After the war (part II)
5 Episode

“It’s surprisingly tiring…”
I am now at one of the room at the lord’s mansion. I was sighing while looking down at the street. After taking control, some residents rebelled but it was soon put out by the guards. However it was still tiring so I just pray that nothing else will happened.

At that time, someone is knocking on the door.
“Excuse me.”

the one who come in is the count Airia. I didn’t take her off her position because she is talented and trusted by the people. The only question for now, is whether she is willing to completely cooperate with us.

If she wanted, it wasn’t hard to raise another rebellion and even the guards will followed her order. So, if she did that, the werewolves control of the Ryun city will definitely gone.

When I was lost in my thought, Airia was puzzled.

“Is there something wrong Raito-dono?”
“Ah, it’s nothing Airia-dono.”
Because she is still the acting leader in this city, I should maintain distance from her. However with sad face, she told me.
“The city has been controlled and so far no signs of any rebellion.”
“I see. I’m grateful for your hard work. Even if we’re now here, I will try to not hinder the citizens daily life.”
however her face isn’t calm yet.
“Actually, there is still one more problem… regarding the guard corps.”
“The guards?”
I thought that they simply surrendered but it does not appear to be so simple.

Airia then told me the story.
The guard corps is not the private army of the Airia household. It actually belong to the allied force of Mirarudia kingdom which Ryun city belongs to.
Because of that, even Airia as the count couldn’t give an order to them. Even to give a mission, she need to ask the permission from the Mirarudia senate.

I roughly understand the situation.

“In other words, even if they’re not going to acts against the demon lord army but we can’t cooperate with them either.”
“That’s right since I can’t ordered them, I’m your only ally.”
when looking at Airia expression, she isn’t lying. She doesn’t have the smell of lying. Actually, when a person is lying, we werewolves can pick up a faint smell of sweat which is signaling their hidden intention.
“It seemed like that.”
after that I shake hand with her once again.

The guards corps total is around two hundred people, with their main duty is to maintain security. Since they don’t want to cooperate with us then I need to a.s.sign some werewolves to guard too. However if that is happening, when the werewolves are guarding the city it will reduce our overall strength and we couldn’t rely on the Inu tribes strength. If one day the Mirarudia kingdom troops come to free the city, I am not confident that we could win.

“Hmm…”
there is always an option to threaten the guard or I can kill half of them to teach them a lesson but that will makes my domination is based on fear and it is hard to maintain the fear level. If I did it wrong, it could in fact lead to another rebellion.

When I was thinking about the trouble, Airia opens her mouth timidly.
“Then, why don’t you threaten the guards?”
“Do you want me to?”
with a wry smile, Airia shook her head.

“But if you didn’t want to then surely you will have a hard time.”
“Well, after all just getting along with a demon lord army causing many people to have a hard time.”

Airia understand well the meaning of my words. If they Mirarudia kingdom found out that she agree to make a pact with the demon lord army, she will face hards.h.i.+ps.

Afterall, I gave up to controll the guards.
“ For now, just take their equipment and disband the guard corps. If they make a move please inform me.”
“Understood.”

Airia tried to leave the room but after a while she turned her body.

“This…”
“What is it?”
while I asked, she takes out a cross ornament.
“What if the security will be done by the chamber of commerce instead of the guard corps.”
“Chamber of commerce?”
“Ryun city has maintain security, disaster prevention and others by working together with the chamber of commerce. Of course if some problem happened, the chamber of commerce will also receive the impact.”

ah, I see. Although I lived in the city in my previous life, I am now living in Kakurezato, the werewolves village and didn’t think about it. Airia then continue.

“The chamber of commerce is under my direct control. Even if we didn’t have the guard corps, I can still ask them to patrol and it might be sufficient.”

to this offer, I am thinking. This proposal, I won’t lose anything but Airia didn’t get anything either. It only makes me owe a favor to the chamber of commerce. So, why did she tell me this?

“Why are you doing this?”
“It’s to thanks Raito-dono.”
“Thanks?”

since the time we raid the city, this is the most shocked condition I’ve ever been. Airia then look at me with a serene face.
“You are really thinking of working together, when your group is raiding the city, you tried your best to reduce the number of victim. Because if you go all out, it even possible to leave no citizens alive.”
“Well, I can do that.”
However, I don’t think that is something that she should be thanked me for. But Airia lowers her head deeply.
“This is to repay your generous treatment to the citizens. Also, in the future I will cooperate with you.”

To the count, if Ryun city isn’t protected anymore by the Mirarudia kingdom, they will have to rely on the devil lord army. This is where we are asked to be responsible for our alliance. Again, I didn’t feel facing the Mirarudia kingdom is such a big deal. There is no other reason to reject the proposal.

“Thank you for your help in this matter. Now I must trouble you to contact the chamber of commerce.”
“Don’t worry.”
after that, Airia smiled as if she is relieved.
Her expression… is quite lovely…