Isekai Taneuma

War begins. The rumor spread throughout the city in no time.

One day, a sign erected by a soldier who suddenly came from the castle stated the details of the recruitment. Said the Empire has unfairly accused my Hermes territory of being in danger of invasion. He said, we have enough troops to turn it back, but we are recruiting brave soldiers to do everything possible. That I intend to fully reward the award.

The amount of support money and incentive money presented in detail on the stand sign was broken. To be honest, if I were a resident of this poor city, I would have lived a lifetime on it. Therefore, Sir Hermes' disadvantage could easily be predicted by anyone. If we have enough power to bounce back, as the sign says, we don't have to pay this amount to gather the troops.

The next few days were a lot of fuss. Everyone wanted information about what was happening in this country, whether it was trying to capture thousands of dollars in response to recruitment, daring to decide what to do, or packing their bags to get away quickly, but all that came in was lacking in credibility.

For example, the heroic Lord Hermes recruited hatred for the Empire and finally sold his soul to the devil, such as plotting the collapse of the conservatives and using heroic merchants to stir up the Empire, for example, Lord Hermes was a pervert and samurai samurai feast every night, or Lord Hermes killed good men one after another from jealousy.

However, some of them were credible. For example, Ser Hermes was distracted, snatching the daughter of the city at night and sipping her living blood, and there were so many people coming from the brave realm that none of them left....

The origins of these rumors were somehow imagined. Isaac is filling the castle with women, but the scandal won't be able to be hidden for as long as it's hidden. And rumors of the disappeared five brave towns.....

Regardless, it was good to gather information about the jade mix in such a state, but after all, in a world without television or telephone, I didn't know exactly why the Empire invaded the Helmets. Modern people are probably researching online and writing on social media at times like this, but in a world where there are no newspapers, you can't even get accurate information or give opinions in the posting column. All I knew was that Isaac had done something and that the Empire wanted to eliminate him.

By the way, how many troops are trying to invade Hermes territory here... I didn't know the exact number, but if we put together the information on the fast horses that are still coming from everywhere, the Empire is gathering troops from all four spiritual countries, except Hermes, and the number won't be less than 100,000.

Whether or not Lord Hermes can collect 20,000… Rumor has it that the northern Helmets have long surrendered to the Empire and cannot count on their strength.

On the contrary, I wonder where Lord Hermes' ally is... now that the Warrior's realm has become suspicious, he has been left in limbo for so long that he cannot be found looking for it.

"Hah... is this really going to be a war?

At the guild tavern, Lucy the waitress sighed. So far, the Adventurer Alliance had more people coming out than coming in, and the idle birds were ringing. At the Alliance reception in front of the tavern counter, Meatier seemed busy, but most of the work was to escort people trying to flee the country.

"I don't want that to happen, but it's useless to expect it."

Feng, who was sitting in the counter seat, moaned just like her as she sipped beer from midday. He said that he had just started an independent Okuri Workshop, but because of the noise around here, he was no longer in business.

When you look out of the store, you see a row of anxious people with big luggage. The streets leading from the castle town were full of people, which caused traffic congestion in front of the forest. If you go into the woods unarmed, you may be attacked by monsters. However, the number of guards is overwhelmingly insufficient, so they wait until the guards are free.

Even if they were free, they wouldn't have had the money to hire an adventurer. The demand for escorts has not kept pace with the demand, and the fee for escorts has also been a snare climb. If we sell off the property we brought here, we may be able to hire a guard, but when we escape to the brave side by ourselves, they'll have no choice but to live a harsh life. Though it was a species of life, there were no humans that could be cut to pieces, and the flock of people who were currently strangling the forest spread out of the town.

The streets leading to the Great Forest were so far away that camping was necessary even with a carriage. It would take four days to carry a lot of luggage on foot. In the meantime, there is no guarantee that monsters will never attack us, and there is a great deal of danger involved. That said, now that Sir Hermes is under attack from all directions, it is imperative that he be mercilessly attacked if he meets the army on his way to flee to another country.

In war, looting is a soldier's right. A nation with enough power to stop it still does not exist in this world. The refugees are just deprived.

"Meatier, abort. Abort. I've already finished what I'm doing."

"What? Why?

As Feng and the others exhaled at the counter, Philip, the Guild Leader, came in with a difficult face from the back entrance of the tavern. He ignored Meetings asking why and sat somewhere in the counter seat, ordering snacks from the master.

I haven't eaten anything since morning.

The Guild Leader happened to find Feng at the counter and hit the sandwich with a bitter smile that misled him. There was a black bear under his eyes, telling of the business of the place. It is probably because of exhaustion that you look somewhat frustrated. But it was the same with Meatier. She stood behind the leader of the guild sitting at the counter and stared at his head in resentment and stood against him with an expression of dissatisfaction.

"Please let me know why you can eat it. You still have a lot of escort requests.

