I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 300

The refugees from the Bringer Duchy were initially housed in the shelter north of Crossroads.

It was originally a facility built for citizens to evacuate during monster invasions, a place where they would take refuge whenever an emergency occurred.

Equipped with everything from emergency beds to medicine, emergency food, drinking water, and temporary lodging, it could easily accommodate over a thousand refugees.

The plan was to house them here first and then gradually move them into the city.

“Those who are sick, please line up here in order!”

“There’s plenty of food, so here! Start with some warm tea… !”

North Shelter.

Priests were administering medicine and healing magic to the sick refugees, and food was being distributed to the hungry.

Dusk Bringer received blankets and wrapped them around her people, while the Dragon Knights poured hot tea into cups and handed them out.

The refugees, exhausted from the late autumn cold and the long journey, were emaciated, but there was still hope in their eyes.

Wrapped in blankets and sipping tea, a faint vitality returned to the faces of the weary people.

“……”

I was watching this scene from afar when familiar footsteps came and stopped beside me. Without turning around, I asked,

“Are you worried, Lucas?”

“…It’s not that I didn’t expect you to do this.”

As expected, it was Lucas who had come to stand beside me.

Lucas, who had been quietly observing the bustling scene of the shelter, let out a soft sigh.

“I am worried about what lies ahead.”

“What are you worried about?”

“There are two main things.”

I gestured for Lucas to continue. Lucas nodded slightly and continued.

“First, of course, is the Western Front, His Highness First Prince Larc, and the First Legion of the Imperial Army.”

The biggest immediate problem came right out.

“Even if Your Grace has declared an independent course, accepting the Duke of Bringer, whom the First Legion of the Imperial Army is desperately searching for… is not a small risk to take.”

Then, Lucas glanced at me.

“But I believe Your Grace has a plan in mind for this issue.”

“Oh? Why do you think so?”

“…If I may be so bold. It is because Your Grace never engages in a battle without a chance of victory.”

I smiled without realizing it.

This guy, he knows my strategy style inside and out now.

“Your Grace does not move without a solid basis. You prefer fighting in situations where victory is certain, and you are not fond of gambling even if the odds are high. Therefore, from the moment you decided to accept the Duke of Bringer, I believe preparations for the Western Front have been completed.”

“Sharp, Lucas. You’re right.”

From a few months ago, when I decided to recruit Dusk Bringer.

Simulations on how to appease the Western Front had been running continuously.

‘The situation isn’t bad. No, it’s actually good.’

I was quite confident about this.

I grinned and gestured to Lucas with my chin.

“Let’s put the first worry aside for now. Then, let’s hear the second worry?”

Lucas immediately continued.

“It’s the citizens of Crossroads.”

It was a slightly unexpected answer. Lucas explained to me as I widened my eyes.

“Since Your Grace began ruling this place, the proportion of outsiders in Crossroads has increased dramatically.”

“Well, yes, that’s true.”

“In particular, Your Grace has actively hired not only foreign mercenaries but also mercenaries from other races. The view of them is still not favorable.”

From the perspective of someone who has actually lived in this world, not someone from the outside world who has possessed this body.

Lucas was talking about the real problems without exaggeration.

“But Your Grace. If most of the Empire’s people view other races as ‘uncomfortable outsiders’… then the view of the people of the Bringer Duchy is that of ‘enemies to fight.'”

“……”

“The Empire and the Bringer Duchy are currently at war. Even before that, their animosity towards each other has been steadily increasing.”

The Everblack Empire and the Bringer Duchy were like brother nations, but they were at war now.

There was no way their feelings would be normal.

In this situation, a thousand refugees… From the perspective of the existing citizens, it would feel like a bolt out of the blue.

I stroked my chin, lost in thought.

“But isn’t this place fundamentally a military fortress… and I am a royal and a commander. The citizens wouldn’t dare defy my decision.”

“That’s right. It is fundamentally a fortress. But it is also a city where people have lived for hundreds of years.”

A fortress and a city.

A place where soldiers and citizens lived together.

Crossroads was such a place.

“Of course, Your Grace, as a royal, as the lord, as the commander… you could also ignore these opposing opinions. Your Grace is the supreme ruler of this city. No one would dare to object.”

“……”

“But unresolved conflicts would simmer beneath the surface.”

