Chapter 247
Chapter 247: Bustle and Abundance
It had been a while since the operation of the Autonomous District began.
Spring had passed, and Evaroti was approaching summer. Tafuman, refreshed after finishing the guards’ training and taking a bath, walked through the bustling streets of the former royal capital with a spring in his step.
— Thanks to the treatments by the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias, there were no more seriously injured people in Evaroti.
In exchange, everyone had been forced to work diligently, but as a result, the town had generally returned to its former state.
However, the buildings influenced by the Demon Race were made from flat, seamless stones, exposing a rough and eerie appearance… The bizarre exterior of the former royal castle, remodeled in a Demon style, also forced one to realize that this was indeed part of the “Demon Lord Kingdom.”
Still, people were resilient.
There were shoemakers handling shoe repairs and blacksmiths starting to forge everyday items like knives and pots. Some even began stores, juggling supplies from the Demon Lord Kingdom.
Everyone was adapting to whatever situation arose and living their lives accordingly.
Though there were many familiar faces among the passersby, more and more unknown faces were starting to appear. This was due to the complete conquest of the eastern part of the kingdom, with captives who failed to escape being transported to the Autonomous District. The population of the district had swelled to several times its initial size.
As the vice-captain of the guard, Tafuman had also found it challenging to keep track of everyone.
(Isabella and Nina still haven’t shown up…)
While watching a woman diligently spinning thread, Tafuman thought about it. The wife of a comrade and her daughter. They had left the royal capital with the evacuation forces from Evaroti, but could they have safely escaped abroad, or had they fallen behind and been killed? It was hard to tell, and he felt a pang of regret.
More than anything—
(Even if they fled, life would probably be tough for them…)
Thinking this way, a dark feeling settled in him. Rather than living as refugees abroad, wouldn’t it have been better for them to stay in the Autonomous District and live peacefully? Such thoughts crossed his mind.
— Even if that “peace” was nothing but a fragile and extremely unstable facade.
He had heard rumors. The next target of the Demon Lord Kingdom’s invasion was said to be the Arena Kingdom.
Known for its martial prowess, this jumpy nation had repeated territorial disputes with its neighboring countries decades ago. Of course, it had also clashed with the Defteros Kingdom, and the frontier fort remained occupied (the Arena Kingdom claimed ownership, but the successive Oshimaia rulers did not recognize it).
However, since the threat of the Demon Lord Army had loomed, they had inevitably shifted to a cooperative line with the surrounding nations. The military of the Arena Kingdom was known for its strength, but—
(But how long can they hold out against the Demon Lord Army?)
Tafuman couldn’t help but think so now.
Having caught a glimpse of the reality of the Demon Lord Army through the Prince, he was now—
Currently, Tafuman was receiving officer training from a few commanders who had recently entered the Autonomous District as prisoners of war.
Right after the operation of the Autonomous District began, they had tried to build physical stamina through reconstruction work and agriculture while also attempting serious military training. However, as a mere foot soldier, Tafuman could only recreate the training he had received in the national army. He found himself wondering, “Is this really okay?” while discussing with those around him, attempting to shape the guard unit more through observation than a solid plan.
During this time, commanders who had barely survived across various fronts began to flow in, improving the situation. Tafuman, pleased, had tried to toss the role of vice captain to them and return to being a foot soldier, but the situation wouldn’t allow that.
His thick trust from the people of the Autonomous District made a difference, but if commanders (＝former nobles or relations of nobles) were to gain positions carelessly, it could easily provoke the Demon Lord Army. Many of the veterans had initially intended to retire from active duty, leading Tafuman to remain as vice-captain while they took up advisory roles.
As a result, Tafuman now found himself being bombarded with various military tactics, reading, writing, and calculations whenever he managed to find free time.
Though Tafuman was uneducated, he wasn’t dull-witted; he possessed a sense for reading the ebb and flow of battles based on harsh combat experience. If he had been utterly stupid, others would have likely given up on him.
However, his acceptable aptitude meant everyone was putting in their best efforts. Compared to the surviving commanders, Tafuman was younger and was seen as a promising figure carrying the future of the Autonomous District—and the future of humanity…
He couldn’t take it lightly.
Ah, he truly couldn’t take it lightly.
While he couldn’t see a future where he could survive by rebelling against the Demon Lord Army, he also couldn’t afford to give up.
Not long ago, Sebastian had hinted during an audience with the Prince that the Arena Kingdom would likely also be turned into an Autonomous District.
As the Demon Lord Army continued its onslaught, more Autonomous Districts would probably be created.
Even if one Autonomous District raised a banner of rebellion, it would be swiftly suppressed, but if multiple districts rebelled simultaneously and an allied army responded—perhaps—
No, how could distant Autonomous Districts coordinate with each other, or how could they align with the allied army? There were numerous issues to tackle.
In the worst-case scenario, if one area took the lead, there was a chance that a chain reaction of rebellions would occur, leading the very first Autonomous District, here in Evaroti, to become the “front line” automatically.
They couldn’t afford to be unprepared.
With a lack of higher combat forces like heroes, sword saints, and priests, it seemed that the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias alone could crush the Autonomous District.
