Ch.558558. Restoration Project (2)

Those who came to determine the outcome of the territory war have the authority to acknowledge their defeat, but they do not have the power to immediately decide what compensation each of the seven families will give us.

“Regarding compensation, we should hear the position of each family. If given a brief grace period, it would be appropriate to discuss this again with proper courtesy… What does the Baron think?”

“I don’t want to wait too long. Your participation will be quite necessary for rebuilding the meaninglessly destroyed territory.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

I made it abundantly clear that I wanted this handled quickly without wasting time.

“Additionally, regarding the release of the two captured heads of families and other heirs—”

“If you want prisoners returned, you must exchange something of equivalent value to the person.”

“Our alliance is willing to pay the amount required to immediately secure the return of the two heads of families.”

“Even if they return to their families, they cannot avoid the kingdom’s strict investigation regarding Baron Akion’s treason. Will you still pay?”

“…Of course.”

Having captured not just heirs but the heads of families themselves, it would be nonsensical for them not to take back these individuals who represent their families and are the focal points of power.

Though I mentioned the kingdom’s strict investigation, these were people whose fate remained uncertain due to our heavy influence. The alliance had no choice but to pay a hefty sum to immediately extract the two heads of families.

The money falling into our hands right now would be quite substantial.

‘I don’t know how promising the heirs we captured were.’

If the different families decide they want them back rather than coldly abandoning them, even more money would naturally come our way.

In this situation where I could almost hear the sound of money rolling in, I firmly held the corners of my mouth to prevent a smile from appearing as I continued the conversation.

After our discussion, they began to leave the barony, their hands full of losses from their defeat.

“Alliance forces! Form ranks according to your families and prepare to return!”

“We will now conduct body searches! Anyone possessing elixirs distributed by Baron Akion must surrender them immediately!”

We were reclaiming the imperial items obtained through improper means.

Where had all that ferocity gone, the same ferocity that had raged until the moment their lives were nearly cut short? Worried that they might be implicated for participating in a war connected to the beheaded Baron, they could only return as powerless defeated soldiers.

The soldiers who fought on the front lines and the territory residents who waged their own battle for survival naturally became intoxicated with the current victory, momentarily forgetting what they had lost or had taken from them.

‘It finally feels like the war is over.’

After arranging for Tasha to receive proper treatment inside the lord’s castle, making sure the victory news was clearly communicated to the territory residents, and giving instructions for cleanup, I was surveying the territory when our unit commanders gathered around me.

The Knight Commander Hanelrn who looked exhausted in various ways, the Assault Unit Commander Teia who had the most wounds but was also the most cheerful, and the Royal Guard Commander who had helped Tasha.

All of them were standing properly on their own two feet, looking at the territory they had protected, so I belatedly asked after their well-being.

“The assault unit’s contribution to ending the territory war was significant. Commander Teia, are you alright?”

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine thanks to the lord sending support at the right time. Rather than me, it’s this one.”

When Teia playfully poked Hanelrn, wrinkles formed on the visibly exhausted Hanelrn’s brow.

“Hanelrn would have complained more than me if he complained at all.”

“The Knight Commander Hanelrn? Was the opponent that strong?”

“…No.”

“Come on.”

“It’s best not to take Commander Teia’s words too seriously. She says many things without substance. It’s just that the opponent Teia struggled against possessed unexpected strength.”

“Hmm.”

“…But I won in the end.”

Perhaps it was because I had provoked Hanelrn’s competitive spirit, but his reaction was more intense than usual.

Thanks to being able to exchange such banter after escaping the chilling wartime situation, the atmosphere around us lightened considerably.

With a brighter and more hopeful feeling rather than just a heavy atmosphere, I took in the scenery near the walls destroyed by the alliance forces.

The talkative Hanelrn was the first to express his impression.

“…They destroyed everything they could destroy. As if this was more important than breaking through the defense line.”

Indeed, as Teia had said.

The territory beyond the defense line had been reduced to wasteland. Even the central area where major facilities were concentrated had quite a few buildings that were burned or collapsed, though Tasha’s efforts had united the citizens and minimized the damage as much as possible.

