Chapter 39
The Riese Fortress in southwestern Rudek.
Once, it was a large fortress where the Seventh Knight Order was stationed to keep an eye on Golbel. Now, part of the Fifth Knight Order manages it.
Though only part of the order was stationed there, around 2,500 soldiers guarded the fortress, retaining the minimum defensive capability needed in an emergency.
On this day, a somewhat unusual sight unfolded just beyond the main gate of Riese Fortress.
What the guards of the Fifth Knight Order were watching with interest was a collection of colorful, distinctive wagons, all owned by traveling troupes.
"Belluman—and Zodia. Long time no see."
The one who called out to them was Gubeck, leader of La Belno Ale, one of the largest traveling troupes.
La Belno Ale is made up of people who make their living through theater. Among the traveling troupes that specialize in theater, it would be no exaggeration to call them the most famous.
Lu Pu Zea is another of the leading troupes, but La Belno Ale is probably the more renowned of the two.
"Gubeck, you were in Rudek?"
Belluman casually returned the greeting, while Gubeck slowly nodded.
"I only arrived from Rubral the other day. Just then, I heard the news about 'Loref's Scream' and hurried over, only to find... What is going on here? I see as many as eight traveling troupes gathered—this must be serious. And you two, the key people in all this, look perfectly well. Is this really 'Loref's Scream'?"
Zodia answered Gubeck's question.
"Yes. But it wasn't us who cried out. It was all of us—the traveling troupes."
Gubeck slightly furrowed his brow at Zodia's unclear reply.
"...You're going to explain what this means, I assume?"
"Of course."
With Gubeck still frowning, Zodia went on.
"We've been given the use of a section of Riese Fortress. It seems the troupes we could gather for now are all here, so let's move inside."
With that, Zodia forcibly ushered Gubeck—who still looked as though he had something to say—into the fortress.
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"A crop failure, huh..."
The leaders of the various traveling troupes had gathered in a corner of Riese Fortress. Their reaction to Zodia's explanation was more muted than expected.
There were two reasons. Traveling troupes were highly adept at gathering information as they journeyed from place to place. With autumn approaching, they had all sensed signs of a poor harvest to one degree or another, even if not a full-blown crop failure.
The other reason was Zodia. Several traveling troupes could read the stars, but Zodia's skill was in a league of its own. If Zodia claimed to have seen ill-omened stars, no one could ignore it.
"It could happen, but what does a crop failure have to do with our being gathered here?"
Speaking for the assembled troupes, Gubeck voiced the question.
"Someone is willing to secure enough food for the traveling troupes to last the coming year."
"What?"
"Are you familiar with the name Roa=Stein-sama?"
When Zodia looked around at everyone, every last person nodded.
"Everyone knows the name Roa=Stein, but what reason would Roa=Stein have to provide us with food? If a crop failure truly comes to pass, a harsh future awaits us, but that doesn't mean we have any reason to accept charity."
Every leader present nodded again at Gubeck's words.
Traveling troupes were freedom-loving, proud people. It was only natural that they had no intention of acting like beggars.
"Of course, Roa-sama isn't offering this as a charitable service. This will be a 'deal' between Roa-sama and all of the traveling troupes."
"A deal? ...This country is currently at war with Riflerea. Are you planning to send us off to Riflerea and use us for espionage or something?"
Zodia immediately denied this.
"It's not about the war with Riflerea. It's what comes after that."
"After that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Explain it so we can understand."
The leaders, who had silently watched the exchange between Zodia and Gubeck, could no longer hold back and spoke up. Zodia looked around at them once more, then began speaking slowly, as though addressing them directly.
"If there is a crop failure, what kind of lives do you think people will lead?"
"...They'll be forced to live frugally, I suppose."
"It will be a dark, harsh year for every country."
"...Yes. ...Wait, then does that mean..."
"As Gubeck realized, in exchange for providing food, Roa-sama wants you to use your troupes' performances to comfort people throughout the land, free of charge. That's the arrangement."
Zodia's words were followed by a brief silence. Then Zodia continued.
"Even if the food were handed over all at once, it could draw bandits. And it is far too much to carry around. To prevent that, you will return to Rudek at regular intervals, and supplies will be given to you as needed. Therefore, for this period alone, the troupes that agree to cooperate will be restricted to traveling within the three countries of Rudek, Golbel, and the Empire."
"A three-country alliance?"
"Yes. Within this region, Roa-sama says a certain degree of safety can be guaranteed."
"What about the other regions?"
"As Roa-sama put it, 'This is something each country's king has to work hard on; it's not our responsibility to handle.' So if the kings of countries outside the three nations make you a similar offer, you're free to go there instead."
"I see. That's only fair. And now I understand why we were summoned."
"If possible, we'd appreciate it if you could give the same explanation to those who couldn't gather this time. Lu Pu Zea will be staying at Riese Fortress for the time being, so please tell any troupe that accepts Roa-sama's proposal to come here."
"...Roa=Stein. I'd heard plenty of rumors, but he seems to be an utterly extraordinary man."
Zodia replied with a smile.
"I think Roa-sama is probably an even more extraordinary person than you imagine, Gubeck."