Chapter 57: Competition

"The appraised value of the spoils obtained by hunting and gathering

until evening, is the rule. Since it’s over the span of 5 days, don't
forget to pace yourselves." (Burkhart)
Early morning of the next day we decided to start the competition,
which was done over again to settle the score, after greeting Bukhart-
san, who was a former elite adventurer.
The teams are me, Katharina and doushi as one-man teams and Eru's
group, who will compete by a united team of 5 people.
Although Ina snapped unusually due to Katharina's abusive words
yesterday, she shouldn't be able to win by herself after all.
The joint effort of the 5 people as a team was something inevitable.
That's because powerful magicians hold such level of overwhelming
strength.
"Ina, don't do the impossible." (Wendelin)
"Of course, even I'm not an idiot to such a degree." (Ina)
"That means?" (Wendelin)
"We will compensate with numbers and also, our main target will be
gathering." (Ina)
I see, they thought up a truly clever move. If you hunt large
monsters, the price per monster will be high, but it will take time.
If that's the case, one should limit the hunting to self-defense and
earn income by exploiting their numbers with the gathering of
produce like fruit types and expensive medicinal plants.
That was also a strategy more befitting to the calm Ina.
"Nice, the point is to discover places with produce, which has high
unit prices." (Wendelin)
"If you consider how harshly you spoke, that's a pretty small-minded
method." (Katharina)

| Azura Ren |
"You as well, since you are believing it's fine for an adventurer to just
hunt monsters by shooting flashy magic, you are a simpleton, right?"
(Ina)
"What did you say!?" (Katharina)
Katharina provokes Ina, but ends up getting enraged being
countered by Ina in reverse.
Certainly, what Ina has said is right.
If an adventurer subjugates powerful monsters flashily, they might
be seen as cool by amateurs, but it's not like that's all there is to the
work of an adventurer.
An adventurer's job is to acquire things that will sell at least.
That is, if they defeated dragons and powerful monsters, those would
become money, however, as there are only few adventurers capable
of doing that, there are actually many adventurers choosing the way
of getting income by gathering things mostly.
As it would be troublesome for the adventurer's guild's side as well,
if they were to die or get seriously injured in reckless subjugation,
adventurers, who earn constant income for as long as possible, were
very welcome.
As for elite adventurers, there isn't any more but a handful of those.
In fact, in the past there have been adventurers, who exceeded
10.000.000 cents in their lifetime by efficiently and skillfully gathering
high-priced produce in plain, remote forest without ever entering a
monster domain.
Such people will end up hidden in the shadows of elite adventurers,
but it was a fact that they were successful albeit hidden.
"Ojou-chan's, quarrelling is prohibited. Take care to resolve such
things through the competition." (Burkhart)
"Understood." (Ina)
"I got it." (Katharina)
As expected of Katharina, she gave an obedient reply to the warning
of Burkhart-san, who was a renowned adventurer.

| Azura Ren |
It's likely she is unable to object imprudently, given that he is
possessing accomplishments she can't complain about. "Well then,
start." (Burkhart)
***
Upon Burkhart-san's call the competition begins, however it's not like
I will do anything different.
Entering the Demon Forest, I'm just neatly killing the monsters, who
come rushing at me.
I don't change the method of piercing arrows, made out of wooden
branches, into their weak spots and the lower half of their brain
stems from behind either.
Since I was struck with the idea of compressing the entirety of the
wooden branches with magic before changing them into arrows
around yesterday evening, it only increased the misfortune for the
monsters, who were pierced with an increased force.
"However, they don't learn, or rather..." (Wendelin)
I thought they would be a bit more intelligent, but as usual the
monsters tore at my deployed magic barrier and thrust their claws
with a sound of grinding, scrunching and scratching.
And they die being stabbed into their vital spots from behind.
Even the other monsters, although it will be fine for them to give up
after having seen the final moments of the monster, that attacked
before, they repeat the absolutely same attack and get defeated in the
same way.
I didn't understand if they might be unable to settle down or else
have a far too aggressive instinct rather than being plain dumb.
"Phew, an onigiri has to have a dried plum after all."
(Wendelin)
Same as yesterday, I took my lunch in the midst of monsters
continuing with the sounds of scratching, crunching and grinding at
my magic barrier.
But the result is me having defeated more than yesterday by raising
my efficiency.

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If it's like this, I won't likely lose to that Katharina.
However, she shouldn't be standing around and folding her arms
either. I had to be on guard.
"Rather, I don't give a damn about something like a competition."
(Wendelin)
Also, for some reason there was the matter of doushi participating,
but...
"There's no way for that man to die. I can imagine his strategy to be
simple as well." (Wendelin)
In order to not being wounded by monsters, he has been probably
beating them to death or smashing their heads just like the flying
dragon some time ago.
Not long ago I heard the continuous cries of death agony by
something that seemed to be monsters, but I tried to not overly mind
it for the sake of my mental sanity.
Also, how far will Eru's group be able to approach Katharina's results
by skillfully and efficiently earning income through putting priority
on gathering, I wonder.

"Well then, let's continue to hunt, huh." (Wendelin)

Advancing to skillfully and efficiently hunt in the afternoon of that
day as well, that will continue for 5 days, too.
Leaving the magic bag, where the spoil was put in, to the guild's
employee, there doesn't seem to be something like an announcement
of the current rankings like in quiz shows of my previous life.
***
"Well, so much loot. Can't you have such contest every day?" (Guild
Staff)
In this time's competition the guild's side cooperated remarkably.
But from their point of view, it appears to be something desirable to
increase the profits by three famous magicians competing over the
outcome.
"We can't satisfy the demand at all." (Guild Staff)
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It was great that it became possible to raid the Demon Forest, but due
to the high degree of difficulty, unskilled adventurers will only turn
into corpses.
Or perhaps I should say, it doesn't look like the spoils will increase
well with many groups of adventurers, who jump at getting rich
quickly.
Although it's not like it never happens that elite veterans come from
another region, there are only few people moving here expressly,
given that they have been able to originally earn money in the
domains, they have made the city into the base of activity.
"Also, it's because this place here, it has nothing..." (Guild Staff)
The magic airship comes regularly, but to begin with, the city, that
was to be made with the goal of having adventurers dive into the
Demon Forest, hasn't been built yet at all.
As even the adventurer's guild's branch is just a shack, you can even
say that it's only natural.
The amusement facilities, the inn, which is likewise still a hut, and
the food and peddler stalls aimed at adventurers were at the same
level too.
It was to a degree that sarcastic adventurers have been saying, "City?
It hasn't even become a village yet~!".
"It's not like there aren't funds and materials. The time, the time is
just too short..." (Wendelin)
"There seem to be many other places which require development as
well, right?" (Guild Staff)
As it was originally a savage land with nothing in it, we have ended
up putting priority on the area of Baulburg in the beginning no
matter what.
I tell the guild employee that I want them to endure for a bit longer
there.
"At present there's no problem as we are somehow able to live.
Sooner or later people will likely come gathering here as well." (Guild
Staff)
"Well then, I will announce the result." (Burkhart)
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First was me, but as result of only hunting large monsters as deep
inside as possible, I got spoils to the degree of being three times that
of Katharina.
It might also be due to me getting used to defeat the monsters with
magic without damaging them.
I hunted a considerable number of saber-toothed tigers, however
there wasn't even a single albino mixed in among those after all.
In the end it can be considered that my casual luck was great on the
first day.
"It's overwhelming." (Guild Staff)
"Kukuku..." (Wendelin)
Katharina likely hunted eagerly as well, but our difference in mana
capacity was big after all, I guess.
Since there is no specimen among her spoils that looks like it may
bring in a super-large sum of money, the competition was probably
decided before taking it up on the auction.
"U~~~~mm, next is Eru's group, but..." (Wendelin)
There was the point of how much they will be able to approach
Katharina's result, but the guild employee, who has done the
counting of the spoils, announced a surprising result.
"Almost without a doubt the estimated value is superior, even more
so than Katharina-san's." (Guild Staff)
"Wha-!? What's this about!?" (Wendelin)
"Well, by only compensating with numbers..." (Guild Staff)
It seems they have picked large amounts of cacao and fruit types,
which has a high unit price due to its high demand, and gathered
large quantities of expensive medicinal herb types in addition, which
will turn into a large sum of money.
Concerning the medicinal plants, Elise, who also acted as healer
assistant at the church, apparently contributed in a big way.
It looks like they skillfully made use of her knowledge where
medicinal plants like these are growing.

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As expected of Elise, she obviously demonstrated her plainly perfect
superwoman style.
And, against expectations, there was also a big number of hunted
preys.
"There are countless saber-toothed tigers as well. Furthermore, they
have no wounds." (Guild Staff)
"Though if you say we have them, we do, but it's the same as Vel."
(Luise)
All of the saber-toothed tigers were hunted by Luise.
Dodging their charges and attacks with the least amount of
movement by making use of her excellent kinetic vision, she circles
into their back and defeats them with a single magically loaded
strike.
As for having no wounds, it's apparently because she is tearing only
the lower stem of the brain to pieces with an internal impact, which is
a secret technique of the magic combat style.
You won't be able to grasp it at all by only the looks.
"What's this? The simplicity is scary." (Wendelin)
"It's a technique you won't be able to use if you don't have a certain
degree of mana. Doushi's coaching was useful for that, too." (Luise)
Now that she mentions it, there was something like that.
Luise possesses mana between intermediate and advanced level. She
fights while economizing it to the utmost with the magic combat
style.
Doushi and me will end up deploying a magic barrier in advance in
order to be alright, even when receiving the enemy's attacks,
however Luise is capable of executing her decisions in 1/100th of a
second units.
If it's the evasion of attacks, she will dodge it normally without
deploying something like a magic barrier.
"With four people gathering, my role has been to monitor the
surroundings. The foundation was to call Wilma and Ina-chan for
help, if there were too many." (Luise)

| Azura Ren |
It seems Luise professionally hunted the saber-toothed tigers, which
were the biggest threat.
Once you look at the other monsters, those are likely the results of
Ina stabbing close to the heart and brain parts and Wilma defeating
them with a clean beheading.
"Currently the native fruits of the Demon Forest and such have a
rising tendency in value. If there are this many, I believe their worth
will be raised in the auction by major dealers and similar."
Major dealers are possessing a great number of general-purpose
magic bags.
Given that the freshness won't drop once you put it in there, I hear
that they will buy large quantities once they are up for sale even if it
is fresh foodstuff.
Buying it at the time when the price is low, their aim is to gain profits
by selling it at the time when the price is high.
They won't be pressured by administration since they have economic
clout, even if they hold back large amounts of stocks. It seems to be
impossible for the prices of native Demon Forest products to fall for
quite a time.
After all they can't be gathered anywhere but here.
Therefore, they buy it now just because it's buyable.
In order to not lose against other rivals, they apparently won't
hesitate to raise the prices in a bidding competition at the auction.
"Also, Luise-san has great luck..." (Guild Staff)
An albino saber-toothed tiger was placed ahead of the guild
employee's look.
With this it was two specimens, but its size was also once size bigger
than the specimen I hunted.
"Moreover, it's completely unhurt." (Guild Staff)
"The inside isn't unhurt though." (Guild Staff)
"If you say that, there's Armstrong-doushi, but..." (Guild Staff)
There was another one, doushi, who willfully joined in, but his
results were astounding.
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It's a dreadful number of monster corpses, but all of them were lined
up in a state, which showed their expressions of anguish. Several
guild employees carried out an earnest assessment.
"Umm... Doushi?" (Erwin)
"I've been hunting this number of monsters for a long time!"
(Armstrong)
Doushi thrust out his fist in front of him.
Simply put, he beat them to death with magically charged fists,
kicked them dead and smashed their heads.
It might not have taken time due to its plainness, but unmistakably,
the only person capable of doing such thing in this world is likely
doushi.
I only hoped that those attacks wouldn't be aimed at me.
"Also, I discovered historic ruins deep within the forest! I think I will
go for an exploration as early as tomorrow!" (Armstrong)
"What!? Isn't doushi first in an overwhelming manner?" (Erwin)
Surely it was as Eru said.
Overwhelming even my amount of prey as well, he has moreover
even discovered an unexplored historic ruin.
As one would expect, that might be the only worthwhile thing of him
participating willfully.
"Doushi, don't steal the work of the youngsters too much."
(Burkhart)
"I think so as well. But, in fact, my second and third wives were
apparently pregnant. I judged I should go earn some money so we
don't fall short no matter what happens in the future!" (Armstrong)
"Umm? Is it the 20th?" (Wendelin)
"Aye. This time I want a girl for sure!" (Armstrong)
Looking at doushi's large military accomplishments, Burkhart-san
rebukes him to not steal too much of the young adventurers' income,
but doushi refuses that with the expenses since his children will be
born once again.

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Or rather, doushi seems to be thinking even less about
family planning than my father. However, no one is probably
bothered by it, because his ability is top.
"If a girl is born, it will be even fine to marry her to Earl
Baumeister!" (Armstrong)
"Huh?" (Wendelin)
'A girl that looks like doushi as wife of Vel?' (Erwin)
Doushi's daughter is made into my wife.
Rather than first mentioning the age difference and such, Eru ends up
uttering in a whisper what bothers him in a few words.
'A girl that looks like doushi?' (Wendelin)
What appeared in my head right away was a muscled and brawny
girl with just the same face as doushi.
'I want you to spare me of that. Or rather, I have no confidence I would be
able to get an erection...' (Wendelin)
Although I feel regretful with such a vulgar talk, but I couldn't bear
the image of having my spine broken in the bridal night.
"Umm, doushi-sama, in front of Elise such remark is a bit..." (Ina)
"Oh, that's right. I want you to think about the marriage of our
children and grandchildren!" (Armstrong)
When I hesitated what answer to give, it was Ina, who threw me a
lifeline.
Mentioning the name of his beloved niece, Elise, he was refused
indirectly.
'Ina! You saved me! You really saved me there!'
(Wendelin)
"Wai-!? Vel!?" (Ina)
I ended up embracing Ina spontaneously, but everyone, except
doushi, showed an expression as if agreeing to a great extent.
It seems everyone was imagining doushi's daughter as manifestation
of doushi himself in female clothing.

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"Well, that means we safely finished the competition." (Burkhart)
First is doushi, second is me and third is Eru's group.
Given that doushi is an elite adventurer to begin with, that's
something that probably can't be helped.
"You don't particularly care about something like ranking anyway,
right?" (Burkhart)
Once Burkhart-san asks the guild employee, who was next to him, he
gave an answer that could be interpreted as affirmative.
"With such an amount of goods it will be given a large price for the
bidding at the auction in the capital. Thereupon the gossip will flow
into other regions." (Guild Staff)
If they notice the possibility to earn more money than at their local
area, there was the potential of assembling a group of elites here.
That's like the reason why the adventurer guild supported this
competition.
"Also, historic ruins, huh." (Wendelin)
"Yes. We just began the investigation of the Demon Forest. There
should be several other yet unknown historic ruins in there." (Guild
Staff)
If the historic ruin, which was discovered by doushi, brings in a large
amount of spoils, this will also trigger the gathering of many
adventurers.
That's because an unknown historic ruin has such a high potential for
earning money.
In other words, the adventurer's guild as well as doushi wanted to
help with the development by gathering skillful adventurers in the
vicinity of the Demon Forest.
Adventurers, who can earn money, will come together with their
families, build a house and start living here.
It will also cause a large amount of taxes to be paid. Since merchants
will also come to cater them, it is related to giving the area a
stimulation.
"Then, tomorrow it's exploration of the historic ruins!"
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(Armstrong)
"The members are... Are these members fine?" (Wendelin) Rather than
the underground ruins, where we were close to death before, our
combat potential has been increased by adding Wilma and doushi.
It should be alright, if there isn't anything very dangerous.
"Tomorrow will start early, too. Let's go back?" (Wendelin)
"I want you to let me stay over as well!" (Armstrong)
"Me too. Please take me along with teleportation." (Burkhart)
"That's fine. Lately the number of people I can transport via
teleportation has increased." (Wendelin)
Apparently, my precision with magic and my mana capacity rose
due to the battle with the undead black smoke giant and the free use
of engineering magic afterwards. It reached the point that I'm able to
transport up to ten people, excluding myself, at once.
"That's handy. Then I will leave it to you." (Burkhart)
"Got it." (Wendelin)
In preparation of the historic ruin’s exploration tomorrow, we decide
to turn in earlier than usual and move to the mansion with
teleportation magic.
But gradually I'm assailed by the feeling that I'm forgetting
something.
"Wendelin-sama?" (Elise)
"Elise, did I forget something...?" (Wendelin)
"If there's a single thing, wouldn't that be the matter of Katharina-san,
with whom we competed?" (Elise)

"I totally forgot!" (Wendelin)

Come to think of it, I recall having done a competition with
Katharina for a few days.
At the end doushi's impact was far too strong. Everyone ended up
forgetting about her, including me as well.

| Azura Ren |
Elise remembering it, can be considered to be due to her having a
constitution of immunity as his niece.
"Will you go back?" (Elise)
"Since it's troublesome, tomorrow will probably be fine.
Hey, Wilma." (Wendelin)
"Huh? It's fine, even if you leave her alone for a day since she is
tenacious." (Wilma)
"You and Wilma are sometimes quite cruel. That woman had mostly
a sharp tongue, too, though." (Erwin)
Although Eru says so, I completely didn't feel like deliberately
returning for the sake of that woman.
A competition to determine who is number 1? I'd like you to excuse
me from something this sultry.
Me accepting the competition was for the opportunity of hunting and
because I judged she wouldn't shut up if I didn't accept it.
"She can be your partner, Eru." (Wendelin)
"No way. That woman, albeit being a beauty, is annoying."
(Erwin)
"You are mostly too though." (Wendelin)
In the end I think it can't be helped that she was forgotten on that
day.
Returning to the mansion, everyone ate the meal prepared by
Dominique and slept properly.
***
The next day we have once again gathered in front of the
adventurer's guild's branch near the Demon Forest.
And there that Katharina was lying in wait with an expression as if
pouting.
"Without even declaring the results of the competition, you
abandoned me here! What hell are you thinking!?" (Katharina)
"You got angry after all, huh." (Wendelin)

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"Obviously!" (Katharina)
After she expressly came here to pick a fight, being ignored was
detestable, it seems.
"But, you know, you didn't say anything as you were dumbfounded
by doushi's words and deeds." (Wendelin)
"That is..." (Katharina)
I wouldn't have forgotten her if she had at least said
"Don't forget me!" at that time, but because she wasn't accustomed to
doushi, she kept standing stock still in mute amazement in that
situation.
"Even we have associated with him for many years, however that
person establishes shocking realities regularly." (Wendelin)
Originally, I heard he was an elite adventurer, but by no means did I
think he would this amazing or perhaps I should say shocking since
he has been occasionally hunting as part-time job albeit being the
Royal Head Magician.
Or rather, won't someone stop him, I wonder?
Though I have a hunch that it will be useless, even if he is stopped.
"Besides, it's our win in the competition." (Wendelin)
Katharina's results weren't something to feel ashamed about as
renown elite in society. To put it simply, she likely chose the wrong
opponents.
"The competition still hasn't finished! From here on it's the spoils of
around one month!" (Katharina)
"You will compete with doushi for a month, too?"
(Wendelin)
"That is..." (Katharina)
It's probably a competition with no chance of winning in the first
place.
If our party joins up with Burkhart, we will be able to win without a
doubt, but you can't even call such a thing winning anymore.

