Chapter 89: The Worst Town
After that, the suppression of the rioters ended quickly.
Perhaps because we had shifted to killing them, the townspeople, though vulgar, sent cheers our way.
Well, it was mostly condescending and crazy talk, though.
Once the suppression was complete, I treated the soldiers who had worked for us at the lord’s mansion to a meal. During our after-dinner chat, I asked why the town’s residents were so condescending.
“Well, um, this town is controlled by the merchant company, you see…”
The captain, a man who looked to be in his late thirties, said this, his words trailing off.
We had reached a point where we could talk somewhat amicably, but it seemed there was a problem significant enough for him to hesitate.
“So they think it’s fine to complain as much as they want because merchants are above the lord, is that it…”
“Yes. Those belonging to the Leben Company don’t listen to us at all. In fact, they even interfere in matters of self-governance.”
I see. If it’s a major company, they’d have many members, and if the lord allowed himself to be treated as inferior by them, it’s natural he’d be looked down upon.
Still, I feel there should be a limit to that…
“Where is this company located?”
“The Leben Company is at the crossroads where the main streets meet in the center of town. However, it might be better not to provoke them unnecessarily.”
As the two of us listened to his story, he said that because they control every single merchant in town, if we displease them, the town wouldn’t be able to function.
Hmm. Goods won’t circulate, and the residents will suffer.
Huh? Is there anything wrong with that?
I don’t really care if those guys who showed so much hostility suffer…
“What do you think, Yuri?”
“Well, there’s no need to worry about those who don’t obey the kingdom, but we’d want to avoid a situation where cooperative people suffer as a result, right? Though, so far, the only cooperative people we’ve seen are the soldiers…”
When I asked the soldiers what they thought, they unanimously agreed that if they could crush them, they would want to.
Even after actually talking with them, these soldiers seem to share the same sensibilities as us.
That being the case, I became curious about what the previous lord was like and asked.
“What was the previous lord like?” I asked.
At my question, they gave troubled, wry smiles. Though they all said he wasn’t a bad person, their expressions were bitter.
However, it seems his excessive non-interventionism was also to blame for the town being completely controlled.
He apparently went along with everything, even somewhat tyrannical acts, as long as it didn’t cause major damage.
Recently, he was even forced to grant a complete Tax Exemption, albeit only for the Leben Company’s main store.
It seems the existence of an assassination group called the Dark Guild was in the background, and he was in a situation where he had no choice but to obey.
Because of that, he apparently made them misunderstand that they could do anything they wanted in this town.
And recently, when various things started to fall apart, he heard the news of the defeat to Belfast and the fall of the Mildrad Royal Capital, left a letter saying he could no longer handle it and would accept surrender, and then disappeared with his entire family.
“I see. So, did he take all the town’s tax money with him?”
“No, I don’t think he touched the funds for the town. He wasn’t the type to do that, and apparently, there was hardly any to begin with.”
I heard he was ordered to provide funds for the recent war.
He apparently sent a letter to Duke Daltone saying the town couldn’t function if that much was collected.
It was settled that an audit would be conducted and he would give everything he could, and almost all of it was taken.
“It’s all too unfortunate to laugh about.”
“Yes. We who were with him feel it the most…”
He was probably targeted because he seemed like the type to comply most readily.
I often hear that in noble society, it’s over if you’re looked down upon, and hearing stories like this makes me understand.
While thinking about such things, I shifted the conversation to the details of our future contract with them.
I asked about the salary they had been receiving before, and since it was quite low, when I offered a decent amount, they were conversely humbled, but they swore to perform their duties with utmost sincerity.
And so, our after-dinner chat with them ended, and we moved to the second floor to decide on our bedrooms.
Now, there’s no one here to stop us.
Sharing a room should be fine, right…? I subtly suggested to Yuri.
“What should we do? Put two beds in this room?”
“Let’s see… How about here, and here?”
Oh! It seems Yuri-san was also thinking of sharing a room!
Alright, alright. This is one step forward. But I mustn’t rush.
Telling myself that, I first took out the beds and furniture I had brought for moving from my Storage Magic.
The two of us arranged the furniture, and we set up the beds next to each other, though with about a meter of space between them.
We hadn’t brought that many things, so the redecorating finished quickly, and it became time for us to chat, each using our own bed as a chair.
As expected, since we’ve been together for so long, we spent a relaxed time without being strangely conscious of each other.
