Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer? - Chapter 231

Episode 231: Full of suffering (4)

Kuak.

The Archmage slightly bent his eyebrows at the sound of the turtle that Berserk had left behind.

“Are you crying because you’re hungry…?”

I’ve been crying since a while ago, but I don’t know what this means. That’s because the Archmage had never raised animals other than those used in experiments.

In other words, there is no knowledge about the meaning of animal cries. Especially if it is a turtle that is not often used in experiments.

Coop.

Meanwhile, the turtle crawled and tried to escape the ward. In response to complaints from all sides about the lack of manpower, Berserk left, offering to help.

“Wherever you go.”

Kuek.

My heart is empty, but I cannot let it go.

She picked up the turtle and placed it back on her lap. I had no choice because I could have been trampled to death by people wandering around, and if I was not careful, I could have been treated as food and headed to the pot.

“If you don’t want to become turtle soup, stay still.”

In the midst of all kinds of cancer problems and the food shortage issue, they are even thinking about eating those expensive war horses—of course, that won’t happen. Rather, it is more profitable to use it for transportation.

But in such a situation, is it possible for a young turtle to avoid being treated as food? There is a high probability that it will enter the pot before the warhorse.

I had to be careful.

Koop….

Is it just a coincidence, or is the turtle really listening?

After that, the turtle never tried to escape from her lap. I just cry constantly.

“Arch Mage, please eat.”

“Oh, thank you.”

In the meantime, there came a moment worth taking a breather. No matter how urgent the situation is, meal time is essential as therapists are also human.

“I guess there was still something to cook.”

“Because there’s half the city left.”

The person handing out the food shrugged his shoulders. Another expression of collecting money from an ownerless house flows from his mouth.

Of course, no one would be angry that their own house was robbed in an unprecedented situation where half the city was evaporated and all residents were evacuated.

“But there isn’t much left to spare…”

There is also a limit to collecting supplies from the one remaining house. This is because the distance between the city and the shelter is long, and not all households have food in stock.

Manpower is also needed to move materials there. Considering that most of the current incidents are suffering from a labor shortage, it was a situation where there was no real answer.

“I can’t help it.”

However, not even a wizard has the ability to create manpower that does not exist out of thin air. The Archmage felt sorry for that point and put the soup into his mouth.

Did the young man guarding the devil knight receive food?

…Will the Demon Knight be able to be with them again? It was a bonus to have thoughts that I couldn’t think of when I was busy.

『I failed to repay your trust, so prepare for certain execution.』

The fingers that were scooping up the soup gradually slowed down. I felt empty and my chest felt like a stone was sitting on it. It felt like something was blocking my throat.

Kuek.

“What is that?”

Meanwhile, the turtle that was fluttering in her lap caught the messenger’s attention. Only then did she come out of her thoughts.

“…Ah, it’s a turtle. “Someone entrusted me to watch over him for a while.”

“Animals in this situation…”

I think that one could feed one more person. The messenger’s eyes said so, but the Archmage tried to look away.

Aside from the fact that she was of the same opinion, this turtle was entrusted to Berserk. She has no right to treat other people’s things carelessly.

Squeak.

Separately, the reason he keeps crying might be because he is hungry, so I should give him something.

The Archmage was wondering what a turtle could eat, and took a chunk of vegetable out of the soup.

The overcooked carrots were mushy, but I thought it would be better for the young turtle to eat. So maybe?

Coop.

However, the turtle refused by turning its head. The same was true of all the vegetables in the soup and, at least, the bread.

The Archmage pondered whether he should catch a fish and put the food the turtle refused into his mouth.

Bye.

The cries of turtles slowly became on a par with the sounds of crickets.

* * *

“The relief force has arrived!”

It’s been a week with so many headaches and tight schedules. Finally, reinforcements sent from other cities arrived.

“You’re finally here.”

“Ah, finally the medicine….”

“Ha, can I rest now…?”

Over the past week, everyone who could have died has already died, but there are still too many patients.

As a result, the therapists and priests who had been working hard for a week felt like they were truly saved by this news.

The Archmage felt similarly. They are driven by a sense of responsibility to save people, but since they are also human, it is time to take a break.

“Let’s take a moment to see the scale of support.”

“yes.”

In the meantime, the mana has run out and treatment is not possible. She decided to use this time to at least figure out the size of the relief force.

The amount of manpower and medicine to be replenished is important, but it was also natural to know how much other things there would be before deciding whether to take measures or not.