| Azura Ren |
"For you to reach the point of being able to win will take time, I
believe." (Wendelin)
"We will postpone the competition for a short while!"
(Katharina)
Somehow, it's been a success to have her withdraw from the matter
with the competition.
But how unyielding is she? or rather, how obsessed is she with
gaining a reputation by winning against me?
"I believe that you will become a celebrity right away, if you active in
this area normally." (Wendelin)
"If it's this much, it's no good!" (Katharina)
"Why?" (Wendelin)
"You, if you put in great efforts, won't it be connected to peerage and
achievements? Even if I put in great efforts surpassing yours,
whether it will lead somewhere or not..." (Katharina)
It's the tragedy uniquely applying to women.
No matter how many more great efforts than men they put in, they
won't be able to receive peerage. they will only attract a suspicious
lot aiming for the money they earned.
Therefore, she has been obsessing over making a name by herself
without joining a party.
She has likely been thinking that she won't be able to regain the lost
peerage of her ancestor unless she performs achievement to the
degree of being treated as exception.
Even that is uncertain as well, but currently she has nothing else to
cling on but that...
If you consider it like that, she is slightly pitiable.
"Well, it's uncertain whether it will be useful, but..." (Wendelin)

I appeal to Katharina that I want her to join the historic ruins

exploration.

| Azura Ren |
In this time's historic ruin exploration doushi and Wilma have been
added as well. Our combat potential has increased to being
overwhelmingly more than last time.
But, in this world there's nothing absolute.
Therefore, I thought I want Katharina, who is a top magician, to
participate as well.
As a matter of fact, she has a surprisingly meek character, although
her tongue is a bit evil. At the competition this time she didn't do
anything like cheating at all either.
There's no worry to be stabbed in the back either.
However, there's the point that I'd like her to apologize to Ina's group
first.
"It's an unknown historic ruin, therefore it's uncertain what might
jump out." (Wendelin)
"It's my first time to do a historic ruin exploration, but I'm an
adventurer renown in the west. The choice of running away doesn't
exist for me!" (Katharina)
"That will save us troubles. I want to excuse myself from a situation
like last time." (Wendelin)
"I've heard the rumors. The other day Baron Rückner, who lost his
rank for taking part in an attempted assassination plot, caused a
disturbance." (Katharina)
That's not the truth, but it seems that rumor is spreading with the
reason that if it's him, he is capable of anything.
Since it's suffering the consequences, I didn't have absolutely any
intention to correct her.
"Well, then let's go diving right away?" (Wendelin)
"Look carefully at my true abilities!" (Katharina)
'If you consider it being her way of phrasing things, it's somehow cute, isn't
it...?' (Wendelin)
Like this Katharina was added as member too and we once again
started the exploration of an unknown historic ruin.

| Azura Ren |
Chapter 58: The Demon Forest's Underground Ruins

"You seem to get things done fairly well, too. I withdraw my

statement from before and apologize from the bottom of my heart.
Also, it has been decided that I will join this time's exploration as
well. Please feel be relieved with a feeling of having gained a reliable
asset that will keep you safe." (Katharina)
The exploration of the yet unknown historic ruins, which was
discovered by doushi in the Demon Forest, began, but before that
Katharina, whose participation I requested, apologized to Ina's group
for her previous abusive remarks.
Once hearing her speech, I have ended up thinking that it would be
better if she said it in a bit gentler manner, however she is probably
unable to say it in any other way than this.
Even so, it looked like Ina's group has accepted just the aspect of
apologizing more or less.
"Somehow I'm feeling depressed." (Katharina)
"It's because Ina-chan is a serious type. For me people like you are
quite interesting and I'm fond of them." (Luise)
"I don't particularly mind either way since you will become combat
potential." (Erwin)
From the point of view of the serious Ina, Katharina's remarks had
some unforgivable parts.
Given that she apologized for the time being, Ina seems to still be in a
condition, where she can't smoothly interact with Katharina.
Luise apparently found some interesting parts in the person called
Katharina.
Bearing in mind the matter of the previous underground ruin’s
exploration, Eru seems to have no problem with her, if she is useful
in the battle.
Since he has declared her as type difficult to deal with albeit her
being a beauty, he didn't care either way as she isn't an object of
romantic interest for him.
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"Vel-sama, will Frilly be added as comrade, too?" (Wilma)
"It's just this time for now." (Wendelin)
Wilma called Katharina, who's wearing a leather dress with frills
attached albeit being an adventurer, with the nickname "Frilly".
Even though it has the appearance of a dress, the used leather is loot
of a dragon. Since her cape is knitted with soft, downy hair, which
was extracted from a young dragon, it was an item close to being the
best in regards to defense, however from Wilma's point of view it
seems to be a strange item.
She is doubtlessly an elite adventurer given that she has obtained
personal armor of that level within merely one year after she became
an adventurer, but based on the opinion of the dry Wilma, who puts
maximum priority on efficiency, she regards Katharina as an
irregular existence.
"Frilly, that's nice since it can be used easily." (Wilma)
"This girl has a more wicked tongue that me..." (Katharina)
Katharina appears to be aware of her own arrogant tone. Her face
cramped up due to Wilma's remark.
She doesn't get angry since Wilma's appearance seems to her as
awfully small and lovely. This means that she is very understanding
in regards to that aspect.
"Wilma-san, it's no good to call a person, who will go on an
exploration with us from now on, "Frilly"." (Elise)
"Yes, Elise-sama." (Wilma)
"Let me introduce myself properly. I'm called Katharina Linda von
Waigel." (Katharina)
"It's a pleasure. I'm called Elise Katharina von Hohenheim." (Elise)
And, the one, even such Wilma is no match for, Elise, who is my
future first wife.
She has been born with an appearance of beauty and kindness
befitting her nickname "Saint of Hohenheim", but at the same time
she possesses will power befitting a daughter of a prestigious noble
household of the central government.

| Azura Ren |
As expected, even Katharina greeted her politely.
Elise has also greeted her politely without caring about her past
remarks at all.
After all the difference between a daughter of a former noble
household, which ended up collapsing once, and a real noble
daughter appeared.
Elise's conduct of not pursuing the past remarks at all will in fact
become a large pressure.
In noble society it has a feeling of, "With this you owe me one", huh.
As Katharina apparently noticed that as well, she has toned down her
usual demeanor quite a bit.
However, in the capital there are many noble daughter-like people, in
a reversed meaning. Katharina might be a lot better if compared to
that lot.
"Well then, now that you have exchanged those greetings, we will
enter the ruins." (Burkhart)
"Indeed! I wasn't able to sleep overly much yesterday due to
anticipating the event of a new ruins exploration!" (Armstrong)
We decide to enter the ruins at once as Burkhart-san is urging us on,
but doushi, who is the other adult having a monitoring role, seemed
to look forward to the ruin’s exploration very much.
However, I have ended up thinking "You were unable to sleep due to the
excitement?" and Honestly, "Are you a child!?"
"I will transfer us near the ruins then." (Wendelin)
Since it's not like it was me who discovered the historic ruins, it was
first necessary to transfer to a place close-by so everyone can walk
there.
Because we considerably thinned out this place in the last few days,
monsters almost didn't appear along the way. Even so, that doesn't
mean that there wasn't any at all.
However, given that their numbers were low, all of them were killed
by Luise with her energy-conserving magic combat style hand-to-
hand techniques.

| Azura Ren |
"Although we still haven't entered the ruins, we cannot afford for our
magicians to run out of mana." (Luise)
"Sorry, Luise."
"It's alright since their numbers are low. Undoubtedly it's because
doushi hunted a large amount of them." (Luise)
"It's as Luise-jou says! I don't know what we will encounter within
the ruins, therefore save your mana as much as possible!"
(Armstrong)
After about an hour we have arrived at the entrance of the historic
ruins by doushi's lead.
The location is distant from a city, which has an adventurer's guild
branch, but it wasn't too far in either.
The entrance is awfully small. Moreover, it has been covered by a
large amount of thickly-growing southern fern and such. I admire
doushi for having discovered it properly. "Since I felt like pissing by
chance, I considered to do it here!" (Armstrong)
"Haa, is that so...?" (Wendelin)
In other words, he found it by accident.
Everyone except doushi should be feeling the loss of admiration
within their minds.
"So? Who will open this entrance?" (Erwin)
The door attached to the entrance is closed. Eru ask who's going to
open it.
"Check that it has no trap before that." (Armstrong)
Doushi is right. We don't want the door to explode with a bang at the
moment it is touched.
It was necessary to check whether a trap exists or not.
"It's my turn then, right?" (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san quickly comes in front and investigates the door by
using the spell "Trap Detection".
As might be expected from a former elite adventurer. Being able to
use such types of magic is amazing, I think.

| Azura Ren |
"It doesn't look like there's a trap. However, this is troublesome..."
(Burkhart)
"Troublesome?" (Erwin)
"Yea, have a look at this lock." (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san pointed at the lock installed at the door.
It doesn't seem to require a key, but it has four dials attached, which
can change the digits from 0 to 9.
The easiest understandable way of describing it would be a
numerical bicycle lock.
"Will it do something like "Booo~~~oom!", if the numbers are
wrong?"
"I can't identify a trap of that sort. I guess you have just to match the
numbers normally." (Burkhart)
Since it's only useful for stalling, you can simply call it an unpleasant
snare.
Probably the person, who set the lock on this door, has quite the bad
character.
"There's also the option of blowing it away!" (Armstrong)
"I don't know whether there's something beyond it. It's out of
question to blow away the door." (Burkhart)
If we blow away the door and discover something dangerous inside,
it might become a situation, where it would be indispensable to seal
it with the door at that time.
If the door was broken with an explosion, it would become difficult
for it to work as seal.
"There's no other choice but to test it out one by one, I guess."
(Burkhart)
"Is there some penalty, if we make an error?" (Wendelin)
"I wasn't able to detect such trap. In the first place, the efficiency of
such highly complex trap is low." (Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
Something like a trap, where something happens each time you make
a single error on the dial, was realistically impossible due to the
problems of costs for the installation.
Besides, the majority of the historic ruins from the era of the Ancient
Magic Civilization seems to have a strong tendency to plant time-
intensive traps inside.
On that subject, I recall that the previous traps like "Forced Transfer
Magic Circle" and "Deadly Inversion Regulation" existed inside.
"Ehh~~? Each dial, one by one?" (Luise)
Turning it from 0000 to 9999 one by one, we will identify the
unlocking combination of the door.
It's a very plain, unpleasant and time-consuming work.
"Um~~~~m." (Wendelin)
Once I make eye contact with everyone else, all of them look away.
Since even Elise was like that, probably no one wanted to do it. Of
course, I'm reluctant as well.
"Leave it to the newcomer in such case?" (Erwin)
Because of Eru's statement, all eyes turn towards Katharina.
"Isn't that a cruel argument!? We should fairly decide it by drawing
lots!" (Katharina)
Naturally Katharina disliked the task, but on the other hand she
provided a nice idea.
Certainly, no one should be able to complain afterwards with the
method of deciding it fairly with drawn lots.
"Vel-sama, let's decide it with janken." (Wilma)
Wilma offers janken (Rock-paper-scissors) as way to settle it while
pulling my robe.
Janken didn't exist in this world, however once I taught it to Wilma,
during a suddenly opened-up time slot before, she was very pleased
with it.
Since then it has reached the point that Wilma suggests to settle it
with Janken whenever there's something to be decided.

| Azura Ren |
Given that the outcome can be attained easily without preparing
anything in particular, even Ina's group has been mostly
participating in Janken nowadays.
To decide it with coin toss or drawn lots at such moments is good in
this world as it doesn't take any time.
"Ehh!? Janken!?" (Erwin)
The sole exception seems to be Eru, who's unhappy to decide it with
Janken.
The reason is that Eru is weak at Janken to a frightening degree.
Or rather, I've never been beaten in Janken by Eru.
Being defeated by Wilma often, I witnessed him having his snacks
and such stolen by her.
"Eru is greedy. He tries to rip off snacks from Wilma."
(Ina)
However, as result of him losing every time going by what Ina says,
Eru had his snack taken away in reverse.
"Anyway, time is precious. Janken it is." (Burkhart)
"Can't help it. Even I likely won't lose since there's a newcomer her
too..." (Erwin)
Approving of it reluctantly, Eru also began the Janken to decide the
person, who will turn the dials.
***
"9995! 9996! It ain't opening!" (Erwin)
After around 2 hours since then, Eru, who lost in janken after all,
earnestly and single-mindedly rotated the number styled dials, which
was attached to the door.
Furthermore, the remaining members, except the one on watch, are
having a break in the meanwhile.
Since one's body won't keep up, if it's tensed for two hours, we
enjoyed the sweets and tea, provided by Elise, with the exception of
the one guarding.

| Azura Ren |
"This chocolate pastry is delicious with its moderate sweetness."
(Katharina)
"That's a test product sent by Artur-san." (Wendelin)
"That person rushes quite thoroughly." (Ina)
Ina admired Artur-san's business spirit.
Because there are hardly any failures no matter what he does, it will
probably stay the same for a while.
"However, it's nasty towards Eru, isn't it?" (Luise)
"It can't be helped since he lost." (Wilma)
"Wilma sticks through and through to the truth. I also don't plan to
take over for him at all though." (Luise)
"Since he is an adventurer, it won't do if he doesn't obediently accept
defeat." (Katharina)
"At this point that's a statement, where I'm not quite sure whether it's
profound or not, Katharina." (Ina)
"I haven't particularly aimed for such thing." (Katharina)
"You guys, while a person is struggling..." (Erwin)
Eru complained to the female group, who's enjoying the tea and
picking up sweets, but in the end, no one listened to him since it was
the grumbling of a loser, who was defeated in janken.
"9997! This one's no good either!" (Erwin)
He has turned it from [0000] as the beginning. Although it seemed
that he was turning it from the start, it might have been a punchline
that [9999] is in fact the beginning.
Moreover, the result was [9998], despite him starting from 0001.
Naturally Eru threw the dial, which came off the door, on the ground
while being enraged.

| Azura Ren |
"The fellow, who made this, has a twisted and poor character!"
(Erwin)
"Is it for stalling time?" (Wendelin)
"I guess so." (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san answers my question with low tension.
"There doesn't seem to be any inspiration in that." (Wendelin)
"Although it's an entrance, this sort of ruins is almost 100% a miss."
(Burkhart)
There are various types of things even in ancient historic ruins, but as
for the pattern of being locked by an entrance, it doesn't seem that
those ruins will have overly many valuable treasures, if it's a kind of
pattern that's relatively easy to open.
"Rarely it's a winner though. However, that's truly rare."
(Burkhart)
Apparently, he previously entered historic ruins with a similar lock,
but he found an old food storage there, it seems.
"It was also from more than 10.000 years ago. It was empty."
(Burkhart)
If this much time passes, food and such will go beyond being rotten
and there will be nothing left.
"Although I had quite the expectation since it was historic ruins being
quite deep in the hinterlands." (Burkhart)
"It was just a food storage?" (Wendelin)
"There are such underground ruins as well." (Burkhart)
There are extreme examples such as the types of secret bases of
ancient great men, who conceal the true nature of the underground
ruins in any way, like the one we dived in before.
Usually it's underground structures, which have cultural value,
cellars, used by individuals, and old public facilities.
What caused magic tools and treasures to be there are the assets of
companies, organizations and people, who used those underground
ruins, and the equipment, they left behind.
| Azura Ren |
If one were to ask why they focus on domains, where monsters
dwell, it seems to be because the other ruins had mostly been
excavated already.
Even though it's sarcastic, but the ones remaining are those, where
it's difficult for people to enter.
"Did people live in domains, where monsters dwell, in the era of the
Ancient Magic Civilization?" (Wendelin)
"I guess that's how it was. There appears to be evidence as well."
(Burkhart)
Also, it appears that occasionally historic ruins, which aren't monster
domains either, get discovered in untrodden remote areas and such.
However, nowadays that's rare.
"Though it will be great, if it's a sake storage." (Burkhart)
"That again. Isn't that just because you are fond of sake."
(Wendelin)
"If it's sake, it's still possible." (Burkhart)
There were underground types of wine cellars, which were owned by
nobles long ago, discovered as historic ruins. Apparently, the wine,
which was stored there, was still good.
"It's because it's wine with the vintage from the era of the Ancient
Magic Civilization. It would attain a staggering level of prices."
(Burkhart)
Nobles, wealthy merchants and such unanimously raised the prices
in the auction.
"While you dream of such possibilities, we will start the exploration."
(Wendelin)
"For the sake of safety, I will be at the front." (Armstrong)
The reason is that it will be alright for monsters to suddenly attack, if
it's doushi.
With doushi in the lead, Burkhart-san and me enter inside passing
through the door, which was opened with the key, from behind.

| Azura Ren |
For caution's sake I'm using detection magic alongside Burkhart-san
while advancing ahead through the dark pathway, but there was
absolutely no monster presence in the long pathway, which
somehow allowed for two people to walk side-by-side.
"As expected, it's just a storage." (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san shows an expression looking as if he's openly regretting
it.
If there are assets of the person, who created the underground ruin,
there will be a large number of traps to protect the items within the
ruins and monsters will be deployed.
Also, it's said that golems and such are standard as well.
"Broken by deterioration over time, there will only be monsters, who
have entered inside, though. However, doushi is dazzling."
(Burkhart)
"They won't appear, if I don't clad my body in light magic!"
(Armstrong)
"Well, it's okay since it's bright." (Wendelin)
Given that it had become dark as we were advancing through the
pathway, doushi used light magic.
This light magic is naturally a popular spell in historic ruins
explorations. Usually one uses it by creating a light ball on a
fingertip, but doushi clad his entire body in light and was shining
meaninglessly.
In case of Elise, she was apparently called "Shining goddess" in
society, but if it's doushi, he can't be seen as anything but a "Bright
giant, who came to deliver divine punishment.".
Also, the mana efficiency was bad because he is shining
with his entire body all the time.
If you are possessing mana at doushi's level, you likely won't care
about such matters though.
"There's once again a door, which needs a key." (Armstrong)
The leading doushi discovers yet another of such doors.

| Azura Ren |
Moreover, this time it seems to have a lock attached, which can be
opened with a normal key.
"There's no choice but to break it!" (Armstrong)
"Is it only this time that there's no choice but to break it, I wonder?"
(Burkhart)
We were unable to sense the existence of a trap, but that likewise
didn't mean that there was a key somewhere either.
Without regarding the lock, itself as overly valuable since it's a type
of padlock, Burkhart-san judged that there's no problem to break it.
"Wait a moment. I will use a lock-picking spell."
(Katharina)
"Hee, you are able to use a rare spell." (Burkhart)
It's not unreasonable for Burkhart-san to admire her either.
This lock-picking spell was listed under magic, which is quite
difficult to learn.
Changing one's own mana into a solid mass, you transform it into the
shape of the key, that fits into the lock, and open it without breaking
the lock itself.
It requires a frightening level of delicate control over one's mana.
Since its effect is plain in comparison to that, it was a spell, which has
very few users as most give up on learning it right away.
"Are you able to dive into a ruin by yourself, if you have this?"
(Wendelin)
"No matter how remarkable a magician might be, historic ruins are
too dangerous for a solo run." (Burkhart)
"I know. Thanks to that, I hoarded spells." (Katharina)
As expected of Katharina, she obediently listened to Burkhart-san's
warning.
She was aware of the fact that he was an elite adventurer, no one can
complain about in regards to his accomplishments.
Also, her mood was apparently raised by being called remarkable by
him.

