Volume 1 Chapter 19: Raising the Status of the Foreigners

A band of foreign mercenaries employed by Marcel.

They were called 『Silkeia』.

In the kingdom, these foreigners were persecuted. Fundamentally, they could not lead a normal life in the kingdom.

After all, foreigners in the kingdom were often captured and sold off as slaves. Even as slaves, they were forced to endure extremely harsh lives.

Many in the kingdom did not regard the foreigners as fellow human beings. In that case, there was no way for them to live as human beings.

Once captured, they died. This was both common knowledge among the foreigners and a stark reality.

However, sometimes some managed to escape from their masters. Fortunate enough to evade recapture, these foreigners banded together.

The kingdom was no gentle, forgiving place where one could make it on one’s own. 『Silkeia』 was born out of such circumstances.

It was an organization formed by individuals who could not survive on their own, coming together for mutual support.

In the beginning, it was a small group with few members.

Gradually, their numbers increased. As their numbers grew, they became more organized.

Eventually, they found a means to sustain themselves as an organization. It was something that no one wanted to do, yet there was a definite demand for it.

In other words, it was illegal. It involved grim tasks, with assassination at the forefront.

It never disappeared from this world, and the rewards were quite substantial. And so, the foreigners survived in this kingdom.

“But, Leader, why do you side with that foolish kid? Honestly, I don’t like it.”

The man known as the Leader――――Shijiruku gave a wry smile. One member of 『Silkeia』 had spoken up, his remark being rather blunt.

Hearing such comments would undoubtedly have caused more trouble… After all, Marcel no longer had personnel solely assigned to monitor 『Silkeia』, so it wasn’t a problem.

“Well, don’t say that. Besides, the money they pay is good. And if we want to improve our status even a little, it’s better to deal with that fool.”

“We’re doing pretty well, aren’t we? Still, do we really have to consider raising our status?”

A member asked, perplexed. In fact, 『Silkeia』 was thriving.

The only foreigners who didn’t have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter—and who even held more wealth than the average kingdom citizen—were those affiliated with this organization. For those who had endured hellish days as slaves, finding this environment satisfactory was natural.

However, Shijiruku shook his head.

“What about us? The foreigners who are still unable to escape and remain captured as slaves. And those who will be captured in the future—what about them?” 

“Ah…”

Certainly, for the foreigners within 『Silkeia』, no further elevation of their status might be necessary. Yet, many foreigners could not even reach the organization and ended up dying on the streets.

The number left behind must be considerable. To reduce the loss of such brethren even slightly, it was necessary not only to improve the organization but also to elevate the treatment of the entire foreign race.

“For their sake, we must at least raise their status a little and create a kingdom that’s easier to live in… Well, if we were just pillaging endlessly, of course we’d be despised.” 

“Whose side are you on, anyway!” 

“Ahahaha.”

Unlike many other foreigners, Shijiruku does not believe that they are the sole victims.

Undoubtedly, they are victims.

Having their human rights trampled, their dignity stripped away, and not being treated as human beings certainly qualifies them as victims. However, in the process leading up to that state, the foreigners are not victims but perpetrators.

They seize by force the wealth that others have built up through hard work. And if someone tries to stop them, they may even kill.

Therefore, Shijiruku could not claim that they alone were the victims.

“But why side with that foolish kid? Honestly, there’s zero chance of winning. The lord will definitely win.”

“Yes, but what’s to be gained by siding with the side expected to win? In these cases, by backing the side presumed to be at a disadvantage and then turning the tables, you raise its value.”

Even if Balor were to side with the lord now, 『Silkeia』 would not benefit much. Despite the overwhelming superiority, it would be difficult to earn any merit at this stage.

In the first place, 『Silkeia』 is not a legitimate organization that can walk proudly under the sun. It is a shadowy organization.

No lord could openly ally with such an organization. That is why they cooperate with Marcel.

“But that doesn’t mean we’d go down together with that foolish kid, right?”

“That is precisely why assassination is used—by dispatching them as the vanguard to the front lines so they won’t be wiped out.”

Of course, they have no intention whatsoever of dying alongside Marcel. 『Silkeia』 is a mercenary group highly specialized in combat, but in this disadvantageous position, advancing to the front lines to turn the tide is exceedingly difficult.

If there is any faint chance of victory remaining, it lies solely in assassination.

“Well, I do trust you as our leader, and I understand that I just need to follow you. Sorry for asking too many questions.”

“No, no. Moreover, there is another major reason why we support Marcel-sama.”

“And that is?”

Shijiruku, his smile fading, said,

“Because the current lord hires foreigners as maids.”

“――――――!!”

The members gasped. The idea that foreigners were being employed…

That is to say, …

“Hey, does that mean…?”

“You must know from your own experience: has anyone who hires foreigners as servants ever done anything proper?”

The word “hire” takes on a completely different meaning for foreigners. It amounts to being kept as slaves.

Moreover, the treatment of foreigners in the kingdom is abysmal, as they are not regarded as human beings.

“In other words, the current lord is a shitty bastard who despises and persecutes us foreigners.”

“Yes. Therefore, while raising our status, let us also eliminate such incompetent scum.”

They believed that their actions benefited the foreigners.

That, indeed, was justice.

“Now, it’s time for 『Silkeia』’s work.”

『Oh!!』

◆

“Raising the status of foreigners, is it…”

Softly, Ashvin murmured. She, too, was a foreigner.

And she had seen hell. She sympathized with, was moved by, and cooperated with the ideology of 『Silkeia』.

Such a future was not unthinkable. Thus, she said,

“Really, it’s utterly ridiculous.”

“Ugh, ah…”

She looked coldly down upon the collapsing members of 『Silkeia』 and spat out her words.