Side: Yuki
No matter what we end up doing with this town, we can't make a move until we get a baseline of local information. I also need a place to figure out if the people here are actually going to cooperate with us or not.
And so, guided by Lord Horst, we made our way into the city.
My wives were gathered around me, while the wives who had ridden in the Marauders followed behind.
The 2,500 main defense troops weren't going to show up anytime soon, so one of our advance soldiers walked right next to me, bowing apologetically.
"I am truly sorry, I explained the situation, but they didn't believe anything about Yuki-dono and your group at all..."
By the way, the soldiers who had arrived ahead of us were elite members of Marley's personal unit whom we had captured previously. Naturally, they knew who we were.
They witnessed the aftermath of our battle and know we're the absolute source of all the top-tier supply logistics, which is why they're super cooperative and we don't have any friction.
Because of that, he knew the true outcome of the battle and the fact that we were the source of all the resupply efforts, so there were no problems in our interactions.
The issue was the main army troops led by Hivia. They were still pretty skeptical of our abilities. They didn't particularly appreciate seeing a bunch of mercenaries wandering around their camp as if they owned the place and casually chatting with Marley and the others.
One of those human soldiers actually tried to pick a fight with Tori since she's a demi-human who looked gentle and easygoing.
The fight hadn't even been a contest. Tori completely wiped the floor with him.
As a result, they somewhat grudgingly started listening to us after seeing her strength.
But since the glory of breaking the fortress had to be publicly credited to the Three Princesses, the average soldier still thought we mercenaries hadn't actually done anything. So aside from Tori, most of the troops still held a grudge against the rest of us.
When even our own side behaves like that, telling complete strangers that 'A bunch of random mercenaries are now the heads of the occupation force!' is obviously going to sound like a massive joke to them.
"Don't worry about it. I expected something like this anyway. Sorry for the extra trouble. I'll give you some snacks later. Cup noodles are fine, right?"
"Ah, thank you very much! Ever since I tried those, normal food just feels bland somehow."
Well, of course they would.
"Anyway, while we're on the subject—how's the town?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"The overall impression. Security, defenses, what the people are like. That sort of thing."
Well, even though I'm technically an occupying enemy soldier, the citizens don't really seem terrified of us.
"Ah, got it. Well, even though I'm technically an occupying enemy soldier, the citizens don't really seem terrified of us. As for defenses, I only know what's visible: there's just a standard wall surrounding the town. Public safety-wise, considering a surrender was just declared, I haven't noticed any riots or a spike in looting. Up until very recently, a ton of people were gathered here for defense, though."
"Heh, I'd expect some hot-blooded remnants to cause trouble. How's that situation actually, Horst-san?"
I turned the question toward the lord walking beside us.
He had remained mostly silent, listening to our conversation while observing us.
The fact that he was quietly studying our character like this alone told me he was a capable ruler.
"It's the opposite, actually. It's precisely because those hot-headed types gather that we're being strict."
"I see."
"Well, after your forces scattered the pincer army, some of the retreating soldiers and mercenaries returned convinced that this city would be destroyed. They figured that if the end was coming anyway, they could do whatever they pleased."
"And you managed to keep them under control. Impressive."
"I'm honored by the praise. Though naturally, there were still plenty of matters to deal with after incidents occurred."
"Well, you can't exactly arrest defeated soldiers who haven't caused any trouble. How did you handle compensation for damages? Make the perpetrators pay for it themselves?"
"No. Most of the incidents involved property damage, so we compensated the victims ourselves. Naturally, we stripped the offenders of everything they owned."
"Fair enough."
"Though there were also a small number of assault and attempted rape cases. Fortunately, none resulted in serious injuries. At worst, clothing was torn and the crimes were interrupted before completion."
"You must've been busy these past few days."
"Yes. We tripled the guard force, added three more patrol routes, and tripled patrol frequency. I feel sorry for the soldiers, but they've had almost no rest."
So his ability to respond to crises was more than adequate.
Honestly, if we started meddling in city affairs carelessly, we'd probably earn resentment.
Even if the lord himself didn't mind, the citizens certainly would.
"Still, considering we've arrived, the townspeople seem surprisingly calm."
"There weren't many of you. People noticed the soldiers gathering and wondered what was happening, but that's all."