| Azura Ren |
"It's because I have an acquaintance in the adventurer's guild's
headquarters too. I have heard the rumors about "Storm"" (Burkhart)
Having graduated as top of the adventurer prep school, located in
the Margraviate Holmer, which is managing the western part of the
kingdom, she reached the point of becoming a rumor as best
magician of the western region in a bit more than a year.
"I didn't know." (Wendelin)
"Boy, you are really not interested in other adventurers..."
(Burkhart)
I believe that's my fundamental nature of working for a company in
my previous life, rather than having no interest.
It wasn't something I was told much, but I have found that seniors
and those at the same level as me have been scolded by their harsh
bosses regarding their business results, though they haven't been in
the same company as me.
I believed that it couldn't be helped that I didn't care about the results
of other adventurers. Adventurers are like self-employed individuals
after all.
"Isn't it fine, if I earn income by myself?" (Wendelin)
"That's certainly right." (Burkhart)
Instead I'm suffering being tied down by obligations as noble.
"Ah, however, isn't it still a bit more than a year after you've become
an adventurer, Katharina?" (Wendelin)
"Are there any complaints about that?" (Katharina)
"You aren't that much older than us then, are you?" (Katharina)

She appears to be around 19 years old, but in fact she seems to be still
16 years old.
"I have an objective! I have to revive the Waigel family as noble
household! This sense of responsibility appears on my face!"
(Katharina)

| Azura Ren |
In other words, she wants to say that she has matured and not grown
old.
For that reason, she has earnestly devoted herself to magic training
by herself since the time she knew that she's able to use magic.
She earned money by hunting and such until she was able to enter
the adventurer prep school with an age of 12 years.
At the time in the adventurer prep school she worked to earn money
with hunting in the same way.
Of course, without being negligent on the magic training in the
breaks, she doesn't seem to be shirking her training since she is
currently increasing her mana too.
"Somehow, once you hear her story, it's the same as the former Vel..."
(Erwin)
Hearing Katharina proudly talking about her memories, Eru
expresses his thoughts absent-mindedly.
I've heard these things before. They are resembling my former
lifestyle.
'I see... Katharina was also a loner like me, huh.' (Wendelin)
No, I have no doubt that she's likely a loner in the present as well.
Anyway, she is a solo adventurer, that hasn't joined a party.
"I knew about the lock-picking spell as well while wondering
whether it will become necessary, if there are other comrades able to
do it... You are admirable, Katharina."
(Wendelin)
"What are you saying!? There's no true friendship between people!"
(Katharina)
"Isn't there in fact?" (Wendelin)
"Well then, let's open the lock!" (Katharina)
Ignoring my question, Katharina begins to open the lock.
Looking at her dodging the issue, I ended up realizing that she really
had no friends.
***

| Azura Ren |
"It's unlocked." (Katharina)
"That was fast." (Wendelin)
"For me such lock is easy." (Katharina)
"Although you can't dive into a historic ruin by yourself, you have
done well to get this far." (Erwin)
"Don't offend me carelessly!" (Katharina)
Opening the lock in a mere 10 seconds, we advance even further into
the historic ruin.
Once we walked for a while, the pathway ended once again
in a dead-end.
"Again, a dead-end?" (Ina)
"No, a magical elevator has been installed." (Burkhart)
"Magical elevator?" (Ina)
"It's a handy device sending you to the level below with mana."
(Burkhart)
Burkhart-san replies to Ina, who is tilting her head to the side.
A magical elevator is, simply put, an elevator moving with mana.
Apparently, those have been occasionally installed in ancient historic
ruins, but it seems there were hardly any, which could properly
move so far.
"This one's working. How rare." (Burkhart)
Once Burkhart-san presses the button, covered with dust, on the wall
of the dead-end, the thing, which I believed to be a stone wall, slides
to the side.
Certainly, it closely resembled the structure of an elevator.
"There's [Open] written on the button." (Wendelin)
Given that there's [Open] written below the button as well, there's no
doubt that this is an elevator.
Once we passed through the door, which opened by sliding
sideways, there were buttons, which had the number of levels
written on them, besides [Open] and [Close], on the wall.

| Azura Ren |
"With this being the first floor, it goes 20 levels below, eh?"
(Burkhart)
"Isn't this in fact a large ruin?" (Wendelin)
"I believe it to be a large storage. Since the lock's simple, it's likely a
miss." (Erwin)
"Wasn't it a storage for foodstuff and clothes?" (Burkhart) Burkhart-
san reasoned.
In the era of the Ancient Magic Civilization a large amount of big
companies was crowding together.
"It won't yield any money since its interior is empty already?" (Ina)
While more than 10.000 years have passed, things like the clothes and
foodstuff inside shouldn't be alright either. It seems there are many
cases where those ruins are mostly empty, too.
"We might be able to sell the magical elevator." (Burkhart)
It is very likely for the magic tool guild to purchase it for the sake of
research.
"Research?" (Luise)
"Yea, wouldn't the magical elevator be probably installed in the royal
castle? With this magical elevator being a lost craft as well, all of
them have ended up turning into ruined items as the magic tool
guild has been researching the stored ones." (Burkhart)
As those are few in numbers, all of them ended up getting broken.
"I don't regard this as such complicated construction though."
(Wendelin)
Similar to the magical elevator, which is here, those will be limited, if
you specify the levels with buttons. They aren't able to reproduce
such function, it seems.
Also, people ended up getting caught in-between, once the door
closed.
In my previous life it was normal for it to open by itself due to
sensors, but naturally it was impossible to reproduce that with the
current technology.

| Azura Ren |
Rather, I believe they are amazing for reproducing things from the
Ancient Magic Civilization's era.
"If it's an elevator of the level to lift the baggage from the first to the
second floor, it can be used for those working behind the scenes in
the royal castle." (Burkhart)
It seems to have a stupidly high price even if it's only to be used for
baggage.
With its number of productions being insufficient as well, it looks like
only the royal castle, some public facilities, large nobles and major
dealers are possessing those.
"Moreover, it's dedicated to baggage only, huh?" (Wendelin)
"Magical elevators require specific technology in maintenance. Even
among large nobles, there are many people, who classify it as
unnecessary. My master doesn't possess one either." (Burkhart)
Now that he mentions it, I remember that I didn't see something like
an elevator in the mansion of Margrave Breithilde.
"We have already arrived at the next floor! Who was it!? The one who
touched my bottom!" (Katharina)
"Ah, me." (Wendelin)
"At least talk about it in an apologetic manner!"
(Katharina)
"It can't be helped, right!? It's cramped!" (Wendelin)
'Or rather, I haven't felt anything but the sensation of leather.'
It's more spacious than expected. All of us, who entered the elevator,
arrived at the underground floor safely. We ended up being jam-
packed since there's many of us.
Katharina complained because my hand touched her butt.
"Hey, have you touched my chest?" (Luise)
"It was me. Eh? Chest?" (Burkhart)
"Burkhart-sama, is it fine to beat you up afterwards?"
(Luise)
"Please excuse me!" (Burkhart)
| Azura Ren |
It seems an accident happened due to the cramped elevator, however
we arrived at the underground floor totally safely.
"It's just a pathway once again?" (Ina)
"That's typical for a ruins' storage." (Burkhart)
A long pathway, where you can't see what lies ahead, with a width of
around 3 m stretches in front of us. On both sides, with a space in-
between of 50 m, there were elevator doors installed having buttons
of [Open] and [Close] just like the one before.
"Are the doors also moved with mana?" (Wendelin)
"That's how it is. Also... how rare! Hasn't it become a magic-powered
warehouse!?" (Armstrong)
"Magic-powered warehouse?" (Erwin)
Even I'm aware of what a magic-powered warehouse is.
To put it simply, it's a warehouse version of the magic bag.
Omitting the part of storing a large number of items in a small bag,
it's something that only had the function of protecting the items,
which are in that room, from deterioration over time.
At the time you open the door and take out the contents, that
function will be suspended. Once you close it again, time will stop for
the items inside.
It was written in books that this was a popular item rivaling
refrigerators in the era of the Ancient Magic Civilization.
"However, does such old magic-powered warehouse still function?"
(Wendelin)
"It's functioning. It's a magic tool after all." (Burkhart)
There are many magic tools, which were discovered in historic ruins
of the Ancient Magic Civilization's era, that can still be used, even if
they look old.
On top of many items having the prerequisite of being used for an
extended period of time to begin with, there are also many items,
which had spells to prevent degradation embedded.
Given that those are still from over 10.000 years ago, they won't be
usable once discovered, if they haven't those.
| Azura Ren |
"Hey! Try looking at the lower button." (Erwin)
"Ah, the magic gem is shining." (Wendelin)
As it is shining, the degradation-prevention function is even now still
working.
"Hee, it has lasted this long." (Erwin)
"I guess a skilled magic tool craftsman took part in its construction."
(Burkhart)
Not only has the magic tool the performance requiring a skilled
magic tool craftsman, but it has also a remarkably excelling
consumption of the magic gems, which have been installed in it,
Burkhart-san explains to Eru.
"However, it's more than 10.000 years." (Erwin)
"Degradation prevention doesn't consume that much mana."
(Wendelin)
That's the reason why I was able to safely inherit the magic bag from
my master.
"A magic-powered warehouse doesn't consume mana at the level of a
magic bag." (Wendelin)
A large number of items can be stored away in the space of a
different dimension, which was created within the bag. The magic-
powered warehouse can exclude the function of freely opening that.
In fact, the magic gem, used for mana supply on the other side of the
door, didn't have a size bigger than approximately the size of a
softball.
Since it has been running for more than 10.000 years with that size, it
likely has a better mana consumption efficiency than a magic bag.
"There are also many cases of the available magic tools, that were
excavated from historic ruins, having been put into such working
storages. Unexpectedly, this one might be a winner." (Wendelin)
Opening a close-by door right away, I try to enter the magic-powered
warehouse.

| Azura Ren |
The interior has a width of 50m, a length of 100m and a height of
around 5m. Once I entered, it became illuminated by magic tools in a
natural way.
The floor, walls and ceiling were made with whitish stone, which is
similar to marble. A lot of very small magic squarelike things have
been drawn.
It seems that those were magic squares for preventing degradation.
"It's working after all." (Wendelin)
The inside of the room was packed with a large number of wooden
boxes, but I'm unable to imagine for all of them being from over
10.000 years ago.
With the whitish wood looking like brand-new, the pleasant scent
peculiar to wood started to drift about inside the room.
"Time started to flow once again." (Burkhart)
Since the door was open, the flow of time restarted. The wooden
boxes are in the state just like they were as brandnew items,
Burkhart-san explains.
"In other words, time is flowing when you are depositing or
withdrawing the contents?" (Luise)
"There's probably a magic square drawn on the other side of the
door. The spell to prevent degradation stops in the state of the door
being open." (Burkhart)
"That's handy, isn't it?" (Wendelin)
As it seems that the people of the magic tool guild have been
pondering about this problem, that appears the biggest reason for the
magic-powered warehouse to not spread.
Also, a magic-powered warehouse can certainly be used for an
extended period, if it gets started once and if the mana consumption
is low as well, but it's necessary to draw a unique magic square
without any breaks in it and a special stone has to be laid out in the
entire area for the construction work of something like a warehouse.
If you consider the initial expenses, it seems that refrigerators are
overwhelmingly better in cost efficiency.

| Azura Ren |
"Which reminds me, what Artur-san bought was also a large
refrigerator." (Wendelin)
What he bought for the preservation of mise and soy sauce was a
large refrigerator, which was installed in the basement, I have heard.
"You can preserve perishable food with a good feeling as time doesn't
pass, but once you open the door of the magic powered warehouse,
time will flow again."
Even if you store a large quantity of perishable food in a magic-
powered warehouse, time will progress for each and every of it at the
time you take it out in the end. It will quickly spoil because there isn't
something temperature control either.
That being the case, a small refrigerator won't require overwhelming
expenses. If you want to preserve a certain extent of quantity, a magic
bag doesn't take much room and is easy to transport.
Currently the magic-powered warehouse hasn't spread at all since it's
an unfinished product.
"You can also store clothes and general goods for a long time."
(Wendelin)
"So, why did those in old days use magic-powered warehouses?"
(Katharina)
"That is... I wonder if this might become a hint?"
(Wendelin)
Although it's not like I tried to answer Katharina's question, I
discovered a small desk and bookshelves alongside the wall nearby.
There's a large amount of papers, bound with strings, in the
bookshelves.
Once I check their contents, it seems that those are lists of the goods,
which have been stored in this warehouse.
"Just as I imagined, bottles filled with sake, clothes and miscellaneous
goods for living, eh." (Burkhart)
Given that those are close to being new items, albeit being from an
ancient era, they should achieve quite the price.
"Hey, Vel. This isn't a list." (Luise)
| Azura Ren |
Once we have split into groups to read the contents of the paper
bundles, tied by strings, Luise found a different document.
"Umm. [A large shopping mall has opened in the suburbs of Prime
town with magnificent price offs! 80% – 90% off are the norm! A
large release with huge bargains, even for new energy conserving
magic tools! There's nothing you can't find here!", huh?] (Wendelin)
It looks like a leaflet, however it used wordings that somehow felt
like being taken out of my previous life.
Or rather, even though it's a ruin of the same Ancient Magic
Civilization's era, it feels somehow different from the one in the
vicinity of the royal capital.
"Vel, I found materials about this underground ruin." (Ina)
Ina, who read the documents carefully, discovered a paper, which
described the true identity of this underground ruin.
Once I read it after receiving it, it somehow seems that this was the
basement storehouse exclusively used by the shopping mall of this
leaflet.
"Umm, in other words, it looks like this was a warehouse of a large
commercial city." (Wendelin)
It seems that there are still many things the researchers of this era still
don't understand well about the era of the Ancient Magic
Civilization, but at least a far larger amount of magic tools had been
spread than now and their livelihood was abundant, too.
As result of spreading a large amount of cheap goods in society, just
like in the Japan of my former life, the prices fell
gradually and it pressured the administration of the merchants to
gather stocks of produced merchandise.
Weeding out the merchants naturally, it advanced into the bi-
polarization of small-scale merchants, who worked effectively by
being flexible, or large capital, that made small profits with quick
returns.
I guess that this underground warehouse is a storage for preserving
"unused goods of old manufacture" as merchandise, which was
bargained from a merchant, that got crushed by that process.
| Azura Ren |
'The Ancient Magic Civilization's era was surprisingly tough...'
"In short, there's a huge amount of goods in this warehouse?"
"Since there are up to 20 underground floors, it's only natural for
there to be a large amount, I guess." (Armstrong)
Doushi at once opens a single wooden box, takes out a sake bottle
from inside and samples its content.
The exploration hasn't entered anything but this place, which is still
the first room on the first underground floor.
On a single floor there are at the very least 10 rooms with such size
and there are even 20 of those underground floors.
Just how many goods have been left behind? It was to a degree that it
was difficult to imagine it.
"Doushi, please don't drink sake during the exploration."
"It's immature wine. Can't be helped since it's a magic powered
warehouse, huh!?" (Armstrong)
Since even if doushi called it sampling, he naturally
emptied the entire bottle in one gulp while drinking straight out of
the bottle.
However, doushi shouldn't get drunk with this amount either. His
complexion hasn't changed at all.
"Elise-sama, my stomach is empty." (Wilma)
"Yeah, yeah. I will take out the snacks now, okay?" (Elise)
"Thank you, Elise-sama." (Wilma)
Given that it was a ruins exploration without monsters being here,
Wilma apparently ended up having spare time.
As the time was just right before noon as well, Elise had Wilma eat
stuff like the baked cookies, she made herself.
How to call it? It looks like a setup of a younger sister being spoiled
by her meddlesome elder sister.
"It appears to be a big hit. If I have this earning and achievement..."
(Katharina)
"You won't become a noble with a woman's body." (Erwin)
| Azura Ren |
"This country is truly unsociable!" (Katharina)
We still didn't investigate everything, however it should turn into a
considerable income, if there's these many goods.
Therefore, Katharina ended up being at a loss due to the kingdom's
unwritten law that women can't become nobles.
From my point of view, she is a very excellent magician. I believe it
would be fine to make an exception for her. 'Doushi, if we leave it as it
is...' (Wendelin)
'There the possibility of her defecting...' (Armstrong)
Holy Empire Urquhart apparently recognizes female nobles.
If she isn't particular about the country, you can even say that
defecting would be the fastest way toward nobility.
"I won't defect. I have retainers and their families I ought to protect."
(Katharina)
The Waigel household, which is Katharina's home, ended up having
its territory and peerage taken away because they refused the order
to relocate to another lord's domain by the royal family as aftermath
of a factional infighting in her grandfather's generation.
And, the retainers, she has mentioned.
At that time the retainers below the Junior Commander and their
descendants have gone to an area under the direct control of the
kingdom. Even now they seem to obstinately defend the territory for
the Waigel household to return as noble.
What to say? You can actually call their loyalty frightening.
"My grandfather hasn't done anything like disobeying the order of
His Majesty! It's the deed of that vicious Marquis
Rückner household!" (Katharina)
The predecessor of the current Finance Minister Rückner used such
maneuvering in order to lower the influence of the Earl Liliental
household, with whom he was in a dispute within the finance affairs
faction in those days.

| Azura Ren |
The Waigel household apparently was a vassal of the Earl Liliental
household, being a rare appointed noble considering it's a
countryside feudal lord family.
Having their territory close to the capital, the Waigel household,
which could expect a certain degree of military forces in the worst
case as they were also related by blood with the Earl Liliental
household, apparently planned to disagree with the Marquis
Rückner household.
"That person was resented by various people." (Katharina)
"As they are a large noble, they will accordingly have enemies
though." (Erwin)
Moreover, at the time the Waigel household had their rank changed,
the family heads of both families apparently had quite the bad
relationship in comparison to their fellow predecessors. But
nowadays their relation doesn't seem to be that bad.
Going by what doushi said, there are situations, where the
relationship of fellow noble families ends up changing drastically
once there's a new successor.
In reverse, always writing "We absolutely won't forgive you since
you are our mortal enemy!" to the successor, there are likewise
fellow noble households, which are on bad terms for several hundred
years.
"At the beginning after the change of rank, we were supported by the
Earl Liliental household as well, but..." (Katharina)
Although they provided support saying "We will return your
territory and peerage without fail", they apparently ended up being
abandoned once the generation changed.
After that the retainers supported the fallen Waigel household
earnestly while acting as indigenous village headmen and such.
Since the Earl Liliental household probably mended their
relationship with the Marquis Rückner household, they forsook the
Waigel household's situation, I guess.
In order to reap big profits, they cut down the small profits. It was a
story often heard, no matter which world.
| Azura Ren |
"For the sake of them returning their debt of gratitude, it won't do, if I
can't become a noble!" (Katharina)
Be that as it may, at this rate there's no way for Katharina to become a
noble. Her haughty attitude at the beginning came from being
impatient about this situation.
No, I wasn't aware whether she is one such person in the beginning
either though.
Also, she was active in the western parts of the kingdom as
adventurer, because it would probably be troublesome in various
ways, if she was active around the area of the capital.
"Anyway, this is the end of the story. Let's go home once we get the
treasures." (Burkhart)
With Burkhart-san's comment, we went to collect the
goods, which were stored in all the rooms being in this underground
storage, after we had lunch.
There was apparently a large number of magic tools, but as the
confirmation comes afterwards, we didn't care either.
Though I believed it to be unlikely, leaving it would be annoying, if
other adventurers snatched it.
"A single floor has 20 storage rooms with the same size.
With there being 20 floors, it becomes 400 rooms, huh...?
That's a lot."
"It's going to be an immense task for the guild's people to appraise it."
(Wendelin)
"It's their job." (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san replies as if it was something easy.
"The adventurer's guild is something indispensable, but it's a fact that
we are living from the profits as adventurers. It's unnecessary to
worry about something like a bit of busyness." (Burkhart)
"However, Burkhart-san." (Ina)
"What's up, Ina-jou-chan?" (Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
Recently, Ina, who was told to stop attaching "-sama" by Burkhart-
san, had reached the point to call him normally by attaching "-san".
"If you check these documents, this place seems to be the fourth
underground storage." (Ina)
"We have to continue the search, eh..." (Burkhart)
***
I participate in the search around the area, even postponing the
construction requests, from next day onwards.
We were successful at discovering 8 of the same storages called
underground ruins.
As all of them were built in the same way, they were fully equipped
magic-powered warehouses with 20 rooms x 20 floors.
And among those, a large amount of goods laid dormant.
"Those were surplus items in the old days." (Elise)
While looking at a large amount of various goods, Elise expressed
that kind of impression.
"At least this place feels like that." (Burkhart)
Going by Burkhart-san's words, the ruins located in this Demon
Forest are somehow fundamentally different from ruins in other
areas.
Certainly, not only wasn't this place built in a style of a historic ruin,
but it's nothing more than an underground storage for the sake of
storing away large amounts of goods.
The matter of having installed even a magic-powered warehouse to
prevent the deterioration of the stored goods wasn't understandable
unless you had a clean-freak part like a Japanese.
"Though we have been lumping the Ancient Magic
Civilization together into one pot, this area belonged to a different
country, didn't it?" (Ina)
"For the time being it seems that it was a unified country."
(Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
According to the research by experts, a strong monarchic nation
existed in the central part.
"Then was it a vassal state, a self-governing dominion or a satellite
country?" (Ina)
"It might have been either." (Wendelin)
However, it will be a good thing, if the kingdom's researchers
investigate the historic truth about this.
Storing the all goods from the eight storages, we discovered, into my
magic bag, we returned to our mansion after re-blocking the
entrances.
"I can't stand dials anymore... Although someone is faithfully turning
them from 0000, they pick a fight by making it 9987... Next, though I
turned it from 9999 downwards, it was 0007..." (Erwin)
Turning up as the sole loser of janken, Eru, who ended up having to
open the dial locks of all 8 underground storages by himself, became
somewhat absent-minded.

| Azura Ren |
Chapter 59: Katharina and the new retainers

"Katharina, your designated request has arrived."

