Conquering the Barony #8
"Hey. I've been thinking about this seriously, and what you need is a mother."
"Are you trying to pick a fight with me like that!"
"What? Pick a fight? I put a lot of thought into that, so what are you talking about?"
Reika frowned as if she were offended. No, wait—I’m the one who should be most offended here, right? Bringing up a mother out of nowhere—what on earth is going on?
"I agree with that sentiment."
The Saintess standing nearby chimed in.
"He needs a mother. And as for who can be his mother... no matter how I think about it, it can only be me, can it not?"
"What? No. That’s not it. You showed up late, so what are you talking about? If we’re counting, I’ve been here much longer!"
"But I have the credentials of a Saintess, do I not? Having embraced countless people through faith, I would surely be better at it."
"That’s ridiculous!"
"Ha!"
Suddenly, the Saintess and Reika started fighting. The reason? Who could play the "mom" role better. I was so dumbfounded I couldn't even speak.
"Ma-wang-nim's mom is Sharan!"
And then Sharan jumped into the fray, too—no!
"Sharan, what are you doing joining in!"
"Sharan wants to be Ma-wang-nim's mom!"
"Sharan is the mom...!"
Thinking about it, that might be nice, but Sharan is more in the "wife" position than the "mom" position.
"No! Me!"
"Bullshit!"
This won't do.
"Stop, stop! Enough with the mom commotion! What on earth are you all talking about!"
"Well, that is..."
"It’s true that my own mother was a bit strange, but that doesn't mean I actually need a new one. Go back to work. I’m telling you to develop your abilities as military commanders, not as mothers."
What I need isn't a mother, but competent military commanders!
"It’s true that I had a somewhat sad upbringing in the Demon World, but that doesn't mean I’m longing for a mother. Can you even just 'become' a mother like that? Stop with the mom talk and get to your positions!"
When I said that,
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
The Saintess and Reika started looking disappointed. No, but when they react like that, it makes me feel uncomfortable.
"And Reika-nim, you already take good care of me as it is. Even if you aren't a mother, you do that, so what does the title matter?"
"Th-that... is that so?"
When I offered a little comfort, her expression softened again.
"And Saintess, I have high expectations for you as well, so don't be too disappointed over a title. Is it really worth fighting over who gets to be the mom?"
"That... is true. I apologize. I was too rash."
"It’s fine."
"If that is the case, then not for your sake, but for my own well-being, if you would call me mother..."
"SILENCE!!!"
"Kyaa!"
Once you start calling them "mom," there’s no end to it!
"I shall not give up, however!"
"Well... I do want to be called that, too. Fine. I’m returning to my post for now."
The two women left those words behind and returned to their stations.
"Geez."
What was that sudden mom commotion all about?
"Ma-wang-nim. Sharan wants to be mom."
"Sharan. You’re my wife, not my mom."
"Can't be mom? Sharan is pouting."
"Don't pout! Being a wife is good, too! Almost as good as being a mom!"
"Shaa! Then that’s fine!"
Sharan smiled brightly again and hugged me.
"Hehehe, well."
Still, seeing these women clamoring to be my mother makes me realize just how much they think of me.
Reika has basically become my wife, too.
I don't know about now, but maybe later I can let them call me that. As a reward, of course. Even if they are my women, it’s too embarrassing to call them "mom," isn't it?
And just hearing the word "mother" makes me think of the Duchess, and I can't suppress my rage.
We continued our advance.
"Keruruk! Raid the den! We’re getting new recruits to enlist voluntarily!"
"Keruk-keruk! We must tie them up!"
"New recruits! New recruuuuits! Kerurururung!"
As we crossed into our territory, we began to spot monsters. As soon as we discovered a goblin den, my proud infantry marched forward.
"Keryaaaaak!"
"Kerueuk!"
Wild goblins were subdued like spoils of war and dragged out. The goblins brought out for "voluntary enlistment" all lay prone, bound in restraints.
"New recruit! New recruuuuit! Kerueuk!"
"Keruk! Congratulations on your voluntary enlistment!"
"Keryaaaak!"
They were absolutely thrilled.
Well, anyone would be happy to see new recruits coming in for voluntary enlistment. That’s just the nature of soldiers. Anyway, seeing those Dark Goblins dancing with such happiness warms my heart.
"Keruk! Finally, I have subordinates of my own!"
"I’m dumping all the grunt work on them! Keruk!"
"Grunt work is for the new recruits, kerung!"
Wait, these guys...
"Hehehe, no, Buril. Are you already subjecting the new recruits to barracks hazing?"
"It’s not hazing! Keruk! It’s a humanitarian procedure to instill the spirit of absolute obedience in the new recruits, keruk!"
—Clack!
Buril saluted sharply and shouted.
"This is the era of education! Ma-wang-nim! The reason we were able to become strong! It lies in education and training!"
That’s right!
"I will educate them to voluntarily do the tasks assigned by their seniors to increase the efficiency of our training! Please trust me! Through my education, these new recruits will be reborn as true soldiers!"
This guy is so good with words!
"Wow! That’s right, Buril! As expected of Buril! This brother of yours is counting on you!"
"Keruk! Thank you!"
I should permit a little bit of minor grunt-work dumping! That’s the way to keep an army running smoothly! From a commander’s perspective, at least!
"But Buril. I won't tolerate any punishment beyond a light flick to the forehead. Same goes for starving them or keeping them awake."
