Chapter 55 - 055_Peace
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055_Peace
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After the duel with the Blue Wolf Tribe chief, the northern noble army spent the night in Ussogou. From the surrendered chief, they were able to hear information about the beastmen and the Jabaru Kingdom Army.
The Jabaru Kingdom Army's strength was 12,000, plus about 3,000 transporting the residents to be enslaved.
In the Jabaru Kingdom, there was a change of king and a fairly large-scale purge. As a result, the generals of the Jabaru Kingdom Army were completely replaced, and capable individuals came to lead the army.
Furthermore, the king permitted the use of the beam cannon, an ancient weapon owned by the royal family, if it meant victory.
Ancient weapons like the beam cannon had been used for base defense before, but by bringing them to the front line, the Kuodo Kingdom Army lost many officers and soldiers.
Also, it was the first time they used beastman mercenaries. That alone showed how serious the Jabaru king was.
The total number of beastman mercenaries was 3,000. The Blue Wolf Tribe was 1,500, and the Flame Tiger Tribe was 1,500.
The Flame Tiger Tribe was acting together with the Jabaru Kingdom Army, while the Blue Wolf Tribe was to capture the surrounding cities and such.
The residents of the Serudo Region were once gathered at a supply base behind the fort. After that, they were reportedly taken to the Jabaru Kingdom and made slaves.
In these few months, over 100,000 residents were taken away, and the Serudo Region became a depopulated area. One could say that the Kuodo Kingdom's actions were that sluggish.
He insisted that such information should be sent to the kingdom army and that they should get the residents back. But the information the returning messenger carried was that peace had been established between the Kuodo Kingdom and the Jabaru Kingdom.
"I don't mind the peace treaty, but this is just too much..."
One of the nobles muttered as if squeezing out his voice. Because he could not accept the terms of the peace.
Cede the southern half of the Serudo Region. That cannot be helped. Because currently, it is the Jabaru Kingdom that controls most of the Serudo Region.
Since many residents have been taken from the northern part of the Serudo Region, there are places that have become depopulated.
The Kuodo royal family claims they got the land back through negotiation, but this is not negotiation at all—the Jabaru Kingdom Army simply abandoned the land they had ravaged and foisted it onto the Kuodo Kingdom.
Furthermore, the other conditions were the problem.
The residents who were taken will not be returned. There is a payment of 1 million large gold coins as postwar processing costs.
"Isn't this like Kuodo Kingdom unilaterally lost? At least we haven't lost!"
The nobles are outraged. But no matter what they say, the peace has already been concluded.
The fifty-year war that caused much damage is now over. And the ruins that sparked the war have become the property of the Jabaru Kingdom.
It is clear to anyone that Kuodo Kingdom has lost. Here, there are many whose relatives were killed by the Jabaru Kingdom Army. Rodney's father Beck was also killed. People die in war, but it's unbearable to think they died for an ending like this.
No matter what they say here, nothing will change. The northern nobles have no choice but to accept the peace even if they are dissatisfied.
"Now, Lord Forvas."
Rodney, having been addressed by Baron Jegsus, straightened his posture.
"I will report this matter to the kingdom, but we cannot expect a reward."
The kingdom cedes land to the Jabaru Kingdom and pays 1 million large gold coins. They also have to provide relief for the eastern nobles who lost their land. It is clear that the kingdom's finances are in dire straits.
The question becomes whether such a kingdom can give a reward to the Forvas House, which only defeated a beastman mercenary group in a local battle. Probably, as Baron Jegsus says, there will be no reward.
"And what will be done about those beastmen?"
Even asked that, he hadn't thought about it. Since Rodney made the beastmen surrender, they are treated as prisoners of the Forvas House. He couldn't just release them, but he also felt reluctant to kill them.
In war, looting is common; there are those who cannot accept it, but it's within common sense. If he faulted them for it, he would have to fault other nobles when they did the same.
When returning prisoners, one demands a certain amount of money. If the money is not paid, it is common to make them slaves.
So, will the Jabaru Kingdom pay money for the beastman prisoners? Probably not.
"I would like to confirm, is it correct that the kingdom will handle the negotiations for prisoner return?"
"That's how it will be."
Weak-kneed diplomacy had happened right before his eyes. Thinking about it, entrusting it to the kingdom was only worrisome. They might be strong domestically, but being weak in diplomacy makes the kingdom unreliable.
"Could you let me think about it for a bit?"
"I don't mind, but I think just feeding 300 beastmen will be a considerable expense. Think carefully and come to a conclusion."
"Understood."
Since the beastmen are alive, they must be fed. As prisoners, reducing the amount of food is one thing, but not giving any is not allowed. And that food must be provided by the Forvas House, which has ownership rights over the prisoners.
Rodney headed to where the chief was.
"Hey, which country will take you in? The Jabaru Kingdom? Or the Beastman Country?"
To be precise, it's not Beastman Country but the Galbanus Beastman Kingdom. However, people of the Kuodo Kingdom do not know the correct name. If that Beastman Country paid a ransom and took the prisoners off his hands, he would have nothing to say.
But does the Kuodo Kingdom have any connection with the Beastman Country? If they had diplomatic relations with the Beastman Country, they shouldn't have underestimated the beastmen's combat power.
If there were diplomatic relations and information, then even if the initial surprise attack is unavoidable, they should have taken appropriate measures afterwards.
