“—So, Mathilda and I are going to return to the settlement with the new inhabitants tomorrow. Since no one will be returning today, we don’t want to worry Yuri and the others, so Pence and Mai should go back first and explain the situation. They’ll need to prepare for the new arrivals, after all.”
“That’s fine, but… I couldn’t ask earlier because there were soldiers from the Keinitz territory around, but is it really okay to suddenly welcome more than 20 refugees?”
“If there are many among the refugees who don’t work seriously or are rebellious, won’t that become unmanageable?”
“I don’t think it will come to that…”
I understand Pence and Mai’s concerns.
In essence, it’s frightening. Even though they’ve been given farmland and found a new place to settle, suddenly having dozens of unknown people arrive could be alarming.
From the impression I got today, the refugees all seemed obedient, and Edgar, their leader, also appeared to be a serious man, but Pence and Mai haven’t met them directly. That’s why they’re anxious.
“Well, I’ll handle it responsibly. Even if there are many of them, they’re just weak and emaciated refugees. If there happens to be someone who disrupts the peace of the territory to the point of being unmanageable, I’ll deal with them properly.”
Although Noein uses the indirect term “deal with,” it essentially means what it sounds like.
“D-deal with…?”
Pence and Mai, who had thought he might mean expulsion, look a bit taken aback.
“Isn’t that right? I only love my people. If someone threatens the peaceful life of my subjects, they’re not my people but rather enemies who threaten the territory. I have no mercy to spare for such traitors.”
Noein, who believes the refugees won’t become such troublemakers, forces a smile, but it seems somewhat cold.
“…I’m glad we’re working seriously.”
“Indeed. You’re ideal and serious subjects. That’s why I like you.”
His kindness is reserved for his subjects alone. For others, he prioritizes his and his territory’s interests, and he shows no mercy to those who oppose him. That is Noein Earlkvist, the noble.
…
Seeing Pence and Mai off as they return to the settlement, Noein and Mathilda book a room in Retvik.
They stay in the same inn they had used before they began the development, so both the owner and staff are pleased to welcome Noein back after a long time.
Sitting on the bed in their two-person room, Noein lets out a sigh.
“I didn’t expect things to turn out this way when we left the settlement this morning. Meeting Viscount Keinitz and being surrounded by refugees… I’m quite exhausted.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Noein-sama. Your conversation with Viscount Keinitz and your address to the refugees were both splendid.”
Mathilda praises him while sitting on the other bed.
“Thanks, Mathilda… Were you surprised when I said, ‘If the refugees disrupt the peace, I’ll deal with them’?”
“No. If there are any subjects who can’t understand your mercy, then it’s natural they should be punished. Such people should disappear from this world.”
“I see, that’s good.”
Mathilda unhesitatingly affirms Noein’s views, even using somewhat extreme expressions.
Though I know she wouldn’t disagree with Noein, hearing her wholehearted support still reassures him.
“Do you think the refugees will work obediently as subjects?”
“I believe so. I can’t imagine Edgar acting with such a face and voice just for show. Moreover, once they come to the settlement, they’ll definitely stop thinking of rebelling.”
Noein says with a smirk.
Mathilda doesn’t understand why Noein is so confident that they will “definitely stop thinking of it,” but if Noein says so, then she accepts it as true.
“By the way, Mathilda, tonight we’re alone for the first time in a while without Yuri and the others.”
“Yes, Noein-sama.”
“We don’t have to worry about our voices.”
“…Yes, Noein-sama.”
Mathilda, who usually maintains a neutral expression, now looks like a shy maiden.
“Come here, Mathilda.”
“Yes!”
Although they stayed in a two-person room, they ended up using only one bed.
The morning after staying in Retvik, Noein and Mathilda set out with the refugees towards the settlement.
The refugees’ belongings consisted only of tattered blankets and tents given as charity from the church.
It’s summer now, so it’s manageable, but before winter arrives, they must prepare proper living conditions for them. With this in mind, Noein led the 24 refugees across the plains to the Bezel Great Forest.
“It will take less than half a day on foot to get to the settlement. It’s still just a village with only tents and fields, but…”
“No, we’re deeply grateful just for being accepted. We’ll work hard to advance the development of the land.”
Edgar remains polite and manages the other refugees well, just as he did yesterday. Noein thinks that worries about rebellion seem unfounded.
Though some of the refugees were intimidated when entering the Bezel Great Forest, Edgar motivated them with “If we don’t follow Noein-sama, we have no future!”—aside from that, there were no troubles, and they arrived at the settlement by early afternoon.
“Wow, this is…”, “Such a vast plain”, “We’re going to live here from today,” the refugees exclaimed as they looked at the settlement.
Unlike Yuri, who had remarked “There’s nothing here” when he first came, their reactions were mostly positive.
The reason for this is likely the expansive plain stretching as far as the eye can see. The land Noein had cleared in three months in the forest was quite extensive, and in terms of area, it was comparable to a small village.
The plain, cleared from fertile forest land, is a dream come true for these former farmers.
“Noein-sama, are those the new subjects?”
“Yes, they are. Thank you for the welcome, Yuri.”
The new subjects, slightly apprehensive, looked at Yuri, who approached them.
Yuri, the leader of the mercenary group that had cut down the noble’s regular troops, had shaved his head and grown a beard to disguise himself.
Although he no longer looked like his previous self with long hair and a shaved face, he exuded an intimidating presence reminiscent of a bandit. It’s no wonder the refugees were scared.
“Edgar, and everyone, don’t worry. Despite his appearance, he’s a decent person. He won’t suddenly attack you.”
“Hey, don’t talk like that.”
Seeing Noein casually conversing with Yuri, the new subjects seemed to ease their caution towards him.
“Well then, let’s decide on the allocation of your land for now.”
“Our land…?”
“Yes, your land.”
