The Schwarzer territory is located at the north of the Arcadia Empire, thus even on horseback, it will still take at least a month travelling from Romaria to the Capital.
Ares is at the front of the heavy cavalry. They can march at a reasonable speed, but due to the weight of their equipment, they couldnāt go as fast as the light cavalry.
[Well, letā just do it on our own pace. Not that I mind it.]
Ares laughed.
[Even so, at our fastest speed weāll arrive at the capital in about two weeks time. The summon requires us to get there in one month. There will be examination, then the departure ceremonyā¦.well, weāll just have to endure staying in the capital for two weeks.]
[ā¦..honestly I donāt like the idea of staying in the capital.]
Remembering his days as a gladiator, Sigurd responded negatively at Aresā estimation.
Ares heard him, of course, and after encouraging him, looked behind.
[But really, after leaving the territory, we are immediately greeted by this wilderness. Donāt they maintain the route if at all?]
At the corner of Aresā eyes was a dilapidated village. The field was also too rough and wild to be of use for anything.
Emperor Sephiros likes war. On the other hand, he delegated most of domestic affairs to his va.s.sals.
Before, the famous Duke of Arnold and Empireās former prime minister, Reizen, tackled the domestic affairs at his own discretion. He explained the importance of territory management to the local lords and strictly keeping public safety according to the law. The whole Arcadia Empire was rendered calm thanks to his effort.
However, about five years ago, when the words was out that he had died of sickness, local lords began to only work for their own benefits. In addition to that, the aristocrats at the capital were tangled in the struggle for power, taking their attention away from domestic affairs.
Injustice became rampant, bandits and monster attack often happenedā¦ despite being known as the continentās strongest country, many of such occurrences happened in Holy Arcadia Empire if one is willing to observe with more detail.
[As expected Reizen-donoās pa.s.sing caused a big tideā¦.heās a great figure.]
[Does Ares-sama know Duke of Arnold?]
[Yeah. He was Esteemed Fatherās old acquaintance. And he was kind to me when I was still a kid. Reizen-dono was a n.o.ble and wonderful person.]
Saying so, Aresā gaze became distant, reminiscing about the late prime minister.
[But the world has changed a lot since heās goneā¦]
[Itās saddeningā¦.but the current empire has too many places like this one. Schwarzer Territory is one of the few remaining safe havens.]
Sigurd responded after also taking a look at the village.
[Along the way here, we went past a number of villages that have been attacked by bandits or monsters. Itās not only 1 or 2 villages either. His Majesty doesnāt even bother to find out, this peopleā¦]
[Sigurd, stop that.]
Ares cut in.
[Donāt say anything more than that. Because, itāll only be empty words.]
[ā¦ā¦.Yes. Pardon me.]
[When I meet His Majesty in the capital later, I promise that Iāll tell him about thisā¦..hopefully heāll listen.]
After saying that to Sigurd, Ares issued an order to the army.
[Weāll take a rest at the village ruins ahead. Make preparationsā¦if there are still some villagers leftā¦.letās do what we can to help them]
Ares decided to stop by the village, and although it might be little, wished to help.
And with that, the army made preparations to take a rest.
Ares chose to pick the village ruins as a resting spot. He had two reasons in doing so.
First because itāll be easier for them to acquire water. The other reason is because he wanted to at least make a proper burial for the deceased and helped the still living, no matter how small.
If he leave the corpses as it is, there are chance that theyāll turn into undead. By thenā¦theyāll be forced to take them down.
After the burial, when Ares was taking a break, he felt something coming from the tree in front of him. He then spoke to the tree.
[What happened? Zekka?]
[Ahead of this village, there is a horde of monsters about half a day time on horseback. They are mostly consisted of goblins.]
[Are there any prisoners?]
[No, there is nothing this time.]
Goblins and ogres are said to often capture women to either bear their child or to become their food. Therefore, it might be necessary to be extra careful so as not to endanger the captiveās life.
[I seeā¦ in that case, we can go a bit flashy this time. Guess I can consider it as a small work out?]
After saying so, Ares got up slowly and stretched his body.