Translator Corner
Minasan oideyasu. This is Yukkuri demasu!
Yukkuri here.
This is just temporary cover chapter untilLarvyde return, okay?
Also, should I call Human Race as Hume justlike FFXII?
DISCLAIMER: There is noguarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I waswrong.
Author:
Dozeumaru(どぜう丸)
Translator:
Yukkuri Oniisan
Editor:
So-Chintzy
Enlightenment Arc
Chapter 1: A Tale of Two Cities F
Author’sNote: This is a work of fiction. Yukkuri’s Note: Likely placed since it dealswith refugee situation. (Sensitive matter for sensitive people)
I left the dispute clean-up toJuno and her group. In order to accomplish our original objective of meetingwith the leader of this refugee community, we traveled further into the settlement.Then, after we followed the young man guiding us, he finally lead us to aremarkably large tent similar to a Mongolian yurt.
We entered the tent and saw alarge Human male inside, sitting down cross-legged with both of his hands proppedagainst the floor as he bowed his head down. It was a pose that could e oftenseen in Jidaigeki,[1] andwas how a retainer would behave towards his lord.[2]The large man looked to about 30 years old, but if I was to describe hisappearance, then he gave off a similar impression to that of a Native American.[3]His large burly figure was lightly dressed, which was common to the people whocame from the warmer northern region and his face was painted with what lookedlikes symbols or charms.
Behind him, there was a girl who worea similar attire to him and was sitting in a similar pose, too. Her age was notthat much different from Liscia or Roroa. She was not that sophisticated, but shewas a girl that gave off a simple cute feeling. Both of them had similar featureson their faces, so perhaps they were siblings.
「Thankyou for visiting us, Your Majesty, the Great King of this Country.」(Man)
「Yes……Can you stop with that Great King? I’m not really fond of that phrase.」(Souma)
I sat down in front of the man. Therewas no chair, so I sat directly on the carpet that was spread over the floor. Asa j.a.panese, this was something that I was familiar with. Judging from thesensation, the carpet was affixed to a board. So it seems that the carpet wasn’tdirectly spread over the bare ground. Liscia sat down next to me. Owen, Hilda,and Carla, who had returned back from the Castle, sat down behind us.
「Fumu…… Then,how should I refer to you?」(Man)
「You maysimply call me King or Your Majesty.」(Souma)
「ThenI shall do so. My name is Jirukoma[4].I have been entrusted with the leader position by this refugee community. Forhelping the people of this community at the incident that happened not long ago,let me express my grat.i.tude from the bottom of my heart.」(Jirukoma)
Jirukoma made a very deep bow ashe said these words.
「I amthe one who is acting as the king of this country, Souma Kazuya. Then, the oneswho rescued them are the adventurers that had been dispatched as guards Pleasedirect your grat.i.tude towards them.」(Souma)
「Ican’t do that. The deployment of the adventurers itself is due to the supportfrom the King. We are also thankful for the continuous support of goods.」(Jirukoma)
「ThenI will accept that grat.i.tude…… However, I didn’t come to this place today tohear words of grat.i.tude.」(Souma)
「………」(Jirukoma)
Jirukoma’s expression tensed whenhe heard my words. The significance of my visit should be obvious to Jirukoma. Afterall, this discussion about “that case” had been repeated numerous times by the envoysthat I had dispatched.
「I cameto demand your decision. You have heard the “recommendations” from the envoys,correct? Then, which one will you people choose?」(Souma)
「!That is-」(Komayin)
「Stopit. Komayin.[5]」(Jirukoma)
「However,brother(anija)!」(Komayin)
The girl tried to stand up, but Jirukoma’shand held her back. So this girl’s name is Komayin. Just like I had thought,they were siblings. Jirukoma sharply rebuked Komayin.
「Ourwords will decide the fate of all the people of this community. Do not beimprudent.」(Jirukoma)
「…… Iunderstand.」(Komayin)
Komayin who had stood up half-way,sat back down. For a moment, the two bodyguards behind me were also on alert,but since Komayin had calmed down, they too backed down. The air inside theroom became heavy. Perhaps becaise she was concerned about the situation, Lisciaraised a question.
