After spending rest day flirting with Yuika, Manon, and Beatriche, I went to the town of Lauf.
Lauf was the largest city in the Drevis Duchy.
The Duke's Mansion was built on a small hill overlooking the city, and was where Seraphima and her group would stay for the night.
The Duke's Mansion was brightly lit with the light of magical tools, and a welcome banquet was being held tonight.
The place I was located was on the opposite side of the city from the Duke's Mansion, near a farmhouse on the outskirts of town.
It seemed that the residents of Lauf were gathering in a large barn.
"Fred, it just looks like a village gathering."
[ Havre's remnants ... gathered to incite the residents ... ]
"They're planning to attack Seraphima's group on the bridge they'll pass tomorrow, right?"
[ Apart from that ... They're planning to aim for a time when they're short of hands after the departure ... ]
According to Fred's investigation, the people who said they would use explosives seemed to be the remnants of Havre Calvine's group.
It seemed like they planned to cause a commotion in the town of Lauf while Seraphima's group left and the security was distracted.
"Well then, I guess I'll sneak in for a bit."
[ Kent-sama's charisma ... crush their plans ... ]
"No, no, I don't have any charisma ... Also, if you find any explosives, please collect them."
[ Roger ... ]
I put on the trousers and shirt I used for training, which I had washed a lot, and put on the robe that was in the box at the boarding house, and I looked like a village kid.
Just to be safe, I kept my hair messy.
"Good evening, I heard you'll give me some food if I come here ..."
"Ou, come inside ..."
The sharp-eyed man at the entrance to the barn gave me a fake smile and let me in without question.
Perhaps he was not a person in charge of combat, as he did not have a sword or knife hanging from his waist.
Maa, if he flashed a weapon while gathering the residents, they would be alarmed.
Rather than a barn, it was probably a warehouse for storing hay or something, and it was about the size of a gymnasium.
There was a table to my right after entering the entrance, and it looked like they were distributing bread there.
"Is this where I can get bread?"
"Yeah, in return, please listen to what our representative has to say."
"Alright ..."
What they were handing out was bread with cheese and mulled wine.
Inside the barn, there was hay spread out, and the people who had gathered sat down wherever they liked and ate the bread that had been handed out.
There seemed to be about 100 people, all ages and genders, ranging from teenagers to gray-haired old men.
I sat down next to the wall and listened to the voices around me while I ate.
"It's delicious ... I wonder if I can get another one?"
"You fool, think about the people who will come after you."
"To be treating this many people, isn't it suspicious?"
"It may be suspicious, but we have to eat what we can."
The cheese was so-so, but the bread was crumbly, however, it seemed to be well-received by the crowd.
Even in Lauf, the people who ran businesses in the center of town seemed to be living a decent life, but the situation seemed to be a little different for farmers on the outskirts of town.
The Duchy of Drevis was an area in Resenburg that was greatly affected by desertification.
Residents who were robbed of their homes and fields due to desertification were said to be cultivating new fields elsewhere in the territory or being hired as tenants in existing fields.
In other words, it was like eating a smaller pie divided by the original number of people, and the income of farmers was decreasing year by year.
The remnants of Havre's faction were probably trying to take advantage of the dissatisfaction of those farmers.
When the bread and wine had been distributed to the assembled people, a man stood on top of a box and raised his voice.
"Everyone, please listen to me for a while as you eat. Aahh, I apologize to the people in the back, but please come forward a little."
At the man's urging, the people sitting in the back began to move, so I approached the stand as well.
After confirming that everyone had moved, the man on the stand resumed speaking.
"We are ones concerned about the future of this country. I am Gildale, the representative."
Gildale was a young man in his late twenties, with short, light blue hair and a clean shaven beard.
The clothes he was wearing were scuffed here and there, but they looked like they had been washed and didn't look dirty.
"This country is rotten. We farmers have a hard time even making a daily meal, but the nobles indulge in luxury. Don't you think this is wrong?"
It was true that Gildale came from a farmer's background, but somehow it felt a little strange.
He was too good-looking, or rather, it felt like a handsome actor playing a farmer in a drama or stage play.
"It's obvious that it's wrong."
There was a man who answered Gildale's question without hesitation.
He was a well-built man with a beard and the appearance of a farmer.
"Even if you don't tell us, everyone here thinks it's wrong."
Gildale nodded greatly at the bearded man's words.
