Chapter 39: Deliberately misleading and raising thieves’ self-respect (continued)
With only the few manpower available, we can enter the fortress city. Lantel, conquer the undead and regain the lost territory?
Faced with Ainz’s questions, the Kingdom’s warrior captain Gazef. Stronov first looked up at the fallen city in the distance that was crowded with thousands of undead creatures, and then looked back at his subordinates who only had about forty riders in total behind him. He was sweating coldly, sweating profusely, and was sweating like a waterfall!
Lord Ainz, you think too highly of me! Is it really impossible for me to do something like this?
"...This...should only be discussed in the long term." He said so loudly, but then he suddenly thought of something, and his eyes suddenly lit up, "...Could it be...that Sir Ainz intends to help? That's really too much." Well! I am here to thank you for your righteous deeds on behalf of the Kingdom..."
"...I'm sorry, Your Excellency, Warrior Commander. Judging from the signs that have been discovered so far, the situation that happened in the fortress city of Ye-Rantel is obviously a national-level confrontation and game. A mere outsider in the lower part has no idea about the various parties involved. I don’t know anything about this secret and the inside story. If I join in randomly, I am afraid that I will be shattered by the storm, so I really don’t plan to get involved rashly.”
Faced with the warrior captain's prayer, Ainz immediately and resolutely refused, saying that he was joking, not to mention that the army of undead in the city had been robbed and taken over by his own subordinates. Going in to attack them would be tantamount to beating one of his own people. And if I really want to wipe out the undead in this city, how can I still respect myself by raising thieves? How can I kill people and set fires while saving the world? How can I beat you and say that I am doing it for your own good, and still make you burst into tears of gratitude?
"...That's it...well, that's right. After all, this is the kingdom's own business. You have no obligation to risk your life for us."
Regarding Ainz's unceremonious rejection, Warrior Commander Gazef did not become angry, but had already expected it, so he just sighed.
But what he never expected was that Ainz would give him another "big gift" - "...Also, Your Excellency, Warrior Commander, when I set out from the city before, my butler was not there. Thinking that something like this would happen, I only prepared food for two hundred people to eat for half a month. I didn't expect that today, all of a sudden More than 1,500 people came in again, and they didn’t bring anything to eat. As a result, the food in the camp was only enough to last two days... I didn’t know what to do at first, but now I’ll leave it to you. You have come to take over. I believe you will be able to properly resettle the distressed subjects of these kingdoms..."
So, looking at these more than 1,500 refugees who had no clothes, food or clothing, Soldier Commander Gazef once again broke into cold sweat, profuse sweat, and waterfalls of sweat!
——When he came here before, he was intent on fighting the undead in a bloody battle, but he never expected that he would have to bring a large amount of food to help the refugees. In fact, he didn't even have the horse feed and dry food for the return journey, and he wanted to shamelessly ask Ainz for some!
Although humans in this world can use magic items such as [Endless Food Packs] to make food, the food produced in that way tastes like rotten sawdust, and it is difficult for even people who are about to starve to death to eat it. , so they are usually only deployed in fortresses to deal with long-term enemy siege. At this time, Warrior Captain Gazef obviously did not have anything like the [Endless Food Pack] with him.
"...Uh, um...I'm afraid this is a bit difficult, Mr. Ainz."
Gazef scratched his hair in embarrassment, "...I only brought less than fifty people with me, and I came lightly packed. Then I had to quickly return to the capital to report the military situation. I really couldn't take care of so many refugees. . And the closest town here takes one day on horseback and at least three days on foot. There are monsters along the way... so I can only ask you to continue to take care of them until this mess is resolved."
"...Huh? Did I hear you correctly? You actually want me to support these fifteen hundred people for free? And also to ensure their safety? Are you crazy, or do you think I am a fool? Your Excellency, Warrior Commander ?" Ainz asked in an incredible tone, "...I am neither your subordinate nor your subordinate. I am not a noble of this kingdom, nor a vassal of your king, nor even a person of this country. Why should I be selfless to this extent? Mr. Warrior Captain, don’t forget, not only do I never owe you anything. , but you still owe me a debt of gratitude!”
