Became a tyrant of defense games - Episode 301
◈ 301. [Side Story] Winter is coming
Refugees from the Principality of Bringer were first accommodated in a refuge north of the Crossroads..
It was originally a facility built to allow citizens to evacuate when monsters invaded. A place where citizens evacuate whenever an emergency occurs.
It is a place equipped with everything from first-aid beds, medicine, emergency food, drinking water, and simple lodging, and was able to accommodate a large number of refugees, including over 1,000, without any problems..
The plan was to first house them here and gradually move them into the city..
“If you are sick, please line up here in order.!”
“There's plenty of food, so come on! From warm tea……!”
north refuge.
Priests provided medicine and healing magic to sick refugees, and food was distributed to those who were starving..
Dusk Bringer received blankets and wrapped them around his people, and the Dragon Knights poured hot tea into cups and handed them over..
The refugees were exhausted from the late autumn cold and the long journey, and although they looked like they had almost left skin and bones, there was still hope in their eyes..
Wrapped in blankets and drinking tea, the haggard faces of the people had a faint look of vitality..
“…….”
As I was watching this scene from afar, familiar footsteps came and stopped next to me. I asked without turning around.
“Are you worried, Lucas??”
“……It's not that I didn't expect you to do this, but.”
As I guessed, it was Lucas who came and stood next to me..
Lucas, who was quietly observing the crowded scene of the refuge, let out a light sigh..
“I'm worried about what happens in the future.”
“What are you worried about??”
“There are two main things.”
I winked at Lucas to continue. Lucas nodded slightly and continued speaking..
“First, of course, is the Western Front, His Highness 1st Prince Lark and the Imperial Army's 1st Corps..”
The biggest problem we face immediately jumps out..
“No matter how much the lord declared his own policy, the fact that the 1st Corps of the Imperial Army would accept Duke Bringer, who was looking for him with open eyes... … It's not usually a risky thing to do..”
Then Lucas glanced at me..
“But I think your master has a plan for this problem..”
“Whoa. Why do you think so?”
“……I dare say it. Because my lord never fights a battle he has no chance of winning..”
I grinned without realizing it..
This guy knows my strategy now..
“My lord, you do not move unless you have solid grounds. He enjoys fighting in situations where he is sure to win, and is reluctant to gamble even when the odds of winning are high. Therefore, I believe that at the time Duke Bringer was accepted, preparations for the Western Front were completed..”
“Stay sharp, Lucas. It's as you said.”
A few months ago, I decided to recruit Dusk Bringer..
The simulation continued to run on how to appease the Western Front..
‘The situation is not bad. No, I rather like it..’
I'm pretty confident about this..
I grinned and gestured at Lucas..
“First, I decided to let go of my worries for a while. Then let’s listen to the second worry.?”
Lucas spoke immediately..
“Citizens of Crossroads.”
It was a slightly unexpected answer. Lucas explained to me who opened my eyes wide..
“Since my lord began to rule here, the proportion of outsiders in Crossroads has increased dramatically..”
“Well, that's right.”
“In particular, my lord has been actively hiring not only foreign mercenaries, but also mercenaries of different races. Even looking at them is still too close..”
From the perspective of someone who has actually lived in this world, not from the perspective of a possessed person from the outside world..
Lucas was talking about real-life problems without adding or subtracting anything..
“But my lord. If the majority of people in the empire view other races as ‘inconvenient foreigners’… … Bringer's view of the principality is that they are 'enemies to be fought'.
“…….”
“The Empire and the Duchy of Bringer are currently at war. Even before that, our ill-feeling toward each other had been growing steadily..”
The Everblack Empire and the Principality of Bringer used to be like brothers, but they are now at war..
There is no way the feelings between them are okay..
In this situation, 1,000 refugees... … . From the perspective of existing citizens, it may feel like a lightning strike..
I sighed and rubbed my chin..
“But isn’t this basically a fortress for military purposes? … And I am a member of the royal family and a commander. I don't think citizens will protest against my decision..”
“That's right. It's basically a fortress. However, it is also a city where people have lived for hundreds of years..”
fortress and city.
A place where soldiers and citizens live together.
Crossroads was that kind of place..
“Of course, my lord, in the name of the royal family, by the right of the lord, and by order of the commander... … Another way is to ignore these opposing opinions. My lord, you are the commander-in-chief of this city. No one will disagree.”
