Initially, the plan was for Caron and the others to evacuate the survivors to a safe area while I drew the enemy general to me, then I would meet up with them when the time was right.
However, the plan changed drastically when I defeated the enemy general, Wessel. There was no longer any need to evacuate outside, and the rendezvous point was to be inside the castle.
I met up with the three knights who were in charge of cleaning up the remnants and headed for the Baron's castle. Thanks to the information Caron and the others had given them, we were able to enter the castle without any trouble.
The person who opened the gate seemed to have observed the battle from a distance, and they were very polite in expressing their gratitude to me. While I was pleased by the genuine goodwill, I also felt embarrassed.
Led by a guide, I and three knights walked through the castle. We were thanked by the villagers who were participating in the siege battle on the way, and because of that, it wasn't easy for us to move forward.
After that, we came to the most spacious place in the castle. It was probably some kind of dance hall.
It was packed with women, children, old people, and injured people who could not fight. There were roughly 30 people, and together with the combatants that we had met earlier, there were 43.
It would be fine for a small village or so to operate, but with a barony, problems were likely to emerge. There would be an overwhelming shortage of young men who could become workers.
Although we were able to save the lives of the Byakudai family and the people in front of us, the very existence of this territory might be in jeopardy.
I looked around the hall with a sense of gloom about the future of the Baron's family.
The people were a little anxious, but they seemed generally calm.
The reason for the calmness of the general public was probably because they had heard that the battle was over, but there was another main reason.
That reason was Caron's presence.
She was smiling at the center of the refugees. If someone's face was gloomy, she would call out to them to cheer them up. If someone looked unwell, she would heal them with her Light Magic. She was doing everything she could to dispel everyone's anxiety.
Her appearance was like sunlight during springtime, brightening and warming the hearts of those around her.
It was just a decoration in the game, but it was an alias that everyone recognized in this reality.
In the game, it was just a decoration, but in this reality, it was an alias that everyone would recognize.
When I see her surrounded by people and adored by them, I feel a warmth in my heart. At the same time that I was glad to see Caron's growth, I strongly felt that this was the view I was aiming for.
I almost burst into tears, but I managed to hold it in. I would have looked suspicious if I suddenly started crying. Besides, I'm Six at the moment, so I can't have any rash reactions.
For the same reason, I refrained from conversing with her. I really wanted to hug her immediately, but I held back. Even if my limbs were trembling, I endured it.
Then, Orca, my other sibling, didn't seem to have any particular problems either. He was more familiar with the locals than Caron, as it was his hometown.
Currently, he was helping with distributing towels and other necessities while running around the halls impatiently.
After confirming that they were both safe and sound, we proceeded to the back of the building. The crowd gradually dwindled, and we arrived at the door where the two knights were waiting.
The guide had already told me where this place was. This room was the Baron's study and served as the headquarters of operations during the siege. In the room, the leader of the survivors, Caiser, Baron Byakudai's eldest son and Orca's brother, was waiting for us.
The original owner of this room had already passed away. It was said that he made himself a decoy to protect his people in the recent civil war. In a good sense, it was a very noble and heroic end.
Getting back to the topic.
As the guide talked with the knights, one of them spoke to the room through the door.
"The people who defeated the enemy general have finally arrived!"
"Let them in."
Almost immediately, a young male voice answered. It was probably Caiser-shi's* voice.
Following his instructions, the knights opened the door. After that, we entered the study room.
The interior of the study was not so different from the rest of the house. Bookshelves lined the walls, a desk was placed at the far end, and a sofa and table for visitors were placed in the center of the room.
Three men and a woman were sitting on the sofa.
One was from our side. He was the Knight's Commander, Brazelda, who had been dispatched here. Aside from Caron and Orca, he has the highest rank among the members I sent here. In addition, it was wartime, so they wanted to invite him, who was a specialist in this kind of job. It was only natural that he should be invited to the study room.