"The guards are no longer in place. I received a complaint from the person at the scene. I can't work for free anymore....."

"Working for free? That can't be true. Arrangements have been made to distribute the requested fee fairly. I'm sure you'll get an advance for a proven adventurer...."

"No, it's not about the money. No, it's also about the money. Well, listen to me."

The Guild Leader cheeked the sandwich he had gotten tired of, poured it in with coffee, and started telling the full story of the trouble he was having.

The refugees who occurred in the aftermath of the war here were asking Hermes to escort them to the Hercules, as mentioned earlier. The requested Adventurer Alliance responded by gathering adventurers at the time of writing, but the escort requests continued unabated and overwhelmingly understaffed.

The main cause of the shortage of manpower was the problem of time spent on escorts. Normally, it takes two days on a one-way trip, one day on the way home using an early horse, and a total of three days. In this case, the escort must take refugees with large baggage on foot. It would then take at least five days, at least a week, and it would be inevitable that no amount of adventurers would be enough to be detained for that amount of time.

So the Guild Leader decided to change the way. We worked with the Brave Alliance to deploy adventurers around the streets in advance and adopt the Station Transmission System. This allows adventurers to escort minimal distances, allowing them to turn a small number of incoming refugee escorts.

This method worked at first. However, something went wrong soon. A free rider appeared.

It wasn't just the refugees with escorts who were walking on the streets. Some of them were on their way to the brave side, aware of the dangers. Soon they realized that there were adventurers everywhere on the street and that it would be safe to follow them. Then the rumor spread, and eventually the refugees who had not paid their fees began to follow the escort.

None of the few of them cared yet. As it grew more and more, and eventually more than the number of escorts, dissatisfaction arose from what I paid for. How do you know they're paying, but they're helping people who haven't paid anything?

But even if I told you not to follow me, I wouldn't listen to them. Then, if I say I should abandon the place that's being attacked, it's also bad for me to sleep. If you help, the client who paid the regular fee will be dissatisfied, and if you don't help, people will die. Even if they survive, they resent them.

While that was going on, I finally got rid of one of the adventurers. After all, we've spent days in dangerous woods. Even though it's quite stressful, it won't be enough for me to even process a claim.

But somebody has to fill the hole that he came out of. Then a squeeze comes around, and from it comes something that explodes dissatisfaction again... it's a toy.

"That's how I ended up in the station communication system. It will also be a matter of time before danger reaches the active adventurers in the field. That's why I have to give up now."

Meatier, who was listening to the conversation, staggered down to the counter as if her waist had fallen out.

"Oh no... what have I been struggling with so far..."

"That's not true, Mr. Meatier. Previously on the outpost, we'll have to tell our client, who already paid us, that we can no longer escort him. Our battle has just begun."

"I hate it! I'm going to die! Okay, okay. I'll give up my job, too. I don't need a salary. Thank you for your help so far. Do something by yourself."

"Nothing, I don't mind... So where are you going? Even if you go back to the brave, if you abandon your job, you won't have a job. Can you walk on that street by yourself, mostly without an escort? Do you have somewhere to stay? If the soldiers catch you, they'll rape you."

"Kh... ghost! Demon! Bastard!

"... if you get hungry, you can go back to work. In the next few days, I'll be too busy to sleep."

Feng looked sideways at the desperate interaction between the Guild Leader and Meatier and asked him with a complicated look.

"... what happens to the refugee camp in front of the forest if you don't take escort work anymore?

We'll have to abandon him.

The Guild Leader cut to the chase.

"They will either be captured and plundered by soldiers, or they will have to cross the streets to lead the brave. I don't know how well the Imperial Army rules are, but first of all, I'm sorry if they found out."

"Can't you help me? Like hiding in this city...."

"Hide? Where? It's a blown city with no walls. If the army attacked us in this place, we wouldn't be alone."

"So you're leaving this city without a fight?

"That's true. In the first place, it's not recognized as a city. It's just a camp on the middle of the street. We will abandon this place and return to the brave. Feng, I don't know where you're going, but I've been thinking about how to shake myself... well, you'll be fine because you have Jeanne."

Feng didn't make a sound and had no choice but to remain silent. If you think about it, there is no mayor in this city, and it is not subordinate to the Hermes kingdom, so there is no stranger to defend it. After all, is there no alternative but to give up and flee? After all, we've built a new hut and built a foundation for our lives. Even if you leave the city for the brave, you have to start over again from 1.

However, Feng was still worried. It would be nice if I abandoned this place and ran away... but what are the rest of the castle's people going to do? I wonder what would happen to Mary if Isaac's castle fell... when they left. If we could escape together, I'd love to...

"Feng, are you going to lead the brave?

Feng thought of that, and the master of the tavern who was silently wiping the dishes talked.

"That's right... when Jeanne gets back, we have to talk about it, but maybe it will."

"Really... can you do me one favor?

