They didn’t know whether it was because she thought of something after the king’s death, or because Hifumi was discovered, but she disregarded the prince who was supposed to inherit the throne, proactively moving the country herself.
“Either way, like the old man said, if we can stop Hifumi, we can end this without some arbitrary reconciliation.”
“As the goal is to exceed a certain amount of military gains, we need to plan when to request a dialogue.”
“So, about how many soldiers are we going to send?”
In response to that question, the chamberlain who was taking notes distributed a document to all the members.
“15000, huh? The Orsongrande soldiers we need to stop from going from Rhone to Arosel would be the viscount’s territorial soldiers and the border security, around 200 in total. Isn’t this excessive?”
“100 of them crushed our 300 soldiers just about uninjured. We need to leave personnel in the recaptured cities too, so I wouldn’t say it’s excessive.”
“It’s better to have some flexibility, but… aren’t we just throwing money away?”
Saying that, doubts started appearing in the elderly committee member’s head.
(What’s Orsongrande’s goal with attacking Vichy? To expand their territories? Their official reason is retribution, but it’s too severe to just be a matter of honor.)
By no means could he even imagine that it was because of an irrecoverable rift existing between Imeraria and Hifumi.
“No matter how much we rush it, the gathering of the troops will take around 3 weeks. After that, we need to organize them in units, so we need around a month before the recapture operation can be started.
“Hmm. Until then, materials needs to be gathered. How annoying.”
In front of the biggest gathering of troops since the founding of Vichy, the committee was in an uplifted mood. In the place they were normally noisily scrambling for profits, cursing each other, their wishes for victory above profit was ironically what brought them together.
Until now, the committee’s discussions have never proceeded smoothly, so they were having a strange sense of satisfaction.
“Well then, all that’s left is to place our hopes in our soldiers.”
Everyone nodded, and the meeting was finished.
The room Kasha was shown was on the same level as those Origa and Alyssa were living in.
The room was equipped with a splendid bed, and a low desk. The size of the room was at least three times bigger than the room she was living in at the inn in the royal capital.
“Somehow, it’s like we’re living in different worlds.”
Sitting down on the bed and mumbling that, the maid who showed her to the room gave her a tour of the mansion, as per Hifumi’s instructions.
Having received a complete restructure, the first floor had a couple of conference rooms and offices, and in order to make the passage through the entrance easier, making more space, it received an expansion. Inside was now a front desk, with five staff members working side by side.
“It looks like at a guild, when they work side by side like that, but what are they doing?”
“According to Hifumi’s instructions, we’re registering all the citizens and we’re making it obligatory to report births, deaths, and marriages. The reception desk is there to deal with that.”
The maid smoothly responded in a flat voice, but you could hear her respect for Hifumi from her way of talking.
“Isn’t it difficult to do all of that?”
“If they report that someone was born, or married, we give them some congratulatory money, and in case of death, they receive some monetary condolences. In the beginning, everyone were sceptical about it, but after generously selling off the mansion’s artwork, and the staff members becoming better at receiving them, I heard that most of the citizens are receiving it favorably.”
“I see…”
For those who didn’t understand what use all this had, the staff members were explaining with a smile on their faces. For the old woman who came to report a relative’s death, a staff member was expressing their condolences with a smile, while shedding tears.
Kasha couldn’t see it, but behind the counter were the desks of Caim, Brokla, and Paryu, checking that they worked hard. Because of that, even if they were clumsy, the staff members did their best.
Seeing Hifumi being kind towards the populace like that, Kasha was once again seeing a side of him she hadn’t seen before. But isn’t this just a camouflage of some sorts? She shifted her attention towards her doubts filled with some expectation.
If Hifumi wasn’t a bad person, Kasha wouldn’t be able to make herself do it.
“Well then, I’ll introduce the second floor next.”
After being shown the offices and storage spaces, and led back to her room, Kasha threw herself on the bed.
The level of injustice has drastically fallen, and without any chaos ensuing, an impartial, yet thorough, system was imposed in a well-organized way. Even Kasha understood all of that.
Although that’s how it looks, Hifumi might have some terrifying goal in mind, but after speaking to him face-to-face just now, Kasha couldn’t find anything to criticize him for.
As Pajou was sure that just the existence of Hifumi will be the primary factor in wars being caused, she sought Kasha’s cooperation. After listening to Pajou back then, as well as the shock from when Origa chose to stay by Hifumi’s side rather than return with her, she accepted. But in reality, she thought that the governing Hifumi was doing was good.
Shaking her head, she dispelled the doubts arising.
“Unless Hifumi does something unreasonable, it won’t become my turn. If I think of too many unnecessary things and am driven out, it will all have come to nothing. I should also talk with Origa, trying to reconcile with her.”
