Chapter 250

Kureha briefly recounted what had transpired afterwards.

The two brothers had traveled all over the continent.

The Leaf Tribe had completely fallen. Along their travels, they had joined up with children survivors of the tribe.

Unable to muster the courage to tell the whole truth, Kureha informed Kuilan and the children that the Imperial Army was to blame for everything.

'Well, it's not entirely wrong...'

If the Imperial Army hadn't attacked the village in the first place, none of it would've happened. I crossed my arms and huffed.

Anyway, for years they wandered from refugee village to refugee village across the continent.

They collided with the Imperial Army that was capturing refugees. During one such encounter, in an effort to escape a dire situation, Kureha's left leg had mummified.

Following this, Kuilan began to view the Empire with true enmity, becoming a bandit and consistently raiding the Empire for ten years...

"I think I have a pretty good grasp of your brother's past."

Our conversation had shifted from the open space to the lord's mansion midway through the story.

The tale had become lengthy, and Kureha had grown concerned that Kuilan might overhear.

"So it's not just a name; you really have the blood of wolves running through you."

"The Wolf King Lunaré, whom you encountered in the dungeon, was truly one of our ancestors."

Kureha nodded with a wry smile, looking directly at me.

"I've heard the motto of this Monster Frontline. 'Kill the monsters, save the people.' I think it's a very correct and admirable value."

"..."

"But Your Majesty, what is a monster? And what is a person? What criteria do you use to distinguish between a monster and a person?"

Hearing this, I was suddenly reminded of the question the Emperor had posed to me in the Imperial Capital.

- You say you'll protect the people? Then what's your definition of a person? Is it humans? Demihumans? Or is it monstrous creatures that can speak like humans? Exactly how far does the term 'person' extend?

- What about traitors? Rebels? Thieves, robbers, and frauds? All of this scum is people! Are you saying you'd lump them all together and protect them indiscriminately?

Criteria.

The criteria to differentiate between monsters and people...

Lost in thought, Kureha pressed further.

"Do we, with the blood of wolves in our veins... Are we monsters? Or are we people?"

"..."

"Do we truly belong on this front line?"

I remained silent, pressing my lips together.

Kureha, with his right hand, tried to pick up his teacup but almost dropped it. With his left, he grabbed it and sipped.

Cold tea flowed into his parched mouth.

"I've been completely honest about our past. Now, whether you banish us or continue to employ us, that's for you to decide."

Damn it. I internally sighed.

Ever since this season began, I've repeatedly found myself in situations requiring moral judgment, and it's honestly exhausting.

Changing the subject, I inquired, "By the way, I heard Kuilan has been saving money to buy his homeland. What's that about?"

Kureha chuckled softly before answering.

"Originally, the Imperial Army converged on that area primarily for its mines and other resources. Time has passed, and I've heard resource mining has concluded. Lumber harvesting has also ceased."

"Ugh."

"After the empire withdrew from that area, there were no inhabitants due to the monsters, and there were rumors that werewolves roamed the area... so the land went for a cheap price."

Kureha nodded.

"That became Kuilan's goal. Though it's now a ruin, buying his homeland with money and rebuilding it with his own efforts."

"I see..."

"... He might have such a dream because he has forgotten the terrible past."

"Do you oppose that dream?"

At my question, Kureha blinked his eyes and slowly lowered his head.

"Well, I'm not sure... But honestly, I'm afraid to go back."

Kureha's pale lips tightly shut.

"After all, it's the homeland I led to its destruction."

***

I had Kureha sent back in a carriage. He was a friend with limited mobility after all.

Watching the carriage recede, I turned to the person next to me and asked, "What do you think, Lucas?"

Lucas responded, "What do you mean?"

"Those two brothers. And the Penal Squad."

I crossed my arms and hummed thoughtfully, "They have the blood of a monster like the Wolf King in them. Perhaps all of the beastkin might have some ancestor that touched a monster."

"..."

"Do you think it's okay to keep them on the front line? What do you think?"

Lucas, originally the protagonist of this game and the frontline commander, has a keen insight, so his advice is helpful.

"Your Lordship probably has a plan for managing the frontlines, so I'm reluctant to comment rashly..."

Lucas cast a quick glance downwards and then looked at me.

"Just spit it out."

I teased him by lightly elbowing him in the side.

"... To be honest, they're still from a different race."

Lucas said bluntly.

"Whether their ancestor was a monster or an evil deity, until 100 years ago, they were enemies of humans. The number of humans killed by the coalition of different races might be higher than the number killed by monsters throughout imperial history."

"Hmm."

It felt like the rift between the different races and humans was deeper than I thought. There probably were people who hated the different races more than monsters.

"But you've already employed the elven unit, the Shadow Squad. And they have proven their worth."

"..."

"The beastkin unit, the Penal Squad, was initially a bit unruly, but lately, they've been acting as respectable troops."

It felt strange hearing Lucas, who once vehemently opposed the enlistment of the Shadow Squad and the Penal Squad, now defending them.

On reflection, Lucas personally trained the Penal Squad.