"Right, it's wrong. We've been suffering from the expansion of the desert for many years, but the nobles are so absorbed in factional warfare that they don't even care about the lives of the farmers. And, do you know? It seems that the Barshania people are involved in the expansion of the desert."
"What did you say, is that true!"
"Yeah, the Barshania guys sneaked up to the border when the westerly wind was strong and used earth and wind attribute magicians to blow an artificial sandstorm towards Resenburg."
After hearing Gildale's story, unrest spread among the gathered residents.
Gildale watched with satisfaction as the hushed voices gradually got louder.
"Wait a minute. That, how do you know about it?"
The person who questioned Gildale was a thin, middle-aged man with a pale complexion.
Rather than being angry at the nobles, it seemed like he was looking at Gildale with suspicion.
"That, I want it to be a secret with only those here. Even among the knights of the Drevis Family, there are those who agree with our ideas. The story that Barshania is involved in the progress of desertification, I learned it from them."
After hearing that there was a whistleblower within the Duke's Family, the assembled residents became even more upset.
I felt like a fire was starting to burn, fueled by the grievances they've been harboring up until now, such as their anger towards Barshania and their distrust of the Duke's Family.
In such an atmosphere, a woman in her late twenties spoke up.
"Hey, isn't that strange? I heard that the Princess of Barshania will be staying at the Duke's Mansion tonight. I heard that a welcome banquet will be held at the mansion. Why would they welcome those who are tormenting us?"
"That is ... Okay, don't be surprised."
Gildale looked around at the assembled residents from the top of the stand and instructed them to be quiet with both hands in a restraining gesture.
"Listen, don't raise your voices. The Duke is planning to defect to Barshania."
"That's absurd! Why would he turn over to Barshania!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Where did the pride of nobility go."
"Rather, is that true, that story. Isn't it a hoax?"
"What will happen from now on."
Even though Gildale had told them not to make noise, the barn was filled with the voices of the residents.
"Quiet! I can't hear you if you all speak at once. If you have any questions, please raise your hand."
Many residents raised their hands all at once, but the bearded man who spoke first was the one nominated.
"Even if you say that the Duke has defected to Barshania, I can't believe it. Is it true?"
"I heard this story from a knight of the Duke's Family. It seems that the magicians in the territory alone cannot prevent Barshania's desertification operation. If things continue like this, the Duchy of Drevis will end up buried in sand, so it seems he has decided to defect to Barshania."
"If it stops the desertification and makes our lives easier, wouldn't it be great."
A different young man with a bearded face began to speak on his own, but Gildale stopped him with one hand before answering.
"I'm sorry, but the conversation won't be able to move forward, so please talk after you've been nominated. However, it would be great if the desertification stopped and life became easier, but in the worst case scenario, taxes will double."
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm barely living even now ..."
"Wait please, if someone talks without permission, the conversation won't move forward. I'll give you a proper answer, so please talk to me after you've been nominated."
"Why, I can't keep quiet about this ... Gue."
A bearded man walked up to the young man who was trying to keep talking and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
"These Nii-chans have prepared this much food, so you can see how serious they are, right? If you're going to do something selfish, I'll be the one to deal with you."
"That's enough ... It's troubling to make unsolicited comments, but please also refrain from being violent."
"Got it. Are you bastard good?"
Gildale stopped him, and the bearded man loosened his grip, and the young man reluctantly nodded and sat down.
Somehow, the bearded man resembled a shill.
"The story has gone a bit off topic, but let me continue by saying that the tax issue is not finalized. If we switch sides to Barshania, we could end up in a situation like that in the worst case scenario."
According to Gildale, Barshania planned to build a base in the Drevis Duchy to invade Resenburg.
It seemed that the purpose of the Duke's defection was to gain status as a noble and gain even more territory after the Barshania invasion.
Maa, it was a lie, but it seemed like the residents were starting to believe it.
After Gildale finished speaking, the woman who had spoken earlier raised her hand.
"But, you know, as long as the Duke remains a noble, his territory expands, and we don't have to worry about desertification, whether it's Resenburg or Barshania, does it matter? Maa, it's a little annoying though ..."
"That's true, but I think that's the best possible situation. If this becomes Barshania, we will become citizens of an occupied country. Isn't it better not to expect such good treatment?"
"If you ask me ... I guess that might be true."
It was strange how even something that seemed completely absurd started to sound like the truth when they continued to discuss it in such a serious manner.
The assembled residents were also preoccupied with what would happen with their taxes, and seemed to think that the Duke had really defected.