(Wendelin)
"That's unnatural, Wendelin-san! Aren't you the person, who
nominated me for the request!?" (Katharina)
"Well yes, actually, now that you mention it. Although it has been
designated under my name, it's not like I have taken part in that at
all." (Wendelin)
"Do you think such irresponsible argument will work!?" (Katharina)
"Roderich works his men unexpectedly hard, you know." (Wendelin)
***
Quarreling with Ina's group from the first time they met, Katharina,
who is the daughter of a fallen noble, caused a competition in
hunting, but going on the exploration of the underground ruins,
doushi discovered, together with us afterwards, it reached the point
of her acting together with us even while she says this or that.
By being someone, who believed that a noble should be like this, her
speech, conduct and style are like that, it might be off in some
respects since she isn't a genuine noble.
And, with her apparently aiming for the restoration of her household
by using her magic, her personal principles have many items, which
have been derived from her always wanting to stand out from
society.
Trash-talking Ina's group in front of me and challenging me to a
competition happened for such reason as well.
However, the competition's result didn't matter anymore. With that
doushi arbitrarily cutting in, neither me nor Katharina could win
against him.
"In fact, he joined the mediation and put a damper on the
competition deliberately, didn't he?"

| Azura Ren |
"Going by his appearance, you wouldn't be able to expect that from
him at all." (Katharina)
I didn't comprehend doushi's real intention, however it's a fact that
the competition and such truly ended up not mattering at all.
Given that Katharina also frankly apologized, although it happened
in her usual tone, afterwards, it finished with the quarrel having
ended with that already.
Since I repeatedly receive public works requests from Roderich,
Katharina joined Erw's group in the Demon Forest for some reason.
"Burkhart-sama is probably busy as well. I shall give everyone an
escort." (Katharina)
Her tone had the usual feeling, but that seems to be caused by her
hiding her embarrassment.
Once she actually leaves together with them, she seems to
be hunting and collecting while enjoying the noisiness in the group of
5 women.
"Hey, Vel. I want at least one more male member, but..."
(Erwin)
"You can search by yourself. There is the adventurer's guild. If they
seem to be good, you will get my approval too."
(Wendelin)
"Don't put it like that! I'm discussing with you because it's not that
easy to find one." (Erwin)
As result of us performing a competition in hunting against
Katharina and doushi, it reached the point of many adventurers
crowding the adventurer's guild branches, which were built at
various places close to the Demon Forest.
The large amount of monster raw materials fruit types, cacao seeds,
precious medicinal plants, etc,, which was obtained in that
competition, yielded a large amount of money in the auction
sponsored by the adventurer's guild's headquarters in the capital.

| Azura Ren |
Especially for those albinos saber-toothed tiger specimen the royal
family ended up paying a huge amount of money to obtain both of
them.
The other saber-toothed tigers were won by several big nobles. In the
current royal capital, the mood apparently ended up turning into,
"Stuff like the head of a flying dragon is the norm. Although you call
yourself a noble, how come you don't have the pelt of a saber-toothed tiger in
your house..."
As result of that, nobles provide requests to the adventurer's guild
baiting with a large amount of money as reward. To answer that, a
great number of adventurers came gathering here.
The magic airship's fare is at lowest one gold coin.
Even if they have to pay that, they have realized that the Demon
Forest is a delicious hunting ground.
Even if saber-toothed tigers are impossible, the prices for other
monsters are high as well. If they also gather a certain amount of fruit
types and cacao seeds, their profits will be great.
At present it seems that cities are rapidly finished in the vicinity of
adventurer's guild branches.
And, there's one more thing, the existence of those underground
ruins.
It's probably correct to call it a large outlet mall from the era of the
Ancient Magic Civilization.
Finding even eight large underground storages with installed magic-
powered warehouses for putting away their stock, a large amount of
goods was sleeping in them in the same state as back in those days.
There were many miscellaneous goods for living and such, but with
the clothes and underwear to be far atop in quality compared to the
current items, those should achieve quite the high price, especially
since there's a number of those.
In fact, the shirt and trousers, I'm wearing right now, are at a level,
where it won't be strange in any way, even if a high-ranking noble
wore it as dressing gown.

| Azura Ren |
Also, in addition, although they are different from the mode of
today's items, we have found a great number of suits and evening
dresses.
Seeing the casual wear, I believe that those are often resembling the
items from Earth.
Once I tried to wear a suit with a necktie as test, it was almost
completely as if I had returned to my time as salaryman.
If I had something like leather shoes as footwear and a briefcase, it
might have been to the degree of me considering to hurry to work.
There's a large quantity of clothes and accessories for women as well
and there was even stuff like gardening supplies for example.
The large amount of seeds of things like flowers, vegetables and
grain are possibly a better breed than the ones being cultivated in the
kingdom currently? I have decided to confirm that by cultivating
them at the experimental farm exclusively used by the Earl
Baumeister household.
Previously it was a place reserved for experimentally cultivating
cacao and fruit type, which can be found in the Demon Forest.
However, since it looks like it's necessary to expand it, it was planned
to once again recruit for public works.
Also, in addition, there are various living goods, toys, sake, groceries,
furniture, books, tools and so on.
Given that the amount is far too big, Roderich's group was currently
still in the process of having the guild's employees count them.
Originally it would be normal for us to pay the tax after everything
was bought by the guild's side, but as the amount is big, the guild's
side has judged it to be impossible to purchase all of it.
Also, as the feudal lord of this place it would also be inexcusable to
hand all of the goods to the guild as it seems a great number of new
products can be created, if we research the actual goods.
Because Roderich was particularly annoying about it, it was decided
that the guild's side would only calculate the appraised value and I
would pay the taxes in cash.

| Azura Ren |
By the way, the tax for the Demon Forest is 10% of the estimated
value.
It was fairly low, but that was the outcome of Roderich skillfully
negotiating by taking advantage of the guild's side.
Besides, the guild has the duty to collect another 10% as tax towards
the Baumeister household.
Since the guild's side has the responsibility to pay taxes to me
depending on their revenue, it will finish with me not being
burdened as much as I thought either, if you calculate the sum to be
deducted from those.
Be that as it may, it was an amount of money, which would bring a
normal noble to their wits' end.
Officially the calculation of the amount of money would follow after
this, but that might still take some time since there was the
assessment of a large number of magic tools left.
Since it is a storage of an outlet mall, dealing with various goods, it
naturally contained a massive amount of magic tool types.
Refrigerators, air-conditioners, washing machines, portable cooking
stoves, ovens, wash basins and so on.
In addition, we have found countless things like the portable magic
transmission device, which Burkhart-san has been entrusted with by
Margrave Breithilde.
Moreover, their performance and mana consumption efficiency were
overwhelmingly better than the items, which are currently appearing
on the market in the kingdom.
Furthermore, on the leaflets, which were together with those in the
warehouse, was written [A magic portable communication device
you can feel relieved with due to the contract happening on the
same day!] and [Free contracts for new customers!]
For some reason, the leaflet's wording reminds me of Japan.
Moreover, we have discovered about several hundred magic tools
resembling automobiles, trucks, motorbikes and small farm tractors.

| Azura Ren |
Once we checked the merchandise, it was written in the account
book, we found, that there are new articles, secondhand articles,
articles from insolvency and articles from barter purchases.
Although they developed magic tools in the old days, the traders,
who have created a stock excess, were apparently forced into quite a
severe competition.
If you look at the portable magic communication device for example,
the product, which is made by a workshop called [Sonia] and is
wonderfully highly efficient, had new articles and also second-hand
goods, which have no difference in performance, although they have
a few scratches.
Also, the product called [Somia] is badly refined and has rough
mana efficiency. It reminds me of Earth for some reason after all.
Probably it was a strategy to have people buy it by them
misunderstanding it as "Sonia"-made, which is a first-class workshop.
However, even that "Somia"-make, was overwhelmingly above in
performance compared to the existing magic communication devices.
Anyway, it's something immensely high-priced and precious in this
world.
If such storage would be discovered once again, a likewise large
number of adventurers would flood the Demon Forest.
However, although it's a wonderful thing to be lively, I'm
simultaneously worried about the deterioration of the public order. I
have been hurriedly working on adding guards in order to cope with
that.
Accordingly, new soldier and staff candidates joined.
"It's been a while, Earl Baumeister-sama." (Cornelius)
The first person is Cornelius Christoph von Armstrong, who is the
third son of that doushi.
He has turned 19 years old this year. He was a person, who originally
served in the army.
I saw his face several times in my period in the capital, but by no
means did I expect him to come here.

| Azura Ren |
That's because, as far as the royal army is concerned, the Armstrong
household is the leader amongst leaders. There were also many
people blood related with them.
Of course, they have connections too. If it's someone at the degree of
doushi's third son, they can dispatch him without worries. Above all,
there are many people possessing excellent qualities as soldiers
among the young men directly descending from the Armstrong
family.
Cornelius is one of them as well and was expected to have prospects
as army leader in the future.
"I'm not resembling father at all. Therefore, it's not particularly
necessary for me to be in the royal army, I think." (Cornelius)
The eldest son, who is the same army as successor of doushi, has
inherited the traditions of generations of male of the Armstrong
household. He is properly resembling Earl Armstrong, who is his
uncle and doushi.
However, with all males from the second downwards mostly
resembling their mother's side, Cornelius was a refreshing, good
young man with a height of around 180 cm.
He is a person, who has an opposite vector to the sultry doushi.
"Also, I came to take care of Felix, who is the third son of my uncle,
with my cousin. That foul-mouthed guy is part of a large disposal of
sons, who got carried away by being a military clique." (Cornelius)
This one was a young man, who was the very definition of a muscled
giant, correctly inheriting the traditions of the males of the
Armstrong household.
Besides, it seems that Wilma's elder brother is together with the third
son of the Associate Baron Asgahan household.
"Wilma-san ended up being taken away as adopted daughter by
Minister Edgar from that place. They were pushed into it by Minister
Edgar with his connection as head." (Cornelius)
Certainly, he had connections, but since all of them were children of
family lineages with army background, they have been naturally
trained well.
| Azura Ren |
Many of them are soldiers and former adventurers. You could even
say that they were the best personnel for dealing as guards with the
violent gathering of adventurer opponents. "By the way, father is?"
(Cornelius)
"Just a little part-time job." (Wendelin)
"A little brother or a little is born once again, eh..."
(Cornelius)
Among the sons of doushi were many sensible people as backlash of
their father being very free-spirited.
Probably it's the education policy of the wives. There was the
possibility that it might change into negative example though.
"Which reminds me, it looks like Hendrik-san is running his business
properly." (Cornelius)
"Although it is small-sized, he owns a magic airship."
(Wendelin)
Hendrik, as second son of doushi, flew about in the current Savage
Lands' area as merchant, which was something unusual for the child
of a noble.
Purchasing a big amount of good from places like Breitburg, he
transported it to the cities close to the Demon Forest and the
construction sites in the Savage Lands and earned his income with
the profit margins.
"He has borrowed the money for purchasing the magic airship from
father." (Cornelius)
He originally accumulated experiences while running a small
business in the vicinity of the capital, but considering the Savage
Lands' development rush as chance, he borrowed the money for a
small magic airship from his father, doushi.
"There's no interest. But, if he shirks the payment, he will be beaten to
death without a doubt." (Cornelius)
"Certainly, such image is..." (Wendelin)
Not paying the loan from that doushi, I'm feeling that's impossible
even for his children.
| Azura Ren |
"It's not like they have decided a period for the repayment either.
There's no worry since his business is profitable." Cornelius
explained.
"Anyway, it's in order to avert an adventurer riot." (Wendelin)
"It's necessary to be seriously strict with that kind of bunch, so that
they don't look down at you." (Cornelius)
Although he doesn't resemble them, he seems to be a descendant of
Earl Armstrong and doushi in that regards after all.
Certainly, since it will be troublesome, if the adventurers take the
guards lightly and do what they want, there's no mistake in
Cornelius' view.
"Well, then I will head to the actual scene right away."
(Cornelius)
After that foregoing exchange, Cornelius heads to the actual site
leading the guards.
If they remove a part of the insolent folks, it will at least become
quieter in the city to take a break. Once that happens, good
adventurers will gather again and the hunting and collecting in the
Demon Forest will make progress.
In that case it will also mean that I can collect taxes from the
adventurers and the guild. It's planned to advance the development
more and more with those taxes.
Also, doing the public works, I was assigned by Roderich, we are
saving on development expenses and time as usual. Performing the
public works in half a week, I hunt in the Demon Forest in the other
half.
The remaining day is for resting. We decided to repeat that cycle. Of
course, it's not me, who decided that schedule, but it was Roderich
and the new retainers who did.
If I perform the foundation works, it will lower the decrease of Earl
Baumeister household's cash. If I earn money as adventurer, it means
that the development funds increase.
How to call it? I'm feeling as if we are barely keeping the business
going although we have no problems with fundraising.
| Azura Ren |
And there's one more thing; the number of my public works magic
comrades has increased.
Of course, that person was Katharina, who is aiming for the revival of
her household.
"A deep hole in this place?" (Katharina)
"Look, it's because we will transfer that magic-powered warehouse."
(Wendelin)
In the end the storage of goods in the underground ruins, discovered
by doushi, was an exceptional construction, it even has a magic-
powered warehouse installed, so that the stored goods won't degrade
over time.
For now, I had only put the goods into my magic bag, but it's a
situation, where Roderich's group has given up counting due to the
excessive amount.
We tried to put them away into a warehouse for the time being,
however that warehouse itself has already ended up being full.
Therefore, we decided to relocate it from the Demon Forest to this
place.
Since it has been fully equipped with a magic-powered warehouse,
we thankfully can store away food and materials without minding
the degradation over time.
We don't want to install a magic-powered warehouse from the
scratch, keeping the costs in mind, however there won't be any kind
of problem, if we are able to make use of the foundation.
However, because doushi wanted one for the kingdom and Burkhart-
san for Margrave Breithilde, there were six left, which will be set up
in basements close to the mansion.
Moreover, the relocation will be done by that Baron Rembrandt.
Since he was busy, the relocation was scheduled to be several days
later, but we decided to dig a large hole to make the relocation simple
before that.
It would have been fine, if I did it by myself, however, although it
was by coincidence, I was able to get to know an excellent magician.

| Azura Ren |
As that's the case, it's probably natural to leave it to her.
"Shall I bury it in a basement close to the mansion, once I revive the
household, as well?" (Katharina)
"I don't mind giving you also a share of the actual goods of the
underground storage, even if it's paying with cash." (Wendelin)
At the current point in time it will just be too much to handle, even if
she takes it.
That's because Katharina's dearest wish of reviving her household
won't come true.
"Putting aside the hole digging, please don't bring up other public
works with me!" (Katharina)
"Ee~~~~h! It's troublesome because it's just me."(Wendelin)

Katharina apparently didn't have any experience in engineering

magic so far.
Once I tried to teach her as test, it reached the point that she was able
to use it the most skillfully right after the wind magic, she's good at.
Since I met another excellent magician after a long time, I want to try
to train together and exchange material about magic with each other.
Also, she went out to the Demon Forest together with Eru's group on
the days I left to do public works.
The time we are together is a lot anyway and she turned into a
freeloader in the relocated mansion of master in the scheduled plot in
the courtyard of the Earl Baumeister mansion, which is in the middle
of construction, just the other day.
"Only the number of women is increasing in this mansion." (Erwin)
"Erwin-san, do you have any problem with that?" (Katharina)
"No..." (Erwin)
The surface reason for Katharina beginning to live in my mansion
was for the sake of not being cheated in her share of the goods, which
were obtained in the underground ruins exploration, which officially
hasn't finished yet, is what she answered while pushing out her over-
sized breasts in pride.
| Azura Ren |
"Yea, yea, let's pretend it's like that." (Ina)
It was Ina, with whom she clashed the most at the beginning of our
meeting, but she got already used to Katharina's way of speech.
Besides, even if her usual tone is like that, I have noticed that she's
actually unexpectedly sensible.
At any rate, although she is free-loading in the mansion, she is
faithfully paying for her lodging expenses.
"Things like taking a bath every day or being able to train in magic
with Wendelin-san are extreme reasons!" (Katharina)
"Yea, yea, that's fine. Katharina, peel those vegetables."
(Wendelin)
"Why does someone noble-born like me have to do something like
cooking..." (Katharina)
"Elise is skilled at cooking." (Wendelin)
"As I said..." (Katharina)
Katharina was actually skilled at cooking.
She has been spending money on things like equipment to improve
her appearance, but apparently, she prepared bentos with her own
cooking in closing shop and others.
As child of nobles, she seems to think that a noble's daughter won't
do something like cooking and thus she hated to cook in front of
others.
"Frilly, you are like a swan." (Wilma)
Indeed, Wilma's observation is accurate.
A swan can be seen to float elegantly on top of the water's surface,
but moving its feet earnestly underwater, you could say that this is
fitting Katharina quite well.
"A noble woman usually won't cook overly much, however there are
also situations when she occasionally has to treat her retainers and
people here and there."