“Honestly, Rui, I don’t like this town. This isn’t a place where you should be.”
Abruptly changing the subject from Raku and the others, Yuri flopped onto the bed.
I followed suit, collapsing onto my own bed, and gave a wry smile, thinking the same thing.
Yeah, this is a town where a kind-hearted person like Yuri shouldn’t be.
“Anyone who saw that wouldn’t want to stay, huh? But I want to solve things to some extent before passing it on. It’d be tough for my successor.”
The heckling during the Rioter subjugation was also terrible.
They were saying whatever they pleased, like “Make them suffer more,” or “Gouge out their eyes.”
After it was over, voices saying “Well done” were one thing, but there were many remarks that made me want to ask who they thought they were, like them yelling, “If you could do it, you should have done it from the start.”
Honestly, it was enough to make me want to subjugate them along with the Rioters.
Well, I learned my lesson about silently enduring verbal abuse from the incidents with Karl and Listol, so I didn’t just stay quiet.
When I created a pillar of fire with magic and threatened to throw them in jail if they interfered any further, the idiots scattered like Spiders.
“To do that, we have no choice but to suppress them with force, right? It seems like we’ll be made out to be the bad guys, but I don’t want you to be spoken ill of, Rui…”
Bad guys, huh… I’m just trying to return things to their proper form according to the common sense of this world.
Frankly, if that company could perfectly fulfill the Lord’s role, I wouldn’t mind entrusting it to them, but I can’t overlook a foolish situation where we do the work and they have the rights.
Well, that’s with the caveat that they’re decent people, and it’s an impossible story from the moment they’re connected to Assassins.
“It’ll be difficult depending on how they react. Well, I’ll go tomorrow and give it a try.”
“I’m sorry for saying something unreasonable. So, tomorrow is the merchant company, then. Good night, Rui.”
Yuri said that and lowered the canopy of her bed.
Oh dear, she’s lowering it. I won’t even be able to see her sleeping face.
Well, whatever. From now on, we’ll always be together…
No, if I pass this off to someone else and return to Belfast, that won’t be the case, will it?
Hmm. Perhaps I should wield my authority and have this Leben Company make a swift exit.
As I mulled over such schemes, I fell asleep before I knew it, and my first day as Lord passed.
The next day, I had a soldier guide me and went to the Leben Company’s main store.
I was guided to the Chamber of Commerce President’s room, and Yuri and I sat down at the Platform.
Determined not to be looked down upon any further, I straightened my posture and sent a strong gaze.
“You must surely know this, but this kingdom has come under Belfast’s rule. And I am Louis von Belfast, appointed Lord of Leben by His Majesty.”
The man, who was stout and looked ill-natured, just as rumored, had been crossing his legs and puffing on a cigar, but his eyes widened and he froze.
“Belfast… A prince is the Lord of Leben, you say?”
“That’s right, but that doesn’t matter. Now that it’s under Belfast’s rule, things won’t be the same as before. You will pay taxes, and I will crack down on corruption. I’ve come to tell you that if you don’t accept, I won’t hesitate to banish those belonging to the Leben Company from the kingdom.”
The Chamber of Commerce President raised one eyebrow, openly showing his displeasure.
Even after hearing I was a prince of Belfast, he acted that way. It seems his misunderstanding has progressed considerably.
If I show even a hint of a low posture, he’ll surely take advantage of it…
“Hahaha, what on earth are you saying? Is this your first time outside the castle? The Tax Exemption was something we also paid a price for; to nullify it is utterly unacceptable.”
“You’re the one who doesn’t understand. Why do you demand from me the price you paid to someone else? Would you tell a store whose management has changed to honor a contract with the previous owner?”
Haaah, changing my tone of voice like this feels kind of weird.
Especially in front of Yuri, it makes my back tingle. I wish this would end quickly.
I almost want to just tell him to get out if he can’t shut up and listen.
This place could just be a Sinner’s containment facility…
“Ho, so the Prince says we are not needed? Does the Prince not know what role merchants play?”
“I believe I know, but if you wish to explain, I shall listen.”
Merchants in this world are mainly of three types: traveling merchants who handle transport, wholesalers who buy goods and sell them to stores, and retailers who sell to citizens.
Technically, even in businesses that don’t sell goods, like brothels, the owner is treated as a merchant, but he wasn’t trying to explain that. He was talking about what would happen if they weren’t around.
