Tafel had a headache. The peasants were running low on food, so low that so of them had resorted to eating dirt, and she had no idea how to feed them all. Although she was raised to be a ruler, she had skipped out on a lot of her studies when she went off to beco an adventurer at the age of six. All she had learned was etiquette and a few magical spells. It was also true that she beca the demon lord, the ruler of all the demons back ho, but she had never encountered any problems. After all, she basically handed her power of authority to Auntie Lindyss to go adventuring with Vur. Tafel sighed and slumped forward, resting her head on the table in front of her. Why was keeping people alive so hard!?
Is there a problem, Herald? Thomas asked. The priest was by her side at almost all tis, and he took care of so of the administrative problems too, but it wasnt enough!
How am I supposed to feed all these people? Tafel asked, speaking into the table. Prim wouldve lectured her about manners if she saw the sight, but luckily, the etiquette teacher was in a different world. There were over ten thousand followers Tafel had to take care of, and she obtained even more every ti they passed through another city. Theyd go to a city, eat everything there, and move on to eat at the next city. It was simply unsustainable.
Ah. Thomas nodded. Why are you concerned about that?
Tafel raised her head, glaring at the priest. What do you an why am I concerned? People are going to starve, and starvation leads to death.
Its the end of the world, the apocalypse, Thomas said and furrowed his brow. More people are going to die than survive. Only the true believers are guaranteed to pass this trial, and only those that are blessed shall accompany them.
Oh, right, Tafel said and nodded. I forgot. Youre crazy. She turned her head towards her favorite peasant, the one that didnt treat her like a freak of nature. And what about you? Do you have any ideas to deal with this food problem?
The peasant blinked and nodded. We can eat everyone who doesnt want to follow us.
What the hell. Tafel stared at the man as if he had three heads. Cannibalism? Really? Get out.
The peasant shrugged. You asked.
Before he could leave, Tafel stopped him. Wait. Is cannibalism common here?
The peasant scratched his head. A bit?
What do you an a bit? Tafel asked and furrowed her brow.
I believe I can answer that, Thomas said. You see, theres this belief thats been around for a whileand thats growing in popularity, mind youthat the human body can be made into wonderful dications. Drinking the blood of another person is said to revitalize you. Ive heard, in so places, the poor gather around executions and purchase blood from the executioners to drink for their health. One can soak bandages in human fat to improve the rate of recovery, and bones can be ground into powder for tinctures to cure illnesses. Consuming organs improves body health; however, brains are a big no-no, and eating muscles is generally looked down on.
Tafels lips twitched. I wont allow anyone following to eat another person.
Thomas nodded. I wholeheartedly agree. The aristocratic elite and higherups of the church are the main consurs of these dicines. Theyre the ones who can afford to purchase corpses or conveniently have people murdered by accusing them of witchcraft. Its a horrible practice, and no doubt it plays a big part in why you were sent here. Youll kill them all, purging these wicked sinners.
I have another idea, the peasant said.
Tafel narrowed her eyes at the peasant. What is it?
We can split up, the peasant said. Instead of ten thousand of us following you into one city, we can split into six groups of four thousand and go to six cities instead. We can find more people to join us, and we wont eat as much food. The word of the rebellion will spread even faster.
Tafel blinked. How do we split ten thousand people into six groups of four thousand?
You take four thousand people, put them in one group. Take another four thousand, put them in a second group. And you do this four more tis.
Tafel raised her hand up. Wait. Thatll be two thousand people left after you do it twice.
The peasant scratched his head. Oh. I guess my idea wasnt that great then.
No, no, it was a good idea, Tafel said. Your math was just a little off.
So we are splitting into six groups of four thousand?
No! Were going to split into four groups of twenty-five hundred. Tafel nodded. Therell be a lot less pressure to feed everyone. However, Ill have to plot out routes for each of the groups so we dont accidentally visit the sa city and starve.
Im not sure if twenty-five hundred people are enough, Thomas said. If the Swabian League rounds up so knights, the can easily cull the groups that youre not a part of.
Tafel raised an eyebrow. Theyre that strong?
Its not a matter of strength, Thomas said. Its a matter of wealth. The league has horses, armor, and weapons. We have sticks and farming tools, but those might as well be sticks when faced against armored foes.
Tafel frowned. Alright, she said and stood up. How about this? You guys go around telling the peasants that the aristocracy and church is going to be overthrown. And Ill go around by myself doing the overthrowing? I can teleport and travel much faster than all of you, so Ill capture everyone from the Swabian League and bring them before you.
Herald, no matter whether your plans are good or bad, I shall follow them, Thomas said and bowed.
Wait. Tafel frowned. Are you saying this is a bad plan?
Thomas shook his head. Im not saying that. I dare not comnt on the plans of the Herald of the Apocalypse. I shall only follow them.
Tafels eye twitched. She turned towards the peasant. What do you think?
Hang on, the peasant said, raising a finger. Im trying to figure out how twenty-five hundred goes into ten thousand four tis.
Tafel stared at the thinking peasant. Then she stared at the bowing priest. She sighed.
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