| Azura Ren |
There seem to be cases, where the wife and daughter entertain them
in such way at the time of harvest and such in countryside noble
households with small territories.
Because our territory is simply short on people, mother and Amelia-
sister-in-law-san cooked normally.
"It's on behalf of the future." (Katharina)
"Frilly, your way of handling the kitchen knife is quite good." (Wilma)
"Wilma-san. Can't you do something about my nickname?"
(Katharina)
It looks like it's going well for the female group one way or the other.
Currently the mansion in Baulburg was still under construction,
however we moved master's mansion into its courtyard and led our
life there.
I'm alternating between exploring the Demon Forest and carrying out
reclamation and public works.
Eru has started to take lessons in things related to the army by
mixing in with the guards a few times per week.
Ina and Luise, each of them is moving towards preparing the
opening of dojos for spearmanship and magic combat style.
However, in regards to the construction of the city, the priority of
dojos was low.
But even without that, if they felt like it, they could even teach those
things in the plains around here.
Performing only the registration as dojo masters, the two will leave
everything to dojo master proxies, which would be summoned from
Breitburg, and several instructors in the future.
"You guys are only lending the name at present." (Breithilde)
Margrave Breithilde gave them such a reminder as well.
Anyway, don't leave from my side. If you don't give birth to children,
those dojos will be wasted.

| Azura Ren |
For that reason, the dojo master proxies and instructors will work as
guards while also teaching spearmanship and magic combat style
little by little to interested parties in their free time.
In terms of their treatment, it means that they became retainers of the
Earl Baumeister household, who are teaching martial arts while
carrying out military service.
And, those dojo master proxies were elder brothers of the two.
"You saved me! With this I can eat food with spearmanship." (???)
"You saved me! With this I can eat food with the magic combat style."
(???)
Even Margrave Breithilde, who is a big noble, has no choice but to
run one dojo of each.
Being women, Ina and Luise were excluded as inheritance candidates
from the start, but likewise their younger elder brothers were treated
as nuisances.
Given that there are also people from outside, it's impossible to
increase the number of instructors overly much.
There shouldn't be anything like a dojo master of the same style as
long as there aren’t only daughters. While hunting and attending the
same adventurer prep school like us, they apparently instructed in
the dojo once in a while as temporary part-time instructors.
I feel that they are considerably close to the old me in this part.
"Sorry, Vel." (Ina)
"Well, isn't it fine?" (Wendelin)
The serious Ina seems to harbor feelings of guilt for pushing her elder
brother through with her connection to me.
"If he doesn't scheme to force the child born by Ina to be my
successor or such." (Wendelin)
"I don't think that will happen. Margrave Breithilde-sama would be
enraged." (Ina)
I think that I don't even particularly care who will succeed my house,
from my point of view, but nobles are troublesome things.

| Azura Ren |
I was told by His Majesty to have the first boy, born by Elise, inherit
me.
Therefore, if the children of my other wives’ scheme to become the
successors, it would be better for them to stop since they will be
excluded, I warn Ina.
"Since my elder brother was able to get a job, he is happily assigning
practice to new disciples." (Ina)
With the spear ranking next to the sword on the battlefield, it's also
excelling the sword as main weapon, if its soldiers originating from
commoner status.
Therefore, surprisingly many of the soldiers took training in their
spare time.
There's no war here, but if you leave a bit from Baulburg, there will
be ferocious wild animals.
On the other hand, Luise seems to be completely entrusting the
coaching in magic combat style to her elder brother.
"I'm bad at teaching people." (Luise)
Luise was treated as genius by doushi, however she had the old flaw
of geniuses. They suck very much at teaching people.
"Then, you charge mana into your arm appropriately and then you
fist goes ba~~~m!" (Luise)
A certain ghastly white, eternally honored supervisor of the ○ army
of my previous life does that calmly, in contrast to doushi.
"Hmm, I see!" (Armstrong)
However, given that doushi was also the same kind of human,
Luise's way of teaching seems to be easy to understand, from his
point of view.
Since he rapidly raised his skill in hand-to-hand combat, it's likely
not a lie either.
"But, as expected of the former mansion of Alfred-sama, who
competed for the seat of the next Royal Head Magician with
Armstrong-sama." (Katharina)

| Azura Ren |
And, before anyone realizing, the situation turned into Katharina, the
storm adventurer, staying at my mansion, but apparently, she's
aware about master's circumstances. Seeing his former mansion, she
raised a voice of admiration.
"Do you know about master?" (Wendelin)
"Wendelin-san lacks as usual knowledge about other magicians.
Together with Armstrong-sama, he is an existence
called one of the only two peerless magicians, but..." (Katharina)
Although she calls it competing for the seat of Royal Head Magician,
if was a rumor in society back then.
If master was allowed to say something, it would be that he hated the
stiffness far too much to go as far as working for the royal palace.
"Although you weren't born then, you are quite knowledgeable."
(Wendelin)
"Isn't there a lecture to increase your kinds of magic by learning from
the great magicians of the past in the adventurer prep school?"
(Katharina)
"Somehow I vaguely remember hearing about something like that..."
(Wendelin)
Without decent lecturers appearing, it should be a lecture you can
even call it a partial sub-contracting of adventurer prep school
individuals.
As I was living almost immediately in the capital, I was only enrolled
in name at the Breitburg adventurer prep school and thus I didn't
take that lecture.
Since I received guidance in magic from Burkhart-san and doushi as
well, I didn't take almost any lecture at the adventurer prep school.
"An enviable environment." (Katharina)
"Aren't you currently receiving training as well,
Katharina?" (Wendelin)
Currently she got coaching from Burkhart-san and doushi once in a
while.

| Azura Ren |
Going by Burkhart-san's words, he was praising her with the words,
"Although she's a bit inferior to you, boy, she is a genius that might or
might not appear once every several years."
If it's from him, who is a retainer of Margrave Breithilde, Katharina is
a capable person, who has to be secured by all means.
It seems he is teaching her magic with quite the tender care.
"Moreover, his appearance is regularly amazing."
(Wendelin)
"Wendelin-san, nobles are always watched by their surroundings."
(Katharina)
"That might be so, but..." (Wendelin)
Having also the spirit to aim for reviving her household from a state,
which can be called almost impossible, Katharina is a woman with
high pride and self-assertion.
She isn't negligent in her training of magic. Since that dress style of
her equipment and her cape were things to advertise her noble origin
to the surroundings, she was always in the same appearance, even in
the mansion.
She seems to have several spares of that dress styled equipment.
Even if increasing the used raw material increases the costs, she is
fussy about her dress styled, elegant equipment.
There are people, who find that laughable, but there seem to be
nobles in the capital, who are actually considering it interesting.
Since she has true strength in magic, if you call it the style of the
Azuchi-Momoyama period (1583-1600 CE) of Japan, it can be
considered as "trend".
It's useful for increasing the popularity. And yet, she is surprisingly
modest in her normal life.
She wasn't stingy with money for necessary equipment, but she
seems to be steadily saving for the sake of her goal without
expending money on her normal life.
In the end the matter of her regularly cooking has ended up being
exposed by the way of her helping with the meals. Even when asked

| Azura Ren |
by Elise to prepare the bento together with her, she made the bento in
the kitchen of the mansion in that flashy appearance of hers.
"Is it snowing in hell?" (Erwin)
Moreover, when Eru said something unnecessary on that occasion,
she blew him away into the garden with wind magic.
Even by observing only this matter, it appeared difficult to make Eru
and Katharina into a couple.
"Being together with Wendelin-san, I could change the rank of my
home and put pressure on that detestable Marquis
Rückner household." (Katharina)
After the period of staying in the capital, I have been regarded by the
nobles to be on good terms with the Marquis Rückner household.
However, with the possibility that this relationship has faded with
the scandal of the younger brother being gossiped about, Minister
Rückner has revealed to his surroundings that "I seem to become
bald...".
Additionally, the granddaughter of a household, which lost its rank
due to false charges by his father in the past, has been free-loading in
my house.
From his point of view, there was no other way to express it but that
the causes of stress increased.
"How dirty!" (Katharina)
"The ways of large nobles are quite dirty after all." (Wendelin)
If a large noble felt like it, they can easily crush a small noble
household like Katharina's home. If you consider it like that, she is
probably a victim.
For the sake of reviving her household and as effect of putting
earnest effort so that she won't be underestimated herself, she has set
out ahead with confident speech and conduct.
"Isn't there also your share, once they appraise that mountain of
magic tools?" (Wendelin)
There is a large number of magic tools, we acquired, but we can't
decide the ratio of the shares as they are still evaluating them.
| Azura Ren |
Since there are accomplishments to that extent, I believe it to be fine,
even if Katharina is offered peerage, however the kingdom still is
unable to deal with it this flexibly.
"There is still a long journey ahead for the revival of my household."
(Katharina)
"It's hard." (Wendelin)
It was difficult indeed, but for the time being, Katharina apparently
has gotten used to living in the house now.

| Azura Ren |
Chapter 60: A new trigger

My name is Hermann von Benno Baumeister.

I'm a novice noble succeeding a certain hinterland territory.
However, although that territory might be in the sticks, a large-scale
development of the adjoining Savage Lands has begun.
There are plans to connect a road to the Baumeister Earldom, which
is close to the original Savage Lands. If that happens, the contact with
the outside will increase as well. It will enliven my territory, which
was completely isolated before.
But, the path up to here wasn't easy at all. Originally, I was the
second son.
The second son, born to a noble household, has always been reputed
to be the spare of the eldest son.
While free-loading at home as adult, their marriage will be later than
that of the eldest son, too.
And, there are many, who can't marry, either.
At worst, if the succeeding eldest son is unable to produce children,
the second son will remain for life in the provided room of the
mansion.
In my childhood I didn't know that.
The eldest son, Kurt, who was the heir, was by no means a bad
person, although he was mediocre.
However, once he grew up, he gradually grasped the situation of the
household and territory.
Given that Kurt was the heir, he was cherished. My treatment was
considerably befitting.
As there was also a mistress, younger brothers and sisters were
gradually multiplying, but their situation might have still been better.
My younger brothers, who were born by mother, who is the legal
wife, were preparing to leave elsewhere since they couldn't succeed
the household anyway.
| Azura Ren |
As red-bloods (plebeian), they would become village headmen or
assist their elder brothers. For the younger sisters it would be fine as
long as they married, even if it was a wealthy farmer.
However, I was living in a room as Kurt's spare.
I was given a private room more or less, but I couldn't regard it as
anything but a jail without bars.
That doesn't mean that I particularly hated father or mother. I just
hated the established rules of the nobles.
It reached the point that I vented that resentment into my sword
training.
And also, into the training of the formed guard unit, which consisted
of the second and third sons of farmers in a similar situation.
That guard unit was usually responsible for maintaining the public
order.
In an emergency it would naturally become the core of the feudal
army.
Even if I say that, criminals or such rarely appeared here since it was
a remote countryside which had been isolated from other regions.
Even the feudal army shouldn't have an opportunity to get a turn, if
there wasn't that previous expedition to the Demon Forest, which
caused heavy losses, though I didn't go there myself.
Besides, although it might be called a guard unit which acted to
maintain the public order, they stopped the occasional brawls
between fellow farmers, who got drunk on sake, or mediated violent
matrimonial quarrels.
In this territory the guard unit was dispatched for incidents of that
level.
It was a job, that finished with several people rushing onsite,
listening to the arguments and splitting up the fellow related parties.
Also, there was the occasional subjugation of wild boars and bears,
who lost their way into the fields, I guess?

| Azura Ren |
Those were defeated in cooperation with the hunters, but there were
many cases where the animals were driven away or defeated by the
hunters before the guard unit came running.
There wasn't a considerable amount of work for the guard unit.
Sometimes it was limited to gathering the unit members for training.
Be that as it may, the members had ordinary jobs, too.
A regulation for the amount of training had been decided more or
less, but it was never obeyed.
As it didn't make sense to abandon the fields in order to carry out the
training according to the regulation, father, who is the previous
feudal lord, carried out a large-scale reclamation saying that it was
for the sake of increasing the tax revenue.
Given that reclamation was more important than training, I mainly
helped out with that as well.
"Hermann, the place you are in charge of today is over there." (Artur)
Digging up the soil at the place designated by father, I chopped
down hindering trees and uprooted their stumps from the ground
with several people.
Removing large stones and blocks was quite the labor.
However, as the field, which was assigned today, had been properly
prepared by the unit members, it was decided that Helge would
receive it.
He was a third son, who was unable to succeed his home's fields.
Therefore, he couldn't afford failures in this reclamation.
"Thank you, Hermann-sama." (Helge)
"Let's not say such stuff to each other. If you didn't remain in this
territory, the already shabby guard unit would have become even
more shabby." (Hermann)
"Hermann-sama, that's a taboo word." (Helge)
We had a great laughter with the guard unit members, who were
assisting in another reclamation.

| Azura Ren |
As everyone was a second son and below, there were only people in
the same circumstances. The method of laughing rather than sighing,
even if it was masochistic, ended up comforting us emotionally.
"You have been paying a large amount of money as taxes.
So, don't hold back." (Hermann)
Helge, who became 20 years old this year, was a survivor of the
Demon Forest expedition, although it was difficult to see that.
In those days he had just become an adult with 12 years, but he was
recommended by his home, who thought it wouldn't be a problem
for him to die as he was the third son.
No, it was probably correct to call it getting rid of a nuisance.
There's no difference between nobles and commoners in handling a
problem like this.
To be frank, I'm believing that it was good for me, who was 18 years
old at that time, to no be dispatched with the army.
Instead, the annihilation of the Junior Commander, who was my
grand-uncle, and his three sons caused the currently icy relationship
between the main family and the branch family.
It was obvious, once you looked, that the women had to help with
the reclamation since there weren't enough male helpers and
subordinate warriors, serving the branch family.
They were following father's order, but once in a while they were
looking at father and Kurt with piercing gazes.
I became their target as well, however that was probably inevitable.
I'm still alive due to the sacrifice of grand-uncle's group after all.
"Possessing that much money, there was also the option to go
somewhere else. Seeing that it was taken away, you have to properly
receive a field, Helge." (Hermann)
It wasn't like Helge was particularly excelling in swordsmanship. His
body was also short and slender.
However, by being skilled with the bow and furthermore having a
robust body, he had stamina. And above all that, he had a strong
spirit.
| Azura Ren |
He, who was treated as underling due to his age, worked as
messenger in the expeditionary force.
On the surface they should have an equal status, but when the
Baumeister feudal army and the Breithilde feudal army merged,
there was naturally no way for it to be that simple.
For the previous Margrave Breithilde grand-uncle's group was the
retainers of his retainer.
A large gap gradually formed between the two armies thanks to
Margrave Breithilde treating them as retainers.
Grand-uncle kept the Baumeister feudal army a bit away from the
feudal army of Margrave Breithilde.
It was probably because there were problems in their treatment, but
maybe he predicted their fate to a certain extent.
Because more than 20 people of that small force survived, I have no
doubt that he was likely preparing for the failure of the expedition.
However, the option to escape with few victims was no viable.
It was likely that it would become a problem in the future, if the
Baumeister feudal army had almost no victims while the Breithilde
feudal army got annihilated.
Especially, seeing that our supply route for goods such as salt was in
the hands of the Margrave Breithilde household, it wouldn't do with
only them escaping.
Even so, he wanted to let the young men escape as much as possible.
All of the 20 survivors were youngsters ranging from 12 years to
early twenties.
It was the best outcome grand-uncle was able to leave behind with
his sphere of influence.
He risked his own life and the lives of his sons.
However, it was cruel for father's evaluation.
"He parted with valuable residents without resistance." and such.
Even so, father had the position of feudal lord. On the surface it was
necessary for him to reprimand grand-uncle, who lost 80% of the war
potential.
| Azura Ren |
"Certainly, it's just as father says." (Kurt)
Following up on father, my elder brother, Kurt, criticized grand-
uncle, too.
As Kurt was a mediocre man, it was only natural for him to make
such statement since he was properly listening to what father told
him.
But, with that brief comment I noticed Kurt's lack of military talent.
At the same time, I didn't miss father's instant expression of
disappointment. Father likely wanted Kurt to praise granduncle.
Since he was the feudal lord, he wasn't able to praise grand-uncle,
who lost the majority of our war potential.
However, if the succeeding son praised grand-uncle for returning as
many young men as he could, it would have been possible to
somewhat alleviate the anger of people of the branch family.
Although I wasn't that intelligent, I at least understood this much.
Be that as it may, Kurt didn't realize that.
Father likely felt dejected in his heart.
Such things should be arranged ahead of time, was the only thing I
could think.
"Putting that aside, we have to thank those who were able to come
back." (Hermann)
I considered it butting in, but I proposed that father should directly
call out to the people, who were able to return.
Such concern couldn't be expected of Kurt at any rate.
Lacking manpower due to the expeditionary force, it was only me,
who was regularly patrolling by leading the still remaining
inhabitants, but it was also necessary to rebuke and properly correct
the group I was leading, if they made a mistake.
They had to at least know what to not do, if they wanted to be
praised and achieve accomplishments. They had survived the hell,
which cost us 80% of our military forces.
Rewarding their efforts, it was necessary for father to give them days
off and rewards, even if it was only for their feelings.
| Azura Ren |
"Certainly, that's necessary." (Artur)
Father consented with my opinion.
And it actually took place, but maybe the plan to put me into the
branch family might have been polished at that time.
"Holidays and such are unnecessary. Rather, it would be better to
make them work in cultivating new land to allow them to forget that
hell." (Kurt)
Kurt had such opinion, however once I considered that standpoint, it
wasn't like his view was wrong either.
With all of the surviving young men being second sons and below,
they were in no position to succeed a family in reality.
Given that those, who no one would mind dying either, luckily came
back, he probably judged that their manpower should be
immediately used.
It was probably a necessary decision for the sake of the territory's
growth, but his way of thinking was owed to the fact that he had the
position of eldest son.
Although I could comprehend it, I wasn't pleased with it on an
emotional level.
And, although the young men were able to come back, the majority
of them had collapsed mentally.
During grand-uncle's absence I read books in father's study thinking
it was necessary to study as it was an activity on the level of a patrol
unit with several people, but within the books there was a
description about mind sickness due to war.
If you go through a too bitter experience on the battlefield, there will
be people, whose mind becomes sick and who will become useless as
soldiers.
According to their story, a large army of monsters came for a night
attack.
Thanks to that, they reached the point of even becoming afraid of the
night's darkness and the mysterious sounds, which occur then.

| Azura Ren |
Since the male help of grand-uncle's family was completely gone, I
wasn't able to do anything but a sham patrol by leading a few guards
around for a while.
I had hope for them, who had actual combat experience, but it was
probably impossible to invite them as they were in such state.
"I will be alright." (Helge)
However, luckily it resulted in several young men, who had a strong
mind, to participate in the guard unit.
The one who was especially solid among them was the previously
introduced Helge.
Grand-uncle had appointed Helge as messenger to stay in touch with
the Breithilde feudal army.
For the sake of clearing the dangerous mood between the two armies,
even if only a bit, he sent the youngest.
And that attempt was slightly successful.
The leaders of the Breithilde feudal army were as highhanded as
usual, but with Helge, whose parents were in the same generation as
the soldiers, regularly coming for communication, the soldiers
apparently were affectionate towards him.
"For you it's a disaster as well. You were dragged into a competition
of obstinacy between fellow authorities." (???)
"I don't mind since it will be becoming horsemanship training, if I'm
working as messenger." (Helge)
"You have a great character. Since we grilled meat of monsters, we
hunted, go back after eating some of it." (???)
"Thank you." (Helge)
"Youngsters have to eat their fill without holding back." (???)
He was favored by the lower soldiers with such feelings.
And then that fateful day came.
As Helge was heading into the direction of the Breithilde feudal
army's encampment to carry out his messenger duty, they gave a
certain something to Helge.