Even people who seemed uninterested at first suddenly became interested when it came to topics such as taxes that were directly related to their lives.
However, it was a pain to be involved in such a farce, so I thought I'd ask them a question as well.
When the residents raised their hands again, Gildale noticed.
"That boy over there, what is it?"
"Umm, so what should we do in the end? I think it's a bit impossible to hold a weapon and fight ..."
Hearing my words, the residents fell silent for a moment.
Perhaps, even though they had various grievances, they were not considering fighting as an option.
"That's right. I'm not going to ask everyone here to fight. It's impossible for women, children, and the elderly. That's why I want everyone to cooperate in whatever way they can. As you imagine, we will throw ourselves into the fight, but we won't force everyone to participate. I just want you to acknowledge our existence."
Gildale paused, looked around at the people gathered, and then began speaking again.
"Probably, many people will die in the battle. Even I, myself, may die. Even so, I don't want to give up. I can't stand for the country where we were born to be overrun by something like Barshania. So tomorrow we will raise the bells of war. Even if I were to fall in battle, I would have no regrets. That's why, I want everyone to remember the people who are genuinely trying to make this country better ..."
Some people were crying when they saw Gildale talking to them with so much emotion, but to be honest, the smell of a narcissist who is drunk on himself was disgusting.
[ Kent-sama ... explosives recovery completed ... ]
[ How many were there? ]
[ Only three barrels ... they said it was a trump card ... ]
[ Alright. Then, let's finish this story and go home ... ]
I raised my hand again so that it could be seen by Gildale, who was about to head to the climax of his speech.
"Is there something else, boy."
"Yes, this is ridiculous, can I go home?"
"Wha ..."
"What the hell, kid! What were you listening to until now. What exactly is ridiculous!"
Instead of Gildale, who was speechless at my words, the bearded man stood up and yelled at me.
"In the first place, Barshania will not invade Resenburg."
"What are you talking about. Are you saying we're lying!"
"That's how it is, but the one who said that Barshania was going to attack was Gildale-san over there, not you, right? Why 'we' ... why is that?"
"Th, that's ... N, now that I've heard the story ..."
"Rather, you've been a shill from the beginning, haven't you? Your actions are so suspicious that it's obvious."
"Guu ..."
When the bearded man fell silent, a chuckle could be heard from among the residents.
On behalf of the bearded man, who remained silent, Gildale retorted this time.
"We are getting information from the knights of the Duke's Family. Show us proof that our story is a lie."
"Barshania cannot afford to attack Resenburg."
"Hou, why is that?"
"The port town of Leinef was attacked by a Gigas, and the knights suffered heavy losses during their subjugation, and there are also secret operations by anti-establishment forces, so they have their hands full with internal affairs."
"Hou, what evidence do you have to support that?"
"Are you planning on fighting Duke Drevis without knowing this much information?"
"I, it's not that we don't know. Still, there is information that Barshania is coming to attack."
It seemed that Gildale had no intention of abandoning his almost successful Propaganda.
The people in the surroundings seemed to be comparing my manner with the dismay of Gildale and the others.
I didn't like to stand out too much, but I thought I'd use it for Propaganda as well.
"Why do you believe the information that Barshania is going to attack Resenburg when you know that they can't afford to attack?"
"That's ... it's information that our long-time companions have acquired. In the first place, it's strange to welcome the Princess of Barshania. It's obvious that he will defect."
"Then, why is Berdets Orden, the Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Resenburg, personally participating in guarding the Barshania group?"
"Wh, what ..."
It seemed that Gildale didn't know that the Knight Commander had come to greet them, and the assembled residents were buzzing when they heard that it was the Knight Commander of the Kingdom.
"Kid ..."
"Resorting to violence when things get tough is uncool, and you'll lose the support of everyone gathered here."
"Damnit ..."
The bearded man tried to push his way through the residents to get to me, but when he heard that he would lose his support, he stopped.
"It's true that Resenburg a while ago was rotten, just as Gildale-san said. But the situation has changed dramatically now that the Idiot Princes who were fighting over the succession to the throne have died. Countermeasures against desertification have already begun under Camilla Resenburg, who has taken the reins."
The residents were surprised to hear that desertification countermeasures had begun.
Rather, was this information not being communicated to the residents.
The good news was that it seemed like domestic politics would be more stable if they spread the word, but maybe they took it for granted because the Duke's Family was in control.
The bearded man shouted, probably thinking that the situation was getting worse.