The turtle, who was still in charge of Berserk’s place – Berserk was busy being mobilized for rescue and hunting supplies – cried into the hem of her clothes.

“Please help me move the supplies!”

“Where can I put my clothes?”

“Please tell me where to put food!”

However, as she was heading towards the relief army, she witnessed the supply of supplies already taking place.

The first thing to do would be to inform the castle lord of the amount and type of goods brought, but it seems that the situation of the citizens of Bemurchen was very bad in their opinion. The person in charge was seen clicking his tongue and gesturing with his hands to direct the supply of supplies.

The people in the temple are also adventurers or ordinary people—of course, they probably belong to the upper class or other organizations. They probably didn’t bring in civilians—they are also looking for a relief center with what appears to be medical supplies. Even at first glance, I was a little relieved to see that the number and manpower were considerable.

“stop! Stop! Food will be distributed appropriately, so don’t run! “Stay there!”

However… as the supplies were moved from place to place, some impatient civilians came running with their eyes closed. The soldiers stopped him, but they were not easily stopped.

“My child is starving!”

“You’ve had enough, but not us!”

“Aren’t just the soldiers eating it this time too!?”

However, it’s not that I don’t understand their feelings. This is because it is true that the lord of the castle rationed food mainly to those who could work, that is, to high-quality personnel such as soldiers.

Of course, since resources were limited and there were many people to feed, there was nothing the castle lord could do about differential payment… but that would not appease the hearts of those who had to starve for a week.

It is easier to just complain that ‘the high class is monopolizing’ than to understand the situation and say, ‘This is why we have to starve.’

“Supplies keep coming in! So calm down—!”

“I knew when it would come! “We need you too!”

“I don’t want to starve anymore—”

“Get out of the way, soldier.”

“Wait a minute, knight….”

“If you don’t want to die, get back! “Anyone who rebels will be executed!”

“…!!”

In addition, it is easier to resent something than to understand it, even for knights and soldiers. Isn’t it true that they were only given rations due to cancer as a priority, but they also did not have enough to eat?

Moreover, in order to protect the citizens, they often had to work harder than their boats, even delaying sleep. It’s a good thing to be sensitive.

For example, the complaints of starving citizens are treated as ‘still complaining about a subject that has been safely protected?’

“I say it again, get back!”

Eventually, the soldiers, led by the knight who ran out of patience, drew their weapons. I’m not sure if the lord of the castle allowed that, but it definitely had the effect of causing the civilians to hesitate and retreat.

The unrest slowly began to die down.

“…Damn noble bastards!”

“Even if the nobles and temples hadn’t killed Biryuho in the first place…”

But has that really faded away?

Just because you can’t see it right away doesn’t mean it’s gone. You can clearly tell just by listening to the voices of those dispersing.

People’s complaints piled up. This is true even if Bemurchen frequently engages in wars with the Mermen and as a result, all of its citizens are close to the military.

Now that their livelihoods have been completely destroyed, there are too few people who can care for each other.

“I heard the castle lord is protecting the devil…”

“What? Is that really true?”

“Could it really be that the nobles and the temple have been taken over by the devil…?”

Separately, there is a rumor that is spreading these days and it is so serious.

The Archmage overheard the people talking and frowned.

The more problematic thing was that it was not a complete lie, but rather an exaggerated statement based on a bit of truth.

Distorted truth is more dangerous than plausible lies. There were so many foolish people in the world who would accept partial recognition as full recognition.

“I hope nothing major happens…”

I think the worst can be avoided since the rescue army has arrived, but… you never know what might happen.

At least they still have a problem with the demon knight. He hasn’t woken up in over a week, so he’s just become quiet, but not everyone will forget about him.

This is especially true if it is a temple. The time has come to think about it.

“Okay, just a big deal…”

But can she make a decision just because she worries?

“….”

The reason she confirmed the survival of the Demon Knight during the first rampage was because she thought the Demon Knight might be able to control the devil.

But this incident made her realize.

That’s the devil. It was too dangerous to just look at the possibility of control. Damn it, it was so strong that it was impossible to even use it and leave it behind.

“…Anyway, the young ones.”

However, at the same time, the person who embraces the devil is the person who tried to save people until the end and succeeded in doing so, but said “I’m sorry.” Is it really right to give up on someone like that?

Is it really right to say to a warrior who respects a demon knight, ‘You must prepare to kill him’?

