The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 380

Count Iveczek of Sandokar was deeply troubled by the influx of refugees pouring into his lands from the Banreung Kingdom via land routes.

Even though the light of the King’s Grace [a divine blessing or power] was said to have enveloped the Banreung Kingdom, and the vampires were annihilated, freeing the land, the number of refugees from Banreung only increased, never decreasing.

The collapse of the national system was due to the royal family, nobles, officials, and technicians either becoming vampires or being corrupted by the power of the Nether [a dark, corrupting force].

Moreover, since it was originally a highly industrialized nation that imported food from overseas, the supply and distribution of food were not smooth.

Even if the light of the King’s Grace protected the kingdom, the structure was such that refugees were bound to occur.

Someone needed to quickly step up and take on the role of the king to manage this chaos, but the rigid policies of the King’s Church made it difficult to easily decide on the next king.

‘Count Azadin should become king. But to do that, we must accept these refugees, and with Pimbulbert arriving, is it really the right thing to do?’

Count Iveczek hesitated on that point.

Providing free food to the refugees would undermine the motivation of the loyal citizens and soldiers. However, if they were left to starve with the principle of ‘those who do not work shall not eat,’ all sorts of crimes such as theft, robbery, and pickpocketing would become rampant.

But what kind of work could be given to so many people?

Just then, upon hearing the news that Azadin had taken the prince of Arangi hostage in Coxhall, Count Iveczek decided to conscript all the refugees and move them towards Coxhall under the guise of a supply corps.

This was because it would both get rid of the refugees and give them work, and also because he expected Azadin would do something for them now.

With winter approaching, the march was harsh, but they followed Count Iveczek without complaint, joining the march towards Coxhall.

And so, when Count Iveczek arrived at Coxhall…

“Well, you’ve come at a good time, Count Iveczek. I just happened to need people,” Azadin welcomed Count Iveczek.

“I’m glad to be of help. Actually, I did send a message, but the situation was so urgent that I made a hasty decision without waiting for a reply. I was worried that it might be a burden.”

“No, it’s not. In the midst of such a chaotic war, it’s not the way of a wise commander to only move after receiving orders from above. Making reasonable judgments on the field, that was excellent.”

Azadin actually praised Count Iveczek for bringing the refugees without orders.

‘Amazing. He’s not just saying it, he’s really praising me for bringing the refugees. But were there this many people here?’

Count Iveczek was already suspicious as he saw a considerable number of people rebuilding Coxhall and maintaining the roads.

“What are these people? It seems like a well-trained force is patrolling.”

“Ah, those are the Arangi Kingdom’s soldiers.”

“Yes, I see. Hmm. What?”

Iveczek doubted his ears.

Wasn’t the prince of the Arangi Kingdom supposed to be a hostage? But why were they acting like allies, or rather, like subordinates?

“Ah, well, it’s like this.”

Azadin explained what had happened.

*********

Azadin, having taken Prince Sram hostage, began the work of clearing the ruined buildings and rebuilding the city to make Coxhall a supply base.

Although the number of soldiers Azadin brought was considerable, the problem was that the Arangi Kingdom’s troops were stationed outside Coxhall.

It was very inefficient to carry out engineering work while being wary of them.

And it was the same for the Arangi Kingdom’s army.

Originally, their mission was to rebuild and occupy Coxhall.

However, because Prince Sram was taken hostage, they were currently unable to enter Coxhall.

They sent a letter to Prince Sram’s maternal family, the Iltas family, to pay the ransom, but even if they sent a pigeon with vitality magic [magic that enhances life force], it would take weeks for a response to arrive.

Should they just waste time and consume military rations in the meantime?

It was then that Azadin approached them.

“Your mission was to rebuild Coxhall anyway, wasn’t it? Why don’t you cooperate with the reconstruction work?”

“What? Do you think we’re fools? Why would we cooperate in rebuilding Coxhall, which has fallen into your hands?”

“We’re already upset that the Count beat us to it, and now you’re asking us to give you a gift? Your joke goes too far.”

Prince Sram’s subordinates seemed to think that Azadin’s words were not serious but some kind of provocation. Azadin smiled, seeing their polite attitude.

“That statement is dangerous. It could be interpreted as acknowledging that I will have the rights to Coxhall from now on.”

“No, that’s…”

That was too far-fetched of an interpretation.

However, they couldn’t say that. The strict laws of the King’s Church allowed for even ordinary statements to be twisted and punished based on the interpreter’s intentions.

Having committed the disgrace of losing Prince Sram, Azadin’s distortion of their words could be used as grounds for punishment by the Arangi Kingdom.

‘What is it? Is he telling us to come under his command?’

‘Even so, would we so easily go under the command of someone who was just our enemy?’

‘He’s underestimating us too much.’

Prince Sram’s subordinates were confident that they would not fall for Azadin’s proposal or persuasion. But then, Azadin made a suggestion.

“What if I paid you for doing the reconstruction work on Coxhall?”

