Chapter 23: King Ferme

TL: Pengu

TLC: Darknari

Proof-reader: Manga Hunter.

Soon, the stock

Leader! How was it?

Its confirmed, it is almost white. But

I inform everyone that King Fermes armed forces are coming.

That isnt good. Lets return them.

In this case, contact with King Fermes country is troublesome. To begin with, it is too late.

A really troublesome thing was brought in.

Well, what to do about it?

Are you delivering those fellows to King Ferme or are you prepared to antagonize King Ferme by sheltering them?

If King Ferme is not there, I may permit 30 people to stay.

From the beginning it will become a heavy burden, as the population wont increase if they didnt cross over.

Besides, it is a natural thing to help so I decided to help.

Naturally, children have top priority, but if Im able I will help even adults.

However, I dont want to be falsely accused by King Ferme.

The top priority is everyone here now.

ErrrIs King Ferme really hostile?

Soyon raised her hand and asked.

Who knows? But when you see the details of the ruling methods of kings

Even if you dont say sothose people are ones that ran away once. If thats the case, I think it will be difficult to keep an a eye on them if they are brought back.

It might be so now that you say that.

It is a group who ran away under the cover of darkness once, so they are bad assets. They will likely escape again even if they are brought back. There is also a danger in them joining together with a foreign country.

Is there a merit in doing so and securing 30 people?

I think its normally [30 people produce taxes] < [Amassing the forces to observe them].

If it was me, I would give up.

It would alleviate discontent if the abandoned farmland is distributed to the vassals.

Eh?

If that is the case, why come and chase after them?

That reminds me that the soldier said something disturbing.

Possibly

The people who escaped are rebels. Rebels are massacred.

Tetra said something dangerous.

As expected, it is that? Killing to make an example.

That one is effective.

Though the revenue is affected if it is 1000 people, but it is not a problem for 30 people.

Probably, if its not conveyed that they were killed it would affect the morale of the soldiers.

Because nobody would want to kill their fellow countrymen.

Then, should I help? Those people are innocent.

That is also right. I agree with helping them.

Roswald and Ron expressed their approval.

I also agree.

Gram also approved.

I also think its better to help them. It would be pitiable if they got killed.

Soyon also agreed?

If I remember correctly, Tetra also agreed.

They are tentatively my parentsit would be the same as killing them if I just looked on

Lulu was unmotivated and yet she expressed agreement.

The other? Fellows who oppose please raise your hand.

Nobody raises their hand.

Those in favor?

All hands went up.

With this it is decided.

For the time being, everyoneit has been decided to accept you all.

When I said so, the refugeesthe new villagers raised a shout of joy.

However, the decision could possibly be overturned. It depends on your actions.

When I said so, the villagers nodded with a serious face.

They seem to understand their standing for the time being.

I dont have anything in particular to say as long as they act obediently.

Also, Yal was it? Please come. There is a discussion.

I call the representative of the new villagers.

First of all, we have to discuss about measures for King Ferme.

I gather Yal, Tetra, Ron, Roswald, Gram, Soyon, and Lulu inside the building.

These seven people are the executives of this villageor positions like that.

Ron and Roswald have pure strong power and also a sense of responsibility.

Gram is the best at handling a bow in this village. There is a resignation in that.

Soyon and Lulu are the few that have magic war potential.

Tetra it goes without saying.

If Yal does not have the new villagers integrated after this, they wont become a part of the village.

Now then, what is the agenda for the approaching King Fermes army?

When I said so, Yal had a startled face.

That reminds me that I didnt explain it to him. Oh well.

For the time being. Is King Ferme trying to kill the people who had accepted those people, the premise here? What would we do if King Ferme is foolish enough to just come and get them back?

At that timeI will give a tribute to curry favor.

I feel like withdrawing, if he is that foolish.

I mean since I said that I accepted you, I would feel awkward to quickly change my attitude.

[At best, plead to me] as I recall King Rosaiths remark.

Does it mean that the tribute taken is wheat?

Is it no use?

There is no choice but to leave.

Yal looks down in silence.

After all, his right to speak is not equal in this place.

However, when King Ferme comes should I give tribute? The opponent is 200.

They will likely plunder if I dont hand it over quietly.

In other words, I cant do anything but give the wheat up. SheetI may really have to throw myself on their mercy.

It seems this talk is already sufficient. I assume King Ferme will come to pursue the story and massacre everyone. Ill have the new villagers take off their clothes. It is possible that they might say I killed you if I have your clothes taken. There were animal bones that we had eaten yesterday. And then theres the foolish heroes bones scattered about near the griffon-samas bed. The credibility might increase with that. I will let you keep your face with this.