The world is not just a naive and beautiful place.

Even if you show kindness to refugees who have lost their country, even if you save their lives, give them blankets, and hand them cups of tea, the problem is not solved.

No, the real problem starts from there.

“How should we solve it?”

I had something in mind, but I asked Lucas for his opinion. Lucas thought for a moment and then nodded.

“It would be helpful to look back at the process of how the Shadow Unit, the Punishment Unit, and the refugees they brought have integrated into this place.”

“Indeed.”

My thoughts were the same this time as well.

“They worked hard and voluntarily proved their usefulness. They proved their value to this city.”

In the end, practical benefit.

This is the most useful thing in persuading people.

“The power of Duke Dusk Bringer and her knights has been sufficiently demonstrated, so now…”

Lucas looked back at the shelter.

“These thousand refugees also need to show the existing citizens that they have something they can do for this city.”

It might be a harsh thing to say, but the current position of the refugees is overwhelmingly that of the subordinate.

They need to show their usefulness and make an effort to show the people of Crossroads that they are ready to integrate and live here.

Only after going through this process will the people of Crossroads gradually open their hearts and accept them.

That’s how relationships are. It’s not something that can be solved by only one side opening their heart and reaching out.

It requires effort and agreement from both sides.

What I can do is… create such opportunities and places.

“I don’t know exactly what kind of city Your Grace is trying to create here in the future, but…”

Lucas said with a wry smile.

“I know very well that it is not an easy path.”

“That’s why it’s a worthwhile endeavor.”

To gain great benefits, you must take great risks.

I intend to build the strongest dream team with the highest-potential heroes.

To do so, I need to unravel the tangled threads of grudges and resentments between them, one by one.

The integration of the thousand refugees will serve as a rehearsal for this kind of work in the future.

“Well, that’s the case with the citizens… but it will be a little easier with the soldiers.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Most of them are mercenaries who have wandered from other places. They have a lot in common as fellow outsiders. And, above all.”

Lucas smiled brightly.

“In this monster front, the more strong allies there are, the more beneficial it is for everyone. They can save my life right now.”

In that regard, Dusk Bringer and her knights’ demonstration of power in this defense battle was quite effective.

Since they proved that they were incredibly strong, there was little reason for the other soldiers to be reluctant to recruit them.

“The Dragon Knights, known as the berserkers of the West… have long been the object of envy for those who worship martial arts.”

Dusk Bringer and her knights were still helping with supplies among the refugees. Lucas trailed off as he watched them.

“As a warrior myself, I respect them. I would like to test my sword against their proud blades soon.”

***

That night. Central Square. Victory banquet hall.

“Bringer Knights, First Dragon Knight! Andymion!”

A white-haired knight with a neatly trimmed white beard.

Sir Andymion, the most senior of Dusk Bringer’s knights, shouted loudly.

“I will show you a talent I have honed my whole life!”

Then, holding tambourine-like instruments in both hands.

He made a rattling sound, then wildly swung his arms… and began to do a bizarre hula dance.

The gap was enormous, seeing the dignified old Dragon Knight doing that.

The mercenaries, already drunk, burst out laughing and fell backward, clutching their stomachs. The atmosphere in the central square instantly heated up.

“……”

Watching this scene, Lucas was frozen with a pale face.

I muttered softly beside him.

“Proud blades… objects of envy… hmm, I see…”

“No… no, this isn’t it… !”

The situation was like this.

After the alcohol had made its rounds at the banquet. The new Dragon Knights were still uncomfortable, and the other mercenaries were glancing at them cautiously.

Then, Sir Andymion, the most senior Dragon Knight, suddenly stepped forward and declared that he would liven up the mood. And then he was doing this incredible hula dance… .

The old knight finished his dance and bowed gracefully before leaving the square.

The other mercenaries gave him thunderous applause.

After that, the long-haired middle-aged knight, Sir Berlin, and the twin young knights, Sieun and Jet, took turns coming up and skillfully loosened the atmosphere with funny dances.

What the heck is this! Why are you guys so good at it!

Originally, at a drinking party, the atmosphere tends to loosen up when someone does something foolish. Moreover, since the main subjects were the Dragon Knights, who were the objects of caution.

The atmosphere quickly improved. The central square became as lively as it usually was during victory banquets.

