Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 166: Refugees 3

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Within the lord's castle in the town of Alden, a meeting was underway, attended by members of the administrative council and senior military officers.

"Your Lordship, this expedition southward has been quite fruitful!"

Hansel reported proudly on his achievements. Upon returning to Alden a few days ago, he immediately got to work, tirelessly organizing the resettlement of new recruits and refugees.

"In addition to the refugees, we've also recruited 56 individuals with various professions, including blacksmiths, teachers, alchemists, doctors, and so on..."

Before he could finish, Paul began applauding enthusiastically.

"Well done, Hansel! I didn't expect you to find so many willing to come to the northwest. I thought people from the south believed our region to be nothing but desolate mountains and waters."

Hansel smiled modestly. "Your Lordship, as long as one searches diligently, they will always find willing souls, those dissatisfied with their current circumstances, seeking a change of fortune..."

"Alright, enough of that. Let Ford, the steward, handle the specifics of their positions. Let's discuss the matter of the refugees."

Paul interrupted Hansel's report. The way he spoke made it seem as though those willing to come here were all like Luther, who had been ousted from their own professions. Well, for now, there was no need for any master craftsmen; those who could work would suffice.

"How many refugees have arrived in our territory so far?"

Hansel quickly calculated in his mind before responding, "According to the latest census report, a total of 421 refugees have arrived in Alden."

"Will there be more to come?"

"Of course, Your Lordship, and many more at that. The 500 or so I mentioned earlier was just the latest figure before my departure. The reception centers we've established are still operating, continuously receiving refugees destined for the northwest coast."

"I'm curious, aren't the kingdom's army and the rebels in a standoff near the Thorn Fortress? How did these refugees manage to come here?"

This time, Schroder answered his question.

"Your Lordship, the Thorn Fortress isn't meant to entirely block north-south traffic; refugees can easily bypass it."

"Then what's the point of building such a fortress? Couldn't enemy forces just as easily bypass it?"

"Many fortresses on the plains aren't meant to completely sever communication. Take the Thorn Fortress, for example; it can accommodate up to 50,000 troops and has enough provisions to sustain them for a year. There are many roads near the fortress that connect the north and south, but they're all within the range of its garrison. Armies aren't like refugees; soldiers need a secure supply line to fight effectively. If the army were to bypass it and directly attack the rear of the fortress, they'd risk having their supply lines cut off at any moment."

Paul suddenly realized, "I see."

He continued to inquire about the refugees, "Have those who've arrived already been settled?"

Hansel smirked, "Your Lordship, you can rest assured; they've been allocated to temporary official residences on the southern outskirts of town. It's sufficient for them to comfortably spend this winter. After enduring such hardships for so long, it's as if they've arrived in heaven; everyone praises Your Lordship's benevolence. In short, the entire resettlement process for the refugees is proceeding efficiently and peacefully."

Just as Paul was about to nod in approval out of habit, a voice, pleasant yet disruptive, chimed in.

"Efficient and peaceful? Earl Grayman, perhaps efficient, but peaceful is far from the truth."

It was Miss Betty D'Arshi, the female advisor, now casting a sarcastic glance at Hansel.

Paul asked bewilderedly, "What's happened?"

Did Hansel somehow offend this young lady?

Hansel immediately replied, "Nothing has happened, Your Lordship. As I just said, the entire resettlement process for the refugees is proceeding efficiently and peacefully."

However, he seemed somewhat uncertain.

The advisor stood up abruptly, her tone sharp, "Earl Grayman, do you know how your agricultural overseer treats the refugees?"

"How have they been treated?"

Eileen said angrily, "The information I received indicates that the reception staff have been quite rough with the refugees. Not only do they frequently resort to physical abuse, but they also arbitrarily discard or burn their belongings. These refugees have fled their homes and endured hardships on the battlefield, only to face mistreatment here. Baron Abbott has gone too far."

Hansel immediately defended himself, "Miss D'Arshi, these refugees, to use the Lord's previous words, are 'disorganized and undisciplined.' During the health inspections, they caused chaos, disrupting the process. In order to settle them quickly for their own good, the militia had to step in to maintain order, teaching them how to queue. It's inevitable that minor unpleasant incidents occurred during this time, but it's understandable."

"As for their belongings, my goodness, they hardly have anything. Most of their clothes are tattered and couldn't withstand a single wash—they had to be discarded. Moreover, haven't we distributed new clothes to them, far better than what they originally had?"

The advisor clearly wasn't satisfied with his justification, and they argued without yielding to each other.

"Enough! Both of you!"

Paul's head was spinning from listening to them argue, and he gestured for them to stop.

Finally calming the argument, Paul spoke, "Miss D'Arshi makes a valid point. These refugees have suffered enough; we mustn't add to their hardships. Hansel—"

Hansel immediately stood up, "Yes, my Lord, please give your orders."

Paul adopted an official tone, "In the future, you must not treat those who are soon to be my subjects roughly. Instead, make them feel the warmth of home, the care of siblings, understood?"

While the advisor's attention was elsewhere, he subtly signaled to Hansel.

Hansel inwardly rejoiced, 'Earl Grayman supports me—well, at least he tacitly approves. Plus, the way he spoke just now, heh, it was neither here nor there.'

He promptly replied, "Yes, my Lord. I will inform the officials in charge of reception to pay attention to their attitude in future operations."

Eileen wore a victorious expression on her face and gave Paul a sweet smile, causing his heart to flutter.

In truth, Eileen's dissatisfaction with Hansel stemmed not only from her own sympathy but also from another significant reason.

Deep down, she believed that these refugees were fleeing due to the war between the royal family and the rebels. As a member of the royal family, she felt a profound obligation to ensure they lived better lives, to alleviate her own guilt.

Of course, this reason was something she couldn't reveal right now.

(End of the Chapter)

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