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Chapter 21: Refugee
Two  have years passed.
I have finally turned 17 this year.
Our current population is 130 people. As many as 20 slaves and 10 children are expected to  have joined our family.
I don’t understand how to treat slaves, but I won’t do something like beating them with a whip.
It might be the wrong thing to do.
However To keep myself sane, I don’t want to use slaves the ‘proper’ way.
Since they have been with me for many years, their sense of ethics have also become similar to mine
Therefore, abusing  them isn’t an option.
The food supply is currently plenty sufficient..
There is a lot in storage.
In the end, it was a good idea to buy a horse.  The horse food consumption is the hard part, it  produces a lot of feces. Its affinity with Norfolk agricultural methods is outstanding. (pengu: norfolk: four systems) (Fraiziar: Crop rotation, right?)
In fact, we had a huge harvest this spring.
In addition, we have recently been cultivating grapes.
If I have one complaint, it is that the slaves’ performance is poor.
Their physical ability is quite low.
That King Rosaith jerk…….
“This is wine made from grapes grown in our village. Please try some.”
“Umu.”
The Griffon thrusted its head into the large wine barrel jug that I had prepared and drank.
If it were us, it would be enough for 20 people, but for the griffon it is only one cup.
“Not enough.”
“Even if you say that……”
The remaining tribute disappeared like this.
“How are you all recently?”
“It is alright. You deserve the credit for this and that.”
“We’re fine. It’s all thanks to you for doing this and that for us.”
“Fun.Though I didn’t do anything in particular.”
The griffon snorted.
“I think you should become independent soon. How about it?”
“Though I would like it if you would defend us if possible…….well, I’d feel guilty if we had you protect us forever.”
I’ve already been blessed with such good fortune, I can’t have the griffon help me so much.
However, the sense of security that we get from this guy is huge
“Nevertheless, people may be cute as children, but why is it that they become ugly when they grow to adulthood?” (Fraiziar: Correction would be “At any rate,even though human children’s insides(Rather, personalities) are cute, why is it that when they grow up they become so ugly?
“Are you talking about me?”
“You were ugly from the start.”
That’s rude. I am cute. Visually that is.
“It’s a joke. Though the fact that you weren’t cute was the truth you know? Since you were an adult from the beginning.” (pengu: check) (Fraiziar: Fixed)
“Haha. Because I had the body of a child and a brain of an adult, right?”
I shrugged my shoulders. The reason for reincarnating was  a mystery after all.
It’s not such a big deal right now though.
“However, even you aren’t getting support from me, you have to bring me alcohol every year anyways you know.”
“Of course. My feelings of gratitude won’t change.”
The griffon spoke with an air of superiority.
“Then, shall I have you return the divine protection?”
“Yes.  Please go ahead.”
When I said so, I felt a sensation as if of something left my body. I lost [divine protection of Language].
“Then, I will go home,Later.”
I said so as I turned my back to the griffon. We will meet again on New Years.
“Aah, I forgot to say something.”
The griffon said so and  I stopped.
“When your group, or your group’s descendants are in trouble, I will help depending on your behavior at the time.”
“As for that……..Thank you very much. I hope such a time never comes.”
If possible, I want to overcome it with my own power.
“Ah. Since it’s troublesome for me you know. avoid it as much as possible.”
“Oi,I’m home now!!”
Tetra ran up to me as I called out from the village entrance.
“Welcome back, dear!”
Since when did I get married to you?
“This is no time to be senile. Come quickly.”
Tetra pulled on my clothes while saying so.
Her face seems extremely serious.
What happened?
“Leader! It is terrible, Big trouble!”
Ron ran. Ron’s face has completely stiff, too.
“What happened?”
“There is a group of about 30 people moving towards here.”
30 people?
What’s with that large number?
When I walked to the center of the village, I saw the 30 people mentioned.
There were various men and women of all ages.
“Are you this village’s chief!?”
One tall man ran up to me.
“Yes, for the time being. You people are?”
I asked back frankly.
“My name is Yal. We are…….”
The man began to explain their circumstances.
They seem to have been citizens of King Faludam’s country.
There are few magicians in King Faludam’s country so it is easily affected by curses.
That is why famines have frequently occurred, they say.
“In addition, a large rapid increase in tax……However, you will be killed if you can’t pay. I actually intended to run away to King Rosaith’s country, but he refused entrance. I was troubled of what to do and heard a rumor about this village.”
“In addition, every year the tax gets heavier…. But if you don’t pay it you will be killed. We actually intended to escape to King Rosaith’s Country, but he refused us entrance. We were troubled over what to do when we heard rumors about this village.”(Fraiziar QC/TLCheck)
“Rumors?”
“Yes. That there was a village deep in the forest that is under the griffon’s protection.” Moreover, it is the forest where the abandoned children live. I did not think it could possibly be true.”
“Yes, It was said that deep within the forest there was a paradise under the protection of the griffon. Furthermore they said that it was where children who were abandoned in the forest are living. I never thought such a rumor could have been true.” (Fraiziar QC)
No, that’s wrong. This isn’t a paradise at all. We do agriculture and grow our food normally, you know?
“In short. You want to live here?”
“Please. I will do any sort of work so…….”
The 30 refugees all lowered their heads simultaneously.
Now then, what should I do?………….
“Lulu-chan!!”
One of the refugees suddenly shouted..
What on earth?
“Lulu-chan! It’s Lulu-chan, Isn’t it?”
The woman shouted with tears floating in eyes.
Could it be……..
“Is it Mother?”
As I asked her, Lulu nodded.
Lulu’s mother approached Lulu and tried to embrace her,
But Lulu brushed away her hands.
“Wh, Why?”
The mother stepped backwards displaying a shocked face.
Lulu scowled at her.
“You’re acting as if you are my mother, even though you already abandoned me!”
Lulu shouted and turned towards me.
“Almis! I’m apposed to this. Let’s quickly send them back to Faludam. It would be stupid to make enemies of King Faludam for people like them!”(Fraiziar TLC and QC)
At Lulu’s words, the refugees showed various expressions.
Angry expressions, sad expressions, expressions of resignation.
“I also object. I hate this!”
Ron pouted.
“I agree with Ron. I mean, aren’t they outsiders?”
Roswald said, looking displeased..
“I think that we should accept them! After all, isn’t their reason for coming here the same as ours?”
“I agree with Soyon. I think that they are the same as us when we were in trouble. It is our turn to help this time.”
The two said while looking at the children within the group of 30 people.
If anything, the two are concerned for the children rather than the adults.
“Almis. I object for the moment. Because, they are untrustworthy. Possibly, it is King Faludam’s strategy to steal the village from us in the inside. First of all, let’s take confirmation.”
“Almis, for the moment I am against letting them in. I mean, We can’t trust them. It’s part of King Faludam’s plan to steal the village from us from the inside. First we need to make sure that isn’t the case.”(Fraiziar QC)
Tetra said so with a composed expression.
In other words, she would agree to let them in if they were trustworthy.
Well, I guess that’s right. It’s important to make sure, isn’t it?”
“Then, I will go to King Faludam’s country with Tetra to make sure they are trustworthy. In the meantime, you guys watch these people.”
After I said so to my friends, I turn toward the refugees.
“As such, I will have to make you to wait outside. I will offer a meal. I hope that you aren’t planning on doing anything.”
“Yes. Thank you very much for giving us a chance. At worst, it is alright for us to become slaves.”
Yal said so and lowered his head.