| Azura Ren |
"We probably won't be able to return alive. Boy, you have to survive
at any cost. We will give you this."
He didn't quite understand anything, but he received several monster
fangs.
And he was successful in escaping alongside others from the Demon
Forest due to handling his horse skillfully thanks to his messenger
duty.
Together with the other survivors they barely managed to reach the
Baumeister territory one way or another, but after that he was
assaulted by the blaming feelings in his chest.
Father collected the taxes from them, including Helge, who survived
at great pains.
Because they were given a reward by Margrave Breithilde in addition
to going to hunt at the time they entered the Demon Forest, they paid
it with the coins they possessed.
"Father, that's probably crude, as one would expect."
(Hermann)
"It might be as you say, but even so, the law is the law."
(Artur)
However, even the reward, they had, was substantially reduced to
zero.
"Besides, it's probably not almost all money they have on hand..."
(Artur)
Certainly, it was as father said.
He might have taken the tax as planned since father definitely
understood it as well.
Every one of the surviving groups was second son and below.
As according to his conjecture of their treatment at their homes, the
majority of the money, they earned by risking their lives, was
snatched away.
Especially Helge, as the received monsters’ fangs would become
ingredients for high-priced medicine, those were immediately bought
by the merchant group, who had money, for 200.000 cents.
| Azura Ren |
Even so, the money, Helge received from his parents, was mere 1000
cents.
The money, he earned by putting his life on the line, was completely
exploited by his home.
'It's a story, which is really sickening.' (Hermann)
Be that as it may, this is the reality of an agricultural community in
the countryside.
Given that it is important for the continuation of the family, second
sons and below aren't considered as anything but mountain grapes,
which you squeeze for their juice.
Recently the number of young people leaving the Baumeister
territory together with the merchant group was increasing, but I was
able to understand their feelings.
Even father was considering this to not be a good thing.
However, too radical measures would shake his reign in the territory.
If there was something like a rebellion in such isolated territory, the
Baumeister territory would suffer fatal damage.
That's probably why he was trying to promote the encouragement for
reclamation as much as possible to allow the second sons and below
to stand on their own feet.
I didn't believe that the eldest son, Kurt, noticed father's forethought
though.
If it was from his point of view, it was likely the level of perception
that the tax yield would increase, if the arable lands expanded.
"Hermann, you will enter the branch family as son-in-law." (Artur)
At the time when I heard that story from father, my realization was
no more than, "Will it be less objectionable because it's now, I wonder?"
Completing the first stage of the large-scale reclamation, it was the
time when Kurt's wife was finally decided.
I was told to work in the position of Junior Commander by being
adopted into the branch family.
With the failure of the expedition, the military forces of the
Baumeister feudal army still hadn't recovered.
| Azura Ren |
In the case of an emergency it was our duty to fight with all young
men, but reserve soldiers, who would keep training, were also
necessary to a certain degree.
Even so, while I was looking for possibilities in the books in the
study, the 20 second sons and below, in name only, went through the
trouble by learning through imitation from me.
One of the few results was Helge becoming my right-hand man by
accumulating experience.
Although I felt sorry for troubling them with hardships in addition to
the farm work on the fields, which were reclaimed just recently, the
me at that time had no other way to entertain them.
For Kurt, who had realized his secure position through being
surrounded by the heirs of wealthy farmers and craftsmen from the
same generation, such hardships were likely unnecessary.
Moreover, it seemed like Kurt was jealous of my military talent.
At the time I heard that story, I ended up laughing as it was far too
ridiculous.
Certainly, I was the most proficient in swordsmanship within the
territory. I didn't believe I would lose in archery to the hunter group
either.
If it was a vigilante corps and a certain extent of a guard unit, I would
probably be able to command them more skillfully than father and
Kurt.
But, what about it?
While it may be true that I was the best in such isolated, rural
territory, there should exist as many skilled guys as there were stars
in the sky, who were more skilled than me, once you went outside.
Kurt's jealousy was nothing but false accusation in my view.
Afterwards his jealousy vanished at the same time when I was
adopted into the branch family.
He was probably relived because his rival became the head of the
branch family. He was a truly happy-go-lucky next family head.
For someone like me the branch family was a bed of thorns.

| Azura Ren |
Being adopted into the branch family as groom ended up getting
delayed since father waited for Marlene, who is the direct
granddaughter of granduncle, to become an adult.
Actually, once I was adopted, I was baffled by the attitude of my
wife, Marlene.
From the branch family's point of view the main family was
apparently recognized as having killed granduncle's group in a plan
to hijack the branch family.
I didn't know what father was thinking, but it would have been fine,
if he had at least dispatched only me as well.
The appearance of Marlene was lovely. There was nothing I wanted
to complain about given that I was able to marry her.
Once she had taken an attitude of, "It can't be helped since it's for the
sake of making a child." in the first night, even I was bothered.
Even during the time of eating, I was plainly treated as unwanted
guest.
As expected, even I would end up mentally strained by that, however
I was saved by an unexpected person.
I have many siblings.
Even with only the children born by my mother, the legal wife,
there's the third son Paul, the fourth son Helmut and the fifth son
Erich.
And, being the youngest boy, the eighth son, Wendelin.
They were daily running about preparing to leave to the capital as
they couldn't succeed the household anyway.
For me, who spent his teens as spare to be ready just in case, it was
very enviable.
"Instead, we will be on our own." (Paul)
Paul said so, but even so I was jealous of them being able to leave
elsewhere.
I had no lingering affections towards being a noble or such. I
wouldn't be a noble anymore at the moment I became the head of the
branch family anyway.
| Azura Ren |
Even at that point in time I had the dream to leave to the outside
world and try becoming an adventurer or such like Paul, if possible.
"I have no other choice but to leave and go travelling. In all honesty, I
have no attachment to this place either though."
(Paul)
Although he was able to succeed in the future, Kurt discovered a new
target for his jealousy.
It was the fifth son, Erich.
That guy was a man, making you believe that it was a mistake in
itself for him having been born into the Baumeister household.
Great looks, unmatchable archery skills, even for me, and an
outstandingly excellent intellect. Of course, his popularity with the
fief's population was high.
And naturally it reached a point that they deemed him to be
appropriate as next feudal lord.
I didn't believe that this territory would have any dealings with other
feudal lords, but it would be better for the feudal lord to have a
dignified appearance, since he's the face of the territory.
Even in regards to ability Erich outclassed Kurt by far.
Kurt's jealousy was a matter of course, however that vanished with
the declaration that Erich would leave the territory in the future.
And in the end an even more outrageous younger brother appeared.
It was the eighth son, Wendelin.
At the beginning this child also read books and such from an age of 3
years and I thought he was a similar type as Erich.
However, gradually he displayed his talent in magic.
For a child, which has talent in magic, to appear in this hinterland
territory was close to a miracle.
Father immediately took countermeasures. Those ended up being
complete non-interference.

| Azura Ren |
Although father told him to make sure to not contribute to the
territory as much as possible, he made overwhelming contributions
with stuff like meat and supplies.
Even at the time, when I was still at home, the stuff we received to eat
often was the meat of helmeted guinea fowl. It was freely provided
by Wendelin.
From morning until evening, he probably carried out special training
in magic.
Occasionally it reached the point of him focusing on his magic
training to the degree of spending the night somewhere else.
Naturally the flames of jealousy flared up within Kurt once again.
From my point of view, I wanted to strongly advise him to study, if
he had so much spare time.
And although it was mainly directed at him, I believed that Wendelin
had a good character. Without considering someone like Kurt, he did
as he liked due to his independence.
'Once I looked at Wendelin, everything seemed absurd.' (Hermann)
I was adopted into the branch family according to father's and Kurt's
intention and even my wife had reservations towards me.
I was fed up with such life.
Certainly, I was the second son of the main family, but I had already
become a former second son.
Currently, as head of the branch family it was necessary to work for
father and Kurt as retainer, but there was no necessity to obey in
other matters.
Several days after the day, I decided to do so, I attended a certain
meeting.
This meeting was for listening to the opinions of those in the main
village, which is a gathering of those who immigrated in the early
days.
They were taken into consideration because they were the feudal
lord's support base.

| Azura Ren |
However, if this was always done, the guys from the other villages
naturally wouldn't find that amusing.
It was necessary to resolve that in the future, however at that time I
was in a position of speaking about those benefits on behalf of others
as head of the branch family.
"We want to request of you to reduce the irresponsible labor."
(Hermann)
Even without that, the branch family had few men.
For that reason, even the women of the branch family had to help in
the reclamation work.
There are several subordinate warriors in the branch family as well,
but they usually spend a busy life as farmers. They were at their limit
with the help they could provide to us.
"For that reason, we sent the male helper, Hermann, though." (Kurt)
"There are limits with it just being me." (Hermann)
Kurt didn't think anything of me but being one of his henchmen after
all.
Since he sent that henchman to the branch family, he didn't consider
the branch family as anything else but a usable tool.
Indeed, once analyzed calmly, something like a stable reign of the
Baumeister territory with priority on the main village was no more
than a house built on sand.
Father and the village headman, Klaus, sensed the impeding danger,
but they didn't find an innovative solution. Kurt didn't even notice
that danger.
'In a certain meaning that's enviable, huh...?'
"Thanks to the labor, the amount of manufactured honey liquor has
gone down." (Hermann)
The branch family’s occupation was traditional apiculture and the
production of honey liquor by making use of that.
Even so, by expediting an increase of work in an extreme labor
shortage, the production output fell.
"Also, I want you to pay the bills for the honey liquor."
| Azura Ren |
(Hermann)
Alcohol was precious in this territory.
The harvest of wheat increased, but since father frowned, if it was
made into alcohol, only a small amount of home-made ale was
created at most.
Therefore, the honey liquor, made by the branch family, was
collected and distributed to the fief's population, but the branch
family was displeased because the payment of the bills was delayed.
That was why my position became a bed of thorns.
"We will pay sooner or later." (???)
"Is that so? Well, then we will suspend the supply of honey liquor
until the payment is completed. It fits well as we don't have enough
manpower anyway. I request the settlement of the debts, which have
piled up until now, as well." (Hermann)

"Hermann!" (Kurt)
For some reason Kurt got enraged.
Something like the branch family imposing demands on the main
family was probably considered as incorrigible arrogance by him.
Also, this was what I was thinking,
Father and Kurt had the duty to govern this territory in stability, but
that didn't mean that they were free to do whatever they wanted.
No matter how much manpower they lacked, if they only made the
branch family do the unreasonable, that would only result in them
becoming anti-main family.
'Did you plan to sacrifice me as well!?' (Hermann) Gradually I boiled
with anger within my mind.

Why had only I, among the siblings of the Baumeister household, to

suffer like this?
Although I might be unable to become a noble, I was envious of Paul,
Helmut and Erich.

| Azura Ren |
They would go living in the outside world, without being imprisoned
in this fenced-in, shit-like, rural territory.
Who appeared next in my mind was the one, who was allowed to
freely act in order to prevent an inheritance dispute?
But, Wendelin was called the lazy eighth son by the fief's population.
Although he was still very young, Wendelin was acting to his own
heart's satisfaction.
That was also because he had talent in magic, but even if it was
gossiped "What is he thinking!?" by his surroundings, he truly lived as
he pleased.
The face of Wendelin, who went out early in the morning every day
and came back in the evening, didn't seem to have a shred of grief or
doubt.
I didn't talk with him overly much.
With our ages being far apart from the start and since the me at that
time had the position as head of the branch family, Kurt would likely
be over-sensitive just by us talking.
If I and Wendelin joined up, Kurt's status would be stolen.
It was a kind of wild fantasy, but it was also possible that Kurt would
believe in it, if he had strong suspicions.
"At any rate, I want you to accept the previous terms."
(Hermann)
Even if I wasn't at Wendelin's level, I should walk my own path.
Father and Kurt were already people from another family and I was
the head of the branch family.
Since that's the case, I had to consider how to get the most gains for
the branch family.
"The reclamation has completed the first stage. We will pay the
accumulated debts." (Artur)
"Father!" (Kurt)
"Our side has caused problems due to the reclamation project. It's
only natural to pay, I believe." (Artur)

| Azura Ren |
In the end father would apparently pay the bills with such reasoning.
For the people of the branch family back then father didn't even
deserve their trust anymore, though, I guess.
And Kurt apparently believed that it wasn't necessary to pay or
something like that.
In my opinion Kurt would be able to manage somehow or another, if
he had plenty of money as noble.
However, what did he plan to do by making the branch family into
an enemy?
'Currently the combination of father and Kurt is somehow restraining the
conservatives of the main village and the territory is at peace, but...'
(Hermann)
Due to the discord with the branch family, which stemmed from the
Demon Forest expedition, there was backlash towards the old people
of the conservative class by the young people in the main village, too.
The remaining two villages were at a level of following father and
Kurt as it couldn't be helped since they were the feudal lords.
This territory had become shaky in around hundred years after its
establishment.
'If something is stabbed with a single needle, this territory will probably
explode.' (Hermann)
And that would become the fall of father and Kurt as leaders of this
territory.
'It might be my delusion, but...' (Hermann)
After this meeting I was finally approved of by the people of the
branch family, it seems.
Since my wife became wife-like, this was probably a lucky break as
well.
Kurt's face turned sullen, but that guy couldn't win in physical
strength against me anyway.
***
And several years elapsed, however what came afterwards had been
already explained many times.
| Azura Ren |
Father retired, I became the head of this Baumeister territory, Paul
had a territory allocated to him as well and lastly, Wendelin became
an Earl and was given the majority of the Savage Lands.
It will probably be better to not talk about Kurt's matter anymore.
That guy blew himself up by not following into the future of the
Baumeister territory, which would be to open up towards relations
with the outside.
That's how it is.
"Oi, Klaus. As expected, this is just too foolish." (Hermann)
I, who became the 5th generation's family head of the
Knight Baumeister territory after a certain incident, summoned the
village headman of the main village, Klaus.
Father and Kurt had recognized the abilities of this man called Klaus,
but I doubted his motives within my mind.
Besides, he was affected by the deaths of his son and the fiancé of his
daughter, however the truth behind that has already been clarified.
Indeed, I think he won't do something like scheming the change of
the feudal lord behind the scenes anymore.
As Wendelin doesn't distrust him in that area either, he remained as
village headman of the main village.
He, who had desired a change of feudal lord as village headman, has
begun to interact with other territories. The neighboring territories of
Paul and Wendelin were currently in the middle of a development
rush.
It has reached the point that my territory is visited by merchants
from outside as well. The cultivated land has also increased. And the
production of honey liquor, which is our special product, has started
to be supported by the capital's merchants, who were introduced by
Wendelin.
With an increase in new residents, there are now 5 villages. My
territory is busy with things like the reclamation of the Savage Lands
and the reception of new immigrants.

| Azura Ren |
On the whole it was entirely good things, but in fact one troubling
problem occurred.
"Walter's and Karl's behavior is intolerable. Do something about it..."
(Hermann)
Klaus is an excellent man, who has been acknowledged by father, me
and my brothers.
But he has a flaw as well.
That's in educating children, no, he probably failed in the education
of his grandchildren because they are the children of his daughter.
Although I have been watching father getting terribly sabotaged by
Kurt, I have now called Klaus because I'm getting sabotaged by his
grandchildren.
He seems to somehow pamper them partially since they are his
grandchildren and not his children.
From the view of father, it might be relieving for Klaus to be a human
as well, but for me they are no more than the prime cause for
instability generated in the territory once again.
It was necessary to deal with it immediately.
"I'm sorry. I have reprimanded them many times, but..."
(Klaus)
That there wasn't the excellent village headman, but nothing more
than a gentle grandfather, who simply apologizes for his
grandchildren.
"I've heard that they are even inciting the young people. Klaus, you
do know what will happen, if you don't reign them in properly, don't
you?" (Hermann)
The beginning of the problems has started because of the treatment
towards Klaus after that incident.
Father had retired and moved to Paul's territory, but Klaus had no
reason to retire and remained as the one responsible for financial
affairs and as a village headman of the Knight Baumeister territory's
main village.

| Azura Ren |
In a part of the territory voices were raised for Klaus to retire as well
since he carried out political incitement, but the current Baumeister
territory lacked capable personnel.
Seeing that there is no substitute for him, I have no choice but having
him continue his work without change.
Father and my other brothers are likely thinking that Klaus has
already returned to his position as normal village headman and is
working as such.
Since I thought so as well, I left him alone.
In reality he returned as excellent village headman, who does his job
silently.
With an age of over 60 years, he himself has apparently already
decided to retire in several years.
It has reached the point that he is gradually entrusting the work of
the main village's headman to his grandchild Walter, who is the
eldest son of Leila. He has been gathering and training candidates
from other villages for tasks like tax collection, too.
He has become an old man, who completely lacked resentment and
ambitions. He is silently endeavoring in his job.
Half the group of the other villages believes that to be eerie and the
other half regards that favorably.
For the lot from the villages, which were freshly established, he is no
more than a kind grandfather, who thoroughly teaches the job to the
next generation because they don't know about the circumstances of
the former Klaus.
The lot of the other villages, who have lived here since before, is
apparently thinking, "What is he planning this time?"
However, given that he is releasing his monopoly on the tax
collection task, they are getting taught by him obediently, at least on
the surface.
Klaus obtained a monopoly on the tax collection task after he
presented his daughter Leila as mistress to father.
At least that's what those from the other villages are thinking.

| Azura Ren |
Therefore, I wanted everyone to have the impression that this favor
will disappear once Klaus retires.
Klaus shared that opinion as well.
The reason is that "main village" has already become nothing more
but a name.
By now there are 2 other villages, which were built by the residents
who immigrated just recently. The village headmen over there are
chosen by them.
After I became the feudal lord, the meeting, which was held to listen
to the opinions of the fief's population though it was previously
limited to the main village, was attended by representative from all
villages.
With the development being far from over, the number of villages
will gradually increase and complete strangers will be chosen as
village headmen by them.
Even at the current time the influence of the main village has
decreased quite a bit.
Besides, in relation to the efficiency of ruling, if the development of
the Savage Lands advances even more, we will be moving the
location of the Baumeister household's main residence.
Once that happens, the main village will likely be called capital
village.
This was the flow of time. Klaus doesn't seem to have any complaints
either.
"I will grow old and die while watching the growth of the
Baumeister territory as is." (Klaus)
Some time ago Klaus leaked in a whisper as if talking to himself.
However, a problem has occurred from another direction. It was
Klaus' grandchildren, Walter and Karl, who have become half-
brothers to me.
***
"I want Karl to become the village headman of another village."
(Leila)
| Azura Ren |
Right when I became feudal lord, Walter and Karl came along and
started with such petition.
Moreover, as it was an ill-natured affair, both of them were
accompanied by Leila-san and I was asked by her as well.
'Father, I curse you...' (Hermann)
Leila-san didn't follow father at the time he moved to Paul's territory
after his retirement.
Even though Leila-san became father's mistress, she didn't live in the
same house as him to begin with. Her responsibility was to give birth
to children.
She hasn't divorced him or anything, but she probably hated
something like a secluded life and meeting my mother, the legal wife.
Therefore, she remained with us, however by no means did I expect
her to make a political petition at this point.
"Don't ask unreasonable things..." (Hermann)
It was impossible if you consider our relation with the two other
villages, which were here since before.
Besides, they believe the current change to be desirable and are
supporting me as new feudal lord.
If I pushed the younger brother from a different mother, Karl, onto
them as village headman out of personal interest, there's no doubt
that they will oppose it strongly.
Given that they have no offences like falsifying the taxes or such
either, there isn't even any basis to dismiss the current village
headmen.
"Although there aren't kind of crimes, you are trying to take the
village headmen's places by dismissal." (Hermann)
"There are the villages of the immigrants, right?" (Leila) Even so,
that's impossible.
The new immigrant group is deciding their new village headman by
themselves.

| Azura Ren |
It's not like they are defying me, who is their feudal lord, either. It
will likely become a problem, if I suddenly dismiss their village
headman and send in Karl.
"There are plans to establish a new village again. I will entrust the
position of village headman of that place to you. Wendelin has
rushed it to some degree, but a few small finishing touches and I will
have you lead those, who came immigrating. I will dispatch
personnel and Norbert as help from my side as well." (Hermann)
Norbert was the husband of Agnes, who is my half-sister.
"Also, I will entrust the management of the shop, left behind by
Wendelin, to Reiner." (Hermann)
Right after Wendelin became an Earl, he finished the short lifetime of
that development special ward.
That mansion, which became the border to the Savage Lands, was
relocated to the city, which carried the name Baulburg, and
afterwards everything was assigned to me.