He exaggeratedly explained that tax revenue would plummet, and we wouldn’t even be able to maintain a private army.
He even went out of his way to add that if we didn’t listen to him, the town would collapse.
“Ah, I see, I see. I finally understand what you’re trying to say.
You mean you’ll collectively take resources out of the town and make it unsustainable.
In that case, anyone who deliberately harms the town will be branded a traitor to the country. You’re fine with that, right?”
Honestly, I want to drive out everyone deeply involved with the Dark Guild.
It would be easier that way, so while pretending not to understand, I asked if banishment would be acceptable. But he just sneered, “What, is that supposed to be a threat? Fine, go ahead. Just don’t come crying back later,” and shooed me away with a wave of his hand.
“I’ve got your word on that. It’s a relief you’re truly an idiot.” Having said what I wanted, I stood up and was about to leave the room when a voice came from behind.
“My word…? You bastard, what are you planning to do?!”
Yuri created a Maso Sword and quietly warned, “Watch your mouth.”
Since I already had his word, I figured I might as well explain just how foolish his statements were.
“You guys are so full of misunderstandings, it’s tiring to even talk to you. Alright, listen up.
First, it’s customary for the assets of those banished for defying the state to be confiscated.
Also, now that all of Mildrad has become Belfast, your place of banishment will be Lestall. If they don’t accept you, it’s the mountains. The Empire is at war with Belfast, after all.
I’ll explain the whole situation to Lestall to avoid any problems.
Even if you manage to get there safely, do you think any domain would accept a penniless merchant who intends to harm a town?
Oh, right. And don’t think you can settle anywhere within our kingdom’s lands, even outside the town, okay?”
He finally seemed to understand his predicament, his face turning pale.
But I had his word, so it would end with the confiscation of his private assets and then banishment.
However, I hear that in Mildrad, even in a civil war, conquered territories are stripped of everything. Why would he think Belfast wouldn’t do anything?
Well, actually, if they showed a reasonable degree of submission, we wouldn’t do anything, though.
“Don’t mess with me! Confiscation of assets?! There’s no way such tyranny would be permitted!”
“I told you to watch your mouth. Your neck is getting closer and closer to being severed.”
Yuri, who had moved behind him at some point, was tracing her Maso Sword along the Chamber of Commerce President’s neck.
“Hic…!” He gasped, blood trickling from his neck, and his words stopped.
“That’s right. Normally, we wouldn’t commit such tyranny against our people.
However, someone who deliberately tries to inflict damage on the entire town is, at that point, not a citizen but a villain.
Even you should know that confiscating a villain’s assets is standard practice, right?”
Threatening a Lord like that is a serious crime in itself.
The Lord has the authority to restrict the flow of goods, and ignoring that to engage in smuggling can, depending on the circumstances, lead to very severe charges.
Naturally, this case allows for the heaviest possible charges.
“Wait! In that case, I’ll obey! I retract my earlier statements!”
Huh?
No, no, you already threatened a prince, you know…
Well, without the Assassin Guild, the danger level is low, and if he atones for his past crimes, that would be fine, but…
But “atoning” means…
“I don’t mind if you truly intend to obey, but do you understand the situation you’re in?”
I asked if he understood that he had threatened someone who was supposed to be the next king.
I told him that if a mere merchant did such a thing, it would normally mean decapitation.
“N-No, that’s not it!
We merely said we couldn’t stay in the town; we weren’t threatening anyone!”
“You’ve got some nerve saying that after going that far.
Besides… no, never mind. Yuri, could you come back here for a moment?”
When I glanced with my eyes towards the direction of the sound, she seemed to have noticed it too, moving away from him and returning to my side.
“So… assuming you’ll atone for your crimes, do you truly intend to obey?”
I asked the Chamber of Commerce President, who was breathing shallowly with blood dripping from his neck, hoping he would hurry up and sic them on me.
I knew people were lurking in strange places like the ceiling and walls. I wanted him to use them quickly.
I wanted to create the “fact” that the Leben Company, which sent Assassins after the Lord, was counterattacked and crushed, so as not to give any openings for the town’s unhinged residents to exploit.
The fact that he threatened me would be reason enough, but if strange rumors spread, Yuri might worry, so I want to condemn him spectacularly as an undeniable villain.
As I was thinking that, he suddenly looked up at the ceiling and shouted, “I’ll pay ten Large Gold Coins!”