"Right. It's not like we marched in with an army. Anyway, tell everyone the garrison force will arrive in two or three days."
"Understood. Just as Mist-dono's letter stated. Maintaining a schedule without delays during a march is quite impressive."
"Hm? Sounds like you have military experience."
"Yes. Lords generally maintain private soldiers, after all. I served in the capital of the Enaria Holy Kingdom until about fifteen years ago."
"In the military?"
"Yes. Though I was never anyone particularly famous. This land was granted thanks to the achievements of my great-grandfather. I myself haven't accomplished anything remarkable. I've merely done my best to protect what was entrusted to me."
"The fact that you've lived by those words is admirable enough, Horst-san."
"Haha. To think I'd be praised by someone from an enemy nation after being called a recluse by my own countrymen."
"That's just how the world works."
"Indeed it is."
Chatting like that, we arrived at a large mansion near the center of the city.
"This is the residence where I and the generations of lords before me have lived. You will be staying here during your time in the city. It may not be perfect, but I ask for your understanding. We will do our best to address any issues. If you require anything, servants and maids will be assigned to you, so please inform them."
With that, he opened the doors.
"""We have been awaiting your return."""
Rows of maids lined up inside and bowed.
Ah, right... A mansion of this size would normally have this many maids.
My inn is the abnormal one.
The automatic cleaning function is wonderful.
While thinking about my own home, a butler and a woman in ornate clothing emerged from the center of the maids.
"Welcome home, dear."
"Welcome home, Milord."
They bowed toward Horst.
"Thank you for the welcome. As you can see, I've returned safely."
"Then these people are...?"
"Ah, let me introduce them. This is Yuki-dono, commander of the city's garrison forces."
He turned toward me.
The attention suddenly focused on me.
Somehow, I felt strangely stared at.
It was only natural, but it was uncomfortable.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yuki, representative of the stationed forces in this town and a mercenary."
"...A mercenary?"
"We can discuss that later."
Horst brushed aside what was likely his wife's question and continued deeper into the mansion.
Even so, both she and the butler clearly looked puzzled.
Well, naturally.
Then, just as we were about to proceed farther inside, the demi-human wives who had gotten off the Marauders were stopped.
"My apologies, but slaves are not permitted beyond this point."
The butler blocked Riel and the others.
Riel blinked blankly.
Tori looked slightly irritated.
Kaya was openly displeased.
The younger girls who had been stopped looked unhappy as well. Sheila frowned, Filia looked close to tears, while Labyris seemed completely unfazed, as though she'd expected this.
As I wondered how best to handle the situation, Jessica stepped forward and spoke.
"I am Jessica, Senior Knight of the Jilva Empire and negotiator for Captain Yuki's mercenary unit. These individuals were personally hired at the request of His Majesty the King of Jilva. They are members of the King's direct forces. There are no slaves among them. I understand the misunderstanding, but I ask that you correct it."
"M-My deepest apologies! Please, this way!"
The butler immediately bowed deeply to Tori and the others and hurriedly invited them inside.
"My apologies. My butler's mistake is ultimately my responsibility as his master. If punishment is warranted, let it fall upon me."
"No, that reaction was perfectly normal. Still, even after hearing a declaration from a Senior Knight, few people could adjust their attitude so quickly. You have an excellent butler."
"Thank you."
Horst looked visibly relieved.
Few people can immediately discard long-held common sense and respond like that.
Normally, they would consult their master first, but that butler probably had no prejudice against demi-humans.
"We employ demi-humans ourselves. Unfortunately, many nobles remain obsessed with notions of superiority and inferiority."
"It's a common issue everywhere."
"Indeed."
As we talked, I noticed that among the servants and maids, there were indeed demi-human women mixed in.
In fact, nearly half of them were demi-human.
"Personally, I'd like to improve the standing of demi-humans. Many possess sharper senses or greater strength than humans. Yet changing attitudes is difficult..."
"It certainly is."
I see.
So that was why the butler had reacted the way he did.
Tradition, prestige, pride...
What a pain.
"You seem to be a very reasonable man. Yuki-dono, may I look forward to our discussions from here on?"
"We'll see. I'm just here to do what I can do."
"Hahaha! Indeed. So will I. Well, the others seem to have gone ahead, so I'll guide you. This way."
Saying that, we enter deeper into the mansion.
