Episode 135: The People

“Hey, hold on a second! What the hell is going on here!”

“Aren’t the knights and soldiers supposed to protect us!? Why are we being treated like this…!”

　The walls surrounding the capital Kirchherion, the magic barrier wall Magia Valm. This vast enclosure around the sprawling city features gates of various sizes. At one such gate, an uproar was unfolding.

“Why do we have to be kicked out of the capital!?”

　Raising their voices in protest were the common folk living in the capital… the workers. Forcing them out through the gate were soldiers from the Kirchhen Kingdom Army.

“W-we’ve already explained the reason!”

　One of the soldiers shouted.

“The rebel Siegfried von Kreving is closing in on the capital Kirchherion! This is His Majesty King Luverios’s gracious consideration to evacuate the citizens before that happens!”

“D-don’t mess with us! Even if we’re forced out of the capital, we have nowhere to go!”

　The commoners fired back with shouts one after another.

“T-that’s right! If you really care about us, please let us stay in the capital!”

“Being thrown out like this… we have no way to survive!”

　Even if they were cast out beyond the capital, without a place to live or work, surviving would be utterly impossible.

　The kingdom’s army understood this harsh reality all too well. Yet, knowing full well, they were still trying to expel them from the capital.

　On the surface, it was explained as ‘evacuating the citizens,’ but that was nothing more than a deception. The real aim was to drive out those who would become a hindrance in a siege battle.

　The commoners made up the largest portion of the population in the capital Kirchherion. Normally, the city’s economy thrived on their labor and taxes.

　But once a siege began—that sheer number would turn into a burden. They would consume food at an alarming rate.

　The capital had massive food stockpiles. However, even those weren’t inexhaustible. If the Holy Church’s army arrived late, there was a risk of food shortages.

　To avoid that worst-case scenario, they were reducing the capital’s population. —In other words, chasing the workers out through the gates.

　The Kirchhen Kingdom Army knew exactly what their actions meant—they truly understood.

　That’s why a hint of guilt seeped into the soldiers’ voices.

“A-anyway… get out!”

“No way! I’m not leaving! I…”

“—Then, would you choose death instead?”

　That single voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp and unrelenting. Laden with cold, murderous intent, it made everyone around instinctively hold their breath.

“V-Vice Leader of the Knight Order, Weissmaster Klaus…!”

　One of the soldiers muttered the name under his breath.

　The one who appeared was—none other than Vice Leader of the Knight Order, Weissmaster Klaus himself.

“If you insist on defying our measures… then you’ll have to die.”

　Klaus parted the line of soldiers and stepped forward calmly. In his hand—a lance that gleamed silver under the sunlight’s reflection.

“Personally, I’d advise you to comply quietly—but what will it be?”

“Ah… uh…”

　Not a single person could utter a word in response.

　Vice Leader of the Knight Order, Weissmaster Klaus—a man holding the second-highest position in the kingdom’s knight order after Zefard, renowned as the strongest lance wielder in the eastern nations.

　Faced with the killing intent radiating from such a man, no one could harbor any will to resist.

　The workers all hung their heads in unison and silently began walking out through the gate.

“W-we’re terribly sorry. To have Vice Leader Weissmaster himself come all the way here…”

　One of the soldiers apologized, unable to hide his tension.

“There’s no need to show mercy to lowly commoners. Just drive them out efficiently. If they resist—feel free to kill a few as an example.”

　With those words tossed out, Klaus cast a chilling glance around before leaving the line of soldiers.

“I’m going to check on the other gates. Don’t slip up.”

“Y-yes, sir…!”

　After the soldier saluted with a pale face, he glanced toward the people heading out through the gate.

　To him, their backs seemed to ooze a deep, palpable despair.

(What we’re doing… it’s the right thing, isn’t it…?)

 

◇

 

　Several days had passed since the commoners were driven out of the capital.

　Some had fled to nearby towns relying on acquaintances, but the majority remained lingering around the capital Kirchherion.

　Being expelled didn’t mean they’d suddenly find somewhere to go.

　Relying on the scant household goods and food they’d managed to bring, they huddled in the forests near the capital, enduring the wind and rain as they scraped by.

　In the forest where they hid, the steady sound of footsteps echoed.

　It wasn’t just one or two. It was the sound of thousands, no, tens of thousands of soldiers treading the ground.

“T-they’re here… the Eastern Army led by Count Kreving…!”

　The commoners peered at the road from the shadows of the forest.

　In their line of sight, the Eastern Army marched in orderly formation, advancing toward the capital.

“Damn it, stirring up unnecessary trouble…”

　A murmur escaped from someone, undirected.

“If Count Kreving hadn’t started this rebellion, we wouldn’t have been kicked out…”

“Y-yeah. That bastard…”

“Yeah… what an absolute monster…”

　Right after those whispers were exchanged—.

“Oh…?”

　A voice suddenly rang out from behind them.

　Startled by the unexpected direction of the sound, they all shuddered and hurriedly turned around.

　Standing there was a silver-haired young man clad in jet-black noble attire.

“Eh, huh…?”

“W-who…?”

　As commoners, they had no acquaintance with nobles. Naturally, his face was unfamiliar.

　But his appearance matched perfectly with the rumors of a certain man.

　They said—he favored black noble clothing, had silver hair and refined features. And… eyes as cold as the abyss.

“N-no way… Count Kreving…?”

“That’s right.”

“Eek…!”

　They recoiled instinctively, crawling across the ground to put distance between themselves and Siegfried.

　Siegfried approached them slowly and spoke calmly.

“Just now, you all called me a bastard, an absolute monster… didn’t you?”

“Eek… eeee! W-we’re so sorry, Count! We, uh, we just…”

“—Don’t praise me too much like that.”

　Siegfried smiled faintly.

　Then, addressing the beastkin girl who had appeared beside him at some point.

“Give these people some food. They look like they’re on the verge of starving to death.”

“Food? I don’t mind, but… why?”

　The beastkin with ash-gray hair—Fen—tilted her head in confusion.

　She knew well that Siegfried wasn’t the type to act out of sympathy or kindness.

“The first reason is—to make evil shine, you need people to witness it. In other words, these folks are the audience for our battle against Luverios and his side.”

“Huh…?”

“And the second reason is—”

　At that point, Siegfried leaned in close to Fen’s ear and whispered softly.

“—It’s a stepping stone for capturing the capital.”