"...Furthermore, Your Excellency, Warrior Commander, you have also led soldiers. You should know how much food 1,500 people have to eat every day. If you want them to survive, you must provide them with clothing, cooking utensils, tents or How much does it cost to build a shack? Let me take the responsibility? Moreover, the trade route to the kingdom is currently blocked by the undead. In this deserted wilderness where no human beings are visible, there is no way to raise supplies even if you have money! The cost of purchasing food is even higher.”
"... Even if we don't consider the issue of money and supplies for the time being, in what name should I supervise these refugees? Giving them a meal now can be regarded as charity. But if I want to manage them for a long time, What stance should I take to rule them and punish those who make trouble? In their eyes, I am just a strange foreigner, and it is natural for me to refuse to obey.
There are so many refugees gathered in the camp, and there is the threat of undead creatures outside. I don’t need to explain in detail what kind of bad consequences it will have if a riot breaks out, right? The reasons for the riots may be various, such as snatching food and drinking water from each other, complaining about insufficient meals or poor accommodation conditions, and even some refugees with some status will ask for this and that in a big way, treating my subordinates as Servants sent..."
"...Please rest assured. Regarding the various expenses of resettling the refugees, I just ask you to temporarily advance them. I will definitely inform your majesty and it will be reimbursed by the national treasury in the future. Regarding maintaining discipline, you can also teach them a lesson. , I have also led new recruits, and I know the troubles involved.”
Soldier Captain Gazef hurriedly said, "...If there are such arrogant people who don't know what to do, it's normal to kill them as a warning. As long as we can save the lives of these survivors, the life of this land will not be extinct. I believe that The whole kingdom will be grateful for your kindness..."
"...As long as I can get your thanks, that's good." Ainz smiled bitterly, "...Maybe someone in the royal capital will hate me for this!"
"...How is this possible?" Warrior Commander Gazef was stunned for a moment, with an incredulous look on his face.
"...Why is it impossible? You seem to have said before that the secret invasion of the Silian Theocracy's special agents must have colluded with the powerful people in your country, and they must be the top nobles. So what happened now in the fortress The undead disaster in the city, Rantel, may not be part of a huge conspiracy... In this case, if I rescue these refugees, it may affect the conspirator's plan..."
"...Well...even if the nobles in the country are really enemies of the royal family, they shouldn't be so crazy, right?"
Warrior Captain Gazef muttered with obvious lack of confidence, his voice getting lower and lower as he spoke - it was all treason and betrayal, since those conspirators could have colluded with the Six-Color Holy Code Special Forces of the Silian Theocracy to massacre the kingdom's border villages. subjects, and ambushed him, the warrior captain. Now it is natural to collude with other forces to take over the royal family's most prosperous territory directly under the jurisdiction of the fortress city. Lantier is sacrificed to the devil or the god of death!
Logically speaking, if someone has already broken through the original lower limit, it is normal for him to break through more lower limits.
"...If these things that happened recently on the border are really part of a huge conspiracy, and involve the Silian Theocracy and the great nobles of your country, I think the throne and even the life of your king may have been lost. It’s so worrying, how can I get justice?” Ainz shook his head and retorted, “…I’m not afraid of those conspirators sending killers to deal with them? I am still somewhat confident in the combat effectiveness of myself and my subordinates. The real trouble is that the other party may use their official influence to confuse right and wrong and forcibly accuse me of "illegal gathering of refugees with the intention of causing chaos." Then force the king to issue an order to send you to attack me...Don't tell me that such a thing can't happen!"
"..." Soldier Gazef was speechless for a long time. Indeed, in a country where the king's power is declining and the princes are in power. In the Kingdom of Yestije, there have been rumors of various plots to regicide and usurp the throne and overthrow the royal family in recent years. If anyone among the domestic nobles really colluded with foreign countries and committed such a shocking tragedy, then what else could their target be besides the throne of His Majesty the King?
"... Of course, although I can't trust the nobles and the court of your country, I can still trust the character of the warrior commander."