「Souma,can you explain the situation please……」(Liscia)
「……Fine. I want to resolve this refugee problem. If the status quo continues, thenit would not end well, both for our country and for the people who live in thisplace. That’s why I compelled a certain decision for the refugees.」(Souma)
「Decision?」(Liscia)
I nodded.
「Eitherdiscard their homesickness and become this country’s citizens, otherwise, leavethis country.」(Souma)
◇ ◇ ◇
The refugees that were chased outfrom their homelands when the Demon Lord Realm appeared. Their genuine wish wasto repatriate back to their homeland and return back to their old lives. However,at the current state, that prospect can’t be fulfilled. The last large scaleinvasion towards the Demon Lord Realm ended in failure and only left fear inthe hearts of the people. Even the largest major power of the Humanity Side, theGrand Chaos Empire, hesitated to send out another invasion. Right now, it onlyfocused on preventing the Demon Lord Realm from expanding any further towardsthe south. This was the current situation.
Perhaps, even if we a.s.sume that thecurrent conditions will improve in the future, it won’t happen tomorrow or theday after tomorrow. It will also be impossible to achieve in just several months.Achieving it in several years is also too difficult. It might take dozens ofyears, or perhaps we will need to be resigned t the reality that it may takehundreds of years to accomplish. Then, during that time, what will the refugeesdo? If they only wish to return to their homelands, then would they keepstaying in foreign countries as a stateless people?
…… This is impossible. This distortedsituation w ould surely become a source ofproblems in the future.
「Theformer King Albert took an att.i.tude towards tolerating their stay. I too, inorder to deal with the mountain of other problems, had accepted that positionuntil today. Even if it was only in small quant.i.ties, I had provide aid andsuport.」(Souma)
「………」(Jirukoma)
「However,now that the other problems have been resolved, I could no longer ignore tacklingthis problem. Even for us, we can’t continue to provide aid indefinitely and weare also troubled with the refugees staying here illegally. We have toleratedit up until now, but hunting and gathering without permission were originallyillegal activities. If I permit these illegal activities then it will surely provokethe anger of our citizens.」(Souma)
The reason for this was they werenot citizens of this country. Up until now, they received an air of sympathy sincethey had lost their homelands because of the appearance of the Demon Lord Realm.However, air is still air. When it will eventually drift away, no one knows. Theirwish of repatriation won’t come true. If we continue to support thesenon-citizens and tolerate their illegal activities, then voices ofdissatisfaction would arise amongst the citizens in the future. In the worstcase, it might turn into a violent conflict.
「That’swhy I compelled the people living in this place to make a decision. Give up onreturning back to their homelands and live in this country as citizens, or don’tgive up on returning back and leave this country for another country. I came forthem to decide this.」(Souma)
「Souma,that is……」(Liscia)
「Thismight be heartless. However, this is necessary. In the end, a country is like avery huge person. She will easily love someone who loves her, but to lovesomeone who doesn’t love her? Her heart isn’t that generous.」(Souma)
That’s why, while the air ofsympathy still exists right now, I want to promote the integration. Thiscountry is a country of many races. Compared to a nation that is dominated by asingle race, there is a pre-existing basis to receive them. ――― However, thatdepends on whether or not the refugees accept on becoming citizens of this multiracial country. I had spoken about this earlier when pointing the flaw in the HumanityDeclaration, a feeling of nationalism that is too strong will become the sourceof rebellion.
「Ifperhaps, your people, are determined to return to your homeland no matter whatand don’t have any sense of belonging to this country, then I…… will have nochoice but to deport your people.」(Souma)
When he heard my words, Jirukoma clenchedhis teeth.
