I Was Reincarnated as a Commoner. I Can’t Stand Living Like This, so I’ll Become an Aristocrat! C122

122, How to get to the monster forest

When I said that, Richard-sama's face immediately became difficult. 

"Why is that?"

"It's hard to imagine just by hearing people talk about it, and I think it's better to see it with your own eyes so you can come up with countermeasures. Also, I think you'll know how to train."

I said that with a serious expression while looking at Richard-sama's face. Although this world is a different world, it has a Japanese-like environment, so even if people say it's a monster forest, it just doesn't seem real. I think it's like the setting of an anime... No matter how much I hear about it, I feel a sense of crisis at that moment, but that feeling gradually fades. 

That's why I want to actually see it. Unless I actually see the mysterious plants I heard about the other day, I can't think of any countermeasures, and I have no idea what kind of powers monsters have. 

"That's true, but... there's no need for children to go to dangerous places. Also, the area near the monster forest is off-limits to anyone other than knights and private armies of nobles."

I guess that's the case...but I really want to go there once. Even if they say it's dangerous, as long as the knight is with them, they'll be fine as long as nothing too bad happens, and even if they say it's off-limits, if Master Alexis and Master Richard give permission, I'm sure they'll be able to come in. 

That's why I have to convince Richard-sama first... 

“Richard-sama, most of the noble heads know about the current situation in the monster forest, right?”

"Oh, yes."

“Then, how much do other people know? For example, do many nobles inform their spouses and children?”

“No, basically, it seems that there are many families who notify their children at the timing of inheriting the title. Some spouses may be informed, while others may not be informed. I haven't informed you."

I guess that's the case after all... Lucien didn't know either. It's also a problem that some nobles appear who carelessly think about civil war even though the threat of the monster forest is approaching. 

I do understand that if many people find out, it will cause confusion and trouble, but I think it would be a good idea to at least inform the head of the noble family and his family. So, the quickest way is to actually see the monster forest. 

However, since the adults of the hostile force will not approach the monster forest, why not have the children go to the monster forest instead? 

If they went to the monster forest as part of extracurricular study at the Royal School and saw the actual situation, they would probably tell their parents about it. Also, even if you don't participate in the extracurricular class, if other students talk about the monster forest at school, you'll probably hear it. 

If it was just the children of the aristocrats, there shouldn't be such a big mess. Then I can go to the monster forest too. 

　

But just like I can go to the monster forest, other commoners who attend the royal school will also be able to go. It is conceivable that rumors would spread among the commoners from there. 

Hmm...but in the first place, at this stage, it can't be helped if rumors spread that the monster forest is dangerous. I think it will probably spread even if you don't like it eventually. 

If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to anticipate that the rumor will spread and then notify the commoners? Although it can't be helped to include a few lies, there is a threat from the monster forest, but if we all stick together we can overcome it. Are you looking to recruit soldiers? 

I think it's time to steer in that direction. I think if you do that, even the stupid nobles will be able to see reality a little bit. 

“Richard-sama, I understand that you are concerned that if many people find out about the monster forest, it will cause confusion.However, I think it would be a good idea to let everyone in the noble family know.”

"But...the more people who inform, the greater the risk that the story will spread."

"I understand that. However, I think we are past the stage of hiding it all. For now, I think we should act on the assumption that rumors will spread about the threat of the monster forest."

"...It is true that it will soon become difficult to hide it, and we are currently discussing future measures with His Majesty."

"I see. May I express my opinion?"

``Ah, please let me know any opinion you have. There are many things that come to my mind when I hear opinions from the outside.These days, even when I hear opinions from the outside, it's only the aristocrats, and their way of thinking becomes rigid.'' ”

Mr. Richard listens carefully to my opinion as a commoner, and he is a really flexible and talented person. The same goes for Alexis. 

I opened my mouth with confidence, knowing that no matter what opinion I had, he would listen carefully. 

“First of all, I think it would be a good idea to convey information about the Monster Forest to the commoners in advance to avoid confusion caused by rumors about it.”

“If we tell the commoners, won’t it just cause chaos to happen more quickly?”

“No, I think you should devise a better way to convey the message.For example, if the monster forest continues to spread, there will eventually be no place for people to live.However, if we all work together, we can overcome it.In fact, now the knights The situation is under control. However, it is true that the knights alone do not have enough power, so I would like to borrow everyone's help to deal with the monster forest. Specifically, I would like to ask for your help in dealing with the monster forest. I would like to request that you apply to become a soldier and provide the necessary food. Of course, I will pay the appropriate price. How about something like this?"

I'm just thinking about it right now, so it might be a bit rough, but I think this is the general idea. If we convey this information to the commoners and then tell the nobles about the current situation in the monster forest, I think even the stupid nobles will understand that the situation is really dangerous. There are still aristocrats who don't understand... but they should be a minority. perhaps……. 

I was a little scared of how Richard-sama would react, but I timidly looked at Richard-sama's face. Then Richard-sama seemed quite surprised and was deep in thought. Was there anything that surprised you? 

“Leon-kun...Thank you for your helpful opinion.Since we are helped by commoners during peacetime, we thought that we must protect commoners in times of emergency.That is why we are currently working with knights. I thought it would have to be solved by the soldiers alone.However, I think it would be good if the others cooperated...''

...Why did you come to think like that? The goddess must have decided that commoners and nobles should help each other. 

Could it be that the idea that aristocrats have to guarantee the minimum standard of living for commoners has been misinterpreted, and commoners are now the ones who should be protected? 

If that's the case, both factions' ideas are too extreme! 

“I think the majority of commoners would rather get solid information and fight than be swallowed up by the monster forest without knowing anything.”

"That's certainly true. Let's discuss with His Majesty based on the current opinion."

"Thank you very much. Also, I have one more opinion. How about going on an expedition to the monster forest during the long vacation as an extracurricular class at the Royal School? Of course, I think it would be voluntary participation, but children If children see the actual situation from a young age, their sense of crisis will increase, and I think that sense of crisis can be shared by children and adults alike.''

"...That's certainly true. It's true that the sense of crisis increases when you actually see it..."

"Children from hostile families may not participate in the expedition, but they will probably hear about it at school even if they don't want to."

"It certainly seems to be effective. I never thought of sharing information from children to adults..."

I don't know if it will work, but I think it's worth it. Or rather, why didn't I think of it until now?　

Hmm, there are almost no schools in this world, so I guess they didn't think about making use of them. I feel like the royal school is a place for children of aristocrats to gain knowledge and expand their network of contacts. 

In Japan, controlling one's thinking was sometimes talked about in school education...we even talked about it in history classes. 

If you don't know about that, you might not think of it. 

"I will discuss both opinions with His Majesty and consider them positively. Leon-kun, thank you for your valuable opinion."

"No, I'm just saying what came to mind. I'm sure there are a lot of rough ideas, but I'd appreciate it if you would consider it."

With that, the conversation with Richard-sama ended, and Lucien and I returned to our room. 

　This is a little off topic, but maybe we can go to the monster forest now. I've been curious about it for a long time, but it's finally here. 

I returned to my room with a strange mixture of curiosity and fear.