They need not have to kill the citizens particularly.

It only has to be a fact that they were killed.

Theres no problem if the mouths of 200 soldiers are sealed afterwards.

If there is a chatty soldier I think it might be impossible.

With this. It is a problem if King Ferme targets our village. It could very well work this time, butI intend to stave it off with the tribute first.

Does it depend on the quantity? It will be painful if they collect a dreadful amount from us annually.

For now, should we endure it for one year? In that year we can gather weapons. Lets negotiate for that weapon support.

Nevertheless, if they demand an excessive amount

It cant be helped.

The question is how much we can we take out? How much savings are there?

As it is, because our agrotechnology is higher than the opponent, the amount of reserves can be deceived. Lets take out 50% from 70% of the real harvest.

Tetra said the calculated stored amount with mental arithmetic.

Though the amount is enough that we can eat, but it cant guarantee the cost of the refugees food.

As expected, I can do nothing but appeal to King Rosaith

It truly annoying. That bald bastard.

Do we supplement the insufficient amount with honey, fur and liquor?

Paper and unglazed ware are no good.

The value of that is too high.

They might come back and ask for the method.

Though honey is valuable, it isnt problematic since there is a method to take from the natural honeybee hive.

Almost all objectives are decided.

Ok! Please prepare the tribute. I will conceal the wheat reserves. Just to be sure.

Afterwards it depends on my negotiation skill.

Ah, thats right. First, there is something I must say.

All eyes pay attention to me.

I, when this negotiation is over, will get married.

Good grief, they were troublesome with their escape. They might as well raise a revolt. It wouldnt be necessary to chase if they did so.

Ferme said in a troublesome tone.

The person in question doesnt need to expressly go if its troublesome.

However, because the root is serious he especially goes out.

Good decisions and diligent character is what makes him a king.

Should we really annihilate them?

Naturally. Isnt it good? The same thing will happen again if I permit it even a little.

Because it was only 30 this time, it wouldnt affect many people.

However, it is a different story if it becomes 100 or 200 people.

It was better to crush the eye of the rebellion.

Right. As for such a one time cruelty, it is important to do it thoroughly. What, the preparations for invading King Rosaiths country are completed. I only have to fill peoples bellies with food at that time.

Haa, is that so? No, I know well the kings strength. Nevertheless, there is still the problem of the landlord group.

Landlords who conspired with Ferme to overthrow the Ars House.

They were nursing dissatisfaction towards Faludam.

As their taxes are still high, no ranking in an important post, and unlike the time of King Rosaiths reign luxuries become impossible to own.

The dissatisfaction cant help, but dissatisfy.

Humph, leave those guys alone. They cant do anything anyway. There are no heavy loses in place where the people who conspired with King Rosaith. Rather, it is a chance for me to take care of it all together. Leaving that aside, the problem is those guys who still swear loyalty to Ragou.

There is no person who can compliment that feudal lord Ragou is a wise ruler. Misgovernment was done many times.

It was guessed that he would lose the war to Ferme, too.

However, he is a gentle person so there were a lot of soldiers and generals who sweared fidelity to Ragou.

Superficially, they accepted King Fermes reign, but they will rebel if there is a chance.

Although, peoples stomachs arent filled with kindness.

In the end, they were killed by influential landlords, who played a central role in fanning the revolt on Ferme.

It is painful to have overlooked that sheetty brat now.

Its already dead. A 10-year-old child cant live by wandering alone in the forest. It must have become flesh and blood with the wolves by now.

The close aide said that he worried too much.

My king! The place of the group was caught hold of.

You did well. Where is it?

Its a place a little south from here. But

The shaman man hesitates to speak a little.

There was a place like a village. The groups scent is from there.

A village, you say?

Ferme is lost in thought.

He has heard the rumor of the village protected by the griffon, too.

However, he thought it was a rumor after all.

It might be the perseverance of the abandoned children that united in order to live somehow.

They picked up the griffons feather as proof and stripped the iron swords from the corpses.

I thought so.

But its a different story if there really is a village.

This is badwe cant expect to also win against a god.

I heard that the griffon doesnt concern itself with human wars. It might not be a problem. Besides, that fellows territory is deeper inside. No problem.

Ferme said.

In reality, the griffon considers Almis to be an existence that has become independent and has stopped supporting it.

Therefore his expectation is right.

Is that so. At worst, we will retreat as soon as the griffon comes out.

The aide muttered so.

After a while passed the view opened up, the trees became sparse and the stumps increased.

Is that it? It is of some scale.

Ferme muttered while looking at the village from a distance.

Judging from the number of houses and the size of the fields, the villages scale is roughly 100 to 150 people.

