34 – 10. Northern Meeting (1)
A broad, endless plain stretching across the northern part of the empire.
In a place where only silence was full, today a large number of people gathered.
“I will see you after a long time.”
“How have you been?”
Among them, those who stand out the most are, of course, the northern nobles.
The head of each family gathers in one place and exchanges greetings.
Each and every one of them are the protagonists of this meeting.
Some have great power and some have little power.
Some say the Templars are strong, while others say they are weak.
In any case, they are all neighbors in the north.
In the current situation, holding hands is the best.
That way, you can avoid getting into the jaws of the demons.
For that reason, the ‘Northern Meeting’, an association of each family, was formed.
It was about 20 years ago.
“Lichtenauer is coming.”
Among the various families, Lichtenau is the best.
It is a place called the famous swordsmanship, and it is a place that holds the power of the north.
Naturally, it was natural that that place would be the center of the meeting.
Sabak, Sabak-.
With the exception of a few families, all of them are male heads.
So, they are the moment Shien shows up.
Whether they were old or young, they had no choice but to stare at them in a moment of mesmerization.
‘The moment you see it, you lose your soul. Really.’
‘They said that you can know the mother by looking at the daughter… .’
‘I think I know why the former head of Lichtenau married a demon woman.’
Even the word “beautiful” is a beauty that can be considered rude.
Even just looking at it, my reasoning naturally fades.
Perhaps if that woman was a pure-blood human aristocrat.
I’m sure it would have been called the flower of the empire.
Yes, if it was a ‘human’ of pure blood.
‘It’s okay because we northerners owe a lot to Lichtenau, but… .’
‘Will that mixed-race woman be able to get through this chaotic era?’
It’s not just because the mother of the family head is a demon, so they’re ignoring it.
Because I know the current position of the demon race within the empire.
Because I saw that many people still shun demons.
From nob le mt l. co m
Many family heads who attended the meeting could not help but worry.
“Nice to meet you, family heads.”
“nice to see you. Mayor of Liechtenau.”
When Xien bowed his head and said hello, everyone followed suit.
“For me, this meeting is the first experience. Please take good care of me.”
“Don’t talk like that. Will the Northern Conference go well without Lichtenau?”
“Go away, Lord Lichtenauer. We are already ready.”
It is Lichtenau who faced a big crisis after the death of the family head.
If that place collapses, there will be a major power change in the north as well.
Each family waited while keeping a close eye on the situation.
And not long after, Lichtenauer at a breakneck speed.
It was confirmed that all the confusion and crises were sorted out and it was standing firmly.
Some people may have been a little disappointed.
From nob le mt l. co m
Most family heads were rather relieved by that fact.
There is nothing more tiring than having a quarrel break out due to the shaking of the solidified forces.
It is much better to live in a well-organized place and enjoy your place.
Because of this, the family heads treated the former Lichtenau family heads the same way.
He treated Shien the same way and guided her to the inner barracks.
“I heard the news. You said you took care of two demons this time.”
“yes. Well, both of them were level 5 demons. There was nothing difficult!”
“You did well, though. You have suffered a lot.”
“Thank you, Lord Lichtenauer.”
Even the moment you enter the red tent for commanders.
Cien led the story with the news he had heard from before.
‘It’s the first time, but you must never be dragged around. I am the head of Lichtenau. The center of the northern meeting and the head of the famous swordsmanship family. let’s not forget that You have to do well.’
This meeting is a very important occasion for Xian.
It is an opportunity for Lichtenauer to externally inform that it is still strong.
Although he had already seen it once in the imperial family.
That was accomplished only thanks to the help of the Emperor and Adele.
This time, you must achieve it on your own.
She’s a woman, still young, inexperienced, and I’m a mixed race between humans and demons.
That he can lead Lichtenau and the whole northern area well.
I had to show that conviction to various family heads and others.
“Sit down.”
Cien sits down first and then recommends a seat.
Afterwards, the heads of households sat down in their designated seats and the meeting began.
“I would like to thank you all again for coming here.”
“He says everything.”
“I would like to ask each other how they are doing and have a little light conversation, but please understand that we can’t do that because the current situation is the current situation.”
At Shien’s words, the heads of households waved their hands.
I wonder if all these people have gathered here just to ask how they are?
They came together because each of them had an important agenda.
“Recently, I heard that the number of demonic spectacles is increasing again.”
“It is as you have heard, Lord Lichtenauer. For each territory, it has increased from as little as 2 times to as much as 5 times. Fortunately, most of them were 5 or 4.”
“Anyway, that’s not good news. That would have resulted in more casualties.”
The heads of households nodded with sorrowful expressions.
It is a time when each and every person is extremely valuable.
