chapter_0010
by fnovelpia10 – The People of Kron
10 – The People of Kron
Time passed since the incident with the Lion Family.
Fortunately, contrary to my worries, the Lion Family’s response was quiet.
I found myself relieved, wondering if this was really the same Lion Family that had seemed like wild boars in the World Archive.
If there was a problem, it was in my territory, specifically in my office.
Since the clash with the Lion Family, Noah had started to cling to me quite a bit.
“Lord, I have completed the financial report for this month. Please check it.”
Previously, Noah would stand in front of me and report in a formal manner.
Aside from the inscrutable bright smile directed at me, there was nothing particularly special.
But now…
“Lord, I’ve organized the budget for immigrant support. Please take a look. Oh! There are some difficult parts, so I’ll explain them to you.”
Noah explained while standing right next to me, almost pressed against me.
It was nice that Noah was explaining things.
However, with Noah’s large chest pressed against me, I couldn’t think straight.
Moreover, the scent of hydrangeas wafting from Noah made me feel like I was indirectly experiencing the sensation of an adventurer being seduced by a succubus.
“The key point is the adjustment of the tax rates for immigrants and the support funds. I classified the free people who can pay the relocation costs and those who cannot, and adjusted the tax rates accordingly.”
Noah was saying something.
But nothing was registering in my ears.
Even upon looking again, I felt that Noah was unrealistically beautiful.
No, she was more than beautiful; she was as stunning as the goddess of beauty.
How could someone be so pretty? Is it because this is another world?
“Lord… Lord! Are you listening to me?”
“Uh…? Ah! I’m listening well. Yes, I understand everything. Let’s go in this direction.”
Anyway, having a beautiful girl like Noah clinging to me was a very happy thing.
However, lately, whenever I saw Noah’s smiling face, I sometimes felt a chill run down my spine.
It felt like the gaze I experienced while playing a nurturing game like Princess Maker, that kind of feeling.
…It must be just my imagination, right?
As I was enjoying these little events and short moments of happiness, an event occurred, as expected in the World Archive’s world that doesn’t leave characters alone.
A few days later, Hart came to me with a serious expression.
“Thieves have started to appear.”
“Thieves?”
Didn’t our knights wipe them all out?
As if reading my thoughts, Hart continued to explain.
“The thieves within our territory have been completely eradicated by Ricain and the knights.”
Hart showed me a map, clearly indicating the locations of the eradicated thieves with skull marks.
Seeing this, I realized that our knights had indeed taken care of the real thieves.
I was glad we had provided support.
While I was lost in thought, Hart pointed towards the boundary of our territory and said.
“However, it seems that thieves have started to appear from outside the territory.”
“From outside the territory?”
“Yes, they are reportedly appearing in the boundary area between our territory and the Lion Family’s territory.”
“What about the damage? Are there any injured citizens?”
If those thieves had harmed my precious citizens, as a beloved lord, I couldn’t just stand by.
In response to my words, Hart calmly replied.
“Fortunately, there are no injured citizens. However… the free people trying to relocate to our territory have suffered significant damage.”
“The free people have been hurt!?”
Upon listening closely to Hart’s story, I realized the situation was serious.
Some of the free people moving to our territory had been found dead, having been attacked by thieves, with their belongings stripped away. It was said that the women had suffered unspeakable horrors.
“Is it possible to protect the immigrants?”
“It won’t be easy. Even if we deploy all the knights from our territory, it will be difficult to protect all the immigrants.”
Hart explained while looking at the map.
He marked the areas where the thieves were appearing, and even I could see that they were spread out widely across the boundary, making it difficult to take action.
Their intelligent movements felt almost military-like.
“All we can do is guide the immigrants to gather during the day and move safely.”
“I see… For now, let’s proceed with that method and try to prevent the immigrants from getting hurt as much as possible.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Having lived in a country where it was fine to roam around at night, seeing this made me feel the reality of being in another world.
“And tell the citizens that thieves are appearing, and if they sense danger, they should run away without hesitation.”
“Yes, understood, my lord.”
Thus, I discussed the response to the thieves with Hart.
After Hart left, I noticed Noah quietly listening nearby.
Feeling my heart race at Noah’s smiling face, I hurriedly opened my mouth.
“Noah, should I prepare something more for the citizens?”
I subtly hinted at how I might increase expenditures.
Noah smiled and said, “I don’t think you need to prepare anything special, my lord.”
“Really?”
“Yes, the people of Cron are already thoroughly prepared.”
Noah said while looking out the window.
As the treasurer and heir of the White Guild, it seemed Noah could see something that I couldn’t.
I asked Noah, “What do you mean by ‘prepared’?”
When I asked, Noah looked surprised.
But then, with a knowing smile, she said, “Your ability to pretend not to know is truly remarkable. Did you not prepare all of this in advance?”
“No, I…”
“Oh… it’s because of the Lion Family, isn’t it? I understand. If you say so, I’ll pretend not to know as well.”
