, we were… leisurely drinking tea… Aside from the person serving us, there was only Lynferia and one of Efaria’s guards, so at a glance it felt careless, but well, this was inside the royal palace too, so they likely were not using such heavy security.

If they guarded us too firmly, the chancellor’s faction would be troubled too, and from our side, we very much wanted them to make a move.

I mean, they probably would not attack at this timing, but it was important to normally show openings to an extent that did not seem unnatural.

“Kukuku… As expected, there is no comparison. In Einheria’s case, it is not really a castle town… but something like a castle village.”

“The buildings were very splendid, though…”

“The technicians in the castle are instructing the construction… but Einheria’s castle town has somewhat special circumstances, so increasing the population is quite difficult. People from outside do not visit either.”

Basically, all guests came directly to the castle by teleportation, and I had never heard of any traveling merchants coming.

We had spread the story within the country that the dragon in Dragon’s Roost had already been subjugated, but even so, if asked whether people would set foot in Dragon’s Roost… normally, they would not.

That was how untouchable that land and the Ground Dragon had been.

From my perspective, it had only been a stupid lizard, but that was something only we could say, and if that giant body flew through the sky and went around breathing fire… dealing with it would probably be difficult.

It would likely be gone while they were still preparing anti-air weapons… and I wondered how many cities had such things deployed… No, that lizard did not matter.

Right now, the point was that due to the synergistic effect of the special residents called goblins and the special land called Dragon’s Roost, we could not increase the population.

“Will you not move residents there?”

“If they moved there of their own will, that would be one thing, but I have no intention of issuing an order and moving the people. Many people likely do not want to leave the land they are used to living on, and I have no hobby of making people migrate when it is not a response to a disaster.”

Well, normally I would probably have to worry about the royal capital’s tax revenue and the like, but we did not need to worry about that.

“So you mean you value the people’s autonomy above all?”

“I do not intend to go that far, but I do want them to live as they wish. That will not necessarily benefit the country, but they may live freely.”

“…Is that why you made it possible for people to freely cross the border with our country?”

“That is not the only reason. When people move, money moves. Money only has meaning when it is used and circulated more and more. Money stored in one place becomes nothing but poison. There is no meaning in rich people circulating money only among other rich people… The economy turns healthily when money is used widely, in many different places.”

Though I tried saying that… the most important thing to me was having people live in places where mana collection devices existed, and it was based on the calculation that if Einheria became known as a comfortable place for the people to live, more people would aim for our country.

“That is quite difficult to put into practice…”

“I feel bad for you, Efaria, but Einheria has a considerably low tax rate. If you do not take some measures, people will flow out even more than the label of vassal state would suggest.”

“…”

Well, Ilmitt was scheduled to handle that point, not me.

He had said he would by no means treat the Lufelon Holy Kingdom badly, so there was no problem. It seemed he was discussing future matters with Guriel and Count Heldio too.

“You may be able to reduce military expenses… but you will need various economic policies and tax revisions. And it will be meaningless if only some merchants and nobles receive the benefits.”

“…Lord Fels, why have you abolished the aristocratic system in Einheria?”

“It is not that an aristocratic system is bad in itself… but rule by bloodline has no small chance of letting incompetent people hold power.”

“…”

“The reason there are many capable nobles is not because of bloodline, but environment. Likewise, the reason there are few capable commoners is also because of environment. Whether noble or commoner, capable people are capable, and incompetent people are incompetent. However, if a mechanism in which nobles hold power is completed, I think it tends to become a hotbed where many capable people are overlooked and many incompetent people run rampant. Capable people are capable because they made the effort appropriate to that, and those who were never given a place to make an effort end their lives without ever noticing their talent… That is a loss for the country.”

“…If an environment where commoners can learn is prepared, would it not be fine even without abolishing the aristocratic system?”

“For the sake of the country… I will not say that taking pride in one’s birth and one’s blood is bad. As long as there are times when one risks one’s life to fight, such feelings are important too. But in Einheria, the ones who bear that role are not nobles. Besides, judging from the members of the chancellor’s faction, that pride and self-respect do not seem to be producing very good effects.”

“…”

Efaria’s expression turned bitter at my words.

“Taking pride in one’s house is not a bad thing. Those who can use it as their core and think of becoming more noble are wonderful. But there are also those who brandish it. And unfortunately, what is reflected in the people’s eyes and remains in their hearts is not the noble ones, but mostly fools who brandish power. Because of some fools, the entire framework called nobles ends up looking rotten… When that happens, the people’s anger will be directed at the king who cannot control the nobles. Well, that is only natural.”

