Refugees from the Bringar Duchy were initially accommodated in a shelter to the north of Crossroad.

Originally, this facility was built for citizens to evacuate when monsters invaded. It was the very place where citizens took refuge whenever an emergency arose. Equipped with emergency beds, medicines, emergency rations, water, and makeshift accommodations, it could effortlessly shelter over a thousand refugees.

The plan was to first accommodate them here and gradually settle them inside the city.

"Those in need of medical attention, please line up in an orderly manner!"

"We have ample food supplies, so let’s start with some warm tea...!"

The northern shelter was abuzz.

Priests administered medicines and healing magic to the sick refugees, while the famished were provided with food rations. Dusk Bringar handed out blankets to her people, and the knights poured hot tea into cups for them.

Despite their fatigue from the late autumn cold and their long journey, hope remained in the refugees’ eyes. As they wrapped themselves in blankets and sipped on tea, a faint vitality returned to their pale faces.

"..."

Watching this scene from a distance, I heard a familiar set of footsteps approach me. Without turning, I inquired,

"Worried, Lucas?"

"...I did anticipate this to some extent."

As expected, it was Lucas who stood beside me.

Silently observing the bustling shelter, Lucas let out a soft sigh.

"I am concerned about what lies ahead."

"What concerns you?"

"Mainly two things."

I gestured for Lucas to continue. Nodding slightly, he began,

"First, without a doubt, is the western front, Prince Lark, and the Imperial Army’s 1st Division."

The most immediate problem surfaced.

"Even if you’ve declared your independent course of action, accepting the Duchess of Bringar, whom the 1st Division of the Imperial Army is keenly searching for, is no ordinary risk."

Lucas then discreetly gauged my reaction.

"But in my opinion, you must have a contingency plan for this issue."

"Oh? What makes you think so?"

"...If I may say, you never engage in battles without the odds in your favor."

I couldn’t help but smile.

This guy has gotten the hang of my strategic style.

"You never make a move without solid evidence. You prefer battles where victory is certain, and even if the odds are high, you avoid gambles. Therefore, I surmise that by the time you accepted the Duchess of Bringar, you already had preparations in place for the western front."

"Sharp, Lucas. Just as you said."

From a few months back, when I decided to recruit Dusk Bringar,

The simulation for how to win over the western front had been running non-stop.

’The situation isn’t bad. In fact, it’s promising.’

I felt fairly confident about this aspect.

Grinning, I gestured for Lucas to continue.

"Let’s set aside the first concern for now. What’s the second?"

Without hesitation, Lucas continued,

"It’s the citizens of Crossroad."

It was an unexpected response. As I looked at him in surprise, Lucas began to explain.

"Since you began governing here, the proportion of foreigners in Crossroad has increased sharply."

"Yes, that’s true."

"Especially, you haven’t just hired foreign mercenaries but have also actively employed mercenaries of different races. The view towards them is still somewhat cold."

From the perspective of someone who lived in this world, rather than an outsider possessing someone, Lucas candidly spoke of the realities.

"But, my lord, if the majority of the empire’s citizens see the different races as ’uncomfortable outsiders’... their view of the people from the Bringar Duchy is ’an enemy to be confronted’."

"..."

"The Empire and the Bringar Duchy are currently at war. Even before this, there has been a rising animosity between them."

The Everblack Empire and the Bringar Duchy once shared a relationship like that of sibling nations, but now, they were at war. Naturally, their feelings towards each other weren’t amicable.

Accepting a thousand refugees in this situation might indeed be taken as a bolt from the blue from the perspective of the existing citizens.

I stroked my chin, deep in thought.

"Still, isn’t this place fundamentally a fortress for military purposes? And I am a member of the Imperial Family and a commander. The citizens can’t really oppose such a decision."

"Yes, at its core, it’s a fortress. But it’s also a city where people have lived for generations."magic

A fortress and a city.

A place where soldiers and civilians coexist.

That was Crossroad.

"Of course, you could suppress any opposing opinions by using your name as an Imperial, your rights as a lord, and your command as a commander... You have the power in this city. No one can object."