"Please?"

The master nodded carefully.

"Will you take Lucy with you? If this place is gone, neither I nor she will go. [M] I'm a man, and when I get home, I can still manage... she's an orphan."

Was that so...? Looking back at her in surprise, Lucy looked bad.

"Tahahahaha... you're embarrassed. But, Master, don't worry about that. It is bad for the children to help themselves. If only I could live with the prostitutes teaching me how to do my job."

She joked and said so, but to be honest, it wasn't funny at all. Is it the children whom Feng asked for? Speaking of which, I often had children wandering around, but I didn't think they had parents.

I wonder what happens to them in the event of a war... if they can eat properly. Wouldn't the soldiers kill you for stealing something bad? I kind of thought Lucy was better off selling her body and living. At least they won't eat up.

Yes, this is a war... even if you say something sweet, it won't start.

But... Feng couldn't help but say to the guild leader who was putting food in his belly after all the trouble.

"After all, can you help me? And the refugee camp in front of that forest. The rest of the city....."

"... you know that's the dream story, don't you?

"But if the adventurers gather, they'll be able to handle it. Guillaume, Jeanne, each adventurer is stronger than the military."

"Well, it's like a mercenary. But they have a different army. There's no way I can win."

"No, you don't have to win."

Feng said so clearly, the Guild Leader showed a little interest.

"Don't beat me. Either way, we have to lose well."

"What do you mean?

"They come to loot because they're weak, right? They come from a defenceless opponent who thinks they can take it, kill it, or do anything. But what if the people in the city who thought they were weak resisted and inadvertently made them think that it wasn't for free and started negotiating? We are ready to open up the city. Instead, I said," Save my life. "

"... I see. At least we can solve it with money."

"Isn't it?

"But where does that money come from?

"Huh?... if you ask the people outside the city to gather them..."

The Guild Leader sat back deep in the chair and said with a serious look straight into Feng's eyes.

"Can you do that alone? Can we make the refugees believe what we're talking about? Maybe one or two of them will listen, but they will not risk their lives to fight, nor their entire fortune. Even if you knew you were going to die."

"I see...."

"We're nothing. Whatever we say, it's nothing but a dream story. Nobody listens to me. Because there is no track record or charisma to overturn it. That's why I need the money first to execute your operation. Yes, the world is spinning with money. With the money, we can recruit adventurers, and the refugees outside will be interested in listening. What you're talking about is the reverse order."

"Then what can you do with the money?

Feng and the Guild Leader were discussing it, and suddenly there was such a lie.

Looking back at the voice that broke into the two conversations, Guillaume and Jeanne stood at the entrance to the tavern with heavy luggage.

As they sweated, they brought the bags to the counter and threw them in front of the Guild Leader so that they could smash the contents. Then a large amount of silver coins rolled out of the bag, making a loud noise.

"This is...."

"As you can see, it's gold, gold. It's heavy, and it's hard to bring it here... it's easier to get rid of monsters."

Guillaume smacked him on the shoulder as he said so. Jeanne, who was carrying a bigger package than he, was lying on the ground with a stick.

The guild leader counts the rolled silver coins and pushes down the smiling meatier, checking the contents of the bag.

"Why are you doing this?

"When we finished our escort work and tried to pull it up, it was given to us by the adventurer against the relay. They say it's relief supplies from the head office."

"Relief supplies?

Guillaume nodded.

"Ah, Tycoon gave the order to protect this place. I will not take part in the war, but I am here to protect the city and the refugees."

"Taikoon!?

What are you? When Feng twisted his neck, Jeanne told me that he was the best of the Adventurers Guild. Adventurer Guilds are independent of each branch, but there is an organization that binds them together. In short, it seems like a holding company, but since all branch managers belong to this organization, it seems that you and the president will never disobey orders.

The Guild Leader's eyes were black and white in front of a large amount of silver coins.

"Why do we have to protect this place? We don't care what happens to the city."

"Even if I ask you... don't say that line in front of the city residents."

Lucy and the Tavern Master's gaze pierced. The Guild Leader apologized with his hands in front of his mouth. Guillaume looked at him like that.

"Anyway, I gave you the relief supplies. Ask the others for more details."

"Coming later?

"I hear you sent an expert from the Brave Leader. Then we can talk to them and make a defense plan... and then Feng and Dai-kun will send you a message."

"What? Why me...??

Feng dazzled his eyes. Why is this flow suddenly shaking my story? Guillaume glanced at Jeanne.

"I don't know much either... but it's a message anyway. Did you find a hidden passage?

"... ah!

Feng understood in one word who the opponent was. The old man I met on the hill where I could see the castle... that was you. Why was he in that place? Why did you talk to Feng? I didn't know that....

Guillaume continued.

"If you're willing to sneak in, ask the guild to do it. Hey, what the hell did you do? That sounds interesting, so let me have one too."