Young people have sacrificed so much, so is it really right to ask for even more sacrifices?

“You’re putting the old man through so much trouble.”

In the end, it’s back to square one.

She can’t choose.

“I put you through so much trouble…”

She didn’t dare.

Hehehe.

“Archmage, what is this?”

Around the time when she was slowly becoming stained with sadness like paper soaking in ink.

Someone stopped near the Archmage with a horse. It was Berserk with its prey on its back.

“…Reinforcements have arrived.”

“iced coffee.”

Because Berserk had heard about the Salvation Army in advance, she didn’t ask much. Instead, he tapped the horse of the demon knight that a citizen returned a few days ago.

Judging from the fact that Frederick doesn’t get angry, it seems like we’ve become quite friendly over the past few days.

“Call me if you have anything to do.” “I’ll be staying at the distribution center for about an hour.”

“Okay. “Oh, what should the turtle do?”

“Um… I’ll take you.”

“Is that so?”

Just as Berserk became close to Frederick, the Archmage also became quite attached to this little turtle… but there is no reason to object to the owner taking him in. I obediently handed the turtle over to her.

The turtle, which had been crying since Berserk appeared, welcomed us by flapping its arms and legs.

But that empty seat feels a little empty.

She fiddled with her pockets, feeling the sadness that came back as soon as Berserk retreated. This was where the turtle was.

“What are you doing there?”

“…cyanal coral.”

“Are you very tired?”

“Are you the only one who can do it?”

The good news is that there is still plenty of work to be done everywhere. The Archmage came out of his melancholy and stared at the new horse.

In other words, it was Cheongsanho, which was still being carried on its back by its guards, as it had not been judged as capable of moving. The escort, whom I had seen often over the past week – and who was used as a messenger – bowed lightly.

“Why did you come?”

“I was wondering if you brought any catalyst.”

The Archmage accepted the guard’s bow by slightly raising his hand and asked why Cheongsanho had appeared.

As expected, he was snooping around to see if there was anything to gain from supplying supplies.

“And you?”

“I came to find out about the size of the Salvation Army. “But I’m glad I can breathe right now.”

But did they really bring a catalyst? Since we had to keep in touch with other cities, we probably brought some materials to use for communication magic, but I doubt we brought anything else.

Cheongsanho didn’t even come forward to ask if he knew about it. It seems that Seongju is planning to ask him after receiving the report.

“You can see a lot of the upper part separately.”

“well. Wouldn’t that be a donation? “It’s usually merchants who have the most supplies.”

“under. donation? “Where are the merchants who would do something like that?”

“Merchants are people who pursue profit, but they are still people. In the face of a disaster like this, are there people who prioritize money?”

Separately, this friend has been very misanthropic for a long time.

The Archmage scratched his head as he looked at Cheongsanho, who had such low expectations from humans that it was so bitter.

I think it got worse because I got hit in the back by Gridana this time. After all, who isn’t shocked by their betrayal?

“Well… I guess there is no intention of investing with a view to the future or anything like that. “It’s not often that I can do you a favor.”

“It’s not that there is no such intention, that’s probably the case in most cases.”

“Yeah… honestly, I guess so. But isn’t even such hypocrisy better than nothing?”

However, I have the impression that these days, more and more discomfort is being revealed beneath people.

The Archmage looked at Cheongsanho’s bulging eyebrows and wondered.

“Why but? “A person who said that humans should not have expectations.”

“After going through this, I thought I would only do business with people who seem a bit clean. But it seems like I ate it anyway… hmm?”

I guess it’s because of Gridana. The Archmage was convinced and turned his gaze to follow Cheongsanho’s round eyes.

There was nothing that stood out. At most… the merchant who previously entrusted Akata to him also participated in this procession? Considering that they came here early and that Akata is not there, they are probably from a different branch.

“Why but?”

“…It seems there is at least one exception in this world.”

“…?”

“I thought there were only dirty people in the commercial world.”

The Archmage blinked at Cheongsanho’s words and then decided to roughly understand them. I don’t know what it is, but I think I saw someone with good nature.

“Have a good deal.”

In any case, if what you think is correct, it is something to be congratulated on. She wished him good luck without much hesitation, and Cheongsanho accepted it obediently.

“Arch Mage! Great Sage!!”

If someone hadn’t urgently called out to them, there would probably have been an answer.

“I’m awake, I’m awake!”

“…!”

A pale and exhausted Deathbringer found them on the other side.