286fury
286After the war ended (2)
Henderson's Wife.
Chloe looked at the photo on her desk with eyes that looked like they were about to burst into tears..
“……Bad people.”
Henderson and Chloe.
The two were ordinary commoners..
Born in Lawrence, Henderson lived a life no different from others, naturally helping with farm work at a young age, just like other children his age..
His marriage to Chloe was also included in the general category..
Rather than marrying her because I especially loved her, I met Chloe at the recommendation of my parents who wanted her to find stability quickly..
And we accepted each other.
gave birth to a child.
started a family.
Like water slowly boiling, our feelings for each other deepened..
Henderson sometimes said nonsense, saying that he wanted to be a 'soldier' rather than a farmer, but he thought that if he was satisfied with reality, there would be no major problems..
Then the problem between Lawrence and Barco broke out..
The atmosphere that Lawrence had to submit to conscription in order to survive became widespread, and Henderson joined the atmosphere and took to the streets with crude weapons along with his friends..
If I had stopped you then.
Isn’t Henderson dead?.
Despite reliving the past countless times, Chloe did not believe that Henderson had made the wrong choice..
‘You looked truly happy..’
Recruiting Private Soldiers.
Henderson, who was accepted as Dmitry's private soldier, was a completely different person on the day he returned from his first vacation..
The slightly innocent face turned sharp, and hands that had been calloused from farming became covered with new calluses as they held the sword..
Henderson was talking about how happy he was living with Dmitry that day..
The salary itself was incomparable to farming, and at first he had a hard time because of the difference in level compared to other people, but now he says he enjoys practicing swordsmanship in itself..
It was nice to see.
His bright smiling face showed his sincerity..
happy.
Although it was certainly difficult for her husband to be away for many days, Henderson was faithful to herself and her only son when he returned home..
Meanwhile, Dmitry's status increased..
After defeating Barco and making great achievements on the southern front, Henderson suddenly became a celebrity in the surrounding villages..
“Chloe. I truly respect Roman Dmitry. He will not abandon us under any circumstances, and even if he dies on the battlefield, he will not take death lightly. So I want to become stronger. For Him and for our family..”
before dying.
This was Henderson's last appearance..
Henderson, who devoted himself to training with less sleep, became really strong, but that strength came back after his death..
Some people said Henderson was born as a farmer and lived a truly valuable life..
Even Duke Dmitry came to visit and sympathized with her sorrow over losing her husband, and she shed many tears..
on the desk.
That was the only photo of the two of them..
Henderson holding his child and Chloe with her arms around him..
Taking photos using magic is a huge expense for commoners, so when Henderson received the prize money, he made a big decision and went to find a photographer..
I felt regretful..
If I had known that my husband would leave me so suddenly, I would have tried to take many pictures of him instead of just one..
It was then.
Knock knock.
“Chloe, are you there??”
It was a familiar voice.
When Chloe opened the door with her sleeping child, she saw Chris through the door..
* * *
It was an awkward situation.
Chris was known to be somewhat cool-headed towards Dmitry's soldiers, but when faced with Chloe, he drank his tea with an awkward expression on his face..
Chloe had seen each other face to face with Henderson a few times..
However, with Henderson dead, meeting his wife Chloe was bound to be emotionally uncomfortable..
looked around.
Henderson's traces were left everywhere..
Even though the memorial service was held, Chloe still didn't seem ready to let Henderson go..
widely.
Putting down the teacup.
I opened my mouth in a slightly calm voice..
“……Henderson was a good friend. He was the link that connected people within Dmitri's soldiers, and if it weren't for Henderson's sacrifice, many people would have died the day the Kronos Empire attacked Dmitry. Henderson's death is not to be taken for granted. But I just wanted to tell you how valuable Henderson was and what his death left us with..”
“is that so.”
Chloe smiled..
He was a very considerate person..
To put Chris's mind at ease, she knew what she had to do.
“Actually, the reason I came to see Chloe is to select Henderson as a person of national merit..”
“……A person of national merit?”
It was an unfamiliar word.
I understand the meaning of the word itself, but I have never heard of a system related to it on the Salamander Continent..
“yes. The issue of national merit was decided at this meeting. It is a national system that registers those who devoted themselves to Dmitry as national meritorious people, and promises to provide appropriate compensation and take responsibility for the livelihood of the remaining family members for the rest of their lives. Henderson was a brave fellow. What he's done deserves it.”
Moment.
Chloe looked embarrassed..
I tried my best to smile, but Chris' words made me feel like crying..
Compensation is not important.
The thought of Dmitry not taking Henderson's death lightly and registering him as a person of national merit made me cry..
Henderson was right..
Roman Dmitry was a loyal man and did not allow his family to mourn the loss of their head..
I lowered my head..
With tears flowing endlessly, I couldn't bear to look up at Chris..
‘It was said that only an attitude that does not take people's deaths lightly and clear compensation can compensate for people's grief..’
These were the words of Roman Dmitry.
Chris a day ago.
I recalled the heated debate among Dmitry's leaders discussing war compensation..
* * *
“……Are you sincere??”
