The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 479

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 479   Helping people is good

“Summon Lilia.”

The heroes had left, but my tasks were not yet complete.

There was still the pointless job of talking to that idiot.

I sent someone to call Lilia, and as expected, she arrived without any injuries.

“So, why did you do such a thing?”

“Because~. I wanted to see the heroes too!”

Lilia said so without a hint of remorse.

Watching her behave like that irritated me, but considering this was just how she was, I couldn’t completely blame her. Is this what they call charisma? Well, I think it’s more like I’m just fed up with her constant mistakes.

Moreover, in the first place, even if she said she wanted to see the heroes, she should have seen them before. I guided them when they first came to the Flower Garden, and Lilia was right there with them at that time.

“You’ve seen them before. I guided them the first time, and besides, it was you who decided to stop interacting with the heroes because it was boring.”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not it~. Just understand!”

While Lilia uttered non-excuses, I could somewhat understand what she was trying to say.

Most likely, she wanted to witness or even participate in the event of ‘the hero meeting the Demon King.’

“Even if I wanted to watch, no one would let me in. So, I had no choice but to watch from outside the window.”

“Well, if they won’t let you in, just give up.”

Bringing Lilia here would cause trouble, and with Flora having knowledge about plants, I informed her about the situation without letting Lilia know. I also instructed the guards to prevent Lilia from approaching this place, just in case. Therefore, Lilia trying to watch from outside the window was a foolish thing to do, but if she was told it’s not allowed, she should have stopped. Don’t force yourself to peek.

“Well, fine. It’s useless to say anything now, and it’ll just tire me out. Anyway, let’s talk about the hero.”

However, no matter what I say, she probably won’t listen and will mess up again. So, instead of lecturing her, I decided to inform her mother, Leireine, later. Since I had the opportunity, I might as well talk to her too.

“Huh? You’ll tell me?”

“Yeah. You’re involved too.”

So, I told Lilia about the conversation with the hero and, at the same time, conveyed Canon’s words to her parents. Then, I asked Lilia if she wanted to join the group going to the Holy Kingdom, but…

“I’m going! I’m going too! Leave everything to me. I’ll help everyone!”

As soon as I asked if she wanted to go to the Holy Kingdom, Lilia energetically raised her hand to answer.

Her enthusiasm was worrisome, but the content of her answer was as expected. She’s the type who rushes to help others without considering herself, like a ‘true saint.’ It might be influenced by the purity that comes from her mental immaturity, and she might grow cunning like other adults in the future.

At least for now, I think she is a person worthy of being called a ‘saint,’ and her way of being is something precious.

“I knew you’d answer that way, and I probably think you’ll be useful, but are you really going? Like I said, it seems like the Holy Kingdom is doing something with elves, and it’s something quite dangerous.”

However, despite knowing how Lilia would answer, the fact remains that it’s dangerous. Based on Canon’s muttered words earlier, there is a risk for elves going there.

Moreover, there’s the recent incident of Canon and the others kidnapping elves in the city. It seems undoubtedly perilous.

In fact, Lilia, the elf known as the ‘saint,’ might be more in danger than me, the ‘Demon King,’ going there.

“Of course! Because if someone is in trouble, it’s only natural to help them! Talking about evil, it’s about chivalry! Is there anything more satisfying than eating a meal after saving someone seeking salvation?”

“Well, that’s more like yakuza or chivalry than evil… Well, whatever.”

It might be more of ‘yakuza’ or ‘chivalry’ rather than ‘evil,’ but in this world, there is a part of ‘evil’ that includes such aspects, and it’s not entirely wrong.

However, that’s a story for ordinary towns. In Karakas, the situation is a bit different.

After all, the rule here is to protect yourself, and if you can’t, then die. Edward and Granny do help people to some extent, but that’s limited to those who come seeking help and are deemed worthy of assistance.

Dad reaches out to help others on his own, but a group that helps everyone around, like Dad, is a minority.

“And also, that thing. Right?”

“What thing?”

Even if she says ‘that thing,’ I have no idea what she’s referring to.

“So, it’s like, um, helping people in trouble, making everyone happy, and then, in return, if they become my subordinates, wouldn’t that be really great!?”

“What are you even talking about?”