「……We just…… want to return to our homeland.」(Jirukoma)
「Iunderstand that feeling. I don’t mind if each person simply holds that feelinginside their heart. If the situation improves, then when the situation for therepatriation arrives, we won’t mind if you return back to your homeland……However, at least while you are in this country, I want you to identifyyourselves as citizens of this country. If you can’t then… this country is nota place for you to stay.」(Souma)
「………」(Jirukoma)
Jirukoma was at a loss for words.In exchange, Komayin stood up.
「Youdon’t understand anything……」(Komayin)
「Stopit, Komayin!」(Jirukoma)
「No brother(anija), let me say it! You are this country’s king, right? You havethis country as yours, right? The sadness of people who have parted with their country,what do you-」(Komayin)
「Iunderstand it all.」(Souma)
Komayin shouted out inexasperation, but I looked straightforwardly into her eyes and spoke up.
「Youshould have heard about this. I am a person that was summoned from a worlddifferent from this one. Furthermore, it is a perfect one-way ticket, you see. I’mdifferent from you guys who can still have hope, even if it is just a little. Thereis no way for me to return. That’s why I understand the sadness of parting withyour homeland.」(Souma)
「Gugh……」(Komayin)
「Homesickness……sure is hard to get rid of. In my world, there is a saying 『Homeis where you reminisce when you are far away.』[6] What anaccurate saying, but it was only after I lost it that I noticed how precious homewas to me. It’s easy to say that this is how things go, but it’s not that easyto be satisfied with it.」(Souma)
「Souma.」(Liscia)
When I spoke out the grief insidemy heart, Liscia softly linked her hand with mine.
「However……I have Liscia and the others. There are people that are supporting me on myside. There are people who care about me. I responded to their feelings and workedfeverishly. Thus, before I was aware of it, I had started to think of thiscountry as my own. If I parted with this country, then perhaps I would have thesame sadness like I felt when parted with my homeland, at least that’s what Ibelieve.」(Souma)
In the end, homeland is “a connection”.A connection with a location and the people who live in it. The only thing thatcould replace it, is another “connection”. Komayin feebly sat herself down and hungher head down. She might not accept this immediately. However, stubbornlyrefusing to move means not being able to move forward.
「That’swhy I wanted to give you what Liscia and others had given to me. If you can lovethis country and become its members, then this country will receive you.」(Souma)
「Tobe specific…… In what way will she receive us?」(Jirukoma)
Jirukoma’s eyes became moreintense than ever. It was as if he was ascertaining my true intentions.
「I amaware that it is extremely rude to ask about this, even when you have told usthat “she will receive us”. However, we had seen and heard the cruel realitybefore we reached this land, exactly what “receiving the refugees” means. Acountry that exploits us in harsh workplaces like the mines as cheap labor. Acountry that forces us to the frontlines as anti-Demon Lord Realm soldiers. Wehad received this kind of treatment repeatedly.」(Jirukoma)
「Yes,typical… but I can only see those as idiotic measures.」(Souma)
「Idiotic?」(Jirukoma)
「Ah,yes. First, it’s idiotic to send refugee to the frontline. National defense is thecore of a country. If they make the foreigners bear this role, then eventually thecountry will surely face a grave national crisis.」
There were many precedents even inEarth’s history. For example, the Western Roman Empire. To counter the invadingVölkerwanderung Germanic people, they invited Germanic people to peacefullymigrate as Germanic mercenaries, which become the main force of the army. As a result,it caused the Germanisation of the army and the chief of the Germanicmercenaries, Odoacer, to overthrow the country. Then, in China, during the Tangdynasty era, An Lu Shan, of mixed Sogdian and Göktürk ancestry, was grantedsupreme authority. Because of this, he instigated a rebellion, which shortened thedynasty’s life.
「Furthermoretreating the refugees like slaves was also an idiotic measure. This would only stiranimosity from the refugees. What would they do if the resentful refugees plota rebellion or terrorist acts? Weren’t they only growing seeds of calamity towardstheir own country?」(Souma)
「Then……How about the policy of the Grand Chaos Empire?」(Jirukoma)
Jirukoma immediately lookedstraight at my eyes while asking. So I scratched my head.