“…….”
“But unresolved conflicts will boil over beneath the surface..”
The world is not just an innocent and beautiful place..
Showing kindness to refugees who have lost their country, saving their lives, wrapping them in blankets, and giving them teacups will not solve the problem..
No, that's where the real problem begins..
“How to solve it?”
I had something in mind, but I asked Lucas for his opinion. Lucas thought for a moment and nodded his head..
“I think it would be helpful to look back on the process by which the shadow unit, the penal unit, and the refugees brought by the penal unit melted here..”
“indeed.”
I have the same thoughts this time too..
“They worked hard and volunteered to prove themselves useful. They have proven useful to this city.”
In the end, it is practical).
This is the most useful thing to persuade people.
“Now that the power of Duke Dusk Bringer and his knights has been fully demonstrated,…….”
Lucas looked toward the shelter again..
“These 1,000 refugees also have something they can do for this city... … We need to show it to existing citizens..”
It may be a heartless statement, but the current position of refugees is overwhelmingly negative.).
You need to make an effort to show your usefulness and show the people of Crossroads that you are ready to integrate and live here..
Only after going through this process will the people of Crossroads be able to gradually open their hearts and accept them..
That's what relationships are like. It is not resolved just by one side opening his heart and extending his hand..
It requires effort and agreement from both sides..
What can I do... … It would be about creating such an opportunity and space..
“I don't know exactly what kind of city my lord is planning to create in the future..”
Lucas smiled bitterly and said.
“I know very well that it is not an easy road..”
“That's why it's worth it.”
To make big gains, you have to take big risks.
I'm trying to build the ultimate dream team with the highest scoring heroes..
In order to do so, it is necessary to go through the process of unraveling the knot of love that is entangled between them one by one..
1The integration of thousands of refugees will serve as a lesson for future work like this..
“Well, that's the case with citizens... … For soldiers it's a little easier..”
“huh? okay?”
“Most of them are mercenaries who wandered from other places. As a fellow outsider, there are many things I sympathize with. And, above all.”
Lucas grinned..
“Here on the monster front, the more strong allies there are, the better for everyone. You can save my life right now.”
In that respect, the proof of power of Dusk Bringer and his knights in this defensive battle was quite effective..
Since they have proven that they are inexhaustibly strong, there is little reason for other soldiers to be reluctant to recruit them..
“Dragon knights called the berserkers of the West... … . It has long been an object of envy among those who revere martial arts..”
Dusk Bringer and his knights are still helping with supplies among the refugees. Lucas trailed off as he watched that scene..
“I also respect you as a warrior. I can't wait to clash my sword with their proud sword..”
***
That night. Central square. Defense Victory Banquet Hall.
“Bringer Knights, the leading dragon knight! Andymion!”
A white-haired knight with a neatly trimmed white beard.
Sir Endymion, the most senior of Dusk Bringer's knights, shouted..
“I will show you the talent I have honed my entire life.-!”
Then, holding a tambourine-like instrument in both hands,.
He made a trembling sound and waved his arms noisily... … She started doing a crazy hula dance.
The gap was no joke when the old dragon knight was doing that with a very solemn face..
The mercenaries, who were already drunk, burst out laughing and fell backwards, holding their stomachs. The atmosphere in the central square instantly became warmer..
“…….”
Looking at this scene, Lucas is frozen with a white face..
I muttered quietly next to him..
“A proud sword... … An object of envy… … Hmm, I see.…….”
“no… … no. This is not it……!”
The situation is like this.
After a round of alcohol had passed around the banquet hall. The new dragon knights were still uncomfortable, so the other mercenaries were glancing at them..
Sir Antimion, the most senior dragon knight, took the initiative and declared that he would make a splash. Then he does this amazing hula dance.…….
After finishing the dance moves, the old knight showed his courtesy with a stylish pose and left the square..
The other mercenaries gave thunderous applause..
After that, the long-haired middle-aged knight Lord Berlin and the twin young knights Si-eun and Jet came up one by one and skillfully danced funny dances to lighten the mood..
No, what are you doing? Why are you so skilled?!
In a drinking party, if someone does something stupid, the mood will get worse. Moreover, since the subject was a dragon knight who was the object of vigilance,.
The mood quickly improved. The central square became noisy as usual at the victory banquet..
