The Monster Hero

Ch 15: Concequences of a Hero

Ryuji: why, aren't you people from Melromarc?

Man: no, we're refugees that fled from the north

Man 2: there was a rumor that an adventurer from this kingdom was assembling a resistance force to begin a revolution 

Man 1: When we came here, we found out that it was already over. We had very little money, and we couldn't buy supplies for the trip back

Man 2: We then learned despite the revolution had been a success but the situation was the same so we came to live here because it was nearby, but with the toll and the tax we're completely broke

Naofumi: do you have any idea who this adventurer is?

Man 1: we don't really know. The rumors say he was an archer

Ryuji: (an archer? Is Itsuki behind this?)

Suddenly a baby started crying in a woman's arms.

Naofumi: *sigh* Raphtalia, set up an emergency kitchen

Raphtalia: right

Later Naofumi started cooking and we handed out food.

Ryuji: is this everyone in the village?

Man 1: yes, everyone else has been killed. After the resistance was a success, we heard rumors from traveling merchants and passing adventurers that the resistance raised the taxes even more, just like the lord had done before

Naofumi: why did they do that?

Man 1: I don't know too much going by the rumors. But going by what some merchants said it takes a lot of money to run a country... come to think of it, I bet the previous king had the exact same thing in mind

Ryuji: if you thought about the reason for the revolution?

Man 2: at first it was just famine and then the previous king raised the taxes

Man 1: With the decrease in money, it has gotten harder for us to buy food

Woman: we'd like to go back but that would mean we have to suffer from starvation again

I began to feel pity for the people and wanted to help them.

Raphtalia: master Naofumi, Mr Ryuji, we should help them

Raphtalia looked at Naofumi with pleading eyes.

Naofumi gave in and rubbed the back of his head.

Naofumi: fine, but I have no idea what to do

Ryuji: I might have one

Naofumi: you do?

Ryuji: it would stop the increasing tax, but if I know the locations of the towns I could distribute the leftover fast-growing seeds on Ratha to help feed the people

The refugees looked at me with hope.

Man 1: will you really?

I glanced at Naofumi and he gave me a nod.

Ryuji: leave it to me

After giving the refugees hope, I summoned Ratha.

Naofumi gave me crates full of seed and I loaded them on Ratha's saddle.

Ryuji: well, I'm off

Naofumi: make sure you tell the villages the same agreement we have with the other one

Ryuji: Don't worry grouchy, I will. Let's go, Ratha!

Ratha: *Roar*

I then spent the next few days going from village to village to distribute the seeds while making the same arrangements.