Besides, she had to start working by Hifumi’s side tomorrow. Getting a better than expected opportunity to observe Hifumi was a stroke of luck. Now, what remains is to work hard in order to not be suspected. Trying to quickly get rid of the fatigue from traveling, Kasha slept until she was called for dinner.
“The slums?”
“Yeah. The creation of the family register is mostly completed, but there’s a problem with the public order in the slums, so it’s difficult for the civil officials to enter.”
Origa explained the information she got from Paryu, the civil official slave in charge of the family register, to Hifumi as he sat by his desk. She didn’t as much as glance on Kasha who stood next to him. Kasha had tried to get in contact with Origa a few times already, but she was brusquely warded off.
“So there’s an area like that.”
“As long as the city is of a certain size, there will be a slum. Even the royal capital has it.”
The political system, aside from not having created a family register, had plenty of people who were forced out from the sphere of a daily normal life due to crime and poverty. Especially in this world where if you leave the city and stray a little off the highway, the possibility of being attacked by a monster skyrocket.
Slaves and penniless people run away from things like crime, entering the underworld, which in itself, would employ its inhabitants. Every day, people are dying, but the same amount of new people are streaming in.
“There are many wannabe adventurers, so there will be people undertaking shady jobs the guild won’t accept. Like the “Hidden Serpent” guys you crushed in the royal capital. Those kind of people mostly come from the slums.”
“According to the information collected from people throughout the city, it seems there is a group managing the slums. We don’t know what their numbers are, but they are involved in things like abductions and robberies.”
For now, it seems they were laying low in order to get a grasp on the new lord’s attitude.
There had been patrols of a couple of soldiers before, but when the inhabitants of the slum saw the soldiers, they went inside their row
s of shacks, and didn’t come out, apparently.
They didn’t know how big of a population there was there, but if the slums were left alone, wouldn’t they once again emerge in the city and commit crimes?
“If I receive your permission, I’ll go settle that problem.”
“Isn’t that a little danger…”
Origa’s gaze caused Kasha to turn quiet.
“Origa, get along a little with Kasha. I might entrust you with work where you need to work together. As for cleaning up the slums, I’ll be doing it.”
“I can’t be causing trouble to…”
“Origa.”
Calling her name, interrupting Origa, Hifumi looked straight at her and smiled.
“This is my job, and it’s something I want to do.”
“…Understood.”
Standing up, Hifumi strapped his katana to his waist, and put on a mantle on top of his usual clothes.
It was something delivered from the royal castle, to show that you are the lord of a territory. On the left shoulder was the royal family’s coat of arms, and on the right shoulder was Hifumi’s newly designed family crest. It was a symbol with the motif of a katana and a kusarigama.
“I’m off to the slums. I’ll entrust it to you two afterwards.”
Seeing off Kasha, and the bowing Origa, Hifumi left the office with a wave of the mantle.
While revising the system to quickly put the territory in order in his head, he then thought about the likely coming counterattack from Vichy. If Hifumi’s estimations were correct, they just had one short month.
“…I must begin doing the preparations in earnest.”
As Hifumi was carefully preparing, he felt the same kind of excitement as from the fight in Rhone. This time, is it 10000? 20000? At the very least, he wouldn’t be bored. Moreover, under the influence of Pajou, Imeraria’s troops might be joining too.
That would be good, so let’s give it a go. Hifumi smiled as he walked with light steps, like a beautiful girl who couldn’t calm down before a date. The staff members on the first floor who saw Hifumi walk out, pleasantly thought that him being in a good mood was something nice.
Chapter 36: Take Me Home
While advancing through the city, he firmly affixed the katana to his waist. From his breast pocket he took out a small blade, while spinning it around in a rotating motion on top of his hand, he leaves the residential area.
In order to leave the residential area he passed the buildings of the shopping area arriving at the workshop factory area where the craftsmen were gathered.
Likewise the dwarves, which Hifumi had summoned, were producing the items Hifumi had requested in the arranged workshops in this area. They worked hard to build the devices aiming to defend the entire city.
Taking the opportunity of going to the slums, he decided to take a peek at the workshops. With Pruflas in the center, they were producing spear throwers, rail cars and the rails used by the rail cars.
Those items finished completely were lined up in a row in the corner of the workshop.
Hifumi entered the workshop while lightly raising his hand in greeting. After counting the number of spear throwers, he told Pruflas that it was fine to stop the manufacturing except for the consumption parts.
“Shall we stop the production of weapon parts? If we amass a great number of these powerful weapons that can be used by anyone, we will be able to kill many enemies, won’t we?” (Pruflas)
“If they can be used by anyone, I think there is no particular necessity for the soldiers to use them. This was arranged in order for the city to be safe even if we weren’t here to protect the city. Just that many is already plenty.” (Hifumi)
“Will Lord-sama use one of those?” (Pruflas)
“Saying such a stupid thing. If possible, I want to kill them with my own hands, otherwise there is no point in fighting, don’t you agree? However, if it’s only about winning, Vichy has already lost.” (Hifumi)
Gulping repetitively Pruflas ended up remaining silent as Hifumi talked about the details with a serious facial expression.
