LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Monsters
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
I woke from sleep at the loudly ringing bell.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
“Have they finally come?”
I grabbed my sword and went outside.
Unlike the first time, I wasn't flustered.
Arriving at the farm, I saw Black Goblins surrounding the watchtowers.
Slaves attacked the goblins with crossbows from atop the towers.
This battle ended in an instant as the villagers joined in.
“Their numbers are much greater than before.”
There were three times as many as the first time they came.
If we hadn't prepared beforehand, even A Field would have suffered damage.
“Your thinking was right. Without the watchtowers and the slaves, the barley farming would have been ruined.”
“Grandfather. Could it be a coincidence twice, not just once?”
“…Are you suspecting the vigilantes?”
“Let's head over there first.”
I led Grandfather and the villagers towards the bridge.
As many people appeared, the vigilantes guarding the bridge became tense.
“Uh… What brings you here?”
“You lot! Didn't you see the monsters pass by!!”
Grandfather roared.
The vigilantes shrunk their necks.
“What on earth happened!! Why has something that hasn't happened in years occurred twice!!”
“Well… I dozed off a little…”
The vigilante on duty started making excuses.
Just then, I called the slaves I had hidden in advance.
“These are slaves I gave separate orders to. I had them watch the vigilantes as I was suspicious.”
The slaves recounted what they saw.
Late at night.
One vigilante crossed the bridge.
After a long while, he lured back a large number of Black Goblins.
“It's a lie!! We never did such a thing!!”
“Enough!! You lot be quiet!!”
Grandfather calmed the scene, and the slaves continued their explanation.
When the vigilante lured the Black Goblins, the other members guarding the bridge opened the way for them.
Even after crossing the bridge, the vigilante continued to lure the Black Goblins.
Towards the farm.
“Sir Campbell! Surely you don't believe the slaves' words? We didn't do it!”
Grandfather roughly pushed the vigilante's chest.
“Why on earth did you do it! Our long-held dream is right before us. We've become able to farm on Monster Island! Our descendants can live more prosperously than us! But why! Why on earth did you do such a thing!!”
At the roar, the vigilantes wore guilt-ridden expressions.
However, they didn't stop making excuses.
“We apologize. But… it was a mistake.”
This wouldn't solve the problem.
The slaves' words versus the words of vigilantes they've lived with for decades.
Who would the River people believe?
They would have suspicions too. But, if there's no solid proof?
My head spun rapidly.
I have to end this with this opportunity.
I have to find the culprit.
Otherwise, the farm will continuously be in danger.
‘How can I find more evidence here?’
Constructed watchtowers, taught the slaves how to use crossbows, and had swift slaves watch the bridge.
Yet, it's not enough.
I need to take one more step forward.
For a definite resolution.
I kept thinking, but there was nowhere evidence could come from.
As my thoughts dragged on, the surrounding atmosphere also gradually changed.
Does the arm bend inwards? (Idiom: People favor those close to them)
Eventually, an atmosphere of protecting the vigilantes they had lived alongside emerged.
Because among them were family, relatives, and friends.
‘If I can't find evidence, then even another method…’
At that moment, I thought of the game theory where I used to draw tables in university.
Among them, the Prisoner's Dilemma.
Prisoner's Dilemma.
When two prisoners can choose between confession and silence,the sentence each prisoner receives is determined by the choices of both prisoners.
Since there are two people and two choices, a total of four possible outcomes emerge.
What's important here is that the prisoner's choice changes depending on the sentence set for each situation.
“Grandfather, I'll do it.”
Grandfather, who had been roughly confronting the vigilantes, stepped back.
“Young Lord, we apologize. It was a mistake.”
“Young Lord, please forgive us.”
Shing.
Thwack.
I drew my sword and stabbed it into the ground.
So that everyone could see.
“I, Elwin Frontier. As the Young Lord of the Frontier territory, have the right and duty to resolve problems.”
Mentioning my full name and the Young Lord of the Frontier territory, the surrounding atmosphere grew heavy.
“I will give you one more chance.”
“Thank you!”
“Thank you very much, Young Lord.”
Filled with anger, I pulled the sword out and stabbed it even harder.
“Be quiet and listen to me.”
I made eye contact with each of the vigilantes.
“You failed to guard the bridge. Therefore, I decree your banishment from River Village.”
“Young Lord!!!”
“No!!! If we leave here, where are we supposed to go!!!”
“However, if you confess to today's crime, I will forgive you by having you farm alongside the slaves for 3 years. During that period, the same wages as the slaves will be paid.”
This time, none of the vigilantes opened their mouths.
Only exchanging glances with each other.
“If! Despite someone confessing, there is one who remains silent until the end, he will be banished not only himself, but his family along with him!”
The original Prisoner's Dilemma doesn't involve such extreme sentences.
Rather, it's a model for uncovering a single truth by appropriately adjusting the sentences.
Precisely to show that an individual's best choice may not be society's best choice.
And this result is very important economically.
There's no need to think that far right now.
So, unlike the Prisoner's Dilemma, I didn't adjust the sentences appropriately either.
Because what's important is the confession.
