Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord

There were still many very small children. Could such children really walk all the way to the frontier village?

I worried about that, but the children were able to ride in the wagons. Furthermore, though I was concerned about the long journey, clearly capable adventurers had been hired to accompany us.

My worries were gradually relieved one after another, but all of us continued walking with dark expressions.

After all, the greatest anxiety would never be resolved.

I soon heard that a total of one hundred and fifty of us slaves had been purchased. That was a large number. Perhaps there really was a rare gold mine or Mithril Ore mine.

It seemed that large mines were kept secret by the country, so ordinary people did not know much about them. Therefore, it would not be strange if they were located in the frontier.

So, I could not argue against the lamentations I heard from all around.

Those who were formerly bards, blacksmiths, merchants.

Even daughters of nobles and daughters of lords from enemy countries—all were sent to the same place. Normally, these people might have been favorites or mistresses, yet all were exiled to the frontier. Their sorrow was understandable.

Only those with the power to fight were different. Any frontier place would need fighting strength. Therefore, they did not seem particularly despondent, imagining they could demonstrate their abilities.

The young merchant named Rango was generous and treated the slaves well.

Perhaps because of that atmosphere, there were many quarrels among the slaves during the journey.

In the end, though it was unfortunate for the young man, we all arrived at the frontier village still in a gloomy mood.

However, everyone was confused in many ways.

“Is that it?” one of the children peered out of the wagon and asked.

A nearby man opened his mouth with an indescribable expression.

“No, I don’t think that’s it…” he said in a puzzled tone, tilting his head.

After all, in front of us stood city walls that, though maybe not as grand as the capital city, clearly gave off the atmosphere of a fortress city.

It was a strange-looking town—beautiful, yet with buildings visible beyond the walls.

Were we to rest here before heading even further into the frontier?

That was what I thought, but Rango was chatting cheerfully with someone and exchanging something with a child dressed in clearly fine clothes.

Then, he handed over what seemed like a gift. The child jumped up happily and shot a large bow and arrow into the forest.

The childlike joy was heartwarming, but what they were doing was terrifying. If the child was noble, maybe Rango was selling hunting equipment.

As I thought this, the child walked over and spoke.

“Welcome, everyone. This is the frontier land—the village of Seato and the town of Espa. I am Van nei fertio, the lord here. We will be holding interviews, and those without issues will be hired in our village, so please look forward to it. Now, I know you must be tired from the long journey, so today we’ll hold a barbecue festival in the village and stay overnight to rest. We’ll be arriving shortly, so please follow me.”

With a bright voice and gentle atmosphere, the child said this.

“A lord?”

“Van nei fertio? The rumored...?”

“The new baron known as the Dragon Slayer? Don’t be ridiculous.”

I could hear such whispered conversations.

I furrowed my brows, unable to believe it, watching the child’s back. As we passed through the walled town and returned to the road, my eyes were drawn to the scenery beyond.

There appeared a gigantic structure that made the fortress city we had just seen look like a toy.

In reality, it was probably still a kilometer or two away, but even from that distance, its presence was unmistakable.

It was an enormous, powerful, yet beautiful and strange fortress. Behind the walls protruding on either side was a magnificent gate equal to the main gate of the capital city.

Behind the walls, I saw one large tower on each side and a big tower straight ahead.