#698 The Farm Graduates’ Activities – The Humans’ POV (5/7)

“A lackey of the feudal lord? Bullshit...!”

I, Ritheseus, a farm graduate, am currently engaged in battle.

I’m facing off against bandits causing trouble in the territory.

“You’ve got some nerve to talk after creating the circumstances that forced us to resort to thievery! Isn’t all of this due to your incompetence and greed?!”

“No, that’s the responsibility of the current feudal lord...”

I said I was a servant of the previous lord, but to them, I guess that’s just a minor difference.

To them, all those in power are enemies.

“We have no intention of being captured like meek cattle! Don’t underestimate us just because you’re young, boy! If you’ve come onto the battlefield, you better be prepared!” states the leader as he readies his sword.

The only way to break the barrier I’ve erected is to defeat me, its caster.

So, including the leader, they all draw their swords, pointing their blades at me. I guess this is what they call being in the lion’s den.

“Of course. I’d like to think I’ve been through my fair share of fights.”

Fighting monsters in the dungeon.

And then, even though they were mock battles, fighting Orkubo, Gobukichi, and Princess Letasreit...

“You’re quite cheeky for a kid. I was drafted into the army and survived the hell that was the Human-Demon War as a common soldier. I hope your so-called ‘fights’ measure up to actual combat...!”

The leader’s battle stance is undoubtedly one of having experienced real life-and-death situations.

I won’t take such an opponent lightly. I’ll face him with everything I’ve got...!

“Aaaaaghhhhhhhhhhh!”

Then, it was over in a single blow.

The moment our swords clashed, his was shattered into pieces, and he was blown away in the process.

“Ugh...!”

He bounces off the ground and tumbles, finally stopping when he crashes into the barrier walls. 

“Boss...!”

“The boss was taken down in a single hit?! By a kid...?!”

“What kind of joke is this?! That can’t be possible!”

With the defeat of their leader, the bandits are in total chaos.

So, they’re just mobs led by a single charismatic person. Once the leader is taken out, victory is all but assured.

“Please don’t resist any further. If you surrender quietly, I won’t have to hurt you,” I say as I get off the carriage and head towards the barrier’s edge.

I walk towards the bandit leader, sprawled out after getting slammed against the barrier...

“Guh...!”

I look down at the fallen man.

It was a clear picture of the victor and the loser.

“I haven’t asked your name yet.”

“Zepnio... Satisfied now?”

Well then, bandit leader Zepnio.

Let’s continue where we left off. 

“I can’t believe I was defeated in a single blow by a kid... I must be past my prime. All the blame lies with me as the leader. I don’t care if you hang or crucify me. In return, please be lenient with the others.”

He seems to have resigned himself to his defeat.

It’s admirable that he wants to take all the responsibility himself, though.

“No matter the reason, the fact that you turned to crime doesn’t change. Even if you incited them, they each made the decision to commit theft. Everyone has to take responsibility for their own actions.”

“Who the hell do you think drove us to this point?!” says Zepnio, the opposition leader, with a vehement voice. 

Despite being battered from our clash, he still hasn’t lost his fighting spirit. Impressive.

“All the devastation in this territory, the fact that we had to become robbers, it’s all due to the feudal lord! The feudal lord who abandoned his duties and deserted his people! Who are we not to revolt?!”

My ears are ringing.

All the problems in this territory ultimately boil down to the laziness and self-centeredness of a single man.

“If the feudal lord doesn’t do his job, people will starve! If he tries to impose heavy taxes on top of that, it’s as if the ruler himself is killing his people! That’s why we had no choice but to rise up! To survive!”

“If those in charge won’t protect you, the people must protect themselves. No one needs the law, is what you’re saying, huh.”

Lord Saint taught me that in his hometown, “cruel politics is scarier than ferocious beasts.”

Indeed, ruthless kings and lords who neglect their people cause much more suffering and death than monsters.

Monsters that harm people are hunted and eliminated by hunters and adventurers.

“Incapable authorities who can only exploit the people must also be eliminated.”

“Huh?”

“For that, we must restore this devastated territory. I was thinking of employing your atonement for this aid. What do you think?”

“Hold on a second! Aren’t you the feudal lord’s lackey?! Are you saying you’re going to betray your own master?!”