“Grandfather, take one away and investigate.”
“One follow me, and the last one… Administrator, you take him.”
The River Village Administrator.
An official sent down from the Frontier Viscounty as an administrator.
He wouldn't just protect the vigilantes.
Like that, the three who guarded the bridge were separated.
Farmland.
Near the watchtower.
“You know the situation on Monster Island too.”
“…”
“You should also know how precious food is.”
“…”
On the continent, people sometimes give food to the homeless.
But here, such cases are rare.
Because the price of food is very high.
“Do you have anywhere to go if you're banished? Do you intend to wander Monster Island and die? Or will you be caught by slave hunters and live as a slave?”
“…”
“Think carefully. If you remain silent, and another confesses, not only you but also your family will be banished from River Village. These are words spoken as the Young Lord of Frontier, so they will definitely be kept.”
I calmly explained the reality.
I had already designed it for confession.
If the other vigilante doesn't confess, it's advantageous for him to confess.
If he confesses, he just needs to farm for 3 years. Wages are paid too.
If he doesn't, he gets banished.
Even if the other vigilante confesses, it's still advantageous for him to confess.
If he confesses, he similarly farms for 3 years.
If he doesn't, he gets banished along with his family.
In any situation, it's advantageous for him to confess.
While the vigilante continued to ponder, Isaac approached.
Then he handed over a piece of paper.
I took the paper and pretended to read it.
“It's over. Will you speak now? If you intend to remain silent, then stand up now.”
As if everything was finished.
I acted as if someone else had confessed.
“No!! I will speak too!”
The inside story was this.
One day, the administrator visited the vigilante.
Then he told him to lure monsters to the farmland.
Of course, the vigilantes refused.
However, he said it was Brilda's order and insisted they must do it.
“The administrator said. That the current... Young Lord will be kicked out anyway, and the Young Lord position will be inherited by Young Master Gibson. He threatened that if we didn't follow the order, no one could protect us then. I am truly sorry, Young Lord.”
As expected, Brilda was behind it.
‘The fact that Brilda moved means she likely knew the farm situation.’
Although the barley hadn't been harvested yet, there was the incident where villagers ate the immature barley.
At the time, it was an action taken to reassure the people.
‘That news reached Brilda. The person who informed her must have been the administrator.’
Then can I attack Brilda with this incident?
My head shook.
Brilda will cut off her tail.
She'll claim she has no connection to the administrator.
Then there's no way.
Because the vassals of Frontier have already sided with Brilda.
‘And Father will maintain neutrality again this time.’
Saying neutrality, but it's just letting Brilda run rampant.
A very young age.
Elwin and Elena, who lost their mother when they were toddlers.
It was nearly impossible for the two of them to face Brilda.
If the father stands neutral when two children fight an adult woman.
Is that really neutrality?
Anyway, this incident must end with dealing with the administrator.
If, by any chance, it becomes an all-out confrontation with Brilda, it would be detrimental to me.
Because the forces I have are only the farmland, slaves, and my maternal grandfather.
After sufficient time had passed, I stood up from my seat.
“Returning to the bridge.”
Many people were gathered at the bridge.
Grandfather and the administrator had also arrived.
First, I asked the administrator.
“Did the vigilante confess?”
“There was nothing to confess. It was a perfect mistake.”
I looked at the vigilante standing behind the administrator.
“Is that true? I'll give you one special extra chance. If you speak now, I will treat you the same as those who confessed.”
Originally, I had no intention of giving another chance.
However, that vigilante was unlucky. He went with the main culprit, the administrator.
He probably couldn't reveal the whole truth to him.
“This is the last lifeline I'm extending to you. Grab it. I will give you a final chance to confess.”
“…”
In the end, the vigilante did not open his mouth.
This time, I turned my head towards Grandfather.
“Grandfather, what happened?”
Grandfather slowly walked towards the center.
Then he suddenly rushed at the administrator like lightning.
He struck the administrator's neck, and when he clutched his neck and bent his waist,he struck down on his back.
Thwack.
“Keoheoheok.”
Even without hearing the words, I could tell.
Grandfather had also obtained a confession.
While everyone was surprised,I moved to the center.
People's gazes gathered on me.
“Of the three vigilantes, two confessed.”
I explained the situation.
That what the slaves saw was correct,and the one who instigated the vigilantes was the administrator.
And I omitted the part about Brilda.
“The situation has been clearly revealed. Therefore, I deliver the final verdict upon them.”
I called the two vigilantes who confessed.
“You will farm alongside the slaves for 3 years.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you, Young Lord.”
“And the vigilante who did not confess will be banished from River along with his family.”
“Please forgive me, Young Lord!!”
The vigilante crawled to my feet.
“Young Lord! I was wrong. Just once. Please give me just one more chance.”
I ignored his words.
Forgiveness?
Good. A positive word.
However, forgiveness isn't always good.
One must distinguish between those who confessed and those who didn't.
Besides, I declared it in front of the public, using my full name.
That those who do not confess will be banished.
“Young Lord!! Please… If we are banished, how are our families supposed to survive!”
Step. Step.
Ignoring the vigilante, I stood next to the administrator.