In this crossover anime, many ruthless and powerful figures reside in my territory.

"There are many kinds of Blood Demon Arts. As the Demon King, I can develop almost endless Blood Demon Arts. Among my subordinates, there are Blood Demon Arts that are good at searching for human traces. I have already learned them."

The blood transformed into an invisible wave that spread outwards, and the next second, Muzan's vision changed.

The blood-red phantom reenacted the massacre of the villagers, and many villagers scattered and fled. Some of them were noticeably calmer and hid themselves as they escaped into the depths of the forest.

"over there."

Muzan pointed in one direction, and at the same time, Pauline jumped out and pointed in the same direction.

“Lord Lister, over there! I remember there’s a hidden stronghold of the Dark Court in that direction.”

Lister immediately used his magic eye to see far and wide, and sure enough, he found a rolling hill four kilometers away. Inside the hill was a large space where hundreds of humans and orcs were hiding, all of them young and strong.

The survivors have been found!

If these survivors can be brought back, Red Maple will gain a large number of additional laborers.

Lister quickly led his men over and found the hidden cave entrance.

"Watch my actions."

"Elsa, Pauline, come to my side."

"Pauline, take your hood off!"

"You're quite cute, why do you have to wear a hat every day? Be more confident! Orcs living in my territory don't need to hide such good-looking features."

Lister pulled with both hands, and Pauline's two large, white, mouse-like ears were revealed.

She instinctively tried to cover herself, but Lister ripped off her cloak and threw it to Elsa.

What...what should I do?!

Pauline felt anxious and uncomfortable all over, and the next second Lister's hands pinched her youthful face.

"Smile, don't make it seem like I'm forcing you."

“There are quite a few orcs inside, and your expression will make them very wary.”

That's it!

Yahiko suddenly understood Liszt's intention.

In the United States, humans and orcs are two distinct groups with a clear hierarchy, which easily leads to hostility between them.

Lister's attire made him appear to be an aristocrat, and having two orcs with him in his party effectively reduced the hostility of the other orcs.

After all, the refugees have already been traumatized by the sudden attack. If they were to receive further trauma, it could cause panic and make communication more difficult.

Indeed! We must carefully understand every step that Liszt took.

Lister waved his hand, signaling Yahiko and Konan to come forward, while telling the others to wait outside.

He temporarily handed over the King's Sword to Muzan, which improved Muzan's mood considerably.

Those who open the cave now will only see a human nobleman, two orcs, and two children.

Then there is no problem.

After Elsa formed the hand seals, she slapped the ground, and the cave entrance opened instantly, letting bright sunlight stream into the underground cave.

Inside the cave, which was filled with supplies, ragged humans and orcs huddled in two distinct corners.

Now they all looked up at the same time and saw Lister and his five companions at the entrance of the cave.

Just as Lister had expected, although these people were wary, their expressions softened considerably when they saw that there were humans, orcs, and even children among them.

"I am Baron Red Maple. Are all the people here seeking refuge? Is there anyone I can speak with?"

baron?!

Noble title!

A middle-aged man dressed rather elegantly immediately stepped out from the human side.

"Your Excellency! My father is the Baron of Northwood Territory!"

"There are alien races and terrifying skeletons everywhere outside. I request noble protection!"

Lister frowned slightly.

"Yes, but you have to go to my territory."

"That middle-aged nobleman from a collateral branch asked happily."

"May I ask where your territory is located...?"

"It can be reached by crossing the North Wind Snowfield, inside the Frosty Winter Mountains."

The collateral nobleman's face immediately froze.

Crossing the snowfield? On foot? That's practically suicide!

Lister ignored him and spoke to the others instead.

"I can shelter everyone, the only condition is that you come with me across the snowfield to the territory."

The people inside the cave looked at each other and began to whisper among themselves.

Without even listening, Liszt knew they were discussing something that was absolutely impossible to cross the snowfield.

It is winter now, and the temperature on the snowy plains is extremely low, so low that water freezes into ice. Even though they are wearing thick clothes, they still feel cold on the snowy plains.

Moreover, crossing the snowfield will definitely take a lot of time, so what about food during that time?

Staying here means we still have supplies and a chance to survive, while following this baron is clearly a matter of life and death.

Melf, who had overheard the discussion, was about to rush out when Lister raised his hand to stop her.

"Is no one here? Now that I've discovered this place, are you sure you won't be discovered by alien races or the undead?"

Immediately, many people's expressions changed drastically, but no one came out yet.

"no, I can not!"

At that moment, a human shouted.

"If you were able to find us, then surely other nobles will be able to as well! The people of the Temple will also be able to find us, and they will save us!"

After he finished speaking, he led the people around him in a prayer gesture.

Lister's gaze grew even colder.

At this moment, a young male and female orc with dog ears suddenly stepped forward. The man was holding a three- or four-year-old girl who looked distressed.

"Could you provide some food for our daughter? She's been hungry for almost a day."

"We'll go with you if you're willing!"

Lister looked at the various kinds of dry food and water laid out deep in the cave, and then glanced at the people among the humans dressed in ordinary noble clothes.

madness!

The reason there hasn't been a riot yet is simply because it's still early in the season, and the ingrained ideas in the minds of ordinary people haven't been eradicated yet.

"can."

The two orcs knelt down and kowtowed to Lister, then carried their daughter toward the cave entrance.

Seeing this, some of the orcs stepped forward and offered to leave if they could be provided with food.

Later, even several humans dressed in tattered clothes came out and begged Lister to take them in.

Gradually, a total of thirty-five humans and orcs who expressed their willingness to follow Lister emerged from the cave, while the remaining fifty-odd humans and orcs in the cave offered their blessings as they departed.

The nobleman who had just begged Lister for protection said nothing.

After waiting for another three minutes, and with no one coming out, Lister instructed Elsa to partially seal the entrance and cover it with branches and snow.

Yahiko felt an indescribable sadness as he watched this scene.

"Teacher Lister, are we really going to give up on them?"

Lister took a deep breath and looked at Melphine and Chris behind him, both of whom also looked reluctant.

"You must remember that as leaders, your primary responsibility is to the people of your territory, and only then to others."

"This is no longer a time of peace in the United States. In times of chaos, only by finding ways to save ourselves can we survive."

“My territory does not need useless people who dare not even fight and beg for help from others.”

"Yahiko, Konan, sometimes foolish kindness can lead to extremely bad consequences. You need to learn to analyze who can be saved and who cannot."

"Sister, Chris, I hope you understand that there will be more times when the territory needs your strength."

Melf instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword; her upbringing made it difficult for her to abandon her people.

Chris, head bowed and fists clenched, still remembered the virtues of the knight, but he believed Lister was right.

We cannot allow those lazy and gluttonous nobles to pollute the environment of Red Maple Territory.

Lister paused for a moment, patted Yahiko and Konan's heads, and then spoke to the others.

"Let's set off, and move towards Red Maple Territory while searching for more people."

His Gate of Babylon has enough food to cross the snowfield.

Yahiko looked puzzled: "Professor Lister, are we going to make them suffer too?"

"..."

"Yahiko, most people don't cherish things that are easily obtained."

Lister let out a deep sigh.

Only happiness gained through hardship will be cherished.

He will stand with them through thick and thin.

This process will also be a practical lesson for you.

Chapter 71 A Beacon of Hope

Three days later, when Lister led a group of more than 700 people to begin crossing the snowfield, Yahiko finally understood why these people had to walk to Red Maple Territory.

Since the first day they took in thirty-five refugees, Lister led them to villages and towns along the border in search of other survivors.