Although it was said by everyone that wars were desired by the kings and the nobles for the sake of expanding their territories, it was the first time that there was a lunatic starting a war in order to kill people.
“I plan to move the next battleground to Rhone, Arosel and Fokalore. Steadily producing the rails, I aim to lay the rails rapidly towards Rhone.” (Hifumi)
“Roger. I will alter the placement of personnel. If possible, I’d like you to increase the manpower as well …” (Pruflas)
“If that’s the case, please say that to Origa and the civil official slaves. They shall send some people from their staff. Well then, I am off to do some cleaning.” (Hifumi)
“Cleaning?” (Pruflas)
“As the feudal lord I have to endeavor in making the life in the city comfortable.” (Hifumi)
“Haa” (Pruflas)
Pruflas saw Hifumi off without quite understanding what he meant. Organizing the things said just now within his head and thinking about the placement of personnel, he realized something.
“Arosel after Rhone, Fokalore was it? What kind of situation causes him to push his plans this rapidly? Does Feudal Lord-sama consider losing the current war?” (Pruflas)
Is Fokalore the final defense line that will stall the enemy with spear throwers waiting for reinforcements?
Since he didn’t comprehend even if he thought about it and there was no other choice but to rely on his talent in producing things anyway, he decided to start the production of the requested rails.
◆◇◆◇◆
With passing through the workshop area, there were disposal areas with a lot of thrown away trash.
Most of the remains were clothes and wood. As it seems that metal was valuable, it couldn’t be found there.
Among those you could likewise see the bones of animals and some human bones thought to be clothes.
As that place gave off a stench, no one approached it except for the the workers and servants from some place to throw away trash occasionally.
Between the mountains of garbage a narrow pathway ran through coming out next to the slums.
“I guess the smell will stick to the dougi. When I get back I will have to thoroughly wash it.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi fervently believed it to be indispensable drying the dougi in the shade after hand-washing it in lukewarm water. Even as he became the feudal lord, he still washed the clothes himself.
Although there also was the situation of Origa gently telling him to leave it to the maids, this was something he didn’t yield on.
Even the gauntlet produced by Thorn, he thought it to be considerably exhausting to maintenance it. While care-freely walking Hifumi knew through his senses of the two people concealing themselves ahead of the path.
Moreover, those two people ahead stood up.
Hifumi drew the katana heaving a sigh. Going towards the presence of the two hidden in the trash, he stabbed them one by one.
There was a feedback.
I think it was instant death for both of them as they didn’t even leak a voice.
After pulling out the katana, it was covered with a red liquid.
“Wh-What have you done!”
Two people ran up from further down the path seeing Hifumi’s sudden action.
Frantically pushing the mountain of trash aside, the two were surprised to find the limp corpses.
“Despite doing nothing, they were stabbed without warning …”
I guess both, the ones having run up here and those having died, are in the latter half of their teens, huh?
It seems one of the dead was a woman.
Even as he is showered in accusing gazes, Hifumi isn’t concerned in the least.
“They tried to do something. Don’t play the victims if you get counter-att
acked.” (Hifumi)
“What was that! Although they only planned to threaten you a bit, I will kill you?!”
“Baka” (Hifumi)
The youth, who flared up at Hifumi in rage, died having his heart pierced.
“If you threaten with words saying you will kill someone, be prepared to the extent of resolving the situation with force. It is only ridiculous if a person soon to die says such things.” (Hifumi)
As he was preaching facing the corpses, Hifumi turned his gaze towards the sole survivor. He was unable to stand trembling in fear.
“Th-This easily…” (Young man)
“I have trained desperately to be able to kill this easily. Leaving that aside, I want you to tell me. How many people live in the slums ahead from here?” (Hifumi)
“I-I don’t know! Because there are as many entering as there are those dying before anyone knows…” (Young man)
Using a shrill and nervous voice, it seems he also became incontinent.
“Well then, is there a guy similar to a boss who brings the slum together?” (Hifumi)
“To-Torkemada-san (T/N: >> Torukemada <<), you mean? If it’s that guy, his stronghold is in the church ruins! I-I beg you, don’t ki…” (Young man)
Without listening to the end, Hifumi decapitates the young man.
◆◇◆◇◆
“The church ruins, huh?” (Hifumi)
Exiting the trash mountains, a city with worn-out, decaying houses lined up came into view.
Although almost all of them were miserable shacks having their roofs collapsed or completely missing, judging by the presences, it seemed as if a limited amount of people was living there.
Additionally there were hardly any people walking outside.
While feeling the vigilant looks, a building with a different structure became apparent as he nonchalantly walked the the little rest of the path ahead.
It was weathered with its triangular interior and the roof which was spherically cut like an object of art.
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 2 Page 15