"...""But the unresolved conflict will simmer below the surface."

The world isn’t just innocent and beautiful.

Showing compassion to the refugees who lost their country and providing them with blankets and tea won’t solve the issue.

No, the real problem starts right there.

"How should we resolve this?"

I had some thoughts but sought Lucas’s opinion. After pondering for a moment, Lucas nodded.

"Reflecting on the integration process of the Shadow Squad, Penal Squad, and the refugees they brought with them might be helpful."

"Indeed."

Our thoughts aligned once more.

"They worked hard and proved their worth voluntarily. They demonstrated their usefulness to this city."

In the end, practical utility.

This was the most effective way to persuade people.

"The power of Duchess Dusk Bringar and her knights is already well-established, so now..."

Lucas looked back at the shelter.

"These thousand refugees must also show the existing citizens of Crossroad what they can contribute to the city."

It might sound harsh, but currently, the refugees were in a vulnerable position.

They need to prove their worth and prepare to integrate into this place. Only after this process could the people of Crossroad gradually open their hearts and accept them.

That’s how relationships work. It’s not resolved by one side opening their heart and extending their hand.

Both sides needed to make efforts and reach an agreement.

What I could do was... create opportunities and environments for that.

"I can’t precisely foresee the future vision you have for this city," Lucas said with a rueful smile. "But I’m well aware that it won’t be an easy path."

"That’s what makes it worthwhile."

To gain significant benefits, one must be willing to take significant risks.

I aimed to assemble a dream team consisting of the mightiest heroes.

To achieve that, it was essential to untangle the complex web of relationships and loyalties among them.

The integration of the thousand refugees could serve as a practice run for this.

"Well, in the case of the citizens, it’s one thing... For the soldiers, it might be a bit easier."

"Oh? Why’s that?"

"Most are mercenaries who have roamed from other lands. They have a lot in common as fellow outsiders. And, above all," Lucas grinned, "on this monster frontier, the more powerful allies one has, the better. They can literally save one’s life."

In that regard, proving the strength of Duchess Dusk Bringar and her knights during the recent defense was quite effective.

Having demonstrated their formidable power, other soldiers had little reason to object to their inclusion.

"The knights of Bringar, known as warriors of the western front, have long been the envy of those who revere martial prowess."

While Duchess Dusk Bringar and her knights were still assisting the refugees, Lucas trailed off, watching them.

"As a warrior myself, I respect them. I eagerly await the day I can test my sword against their esteemed blades."

***

That night, at the central plaza, a banquet celebrated the defensive victory.

"Bringar’s Knights, lead knight, Andimion!"

The knight with neatly groomed white hair and beard, the most senior knight of Duchess Dusk Bringar, Sir Andimion, roared.

"I will show you the skills I have honed all my life!"

He then took out instruments similar to tambourines.

As he made a rhythmic sound, he started a vigorous hula dance with a stern face.

Given the gap between his stern appearance and the lively dance, the scene was hilariously incongruent.

The mercenaries, already tipsy from the drink, laughed until they were breathless. The atmosphere in the plaza instantly warmed up.

"..."

Watching this spectacle, Lucas froze, his face pale.

Beside him, I muttered, "A proud sword... an object of envy... um, I see..."

"No... no, this isn’t it...!"

Here’s what happened:

After a round of drinks at the banquet, noticing that the newly arrived knights were still feeling a bit awkward, the senior knight, Sir Andimion, decided to take the lead to liven up the mood. And that’s how the grand hula dance unfolded...

After concluding his dance, the elderly knight struck a final pose and swiftly exited the plaza.

The other mercenaries erupted in thunderous applause.

After that, the long-haired middle-aged knight, Sir Berlin, and the twin young knights, Sieun and Jett, took turns getting on the stage. Each danced skillfully, bringing humor and easing the atmosphere.

What on earth are they doing? Why are they so good at it?!

Typically, in a gathering with alcohol, someone acting the fool tends to lighten the mood. Given that those breaking the ice were the knights everyone had been wary of, the atmosphere quickly improved. The central plaza became as lively as it usually was during victory banquets.

