“Father? Why the sudden request to meet? Did something happen?”
“A problem has arisen.”
“A problem?”
“Indeed. The Princess is gathering troops.”
“The Princess is gathering troops? Where on earth does she intend to attack?”
“Here.”
“By ‘here’… you mean this village?”
“Precisely.”
“The Princess… was she always that much of a fool?”
“You were the one reining her in while you were at the capital. Now that you’re gone, your successors have been whispering nonsense into her ear, leading her wherever they please.”
“My successors?”
“The second daughter of Count Glitch and the fourth daughter of Count Pugyal.”
“That pair of power-hungry idiots! How in the world did they manage to get close enough to the Princess to influence her?!”
“It happened while I was away in the west. Before I knew it, most of the people we had stationed around her were purged, and those two and their cronies were throwing their weight around.”
“…And their justification for attacking this village?”
“It seems there are still those on our side remaining in her circle who have been calling for your return. The Princess agreed with them, and the new favorites didn't like that.”
“So, they talked her into attacking the village where I’m staying? What exactly is she thinking?”
“She likely believes that if she destroys this village, you’ll have no choice but to return. As for the other two, they plan to eliminate you once the village you manage as a Magistrate is gone, probably by spreading rumors of suspicious activity or rebellion.”
“Hah. …What a joke.”
“I agree. Their first mistake was the assumption that they could even touch this village.”
“To be honest, if they head east from the Royal Capital, how do they plan to cross the mountains? They won’t even reach the Forest through any normal route. Even if they did, I doubt they could break through Granmaria-san’s surveillance or Kuro-san’s patrols to reach the village. It might be possible with Teleportation Magic… but have you found someone whose skills exceed yours, Father?”
“I haven’t heard of anyone like that… well, the thing is, the Princess asked me to assist with their transport.”
“Ugh…”
“For now, I’ve informed the Demon King and had him stall things, but the situation is looking grim.”
“I know the Demon King spoils the Princess, but doesn’t he also know the truth about this village? If they actually launch an attack here, there’s no way to stop the consequences.”
“There are many who don't understand the threat this village poses. Even for the Demon King, who knows the truth, he can't explicitly tell them to stay away because it’s dangerous.”
“True. Admitting that would call his ability to rule into question. So, Father, what is it you want me to do?”
“I want you to teach those who are ignorant of the threat a lesson.”
“Specifically?”
“I want you to lead a force from this village, return to the capital, and scatter the Princess’s troops before they can even set out.”
“You want Rusty-san to go on a rampage in the Royal Capital?”
“A Dragon would be going too far. The Angels and Vampires, too. I want them scattered, not annihilated. I also want to minimize damage to the capital itself. Besides, would people like that even follow your orders?”
“This is the village where those people live, you know. That said, I think they’d do it if I paid them properly.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. In any case, if we want high combat power that remains controllable, then Kuro-san and Zabuton-san are out… The Beastman Race is still young, so that leaves the High Elves, High Ogres, Lizardmen, and Elder Dwarves. Father, may I ask a question?”
“What is it?”
“I can tell the Village Head about this, right?”
“We can hardly keep it a secret. I intend to explain the situation.”
“If you explain the situation to the Village Head… I suspect it will reach Hakuren-san’s ears as well. If that happens, it wouldn’t be strange for the Royal Capital to be wiped off the map.”
“The Royal Capital would vanish? Who is this Hakuren?”
“She’s the older sister of the Gate Guardian Dragon. She’s currently living in the village… Haven’t you been reading the reports?”
“Ah… I was in the west the entire time, and the moment I returned, I was hit with this business regarding the Princess. Forgive me. But that would be a disaster. Is there any way to avoid that?”
“Don't ask me… I can't exactly pull forces from the village without the Village Head’s permission.”
“Mmm.”
A woman’s voice called out to the troubled pair.
“Fufu. You two look like you’re in quite a bind.”
“Lu-san.”
“I overheard the gist of it. I have a suggestion—would you like to hear it?”
“Please.”