Like I said, I’m not the current lord’s but the previous lord’s subordinate.

But it seems that such slight differences are easily overlooked.

“I don’t consider it betrayal. I was taught that it’s a subordinate’s duty to correct their master when they’re on the wrong path, even if it means risking their life.”

That was a memorable lesson given by the Demon King, who came to give a special lecture.

It was about the relationship between the monarch and subjects—a valuable discussion indeed.

“The current lord did not do what he should have. You are correct in your accusation. Hence, he must be punished. Only after that can we start improving the territory so everyone can live peacefully.”

That’s going to require manpower.

Given the scale, there’s no way I can handle it alone.

“I would like your help. You all stood up to protect people. I hope I can count on you.”

“A-Are you serious...? We’re criminals who rebelled against the feudal lord, you know?”

“The current lord is a complete idiot, so it’s natural that he would be defied. But breaking the law will cause problems in the long run, so you must take responsibility for that.”

Though, to be honest, there’s not much more I can do about it since I don’t have any authority in that area.

Still, I won’t let you be maltreated.

Perhaps understanding my intention, the bandit leader, Zepnio, slumps and lowers his head.

“...I was once determined to take over as feudal lord... but I was overambitious. You, a youngster, fit the role so much better.”

“I am but a humble servant. I do wish to serve the territory, but I cannot entertain grand ideas of leading it.”

“For someone so young, you’ve got no ambition, boy. Someone’s gotta take the current idiot lord’s place if we’re going to improve this territory. If you want to lead us, show us you’re prepared for that.”

The surrounding bandits hold their breaths.

They’re not really bandits but disgruntled citizens who have risen in revolt.

Their leader has now completely surrendered, prepared to entrust his hopes to the young man before him.

“Please rest assured. I’ve got a pretty good idea of who to delegate the responsibility to.”

“I’m not sure whether that’s a reassuring answer. But even if I were to decline, I guess I’d be heading to the gallows. I, too, wish to live a little longer and contribute to this land.” Zepinio stands up and says, “If you’re saying you’ll use me for that, then I’ll go along with your plan for now.”

“For now, you say?”

“If you had shown me a level of reliability I could fully trust, I would have agreed immediately. Try to behave more confidently, son.”

With that, he shakes the hand I offered, marking the start of our partnership.

The issue causing unrest in the territory was now gone, replaced by a promising ally. Nothing could be more reassuring.

With this, preparations are now complete.

It’s time to eradicate the root of all evil.

* * *

“Ritheseus! I can’t believe you’re not dead! You and your disgraceful way of living, really!”

That was the first thing he said after several years of not seeing each other.

It was Saldacase, the son of Lord Sendekyrs, whom I swore my loyalty to.

Apparently, he’s now the feudal lord, but he’s become a fat, dull-eyed man since I last saw him years ago.

“But, since you’ve achieved a feat for me, I must commend you! After all, I’m the feudal lord! You did a great job capturing the thieves recently causing trouble in the territory!”

At the mansion’s entrance, where I welcomed him, dozens of men tied up with ropes were seated in a line.

Among them was Zepnio, too.

Yes, they were the captured bandits.

“As mere citizens, it’s outrageous to rebel against me, the feudal lord! As a warning to others, I will burn you all! You will know the gravity of your crime for defying me!”

The moment the news of the bandits’ capture spread, Saldacase returned to the territory in high spirits.

Until now, I heard he was lazing around in a big city outside the territory, but it turned out to be untrue.

The real reason was that he feared the bandits and ran away.

“Hahahaha, Ritheseus! You’ve been quite useful to me, Lord Saldacase, in your own foolish way! You’ve become somewhat better than when you left a few years ago, haven’t you?! If you say you’re willing to work to death for me from now on, I, in my lordly compassion, will grant you permission to live in a stable! Swear your infinite loyalty to me from now on! Ha-ha-ha!”

I can see that he hasn’t grown at all since I left a few years ago. In fact, he has gotten worse.

I anticipated this, but Saldacase doesn’t understand the grave responsibility of being a lord at all. Instead, he acts arrogant, thinking he can do whatever he wants because of his position.

It’s the worst-case scenario for a person in power.

I can’t let him do as he pleases any longer.

I raise my right hand...

And slap him hard across the cheek.

“Blerghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”