"Isn’t it tolerable?" Duchess Dusk Bringar chuckled as she watched. "It’s a tradition of the knights under my command.""It’s for entertaining at drinking parties. Those cute dances were honed for just such occasions. They’re quite the crowd-pleasers."

Beside her, Sir Andimion, now sweaty, slicked back his damp white hair, commenting stoically, "I’ve done far crazier things to entertain you. This is easy."

"Isn’t that mistreatment within the squad?"

"Far from it. You saved us and gave us new lives. If we can make you smile, even with such trivial acts, it’s our joy."

Duchess Dusk Bringar playfully messed up the serious Andimion’s white hair. "Always saying sweet things, Andimion! When I first recruited you, you were a tiny kid who could hardly speak!"

"I don’t recall such times, ma’am. It’s embarrassing..."

"You went through puberty saying ’I won’t play with you!’ avoiding me, and once you crossed twenty, you even confessed your love for me! But look at you now, your hair’s all white!"

"Please stop mocking my immature days..."

Sir Andimion turned away, clearly embarrassed.

Has the old man always been this gullible? And should one really spill another’s embarrassing past like that? Isn’t that also mistreatment?

"...Well, that’s enough entertainment for now."

Duchess Dusk Bringar, removing her hand from Andimion’s hair, grew serious.

"I want to discuss our plans going forward. Ash."

I straightened up. Lucas and Sir Andimion respectfully cleared the area, leaving Duchess Dusk Bringar and me facing each other.

"While I entrust you with command as we integrate my people, I also want to hear about your future plans."

"..."

"Lark and the first legion of the Empire’s forces will soon arrive here. I want to know how you plan to stop them. And."

Duchess Dusk Bringar glanced briefly to the north, where her people took refuge.

"What my people should do here."

She knew as well.

For her foreign people to settle in this city, they’d first need to prove their worth.

I smiled confidently, pushing my glass forward.

"We have a lot to do, Duchess. Just trust and follow me."

"..."

"It seems tonight’s discussion will be long."

Duchess Dusk Bringar observed me for a moment, then pushed her glass towards mine.

Cheers!

The clinking of glasses echoed through the night.

***

Crossroad had always grappled with a chronic labor shortage.

Located at the southernmost tip of the world, the fortress was a perilous battlefield, as monsters constantly besieged it. Especially during the preparations for the upcoming winter, there was always a lack of helping hands.

In such circumstances, the refugees from the Bringar Duchy willingly took on the arduous tasks.

They prepared for winter by chopping firewood, repairing frozen canals, and filling the storages with dry straw...

Duchess Dusk Bringar took the lead in these endeavors.

She didn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty or allow her crown to be stained. She worked tirelessly alongside her people.

The citizens of Crossroad still regarded the people of the Bringar Duchy with caution. But, seeing them take charge of the laborious tasks of late autumn, their animosity began to soften.

There were continuous, albeit minor, clashes, but their frequency noticeably decreased over time.

Most importantly, my will was firm.

Crossroad was a city fully within my grasp. Its citizens respected my decisions.

People adapt, as they say. The once chaotic city quickly regained its stability.

On a night, a week after welcoming Duchess Dusk Bringar and the refugees, a guest arrived.

***

"My Lord."

Late at night, in the lord’s office.

Recovering from my illness, I had gradually extended my working hours. Aider entered my room with a sense of urgency.

"The guest you were expecting has arrived. They’re waiting at the mansion’s entrance."

"Take them to the reception room. I’ll be right down."

After taking a deep breath and adjusting my attire, I descended to the first floor’s reception room.

Standing silently in the room was a large figure.

Functional metal armor, a white cloak draped over it, and a hood linked to the cloak pulled low over his face.

"It’s been a while. A few months, I believe?"

Recognizing the awaited visitor, I managed a composed smile.

"Brother."

"..."

The first prince of the Everblack Empire.

Lark ’Avalanche’ Everblack, with his piercing blue eyes gleaming like blade edges, slowly removed his hood.

--TL Notes--

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