“Army. Eat lots of food. Need lot of money. But, they don’t grow fields. Don’t sell. How do they make money?”
“If it were me, I’d just take it from villages and kobolds…Oh, beg your pardon. Hahaa!”
While a little angry about the comment, Sheto remembered. The ruthlessness of the Seer’s methods.
‘Currently, this world is constantly under the threat of monsters. Villages are lucky if they can hire mercenaries and build defensive walls. But most have no one to protect them, and are in fear of pillaging. Now, what do you think will happen if the Hero’s powerful army were to appear?’
Keita had told him about what happened in Lindle Village. In exchange for protection, the whole village was now a military base.
And then the army would say this.
“Hero’s army protect village and town. In exchange, give your gold and food.”
“Wh-what the hell… They just go and take everything?”
“But, monsters are scary. So everyone pay a little. And they don’t have to be, afraid.”
On top of that, the army paved roads and helped with new industries. Also, some of the young villagers would join the army.
‘Indeed, the price they pay in gold is not cheap. However, they secure protection and learn ways to start businesses. And so they are able to make up for that loss.’
The more settlements they visited, the larger the Hero’s army became. And their funds and food supplies were overflowing.
“How terrifyingly cunning… We could learn something from it.”
“Indeed. It’s because of us that he is able to pillage in such a lawful way. And so it’s only fair for us to gain something as well.”
‘The military tax system. That damned copycat. Combining the Roman-style with Wallenstein’s method of raising funds… It’s downright ruthless.’
Sheto recalled how the Dragon God had chuckled.
However, Sheto, Salia, Canila, Fi and Keita were shocked by what he said after that.
“…Still, that is, their weakness.”
“It sounds like nothing but good to me. Though it is a nightmare for us.”
“They, take money, to protect villages. But if…”
He didn’t want to say the rest. Salia and Canila had also been against this plan until the last moment.
However, while Sheto hesitated, the demon general continued.
“If they cannot protect the villages, they no longer have a reason to exist. Is that right?”
Berganda asked, already knowing the answer.
Sheto nodded and continued.
“The army, makes nothing. They sell soldiers. Soldiers, protect. Humans, different. Fields, livestock, wells, storage houses…”
“Ah. It’s quite simple then.”
The air in the room suddenly changed.
As they were natural pillagers, they understood it at once. What it was they needed to do. Vicious grins appeared on their faces.
“In other words, we have to wreak a little havoc and embarrass this Hero.”
“The problem is time. We’ll have to have our subordinates act at once.”
“If we attack some settlements, they will have to split up their forces to protect them. That means splitting those monitoring eyes. It is a good plan.”
If he was being honest, Sheto did not think this was the best way. After all, the people who would be hurt were those in the weakest position. Human villagers.
‘In any case, the monsters would have realized it anyway. Besides, it has to be done quickly, before the battleline reaches a stalemate.’
If the battle were to drag on, and villages continued to be burned, the supplies and funds from settlements would dry up, and people would die from starvation and riots. They needed to squeeze out the Hero’s army quickly and bring this to a close.
‘If they accept the plan, the next part will be important. And so it must work. Do your best.’
“Not yes. Not enough.”
“What? Burning villages and splitting up their fighting forces. That should be more than enough to weaken them.”
“That’s just, short-term, thinking. We’ll be the ones, crushed…we’ll lose.”
The others looked doubtful, and so Sheto continued.
“All of you, don’t forget. When a village pushed, they all become soldiers.”
“Villagers…turning into Heroes?”