A Request I Could Not Refuse
The forest village we reached after following the group was surrounded by tall wooden walls. Beyond them, bow-wielding sentries stood watch atop several towers. It looked more like a fortress than a village.
‘There appear to be around a hundred residents.’
That was a considerable population for an isolated village deep in the forest. I wondered how so many people survived here without farmland or livestock, but the scene before me soon provided the answer.
“Look over there. That appears to be a Troll’s skull.”
“And that looks like a Direwolf pelt. Merchants in the city would be beside themselves over it.”
I responded to Hakon while examining a facility that resembled a workshop. Several people were processing monster bones of various sizes and tanning all manner of hides.
That was not all. The roofs of the village buildings, the residents’ clothing, their tools, and many other things in sight had been fashioned from monster materials.
“So this village survives by hunting monsters. That would explain why some of the residents have been injured during hunts.”
Following Hakon’s wandering gaze, I noticed a man with a bandage wrapped around his head.
He was not the only one. We passed wounded people throughout the village. A group of residents was even huddled together and weeping in one corner, perhaps mourning someone who had died.
‘Did monster hunts truly cause this much damage?’
Something felt strange.
These people had been born here and spent their entire lives hunting monsters. Naturally, they should have been highly skilled at it. It was unnatural for so many of them to be injured.
Furthermore, the wounded included not only able-bodied men who would ordinarily venture out to hunt, but also women, children, and the elderly. Something outside the ordinary had clearly occurred.
“Something about this is troubling. The entire village seems subdued… I have a feeling we are about to become entangled in something troublesome.”
Hakon appeared to have reached a similar conclusion, judging by his displeased expression.
A short while later, we followed the others into an assembly hall at the center of the village and took our seats around the room.
“Though it is belated, allow me to formally introduce myself, my lord. My name is Rolf, and I am the chief of this village.”
“Very well. I am Dieter Vermont, and this is Sir Hakon.”
I returned his greeting and introduced Hakon, but Hakon merely glared at Rolf with a scowl and did not even offer a nod. He seemed to be holding a grudge over their heated argument earlier.
“You may already know this, but we are indigenous to Bricks. Our lives have never been comfortable, but our people have lived on this land for generations without facing any grave threats. Recently, however, a great danger has descended upon us. That is why we came to seek your assistance.”
“What kind of danger?”
I asked while recalling the wounded people outside and our previous encounter with the Drake.
I wondered whether another powerful monster had left its territory and descended into the lowlands, just as the Drake had.
However, my expectation proved entirely wrong.
“Goblins. The Goblins have begun launching large-scale attacks against our village.”
“Goblins…?”
That was unexpected.
Goblins were considered the weakest of the weak, monsters belonging to the lowest rank. Yet these people, who survived by hunting monsters, were now facing destruction because of Goblins?
“Yes. The Goblins live in a valley beyond the river to the west. There must be at least four or five hundred of them.”
“Five hundred?”
My eyes widened in astonishment.
Goblins ordinarily lived in small settlements of no more than ten or fifteen. I had never heard of them gathering in such enormous numbers.
“Your surprise is understandable. Unlike those elsewhere, the Goblins of this land have a tendency to form large hordes. When hundreds of them move together, nothing in these lowlands can stand against them. Even Trolls and Griffons avoid them whenever they see a Goblin horde.”
“I see. So they dominate this entire area.”
That explained the situation.
A single Goblin might be weak, but hundreds of them moving together would undoubtedly pose a serious threat.
“Our people have been enemies of the Goblins for generations, but we rarely fought them directly. The river to the west served as a border, and neither side trespassed upon the other’s territory.”
“But now they have suddenly crossed the river and begun running rampant. Why? They would not do so without a reason.”
“I do not know. We have never communicated with them, so we have no way of knowing what is happening among their kind.”
Rolf answered with a frustrated expression.
That was understandable. If the two groups had lived within their respective territories for generations without interacting, there would be no way for him to know what was happening among the Goblins.
“In any case, we have suffered severe losses because of them. Many of our people have been wounded by the Goblins invading our hunting grounds, and seven have already died. We have reached the point where we must fear for the village’s very survival.”
“I see… Have you requested reinforcements? There is a fairly large trading city to the south.”
I asked while recalling the southern trading city.
Since it was at least the size of a medium-sized city, it should have a garrison of two or three hundred soldiers. If they came to assist, they might be able to subjugate the Goblins.
“We requested aid several times. However, that damned mayor who governs the city refused us every time. He claimed that maintaining order within the city already required all his resources, so he could not spare any soldiers.”
Rolf ground his teeth as he answered.
Naturally, that was merely an excuse. The true reason was likely that the mayor had no desire to involve himself in Bricks, which did not belong to his city.
“What about another approach? This village handles a great many monster materials. Could you not sell them and hire mercenaries?”
“We tried that as well. However, they all refused because they were reluctant even to set foot in Bricks. This land is widely known as a dangerous place overrun with monsters.”
“I see. Even the mercenaries refused….”
Mercenaries might earn their living by the sword, but that did not mean they placed no value on their lives. Money was useless to a dead man. Most mercenaries would refuse a commission if the danger was excessive.
“Then we heard rumors that the new lord residing in the abandoned castle had slain a Drake. A Drake is dangerous enough to destroy an entire village by itself. Anyone capable of defeating one must possess extraordinary strength. That is why we came to find you.”
