Chapter 97: Fires along the Grantia.

“It started with those who worked with Linton. Guys who lost their jobs and squandered all their saved money set up shacks on the bank of the Gratia River saying they wanted to be with Linton until the end. Actually, it seems they just didn’t have travel expenses to return home unless they received combat allowances.”

John, the captain of the guard reporting to Philius, had a face trying to appear calm, but he couldn’t erase all his fatigue. He seemed mentally exhausted rather than physically.

“As His Majesty the King sentenced Linton to death, the number of mercenaries joining is continuously increasing. As you know, the distance from the square to the Tranche Bridge isn’t far. Since a plausible justification of sending off Linton arose, building shacks didn’t feel shameful anymore. Though the inside story is the same for everyone. Now everyone knows they are just useless headaches in Noberten. They can’t find new jobs, and pubs started rejecting them.”

“It would be a kind of protest too. Demanding the promised allowances be paid.”

“Although they can’t express it openly, it certainly is.”

What Linton asked Philius to look after were his colleagues who guarded Alea’s house with him. Although he said he didn’t regret it, it seemed clear Linton felt guilty towards them.

The guestbook Philius signed with an alias contained names clearly belonging to Betas. They must have been the names of colleagues who visited Linton before going to the Gratia River.

However, locked in the detention center, he wouldn’t have known that many people besides his colleagues set up shacks on the bank of the Gratia River.

The flame Linton shot up was growing bigger. Although it wasn’t his intention at all. It meant there were that many people who experienced similar things to him.

Bonfires blooming on the riverbank would be increasing even at this moment. The King’s remark to execute Linton was leading steps wandering in dark alleys to the bank of the Gratia River.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Even ignorant folks know it’s dangerous. There would be very few people who look favorably upon us uniting.”

“It sounds like you are saying you will go to the Gratia River too.”

When Philius asked, John couldn’t say no. Smacking his lips several times, he eventually said sorry. It was an affirmative answer.

“Really? You will leave this mansion and build a shack?”

“If left as is, they are guys who will cause big trouble if they cause trouble. Don’t you know… Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.”

At the title John brought out hesitantly, Philius sighed. He also gave a bitter smile.

“Now I see, you were also the one who hasn’t left the battlefield yet.”

“Our war hasn’t ended yet. Regrettably, the truth was so.”

“Sending you to the Gratia River was my mistake.”

To Philius clicking his tongue, John showed a faint smile.

“What do you intend to do going there?”

“For now, I intend to crack down on them so they don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

“Will they listen to you, indeed? Even so, this is Noberten. Not the New Continent.”

“I can still sufficiently silence guys blabbering words they can’t take responsibility for.”

“Even mouths blabbering under instructions from behind?”

Since the day we witnessed bonfires on the bank of the Gratia River, reports informing of changes there were ceaseless. Just as John examined himself and reported to Philius.

Nathan’s letter also contained stories about this matter.

That a few mercenaries, seeing children obtaining food at the port, started picking up fish others considered taboo like the children.

Nathan asked me if it would be okay for the children to teach recipes to the mercenaries, seeing them pick up but throw away because they couldn’t eat properly.

Although I was the one who taught how to eat first, I wasn’t a wonderful cook either.

It was the children who developed recipes to suit their taste. It wasn’t a story needing my permission, so I just delivered 1 Heni through Paul.

Not just Nathan’s letter.

Stories of mercenaries began to appear in newspapers too.

Though conveyed as small items compared to articles about rings still being treated largely.

Naturally, the tone of the articles was extremely negative.

Predicting that with organizational power like grains of sand, mercenaries would scatter soon. Actually, rather than a prediction, it was a story that they intended to make it happen.

On this issue, it was clear both the King and the Prime Minister held the same opinion.

Among the gathering mercenaries, there would certainly be those instigated by them.

It is self-evident that making them divide and collapse by themselves is the easiest way.

“There must be those who value personal profit over the profit of the whole?”

Philius’s words were closer to pointing out than asking. However, vitality bloomed on John’s face rather. It was an expression I saw for the first time.

“Nobles may not know well, but mercenaries also have their own information network. Especially those who went to the New Continent have quite a sturdy one. Since they are those who experienced real war. Guys trying to inflate only their own pockets and spread nonsense are bound to be noticeable.”

“What if there are not just one or two such people?”

“If someone appears trying to fill the pockets of everyone gathered at the Gratia River, wouldn’t that be exactly what we want coming true?”

At John’s words, Philius chuckled. But soon said again in a cold voice.

“I will pretend not to know you. No, I might even curse you as a guy who dared to betray grace and left.”

“I will be the one speaking harsh words about Your Excellency. I ask for forgiveness in advance.”

“Do you intend to go straight to the Gratia River?”

“I intend to stay at a gambling house for a few days before going. Since I visited periodically to collect information, it won’t arouse unnecessary suspicion.”

