Episode 145: Visika, Lord of Ambitos Region
When we went to the castle in the central capital of the Ambitose region, the gatekeeper let us in with an eagerly-awaited attitude.
As I was wondering why I was let through without anyone saying a word, the gatekeeper laughed as if he had seen through my idea.
"I saw Prince Milimos' face when he climbed over the castle wall."
"Ah. That's right."
When I defeated the country of Ambitose, the only human casualties I caused were Spellbeard and his subordinates, and the soldiers in the city were unharmed.
I wanted to bring the control of the land I had conquered to an end as soon as possible, so I decided to continue employing those soldiers. They probably know how to defend the city, and they're giving up the land anyway.
“But the current lord is Vishika-nii, but have you been employed forever?”
Normally, continuing to employ soldiers who served a fallen royal family is a risk factor in and of itself.
In my case, as a temporary ruler, the risk was negligible since it was a short-term measure.
However, in the case of older brother Vishika, he will have to continue to be the lord from now on.
Continuing to employ these soldiers also means that they are always at risk of being fired.
When I looked at the calm face of the soldier who was guiding me around, I realized that my fears were unfounded.
"Yes. Thanks to Prince Vishika, I am able to support my family without losing my job."
Come to think of it, one of the characteristics of the people of the desert, including the Ambitose region, is that they are family-oriented.
By providing a stable job for soldiers, they indirectly controlled the quality of life of their families and crushed any budding rebellion.
I don't know if Vishka had that kind of intention, but it seemed that way in the end.
“Is Brother Vishka a good lord?”
When I asked the soldier if he had any complaints, he answered with a smile.
"That's already true. He has chosen Lord Hvetsk as his staff and Lord Vazot as his advisor, and he is implementing policies that are considerate of the people of the desert."
Hvetsk is the person I was able to serve as a substitute until the change of lord, and Vazots is a former king.
Vishka is an appropriate person to discuss the details of governance.
If I make one mistake, I run the risk of becoming a puppet of the Ambitose royal family, but Vishka is quiet but has a strong heart, so I don't need to worry about it.
"Prince Milimos. Prince Vishka is waiting here."
“Thank you for the directions.”
After I bowed and the soldiers left, I knocked on the door of the castle lord's office, which I had already used before.
After waiting for permission to enter, Palbella, Family, and I entered the office.
Inside the room, Vishka was sitting behind an office desk with a thin layer of papers, and Hvetsk was standing next to her, assisting her with her work. Vazotz is nowhere to be seen.
I turn my face back to Vishka and take my brother's bow.
"Brother Vishika. I received your letter and felt the need to speak to you directly, so I came here."
"I've been waiting. Sit down."
I sat down on the leather sofa that was recommended to me, feeling nostalgic as Vishka's reticence reminded me of our relationship with my siblings when we were younger. I beckoned Palvera and Familis and had them sit nearby.
“So, Vishka-nii-sama. You want me to take command of the war, but who is my opponent?”
In the desert, due to the destruction of the Ambitose country and the change in area and form, there is only the Sposato country.
Vishika-nii nods in response to the question while understanding that fact.
"Desert People"
His tone was as if he was saying it was obvious, but I was interrupted by his unexpected words.
"...Um, does that mean the other party is taking over Sposato country?"
"No. It's impossible. Sister Solerina loves her younger siblings."
It seems that because of Solerina's presence, the country of Sposato will ``absolutely'' not go to war with me and Vishka.
“Then, who exactly are the people of the desert?”
"The people of the desert are the people of the desert"
When Vishka says that's the only way she can describe it, I tilt my head, unable to understand.
While the two of us were looking at each other questioningly, we heard a wry smile from Palbella.
"Hehe. You two look exactly alike, so I can tell you're brothers."
Personally, I don't think she's similar to Vishka.
Vishka seems to have the same opinion, and she looks a little reluctant or unconvinced.
Probably annoyed by our lack of progress in the conversation, Hvetsk added some additional explanation.
"The desert people that Prince Vishka refers to are wandering people who travel through the vast desert south of this region and live by hunting desert monsters."
Come to think of it, there is no country in the desert, but people live in villages and groups.
When I was working on governance, the village at the southern end of the Ambitos region became independent and became part of the wandering people.
“Are you going to go to war with those wandering people?”
“We need it for trade routes.”
“I think it means resolving problems on trade routes with war, but won’t the Sposato countries that were working together on the issue come out?”
“That one is the mouth, this one is the power.”
Compensating for Vishka's reticence, it seems like the country of Sposato was negotiating with the desert people in order to seize trade routes, and there was some kind of problem, which led to the Ambitos region's armed forces coming into play.
“It would have been better if they had just negotiated the deal so there would be no war.”
When I complain about putting my life on hold because of all the wars, Vishka shakes her head in regret.
"No. If that's all you do, you'll be criticized."
“You mean desert people?”
“In fact, that is the case in Sposato country.”
Feeling doubtful about Vishka's words, I turn to Hvetsk.
“So desert people are based on strength?”
“They live by hunting monsters in the desert, so they value military power above all else.It is said that no matter how many words are exchanged in negotiations, the final decision must be made through battle.”
Are the desert people essentially a warrior race?
Thinking about it that way, the Spellbeard that attacked me during the negotiations might have been a person with strong desert people's blood.
“Do you mean that Vishka-nii called me to be the commander because I had to deal with the war-loving desert people?”
"Yes. Milimos is good."
"I have a track record in war, but I'm not that good at it."
"We lost four countries and made one a vassal state. That's quite an accomplishment."
Vishika praises me unreservedly, and I find myself at a loss to reply, ``I don't like war.''
And here, Palvera and Familias sided with Vishka.
"Mirimos-kun. My brother is in trouble, so let's help him."
"As Princess Pulvera said. It's a conflict where both sides agree to fight, and one side is asking for help like this. It wouldn't be right to run away here."
If the two of them said this, it would have been as if my chance of refusing was cut off.
"I understand. I will take command of the war."
"Good. I'll keep the war expenses."
So please make sure you win. Yes, she was requested by Vishka.
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