The Military Chef of a Ruined World

Chapter 69.1

The city was shattered by monsters, and many people were killed.

The surviving humans have formed small survivor groups and are scattered in various places, living their lives.

The existing civilization and society have been completely destroyed.

Therefore,

“We want to rebuild the human society. We hope you can help us with that.”

Near our unit,

We will rebuild the destroyed human society.

‘My goal is to survive until I can build my own restaurant.’

If the only customers at that restaurant are soldiers,

So far, our unit has prioritized survival above all else.

Now that we have built up some power and strength,

We need to think about the next step.

The reason humans could reign as the rulers of the Earth was the construction of civilization and society.

‘Why would we drive out the survivors who refused to become members of our unit? That would be such a waste.’

The two survivor groups that have come to our unit.

The small village they will form near our unit.

That will become the cornerstone of the reconstruction.

“So, a society is forming… Mhm… That certainly seems to be the trend.”

“But what does that have to do with collecting taxes?”

“If a society forms, there will inevitably be power struggles within it.”

My goal is to rebuild human society, even if just a little.

In the process, there will be power struggles between various groups.

And.

The authority to decide who gets those interests

“Will belong to our unit, the one with the greatest power.”

After all, those who gathered here sought the protection of our unit.

The survivors gathering around us cannot escape the influence of our guild.

“I see this as a natural flow of events. You can’t even criticize that, can you?”

“Hmm.”

“We are fundamentally a military unit. We are confident in combat… but there may be some interests that are too troublesome or inconvenient for us to directly intervene in.”

“…Then those interests will go to those who have shown favor towards you. Those who have not even paid the price of protection will lose that opportunity.”

“Correct.”

We won’t let humans die, so we’ll protect those who don’t pay the protection fee.

But those people will gradually be left behind in this society.

The surviving group that heard the whole story seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded and said,

“Well then, what are the terms of this transaction?”

“It’s simple. Pay us a reasonable amount as compensation for our protection. You can think of it as a tax.”

“What should we pay with? We don’t have much.”

“The form doesn’t matter. Points would be preferable, but food, oil, basic necessities, or other resources are also acceptable. We’ll adjust it to a reasonable level.”

We don’t lack much at the moment.

The important thing is the fact that they are paying compensation for the protection.

“If you wish, we can arrange other transactions besides the tax. You said you don’t want food support, but if you pay the compensation, we can share the food we have.”

“In that case… Hmm.”

“There is one more condition.”

“Another one?”

“This one isn’t a big deal.”

It may not be a big deal for them,

But it’s important for us.

“You won’t stop anyone who wants to join our Steel Legion unit.”

Ultimately,

The most important thing is growing our unit.

In fact,

Right now, we are individually convincing every survivor we meet to join the Legion.

But this is an overly cumbersome and difficult task.

Rather than that, taking an attitude of not protecting those who don’t join the Legion would only provoke resistance.

However,

If we create a human society around our unit?

And our guild stands at the top of that society.

For the Steel Legion,

‘In fact, we don’t necessarily have to demand anything from the survivor groups.’

The most important thing is one.

The symbolism of being in the position to collect taxes from those in the society.

‘At the pinnacle of society.’

Of course, the power of the organization.

And if we maintain the highest level of treatment for the soldiers,

Even if they have to participate in dangerous battles,

There will surely be those who want to join the Legion.

If that happens, that’s it.

No need to individually persuade every person we meet to join the Legion.

We can just accept those who come to us of their own accord, and that will increase our guild members.

Of course, for that to be possible,

We need to grow this society to a certain minimum size.

“If that’s the case, I see.”

“Let’s discuss the details gradually.”

At that moment,

Cheol-wook, who had been pondering with his arms folded, raised his hand.

“Earlier, you mentioned the possibility of other transactions as well.”

“Ah, yes, that’s correct. Like providing our food supplies in exchange for points. We’d welcome that kind of transaction anytime.”

For the society to function properly, having various transactions going back and forth is not bad.

But.

The transaction Cheol-wook had in mind was not that.

“Then, I’d like to buy one of those rights you mentioned.”

“Huh?”

What he wanted was not food, but a right.

Among them,

“I’d like the right to cultivate the land around here.”

“Cultivate, you say?”  

“In exchange, I’ll give you 90% of the harvest from the land.”

I think I know what land he’s referring to.

The vast fields and paddy fields around the Ammunition Battalion.

Recently,

The deserters whom we had reformed and recruited into the unit.

There was one among them who was strangely obsessed with farming.

They had been trying to cultivate that land, centered around that person.

Unfortunately, while he loves farming, he lacks the skills.

So far, they haven’t achieved any significant results.

But.

90% of the harvest?