"That's a lie! Don't be fooled! This guy is a spy from the Duke's Family!"
"If you think it's a lie, just go see Chinov. Or are you denying the efforts of people who are actually fighting against desertification?"
"Guuu ..."
The bearded man was clenching his molars and his face was bright red.
The residents no longer seemed to sympathize with Gildale and the others, and I could feel a sense of anticipation as if they were watching a festival performance.
"Don't you think it's foolish to cause a disturbance and interfere when Resenburg is trying to get better? Is it okay to delay countermeasures against desertification?"
"Something like that, if Barshania were to attack ..."
Just as Gildale was about to speak on behalf of the bearded man with the blood rushing to his head, a man came running in and screamed.
"Gildale-san, there's trouble! The explosives have been stolen!"
"What! What was the guard doing!"
"That, they looked away for a moment, and it was gone ..."
"Don't be ridiculous, look for it! The attack is tomorrow! Damnit, you guys should join the search!"
At Gildale's command, I blocked the exit with a shield of darkness to stop the men in the barn from jumping out.
"What is this, I can't get out."
"Hey, what's going on!"
It seemed like the people outside had noticed and were banging on the shield of darkness, but it wouldn't break with something like humans punching and kicking it.
The bearded man brought out a sword and slashed at it, but it was no use.
After hearing that the exit was blocked, the people who had gathered started to get upset, and Gildale turned to look at me.
"This is your doing!"
"That's right."
"You Duke's dog!"
With Gildale's words, the eyes of the conspirators were focused on me.
"Haa ... That's disappointing. Even though I've given you all these hints, you still think I'm the Duke's dog? That's no good at all."
"What, what are you talking about!"
"You guys, are you planning on attacking without even knowing who you're fighting?"
"This guy ..."
"Aa~h!"
Next to Gildale and the others, who looked irritated, the woman who had asked questions twice pointed at me and let out a surprised voice.
"What's wrong, Lilina."
"M, Maou ..."
At the words of the woman called Lilina, Gildale and the others all stood up, and the residents around me hurriedly backed away.
I'm not that scary though ... Rather, was this woman also a shill.
"You, are you trying to interfere with our plans!"
"Yes, I will interfere. Barshania won't attack, so I'll nip any unnecessary trouble in the bud."
The bearded man approached me while holding an unsheathed sword, so as usual, I used the summoning technique to cut it into pieces.
"Wh, what's going on."
"I told you. I'm going to nip any unnecessary trouble in the bud ... It doesn't have to be a sword, I can cut off an arm, a leg, or even a neck. Would you like to try it?"
When I threw away the sword body that I had been holding with my fingertips, the conspirators had shocked expressions on their faces.
"I also know that the people who held this gathering are the remnants of Havre Calvine and were planning to use explosives to blow up the bridge. The control of the Calvine Territory has ended, and it would be a waste of time to try to gain power and property through violence. Besides, do you really think I'll allow you to do something that would put Seraphima, who is going to be my wife, in danger?"
"Don't be scared. No matter if people call him the Demon King, he's just a kid. If we all hit him at once, he won't be able to prevent it."
Gildale still seemed to be planning to resist, so after making sure all the residents were far enough away, I put out a shield of darkness behind me.
"Nero, come ..."
Doro doro doro ... When Nero slowly appeared, while making a purring sound in his throat, not only Gildale-tachi, but all the residents screamed and retreated to the wall.
Nero showed off his sharp fangs, and made a display of licking his lips.
At times like this, he's an acting type who doesn't say a word.
"This time, I'll let it pass because it was an attempt. However, there won't be a next time. If you want to cause a worthless commotion and hinder the reconstruction of Resenburg, I'll dispatch you quickly, so keep that in mind ..."
When the shield of darkness that was blocking the exit was extinguished, not only Gildale-tachi but also the gathered residents scrambled to escape.
"Maa, if Nero comes out, this is what will happen ..."
"Nya? Goshujin-sama, you think it's not you that they're scared of, nya?"
"Ehh? Because, everyone saw Nero ..."
"Goshujin-sama who pushes that Nero around, there's no way they won't be scared, nya. Goshujin-sama lacks self-awareness, nya."
"Ehh ..."
There was no sign of anyone inside the barn, or even near the barn.
In the distance, Maou ... and, run away ... I thought I heard such voices, but I'm sure I was just hearing things.
"You lack self-awareness, nya."
"Yes ... I'll pay attention."