"Of course! I want to create invincible goblin soldiers with a thorough spirit of absolute obedience, not sandbags that only know how to get beaten!!!"
"Kya!!! That’s a classic quote!!! Buril!!! That’s a real classic!!!"
"I’m a company commander now, after all! I’ve gained that much 'gravitas'! Kerurung!"
"Hahahaha! Growing up like this! Your brother is so moved right now!"
He was always a sharp kid, but now that he’s a Company Commander (provisional), he’s gained even more gravitas!
"Kerung-kerung. Are you moved? Then, Ma-wang-nim. Shall we do 'that' together for old times' sake?"
"Good! Let’s do it right now!"
"Kerururuk!"
—Waaaaah!
And so, I sat down with Buril, shoving my fist into my mouth, and sobbed.
Memories are bubbling up. Back in the day, Buril and I used to play around like this all the time. Remembering those days makes my heart feel warm.
"Kerururung!"
In that fashion, we wiped out all the goblins we saw and released the imps to capture new ones.
That wasn't all.
"Gyusassasassat! Gyussaaaaaat!"
"New recruit, sir! Gyussaaat!"
"More manpower for digging has arrived! Gyusat!"
The Kobold Engineering Corps was also increasing in size. Kobolds are laborers, so the more, the better. It’s the same even if we conquer the Barony. Kobolds are masters of civil engineering. We’ll be able to make good use of them.
"Ma-wang-nim. We’ve discovered a Lizardman tribe. What should we do?"
Julia’s report.
"We’ll pass them by for now. It’ll be fine to deal with them on the way back."
"Yes, understood."
"And Ruby! Come here!"
"Ah, yes. Ma-wang-nim."
I called Ruby over immediately.
"Please organize the new recruits well. Numbers by race, health status, and so on."
"I’ll handle it."
I delegated the troop-related matters to Ruby, and we continued to advance.
And then, we discovered the target Pixie village.
"Halt. We must not provoke the Pixies here. Now, Serineu. It’s a new Pixie village."
"Great! Leave it to me! I just need to make them friends, right?"
"That’s right. Take some gifts with you before you go."
"Mm... well, okay. There’s nothing better than giving gifts."
—Snap.
When I snapped my fingers, other Pixies brought over boxes filled with gifts. Sweet honey, sparkling stones, pretty clothes, and useful tools. Pixies are crazy about these things.
"Serineu. Pick a few Pixies and go with the gifts. While you’re at it, tell them to come and see our army. Persuade them well so they can become part of our family."
"Got it!"
—Whoosh!
Soon, Serineu flew off with the gift boxes, accompanied by the other Pixies. We’ll wait here. Serineu will handle the rest well enough.
There’s nothing to worry about.
There’s no way wild Pixies could defeat the current Serineu. Having become a Dark Pixie, Serineu is stronger and faster than a normal Pixie. Her casting speed is the same.
—Swoosh.
Anyway, I climbed up a tree and observed the Pixie village.
"Hmm."
I couldn't hear them well, but I could see our Pixies chatting excitedly with the ones over there.
"They’re doing well."
As expected, Pixies have great social skills.
As I was waiting like that,
—Whoosh!
Serineu flew back, holding the hand of a Pixie from the other side!
"Oh, Serineu! You brought her!"
"Yeah!"
Is that the leader of the Pixies over there?
The Pixie looked very cute, and as expected, she had a large chest. The Pixie held Serineu’s hand tightly and looked around with a face that seemed to be seeing something fascinating.
"Serineu? Is that the Ma-wang?"
"Yeah! He’s very strong! And he makes us strong!"
Then let’s greet her warmly.
"Nice to meet you, Pixie! I’m Kuls! The master of this army and Serineu’s best friend!"
"Wow! Are all the people here your friends?"
"That’s right. They’re all very close friends!"
"Amazing...!"
She looked genuinely impressed.
As expected of a Pixie, she’s pure.
"If I really follow you, can I become strong like this Serineu?"
"Of course!"
And that’s not all.
"And do you see the clothes and tools they’re wearing? You can have all of those, too. But that’s not all... the most important thing is that you can receive our protection. All the people here are my friends, and if there are many of us, it’s obviously safer, right?"
"Yeah! That’s right! If there are many, it’s safe!"
Everyone wants safety.
"Will you join us? You’ll have to leave the village, but it’ll be fun living with us!"
"I want to join!"
The Pixie agreed, seemingly completely charmed by Serineu’s words.
With this, our air force reinforcement is a success.
"But I think I need to hear everyone’s opinion!"
"Sure. Do that."
"Ah, and... there’s something I want to ask."
A request?
"What is it?"
"Ah. I told them I’d grant a request. In exchange for joining our team."
"You proposed well, Serineu. Anyway, tell me. If it’s something I can grant, I’ll grant it all."
When I said that, the Pixie replied.
"There are Satyrs nearby! I want to kill them all! They’re the ones who have been kidnapping our Pixies for a long time! I want revenge!"
"Good! Subjugation is our specialty! We’ll get revenge for you!"
"Yahoo!!!"
As expected, Pixies are Pixies.
They harbor great hostility toward Satyrs. They are innocent and pure, but in the end, they are a race that survives in the jungle. They are excellent warriors who possess violence toward their enemies.
You will be reborn as the air force!