I can somewhat understand what she’s trying to say. If we help people in critical situations, they might feel grateful and might be willing to lend their strength.

Certainly, that can’t be denied. However, the situation changes when our position is involved. Publicly, we are representatives of ‘evil,’ and the inhabitants of the Holy Kingdom are representatives of ‘justice.’ Even if we help a bit, it’s doubtful that they would change their allegiance.

“But that possibility isn’t nonexistent.”

“Dad?”

However, as if to contradict my thoughts, Dad interjected.

“When your life is in danger, it can completely shatter all your previous thoughts. Faith, beliefs, loyalty, everything. And in such times, if someone extends a helping hand, the focus of those feelings can change. They might abandon their faith and go to the one who helped them.”

… Well, I’ve never really felt a life-threatening situation. I was abandoned as a baby, but ultimately, I was rescued by Dad before I truly faced any danger. So, I’ve never been on the brink of death.

Therefore, I don’t understand how someone who has been saved in a life-threatening situation would feel or how it might change their perspective. I’m not entirely convinced.

“Will that really work out so well?”

“It won’t go perfectly, but you can drive a wedge into their hearts. If even one-tenth of those we helped think that way, it’s a job well done.”

“Well, even if it’s one-tenth, if you help ten thousand people, it means a thousand will switch sides.”

Even if it’s only one percent or less, being remembered as a ‘benefactor’ might come in handy someday, even if it doesn’t lead to a complete change of allegiance.

“Well, helping others itself is not a bad thing.”

Edward, who had been listening to our conversation, opened his mouth to agree. However, his words gave me a strong sense of discomfort.

“… What’s wrong? Did you eat something strange you found on the ground?”

“How rude. Unlike you, I don’t engage in such activities.”

No, only Lilia picks up things that have fallen on the ground, not me…

But well, leaving that aside…

“But, Edward. It’s quite abnormal for you to start talking about helping people, isn’t it?”

This is the guy who says that money is everything in the world, right? I can’t imagine him endorsing acts of kindness that don’t bring in money.

“I have no ulterior motives; I didn’t say that with any intentions.”

“Yeah, right. I’m relieved.”

Good. It was just words with some hidden agenda. If he had suddenly developed a sense of goodwill or something, it would have been a bit worrying.

“While your choice of words is rude… Well, let’s leave it at that.”

After giving me a light glare, Edward let out a small sigh and began talking about the meaning of helping people.

“Even if it’s just one good deed that earns praise from others, you can spread it as ‘doing a good thing’ to neighboring countries. It will be spread as a rumor, of course, and rumors tend to have some embellishments, but the fact that ‘a good thing was done’ remains unchanged. It might come in handy someday.”

“Well, cutting off unnecessary parts and exaggerating the usable ones to spread the word is a common tactic politicians often use, and it can be effective. Moreover, in a world where information dissemination isn’t that advanced, even if rumors take a strange turn, there are few opportunities to correct them. So, if those who hear the rumor think, ‘Maybe Karakas is safe,’ or ‘Those guys are good people,’ they might come here. Surrounding nations might also refrain from taking a tough stance against Karakas.”

“In addition, you can make the other party indebted to you.”

“Rather than selling favors, you mean imposing them?”

“Yes. Since we’re doing a favor beyond their expectations. However, even if we do it without their consent, a country cannot ignore the fact that it received help in times of need. If they were to ignore that favor, it could lead to strains in relations with neighboring countries. If we impose the favor, the Holy Kingdom won’t be able to arbitrarily interfere with us. At least during this visit, they won’t make any significant moves. Of course, as long as we are not at fault.”

I see. Indeed, that makes sense. If, after helping someone in trouble, they retaliate, other countries might hesitate to help them, fearing that they too might be betrayed and attacked.

Even if the Holy Kingdom wanted to attack us, there should be a certain procedure and a need to create a reasonable justification. If they hurried, there might be contradictions in the reasons or fabricated evidence, making it easier for us to grasp the situation afterward. In any case, our safety would increase.

“Given that, helping people is a good thing.”

Edward summarized with a smile at the end, but it felt incredibly awkward for him to say such things.

“Alright then, Lilia. I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me! I’m going to make everyone my subordinate!”