After spending rest day flirting with Yuika, Manon, and Beatriche, I went to the town of Lauf.
Lauf was the largest city in the Drevis Duchy.
The Duke's Mansion was built on a small hill overlooking the city, and was where Seraphima and her group would stay for the night.
The Duke's Mansion was brightly lit with the light of magical tools, and a welcome banquet was being held tonight.
The place I was located was on the opposite side of the city from the Duke's Mansion, near a farmhouse on the outskirts of town.
It seemed that the residents of Lauf were gathering in a large barn.
"Fred, it just looks like a village gathering."
[ Havre's remnants ... gathered to incite the residents ... ]
"They're planning to attack Seraphima's group on the bridge they'll pass tomorrow, right?"
[ Apart from that ... They're planning to aim for a time when they're short of hands after the departure ... ]
According to Fred's investigation, the people who said they would use explosives seemed to be the remnants of Havre Calvine's group.
It seemed like they planned to cause a commotion in the town of Lauf while Seraphima's group left and the security was distracted.
"Well then, I guess I'll sneak in for a bit."
[ Kent-sama's charisma ... crush their plans ... ]
"No, no, I don't have any charisma ... Also, if you find any explosives, please collect them."
[ Roger ... ]
I put on the trousers and shirt I used for training, which I had washed a lot, and put on the robe that was in the box at the boarding house, and I looked like a village kid.
Just to be safe, I kept my hair messy.
"Good evening, I heard you'll give me some food if I come here ..."
"Ou, come inside ..."
The sharp-eyed man at the entrance to the barn gave me a fake smile and let me in without question.
Perhaps he was not a person in charge of combat, as he did not have a sword or knife hanging from his waist.
Maa, if he flashed a weapon while gathering the residents, they would be alarmed.
Rather than a barn, it was probably a warehouse for storing hay or something, and it was about the size of a gymnasium.
There was a table to my right after entering the entrance, and it looked like they were distributing bread there.
"Is this where I can get bread?"
"Yeah, in return, please listen to what our representative has to say."
"Alright ..."
What they were handing out was bread with cheese and mulled wine.
Inside the barn, there was hay spread out, and the people who had gathered sat down wherever they liked and ate the bread that had been handed out.
There seemed to be about 100 people, all ages and genders, ranging from teenagers to gray-haired old men.
I sat down next to the wall and listened to the voices around me while I ate.
"It's delicious ... I wonder if I can get another one?"
"You fool, think about the people who will come after you."
"To be treating this many people, isn't it suspicious?"
"It may be suspicious, but we have to eat what we can."
The cheese was so-so, but the bread was crumbly, however, it seemed to be well-received by the crowd.
Even in Lauf, the people who ran businesses in the center of town seemed to be living a decent life, but the situation seemed to be a little different for farmers on the outskirts of town.
The Duchy of Drevis was an area in Resenburg that was greatly affected by desertification.
Residents who were robbed of their homes and fields due to desertification were said to be cultivating new fields elsewhere in the territory or being hired as tenants in existing fields.
In other words, it was like eating a smaller pie divided by the original number of people, and the income of farmers was decreasing year by year.
The remnants of Havre's faction were probably trying to take advantage of the dissatisfaction of those farmers.
When the bread and wine had been distributed to the assembled people, a man stood on top of a box and raised his voice.
"Everyone, please listen to me for a while as you eat. Aahh, I apologize to the people in the back, but please come forward a little."
At the man's urging, the people sitting in the back began to move, so I approached the stand as well.
After confirming that everyone had moved, the man on the stand resumed speaking.
"We are ones concerned about the future of this country. I am Gildale, the representative."
Gildale was a young man in his late twenties, with short, light blue hair and a clean shaven beard.
The clothes he was wearing were scuffed here and there, but they looked like they had been washed and didn't look dirty.
"This country is rotten. We farmers have a hard time even making a daily meal, but the nobles indulge in luxury. Don't you think this is wrong?"
It was true that Gildale came from a farmer's background, but somehow it felt a little strange.
He was too good-looking, or rather, it felt like a handsome actor playing a farmer in a drama or stage play.
"It's obvious that it's wrong."
There was a man who answered Gildale's question without hesitation.
He was a well-built man with a beard and the appearance of a farmer.
"Even if you don't tell us, everyone here thinks it's wrong."
Gildale nodded greatly at the bearded man's words.