Viscount Conrad couldn't believe his ears..
Roman Dmitry's remarks embarrassed not only him but also those present at the meeting..
“war compensation. great. We were thinking about that too, but the amount our lord mentioned was a whopping 1 million gold. That is an amount that even Dmitry's wealth cannot afford. Wouldn't it be better to reduce it to 500,000 gold? I think a realistic plan would be to talk well with the Kingdom of Cairo and use the compensation received from the Kronos Empire entirely as war compensation..”
Everyone nodded..
100ten thousand gold.
It was a breathtaking amount just to hear..
The Kingdom of Redford was on the verge of collapse due to a debt of 100,000 gold, and no matter how much Dmitry was, if he gave up that much money as war compensation, the situation would inevitably worsen financially..
In most matters, Roman Dmitry's will was followed entirely..
But now, a dissenting voice was needed..
Roman Dmitry said.
“That's correct. 1 million gold is a burden even for Dmitri, but it is meaningful as war compensation. The Kronos Empire offered 500,000 gold as compensation as a condition for a truce. If we give them the same amount of compensation as we received from them. What do people think?.”
“……That would be appreciated.”
“The reward in front of you may express your gratitude, but people cannot help but think that winning or losing a war is directly related to the reward. Our money does not include a single silver in 500,000 gold. With this war compensation, I intend to give people the firm belief that sacrifice for Dmitry is worth it..”
price of truce.
Roman Dmitry deliberately asked for 500,000 gold.
It was an excessive amount to accept under the authority of Baron Charlton, but it could not be said to be a burdensome amount on the scale of the empire..
The reason for setting it that way was because of consideration of future war compensation..
Dmitry planned to pay war compensation equal to the amount he received from Kronos, and 500,000 gold was an appropriate amount to proceed with his future plans..
In the first place.
Kronos' war compensation had great symbolic meaning..
Dmitry gained a lot from this war simply by offering compensation as a condition of the truce..
“This war compensation is only the beginning. Dmitry plans to introduce the ‘national meritorious person’ system from now on. He will pay sufficient compensation to the casualties of the war, but people who made remarkable contributions, such as Henderson, will be remembered as national meritorious people and will be paid appropriate compensation. It does not simply mean difference. This is to prove that war crimes come with appropriate compensation. We have finished all discussions with Cairo regarding this. Cairo agreed to use all 500,000 gold for war compensation and announced its intention to pay a portion of the remaining 500,000 gold..”
no one objected.
The country remembers the sacrifices of individuals..
In fact, even the leaders who attended the meeting knew that one day they might be included as individuals..
“We lost a lot in the war. In particular, as trade with the Kronos Empire is restricted, we are bound to experience financial hardship for the time being. But for those who follow Dmitry, we must show that the greatest loss we think of is the loss of a person. I do not mean to speak of a tabletop theory of creating a country for people. A truly powerful nation comes from the ordinary people who make up its backbone. If Dmitry's people truly want Dmitry's revival, the temporary shakiness will soon be resolved and lead Dmitry in a new direction..”
It was a strong voice..
Roman Dmitry experienced a past life.
Dmitry's own way, his own thoughts.
In the end, I knew that it would develop in an ideal direction, just as it achieved peace and prosperity in the martial arts world..
“We won the war. Dmitry, please don’t let me get lost in sadness anywhere and not be able to enjoy the joy of victory. From now on, we will focus on taking care of the people’s livelihood..”
“I obey orders!”
“I obey orders!”
everyone raised their voices.
Right now at this moment.
Even Viscount Conrad, who had been expressing doubts, accepted the order with a loud voice and a boiling heart..
* * *
Chris leaves.
Chloe cried loudly..
[National Meritorious Person, Henderson]
It was a small medal.
I couldn't help but cry at the fact that Dmitry remembered Henderson and did not ignore the sadness of the bereaved family..
When I heard that Henderson was dead.
For a moment, I felt resentment towards Roman Dmitri, but now I feel fortunate that it was a sacrifice for Dmitri..
The life of a commoner was harsh.
Even if a person was conscripted and died, it was rare for a noble to properly compensate him for it..
It was a meaningless sacrifice.
When war broke out in the common territories, the mere fact of being conscripted made the people of that family cry as if the world was falling apart..
The chances of him returning safely were very low..
They would definitely return with their lives lost or with serious physical problems, but at that time, the people who talked about the 'duty of conscription' were busy holding their own parties if they won the war, or raising taxes in the aftermath of the war if they lost..
“Black, black.”
I couldn't stop crying.
Dmitry's repayment.
The grief of losing Henderson has not gone away..
The sadness could not be relieved by any means, but at least the feeling of resentment did not increase the sadness..
How much did you cry?.
Chloe, who had been crying for a while, saw the box that Chris had left behind..
“This is a reward given to those who have contributed to the country. Check back later.”
compensation.
It was a sad word.
But Chloe has to live with reality, because she is now a widow who lost her husband..
I reached out and opened the box..
“…….”
Moment.
lost for words.
Inside the box.
Gold coins, which commoners would never see in their lifetime, were piled high, showing off their brilliant colors..
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