「……It’s a policy that’s so Maria-dono-ish.」(Souma)
A considerable number of refugeesalso entered the Empire. The policy that the Empire adopted was to offer the undevelopedplot of land to the refugees, the area that the refugees developed would then berecognized as their special temporary residences. In other words, building a refugeevillage, and then letting the refugees manage it for themselves. If they wereable to be self-sufficient, then it wouldn’t hurt the Empire’s pockets and ifthe refugees repatriated back to the north in the future, then they would leavea now developed piece of land behind. There wouldn’t be any losses for theEmpire either way.
……Well, something like that, was whatMaria-dono might have said to persuade her people. As expected from someone calledthe Holy Maiden, she is a kind-hearted woman. In her heart, perhaps she felt truecompa.s.sion towards the refugees. To make them achieve self-sufficiency withoutsevering their affection towards their homeland, they were able to stay in theEmpire. Perhaps if they didn’t return back to their homeland, not only theywould possess land inside the Empire but they would also naturallybe able tointegrate themselves as citizens of the Empire. Or so was what she might have hadin mind.
What I was doing right now wasthe exact opposite, forcing the refugees to abandon their affection for theirhomeland and integrating them as citizens against their will. However,
「I amsorry, but…… the Kingdom couldn’t perform the same policy.」(Souma)
「Why?」(Jirukoma)
「It’sdangerous.」(Souma)
To make the refugees develop the undevelopedland and achieve self-sufficiency, certainly this wouldn’t hurt the Empire’spockets. As long as the Empire’s power didn’t wane, then the refugees wouldabide the Empire and also feel a debt of grat.i.tude. If this condition continuedfor hundreds of years then they also could be expected to smoothly integrate intocitizens of the Empire…… However, we can never predict the tide and ebb of futureevents. The power we have today, might be lost tomorrow, such is the world ofmen. Perhaps, if the Empire’s power weakened, then what will the refugee willdo?
「Sinceit is land that they had developed with their own sweat and blood, then wouldn’tthey consider that land as their own? If it’s still the generation that wishedto return to their homeland, then there will be no problems. Rather than theland that they had developed, their emotional attachment to their homeland isstill stronger. However, what about the next generation? Will the ones who areborn in that land, a generation that never lived in their ancestor’s homeland,accept the reality that the land that their ancestors had developed with theirown sweat and blood as just something that the Empire had rented to them? Wouldn’tthey instead believe that that land is their own?」(Souma)
In Earth’s history terms, therewas an example in the Serbians’ case. When the Ottoman Empire conquered theSerbian Kingdom, a large number of Serbian people escaped to the HabsburgEmpire (Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary).[7]The Habsburg Empire positively received the Serbians and made them develop thefrontier land near the Ottoman Empire, which turned them into Grenzers orfrontiersmen militia (part farmer, part soldier) that guarded the cordon sanitaire.[8]The Serbians continued to develop the frontier while battling the OttomanEmpire. This harsh environment gave birth to a strong consciousness of autonomyamongst the Serbians, which became a fertile ground for the growth ofnationalism.
Finally the rise of the ideologyof Serbian nationalism,「Great Serbia」, which brought about the Sarajevo Incident, thetrigger of the First World War, and as a result, leads to the dismantlement of theHabsburg Empire. Furthermore, because of the Serbian nationalist policy thatemphasized the Serbians primacy, it ignited the nationalism of other ethnicgroups, such as Croatian nationalism. Thus, the gruesome atrocity-filledconflict (the Yugoslav Civil Wars) happened.
The refugees might be composed ofa mixture of races, but through joys and sorrows, a spirit of brotherhood wasborn. This spirit was how the refugees distinguished themselves from theothers, something that was similar to nationalism. The Grand Chaos Empire hadbrought the coal that could trigger a huge fire into their own abode. Jirukoma frowned.
