#697 The Farm Graduates’ Activities - Human’s POV (4/7)

It has been a few days since I returned to my hometown.

I’ve been swamped the entire time, working round-the-clock to restore the territory that fell into disarray because of that idiot heir, to compensate for all the time I spent training.

At first, I thought it’d be fine to just put the mansion in order, but things are never that easy.

With its feudal lord, the person on top of the territory, being useless, the devastation had spread throughout, not just confined to the mansion.

I’m tackling the problem by utilizing the knowledge I cultivated during my training at the farm and all my connections.

I used my position to directly negotiate with the Demon Occupation HQ to request support and also appealed to the neighboring territories for their cooperation.

Thanks to that, we were able to swiftly receive supplies and alleviate the hunger of the people in the territory.

Because of the lack of funds, I’ve been visiting villages that couldn’t request help from the Adventurers’ Guild and eliminating the monsters that frequently spawn.

I’ve been doing such things for days on end.

After all that, territory management has finally started to look up.

It seems like we’re approaching the climax soon.

*      *      *

While solving such internal problems, I find myself completely falling into the position of a feudal lord.

Many voices have requested me to work in the office, but I respectfully declined due to the overwhelming fear and instead have been using the shared office space for the servants.

“Thanks to your hard work, our territory’s situation has drastically improved. We’re happy to have you back, Ritheseus...!”

“No, no, not at all...!”

Rather, I keep feeling guilty for coming back too late.

Your invincibility won’t matter if you can’t make it in time when you’re needed.

A strong person who doesn’t do what needs to be done at the right time is no different from the weakest...or even less than that.

That’s a harsh realization I’ve been reflecting on daily since my return.

Despite graduating from the farm, I quickly realized my immaturity as soon as I came back.

Just as Sensei said, the days of learning continue until the day you die.

“You’re incredible, Ritheseus! We thought you were sacrificed to the demons at one point. After not seeing you for several years, you can suddenly use magic and became incredibly strong! On top of that, you have the expertise and administrative ability like a central official! What on earth happened during those years you were away?!”

“I was studying. It’s all thanks to the kindness of the demons...!”

Why do I feel like I’m lying even though it’s entirely true?

The unexplored utopia everyone dreams of... the blessed environment of receiving direct instruction from a Lifeless King at Lord Saint’s farm...

Is it okay to call that just “studying?!”

“Who would’ve thought the demons were such kind-hearted people...?! Maybe we should’ve relied on them more...!”

“...”

Since the time I learned about the despondent state of this territory, I’ve been wondering why the Demon Occupation HQ left it in such a state.

The Demon King strictly ordered them to support the lives of the humans, and Malvastos, the head of the organization, is competent.

There’s no way such a distressing situation would occur within their jurisdiction.

I found the answer to my question while working here.

These people hold a grudge against the demons.

They misunderstood and thought I was taken as a sacrifice and came to view the demons as enemies due to their anger and resentment.

They decided not to accept anything from the enemy. Even if they were driven into such a poor and challenging situation, they put up with it...

“...”

Because of the misunderstandings I have caused, my home territory was driven this far.

I have to make amends for it...!

“What would you say is the biggest problem remaining in this territory?”

“Other than the fool of a noble heir?”

Yes, other than that.

Preparations for dealing with that issue are well underway.

It’s the root of all problems, so I’m setting things up carefully to prevent a recurrence, which takes time.

A little more patience until everything’s ready.

But in the meantime, I want to have everything else sorted out.

“...Bandits, perhaps?”

According to Grand Chamberlain Vilardo, bandits have appeared in our territory recently.

It’s a common problem in neglected, lawless areas that have fallen into disrepair. Desperate locals, struggling to make ends meet, resort to crime.

“They seem to harbor a deep hatred for anyone in a position of power. They only attack and rob nobles’ mansions and merchants’ carriages. They don’t take anything from the powerless common folk. In fact, rumors say they share their stolen goods with them.”