Among that is the shop, which is selling various items. I decided to

leave the management of it to Rainer, the husband of Korona, who's
also a half-sister of mine.
'It came after all...' (Hermann)
In fact, their petition was something that father, Wendelin and me
perfectly anticipated.
They are my half-brothers and younger sisters and Wendelin's half-
brothers and elder sisters.
Although all of the brothers from the legal wife have become nobles,
the red-blooded them, whose mother is the mistress, haven't received
many benefits.
This is why it's natural for dissatisfaction to appear.
'However, Leila-san has appeared at this point, huh...'(Hermann)

In my opinion she is also someone, who ended up having her life

toyed with thanks to the power relationship within the territory.
| Azura Ren |
Losing her fiancée in her youth, she became father's mistress.
It's likely not really funny for mother either. From the start she has
been living in Klaus' mansion together with the children, she bore,
with the reason of her social standing being different.
So far, she appeared in public rarely. Honestly, it's at a level that it
was surprising for her to come together with Walter and Karl for
making a petition.
Her holding her own children very dear is probably also a reason
why father ended up leaving the territory.
'This woman is as beautiful as ever.' (Hermann)
Although she's already past 40 years old, she still doesn't look as
anything but around 30.
Father had likely made her his mistress for the sake of reinforcing his
ruling system, but there should have been side benefits as well.
"Thank you very much." (Leila)
Leila-san bowed together with Walter and Karl and excused herself
from my location.
The petition at this time and its contents are in range with my
assumptions.
Even father has deemed it necessary to make him village headman or
make an under-the-table pay-off to some extent.
Wendelin said, "Wouldn't it be better to split off territory somewhere?"
though.
This was prevented by father and me as expected.
Wendelin isn't dumb either, but he has some naive parts.
I believe it to be evil, but it will become a big problem, if we make
our red-blooded half sisters and brothers into nobles.
The nobles of the central government will probably kick up a fuss. A
large crowd of idiots, who want to become nobles, will come rushing
saying, "We are your father's children, so acknowledge us."
It will be fine, if I leave it to my children, who would be born by my
wives, once the number of branch families increased in a foreseeable
future.
| Azura Ren |
"I did compromise adequately, didn't I?" (Hermann)
"Yes..." (Klaus)
Walter will become the village headman of this main village. Karl
will become the village headman of a village in a newly developed
area, too.
Naturally I will give him enough assistance. The husbands of my
half-sisters have been considered properly too.
And yet Walter and Karl still seem to be unhappy.
No, they ended up getting carried away, once they got this
compromise under-the-table.
"Currently I don't go beyond being a village headman, but in the
future it's very likely for me to be allocated a territory! I will become
a noble!" (???)
Rumors came flowing in that they have formed a ruling party by
gathering the young people within the territory while saying that.
"Klaus, did you properly explain it to them?" (Hermann)
"That is, because Wendelin-sama became an Earl in one generation,
they might have a misunderstanding..." (Klaus) Wendelin was born
with blue blood, but if he had no talent in magic, his children would
have undoubtedly fallen to commoner status after his death.
Although he had such circumstances, he became an Earl at an age of
15 years.
Since Wendelin is seen as noble, who suddenly rose in society to a
higher position, by Walter's group, they seem to be thinking that it's
very likely for them to become nobles as they have half blue blood as
well.
Given that all of his elder brothers from the same mother received
peerage and territory, they believe that they can be promoted as his
elder half-brothers.
"Anyway, stop them! Do you want to get even your grandchildren
killed?" (Hermann)
"Yes, I will definitely..." (Klaus)

| Azura Ren |
Occasionally there are people, who become nobles by successfully
developing uninhibited backward regions, among former merchants
and commoners.
Since such people don't have ancestral retainers, they have no choice
but to form a retainer group from among their commoner friends and
family.
Given that retainers are existences similar to half nobles, they believe
they will be given territory as nobles as there are further up in rank.
"Do something about it right away! Don't you understand that it's
pointless even if I stick up for them?" (Hermann)
"That is, of course..." (Klaus)
Since we have been entangled in the profits of the largescale Savage
Lands development, there is a possibility that imprudent speech and
conduct will incur the anger of His Majesty and the big nobles.
Even Kurt, who was the original heir, ended up being a target for
removal once he caught their attention.
They will dispose of someone like Walter's group without any kind
of hesitation.
"Walter's group is half connected by blood with Wendelin.
Therefore, they are too foolish!" (Hermann)
It's not unlikely for a person similar to a second Baron Rückner to
appear.
They will manipulate from behind the scenes by agitating Walter's
group. You couldn't say that there are no nobles scheming such
plans.
"Among Wendelin's new retainers there are many with strong pipes
to the central government." (Hermann)
There are third sons and below as well as many illegitimate children
of cabinet ministers and big nobles.
Something like an existence, which sabotages a rising Earl household
which accepted such people, will clearly be disposed as if swatting an
annoying fly.
"By all means, I will restrain them." (Klaus)
| Azura Ren |
"Klaus, the way things are going, can't you tell them father like
things?" (Hermann)
"It's because they are my grandchildren. I'm troubled because it
something else than with my children." (Klaus)
He has surely pulled back one level in the parts requiring a stern
education.
I remembered the saying, "A grandfather's child is cheaper than 3 cent.",
I saw in some book.
"At any rate, I leave it to you." (Hermann)
***
One week after I gave a warning to Klaus, as expected, he moved
actively. I didn't hear any rumors about their moves.
Walter's group seems to be silently preparing to immigrate to the
next pioneered village and to work as next village headman.
"Good grief, for now I feel relieved." (Hermann)
Recently the number of people, who visit the Baumeister territory,
increased.
There weren't many merchants, but instead the number of
adventurers has grown.
They apparently came to investigate whether they can hunt the
wyverns and flying dragons living in the northern mountain range.
"It looks like they are considering the establishment of a adventurer's
guild branch. The raw materials of dragons are expensive after all."
(Hermann)
If it turns out well, we can hope for employment for the fief's
population in facilities for dismantling dragons and for taxes from
the guild and the adventurers.
It might also be possible to invite workshops, which process raw
materials, and such.
"I see, that's a good story." (Klaus)
Klaus, who brought along several of those adventurer
representatives, and me talked about the bright future of this
territory.
| Azura Ren |
However, immediately after that I have been plunged into an abyss
of despair.
Those adventurers suddenly thrust swords at me.
Next, sounds of arguing and voices of quarrelling between people
from outside are audible.
"Oi, Klaus!" (Hermann)
"I wish for you to not resist too much. Severely injured people and
accidental deaths will decrease the population of this territory."
(Klaus)
Klaus answered my question in his usual calm tone.
Furthermore, he hadn't swords thrust at him by the adventurers.
"Klaus, you..." (Hermann)
"Hermann-sama, please stay obedient. This isn't a rebellion. Thinking
about the future of this Baumeister territory, we will do a direct
petitioning with the longstanding sympathizers here." (Klaus)
A short time later my wife, my two children, the servants, the
subordinate warriors and my retainers are gathered in this room with
swords thrust at them by Walter, Karl and the adventurers.
"Walter and Karl, too, eh? That's no wonder though."
(Hermann)
In the first place, they are also the group, who made a fuss to be
made into nobles.
The quietness in this place for around one week was because they
prepared this rebellion.
"By no means did I expect you, Klaus, to take part in such conduct."
(Hermann)
Putting aside Walter and Karl, who were misguided in their
education by Klaus, I never expected the person himself to join in on
such foolish deed.
Having continued to employ Klaus, who wasn't trusted much by
father, conversely, he did something unnecessary since I thought he
wouldn't do such stupid thing given how smart he is.

| Azura Ren |
"Hermann-sama, do you believe that I do something like this without
any chance for success?" (Klaus)
"Well, now. Can't you please explain it in a way that a
foolish feudal lord like me can understand it as well?" (Hermann)
"Please look outside the window." (Klaus)
Doing as told by Klaus, I can see around ten-odd adventurers and
young residents, who were likely approved by Walter and Karl,
surrounding the mansion, installing a wooden wall or carrying in
supplies like food and bows into the mansion.
"You strengthened your war potential by hiring adventurers as
merchants?" (Hermann)
No, Klaus shouldn't be convinced of his prospects of victory in this
battle with having obtained at most ten-odd reinforcements.
Currently magic airships are periodically operating in the Savage
Lands.
If they use those, Wendelin, Margrave Breithilde and even the troops
from the royal capital could be deployed right away, if it's a military
force of around several hundreds.
Even if they installed walls around this mansion, to a degree like hair
grows in a family of wealthy farmers, it will likely be impossible to
defend this place in the first place, "Did you take us hostage as safety
precaution?" (Hermann)
No, that's not it either.
For better or worse, I'm unimportant as noble as well.
Just because I was taken hostage, it's unlikely for them being able to
declare that they want Wendelin to accept their demands.
Although I want him to save my wife and children if possible, there
are several relatives, who can become the new feudal lord even if my
family gets annihilated here.
It will be fine if we are burned to death all together for the sake of
severing future anxieties.
'The reason why Klaus moved is...' (Hermann)

| Azura Ren |
Once I begin to probe the situation in the surroundings in order to
pursue the truth, even if it's only for a bit, I felt a sense of discomfort
from the reinforcing adventurers.
'They are commanding too much...' (Hermann)
Adventurer is an occupation renowned for its wide range, from best
to worse, regarding human nature.
If you say that there is a group among them, who earns even more
than nobles and who has character to the degree of using that money
for charity, there will also be many folks, who are bandits or beggars.
Once I wondered whether they would rummage through this
mansion for booty after having occupied it, the several
representatives, who were brought along by Klaus, are briskly
preparing for a defensive battle using even Walter's and Karl's group.
Their movements were completely like soldiers.
'Are they some noble's retainers?' (Hermann)
For an instant I remember the younger brother of Finance Minister
Rückner, who provided the magic tool to Kurt, but they shouldn't be
that man's retainers.
For the sake of getting rid of the adventurer, who gave the magic tool
to Kurt, in the northern mountain range, around four of that man's
retainers entered the mountain range from the side of Margraviate
Breithilde, however two of them died in the process of attacking that
adventurer.
One heavily wounded died on his descent. The remaining one was
captured by the subordinates of Margrave Breithilde in a totally
exhausted state.
There shouldn't be any other guys besides them.
'If that's the case, from which household are they?' (Hermann)
The more I think about it, the less I know the answer to it.
'Since it has already turned out like this, there is no other choice but having
Wendelin do something about it, huh...' (Hermann)
Oi, would you at least let me go to the toilet for a piss?
"That of course. We will also be troubled, if you leak here."
| Azura Ren |
(Klaus)
I became defiant and chose to be obediently confined here together
with my family and retainers.

| Azura Ren |
Chapter 61: Waigel household's revival

"A method to restore a noble household which had its peerage and
territory confiscated?" (Roderich)
"Right." (Wendelin)
"Is it about Katharina-jou?" (Roderich)
"Yea." (Wendelin)
Katharina had that speech and behavior the first time we met due to
that loss, but she was a quite excellent magician. Once I tried to get
along with her, she wasn't such a bad person either.
Since that's the case, it's not like there are no way around it. After all
I'm a noble bearing responsibility for a huge territory.
Also, there is the reason that I'm a person who considers stability. I
got many allies in order to live a good life.
And there was a method to create an obligation for gratitude from
her, though there's only one. It will restore the Waigel household's
peerage and territory.
Given that it's almost impossible for women to become nobles, it
won't do if she doesn't look for an agreeable method.
The best one would be the possibility of the children, born by her, to
inherit peerage and territory.
"However, are you really asking the humble me?"
(Roderich)
I'm asking Roderich who is the head retainer since it's a problem
whether it will increase the friendly nobles of the Earl Baumeister
household or not, however his expression becomes bitter.
That's because next week there will be a marriage interview meeting
held. Moreover, those marriage interviews are scheduled to become
quite large-scaled.
Eru will participate as well. It turned into an obligatory participation
for the young fellows who were working for us while having no
wives.
| Azura Ren |
Although the nobles got psyched up as well and sent more than 1000
marriage interview photographs, I think that most of those will be in
vain.
At the time I asked them, "It's no problem even if it our young folks?"
almost all of them accepted it.
Before I noticed the retainer group of the Earl Baumeister household
had taken form, however the upper echelon was blended with all the
children of cabinet ministers and each of them did the task which
suited their home's forté.
Even that child of doushi, Cornelius, has become the leader of the
guard unit. Their way of working was excellent, but there were still
many singles since there were so many third sons and below among
them.
Therefore, we decided to hold a large marriage interview meeting
based on the fact that they will become busy from now on.
Even if I say so myself, but I believe it to be a nice idea. However, for
Roderich who advances the preparations for his own marriage
interviews, there might be some parts he can't agree with.
"How about it? Once you accept her as wife, Roderich, doesn't it
mean that your child will become a noble?"
(Wendelin)
"Why me? Isn't it no problem for Erwin either?" (Roderich)
Given that it has been finally settled that Roderich will become the
father of the next era's Baron Rückner household's family head after
many turns and twists, it won't be any kind of problem if he makes a
child with Katharina and that child becomes a noble.
However, it seems Roderich doesn't want to be burdened with any
more hardships. Thus, he tried to force it upon Eru.
"Eru is, you know..." (Wendelin)
He is a nice guy, however him ending up learning womanizing
thanks to Burkhart-san was no good.
Katharina is sensitive in such matters and therefore has distanced
herself from Eru. She's alright with him as companion in the same
party, but apparently, she refuses him as husband.
| Azura Ren |
"That foolhardy one is unexpectedly innocent." (Roderich)
Certainly, compared to gaining top class achievements among the
adventurers, which is a gathering of many rough fellows, and
rejecting fellows like yakuza and parasites, who have tried to steal a
share from her, with ability, she doesn't seem to have much
immunity towards men.
"Just recently too..." (Wendelin)
After Eru practiced his archery in the early morning, he cooled
himself in the courtyard by taking off the upper garment since it was
hot. I ended up getting complaints from Katharina who practiced her
magic at the same time.
"Wendelin-san! It might be the way of nobles, but something like
undressing outside is no good!" (Katharina)
"Wasn't it only his upper body?" (Wendelin)
"Even if it's only the upper half, isn't it always no good!?"
(Katharina)
Her way of talking was as usual, but Katharina's face was deep red.
In short, she likely doesn't have much tolerance in such things.
"Eru will be difficult, I believe." (Wendelin)
"Then, isn't all well if it's you, my lord?" (Roderich)
"Me?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. She fits the requirements nicely as well." (Roderich)
Since she is an elite adventurer to begin with, she can accompany me
on my hunts.
Even from Katharina's view, a child made between me and her will
smoothen the maneuvering at the royal palace to make it the family
head of the Waigel household.
"Both of you will profit from it." Roderich says.
I feel like it gives off a slightly dry sensation if said by a former Heisei
Japanese, but you couldn't call this an incorrect evaluation criterion
in this world either.

| Azura Ren |
As marriage served as connection of fellow households, things like
affinity of the marriage partners themselves was secondary.
I think that it's not bad to love for the love's sake, but this might also
be the reason for the problems of declining birth rates and the low
marriage ratio in Japan.
Either way, it's difficult to persist as single in this world.
"It will be pointless if Katharina doesn't prepare herself for it either."
Roderich stated.
"It's necessary to deepen the line-up of the Baumeister household by
treating the Waigel household as quasi-family."
(Roderich)
Since Roderich is the head retainer he apparently wants to quickly
tackle the issue of stabilizing the Earl Baumeister household which
changed into a large-scale household rapidly.
After my death the Earl Baumeister household will continue with the
next generation and the ones after as well.
"However, that might also be the will of the person herself."
(Wendelin)
"Saying that, it's also necessary to meet and frankly speak about it
once. By the way, can't you do something about the mark remaining
on your cheek?" (Roderich)
"Hm~~~m. For some reason Elise refused to do that. I'm not allowed
to heal it myself either." (Wendelin)
***
As a matter of fact, in the early morning today, after finishing my
daily routine of practicing magic, I entered the bathroom to wash off
my sweat.
There I ran into Katharina who entered the bathroom before me after
likewise finishing her training.
Furthermore, she was taking some kind of pose in front of the mirror
in the wash-room while being stark naked.
"Since the meals, provided at Wendelin-san's house, are delicious, I
seem to have recently gained weight..." (Katharina)
| Azura Ren |
"Is that so? I don't think so though." (Wendelin)
"Eh?" (Katharina)
I was probably an idiot to immediately answer her at that point.
Katharina, who ended up meeting me in the wash-room when no one
but her was supposed to be there, stared at me, who came entering
carelessly, for several seconds and a strange mood drifted between
the two of us.
"Wendelin-san?" (Katharina)
"Men won't notice little fluctuations in the weight of a woman."
(Wendelin)
"......" (Katharina)
"There are also variations in the ideal figure of men and women. If a
woman becomes too thin, men won't feel attracted instead."
(Wendelin)
"Wendelin-san?" (Katharina)
"Well, that's all from my side." (Wendelin)
Somehow, I seem to have missed the [Bathroom in use] note which
hung at the entrance to the bathroom.
To be honest, I do that occasionally, but since Eru is a man, there no
problem either. It was the same for the times of the other female
members.
"Vel, are you really not doing that on purpose? I don't particularly mind
though." (Ina)
"It's a disaster. I'm getting attacked by Vel who craves for my nude
body~~~~. As if, you aren't easily influenced to join in on the mood."
(Luise)
"Wendelin-sama, we will do such things after holding the official
ceremony." (Elise)
"Vel-sama, let's go in together." (Wilma)
Since the four are my fiancées, there was absolutely no problem,
however my deception didn't work on Katharina after all.
"Wendelin-san..." (Katharina)

| Azura Ren |
"Sorry, I messed up a bit." (Wendelin)
"Do you plan to let it finish with you looking at the naked body of a
maiden before her marriage!?" (Katharina)
Although Katharina's magic didn't appear here, I ended up receiving
a slap on the cheek with all her strength.
I probably could have dodged it if I felt like it, but I sensed that it
would be wrong to do that and thus I simply took the brunt.
***
"How to call it...? Is my lord's luck good or bad...?" (Roderich)
Those were the impressions of Roderich who is also a man.
The slap on the cheek is unfortunate, however he said it like that
since I was able to see something nice.
Since doing something like slapping a noble was disrespectful,
punishment wasn't impossible either, but if I do that, my act of
peeping will get exposed.
If it's officially announced, the one who will carry the disgrace in
society will undoubtedly be me.
"Moreover, Katharina is unexpectedly, you know..." (Wendelin)
After giving me a magnificent slap, she wept and clung to Elise
which was totally unlike her.
"I can't become a bride anymore!" (Katharina)
"You aren't that kind of character... Sorry, it's nothing..."
(Wendelin)
If you can't get married anymore just because a bit nudity was seen,
most of the marriageable women in Japan will disappear.
Or rather, I ended up thinking that it's a surprise for such woman to
actually exist outside of Light Novels and Anime, but Elise was
Katharina's ally in this matter.
The women in this world; the higher their social standing, the higher
their sense of virtue.

