In the territory of Lord Blas, which borders Grey Castle Territory, the same thing is happening simultaneously in many villages.
"Did you know? I heard that there's something called soap in Grey Castle Territory in the south. After using it, your body will smell wonderful, and it will feel like a flower is walking past you."
"Yes, I've heard that too," the other man said, then he looked around cautiously and continued in a low voice, "I also heard that everyone from the village ahead of us has gone to Grey Castle Territory, and that it's very wealthy there now."
In Lord Blas's castle.
"My lord, something terrible has happened! Recently, many villagers from the border area between us and Grey Castle Territory have run off to that side." A warrior-like man rushed up to Blas.
"What's the point of going there? It's the middle of nowhere," Lord Blas said dismissively.
"What? You're saying more villagers have gone to Grey Castle Territory?" After a moment, he finally realized that it wasn't the same thing Tax Collector had mentioned last time.
"Yes, my lord, almost half of the people on the border have fled, and many villages are empty. If we don't find a way soon, the entire border will be deserted," the messenger said anxiously.
"Where are our border guards? Don't we have border guards? What are they doing? Did they go eat shit?"
Lord Blas stood up angrily. He kept those guards, not to let them defecate.
The messenger was startled and said tremblingly, "My lord, you have sent your border guards to the battlefield to fight for the Copper Mine because you believe that Grey Castle Territory poses no threat to you."
"Immediately, right now, send men to the border of Grey Castle Territory. Anyone who leaves again, kill them on the spot." Lord Blas was a little panicked. If all these people ran away, who would cultivate the land? If no one cultivated the land, who would he collect taxes from?
Furthermore, the land there is fertile and has the highest land tax in his territory. Without these taxes, his war for the Copper Mine could end immediately.
"Yes, my lord, I'll be right there." The messenger turned to leave.
"Wait a minute," Lord Blas called to the puzzled soldier. "What's going on? Why are they running over there? Grey Castle Territory isn't exactly a desirable place."
"My lord, I've heard that the food at Grey Castle Territory is excellent, the land taxes are low, and there's a fragrant substance that makes you smell wonderful when you wear it. Some people couldn't resist the temptation and went there."
"Okay, go right away, and report back if anything happens."
"Yes, my lord."
A few days later, the messenger rushed in again.
"My lord, the border guards have lost control. Many people are sneaking away at night, taking nothing with them, just their bodies."
"Huh?" Lord Blas looked at the messenger soldier in disbelief.
"It's true, my lord. The villages on the border are practically deserted now, and large tracts of land are left uncultivated."
" Grey Castle Territory is really going too far. They've pulled all our warriors out here fighting for the Copper Mine. We don't want the Copper Mine anymore. I'm going to march all the way to Grey Castle Territory and sweep all that garbage into the ocean."
Lord Blas is furious.
"My lord..."
Blas glared angrily at the messenger soldier.
"My lord... if we want to attack Grey Castle Territory, we must first clear the road."
"Huh?" Blas kicked over the table in front of him.