Chapter 39: 15 year old Inglis and the Town Ruled by a Highlander (10)
「Since the newly built Highland would be populated with Highlanders… In the event of its completion, the original residents would either get deported or be turned into slaves for the Highlanders… or, worst-case scenario, the whole town would be razed to the ground by the Highland. That’s what the upper echelons said.」1
「Th-, that means, everyone is either expelled, made into slaves, or get killed!? That’s…!」 「Yes. I won’t let them.」
Cyrene glanced at the ceilings with a serious and determined expression. It almost appeared as if her eyes could see through any barrier and look straight at the Highland.
「It doesn’t matter what the higher-ups think, I am with Midland — I came here to help the people who suffer down here. That is why I won’t allow such a thing to happen. I will negotiate with the higher-ups so that the people who wished to stay will be able to stay, not as slaves, but as freemen. Even if that means they will become Highlanders. And, without fail, I will see everyone soar the sky together!」 「…I-is that possible?」 「I will make it possible even if that means I will have to fight the entire Highland…!」
A streak of defiance was engraved on her face.
「I see, so that’s why you forgave those ex-knights since you need to increase your army strength 2 if it has to come down to that…」
Cyrene nodded at Inglis’ statement.
「That’s right… I want to be able to protect this town as soon as possible, in its truest meaning. Until the time the other shoe drops—」 「Lady Cyrene… Why did you tell us something this important?」 「…Perhaps, I want to be forgiven by someone. The fact that I am here as a Consul, while it is a good thing for the current development, it is a disaster in the making… and there are no two ways about it. And yet, I keep it hidden from everyone and… Even I keep asking myself again and again, is it really okay to continue being like this? That’s why I’m asking the two of you, is it okay for me to stay here…? What do you think?」
Forlornly, Cyrene smiled at them, gazing deeply into their faces.