“I believe that cannot be helped…”

“That is true. But I have no hobby of protecting fools who are guarded by their family names and grow arrogant. I want to give the incompetent work suited to the incompetent, and give the capable work suited to them. The aristocratic system, which seems likely to become an obstacle to that, is not necessary for Einheria.”

“…But when a country continues for a long time, powerful houses inevitably appear. Even if they do not bear the name of nobles, is their influence on others not something that cannot be ignored?”

“That is true. And by using that influence, they allocate work to people convenient for themselves… That becomes a faction and grasps even stronger power. Even if the aristocratic system is abolished, the same flow will eventually be born.”

“…”

Efaria did not say it aloud, but she looked slightly dissatisfied.

After talking at length, if she was told that it ultimately ended up the same, it was only natural she would feel that way.

“The birth of such things is unavoidable. If capable people grasp power, I think that is fine in its own way… but at least under my rule, that should be accomplished through personal ability. If one’s parents or ancestors are capable, then that alone provides advantages such as money and connections… but in the end, it depends on the person’s own ability.”

“Lord Fels, you are not trying to be equal to all people, are you?”

“Unfortunately, people are not equal. If one hundred people gather, ranks from first to one hundredth will absolutely be assigned. Whether that is strength, intelligence, the contents of one’s purse, or the beauty or ugliness of one’s face… that depends on what is being sought in that situation. That is why I want to give only opportunities to everyone.”

“When you say opportunities… do you mean recruitment examinations?”

“No, I mean opportunities to learn what one wants to do. If one’s family is wealthy, one can learn many things from childhood, but commoners cannot do that. Especially in rural villages, even children are valuable labor. They would probably rather make them work for today’s food than learn knowledge that may or may not be useful.”

“…”

Efaria’s eyes widened roundly, as though she had already understood what I wanted to say.

“Lighten taxes, make movement free, circulate the economy, and make the people wealthy even in rural areas. Once life becomes easier, children will gain the freedom to learn. If even children in rural areas can come into contact with studies, that country will grow stronger and stronger. The base number is different from a country where only some privileged class learns and grasps power. Twenty years from now, a chancellor might emerge from the third son of a farming village. That is the kind of world I am aiming for.”

“…But Lord Fels. Giving learning to all children means there will be no one left to till the fields or work in the mines…”

“That will not happen. Raising the overall level means the level demanded will also rise. Many will have their dreams broken, and to begin with, there are people who prefer such work. Criminal labor will likely be assigned to such work as well.”

If workers for agriculture or mines decreased too much, there was also the option of providing subsidies and giving preferential treatment to those occupations.

Ilmitt should properly manage the balance in that area.

Still, it was impressive that Efaria instantly thought of such problems… As expected, it seemed better for me to leave things to everyone without thinking about unnecessary matters.

I would keep my pompous instructions to broad guidelines only.

“Einheria’s… no, Lord Fels’s thoughts are far too different in direction from ours…”

“That is true. That is precisely why I have no intention of forcing that onto the Lufelon Holy Kingdom. Efaria can enrich her country in Efaria’s own way.”

“…After hearing Lord Fels’s words, I have lost a great deal of confidence that I can manage it…”

Efaria had received quite a shock…

No, what I was trying to do was power play possible only because I could use the power from the days when Sword and Legions was a game, and on top of that, I was leaving everything to others… I sounded pompous, but fundamentally, it was cheating, you know…?

“…We have strayed considerably from the topic of nobles and vested interests, but… Efaria. Einheria intends to cooperate with the Lufelon Holy Kingdom in matters other than military affairs as well. Anything is fine. If you have something to consult us about, we will definitely answer it. So do not hold back. As I said before, the people of Einheria and the people of the Lufelon Holy Kingdom are all the same to me—people I must protect.”

Though the ones who would actually give advice were not me, but Kiriku and Ilmitt!

“…Thank you very much, Lord Fels. Also, I apologize for showing weakness.”

“It does not matter. The ones holding a tea party here right now are Fels and Efaria, after all.”

When I said that and smiled at her, Efaria also showed a slightly embarrassed smile.

Still, though it was a little different from my habit of giving speeches, I felt like recently I had become rather used to putting opinions like this, as a king, into words.

Maybe it was because I had often shown off my thoughts in an exaggerated manner to people like Karmos, Viktor, and the King of Est.

Or was it because my strategy stat had risen…? Well, whatever the case, whether I could actually carry it out was… How could I say such things so pompously when I was dumping everything onto others?

Well, a king, or rather the top of an organization, was probably something like this!

While thinking such things, I reached for my tea, and Lynferia, who had been waiting a short distance away, approached me.

“Your Majesty, it appears to be thieves.”