That answer, seemingly indulging in pleasure, was evidence of deep contemplation on how to act.

Hearing from Ian, John was a person with good eloquence telling many interesting stories, but also had an upright side.

He said he never touched low-alcohol drinks provided during servants’ dinner time. Even on the day before a rest day.

Saying he would stay at a gambling house for a few days meant creating a story where he had no choice but to build a shack on the bank of the Gratia River.

“Did you bury your property under the floor of the annex?”

“I kept it under the bed, though.”

John’s eyes took on a light of surprise.

“Did you know the fact that Betas cannot use banks properly?”

“Because there was an instance of taking property buried under the floor as collateral.”

Philius answered turning the ring on his left ring finger.

John, not knowing the reason, stared briefly at the ring also on my hand, but he had to turn his gaze back immediately. Because a pouch looking quite heavy fell onto the table with a clinking sound.

“If you entrust your property kept under the bed in the annex as collateral, I will give you this pouch. Inside is one month’s wage received on average by Betas working in a noble’s mansion.”

“…Excellency.”

Even at the words taking away all his property, John had a moved expression.

Because he understood the meaning that he would keep his property safe for him. But Philius didn’t give John long to be moved.

“If mercenaries gather each carrying weapons, there will surely be those who feel it as a big threat.”

John’s lips closed firmly.

The rigidly hardened jaw showed his tension vividly.

A bitter smile appeared on his face having taken time to think. John opened his mouth again only after taking a long breath like a sigh.

“Making those guys detach weapons will truly be a big task.”

“But you must achieve it. You shouldn’t state demands first, nor cause disturbances. You just gathered there because you have nowhere to live. You must only be like that.”

“Then we might be able to live.”

“It just raises the probability of survival a little.”

“Would it be to that extent?”

“Because there will be fellows who won’t leave you alone just for the reason that the scenery seen when boating is damaged.”

“…I see.”

John showed a face fully convinced of how dangerous the task he intends to do from now on is.

“Still, will you take this pouch?”

However, at Philius’s question, he didn’t hesitate.

“I will receive it gratefully.”

John extended two hands politely. As Philius placed the pouch on those hands, John’s expression became subtle.

“Is this usually the amount of one month’s wage?”

It would be lighter than expected. Because it’s a weight similar to his weekly wage.

“I truly express my gratitude for the favor you have shown all this time.”

Feeling the clear difference between the treatment he received so far and the treatment ordinary Betas receive, John’s resolve seemed to harden further.

“If a day comes when the state tries to oppress you.”

“At that time, I will not hesitate.”

It seemed John now clearly recognized that such a day would surely come someday. Also the fact that although he survived the war with the enemy country, from now on, the probability of defeat is higher than victory in what he has to do.

John, preciously packing the pouch with unwavering hands, said, “It is shameless, but may I ask one last favor?”

“Speak.”

“If a day comes when I cannot repay this money, I wish you would use my money entrusted as collateral to operate the school Your Excellency established.”

“…I promise.”

Philius nodded even while smiling bitterly.

“Thank you.”

John turned around just like that.

“John.”

At his back not hesitating even for a moment, I had no choice but to call him.

“Do you have words for me?”

A gleam appeared in the eyes of John turning around. It was a face quite curious why I, who never had a direct conversation with him, stopped him.

“Yes.”

“I will listen.”

What I intend to say now won’t be of any help to John. Still, I couldn’t not say it.

“A day will come when you can receive the allowances promised to you. At that time, if you receive an offer to deposit in a bank under individual names, you must receive a payment guarantee from the bank without fail.”

John blinked for a moment. Knowing my words could sound quite random, I didn’t urge his answer.

At some point, deep wrinkles formed around his eyes.

“Thank you. For giving hope.”

Like that, John showed a smile and opened the door to leave. I listened to the sound of his footsteps. The vigorous steps befitting a soldier continued without hesitating for a single moment.

Finally, when all sounds he made disappeared, I felt body temperature touching my hand.

“You are kind, Jay.”

At Philius’s words, I shook my head.

“It wasn’t words to give hope to John. It meant even if the time comes when they get what they want, it will be difficult to secure their share intact. I think John wouldn’t be unaware either.”

“Because it was words to prepare for the future, not now. He probably needed those words.”

“Is that so.”

“For a person who never dreamed of the future, thinking about the future itself can become hope. Just as I did.”

“…Was it so?”

“The person who let me dream of the future is you.”

Philius smiled looking at me. The fact that I, who only fear the unknown time to come, am the person who gave him a future was even amazing.

If I ever let someone dream of a future, wouldn’t it be okay for me to draw a future that isn’t just scary too? I felt like I could.

Although everything is becoming more complicated, isn’t that why hope is needed more? Like waiting for lilacs to bloom in this mansion next spring.