What on earth is this about?
I really don’t know!!
I didn’t understand a single word Noah said, and although I wanted to ask her, I held back for the sake of my dignity as a lord.
And soon after, I would come to understand the meaning behind Noah’s words.
Garche was quite pleased with this mission.
Before being “employed” by the Lion Family, he had been a thief.
Living a modest life by robbing passing travelers and merchants in the mountains, he had the misfortune of touching a cart belonging to the Lion Family.
And then he met Hadem Lion, the “Lion of Hell,” whom he had only heard about.
That day, his band of thieves was annihilated, and the few survivors were forcibly employed—or rather, conscripted—by the Lion Family.
While undergoing training that bordered on abuse, Garche was approached by the aide of Lord Hadem, who gave him a secret mission.
He was to become a thief and harass the Crones Family.
Garche accepted that mission without hesitation.
It would be strange to refuse when he could escape the hellish training and once again enjoy the freedom of being a thief.
The days that followed were filled with joy.
He first ambushed the free people heading towards the Crones Family.
This was partly due to the order from Aide Lagos to deal with the fleeing free people from the Lion Family, and also because entering the territory of the Crones Family was dangerous.
Using the know-how he had gained from a long life as a thief, he first conducted small ambushes on the outskirts of the boundary, dispersing the knights guarding the area before targeting larger prey.
After about ten small ambushes on the outer edge of the territory, Garche finally spotted his target.
It was news that a cart delivering salt and taxes was about to depart.
Usually, such carts were heavily guarded by knights, but this one had set off late and had almost no escort.
Garche led his subordinates and prepared for the ambush.
On the night of the full moon, as the cold dawn air began to feel sharp against his nose, the lights of the cart came into view.
“Garche, ah, I mean, boss, I think they’ve arrived.”
“Yeah, I see it too. Looks like I’ll be able to have a feast tomorrow night, hehehe.”
Even from a distance, he could sense that the cart was carrying something valuable.
He had heard that he could do whatever he wanted with the looted items.
If he could steal that and sell it, he could finally go to the bustling district and have fun until he dropped.
Garche drew his sword and shouted.
“Let’s go!! You bastards!! It’s hunting time!!!”
“Uooooo!!!!”
“Let’s go!!! Charge!!!”
As Garche signaled, his subordinates all rushed out and began to charge towards the cart.
He loved this moment the most.
As they charged through the darkness, the people became like frightened rabbits, busy fleeing from them.
Garche reveled in the feeling of having the power over their lives.
“Khahaha!!! Men should ravage, and women should be killed!!!”
“Run for your lives, rabbits!!! Hahaha!!!”
As they charged towards the cart, he noticed something strange.
The people in the cart weren’t fleeing.
Usually, they would be frantically trying to escape upon seeing them, but what were those guys doing?
As he pondered this, a sudden loud noise erupted.
Bang-!!
“Gaaah!!!”
With the sound, one of his subordinates fell from his horse.
Garche had seen that before.
That was definitely…
“Gunfire!”
“They have guns!!”
That was definitely a weapon used by knights.
Garche had only seen it before, but he had never used that magical tool because it was too expensive. Yet those people in the cart had it.
The people in the cart had suddenly armed themselves with shining swords and spears and began charging at them.
“Who the hell do you think you’re messing with!!!?”
“How dare you touch our lord’s belongings!! You’re all dead today!!”
What kind of scene is this?
Garche couldn’t understand.
The information clearly stated they were commoners, but their armament was anything but ordinary.
“Retreat!! It’s a trap!!! They’ve set a trap!!!!”
Bang-!!
“Where do you think you’re going, you bastards!!! Show me your necks!!!”
Garche abandoned his comrades and fled with all his might, while the stragglers were captured by the people of Cron and began to suffer a terrible fate.
And until the moment they died, they didn’t realize.
That those who fought back against them were indeed the common people of Cron.
Upon hearing the news of the thieves’ appearance, the people of Cron had armed themselves with their own money to protect themselves and their lord’s property.
They had even purchased two guns, which were as expensive as a year’s salary for a commoner.
The reason this was possible was quite simple.
They had the money to buy weapons due to the increased daily wages, and with more merchants around, there were guilds to purchase those weapons from.
However, the people of Cron had conducted this secretly.
If their lord found out, he might try to use his own funds to support them again.
Feeling that they had already received too much from their lord, the people of Cron thought it was their turn to protect their lord’s property and prepared this in secret.
That day, the people of Cron annihilated the band of thieves, creating a legend and gifting another song to the bards.
And that song invited her to Cron.
A word from the author (author’s note)
Thank you for your support, Seongho715!
I will continue to serialize without forgetting your encouragement!!
Thank you for reading!!!
??? : You mean the employees took it upon themselves to fight the thieves to protect the boss’s property? How is that possible?
??? : It’s simple. Just double the salary.
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