“…Oh?”

Thieves…?

Huh? Thieves came? Here? You’re kidding, right?

“There are about thirty of them. They will likely show themselves very soon… but they do not seem inclined to hide.”

“They are coming from the front? If the thieves say anything, confirm what they say before suppressing them.”

If they were openly attacking, there was a possibility that they would make some kind of claim. There was a good chance they would say something stupid.

“Understood.”

Lynferia lowered her head, then turned her body toward the direction where the thieves were likely coming from.

“It seems thieves are heading here. There is no particular problem, but Efaria, do not leave my side.”

“Yes. I leave myself in your hands.”

At my words that thieves had come, Efaria nodded without showing any sign of panic.

I had already told Efaria about the attack, and she seemed all right… but attacking head-on in broad daylight? Was the chancellor’s faction sane?

Did they intend to kill me and Efaria at the same time?

No, the moment they appeared before us while armed, everything was already out in various ways, right? What were they thinking?

Where had the talk of buying time gone?

As I was confused like that, the garden suddenly became noisy.

It seemed they had arrived… but were Efaria’s guards all right? They were probably guarding this place from a distance.

Hmm… I could hear the sound of clashing swords. It seemed a battle had broken out.

“…We cannot abandon Efaria’s guards. Let us go there ourselves.”

“Thank you very much!”

When I said that while standing up, Efaria cheerfully thanked me, but Efaria’s guard here could not accept that.

“Please wait! His Holy Majesty and the King of Einheria must leave this place at once! Judging from this sound, the enemies are many! We do not know how long we can buy time! I humbly ask that you withdraw to the castle with me!”

“…Your loyalty to your Holy King is splendid, but there is no need to worry about me. Besides, time spent arguing now would be regrettable. Forgive me, but I will go.”

After saying that, I began moving with Lynferia toward the sound of clashing swords.

“Your Holy Majesty! Please wait!”

When I looked back without stopping at that guard’s voice, Efaria was following right behind me.

“Efaria, are you coming too?”

“You told me not to leave your side.”

Efaria said that and smiled.

She really was a bold girl.

“I will not protect you from being scolded by your guards, you know?”

“…I have suddenly been abandoned.”

As we exchanged such light banter and moved, we soon saw an armed group and Efaria’s guards confronting them.

“Arne! What are you doing! Why have you not taken His Holy Majesty and fled!”

The middle-aged guard, who had noticed us approaching, shouted toward the guard by Efaria’s side.

Well, of course he would… He was risking his life to hold back the enemy, and the person he was guarding was coming closer.

“Oh! If it is not the foolish king who sold his country and the barbarian king! Have you come to accept your fate and offer your heads?”

Perhaps he had noticed our approach because of the middle-aged guard’s voice, but a middle-aged man with an arrogant air shouted from the rear of the armed thieves.

The foolish king and the barbarian king meant us…?

You… Without my instruction, you would definitely be dead, you know…?

“Royal Guards! Stand down! Marquis Afron, do you understand what you are doing!?”

Efaria raised her voice, but the middle-aged man did not drop his grinning expression.

However, with Efaria’s arrival, the battle seemed to have temporarily stopped.

The guards who had been fighting earlier… or rather, the Royal Guards, had also fallen back to us and held their weapons as if protecting Efaria.

I mean, that middle-aged man was a marquis…? With his plump build and small mustache, he seriously reeked of being a small fry, and honestly, in appearance he was baron level.

“Silence, foolish king who sold her country to another nation out of fear for her own life! You no longer have any qualification to be king! I shall punish you together with that barbarian king there! Men! Attack! Whoever takes the foolish king’s head may have rewards and promotion as they desire!”

When the baron-like marquis gave the order, around thirty soldiers raised a battle cry and began charging toward us.

“Lynferia.”

“Your Holy Majesty! Please flee! Opponents of this level will never get past—”

My single word and the Royal Guard’s shout came almost at the same time… but due to the difference in the length of our lines, everything had ended while he was still speaking.

The soldiers who tried to charge at us, the baron-like marquis acting important behind them, and several people in flashy equipment near the marquis… all of them had collapsed and were not moving even a twitch.

The person who had done it… Lynferia, was looking down at the fallen people without even drawing her sword.

Of course, as I had instructed, no one was dead, but… for some reason, Lynferia calmly kicked the fallen baron-like marquis.

Why did she follow up with an extra attack?

Well, leaving that aside… I opened my mouth while looking at Efaria beside me.

I was starting to worry about the Lufelon Holy Kingdom in all kinds of ways…

“Efaria… Is this… going to be all right…?”

Efaria said nothing, her expression still grim.