Seeing Warrior Commander Gazef's face getting more and more ugly, the Meow Think Tank, who was worried that they had gone too far, quickly used the [Message] magic to send a text message to Ainz, asking him to stop. Ainz also immediately woke up and hurriedly started talking. Then he said, "...so, I will still take in and resettle these refugees." Yes, but I can't feed these people for free. If they want to have food and a place to live under my hands, they have to work for me and obey my orders. Those who don't work will not be fed. Those who incite trouble will be killed. Your Excellency, Warrior Commander, what do you think about this? ”
"...Well, thank you, Your Excellency. This is all a matter of course..." After hearing Ainz finally relent, Gazef hurriedly agreed.
"...Then, please stand up and explain the whole story to these refugees on behalf of the king you serve!"
Following the tips from the think tank, Ainz made his final request, "...I believe your words should be more effective than an outsider like me..."
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Sure enough, when Warrior Captain Gazef said that he was about to return to the royal capital to report the news and that he was temporarily unable to protect the refugees here, so he would entrust them to his friend "The Great Magician Ainz", the fleeing citizens gathered in the suburbs suddenly There was an uproar.
"...Wait, wait a minute, Your Excellency, Warrior Commander, are you planning to just leave us alone? How can you do this?"
A middle-aged businessman suddenly became anxious when he heard this, "...We are all subjects of the kingdom! Why should we listen to foreigners?"
"...Hmph! Didn't you understand what the warrior commander said? If you don't obey your orders, you will have nothing to eat! Do you mean that I have to feed you for free for the rest of your life...?"
Seeing the embarrassment of Warrior Captain Gazef, Ainz stood up with a cold snort, "...Sir, if you have doubts about me and are unwilling to accept my protection and management, then please take me with you." Your family members can leave on their own. Of course, you can also try to instigate trouble here, but before making trouble, you should think clearly that I am not your relative and have no regard for you. Any obligation is just for the sake of Your Majesty the Warrior Commander, and I have some limited sympathy for you. But even this limited sympathy can be easily consumed by some stupid guys, you. If you want to murder other citizens here, feel free to try, I don’t mind taking back my limited sympathy!”
--hateful! What an uncomfortable humiliation...
The middle-aged businessman with a big belly suddenly felt a sense of grievance that he had not experienced for a long time, but he did not dare to explode. Not only was he frightened by the opponent's powerful strength and lofty status, but also because of the looks of other surviving citizens around him. A look of disapproval, rejection or even disgust.
In fact, no one here is willing to leave alone. They are now fleeing in a hurry, with basically no food with them. They are surrounded by an uninhabited wilderness. Even if they have money, they can't buy anything. Due to the tug-of-war between the empire and the kingdom for many years, this border area is originally sparse. The countryside was generally deserted, and the repeated attacks and massacres by the Silian Theocracy's special forces had basically destroyed the last few villages that had survived the war. Behind them, there are undead creatures chasing them, and there are also threats from various monsters and bandits in the wild. If you don't get timely help and you run away hungry and alone to other distant cities, you're probably going to end up dead on the way.
If possible, they certainly hope that some kind-hearted people will help them expel the undead and monsters, and provide them with food and accommodation for free, without paying anything themselves, enjoying the shelter of the strong like a master, and enjoying food and accommodation by the way. ...But this is obviously impossible. The middle-aged businessman just wanted to inherit the kingdom's warrior leader's tiger skin and put pressure on Ainz to get better treatment, but unfortunately it had no effect at all.
In this case, you should just obey the orders obediently. After all, when you were in the city before, didn't you have to work in exchange for food and drink?
Next, under the supervision of Warrior Captain Gazef, all the refugees collectively swore to accept Ainz's care and resettlement, and signed or fingerprinted a piece of paper with the oath written on it. As for the few particularly stubborn mavericks, they left the camp after drinking a bowl of wheat porridge. After this set of procedures was completed, Warrior Captain Gazef asked Ainz about his next plan, and Ainz replied: "...The fires on the grassland are slowly burning out, and the undead are gradually coming out. Fortress City, wandering into the surrounding countryside. It's obvious that they can't stay here any longer... I'm going to take them to Karn Village! It seems that's the only place where decent houses can be found nearby..."