"Right, it's wrong. We've been suffering from the expansion of the desert for many years, but the nobles are so absorbed in factional warfare that they don't even care about the lives of the farmers. And, do you know? It seems that the Barshania people are involved in the expansion of the desert."
"What did you say, is that true!"
"Yeah, the Barshania guys sneaked up to the border when the westerly wind was strong and used earth and wind attribute magicians to blow an artificial sandstorm towards Resenburg."
After hearing Gildale's story, unrest spread among the gathered residents.
Gildale watched with satisfaction as the hushed voices gradually got louder.
"Wait a minute. That, how do you know about it?"
The person who questioned Gildale was a thin, middle-aged man with a pale complexion.
Rather than being angry at the nobles, it seemed like he was looking at Gildale with suspicion.
"That, I want it to be a secret with only those here. Even among the knights of the Drevis Family, there are those who agree with our ideas. The story that Barshania is involved in the progress of desertification, I learned it from them."
After hearing that there was a whistleblower within the Duke's Family, the assembled residents became even more upset.
I felt like a fire was starting to burn, fueled by the grievances they've been harboring up until now, such as their anger towards Barshania and their distrust of the Duke's Family.
In such an atmosphere, a woman in her late twenties spoke up.
"Hey, isn't that strange? I heard that the Princess of Barshania will be staying at the Duke's Mansion tonight. I heard that a welcome banquet will be held at the mansion. Why would they welcome those who are tormenting us?"
"That is ... Okay, don't be surprised."
Gildale looked around at the assembled residents from the top of the stand and instructed them to be quiet with both hands in a restraining gesture.
"Listen, don't raise your voices. The Duke is planning to defect to Barshania."
"That's absurd! Why would he turn over to Barshania!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Where did the pride of nobility go."
"Rather, is that true, that story. Isn't it a hoax?"
"What will happen from now on."
Even though Gildale had told them not to make noise, the barn was filled with the voices of the residents.
"Quiet! I can't hear you if you all speak at once. If you have any questions, please raise your hand."
Many residents raised their hands all at once, but the bearded man who spoke first was the one nominated.
"Even if you say that the Duke has defected to Barshania, I can't believe it. Is it true?"
"I heard this story from a knight of the Duke's Family. It seems that the magicians in the territory alone cannot prevent Barshania's desertification operation. If things continue like this, the Duchy of Drevis will end up buried in sand, so it seems he has decided to defect to Barshania."
"If it stops the desertification and makes our lives easier, wouldn't it be great."
A different young man with a bearded face began to speak on his own, but Gildale stopped him with one hand before answering.
"I'm sorry, but the conversation won't be able to move forward, so please talk after you've been nominated. However, it would be great if the desertification stopped and life became easier, but in the worst case scenario, taxes will double."
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm barely living even now ..."
"Wait please, if someone talks without permission, the conversation won't move forward. I'll give you a proper answer, so please talk to me after you've been nominated."
"Why, I can't keep quiet about this ... Gue."
A bearded man walked up to the young man who was trying to keep talking and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
"These Nii-chans have prepared this much food, so you can see how serious they are, right? If you're going to do something selfish, I'll be the one to deal with you."
"That's enough ... It's troubling to make unsolicited comments, but please also refrain from being violent."
"Got it. Are you bastard good?"
Gildale stopped him, and the bearded man loosened his grip, and the young man reluctantly nodded and sat down.
Somehow, the bearded man resembled a shill.
"The story has gone a bit off topic, but let me continue by saying that the tax issue is not finalized. If we switch sides to Barshania, we could end up in a situation like that in the worst case scenario."
According to Gildale, Barshania planned to build a base in the Drevis Duchy to invade Resenburg.
It seemed that the purpose of the Duke's defection was to gain status as a noble and gain even more territory after the Barshania invasion.
Maa, it was a lie, but it seemed like the residents were starting to believe it.
After Gildale finished speaking, the woman who had spoken earlier raised her hand.
"But, you know, as long as the Duke remains a noble, his territory expands, and we don't have to worry about desertification, whether it's Resenburg or Barshania, does it matter? Maa, it's a little annoying though ..."
"That's true, but I think that's the best possible situation. If this becomes Barshania, we will become citizens of an occupied country. Isn't it better not to expect such good treatment?"
"If you ask me ... I guess that might be true."
It was strange how even something that seemed completely absurd started to sound like the truth when they continued to discuss it in such a serious manner.
The assembled residents were also preoccupied with what would happen with their taxes, and seemed to think that the Duke had really defected.