「DoesYour Majesty think that the Empire’s policy was a mistake?」(Jirukoma)
「No……I don’t mean it that way. It’s a different way of thinking. It’s only that Maria-donochose that policy by believing in the best outcome, and I didn’t choose thatpolicy out of fear of the worst outcome. Just that.」
I remembered when I a.s.sessed the HumanityDeclaration, the Empire tends to choose an option with hidden high risks to geta high return. Compared to our Kingdom, rather than the return, we chose apolicy that put importance in controlling the risk. Either choice was notsuperior to the other. This was something that could only be known in thefuture, whether or not either of these choices were suitable for the era.
「ThenYour Majesty, then how will you treat us? Giving up on returning to ourhomeland and becoming the citizen of this country, or leaving the country, not lettingus cultivate land, but also don’t not turning us into slaves or soldiers……Then, what in the world are you telling us to do?!」
Jirukoma raised his voice for thefirst time. Even Komayin was trembled by his menacing att.i.tude. For a fewmoments, I exchanged a look with Jirukoma. And then,
「……Owen.」(Souma)
「YesYour Majesty.」(Owen)
「Theyou-know-what.」(Souma)
「Asyour wish.」(Owen)
I ordered Owen to fetch me a longcylinder. It was twice the diameter and five times longer than that of cylindersused for graduation certificates. Inside the cylinder, there was a large rollof paper. I then unfolded that paper in front of everyone’s eyes. Jirukoma andthe others opened their eyes wide when they saw what depicted on the paper.
「Thisis…… A city?」(Jirukoma)
「Yes.This is the new port city that will soon be completed. Its name is 『Venetinova』[9]」(Souma)
What I had shown was theblueprint for the new city 『Venetinova』 that I had established as the cornerstone of transportationand commerce to accelerate the distribution of goods.
「WhenI came to this country, I commenced the construction of this new city at thesame time as the development of transportation network. Recently it had reacheda state where it is suitable for habitation. Although, I must say that theresidential district and the commercial district are still being constructedand only the trade harbor had been finished. In the future, I plan to increase thenumber of various facilities and develop it into a city that become theforefront of culture. Then, before long, I will taking applications for itsresidents……」(Souma)
I explained while looking atJirukoma and Komayin’s face.
「Soyou plan to take us, the refugees, as that city’s residents.」(Jirukoma)
「‼」(Komayin)
Jirukoma and Komayin gulped downwhen they heard my statement.
「Ifyou give up on returning to your homeland and become this country’s citizens,then I will give you your residence. There will be a lot of jobs. You maybecome day laborers or even shop employees. I will also continue the aiddelivery for a while, just like I did for the Mystic Wolf Tribe who opened thebrewery inside Parnam. When you become citizens of this country, as long as youwork honestly, then you will not feel the hunger or the cold. An arrangement toprovide such a situation, lies in this place.」(Souma)
「Thisis……」(Jirukoma)
The expressions of Jirukoma and Komayinwere shaken…… Even for myself, I was wondering how Jirukoma and his peoplelooked at me right now. A savior that extended a helping hand in times oftribulation…… or, a devil that tricked with the sophistry of sweet words. ThenJirukoma and Komayin spoke almost at the same time.
「Couldsomething this wonderful exist!?」「How could there be a thing this horrible!」
Jirukoma and Komayin looked ateach other. Although their words overlapped, the pair was surprised to see thatthe other had a completely different evaluation of my plan.
「Whatare you talking about brother(anija)! This is completely a 『givinga treat to make the dog wag its tail』!」(Komayin)
「Komayin,His Majesty could be said as granting a footing for our livelihood. There is noneed for us to toil the land like in the Grand Chaos Empire.」(Jirukoma)
「That’swhy, you want to give up on returning to our homeland!? Does brother(anija) not feel any regret!?」(Komayin)
「Allwe have to do is cast away that regret and we will able to live without fear ofhunger and cold weather. This is what His Majesty had told us.」(Jirukoma)
So the a.s.sessment of the siblingswas divided into two…… Well, such things can happen.
「It’sunderstandable that your opinion differs. I personally think that this proposalis quite wonderful on one side but also quite cruel on the other side. Evenwhen seeing the same object, it is not necessarily the case for people to havethe same impressions. Whether or not they feel that this is a hospitality or amisfortune, depends on their viewpoint.」(Souma)
「「………」」(Jirukoma)(Komayin)
I sighed and then placed my handon top of the map.
