Published: January 15, 2026
[Sesto]
There was no money. I had never worried about such things before, but ever since becoming the magistrate, I couldn’t help but be conscious of it.
At first, I was overjoyed seeing the enormous budget, wondering if we could really spend that much. But why didn't anyone tell me before the funds ran out?
Before I knew it, the amount needed had become impossible to cover even by raising taxes. Acting as the lord's deputy, I sold off municipal assets, repeatedly sent the knight order on expeditions under the guise of training, and earned money by defeating bandit groups and demonic beasts.
Still, it was nowhere near enough to cover the deficit.
When I was at my wit’s end wondering what to do next, the news of the invasion of the Yelinetta Kingdom arrived.
“Even if you have to go into debt, gather your forces.”
When Yard said that, I nodded in agreement. At the same time, I thought this might be our salvation.
I immediately contacted my assistant and instructed them to alter the ledgers to make it appear as though all the past deficits and debts had been for this day. Conveniently, there were records of the knight order’s expeditions.
For any shortfall, we decided to disguise it as expenses for hiring mercenaries. Since Yard was hiring many mercenaries, if we always acted alongside him, it probably wouldn’t be noticed.
Despite my unease, I decided to participate in the battle in this way.
The journey itself was not particularly difficult. Having become accustomed to a lazy life, the modest meals and sleeping in the carriage were the hardest parts.
More than that, I was anxious about participating in a large-scale war against another country. Yard was desperate to achieve military achievements, but I doubted it would be that simple.
Even fights against bandit groups cost many knights their lives. The same went for medium-sized demonic beasts.
And yet, we were told that we wouldn’t even reach the Yelinetta Kingdom without first crossing the Wolfsburg Mountains.
Are they crazy? Why on earth would we pass through a cursed mountain full of large demonic beasts?
I never voiced my thoughts—such words would be considered disrespectful and likely cost me my head—but I couldn’t help but think it was madness.
Ignoring Yard’s boasting, I passed the time contemplating these things during the journey.
Finally, we arrived at our first destination: Van’s territory. I had heard it was a poverty-stricken village on the verge of collapse, but how bad could it be?
Van as a baron? It must be a sick joke. That’s what I thought. But seeing Van’s territory in person, my first reaction was disbelief.
“...Brother Yard, what’s that? No way... is that Van’s territory?”
Surely it was some mistake. I asked, but Yard’s eyes widened in surprise too.
“...A city wall? Could it be that they built such a wall in just over a year?”
At his words, I looked again at the towering walls before us. The walls were magnificent, like a picture of fortitude. The gates were imposing, and every decoration was carefully crafted.
Thinking we must be on the wrong path, I passed through the gates with Yard while talking. The area was narrow, as expected from a frontier village, making me inwardly glad it was nothing like the city I had managed as magistrate.
“...Why do you want to leave the town?”
But somehow, we were led out of the town, and Yard and I protested.
“Ar-are you planning to kick us out?”
We said this together, but the soldier guiding us spoke calmly.
“Ah, I apologize for not explaining. This is not Seato Village yet. The number of adventurers visiting Seato Village has increased so much that Lord Van created this new town exclusively for adventurers.”
“...What?”
Yard let out a dumbfounded sound at the soldier’s words. I wondered what he was talking about. Meanwhile, the gates swung open.
Beyond the gates appeared a new fortress city, and we were speechless.
For before us stood a fortress city, clearly capable of housing over ten thousand people despite its unique shape. On either side of the neatly maintained roads, soldiers resembling the capital city’s knight order were camping.