Chapter 681

Chapter 681

In this world, war is mostly business. It is a large-scale business that involves stealing everything from others without any consideration for their circumstances.

It’s not that there is no risk at all, but in a world where violence is considered a legitimate procedure, that doesn’t really matter. It’s a kind of arrangement where you can always win if you pick a good opponent with a lot of money.

Even the ones who die are the ones below, not the ones above. It is understandable that the mindset that it is a loss not to rush in if you have a cause and power is taking hold.

But the line must always be kept.

Let’s say that in a previous life, where violence directly led to crime, it was a world where it was difficult to hit a bullet even if companies or politicians did all sorts of things to fill their stomachs, so they could just smile and take the bullet.

There are many cases where even if you eat hundreds of billions, the fine is only tens of billions, so you can shake your butt and say it’s a profitable business.

But it’s not like that here. If you get caught, you get stabbed.

In reality, there are many cases where people get greedy for a small amount of money and end up ruining their units, so why can’t they learn?

As many questions were pounding in my head and I was about to think that it might be my prejudice, the commander answered the question.

“This is a thief···”

“Don’t tell me that the troops discovered that the bandits had formed a village and were pretending to be a normal village, and then they purged them.”

There is a saying that non-contracted mercenaries are thieves, so if you come across a group of easy mercenaries and shout that they are thieves, there may be no evidence.

But refugees are different. Few even have a proper sword, let alone a bow.

Even if it is a world where you can buy a weapon if you make up your mind and save money, it is natural that people who are living in their own villages do not make that ‘determination’. If it is necessary, it is enough to fight with an axe, a hoe, a shovel, or a trident, so rather than spending a lot of money on a sword that you can’t use well, you would rather buy one more livestock with that money.

I’m from that kind of town, so who would dare to joke in front of me? Even if I say I’m not, if you check the loot, it’ll all be revealed. Even so, the fact that you’re telling such an obvious lie means that you either think I’m a fool or you’re planning on catching me from the start.

“You must have done it and then tried to cover it up. Blame your luck. Didn’t you have the same mindset when you destroyed this village?”

The best answer that could have come out of his mouth was a statement that they had discovered the village too late and had raided it.

From the moment the excuse came out, my next move was decided. I turned around and drew my sword. I saw the commander and knights with expressions of displeasure, but also laughing at me.

“You keep asking me to listen, how rude you are. Not only do you constantly treat me badly, you even frame me? Do the Dragon Knights believe that they are on top of the world?”

As soon as the commander’s words were out, the knights also drew their weapons. I don’t see any of them feeling guilty. But that’s it, and for the time being, I can’t tell what they’re thinking. It’s rare to find a moment like this where I want to know what other people are thinking and doing.

It’s a shame, for me and for those kids.

At that astonishing sight, even the knight who had just moments ago been glaring at me as if he was going to kill me stopped his actions with his mouth wide open. He did so even though his actions could have led to excessive bleeding, as no one was there to help him stop the bleeding.

I wonder if the villagers that these guys attacked felt the same way as the guys now. Thinking about it made me feel very uncomfortable, so I shot a large needle at the knight.

-Wow!

When I deliberately aimed for the heart and shot, a familiar sound rang out. It was the sound I heard when I first shot the cultists with a needle with Seneran’s help. It seemed that he was carrying an arrow-blocking talisman.

I thought they were funny because their actions were petty, but they were actually quite wealthy. Since armies comprised of wealthy people are usually close to those in power, the Allied Forces may start to froth in earnest as a result of this incident.

I didn’t need to share that fact with the guys here, so I just opened my mouth in the hope that they would face their situation a little more clearly.

“If you put down your weapons now, I will spare your life.”

I don’t even hope that there will be people who understand it properly. It doesn’t matter anyway since it doesn’t make a difference whether they understand it or not.

“Otherwise you die.”

No one immediately put down their weapons even though they stood up and declared it. I held onto Este, hoping that their beliefs would last until the end.

This time, I will not reveal the names. I hope that there will be more people who will put down their weapons voluntarily, crushed by the guilt of having killed innocent people as bandits, than those who will recognize me and bow their heads in fear.

I just hope that people like that come forward before it’s too late.

◈

The Allied forces moving through the interior of Itisel to the Eastern Front were annihilated.

Rumors that suddenly appeared one day without any warning or forewarning spread like a spark in a dry haystack, leaving no time to determine whether they were true or not.

This sudden telegram threw the entire front line into chaos. They had been holding out so long in front, but could it be that the Demon King’s army was attempting a surprise attack from the rear? Was the rear not safe?

The royal family of Itisel was no different in that they were in turmoil, but the process of finding out the details was quick, so it was better. Even though everyone who found out the details had to grind their teeth to the point where their teeth almost broke.

The reactions of the Kingdom Alliance, which could be said to be the biggest victims, were varied. Nevertheless, surprisingly, all of their reactions could be summarized in one sentence.

Why at that time and place?

It was a monumental sentence that united the union of kingdoms that had never shown proper unity.

Lastly, Radnelbandes, who had been staying in Levien and acting as the de facto representative of the Count, also broke out in a cold sweat at this sudden news. Even for a wizard, it was a problem that could not be understood with common sense.

“Eldmia... attacked the Allied Forces?”

In the end, even after hearing the messenger’s report properly, all Radnelbandes could say was to ask the obvious question again.