How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

In the Refugee Camp

Outside the castle walls that surrounded Parnam, the capital of the Elfrieden Kingdom, there was a place where many hovels had been built. This shanty town was where the refugees who’d been displaced by the expansion of the Demon Lord’s Domain lived. These refugees, who had drifted here during the reign of the former king, Albert, lived by helping and supporting one another. The issue of refugees who had escaped from the Demon Lord’s Domain had been a source of trouble for all of the nations affected. It had been dealt with in various ways, from conscripting them into the armies and positioning them on the front lines, to working them to the bone as a cheap source of labor.

In that situation, the mediocre but gentle-natured Albert had silently tolerated the existence of this refugee camp. While his successor, King Souma, was unable to actively help them integrate, he had ordered his Minister for the Food Crisis, Poncho, to provide food support.

While Poncho had been in the Principality of Amidonia, he’d provided emergency food aid to the residents of Van, and here in the Elfrieden Kingdom, he did the same.

And so, Poncho was wearing a bandanna and a gown-like apron called a kappogi (Souma’s idea), like some old cafeteria lady, and was taking the lead in serving meals to the refugees.

“We are serving food here, yes,” Poncho called out, standing in front of a cylindrical pot, ladle in hand. “This time we have the mystic wolves’ miso soup and a pork soup made with lily root dumplings from the Principality of Amidonia. Everyone, please line up, and don’t push and shove, yes.”

“The end of the line is here,” Tomoe added. “There’s plenty to go around, so there’s no need to hurry.”

Helping Poncho was Tomoe, who despite being a refugee herself was now King Souma’s adopted little sister. In addition to Tomoe, there were many other mystic wolves helping to serve food. While they had gained the right to live in the capital in exchange for their skill in making soy sauce and miso, the mystic wolves had once lived in the refugee camp. Because of that, they had a sense of camaraderie with their fellow refugees and the money they made from producing Kikkoro brand miso and soy sauce went to support them.

At this point, a young girl came up to Poncho and Tomoe as they were serving food. “Thank you for your hard work, Poncho, Tomoe.”

The girl was around seventeen and wore clothing in earthen colors that was reminiscent of a Native American attire. As if to represent her exuberance, she was a beautiful, healthy, athletic girl with tanned skin and muscular arms and legs. When they noticed the girl, Poncho and Tomoe both smiled.

“Wh-Why, Madam Komain. It’s been a while, yes.”

“Hello, Komain,” Tomoe said.

Her name was Komain. She was the younger sister of the leader who kept everyone in this refugee camp together. When Poncho took off his bandanna and started bowing repeatedly to her, Komain panicked.

“P-Poncho, don’t bow your head to someone like me. You’re the one supporting us. It hurts my heart to see you do that.”

“Ah!... I-I’m sorry, yes.” Even as he said that, Poncho continued to bow his head to her. This was the product of his own timid personality, so even if she pointed it out to him, it probably wasn’t something he could fix. Komain understood that, so all she could do was smile wryly.

“I think you could afford to act a little more self-important, you know?” Komain asked.

“Urkh. I-I suppose you’re right. If Madam Serina were here, she’d say, ‘As one who stands above others, please, be more proud of yourself,’ and get upset with me. Ahaha...”

Poncho wore a troubled smile. Ever since she had been charmed by the food he made, the head maid, Serina, had constantly gotten herself involved in Poncho’s business. Souma had noticed, and was formally ordering her to assist him more and more often. However, today she’d had some other work to do at the castle, so Serina was not present.

“Serina? Is that your wife?” Komain, who was not acquainted with Serina, tilted her head to the side and asked.

Poncho hurriedly shook his head. “N-No, she’s not my wife! While I do rely on her, she’s like a coworker. Because of the way I look, I’m still single, yes.”

Poncho responded humbly, but Tomoe tilted her head to the side in confusion. Was Poncho and Serina’s relationship really just that of coworkers? Even to the eyes of ten-year-old Tomoe, the two of them seemed very close.

Komain also reacted with surprise. “Is that right? Well, you’re a hit with the women of the refugee camp, you know?”

“P-Please, don’t tease me with jokes like that, yes.”

Poncho seemed to think she was joking, but Komain spoke the truth. The fastest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. There were many women in the kingdom, the principality, and even here in the refugee camp who loved Poncho for the delicious dishes he made. However, due to his lack of self-confidence, Poncho didn’t realize it at all. He was dense, but Komain found his humbleness and lack of arrogance likable.

“We’re all grateful to you and King Souma, you know?” Komain said. “You support us when we have nowhere to go, and no home to return to, and for that we truly thank you.”

“Ah! You’re welcome, yes.” Poncho laughed shyly in response to the girl’s heartfelt words of thanks.

Komain smiled. “Well, I’ll go around and let everyone know you’re handing out food!”

Then, with that said, she rushed off with a sense of urgency. The way that, before she was out of sight, she turned back once and waved to Tomoe and Poncho was memorable.

Poncho had seen her off with a smile, but the smile now vanished, replaced with a pensive look. When Tomoe noticed, she asked him, “What’s wrong, Poncho? You look depressed.”

Poncho snapped back to his senses. “Ah! No... I was thinking about what would happen to Komain and the others from here on.”

“From here on...?” Tomoe asked.

Poncho nodded with a solemn look on his face. “Right now, we’re offering them support, but we can’t leave the refugees like this forever. Kindness alone is not enough to rule a country. Eventually, His Majesty, the Prime Minister, or someone else will attempt to solve the underlying problem. Komain and the others may be forced to make a hard decision. When that time comes, I worry it will darken her smile, yes.”

Kindness alone is not enough to rule a country.

Those words of Poncho’s echoed heavily in Tomoe’s young heart. But...

“It’s going to be okay,” Tomoe said, smiling to Poncho.

“Madam Tomoe?” he asked.

“Big Brother Souma is really kind,” she said confidently. “He’s not full of himself, even though he’s a king, and he’s always looking out for me, a former refugee. My teacher... Hakuya is a very warm person, too, even though he doesn’t look like it, you know? I’m his number one student, and I say so, so I must be right.” Tomoe clasped her hands together behind her back and looked towards the castle. “If those two have something planned, it definitely won’t be all harsh. I’m sure they’ll figure something out.”

It was a baseless confidence, but Tomoe didn’t doubt it in the slightest. The people she loved would never leave people in sadness, she believed.

Poncho said, “I-I’m sure you’re right,” and nodded. “I’d like to trust in His Majesty and everyone else, too, yes.”

“Okay!” Tomoe cried.

“Now, let’s work hard on handing out food, yes!” Poncho agreed.

When he said that, Poncho rolled up his sleeves and held his ladle up high.