Academy’s Barbarian

Even after sending the completed victory report to the messenger heading to the capital, there was still an overwhelming amount of work to be done.

I wanted to return to the Empire immediately, but as the temporary supreme commander of the Imperial Army, I had the duty to ensure the safety and peace of those who had defected to the Empire.

After driving out Ka`har, three cities, including this one, had expressed their intention to fully align with the Empire. They no longer trusted Dane.

For the Dane defense forces, who had returned late, it might have been unfair, but the city residents openly despised the Kingdom of Dane and the Dane Army.

They had been diligently collecting taxes, yet they had abandoned their duty to protect the people like worn-out shoes, calling them traitors.

Thus, even after the threat of Ka`har had disappeared, they wished to become part of the Empire’s new territory rather than return to being Dane’s citizens.

For the Empire, this meant gaining direct control over three major cities, but it also meant that I, specifically, now had the responsibility to care for all of them.

Therefore, I couldn’t leave this city.

Not until I had restored an environment where they could live and eat in peace, or until the central government dispatched a local administrator to manage the city.

…It wasn’t an easy task. My specialty was wielding a sword, not running a city.

—

“There’s no food?”

“Yes. Fearing it would be captured by Ka`har, they burned all but two days’ worth…”

The administrative officer in charge of supplies bowed his head with a troubled expression. If no action was taken, everyone would starve.

Burning the food. If I hadn’t arrived, it would have been a secret weapon to cut off Ka`har’s supplies, but now it had backfired, cutting off our own supplies.

“Request support from the surrounding areas. It doesn’t matter if it’s Imperial territory or Dane’s lands, just get as much as possible. Promise that the Empire will pay for the grain.”

“That’s… I’ve already requested, but the nearby territories are demanding exorbitant prices for the grain. Almost equivalent to the same volume of silver.”

“…Are they insane?”

There’s a limit to price hikes. This is practically saying they won’t sell.

“They know our food situation is dire and are trying to exploit it for profit.”

Shane, who was standing by my side as an aide, added an explanation.

Since the Imperial Army had come to save the people of Dane, they couldn’t attack them, so they were trying to make a hefty profit from this opportunity.

…I know that.

The reason I cursed in admiration wasn’t because they had inflated the grain prices, but because they dared to play such tricks on me.

Ah, maybe they don’t know yet. That I became the supreme commander because Ludwig died.

If that’s the case, then their audacity is understandable. Ludwig’s public image was that of a serious middle-aged noble, so they probably thought he would handle their boldness in a ‘noble’ manner.

Then I’ll have to teach them.

That the person they’re dealing with isn’t a serious middle-aged noble, but a sword-wielding maniac who leaves a trail of blood wherever he goes.

“Tell them again. If they don’t want to see me in their bedroom in the middle of the night, they should behave. Tell them I don’t care about justifications.”

I sent off the King of Panam like that, and the King of Dane like that, so what’s a mere lord?

If they don’t want to die in their sleep, they’ll quietly hand over the grain.

—

Whether my message got through or not, soon after, most of the nearby lords sent carts full of grain. They said it was free support for the Imperial Army and their fellow countrymen.

They even generously provided reconstruction materials like lumber.

As always, straightforward honesty was the most effective persuasion method.

—

Of course, not all lords readily agreed to support. There are always fools who only cry when they see the coffin.

“Count Raschiv has refused the support request and sent a reply. But the content…”

“…He says he’d welcome me in his bedroom if I want to spend the night? Is this guy insane?”

I burned the torn reply and shook my head.

I can’t believe there are still people who dare to speak to me like this. Whether they’re out of touch with reality or completely insane, it’s more absurd than angering.

“Raschiv is among the most hardline Dane nationalists. He probably means he won’t do anything that benefits the Empire, even if it kills him.”

“…Then we’ll have to grant his wish. Can’t just sit still after receiving such an invitation.”

That night, the Count’s residence melted away like lava in a ‘mysterious fire.’

Surprisingly, the only casualty was the Count himself.

Everyone else had gone out for a ‘night stroll’ and thus avoided the flames. At least, that’s the official statement.

Of course, those who heard the news probably guessed who was behind it.

And so, five days passed with such tasks.