Mycin and the other priestesses-in-training were obsessively committed to their training, while some within the guard swore vengeance against the Demon Lord Army and were pushing themselves fervently to become sword saints.
Because Tafuman was witnessing this up close, he was managing to keep up with the daily training as well as the unfamiliar officer education.
If he just let his spirit break and did nothing, it would mean becoming a “slave”…
The treatment of the people of the Autonomous District was vastly different from that of slaves. Therefore, to protect this fragile peaceful life and to win the future for humanity—
He had to keep showing a fighting spirit.
Being educated and coming to understand the ways of the Demon Race through the Prince, realizing the discrepancies between ideals and reality, was a daily ordeal that nearly drove Tafuman mad.
Nonetheless, to forget such burdens that overwhelmed someone who had once been a mere foot soldier…
He allowed himself to visit the tavern twice a week.
“Welcome!”
As Tafuman opened the door to the tavern facing the main street, lively voices and the heat of people surged forth. The stimulating scent of spices whetted his appetite—waiters and waitresses from the human race bustled about, and in the back counter, a green-skinned humanoid creature nervously scribbled something in a ledger.
Yes, this was a store run by a hobgoblin.
Among the shops the residents of the Autonomous District could enter, it could very well be considered the finest. While there were eateries and drinking places run by the residents of the Autonomous District, being prepared by the inhabitants of the Demon Lord Kingdom, the foundations were different.
The quality was different. While it was hard to claim that he felt no embarrassment enjoying food and drink at such an establishment, the current Autonomous District depended on supplies from the Demon Lord Kingdom.
There was no point in regretting it at this stage.
Moreover, there was fine liquor! Fine liquor indeed, right here!!!
Tafuman’s guard salary could nearly be said to exist solely for this tavern. By the way, regarding his pay, it was nearly the same as that of regular members, with just a slight extra allowance due to the burdens of officer training. He spent that all in this store, making his daily life quite frugal.
“Oh, it’s you again. Good to see you.”
Recognizing Tafuman, the hobgoblin owner grinned, exposing his sharp teeth.
“Rejoice! Today, this store has received an exceptional fine drink. However, it’s pricey, so no one has ordered yet…”
“What?! What did you get?!”
Tafuman leaned forward unintentionally at the owner’s words.
“Fufufu… Warito Bimi!”
Warito Bimi—it was a distilled spirit originating from the eastern part of the Defteros Kingdom. While it ranked lower than the Arien Bimi, its smooth texture and reasonable price made it extremely popular among the common folk.
“…How much is it?!”
Tafuman swallowed hard before asking, and the owner raised four fingers.
“Ugh…!!”
A huge expense. A huge expense indeed. But…!!!
“Give me a glass…!!”
“Want something to nibble on?”
“Just the usual, please…!!”
“Every time.”
The owner wrote it down in high spirits. Tafuman felt a mix of defeat and exhilaration as he settled into his favorite seat.
At first—he had held some prejudices against the hobgoblin owner.
(It might be that aside from looks, he is one of the better beings within the inhabitants of the Demon Lord Kingdom…)
He had started to think that way lately.
The night elves were arrogant and made him want to punch them in the face, and demons and devils were out of the question. Cat-type beastmen openly hated him, and the hostility toward dog-type beastmen was likewise excessive. Ogres were rare, but he had no desire to approach them.
Among them, the hobgoblin was… well, normal.
Though he displayed a somewhat businesslike attitude with a clear boundary, he had a merchant’s dryness, for better or worse, and even managed to wear a smile (of some sort).
The absence of a major negative aspect was enough for him to earn a relative high rating. Besides, while this tavern was a bit pricey, it provided quality worth the money. There were those who resolutely opposed drinking goblin liquor! But at least among the folks gathered here, it could be said that they all had a taste for drink—
“…”
As Tafuman watched the residents of the Autonomous District sharing drinks—
He suddenly noticed an unfamiliar guest sitting next to him, in the farthest corner of the tavern.
Small and slender. From the physique, it seemed to be a woman? The gender ratio in the Autonomous District tilted slightly toward males (many of the captives who arrived late were women and children), yet it was still rare for a woman to be alone in a place like this.
It seemed she was ordering the cheapest ale but hardly touched it, opting instead to nibble on dishes renowned for their spiciness.
“Hey, miss, waiting for someone?”
Normally, he would let it be, but she seemed to radiate a lonely aura, so he decided to speak up.
“…No. Just by myself.”
The robed figure seemed a bit startled, but responded calmly. Definitely a woman, and quite young too.
“I see. You sure can eat that spicy food without a problem.”
“…I like spicy things. So, I end up coming here from time to time.”
She popped a piece of pepper into her mouth and chewed happily. For an ordinary person, the spice level might force them to slam a mug of ale, yet her expression didn’t change at all… She must really love spicy food.
“Impressive… Oh, I’m Tafuman. Nice to meet you.”
Tafuman introduced himself with a gentlemanly demeanor while feeling impressed.
“Oh, thank you for your politeness.”
The girl removed her hood. With her short, well-kept flaxen hair and a face that was cute yet somewhat doll-like—
“I’m Claire. Nice to meet you.”
With that, the girl named Claire flashed a smile that was almost too perfect.