The remaining two were male and female beastmen.
Seeing us, they performed an aristocratic bow.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Caiser Gawera y Nan Byakudai. I am the eldest child of the Byakudai family and, in a manner of speaking, the leader of the survivors."
"I am Caiser's wife, Liure Cessesdad Ne y Nari Byakudai. Pleased to meet you."
As I had expected, it was Orca's brother and his wife.
His brother, Caiser-shi, looked a lot like Orca. He wasn't as cute as him, but he had silky hair and a beautiful face. He resembles a prince from a shoujo manga.
His wife seems to be a feline beastman. She was quiet now, but she was a beautiful woman with a hint of liveliness.
In response to their greetings, we also put our names forward.
However, since I'm currently Six the adventurer, I have to be careful about the order. If I were standing as a nobleman, I would respond before the knights, but here I was only a hired hand.
"Thank you very much for your kindness. My name is Brad, Vice Commander of the Foranada's Knights. These two are Arnold and Vedge, members of the Order. And this individual here is—"
"I'm Six, an adventurer. I'm sorry, but I'm not used to using honorifics. I hope you will forgive me if I am rude."
It was a lie when I said I'm not accustomed to honorifics, but I have to act like an adventurer, so it can't be helped. An adventurer who speaks as politely as a nobleman was like asking you to be suspicious.
A narrow-minded aristocrat here would show some irritation, but Caiser and his wife Liure seemed tolerant. Instead of raising an eyebrow, they responded with a smile.
"I have no problem with that at all. I understand what it means to be an adventurer, and you saved our lives. I wouldn't mind if you were a little less reserved with your words."
"That's right, we're very grateful to you."
Their atmosphere was quite friendly.
Well, it was to be expected. There was no way they could have survived the siege against Wessel. I could assure you of that because I have experienced it firsthand.
I guess the two people in front of me understand that feeling. Therefore, they remember their strong sense of indebtedness to me.
Afterward, we talked with each other.
If France knew the annihilation of Wessel's troops, the General-in-Chief would send reinforcements as soon as possible. We don't have a lot of time.
But that doesn't mean there was no room at all. We needed time to pack our belongings for evacuation, so it was possible for us to have small talk like this.
"We are grateful for the reinforcements. I thank you once more on behalf of the Byakudai Family."
"My lord will be pleased to hear that. He has been deeply moved by the recent war."
The Knight Commander responded to Caiser-shi's gratitude with a smile.
…That's right, Brazelda was the one who was speaking. He wasn't incapable of using any honorifics. He usually has a casual tone because he has a lot of mental strain.
To be honest, his honorifics send shivers down my spine. The other members of the order appeared to be feeling the same way, and their bodies trembled uncomfortably.
Then, unaware of our feelings, the two of them continued their conversation.
"We are so grateful to Count Foranada for his generosity and compassion. I wish I could give something in return…."
"My lord doesn't ask for anything in return, so do not worry. This time, it's only the result of our concern for Orca-sama's grief."
"Thank you also for your concern for Orca. We talked a little earlier, and I heard that everyone in Foranada has been very kind to him. In particular, I hear that Orca and the Count's son have become very close friends."
"Yes, they spend their days together like real siblings."
"I'm very glad to hear that. I was worried about him right after he got adopted—"
The conversation went on like a discussion between parents. Is this a kind of torture to be told in front of the person in question?
Fortunately, Brazelda wasn't that involved in our daily life. It was good that I don't have to worry about deep details being revealed.
After a while, I was finally asked to speak.
"I'm very sorry for neglecting Six-dono."
"I don't mind, so don't worry about it."
"Thank you. In fact, I'd like to give you a reward as well…"
"No need. I have received the commission from the Foranada."
"That's not going to happen…is what I'd like to say, but I really appreciate the offer."
"...Is the situation really that bad?"
"That's…"
When I inquired further, Caiser-shi showed some hesitation.