To ward off wolves the village has dig up and set up a simple fence.

Hmm? Someone has come out.

Approximately 40-50 people appeared from the villages entrance.

They have bows and swords.

Shall we exterminate them?

No, it isnt necessary. Apparently, they seem to want to talk.

One man stepped forward from within the group.

The man is mounted on a horse.

The man came forward little by little, and stood approximately 100 meters away.

What business do have? King Ferme!

The man shouted loudly so.

Though Ferme was surprised a little, he answered.

You have to answer that first.

I am named Almis the person who governs this village.

Ferme looks hard and observes the man who introduces himself as Almis.

His face is blurred, but it is understood that he is a youth from his physique.

I am chasing after our nations citizens who ran away to this village! Deliver them quietly!

We cant afford to let you kill the people in our presence. I cant agree.

This guy, you have comprehended well that I was going to slaughter those people.

Such a frightening idea doesnt occur in normal people.

Is he considerably hot-headed or is he accustomed to politics?

Then, lets talk. Come here alone!

When Ferme called out so, the youth began to advance alone.

Its seems he is fairly bold.

The youth stopped at a distance of 10 meters.

If I approach just a little, his face can be seen.

His hair and eyes are ashen. His body is muscular, as I can see that his body is tempered under his clothes.

The clothes he wore were quite a fine article.

Nice to meet you, King Ferme. Shall I approach more?

No. It isnt necessary. Since you may not feel relieved.

Ferme answered.

Then, what is the reason to not agree?

Because our village population is few. There wont be a problem for you to kill us anyway even if we accept, is there?

The youth answered.

He doesnt appear frightened of Ferme at all.

He seems to have considerable nerves of steel.

It wont be so. You have my honor. Only dead bodies are necessary.

Then, there is no problem. There is the thiefs body who invaded the village in the past. Though, its only bones. Though it was left to expose, before long I got tired of looking at it, so Ill offer it to you.

Ferme unintentionally frowned at those words.

Though an agreeable youth is seen, but he appears like a villain.

Still, Ferme isnt cruel enough to have the hobby of displaying skeletons.

The numbers are insufficient.

Is it alright if I supplement it with animal bones? Thats right. Also, please take their clothes at the same time. The credibility might increase.

Ferme ponders about it a little.

There is no problem as long as it is a fact that they have been killed.

Therefore, its good to accept the youths suggestion. It wont be a problem if I silence the soldiers in the rear.

The enemy is 40 people which is 1/5 of ours. Though, we can certainly win, but some damage will occur if they hold out a siege.

In addition, I want to avoid fighting as I consider about dealing with the refugees and other noncombatants.

It seems stupid to reduce the soldiers in such a place.

Well, its alright. Apart from that, are you able to afford to feed 30 people?

Ferme licks his lips.

It looks like your village is in our countrys territory. You wouldnt mind right?

I dont care. But, I want you to promise self government.

Thats fine. As long as tax is paid. Thats right give me 80% of this villages harvest.

Ferme doesnt intend to govern such a village in the first place.

We only need to tear off all that we can.

There is no need for hesitation, since they are not my countrys people.

I only need to destroy them if they refuse.

By assaulting them only 80% or less is taken, as for tribute we should receive 80% or more.

The country can sustain a while longer as long as grain is obtained.

Afterwards such a village would be neglected.

It doesnt have value beside sending soldiers there since it is near King Rosaiths capital.

Besides, soldiers can be placed here if the man refused.

He may request for King Rosaiths help.

The soldiers who I send will exterminate them when it happens. There isnt a profit to obtain it. (Note: it actually said sen (1/100 of a yen) which is less than a cent)

Will it be right now?

Naturally. You wont say that you have eaten all of the spring crops? It is useless to deceive me. I know how much you can harvest if I look at the villages scale.

If he missed this, King Rosaiths army will be called out.

It has to be now.

If I had a larger army, we might be able to storm it without great damagein the first place, this village is a godsend.

There is no other way.

80%, is it? That is too much. I can yield 60%, can you accept that? In exchange, I will supply honey and fur as this villages special product.

Heehh, honey is it

Honey is rarely eaten since it has a very high price.

It depends on the amount, but its not a bad deal.

70%. And, I will come to an agreement.

I understand. I will prepare it immediately. Wait for a bit.

The youth said so and went back to the village.

A short time later, a few men pull a cart with pots.

By all means.

That is considerably fast. Did you already prepare it?

The youth makes a ingratiating smile when Ferme said so.

Well, fine. I obtained an unexpected profit. Lets return. If its leaked I will come to execute that person.

Ferme changes the direction of his horse and turns his back on the village.