“Isn’t it worth watching? It is the tradition of my knight order.”

Dusk Bringer laughed heartily, watching her knights make fools of themselves as if she was used to it.

“They show me their talents at drinking parties. They are cute dances that have been trained for that purpose. They are quite good for drinking party entertainment.”

Next to her, Sir Andymion, who had skillfully swept back his sweat-soaked white hair, spoke nonchalantly.

“We have often done even more for Your Grace’s entertainment. This is easy.”

“Isn’t that abuse within the unit?”

“Absolutely not. Your Grace is the one who took us in and gave us new lives. If we can make you laugh even for a moment with such a trivial thing, it is our joy.”

Dusk Bringer ruffled Sir Andymion’s white hair as he answered seriously.

“You only say pretty things, Andymion! When I first took you in, you were so small and couldn’t even speak properly!”

“When was that, Your Grace? I’m embarrassed…”

“Was it about 50 years ago? Ahahaha! During puberty, you would say ‘I won’t play with Your Grace!’ and wouldn’t even talk to me, and when you were over twenty, you even confessed your love to me! When I came to my senses, your hair had turned white like this?”

“Please stop teasing me about my immature days…”

Sir Andymion turned his head away, embarrassed.

I didn’t think this old man was like that, but he’s quite a character! More than that, is it okay to just list someone else’s embarrassing history like that? Isn’t this also abuse?

“…Well, that’s enough entertainment for now.”

Dusk Bringer’s face became serious as she took her hand off the old knight’s head.

“I want to discuss future matters, Ash.”

I straightened my expression as well. Sir Andymion and Lucas discreetly moved away from their seats, and Dusk Bringer and I sat facing each other alone.

“While my people are being accepted, I will transfer our command to you, but apart from that, I want to hear about your future plans.”

“……”

“Larc and the First Legion of the Imperial Army will arrive here soon. How do you intend to stop them then? And.”

Dusk Bringer glanced north. Towards the shelter where her people were staying.

“What should we do here?”

Dusk Bringer also knew.

That in order for her people, who were outsiders, to settle in this city, they had to step forward and prove their worth first.

I smiled and held out my glass.

“There’s a lot to do, Grand Duke. Just trust me and follow me.”

“……”

“It looks like we’ll have a long night of talking.”

Dusk Bringer narrowed her eyes at me, then held out her glass to meet mine.

Clink!

The sound of glasses clinking echoed through the night.

***

Crossroads had been suffering from a chronic labor shortage.

It was a fortress located at the southernmost tip of the world, and it was also an extremely dangerous battlefield where monsters attacked all year round.

Especially during the winter preparation season, like now, there was always a shortage of labor.

In this situation, the refugees from the Bringer Duchy volunteered for the hard work.

They cut firewood in preparation for winter, repaired frozen waterways, and filled warehouses with dry straw… .

Dusk Bringer took the lead in these tasks.

She didn’t mind getting her hands dirty or getting mud on her crown. She worked with all her might with her people.

The citizens of Crossroads were still wary of the people of the Bringer Duchy, but they gradually eased their hostility at the sight of them taking the lead in handling the difficult tasks of late autumn.

There were constant small and large conflicts. But the frequency was noticeably decreasing.

Above all, my will was firm.

Crossroads was already completely in my hands. The citizens respected my will.

As they say, people are creatures of adaptation. The chaotic city quickly regained its stability.

That night, a week after accepting Dusk Bringer and the refugees.

A guest came.

***

“Lord.”

Late at night. The lord’s office.

My body was getting better, so I was slowly extending my office hours until late, when Aider rushed into my room.

“The guest you were waiting for has arrived. They are waiting at the entrance of the mansion now.”

“…Escort them to the drawing room. I’ll be down soon.”

I took a breath and.

After adjusting my clothes, I went down to the drawing room on the first floor.

A large man stood silently in the drawing room.

Metal armor with a practical design. A man wearing a white cloak over it and a hood pulled down from the cloak.

“It’s been a while. How many months has it been?”

Since it was the person I had been waiting for, I was able to smile calmly.

“Brother.”

“……”

The First Prince of the Everblack Empire.

Larc ‘Avalanche’ Everblack, with his dark blue eyes flashing like blades, slowly took off his hood.