“The reconstruction budget for the southern district…”

“Forward it to the Imperial Court. Say His Majesty the Emperor pities them and will take care of it. Their patriotism will naturally grow.”

I passed the money issue to Leopold.

He’ll handle it well. That’s what emperors are for.

“The military priests have requested a memorial service for the victims.”

“With limited time and manpower, finish it in a day. But don’t do it carelessly; conduct it thoroughly and solemnly.”

If we’re going to hold a memorial service, it should be done properly.

Even if the time is short, everyone involved should feel that the Empire sincerely mourns their deaths.

“How should we proceed with the funerals of Lord Ludwig and Sir Frederick?”

“We’ll have to hold them back in the Empire. Preserve the bodies and keep them from rotting.”

The funerals of these two needed to be grand. Not in this half-destroyed city, but properly in the capital.

High-ranking allies deserve the appropriate respect. Otherwise, there will be all sorts of rumors.

“Sir Joshua has awakened!”

“That’s a relief. Tell him to rest until fully recovered.”

Even if he’s awake, he’s not in a condition to move immediately. So, for now, he’ll have to stay in bed. It would be troublesome if he overexerted himself and suffered aftereffects.

Me? I’m young, so I’m fine.

After five days of wrestling with paperwork, things gradually became easier.

As they say, you get used to anything if you keep doing it, and administrative work was no exception.

Perhaps it was also because the administrators Ludwig left behind were exceptionally capable.

—

Among the tasks, there was this.

“A man named Burgund has requested an audience…”

“Who’s that?”

“He’s the commander of the Dane defense forces. He was severely injured by War Chief Ibamai and has been recuperating.”

There was such a person? I only saw Ibamai and Valkyrie fighting. He must have been the one holding off Ibamai before Valkyrie was summoned.

“Bring him in.”

The knight who saluted and left the office soon returned with a middle-aged Dane who looked like a typical patient. Judging by his condition, he should have been in a hospital room, not the office.

He must have received healing from the priests, but since the priests prioritized treating Imperials, they probably didn’t put much effort into treating this Dane.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yes—no, yes, Lord of the Borderlands.”

“Temporary Lord of the Borderlands. For now.”

I would officially become the Lord of the Borderlands upon returning to the Empire, but for now, my official status was only as a temporary lord filling in for the absent lord.

In other words, I’m the acting Lord of the Borderlands.

“So, why did you want to meet me?”

“I heard rumors that a coup occurred in Edricksa, and King Hestein and Lord Ragnar were assassinated. Is that true?”

Ah, that story has reached here.

“It’s not exactly a coup… More like suppressing a rebellion.”

I explained the situation to Burgund. Of course, it was a version far from the truth, crafted by Hrapun.

“Knut, Knut… Are you referring to the holy warrior who explored the Mimisbrunn Ruins? I’ve never heard he was a royal descendant…”

Burgund looked at me with suspicion.

His eyes were filled with doubt, as if he suspected, ‘Did you kill Hestein and Ragnar and spread false rumors?’

Well, half of that is true. Ragnar did kill Hestein, but the rest of the rumors are mostly lies.

But so what?

What can you do with your suspicions?

You’re just remnants crushed by the Black Armies.

Are you going to rebel because you can’t accept Knut? No way.

What good would it do to rebel with what’s left of your army, full of wounded soldiers?

“Dainsleif, the national treasure of Dane, has recognized the new king. Do you need more proof than that?”

“…No.”

Burgund bowed his head.

He must have realized that whether he doubted or believed the rumors, there was nothing he could do to change what had already happened.

“If you have nothing more to say, you should go back and rest. You don’t look well enough to move around.”

“There are a few more things I’d like to ask, if it’s not too much trouble…”

“Go ahead.”

After that, Burgund politely bombarded me with various questions.

Requests to station the defense forces, who originally guarded this place, inside the city after their treatment, the treatment of the Bølberg Church Order priests within the city, and the Imperial Army’s plans for withdrawal, among others.

“Well… It depends on the situation.”

I gave vague answers.

I said the stationing of the defense forces would be decided by a vote of the city residents, the Bølberg priests would be relocated to other territories, and the withdrawal schedule hadn’t been decided yet.

Burgund didn’t seem entirely satisfied with my answers, but he didn’t object. He probably knew it would be pointless to argue.

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