The Beastman Country is further east beyond the Jabaru Kingdom, so there is currently no means of transportation. However, more than fifty years before the war started, one could pass through the Jabaru Kingdom. Considering that, the Kuodo Kingdom has not regarded the Beastman Country as a state for a long time.
There was only a little written about the Beastman Country in books, and Rodney had no detailed knowledge. Since it was only mentioned a little, Rodney thought it was highly likely that the Beastman Country was not recognized as a state.
"What are you saying? I lost to Rodney. We will follow Rodney. That is the law."
"Huh?"
The beastmen's law is to follow the strong. And Rodney, who defeated Feld, the strongest chief of the Blue Wolf Tribe, was that strong one.
"Are you saying you'll become my slaves?"
"If Rodney says so, we will become slaves. If you say die, we will die. But we have no place to return to. We left our country; we have no place to return."
"..."
The land that was the Blue Wolf Tribe's territory had never been a rich land. Still, the Blue Wolf Tribe had no trouble living.
But around ten years ago, droughts began to occur frequently, making it impossible to grow grain. When that happened, animals also decreased, and the Blue Wolf Tribe was on the verge of extinction.
Even if they thought of moving to other lands, it wasn't easy since it was the territory of other beastman tribes.
Then the Jabaru Kingdom extended an invitation to the Blue Wolf Tribe. They said the Godorzak Forest of the Kuodo Kingdom was a rich place. What a sweet whisper it must have been.
The ruins would be owned by the Jabaru Kingdom, and the remaining forest would be split between the two tribes, the Blue Wolf Tribe and the Flame Tiger Tribe—that was the deal.
They had no interest in ruins, but the phrase 'rich forest' captivated the Blue Wolf Tribe's people. At this rate, they would only be wiped out. So they decided it was better to fight and die than to starve, and they took the Jabaru Kingdom's offer.
"But you could go back, right?"
"Even if we returned, starvation awaits us. Then it's better to fight and die."
Looking, the Blue Wolf Tribe had not only men but women too. Moreover, there were even young children. The entire clan had set out for a new land.
"I killed your comrades. Don't you resent me?"
"The weak are at fault. We don't resent you."
If they had no place to return to, they had no choice but to live as slaves within this Kuodo Kingdom. Or only die.
They, the defeated, had no room for choice. Everything was up to Rodney, the victor.
"Shall we sell them as slaves?"
As Rodmel said, selling them as slaves to a merchant was one option. He sympathized with their situation, but even so, they had tried to seize another country's land by force, so he didn't need to consider it.
But Rodney didn't think of selling the Blue Wolf Tribe.
"My territory is a snowy northern land. Will you still follow me?"
"The Blue Wolf Tribe is strong against the cold. Whether it's a northern country or a snowy country, no problem."
"Very well. I'll take you back to my territory. What can you do?"
"We don't know complicated things. But we can fight and do manual labor. We are also good at hunting."
Knowing that much, several uses for the Blue Wolf Tribe came to his mind.
"What do the Blue Wolf Tribe eat?"
"It's not different from humans, but preferably meat is good."
As beasts with wolf traits, they seemed to prefer meat. But they said they can eat grains, vegetables, and nuts without issue. In that case, they were no different from Rodney and the others, so he thought it was fine.
"Roxwell, please purchase food for 300 people from the merchants."
"Understood."
"Lord Rodney, are you really going to take them?"
Hortus had a troubled expression, worried that bringing the Blue Wolf Tribe might cause problems.
"They say they will follow me. I can't abandon someone who relies on me just because they're beastmen, can I, Hortus?"
"Lord Rodney. These people massacred the residents."
Many of the eastern nobles and residents were killed by the Blue Wolf Tribe. Hortus was angry about that.
"We are warriors. We kill soldiers, but we don't kill those who are unresisting."
Chief Feld glared at Hortus, saying they don't kill non-combatants.
"I hear reports that elderly and young children were killed. Wasn't that your doing?"
"That was the humans' doing. We don't kill needlessly as long as we can get food."
"So the massacres were the Jabaru Kingdom's doing. Those people are beneath contempt."
Rodmel shook with anger, his muscles tensing.
"Hortus. I don't think the chief is lying."
"Even if that's not a lie, please consider how the other nobles will view them."
Hortus persisted unusually.
It meant that among the northern nobles, there were relatives of the killed nobles.
"It's wrong to blame them for things they didn't do. Don't you think so, Hortus?"
"...Understood. If Lord Rodney says so, I will obey."
Though dissatisfied, Hortus backed down, indicating he wouldn't say more.
"I'm going to see Baron Jegsus. Rodmel, I'll leave the Blue Wolf Tribe to you. Other nobles and their soldiers might try something."
Entrusting the Blue Wolf Tribe to Rodmel and the others, Rodney headed to see Baron Jegsus.
The meeting was arranged quickly. He said he would take the Blue Wolf Tribe to the Dedel Territory and use them as labor.
The kingdom could not give a reward. So he asked for permission to own the beastmen.
"Understood. I will convey that to the Military Inspector. The final decision will be made by the kingdom army's general, but since the beastmen are not soldiers of the Jabaru Kingdom, they will likely approve. However, be careful. The wind is quite harsh against beastmen after this incident."
A military inspector is one who accompanies the army and monitors the actions of that army corps. Their duty is to monitor the army, but it is also their duty to record those who have achieved merit. Of course, the military inspector does not have command authority.
[Author's Note]
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