I stroked my chin thoughtfully.

"Right, origin isn't the issue... But the problem with the Penal Squad is the potential to turn into werewolves."

"Betrayal is just as likely among humans."

Lucas's cool yet stark response came flying.

"Just think of the recent attack on Lady Reina in the military camp. Anyone can snap and turn their blade on their allies."

"..."

Camus's face, who attacked Reina and was now imprisoned, flashed before my eyes. Damn, now that I think about it, that's true.

'It seems Camus' trial is right around the corner...'

As I thought this, Lucas added,

"And I think we should pay close attention to what Kureha... Mr. Kureha just said."

The honorific 'Mr.' made Lucas hesitate for a moment. We had a complex relationship with him. It felt as if, while Kuilan was a student we were mentoring, Kureha gave off a parental vibe.

"Pay attention? To what?"

"To the 'standard'," Lucas said, his gaze sharp as he looked at me.

"What distinguishes a monster from a person?"

"..."

"What is the criteria for those you wish to protect? It's something we need to clearly define."

The criteria for those I wished to protect.

Suddenly, I remembered Kellibey's advice from a few days ago:

- Establish principles. Don't break the rules you set. Reward generously, and when it comes to punishment, be decisive. Scold those who mess up, and reward those who prevent mishaps.

- If the principles you set are sturdy, even if your fortress shakes, it will never collapse.

Principles and standards.

For a novice commander like me, these would serve as a clear compass.

I sighed deeply, scratching my chin, neck, and temple. Setting these criteria wouldn't be easy...

After some contemplation, I finally spoke out loud about the thing that had been bothering me. "By the way, Lucas."

"Yes?"

"Don't use your beast transformation anymore. I fear you might turn into a werewolf."

Hearing stories about the beast-man tribes had continuously given me the creeps. I was uneasy about Lucas, whose essence seemed to teeter somewhere between a dog and a wolf.

"Do not worry, my Lord."

Lucas grinned.

"I am a well-trained dog. I will never bare my teeth at you."

Really now? He's self-identifying as a golden retriever?

But one always has to be cautious with big dogs.

Just as the owner always claims their dog won't bite, it's still considered polite to muzzle them during walks.

"If I tell you not to use it, don't use it! Got it?"

Upon hearing my repeated prohibition on his beast transformation, Lucas responded with a forlorn smile.

"..."

Typical big dog. Looks terrifying.

I wasn't sure if this protagonist would listen to me obediently. I exhaled deeply, shrugging. But hopefully, he'd listen while I was watching.

***

Two days later. Military tribunal.

It sounds fancy, but the courtroom was simply an army meeting room with slightly rearranged tables.

In such a backwater place, there was no proper court of law. From the start, this place was a fortress city with a military purpose.

The judge giving the verdict was me, Ash, the lord and commander.

And today's defendant... Camus, the SR-ranked mercenary from the Camilla Kingdom, who had previously attempted to kill Lady Reina and the mages of the magical brigade.

Dragged out from prison and seated in the defendant's chair, Camus was in a pitiable state.

His body was bruised all over as if he'd been severely beaten, and his swollen face was almost unrecognizable.

'...The mages from the magical brigade said they had 'interrogated' him.'

Sure enough, he seemed to have been beaten pretty badly.

Although he appeared to have suffered, Camus's expression was calm. Just by looking into his eyes, one would think he was innocent. Well then.

However, Camus's attempt to kill an ally was a blatant truth.

He admitted it himself. Reina, who was stabbed in the abdomen at that time, is still unconscious in the temple's intensive care room.

Besides, he injured four of the guards with a knife.

Even if it's a fantasy world where 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' personal sanctions, and vengeance are somewhat tolerated.

He had crossed a line that couldn't be overlooked.

"Prisoner, Camus."

After recounting the crimes Camus committed, I delivered my verdict succinctly.

"You are sentenced to death."

"..."

Camus silently bowed his head. I continued my speech.

"The execution will take place after the next defense battle. That's all."

I picked up a wooden gavel on the desk and lightly tapped the podium below. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Guards entered, grabbed Camus from both sides, and dragged him out.

Camus, without uttering a word, staggered but walked out of the courtroom on his own feet.

'Sigh.'

I looked down at the wooden gavel in my hand. I never wanted to get used to such affairs.

Since there weren't specific restrictions on entering the courtroom, a few were watching the verdict. Mages from the magical brigade and...

"..."

Junior.

Junior's gaze met with Camus's as he was led back to prison. Camus quickly averted his eyes, while Junior kept watching his receding figure.

"..."

After everyone from the magical brigade and the guards left, and as I was packing up to leave the courtroom,

Junior stood still, looking at the spot where Camus had been.

"Junior."

As I gently called out, Junior, startled, turned to look at me, to which I briefly replied,

"You can visit him whenever you wish."

"..."

"Speak up if there's anything on your mind. Understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty... Thank you."

Junior flashed her characteristic fox-like smile. I returned a forced smile.

Indeed, it's not easy.

It's a tough world.