“Isn’t it worth watching? It is the tradition of the knights under Gwain..”
Dusk Bringer chuckled as he watched his knights being destroyed, as if he was used to it..
“It is a show of entertainment to the winemaker at a drinking party. These are cute dances that were trained with that. It is said that it is quite good as entertainment for drinking parties..”
Next to him, Sir Antimion, who had skillfully swept his sweat-soaked white hair in order, let out an indifferent expression..
“I often did even worse things to please His Excellency. This is easy.”
“No, it's not absurdity within the unit, that's?!”
“You are welcome. Your Excellency is the one who took us away and gave us new life. It would be our pleasure if we could make you smile even for a moment over such a trivial matter..”
Dusk Bringer ruffled Sir Endymion's white hair as he answered seriously..
“You only pick pretty sounds, Endymion! When I first got it, the little boy was so small that he couldn't even speak properly.!”
“When did we talk about the enemy, Your Excellency? I'm embarrassed…….”
“50Has it been about a year? Ahahaha! During his adolescence, he would say, ‘I won’t play with your Excellency!’ and wouldn’t even talk to a person over the age of 20. He even confessed his love to a person over the age of 20! When I came to my senses, my hair had turned white.?”
“Stop teasing me during my immature days.…….”
Sir Antimion turned his head in embarrassment..
No, I didn't see this old man like that, but he's a bit more awake! Is it okay to recite other people's dark history like that? Isn’t this also absurd??
“……Well, that's enough for entertainment..”
Dusk Bringer's face became serious as he removed his hand from the old knight's head..
“I'd like to discuss the future. ash.”
I also made a straight face. Lord Andymion and Lucas noticedly moved out of the way, and Dusk Bringer and I sat face to face alone..
“We will hand over our command to you while we accept the people of Gwaine, but apart from that, I would like to hear your future plans..”
“…….”
“Lark and the Imperial Army's 1st Corps will arrive here soon. How are you going to stop them then? and.”
Dusk Bringer glanced north. It is a place of refuge for his own people..
“what should we do here.”
Even Dusk Bringer knows this..
In order for his people, who are outsiders, to establish themselves here in the city, he must first step up and prove his worth..
I smiled and held out my glass..
“There is much to do, Grand Duke. Just trust me and follow me.”
“…….”
“It's going to be a long story tonight..”
Dusk Bringer looked at me with narrowed eyes, and held out his glass in front of me..
braided!
The sound of clinking glasses rang through the night..
***
Crossroads has suffered from a chronic labor shortage..
Not only is it a fortress located at the southernmost tip of the world, but it is also an extremely dangerous battlefield where monsters flock all year round..
Like now, when winter is approaching, there is always a shortage of workers..
In this situation, the refugees from the Principality of Bringer took on a difficult task..
In preparation for winter, we cut down firewood, repair frozen waterways, and fill warehouses with dry straw.…….
Dusk Bringer took the lead in handling these tasks..
He didn't mind getting his hands dirty and getting his crown splashed. He worked as hard as he could with the people..
The citizens of Crossroads were still wary of the people of the Principality of Bringer, but their hostility gradually eased as they took the lead in dealing with difficult tasks in late autumn..
Although big and small conflicts occurred constantly. The frequency has decreased noticeably..
Above all, my will was firm.
Crossroads was already a city completely in my hands. Citizens respected my opinion.
Did you say that humans are animals of adaptation? The chaotic city quickly regained stability..
It's been a week since we accepted Dusk Bringer and the refugees..
A guest came.
***
“Lord.”
Late at night. lord's office.
As I was slowly extending my working hours until late, as my body was finally recovering from the pain, Ader came into my room in a hurry..
“The customer you have been waiting for has arrived. You are waiting at the entrance of the mansion now..”
“……Take me to the parlor. Coming down soon.”
Then, catch your breath.
After arranging my clothes, I went down to the first floor reception room..
A large man stood silently in the living room..
Metal armor with a practical design. A man wearing a white cape and a hood attached to the cape..
“It's been a while since this happened. It's been a few months?”
Because it was the person I was waiting for, I was able to smile calmly..
“brother.”
“…….”
First Prince of the Everblack Empire.
Lark 'Avalanche' Everblack slowly took off his hood, his dark blue eyes flashing like blades..
Comments