「Thisis the best that I can do right now. I don’t expect you to take this hand thatI held out right away. The future ahead is something that depends on yourdecision.」(Souma)
When I made this remark, Jirukomagroaned bitterly.
「……Amongthis community, there are people that are persistently fixated on returning totheir homeland.」(Jirukoma)
「Arethey…… like the imouto-san?」(Souma)
「That’snot true! Komayin is, her mind is soft! Just now, she is just thinking aboutthe people who live on the settlement, the ones who can’t give up theiraffection for their homeland, and speaks on their behalf!」(Jirukoma)
「B-brother(anija)!」(Komayin)
「AndI thought that she really meant it. Just now when she mentioned that ‘it’shorrible’, I see that you said that just out of consideration for those people’sfeelings. You…… really understand the people’s grief.」(Souma)[10]
「Kugh……」(Komayin)
Komayin fell into silence. Did I hitthe nail on the head? Then, Jirukoma correctedhis seating posture and bowed very deeply towards me.
「Weare greatly indebted towards Your Majesty’s “kindheartedness”. This is somethingthat I couldn’t decide with my own discretion, so I want to discuss it first aftergathering the people of this community.」(Jirukoma)
「…… Evenafter I had said that I came to demand for a decision?」(Souma)
「Iunderstand. However, so that the hand that Your Majesty holds out to us is ableto reach as many people as possible, I want to persuade them. Even if…… Therefugees become divided.」(Jirukoma)
「……」(Souma)
The refugees become divided. Inother words, expelling the ones who won’t accept……, right……. So, it had reachedthis point. Even if I hurry, the results won’t change. However,
「Thereis not much time left. Even if we could delay the citizens’ applications, wecouldn’t delay the “season”.」(Souma)
Winter will soon come. If theydidn’t prepare for it, there might be people who will freeze to death. Thepeople with the weakest resistance, the children and the elderly, will be the firstones to die. If it is possible, I want the refugees’ transfers completed beforethe winter arrive. Hence, I wish for their decision to take this hand. Jirukomaonce again bowed very deeply.
「Yes,Your Majesty! I am well aware of it.」(Jirukoma)
「……That’s good to hear.」(Souma)
The future already depends onthemselves. The kind of decision that they will take, I will also respond to itin a suitable manner. If possible, I want to stay as a “gentle king”……
Today’s negotiation had reachedits end, then…
「Ihear that Hilde is in this place.」(Guy)
A man clad in a white robe,rudely entered the tent. His age was somewhere in the mid twenties. A humanmale with a sharp look in his eyes. A peculiar characteristic about him wouldbe his hair. Even though, he was still young, it was pure white. The man whoentered without even giving a single greeting made Carla and Owen reach for thehilts of their blades, but the man didn’t feel even a tinge of fear and roughlywalked towards Hilde. Hilde stood up and then glared at him.
「Brad!You! How dare you push the lectures onto me!」(Hilde)
This white haired man’s name wasBrad Joker. Just like Hilde, he was a person who propped up the medical reformsin this country, the other “Physician”. Brad wasn’t concerned about Hilde’s complaintand suddenly grabbed her arm.
「W-whatare you doing!?」(Hilde)
「Iwill hear your complaints later. Sorry, but help me out here.」(Brad)
「……Did something happen?」(Hilde)
Guessing that something hadhappened, Hilde face turned serious and calmly asked Brad.
「It’san emergency.」(Brad)
☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽
Next Chapter:
A Realist Emergency Room
Starring: Brad Joker MD FKCS, Hilde Nog MD Sc.D.
Will both of the doctor succeed in the UKEA"s hallmark surgery?
Also:
Souma: Will that be your final answer?
Jirukoma: …………Yes.
*ominous dramatic BGM plays*
Also Yukkuri is too lazy to make new footnote for Odoacer and An Lushan Rebellion, try to read it.