Chapter 150: The Attendants’ Way of Life
Okay… Winter.
Some time had passed since the New Year came.
The raging winds were still cold, and snow remained unmelted, but the snowfall itself had finally stopped.
From now on, the temperature should gradually rise, and spring should arrive.
Lately, the girls started visiting without hesitation, saying it was because Rosalinde was expecting a boy.
Many of them also plan to move here around the time Rosalinde gives birth.
I had prepared rooms for the girls from ‘Blue Comet’, but apparently, they’ll basically live at their workplace, saying it’s more convenient in various ways.
Well, that makes sense. They’re genuinely skilled, a Clan that could totally hold their own even in the northernmost frontier settlements. For Striders, they certainly have a lot of work.
And… Rosalinde entered her stable period quite a while ago.
It’s still too early for her to give birth, but her belly is already perfectly round.
The other day, she was smiling all day long, saying the baby inside her had moved.
By the way…
“…How does your salary work?”
To all the guards and caretakers who came with Rosalinde, you are receiving salaries, right? From Count Missgancia, there’s, like, something, right?
It’s late to be asking, but you know, I’ve only provided lodging and food…?
“”Salary…?””
“Eh?”
“”Eh?””
“No, I mean, salary. Money!”
“”Money, you ask? …Why?””
“Well… you’re working so hard for us, so you should receive something as thanks, right?”
“”Um… We believe we are receiving…?””
Hmm?
“We are receiving daily meals and water, and various daily necessities…?”
“We are also allowed to use fine lodgings.”
Hmm… Ah, I see.
“…Could it be, you two. Until now, your salary has been paid in kind?”
“”That is correct…?””
Ahhhh!
Yep, medieval times!
Rosalinde’s attendants, the Twin Guards Laurence and Lulaiya.
From what I heard, they apparently don’t have the concept of a “salary.”
If their food, clothing, and shelter are taken care of, that itself is treated as their compensation.
In other words, things like being given spending money… don’t exist…! That’s how it is.
Of course, there are things like receiving a little pocket money and time off as a bonus before the Harvest Festival, allowing them to enjoy themselves once a year.
But other than that, they apparently have no money they can freely use, just days spent dedicating themselves to their master… or so it seems.
“Eh, but… without, um, money… wouldn’t you be troubled?”
Oh no, they suddenly look like Exploited Workers to me!
I unconsciously slipped into polite speech.
“Not at all? Please look at us. Our appearance is kept neat, we were taught swordsmanship, and we were even provided with Sabers. The Count Missgancia household treated us very well.”
“Me too, Sensei… no, Master. Our previous master, the Count Missgancia household, gave us many intangible assets, such as teaching us to read and write. Compared to that, a pile of gold coins that can neither be eaten nor provide warmth is useless even if we had it.”
Ahh…
Yes, hmm, right.
That’s how it is.
It’s not widely known, but you actually can’t eat, wear, or live in gold coins.
Gold coins have value because gold, a rare mineral, has value.
And gold, a rare mineral, has value because it’s kind of shiny and pretty.
…That’s it.
In other words, the people of this world fundamentally don’t trust “money.”
This is also why moneylenders are called empty businesses or lowly professions.
Because even if you have money, it won’t keep you warm, fill your stomach, or help you win battles!
Well, it’s probably because the circulation isn’t developed enough for the idea “you can get anything if you pay money!” to hold true.
That’s why Knights and the like desire land, and Servants and such desire food or skills.
That seems to be the gist of it.
…Amidst all this, Count Missgancia, who understands the power of money and uses it skillfully… no, who has created a situation where it can be used, is an anomaly. He’s like an Oda Nobunaga whose capabilities have been greatly exaggerated compared to the historical facts written by Shiba Ryotaro!
“In that regard, Sensei, no, Master is a very good master. You provide us with bread three times a day, allow us to bathe, and have even given us new undergarments. There is no greater joy!”
“We intend to work ourselves to the bone to repay this kindness!”
O-Ohh…
“Ah, um… yeah, thank you… Should I pay you a salary? You need money too, right?”
“”Not particularly…?””
“No, but, shouldn’t you have some just in case something happens?”
“”If something were to happen to this household, we would die alongside it, so we believe there is no problem.””
Eek…
I’m not some Narou protagonist who indiscriminately spoils their subordinates to show off how nice they are, but this is a bit… awkward, isn’t it?
Let’s try asking a bit more.
“First off… may I ask about your daily lives…?”