“……”
“Please help us. The power you used to defeat the Drake would surely be of great assistance. Furthermore, as a lord, you must have many people under your command. If you help us fight, we will do anything in return!”
Rolf bowed deeply, and the other villagers followed his example.
I silently considered their desperate expressions.
‘Until now, these people have served as a shield protecting my territory from the Goblins.’
If the village ultimately failed to stop the Goblins and was destroyed, my castle and territory might also be placed in danger.
Even for that reason alone, helping these people was the correct decision.
“Do you truly wish to defend this village, no matter what it takes?”
“We do. This is the home our ancestors have protected for generations.”
“Then there is one possible solution. It would allow you to protect the village your people have inhabited for generations and drive out the Goblins without requiring any monetary payment.”
“W-What is it?”
“Please tell us! What is this solution?”
Everyone raised their heads and looked toward me. Recalling the idea I had been considering for some time, I continued.
“It is simple. You must….”
Zilvergard was a trading city south of the Bricks Territory.
It was not a territory belonging to a noble family, but a Free City. The Merchant Guild wielded considerable influence, and instead of being governed by a lord, the city was ruled by a mayor chosen through an election.
“Did you say that you came from House Vermont…?”
That very mayor sat behind the desk before me.
He was bald, and the face peering at me through a monocle with a golden chain reminded me of an owl.
“Yes. I am Dieter Vermont, the son of the late Duke of Vermont.”
“I see. I was under the impression that House Vermont had only three young lords… It appears I was mistaken.”
“……”
“In any case, what business brings you here? Meetings of this nature ordinarily require an appointment. I must admit that your sudden arrival has left me somewhat disconcerted.”
The mayor’s tone was exceedingly curt.
Regardless of my illegitimate birth, I was still a nobleman and a territorial lord. Yet he dared to behave so insolently toward me.
Was he attempting to establish dominance?
‘His attitude is infuriating, but I am the one requesting assistance. I will overlook it for now.’
I suppressed my anger and explained my business to the mayor’s arrogant face.
“I have a request to make of you. As the lord governing the Bricks Territory, there are certain things I require.”
“The lord… I see. I heard that someone recently began residing in the castle within the northern forest. Come to think of it, you must be the young man who hunted the Drake some time ago.”
“To be precise, there were two of us. I fought alongside him.”
Hakon interjected at that point.
It seemed he wished to make his participation in defeating the Drake perfectly clear.
Come to think of it, when Rolf and the villagers recounted the tale, they had completely omitted Hakon from the heroic deed. Perhaps that had bothered him.
“Someone else will provide the details. Come inside!”
I raised my voice.
The office door behind us opened with a clatter, and Rolf walked inside. The mayor’s face immediately twisted into a scowl when he saw him.
“What are you doing here? What are the guards doing? I explicitly ordered them never to allow you inside again!”
After shouting angrily, the mayor turned toward me and demanded an explanation.
“What is the meaning of this, my lord? Are you acquainted with this man?”
“Yes, somewhat. It appears that you are as well.”
“Of course I know him. He repeatedly came here spouting nonsense about a Goblin problem and demanding that I send soldiers. It took considerable effort to drive him away.”
“Why did you refuse? More than a hundred people in the forest are being attacked by Goblins. Do you not believe they deserve assistance?”
“I already struggle to govern this city. I do not have the resources to extend my reach that far. Furthermore, their problem is not my responsibility as the mayor of Zilvergard.”
The mayor snorted as though my suggestion were absurd.
So that was why he had repeatedly rejected Rolf’s requests.
“Think about it. They belong to no noble family, so strictly speaking, they are not even subjects of this kingdom. There is no reason to expend Zilvergard’s soldiers for their sake. As mayor, I am obligated to prioritize the interests of this city above all else. I had no choice but to reach that decision.”
Anger surged across Rolf’s face.
His rocklike fist had already clenched tightly. It seemed prudent to move on before he struck the mayor across the face.
“I understand your position. Even so, I believe you will have to provide the soldiers.”
“Me? Why would I?”
“Because Rolf and the villagers are now my people.”
I answered as though it were the most natural thing in the world. The mayor’s eyebrows twitched violently.
“…What do you mean?”
“Precisely what I said. The forest village is now part of my territory, and Rolf and the other indigenous people have entered my service. They have all sworn fealty to me.”
“Sworn fealty? Without warning? That is absurd….”
“No, it is true. I personally petitioned His Lordship. Everyone in our village agreed.”
Rolf interjected, and the mayor’s expression grew even more bewildered.
He had clearly never anticipated such a development.
“Therefore, as the lord of Bricks, I formally request your assistance once again. I would like you to dispatch Zilvergard’s soldiers to protect my people and territory. Should you reject that request without sufficient cause… I imagine our relationship will become rather strained in the future.”
I maintained a calm demeanor while applying subtle pressure.
Silence descended over the office. The mayor alternated between glaring at Rolf and me with a troubled expression before finally responding.
“…Naturally. However, I have circumstances of my own. Dispatching soldiers beyond the city means creating a gap in Zilvergard’s defenses. I cannot agree without receiving something in return.”
At first, his reluctant answer sounded like a tactful refusal.
However, his mention of receiving something in return implied that he might agree if adequate compensation were offered.
Furthermore, he was tapping his fingers against the desk as though considering a proposal. It was not difficult to realize that he was about to demand something.
“Very well. Tell me what you want. What will it take for you to lend me your soldiers?”