Even people who seemed uninterested at first suddenly became interested when it came to topics such as taxes that were directly related to their lives.
However, it was a pain to be involved in such a farce, so I thought I'd ask them a question as well.
When the residents raised their hands again, Gildale noticed.
"That boy over there, what is it?"
"Umm, so what should we do in the end? I think it's a bit impossible to hold a weapon and fight ..."
Hearing my words, the residents fell silent for a moment.
Perhaps, even though they had various grievances, they were not considering fighting as an option.
"That's right. I'm not going to ask everyone here to fight. It's impossible for women, children, and the elderly. That's why I want everyone to cooperate in whatever way they can. As you imagine, we will throw ourselves into the fight, but we won't force everyone to participate. I just want you to acknowledge our existence."
Gildale paused, looked around at the people gathered, and then began speaking again.
"Probably, many people will die in the battle. Even I, myself, may die. Even so, I don't want to give up. I can't stand for the country where we were born to be overrun by something like Barshania. So tomorrow we will raise the bells of war. Even if I were to fall in battle, I would have no regrets. That's why, I want everyone to remember the people who are genuinely trying to make this country better ..."
Some people were crying when they saw Gildale talking to them with so much emotion, but to be honest, the smell of a narcissist who is drunk on himself was disgusting.
[ Kent-sama ... explosives recovery completed ... ]
[ How many were there? ]
[ Only three barrels ... they said it was a trump card ... ]
[ Alright. Then, let's finish this story and go home ... ]
I raised my hand again so that it could be seen by Gildale, who was about to head to the climax of his speech.
"Is there something else, boy."
"Yes, this is ridiculous, can I go home?"
"Wha ..."
"What the hell, kid! What were you listening to until now. What exactly is ridiculous!"
Instead of Gildale, who was speechless at my words, the bearded man stood up and yelled at me.
"In the first place, Barshania will not invade Resenburg."
"What are you talking about. Are you saying we're lying!"
"That's how it is, but the one who said that Barshania was going to attack was Gildale-san over there, not you, right? Why 'we' ... why is that?"
"Th, that's ... N, now that I've heard the story ..."
"Rather, you've been a shill from the beginning, haven't you? Your actions are so suspicious that it's obvious."
"Guu ..."
When the bearded man fell silent, a chuckle could be heard from among the residents.
On behalf of the bearded man, who remained silent, Gildale retorted this time.
"We are getting information from the knights of the Duke's Family. Show us proof that our story is a lie."
"Barshania cannot afford to attack Resenburg."
"Hou, why is that?"
"The port town of Leinef was attacked by a Gigas, and the knights suffered heavy losses during their subjugation, and there are also secret operations by anti-establishment forces, so they have their hands full with internal affairs."
"Hou, what evidence do you have to support that?"
"Are you planning on fighting Duke Drevis without knowing this much information?"
"I, it's not that we don't know. Still, there is information that Barshania is coming to attack."
It seemed that Gildale had no intention of abandoning his almost successful Propaganda.
The people in the surroundings seemed to be comparing my manner with the dismay of Gildale and the others.
I didn't like to stand out too much, but I thought I'd use it for Propaganda as well.
"Why do you believe the information that Barshania is going to attack Resenburg when you know that they can't afford to attack?"
"That's ... it's information that our long-time companions have acquired. In the first place, it's strange to welcome the Princess of Barshania. It's obvious that he will defect."
"Then, why is Berdets Orden, the Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Resenburg, personally participating in guarding the Barshania group?"
"Wh, what ..."
It seemed that Gildale didn't know that the Knight Commander had come to greet them, and the assembled residents were buzzing when they heard that it was the Knight Commander of the Kingdom.
"Kid ..."
"Resorting to violence when things get tough is uncool, and you'll lose the support of everyone gathered here."
"Damnit ..."
The bearded man tried to push his way through the residents to get to me, but when he heard that he would lose his support, he stopped.
"It's true that Resenburg a while ago was rotten, just as Gildale-san said. But the situation has changed dramatically now that the Idiot Princes who were fighting over the succession to the throne have died. Countermeasures against desertification have already begun under Camilla Resenburg, who has taken the reins."
The residents were surprised to hear that desertification countermeasures had begun.
Rather, was this information not being communicated to the residents.
The good news was that it seemed like domestic politics would be more stable if they spread the word, but maybe they took it for granted because the Duke's Family was in control.
The bearded man shouted, probably thinking that the situation was getting worse.
