Chapter 120: Connecting Hope

　The abandoned village on the border has been restored considerably through the desperate efforts of the returning soldiers to repair it. It looks more like a barracks than a village, with tenements that have been rearranged into sections. Although all of the people were capable of a certain degree of construction after living on the battlefield for a long time, the emphasis was completely on practicality.

　At any rate, it was a good thing that the villagers, now numbering up to eight hundred, could sleep without being exposed to the wind and rain. The villagers were also happy that it was much more comfortable than on the battlefield.

　In a large building in the center of the town, which could more appropriately be called an officer’s barracks, the beautiful black-haired princess Listille Walscheid was staring at the numerous wooden panels with her eyebrows raised in her lovely face.

　This is an alternative to parchment paper. The writing is done on a thinly cut wooden board by scratching it with a small, pointed iron rod called an iron brush. It is not suitable for long-term storage, is difficult to read, and takes up a lot of space. However, it was much cheaper than parchment.

　When I was in the castle, I didn’t have any problems just scribbling on parchment and throwing it away. Now I had to cut back from this point.

　No one ordered her to do so. She knew the price of parchment and was afraid to abuse it compared to her remaining assets. She also made the mistake of saving the parchment and not recording even what she really needed to.

　Fortunately, one of the soldiers had the skill to cut wood into thin strips and process them into planks. She called that man and praised him in person ,

“I was drafted after a few years as an apprentice in a furniture store, when I was finally able to be entrusted with simple jobs…”

　And the man laughed with an indescribably sad face. Listille didn’t know what to say to him, so she remained silent.

　There was a man proudly looking at the young but interesting profile of a girl of only 13 years old, illuminated by the torchlight. He is an elderly butler who came with her from the royal capital, and his name is Giuseppe.

　He was the leader of the five survivors of the kidnapping of the princess, who were attacked by returned soldiers dressed as thieves.

　The carriage was attacked, the princess was kidnapped, and all the knights guarding her were killed. In this situation, even if they were non-combatants, it would be a crime to survive, but with the shame of their lives, they arrived at Count Zander’s territory and asked for help.

　As a result, the princess was safely rescued by the elite members of the Count Zander family. I was prepared that I wouldn’t care what happened to my body, but Listille didn’t blame them.

“You didn’t run away, you lived desperately and fulfilled your role.”

　The princess’s words were short. If she praised the survivors too much, it might be taken to mean that the dead knights were useless.

　A butler, a manservant, and three maidservants. Neither they nor their families were charged with any crime, but no commendation was given.

　They thought they were lucky to have life, but a few days later, all five were summoned to the princess’s private chambers.

　Listille first apologized for not being able to publicly praise the five individuals. She then thanked each of them and gave them several gold coins and accessories such as rings and necklaces.

　At this time, they decided that their lord was not the royal family, but lord Listille.

　When Listille decided to build a village for the returning soldiers who had nowhere to go, the five of them followed with a look of taking it for granted, even though they had no particular reason to do so.

　A veteran maid in her forties seems to have quarreled with her husband,

“I hit him as hard as I could!”

　And so on, she showed off her bravery with a hearty laugh. She said it was just a slap, but it must have been some kind of a slap, considering her physique. I only pray that her husband is safe.

　To be honest, Giuseppe didn’t like the other four until recently.

　A dull servant man who can only be used to carry luggage. The three maidens were all in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, but their image was that of a dark woman who did not know what she was thinking, a lazy woman who had a habit of slacking off, and a woman with no delicacy and a loud voice.

　Giuseppe was from a lower class noble family. Although his family was of such a lowly background that he was afraid to call himself a nobleman, he was proud to say that he was still different from the other four.

　Now it’s different. They are comrades-in-arms who encouraged each other to run all the way to the Count’s territory and vowed to work together for the Princess.

　Even the servants who had blatantly looked down on each other have come to greet each other since they arrived here, and they even exchange a few words. I wonder if they will eventually start joking around with each other, which is not a bad thing.

　The maid, who had a habit of slacking off, began to work hard after arriving in this village. When Giuseppe asked her how she was doing,

“Because I’ve fallen in love with the princess.”

　She replied with a long-delayed voice.

　Although Giuseppe was careful about her language concerning royalty on the spot, he was emotionally inclined to agree.

　Life in the pioneer village is surprisingly poor compared to the royal capital. Still, every day was fulfilling for Giuseppe. He couldn’t be happier than meeting a master whom he could respect from the bottom of his heart.

　The worst pattern is being forced to do something challenging by someone you don’t like. A drafty wooden castle is much more comfortable when I think of my colleagues who go to the castle with dead eyes every day.

“Princess, you must be tired by now. Why don’t you go to bed soon?”

“Sorry Giuseppe, just a little more…”

　Listil replied as she rearranged a number of wooden planks. I wonder if she realizes that we had the exact same exchange thirty minutes earlier.

　Excuse me, said a modest voice. A young maid who came in presented a letter to Listille.

“For me?”

　The maid nodded at Listille, who had a surprised look on her face.

　Who would send a splendid letter written on parchment to a forsaken royalty, Listille, who was treated as a plague god?

　…… You don’t mean to tell me that His Majesty the King is calling on me?

　If they were told to abandon the village at this time of year, Listil would never regain the trust of the returning soldiers again. People who don’t know the field sometimes say the most outrageous things. Knowing that it was an impolite thing to do, Giuseppe stretched out his neck and looked into Listil’s hand.

　Listil’s face lit up when she received the letter. The seal stamped on the wax seal had an unusual design with crossed swords. It was the seal of the Lutz workshop, and the sender was probably his wife, Claudia.

　Claudia was a dear friend to Listille, and the woman she admired. Neither Claudia nor she has the experience of governing a village or a town, but she would know more about the flow of money than anyone else here. I am sure she will be able to help us.

　Giuseppe’s heart fluttered at the sight of Listille breaking the sealing wax and reading the letter.

　This is jealousy. The smile that the five attendants could not bring back no matter how much loyalty they showed, no matter how hard the returning soldiers tried, blossomed in a big way with just one letter.

　…… No, this is fine. We also know that the happiness of the princess is our wish.

　Giuseppe shook his head inwardly.

“It seems Claudia-sama will be coming to this village soon!”

　Listille smiled broadly. Giuseppe nodded deeply, knowing that this was the right thing to do after all.

“Exactly good news, she’s the goddess of salvation for us.”

“Right? Right?”

　As if she had been praised, Listille gave a bright smile suitable for her age.

“Then, Listille-sama, please go to sleep tonight. You will worry Lady Claudia if you keep a dark look in your eyes.”

“Uh-huh, but…”

　A young maid said to Listille, who was reluctant to look at the wooden boards that had piled up.

“I’m sure we can get a good night’s sleep tonight, and then tomorrow we can start putting together a list of questions we’d like to ask Claudia-sama. That, I think, would go the smoothest…”

　Listille nodded at the request of the unconfident maid.

“All right, I shall rest. I thank you both for your loyalty and your faithful counsel.”

“Ah, um. For requests for co-sleeping, and so on, please visit ……”

　Dismayed at the unexpectedly brazen fellow, Giuseppe grabbed the thinly smiling maid by the collar and left the room.

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