“So, they’re chivalrous bandits?”

Now that I think about it, the elves back at the farm were former bandits too.

“Regardless of their intentions, breaking the law makes them criminals... But it’s also a fact that these criminals are helping the people...!”

Grand Chamberlain Vilardo smiles through tears like he’s been refuted by his own words.

“They were the ones who took everything while transporting the excessive taxes collected from the people. The stolen goods end up going back to those who paid the taxes. Otherwise, the money would end up in Saldacase’s pockets and be wasted on frivolities.”

In short, the balance of the excessive taxes that have been unfairly levied is being maintained by none other than the group’s acts of banditry.

If it weren’t for them, there might already have been people starving to death in this territory.

“I understand.”

Although these bandits might be seen as heroes, the fact that they’ve committed crimes doesn’t change. 

If we’re going to start fully rebuilding this territory, we can’t allow these law-breaking acts of salvation to continue.

I decided to take action myself, as this requires prompt and delicate handling.

* * *

A group is surrounding a carriage laden with a large load.

“Stop the carriage if you value your life!”

“You lackeys of the corrupt lord! Taste the wrath of just people!”

The horsemen move with practiced ease.

They’ve clearly done this many times before. They first sandwich the target from both sides, ensuring it can’t escape to the right or left, and then block its path. Once they do that, there’s no choice but to stop.

Indeed, the ambushed carriage comes to a stop not long after.

It’s a transport carriage stamped with the feudal lord’s seal, typically used to carry taxes.

“Good. Coachman, don’t try anything funny. There’s no escape and no help coming.”

The bandits are more organized and numerous than I thought.

They have enough people to surround the transport carriage, and every single one is mounted.

In this situation, they can carry out their objective and flee like the wind.

“Just hand over the carriage. Then you can either sit here waiting for help or walk to the nearest village. Or would you like to join us? You’re not licking the boots of the new idiotic lord because you want to, right? Do you have the fighting spirit to bring back the good old days of Sendekyrs?”

The one saying that is clearly the leader of these bandits. 

He looks solidly built, with a sharp look in his eyes. His voice is clear and loud, and if he called out to you like that, you’d probably respond with a “yes.”

These destitute miscreants had somehow managed to outsmart the authorities, likely due to the charisma of this man.

The coachman driving the carriage responds, “I am willing to risk my life for this territory.”

“Good, from now on, you’re one of us...”

“But first, I have to deal with you guys.”

That coachman is me.

I remove my disguise—the coat and hat—and draw my sword.

He must have realized it in that instant.

“It’s a trap! Everyone, scatter!”

The leader quickly makes a decision and yells out.

But it was too late.

The area around us is completely closed off by the barrier magic I cast. 

“Ahh! What the hell is this?!”

“It’s like an invisible wall...! Damn it, we can’t break it no matter what we do!”

Barrier magic is a defensive spell from the outside, but it’s a containment spell from the inside.

The same spell can be used in different ways depending on the situation, which is why studying it is essential. That was one of Sensei’s teachings.

What was once a situation in their favor has now turned into them being trapped in a cage.

The bandits panic, some even being thrown off their horses.

“Don’t panic! This is magic used by the demons!”

Their leader calms them down.

“I was a soldier in the Human-Demon War! That’s why I know! If we take down the barrier’s caster, it’ll disappear! If we defeat that boy there, we can escape!”

It was a swift and accurate assessment of the situation.

Furthermore, with the leader’s explanation, the other bandits quickly regained their composure and directed their bloodlust toward me.

His leadership skills are really on par with the military, and his words of being a former soldier add credibility.

“Boy, who are you? You use magic, so you must be a demon, right? You look like a human, though. Are you disguising yourself with magic?”

“I’m actually a human. As for the magic... even humans can use it if they study,” I say, holding the mana metal sword I brought back from the farm. “I am Ritheseus, a loyal servant of the former lord of Sendekyrs. I have come to deal with those who disrupt the peace in this territory.”