"That's a lie! Don't be fooled! This guy is a spy from the Duke's Family!"
"If you think it's a lie, just go see Chinov. Or are you denying the efforts of people who are actually fighting against desertification?"
"Guuu ..."
The bearded man was clenching his molars and his face was bright red.
The residents no longer seemed to sympathize with Gildale and the others, and I could feel a sense of anticipation as if they were watching a festival performance.
"Don't you think it's foolish to cause a disturbance and interfere when Resenburg is trying to get better? Is it okay to delay countermeasures against desertification?"
"Something like that, if Barshania were to attack ..."
Just as Gildale was about to speak on behalf of the bearded man with the blood rushing to his head, a man came running in and screamed.
"Gildale-san, there's trouble! The explosives have been stolen!"
"What! What was the guard doing!"
"That, they looked away for a moment, and it was gone ..."
"Don't be ridiculous, look for it! The attack is tomorrow! Damnit, you guys should join the search!"
At Gildale's command, I blocked the exit with a shield of darkness to stop the men in the barn from jumping out.
"What is this, I can't get out."
"Hey, what's going on!"
It seemed like the people outside had noticed and were banging on the shield of darkness, but it wouldn't break with something like humans punching and kicking it.
The bearded man brought out a sword and slashed at it, but it was no use.
After hearing that the exit was blocked, the people who had gathered started to get upset, and Gildale turned to look at me.
"This is your doing!"
"That's right."
"You Duke's dog!"
With Gildale's words, the eyes of the conspirators were focused on me.
"Haa ... That's disappointing. Even though I've given you all these hints, you still think I'm the Duke's dog? That's no good at all."
"What, what are you talking about!"
"You guys, are you planning on attacking without even knowing who you're fighting?"
"This guy ..."
"Aa~h!"
Next to Gildale and the others, who looked irritated, the woman who had asked questions twice pointed at me and let out a surprised voice.
"What's wrong, Lilina."
"M, Maou ..."
At the words of the woman called Lilina, Gildale and the others all stood up, and the residents around me hurriedly backed away.
I'm not that scary though ... Rather, was this woman also a shill.
"You, are you trying to interfere with our plans!"
"Yes, I will interfere. Barshania won't attack, so I'll nip any unnecessary trouble in the bud."
The bearded man approached me while holding an unsheathed sword, so as usual, I used the summoning technique to cut it into pieces.
"Wh, what's going on."
"I told you. I'm going to nip any unnecessary trouble in the bud ... It doesn't have to be a sword, I can cut off an arm, a leg, or even a neck. Would you like to try it?"
When I threw away the sword body that I had been holding with my fingertips, the conspirators had shocked expressions on their faces.
"I also know that the people who held this gathering are the remnants of Havre Calvine and were planning to use explosives to blow up the bridge. The control of the Calvine Territory has ended, and it would be a waste of time to try to gain power and property through violence. Besides, do you really think I'll allow you to do something that would put Seraphima, who is going to be my wife, in danger?"
"Don't be scared. No matter if people call him the Demon King, he's just a kid. If we all hit him at once, he won't be able to prevent it."
Gildale still seemed to be planning to resist, so after making sure all the residents were far enough away, I put out a shield of darkness behind me.
"Nero, come ..."
Doro doro doro ... When Nero slowly appeared, while making a purring sound in his throat, not only Gildale-tachi, but all the residents screamed and retreated to the wall.
Nero showed off his sharp fangs, and made a display of licking his lips.
At times like this, he's an acting type who doesn't say a word.
"This time, I'll let it pass because it was an attempt. However, there won't be a next time. If you want to cause a worthless commotion and hinder the reconstruction of Resenburg, I'll dispatch you quickly, so keep that in mind ..."
When the shield of darkness that was blocking the exit was extinguished, not only Gildale-tachi but also the gathered residents scrambled to escape.
"Maa, if Nero comes out, this is what will happen ..."
"Nya? Goshujin-sama, you think it's not you that they're scared of, nya?"
"Ehh? Because, everyone saw Nero ..."
"Goshujin-sama who pushes that Nero around, there's no way they won't be scared, nya. Goshujin-sama lacks self-awareness, nya."
"Ehh ..."
There was no sign of anyone inside the barn, or even near the barn.
In the distance, Maou ... and, run away ... I thought I heard such voices, but I'm sure I was just hearing things.
"You lack self-awareness, nya."
"Yes ... I'll pay attention."
