Chapter 110: To Baumgarten
“Alright, shall we depart then!”
Having finished everything we needed to do in the Royal Capital, the day finally arrived for us to depart from the Royal Capital to the Baumgarten Territory.
With artisans, merchants, and their families, it’s quite a large group. It’s like a daimyo’s procession.
And, there was a small group of armed individuals, as if guarding this daimyo’s procession. They were the adventurers who had decided to come to the Baumgarten Territory.
Naturally, Reinhardt wasn’t among them. He has to complete events in the Royal Capital, you see. He himself seemed to want to go, but I firmly refused.
In the center of this daimyo’s procession was our carriage, but behind our carriage, two large, luxurious carriages were waiting. They were the carriages for Eleonore and Claudia.
“Hey, Clau, El, are you two really planning to come along? It’s embarrassing to say, but the Baumgarten Territory is such an outrageous backwater that we can’t even properly entertain royalty, you know? You’ll definitely face inconveniences. Besides, do you really have His Majesty’s permission?”
“It’s quite alright, Dee. We have properly received His Majesty’s permission. Witnessing the development of a territory is also necessary for those who will stand at the top in the future. Besides, we royalty will even go to the battlefield if need be. We won’t be selfish.”
“It is as El says. We will absolutely not be a hindrance, so it is fine if you simply keep us company occasionally.”
“Haaah…”
To think that Eleonore and Claudia would actually come to the Baumgarten Territory… They say this, but if rumors spread that we neglected royalty, it would damage our reputation. We’ll have to entertain them with all our might…
Well, Eleonore and Claudia coming to the Baumgarten Territory doesn’t only bring negative aspects.
For example, the issue with Margrave Huebner.
Margrave Huebner was summoned to the Royal Capital and received a stern warning from the King. However, it’s certain that Margrave Huebner resents us for it.
He’ll probably try something foolish again, but surely he wouldn’t make a move with two princesses present in the Baumgarten Territory.
It would be a great help if they function as a deterrent against Margrave Huebner.
During this time, we need to enrich the territory and strengthen our defenses.
And so, despite some troubles, the daimyo’s procession departed from the Royal Capital towards the Baumgarten Territory.
While performing with the Hydra at adventurer guilds in large towns along the way, and calling out to talented individuals, we proceeded towards the Baumgarten Territory over many days.
Perhaps such a daimyo’s procession was rare, as we were the center of attention wherever we went.
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The nostalgic scent of earth and greenery. A land so empty you can see the horizon when you look around. This is truly Baumgarten. It’s so devoid of anything that it’s actually reassuring.
“Baumgarten! I have returned!”
“The Count! The Count has returned!”
“Our lord has returned!”
“You’ve become so distinguished…”
“Long live the Lord! Long live the Count!”
“””””Banzai! Banzai!”””””
The villagers seem unchanged. Perhaps because there are few people, or perhaps because we distributed food during bad harvests to prevent them from starving, the villagers’ trust in House Baumgarten is deep. It’s a small point of pride for our family.
“Bocchama!”
“Jii!”
“Bocchama… No, I must call you Danna-sama now. Word of your great deeds, Danna-sama, has reached even here in the Baumgarten Territory. I am truly overjoyed that you have become a Count. If only the late Danna-sama and Oku-sama were here…”
“No gloomy talk, Jii. Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Cassandra, and my younger sister, Lily.”
“Oku-sama, Lily-ojousama, welcome to the Baumgarten Territory. I am Kurt, and I serve as the steward of House Baumgarten.”
“I have come from House Altmeier to marry into this family. I am Cassandra Baumgarten. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kurt.”
“Lily is Lily. Nice to meet you, Ojii.”
“Let’s save the detailed introductions for later. Actually, though it’s unofficial, two Hime-denka of this country are also here.”
“What did you say!?”
For princesses to come to such a remote countryside must be like a Hekireki from a clear sky. I can understand why Jii is surprised.
“However, House Baumgarten is not equipped to offer a reception befitting royal princesses…”
“Hime-denka also understands that. However, we must convey our welcoming feelings. Therefore, tonight, we will hold a banquet involving the entire territory! I’ve bought plenty of food and drink for it.”
A solemn reception ceremony to quietly welcome royalty is fundamentally impossible for House Baumgarten. In that case, let’s take advantage of being in the remote countryside and hold a welcome party with all the territory’s people.
“Everyone, listen up! Tonight, it’s a banquet! We’re going to welcome everyone who has come to the Baumgarten Territory with all our might!”
“””””Oooh!”””””
Are they happy about the banquet, or about their new companions? I wonder which it is.
“Everyone! Let’s get cooking!”
“There are so many ingredients I’ve never seen before, aren’t there?”
“How are we supposed to cook these!?”
“Um, this one, you do it like this…”
“You’re a new face, huh? Are you a guest?”
“No, we are people who have moved to the Baumgarten Territory.”
“Then, from today on, we’re comrades. Let’s get along, yeah?”
“Yes!”
Well, it was good that this banquet allowed the artisans we newly brought along to smoothly integrate into the Baumgarten Territory without any ill feelings.