“What?”

The Arangi Kingdom’s army doubted their ears.

“I’ll pay you separately. From the beginning, your mission was to rebuild Coxhall. You wouldn’t be reprimanded by your superiors for doing the reconstruction work, would you?”

“No, that’s…”

Was that even possible?

They had already sent word that Prince Sram had been taken prisoner, and depending on the reply, they might be ordered to fight and take back Coxhall, regardless of whether Prince Sram lived or died.

But Azadin was telling them, the enemy, that he would pay them to help rebuild Coxhall?

“Count, are you serious?”

“Of course. I want to get Coxhall ready as soon as possible to accept the refugees. Of course, you’d be afraid.”

“What?”

“But think about it. If you work together on the reconstruction of Coxhall, it’s a perfect opportunity to learn about our defenses, formations, current situation, and food supplies. You could call it reconnaissance.”

“……”

The soldiers of the Arangi Kingdom were taken aback by Azadin’s proposal.

Considering the number and quality of the troops that Count Azadin had brought, the current Arangi Kingdom’s army, even with the Arangian Guards mixed in, was not an opponent they could overpower by force. However, if they just stood still, they would only waste time.

‘He’s going to pay us? Is this guy crazy?’

‘If it’s money, it’s useless, isn’t it?’

‘He probably won’t give us money.’

‘Maybe he’ll say that and then give us money. Money we can’t even eat anymore.’

‘But if we ask if he’ll give us money, that’s weird too. If we’re not going to do it, why would we ask what he’s going to pay us with…’

In Hybriss, unless you were a great noble, even the working class had to earn money when they could.

Since Azadin said he would pay them, they couldn’t help but ask.

“Um, what will you pay us with? Coin?”

“You want to be paid in money? I’m fine with that too.”

“Do you pay with something other than money?”

“I’ll provide meals, and I plan to pay you with barley as a reward.”

“……What?”

Everyone was startled by the mention of paying with grain.

The price of grain was skyrocketing every moment. Azadin’s offer of payment was no different from promising soldiers gold coins, which was an excessive reward in the past when the economy was healthy.

“Hah, we’ll do it.”

“You idiot. Are you the commander? I have to decide.”

“Then, are you not going to do it, officer?”

“We shouldn’t.”

The officer felt as if he was tearing out his own intestines, but he refused Azadin’s offer.

It was not an area he could take responsibility for.

But then Azadin said,

“Of course, I will separately propose the person in charge of the overall work. You don’t have to take responsibility.”

“No, it’s not that we’re not responsible just because you decide it.”

“Let me introduce you. The person who will supervise the Arangi people in the reconstruction of Coxhall, Prince Sram himself.”

“What?”

Prince Sram, who was supposed to be a hostage, stood before the Arangi people with a sullen expression.

“Uh.”

“Is this real?”

“Y-yes. It just happened that way.”

Prince Sram awkwardly greeted his subordinates.

*********

After becoming Azadin’s prisoner, Prince Sram was invited to Azadin’s meal.

The meal was nothing more than simple bread and meat porridge. It was closer to a nutritional meal that the working class would eat to maintain their combat power and strength, rather than a noble’s meal.

After finishing the meal, Azadin brewed tea.

“Prince Sram, I’m planning to have the Arangi people participate in the reconstruction of Coxhall. Would you take on the role of supervisor?”

“Do you think I’m crazy? If I do that, Arangi will consider me a traitor. If you release me, I will escape. And this time, I will fight to the death rather than be taken prisoner again. Every single Arangian will fight to the death on the battlefield!”

“Hmm.”

Azadin chuckled at Prince Sram’s words.

“You really don’t value your own life much. How cowardly.”

“What?! Are you trying to insult me?”

“If what’s on top of your neck isn’t just a helmet stand, think about it a little. Which would be more of a burden for me, you attacking or you fully surrendering?”

“You are insulting me!”

Sram was enraged by Azadin’s attitude of completely disregarding his attack. However, Azadin glared at Sram with a cold gaze.

“If you’re that stupid, you’re not even worth insulting. Prince Sram, why do you think my reputation isn’t bad these days? It’s because I’m accepting the refugees that even other kings have given up on. But thanks to that, the food situation isn’t good. I predicted Pimbulbert [likely a person or event] and gathered as much food as possible, but if I keep accepting refugees like this, I won’t be able to hold out no matter how much I’ve stockpiled. Nevertheless, I have more penalties than other kings due to my status, so I can’t even give up the support of those refugees.”

“……”

“Those who were lucky enough to have good parents are supported even if they say they’ll let their people starve, but I, who was persecuted even in the Heraldic Clan [a noble or influential family], only receive suspicious looks even if I try to feed everyone by pushing myself too hard. In this situation, if you attack and my soldiers and refugees die, it’s not my responsibility. I can shift the blame to the Arangi Kingdom, which is hostile to me, and reduce the criticism, so it’s something I welcome.”

“What is that…”

Prince Sram was shocked.