“How polite. If you gather forces from outside the village, you won’t have to worry about informing the Village Head, right?”
“Outside the village?”
“The Lamias. I don't know exactly what kind of army you're facing, but if you take ten Lamias, they should be able to scatter them easily.”
“Father, what do you think?”
“The main force consists of troops gathered from the territories of Count Glitch and Count Pugyal.”
“Quality and numbers?”
“About three hundred Demon Race soldiers on garrison duty.”
“Then three Lamias would be enough.”
“I suspect even one Lamia would be overkill, but…”
“Think of it as a safety measure. Frau, you can head back home leading them. Oh, I’ll handle the explanation to the Village Head. Just make sure to bring back some souvenirs.”
“Understood. As for the negotiations with the Lamias… I suppose I’ll be the one doing that.”
“Don’t forget to tell them to keep it quiet. Also… you know this already, but don't show any mercy to those who oppose the village.”
“Of course. Then, I’ll get started. Father, I’m sorry, but there’s a dungeon to the south where the Lamias live. Could you transport me there?”
“I can do that… but, Frau, isn’t your smile a bit terrifying right now?”
“Is it? I didn’t think so… It’s just that while I’m working myself to the bone in this village, those people in the capital are playing such foolish games… I suppose I’m just a little envious.”
“Who are these… mismatched girls?”
Standing behind Frau were ten girls. They had elaborate, gorgeous hairstyles and beautiful skin, yet they were dressed in simple, ill-fitting tunics.
Based on their appearance, they seemed to be of the Demon Race, much like Frau—almost indistinguishable from humans.
“They are girls who wish to move to the village. They’ve promised to work themselves to death, so would you mind accepting them?”
“I don’t mind, but…”
I pulled Frau aside.
“What is it?”
“The eyes of those girls look dead. Are they going to be okay?”
My first impression, given the combination of their blank stares and those tunics, was that they were noble daughters who had been sold into slavery.
“They’ll be fine. They’re all acquaintances of mine, so I’ll have them work as my subordinates for a while. Oh, and if they do anything against the village, feel free to dispose of them however you see fit.”
“'Dispose of them'? That’s a bit dark. Well, I’m sure they’ll make mistakes at first, but we have to take the long view with new residents.”
“Understood.”
“And who is the girl over there?”
One girl was clearly receiving special treatment.
She looked to be around Frau’s age or perhaps a bit younger. She had pure white hair that reached her neck and flared out softly, giving her a very refined appearance. She was sitting on an expensive-looking chair, dressed in high-quality clothes.
“She is a visitor. She’s a guest of mine in my capacity as Magistrate… but she wishes to observe the daily life of the village, so please treat her as if she isn’t there.”
“Treating her like she’s invisible is a bit much. Uh… I’m Hiraku, the Village Head. Welcome to the Village of the Great Tree.”
“Hie!”
She let out a small shriek and cowered. I wonder why.
“Does she have a phobia of men?”
“I haven’t heard anything of the sort. Yuri-sama. Greet him.”
“S-Sorry. I am Yuri. I will be in your care for a while. I look forward to… to meeting you.”
“Right. If you need anything, just let me know. Also…”
I gathered Kuro and the others, as well as Zabuton and her kin, to introduce the newcomers. If I didn't introduce them properly now, Kuro’s group might chase them around, and Zabuton’s group might end up binding them in silk.
…
“Wait, what?”
Every single one of the newcomers, Yuri included, had collapsed to the ground.
“Well, it was to be expected. I anticipated this, which is why I had them change into those clothes beforehand. Please, do not worry.”
After seeing Frau’s chillingly perfect smile, I went to find some of the others to help look after the unconscious women.
“Frau-san, that was so much fun the other day! Please, invite us again.”
“Next time, why don't we go raid that dungeon to the north? I heard there are Giants there.”
“Quiet, don’t talk about that here. Also… there’s a dungeon to the north? Do you know the location?”
A few days later, I saw Frau and the Lamias chatting like old friends. It was a nice sight, but…
I wonder what brought them together?