We reached Anheim the following morning, just as I had predicted. Had this merely been the arrival of the deputy count, this wouldn’t have been such a big deal, but with the knights, civil officials, infantry, mercenaries, and captured bandits we had strung behind us, of course we drew attention as we entered town.
I personally hadn’t wanted to stand out so much or pretend that this was some triumphant return like we ended up doing, but if we failed to make a strong impression right away, it would take too long to get the townsfolk in line before the Demon Commander attacked. Still, though I knew it was necessary, the whole ordeal left a bitter taste that I couldn’t keep from showing in my expression. I played it off by hiding my face behind a helmet I had prepared in advance.
Incidentally, the final group of bandits we subjugated also had young women and children with them, but I left it to a mercenary squad to see to them outside of town. I gave a cursory look around as I thought to myself that I needed to deal with this issue quickly for their sakes as well.
People had gathered to see me—or rather, the new deputy count—but they were hardly enthusiastic about it. Perhaps after Triot had been destroyed, the people of this town knew that their home wouldn’t have much time left either.
Anheim, a town in the erstwhile March of Kneipp, bordering Triot, had been built with an emphasis on fortification rather than trade. While Triot had been a friendly nation, it was still a foreign one, and ramparts lined the town just in case, offering protection should it ever come under siege. The population numbered a few thousand, which, by the standards of the Middle Ages of my old world, made it quite a large town.
The garrison was also what you’d expect of a border town. While there weren’t that many guards, they were equipped with ballistae built into the ramparts, which they could use to repel enemies. I would have to double-check later on, but for the time being, it seemed I wouldn’t have to procure any equipment for defending the walls.
In front of the government hall stood a group of people. It included a few town guards, a man likely representing the local government, and people who looked like Marquess Kneipp’s subordinates, including a knight. I had to be confident and firm. I put on the face of a nobleman and brought my horse up to where they stood.
“Well met. I am Werner Von Zehrfeld.”
“We have been awaiting your arrival.”
The captain of the guards and the government functionary seemed to be appraising me, though they were careful to keep it courteous. This was only natural. I had to make sure they couldn’t view me as just some uppity brat.
“And I thank you for your welcome. Put these brigands in the dungeons. Their leader shall be executed in three days’ time.”
“…Huh?”
The functionary seemed shocked, but I ignored him and kept talking. “Are you deaf? In three days, we shall execute their leader. Currently, these lands are not under the marquess’s rule but under mine as deputy count. This outlaw will be sentenced in accordance with the laws of the kingdom.”
I knew that the fiefdom of a marquess could have its own laws, and they may have taken different steps when under Marquess Kneipp. But now, things were different. I had to make it clear that this was no longer his domain.
“Spread word throughout the town, in such manner as is customary. In three days, understood?” I raised my voice so others in the vicinity could hear, and now, some of the townsfolk who had been watching on were cheering. Good grief.
Just as in old Europe, public executions here were a form of amusement. No, don’t get me wrong. That wasn’t the only purpose, but this part of it was undeniable. For example, in medieval times, on a certain day that two famous executions were to be held, tens of thousands had gathered to observe, and were so crammed that a crowd crush began. More than twenty died, and over seventy had been wounded in this fatal accident. Though, there was admittedly at least something funny about someone dying when they themself had been so eager to see an execution.
Another example is more recent. On the day Marie Antoinette’s husband King Louis VI was put to death at the guillotine, some people dipped their handkerchiefs in his blood to bring back as souvenirs. Others cut pieces of his clothes off for the same purpose, and these became hot items that sold out quickly. There were plenty of anecdotes to be told about executions.
There really just wasn’t that much in the way of amusement. Well, I was sure not everyone enjoyed it, nor were they forced to. The same could be said in this world; I had no memories of Mazel expressing interest in watching one, nor had Lily ever seemed keen on it.
On the other hand, as an agent of the government, I couldn’t ignore the fact that they were necessary. I would never go out of my way to witness one, but the town was currently being terrorized by bandits. Ordering the execution of one of their leaders would quell any rumors about where my loyalties lay, and going about it calmly would give me a strong start here.
“Before I meet with the council, I will avail myself of your baths. Take me there, and then see my men to their lodgings and prepare encampment for the mercenaries.”
“Y-yessir!”
“U-understood.”
I gestured to Neurath, Schünzel, Frenssen, and the head official who had accompanied me from the capital, Sir Behnke, to follow me inside the government hall. There would be simple lodgings to accommodate guests from afar and, therefore, bath facilities alongside them.
Not only was I too young, but I was among the rivals of Marquess Kneipp’s martial faction. I wasn’t even from the capital, yet they had entrusted me with these lands and sent me here as deputy. They might use the fact I had changed my planned date of arrival to punish me with a cold bath, but I was expecting as much. I had experienced wiping myself down with nothing but river water before.
And I wasn’t about to face the bigwigs of this town without first washing off the dirt of the road and the grime of the battlefield.