But here, I could see that they had destroyed absolutely everything touched by human hands, not just along the main routes of the enemy forces, but even things located in remote corners.

“All I can say is how vicious they were. If the alliance forces had broken through the defense line, the entire territory would have been trampled like this. It would have been a struggle to stand alone again. Truly malicious.”

I couldn’t help but snort.

‘Baron Akion.’

If her inadequate strategy had succeeded.

My territory would have become ruins with only debris of buildings scattered around, like the scenery here. And while her troops were trampling my territory, she herself would have escaped alone to the royal capital to live a life of comfort.

Although the Baron was no longer of this world, I clicked my tongue once more at the outrageousness.

‘As they say, crisis is opportunity.’

I chose to see this scene as a new opportunity.

‘I’ll use the territory restoration project as an opportunity.’

We had already secured some data on similar projects from the poverty relief efforts conducted by the Count’s family and the Baron’s family.

Furthermore, one of the positive functions of religion is gathering under a common purpose to overcome hardships and adversities together.

‘Rather than relying on the power of the religious order, our territory’s people’

Not only do they have the valuable experience of gathering around our Tasha as their focal point and defeating Magia.

Since the church within our barony is far too small to embrace all the vulnerable people who emerged from this turmoil.

Wouldn’t it be better to use this opportunity to promote Tasha as a saint within our barony and complete both the restoration project and missionary activities?

Well, promoting Tasha, who isn’t even a priest of the order, as a saint, and spreading such ideology that touches the spiritual roots of people would certainly not be viewed favorably by the religious order.

‘But what can they do about it?’

Even the Holy Nation is currently being targeted by the Demon of Deception.

Haven’t we already accepted the fact that we don’t need to be overly concerned with their opinions?

With that in mind, I addressed one of those accompanying me.

“Royal Guard Commander, I have something to ask. What was Tasha like in that chaotic situation?”

I opened my mouth toward the Royal Guard Commander who had helped Tasha.

“And how was she reflected in the eyes of the territory residents? Can I hear it directly from you, without any falsehood, just as it was?”

After briefly collecting his thoughts, the Royal Guard Commander answered.

“Lady Tasha was terrified. She was on the verge of breaking under the pressure of the crowd’s anger and the burden weighing on her.”

Quite a scathing assessment.

“But she didn’t break, and step by step she moved forward, and eventually found the Magia hosts that none of the knights or mages there could identify. Tasha’s steps, dedicated to the territory residents, were as dignified as those of a young person who had just become a knight.”

But this was quickly reversed.

“The ability Lady Tasha displayed was as special as the miracles said to be performed by the saints of the Holy Nation.”

And judging by that reaction.

Perhaps the Royal Guard Commander had also been captivated by Tasha’s appearance.

He showed an unexpectedly biased view.

“Even if it might be considered blasphemy against the religious order, Lady Tasha appeared no different from a saint in the eyes of the territory residents.”

If the Royal Guard Commander praised her this much, how much more would our territory residents?

‘Well.’

With so many territory residents anxiously waiting for news of Tasha in front of the infirmary, how could it be bad?

“That’s good.”

There’s no need to explain how reassuring it is to have allies armed not just with justification but with firm belief, and how troublesome and frightening they are when encountered as enemies.

So I was simply looking for my most reliable helper.

“Royal Guard Commander.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Do you happen to know where Lord Benner is?”

I was just looking for Lord Benner.

* * *

The occupation forces finally returned to the barony.

I had been waiting for Sione, curious about what stories she would bring back.

While I wasn’t without expectations for a touching reunion befitting a married couple.

Our reunion had quite a commotion to it.

“Sio—”

“Ray…!”

Sione with a bewildered expression.

“I briefly ran into Tasha on the way here…!”

With the intimate and sweet greeting already gone beyond recovery.

I ended up laughing.

“Tasha’s hair has turned completely white, and she seems to be constantly coughing. Is she really okay…?”

I couldn’t help but think that even this haphazard flow wasn’t so bad.