A generation has already almost disappeared in the aftermath of the Great War.
Losing a young man is not simply the level of losing a person.
Because of the sudden increase in the demonic situation, each of the family heads.
The damage suffered by each territory and its scale were explained in detail.
Knowing each other’s circumstances, you can decide who helps and who gets help.
“The biggest problem right now is the road leading to the various families. The highway is damaged again due to the demonic incident, and even people, let alone carriages, cannot pass. It needs to be repaired, but there are so many damaged places that you don’t even know where to go.”
At those words, Shien hurriedly asked for guidance.
After examining the map for a while, Shien picked up a few places with her hand.
“… from here to here. Is that right?”
“yes. All roads in the area have been destroyed.”
Looking at the area marked on the map, Shien was lost in thought.
‘It’s not a road network that directly hits Lichtenauer’s profit and loss. Even if you don’t fix it, there won’t be any big problems right away. But if we leave it as it is, other families will surely suffer great damage.’
Shien, who looked worried for a while, called several family heads.
All of them were directly affected by the road damage.
“everyone. How many people can be mobilized for restoration even if we go?”
“It seems that the manpower will be covered to some extent. However, going into recovery… .”
“You say money is an issue. Don’t worry about that part. Let Lichtenauer help.”
Then, of course, the heads of households called by Shien.
The others also looked at her with slightly puzzled eyes.
“At Lichtenau?”
“yes.”
Quite a few families were already indebted to Liechtenau.
Whether the amount is large or small, it is clear that there is a debt after all.
And that debt, most of the families have yet to repay.
But to say that Lichtenau will apply again.
Of course, the reaction of the head of households was bound to be strange.
“Hey, Lord Lichtenau. Words are very grateful, but for us… .”
“Do not worry. I have no intention of putting this into debt.”
“yes?”
“We cannot fund all of them, but we will cover a significant portion. I mean, I’m not going to put a part of it on debt.”
In order to receive debt, stabilization of each family is essential.
And for that stabilization, the restoration of the road must be carried out.
In the current situation, rather than having material debt.
It would be much more profitable to leave the debt of the heart.
After making that decision, Shien continued to speak.
“We all lead different families, but we are the ones who eventually made their home in the north. If one collapses, the other is at risk. That’s why each other has to play the role of each other’s window and shield. Today, Lichtenauer will be your spear and shield, but in the future, I will carefully hope that you will be Lichtenauer’s spear and shield.”
* * *
The agenda of the northern meeting continued to come out after that.
The head of each family gives their opinion and selects the most reasonable plan.
Even if you can’t please everyone, even if you can’t benefit everyone.
In the end, it is a conclusion that everyone can live with.
“… I think this is enough to put out the urgent fire.”
When all the issues are finally decided.
When Shien stood up from her seat and said that, the heads of households nodded.
At first, I had some worries and concerns about Shien.
The meeting was much better than expected.
She was the beautiful head of the family who would be responsible for the future of Lichtenau.
“What’s next on this schedule?”
“Originally, knights from each family would engage in sparring, or soldiers would engage in mock battles… .”
“Do you? Are there any problems?”
“In fact, some families were damaged in a battle not too long ago.”
“Sounds like the people who will be sent to the meeting are also injured.”
“Exactly.”
If that’s the case, there’s nothing you can do about it.
It was the moment when Shien was about to pass over without thinking about it.
“So, I’m thinking of replacing it with attendants sparring instead. How are you?”
“… yes?”
* * *
multiple, multiple -.
A man on horseback finally arrived in the North.
It must have been a long journey, but I am tired.
The clean aura that emanated from his body was still there.
“Whoa! who are you?”
A sentinel guarding the neighborhood stops him.
Then the man on the horse rummaged in his arms and took out his ID.
“He’s an old knight who returned to his hometown this time.”
“Derry… . Derry… ? ah. Are you that Lord Derry by any chance?”
“Hmm? How do you know me?”
“Of course I know! Aren’t you the one who even served as an imperial knight!”
The greatest honor you can enjoy as a knight.
As expected, he would become an imperial knight serving the emperor right by his side.
When an imperial knight was discharged, a festival was held where he was.
Those who enjoyed that honor, even if they did their duty and went home.
Become a person who is respected among people.
“Welcome back. Oh, have you heard the news?”
“News? What news are you talking about?”
“There is a northern meeting today.”
“Heh heh heh. What is an old man like me going to do?”
“no. I’m sure the housekeepers will like it too. I will tell you right away.”
Even though I was told not to do that.
The active actions of the soldiers could not be stopped.
Eventually, the former Imperial Knight, Derry, was officially invited to the northern meeting.
Who is there, completely unexpected.