| Azura Ren |
Therefore, I, who had seen the nude Katharina without her being my
lover or wife, apparently became a sinful man.
"Wendelin-sama. Please leave your face as it is for the whole day
today." (Elise)
"As expected, as it is..." (Wendelin)
"It's for you to reflect on your actions, Wendelin-sama." (Elise)
Being unusually strongly told by Elise to do so, I consented to not
even heal the hand-print imprinted on my own cheek for today.
"It's no good. Vel. The times when Elise speaks forcefully are special."
(Ina)
Certainly, it's as Ina said.
Although she usually is an old-styled woman who stands up for me,
she has imposed a calm punishment upon me while comforting
Katharina who is currently clinging to her tearfully.
I didn't know whether this part of her was also a reason why she was
chosen as my first wife.
"Although it's no problem if it's us, Katharina is no good." (Ina)
"Shall we add a name column to the note for bathing use?"
(Wendelin)
"Won't you then enter if it's anyone else but Katharina?"
(Ina)
"No comment." (Wendelin)
It's difficult for the nobles of this country to have premarital sexual
relations due to the annoying regulations of the church.
Therefore, I think it's a cute mischief to at least occasionally peep at
their nude bodies for a bit while pretending to have made a mistake.
The other party are my fiancées anyway.
"Vel, you are doing it on purpose after all..." (Ina)
"Well, I wonder about that?" (Wendelin)
"As a matter of fact, this is actually quite the problem." (Elise)

| Azura Ren |
As expected, if it's such a situation, it will result in a composition of
the serious Elise and Ina giving me a scolding. "Hey, say Vel, how
was Katharina's figure?" (Luise)
Those were Luise's feelings.
She told me about the figures of the other women who entered the
bath together with her occasionally. I consider her to possess some
ero oyaji (erotic old man) components in her mind.
"She's a good match to Elise as they go boin boin like this."
(Wendelin)
"As expected, Dominique is quite amazing too, but she's no match for
Katharina." (Luise)
"Hee, Dominique is nicely stacked, huh." (Wendelin)
"She is fairly amazing. As she is Elise's childhood friend, does it have
to do with the environment?" (Luise)
According to Luise, a self-proclaimed woman's body critic,
Dominique, who serves as maid in this mansion, seems to have a
disposition of looking quite slender in clothing as well.
I was told that she has a truly nice figure.
"As expected, it's completely as I feared..." (Katharina)
"Luise-san! Wendelin-sama!" (Elise)
However, Katharina wept once again due to this blunt old man talk.
Luise and me got once again scolded by Elise.
"Anyway, you will reflect for today." (Elise)
For that reason, it has been decided that I would spend my time with
a hand-print imprinted on my cheek for the whole day today.
"Vel-sama." (Wilma)
"What's up, Wilma?" (Wendelin)
"The hand-print on Vel-sama's cheek is similar to the grilled starfish
you can get at a shop in the capital." (Wilma)
"...I see." (Wendelin)
And, as expected of Wilma, she apparently didn't understand why
there is such an uproar.
| Azura Ren |
Looking at the hand-print on my cheek, she is delighted that it
resembles the "Grilled Starfish" sold at a shop in the capital and gulps
down due to hand-print.
Furthermore, if you ask why grilled starfish*, maple leaves* can't be
found anywhere but in a small region in the north of the Helmut
Kingdom.
"Don't be immediately kept on a short leash." (Roderich)
"Elise usually doesn't speak in such strong way."
(Wendelin)
"I guess. As Katharina is aiming for the revival of her household, she
learned for her treatment to follow that of a noble daughter."
(Roderich)
Therefore, I was rebuked for having carelessly seen her naked body.
"At any rate, no matter how much effort Katharina puts into it, she
won't become the head of a noble household herself." (Roderich)
On top of it being no good if it isn't discussed with the royal family
and other nobles, she won't receive a favorable answer if she doesn't
agree to the condition of taking a husband and giving birth to
children no matter what.
If you turn that around, as long as she just swallows that condition,
it's not such a difficult issue either.
"Therefore, you should properly discuss those matters with
Katharina as well. It will be a loss if we don't win over a magician of
such degree." (Roderich)
"You, gradually you have become like a noble's retainer." (Wendelin)
"Let me take that as compliment." (Roderich)
Anyway, it was decided that I would once speak with Katharina
about those matters.
***
"That's the reason why..." (Wendelin)
"I will discuss it with everyone and then decide." (Katharina)
"Everyone?" (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"The representatives of the former Waigel territory's population and
all the former retainers." (Katharina)
When I conveyed Roderich's idea to Katharina, she replied that she
will decide once she discussed it with everyone.
The everyone she means are apparently her former retainers and
fief's inhabitants.
Nonetheless, even though her peerage and territory were taken away
in the generation of her grandfather, they have a frightening level of
loyalty.
"In case of the former Baumeister territory, they have grown
accustomed to the new feudal lord and governor within one year."
(Wendelin)
"That's because it's a different territory... Can you accompany me
since I will discuss it with them?" (Katharina)
"Got it." (Wendelin)
After sweating at public works once more for around 2 days since the
story with Katharina, we travelled to the former Waigel territory
with the usual members.
Be that as it may, because I'm not very well-versed about places in
the former Waigel territory, we can't transfer with teleportation.
The Waigel household was a Knight peerage in the same way as my
family has been originally. Their territory was at a place which is
approximately one day walk away from the capital.
It was pretty prosperous as Knight household with a population of
around 1.000 people.
Cultivating vast agricultural land, they supplied the capital with
food. There were many people and goods coming and going as the
highway connecting the capital and the West ran through the
territory.
The territory's condition was very good with it even having shopping
districts and post stations.
Certainly, it seems to be a good place with easy access since we
arrived at the area in around half day after teleporting to the capital.

| Azura Ren |
"If it's this location..." (Wendelin)
"It's as you have feared, boy. They were treated as nuisance by the
management under the direct control of the kingdom." (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san, who has accompanied us, had heard about the
circumstances of the Waigel household from Margrave Breithilde.
"In order to change everything in the vicinity of the capital into being
under the direct control of the kingdom, a forced relocation of several
smaller feudal lords was ordered." (Burkhart)
In exchange they prepared a larger area than their previous territory
in the new region. Apparently, there were such conditions, however
the location of the former Waigel household is really great.
It's overwhelmingly more appealing than increasing the agricultural
production by extending the territory. It seems they really hated to
leave this fantastic location with the highway running through it.
No matter which era, it's a fact that agriculture isn't very profitable.
It carries importance because people won't survive without food, but
it's a truth that taking hold of the distribution channels yields a good
profit.
"Nonetheless, it's wrong to refuse an order by the royal family."
(Burkhart)
"Grandfather-sama had no intention to refuse it." (Katharina)
If nobles in the Helmut Kingdom receive such order to relocate to a
different domain, they will always decline it at least once.
"Even if small, they are nobles after all." (Burkhart)
The first time they refuse is to sound out behind closed doors and the
next time they will attempt to officially sound out about improving
the conditions a bit more.
If one was to ask why they are doing such thing, it's because they
have to uphold their honour in front of the people below them, even
within their own noble household.
"We refused it once, but the other side certainly improved the terms."
With such an excuse, they would be able to accept the forced
relocation with a peace of mind.
| Azura Ren |
"How troublesome..." (Wendelin)
"It's because that's how nobles are." (Burkhart)
It's probably just as Burkhart-san says.
My face has a cramp, but everyone else seems to agree with it. I
might still not have gotten used to this world in those matters.
"However, when Grandfather-sama refused once following the
custom..." (Katharina)
He suddenly lost his peerage due to the crime of ignoring the royal
family's order.
Once they investigate why something like this happened, they found
out that the former Marquis Rückner was involved in it.
Indeed, it's no good if customs are violated, no matter whether it's an
important noble, I end up judging.
"Katharina-sama! You have returned!?" (???)
As we are walking within the former Waigel territory following the
highway while listening to Katharina's story, an elder man, who
seems to be around 60 years old, comes running from the direction of
the post-station town.
"Heinz, you mustn't unreasonably strain yourself since you are
already at an old age." (Katharina)
"Don't mention it! I will still be in active for quite some time to come."
(Heinz)
He seems to be around the same age as Klaus, but it looks like he is
still energetic.
"Since you are everyone's mediator, it's indispensable for you to be
still in good health." (Katharina)
"One way or the other I will last for at least 10 more years.
By the way..." (Heinz)
"This is the "Dragon-slaying Hero-san" from the rumors in the
capital." (Katharina)
"Katharina-sama has a large, diverse circle of acquaintances." (Heinz)
"That's only natural." (Katharina)
| Azura Ren |
Although she returns to her usual way of speaking again, our
meeting was by chance. The impression after seeing her for the first
time was the worst.
Therefore, it's troublesome even if she puts on airs, we thought.
"However, it's the first time for Katharina-sama to travel with others
after you went to the adventurer prep school in the West at the age of
12." (Heinz)
"I'm picky about choosing my friends." (Katharina)
'Hey, if it's about that...' (Ina)
'Ina! Don't! Any more is not allowed!' (Wendelin)
Although the first impression of her was really bad, there's a reason
why I haven't excluded her.
That's probably because she has spent her childhood in the same way
as I did.
Expending hours on magic training, she was basically a loner even in
the days at the adventurer prep school. Even when she became an
adult, she always acted by herself.
There likely wasn't any true friend to invite to come along and thus
she always returned home by herself.
'She is a loner! Just like the old me, she is a loner!' (Wendelin)
A loner will recognize another loner.
Because she fully reminded me of the loner style, I unconsciously
ended up inviting her on various occasions.
Moreover, even though she came along while saying it can't be
helped as if that was a preface at the beginning, it actually can't be
seen as anything but her style to look forward to act together with us
more than anyone else.
She didn't once refuse doing jobs like public works either. She was
also popular among many workers at the construction sites.
Her tone was the usual one, but it seems she was called "Funny nee-
chan" by many of the rough construction workers.

| Azura Ren |
Also, the slightly haughty speech and conduct of a young lady was
similar to their own daughters and thus made them laugh by treating
her as joking material.
"Katharina-sama, it's this hole. I'd like you to dig it a bit deeper." (???)
"I guess there's no helping you. Carefully observe my grand magic."
(Katharina)
"As expected of you!" (???)
"For someone like me that's only natural." (Katharina)
"I have a request to such wonderful Katharina-sama." (???)
"Leave it to me." (Katharina)
Furthermore, it seems they also asked her to do additional work by
skillfully flattering her.
'Vel. You...' (Ina)
'I was a loner until the age of 12. Well, Katharina is even now continuing to
be one...' (Wendelin)
'Vel, I think that's cruel...' (Ina)
"How about some tea for our important guests as well?"
(Heinz)
Being led by the elder called Heinz, we head towards his home.
Along the way there was a mansion which was more gorgeous than
my home although we were a Knight household as well, but that
mansion was originally the main residence of the former Waigel
household.
"Now it has become the residence of governor-sama." (Heinz)
Heinz' tone was cold.
From his point of view, someone like the governor is illegally
occupying the mansion of his lord and is at the same level as yakuza,
I guess.
"It's a provocation that a relative of the Rückner household always
acts as governor." (Heinz)

| Azura Ren |
It's not like he is taking taxes illegally by ignoring the law, but for
him only the feeling of the Rückner family indulging in the
governor's wages by crushing the Waigel territory exists.
The fief's population and the retainers won't do something like
rebelling; however, they kept their association with the governor
extremely dry.
"This here is my residence." (Heinz)
The household of Heinz seems to originally have a family lineage of
being the Junior Commander of the Waigel household.
The size of his mansion ranked next to that of the mansion of the
former Waigel household.
Moreover, once we entered the grounds, around 20 men of various
ages lay in wait there.
According to Heinz, all of them are people from families such as
retainers, subordinate warriors and village headmen.
"Ooh! Katharina-sama has returned!" (???)
"You have become even more beautiful!" (???)
"It looks like there's guests as well!" (???)
"They say he is the "Dragon-slaying Hero-sama"." (Heinz)
"Hee, despite being this young, he is an important personage." (???)
"Everyone, I have returned today because there is something very
important to discuss." (Katharina)
Although being a loner, it appears that Katharina has been dearly
loved by her former retainers and fief's inhabitants.
Once listening to Heinz-san, she, who possessed talent in magic,
earned money by hunting and such while training her magic from a
very young age in order to revive her esteemed household in this
city.
Then she went to a western adventurer prep school, where the eyes
of the hateful Marquis Rückner household doesn't reach, and became
a money-earning adventurer in the West.
Her grandfather, who was the family head, died from illness
immediately following the shock of losing the peerage. Her parents
| Azura Ren |
overworked themselves for the sake of reviving the household, fell ill
and followed her grandfather into death before long.
She, who remained behind by herself at the mere age of 5 years,
conducted herself as family head of the Waigel household from then
on.
"Katharina-sama continues to put great efforts into the revival of her
household as she understood the suffering of the previous generation
and the regrets of future generations at a very young age. This Heinz
will stay a loyal retainer of the Waigel household until I'm reduced to
ashes." (Heinz)
It seems to be the same for the other people gathered.
They refused the invitation of the governor, who has been dispatched
by the Rückner household to retire from his high-ranking
government job by taking a lucrative post, and while making a living
as merchants, craftsmen, hunters, wealthy farmers and such, they
didn't miss training and studying for the time when the Waigel
household would be revived.
Moreover, without people dropping out even if there was a
generation change, there were also many young people among the
bunch that has gathered here.
'A threatening loyalty! Are you guys Mikawa samurai!?'
(Wendelin)
(T/N: Warriors serving the Tokugawa household as retainers. Google 三河
武士 if you want to know more)
Or rather, although it's not like he has been imposing
misgovernment, the side of the governor, who isn't able to do
anything but the least amount of associating with them up until now,
is slightly pitiable.
"As a matter of fact, I was able to seize a clue for the revival of my
esteemed household." (Katharina)
"Is that the truth?" (???)
"Great! While I'm still alive, the Waigel household will..." (???)
The room has been wrapped up in great joy in an instant.

| Azura Ren |
It turned into a state where the elder people are shedding tears in
delight.
"I have put earnest efforts into becoming a noble by raising
achievements. But even though I saved up money, the revival of my
esteemed household didn't get any closer at all. That's because I'm a
woman." (Katharina)
Due to Katharina's statement, everyone quiets down in an instant.
Probably all of them had actually realized that very fact in the
innermost depths of their hearts.
"Accordingly, I decided to change my thinking. I will become the
wife of Wendelin-sama, who is standing here, and our child will
succeed the Waigel household!" (Katharina)
"Ooh~~~~!" (???)
"That's wonderful!" (???)
"As expected of Katharina-sama!" (???)
It seems Katharina has chosen that path after all.
If she aims for the revival of her family by marrying the second or
third son of some strange noble, there is the danger of it being
usurped by their home, but my home doesn't have such leeway.
Even me myself, I don't have the spare time to intervene in the
territory of someone else while my own territory is in such a state.
From Katharina's standpoint I'm the better choice.
"However, there is no way for it to happen in this territory. It's
necessary to change our residence. Therefore, it's no problem if it's
only those who want to follow me. Those who won't come with me
will receive an appropriate reward from me. You have my gratitude
from the bottom of my heart for serving this temporarily collapsed
household up until now." (Katharina)
Katharina has probably received education for such a situation as
well.
She brought it to a finish with a speech befitting of a noble daughter.
"I will follow you! Even to the furthest hinterlands!" (???)
"Me too! My family should agree with it as well!" (???)
| Azura Ren |
"I will accompany you, too!" (???)
There aren't any inconveniences in regards to things like shopping,
the capital is close and the agricultural land is abundant as well.
I have a feeling that this place is similar to a divine realm, however
there wasn't a single person among those gathered in this room who
wanted to stay behind.
Everyone seems to greatly enjoy relocating to a new territory if it
means the revival of their esteemed household.
"It's a mystery, isn't it?" (Heinz)
"Yes, it's convenient to live in this place after all." (Wendelin)

"Isn't everyone excitedly cheering in great joy?" It looks like Heinz

noticed my surprised expression.
"Certainly, it's a fact that it's easy and convenient to live here, but..."
(Heinz)
The former Waigel territory has a population of 1000 people.
Since it couldn't support any more than those, it seems that the cases,
where children and such had to relocate to other places, increased.
"Even though it's normal for a child to leave their parents, it's also
lonely being unable to see the faces of their grandchildren owed to
being apart very far." (Heinz)
In regards to that, the land, which I will likely distribute from the
Savage Lands, has a big leeway for exploitation.
Even regarding its convenience, it will probably improve largely once
the development of my territory advances.
"Its future prospects are definitely superior. I believe there will be
many coming along." (Heinz)
"Since that's the case, the match will be decided tomorrow, I guess?"
(Katharina)
"The match?" (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"I will go to request the relocation from the household which
fabricated the cause of the Waigel household's change of rank."
(Katharina)
It's a request, or rather laying the necessary groundwork.
Although they have the permission from the royal family, it will
become troublesome if they hinder the relocation in anger due to not
being consulted with beforehand.
"I see, that's important." (Wendelin)
That day we enjoyed the party organized by Heinz' group and stayed
for the night in an inn managed by a former retainer.
***
The next day we transferred to the capital with teleportation once
again and met with a certain person.
"Son-in-law-dono. It's a great pleasure to see you in good health."
(Hohenheim)
"Umm..." (Wendelin)
"At present Earl Baumeister-sama has a momentum not losing out to
a flying bird. It also can't be helped if you increase the number of
wives by one." (Hohenheim)
We met with Cardinal Hohenheim who calls me "Son-in-law-dono"
for some reason despite being a nonconsanguineous grandfather, but
even while not expressing any complaints about the increase of my
wives, he pointed a sharp and proper look at Katharina.
"I'm honoured to meet you. My name is Katharina von Waigel."
(Katharina)
"The daughter of that Waigel household which is a famous magician
in the West, huh?" (Hohenheim)
"I'm much obliged to meet you today." (Katharina)
"Currently son-in-law-dono is still lacking many people. Katharina-
jou will support son-in-law-dono and your child will support the Earl
Baumeister household as family head of the Waigel household. If you
can bear in mind your duties, I won't be averse to cooperate with you
either." (Hohenheim)

| Azura Ren |
"Thank you very much..." (Katharina)
As expected, even Katharina got apparently overwhelmed by the
aura of an important noble who survived in the central government
for many years.
She gave her greetings meekly.
Also, it's probably because he truly holds his granddaughter, Elise,
precious.
In order to not shake her position as first wife, he will certainly
cooperate with us.
"You seem to be doing fine as well, Elise." (Hohenheim)
"Yes. It's because Wendelin-sama is very kind." (Elise)
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to your wedding then."
(Hohenheim)
Usually he was a cardinal of the church, which is a den of demons,
and an important appointed noble of the central government, but he
changes into a good-natured old man doting on his granddaughter if
he is in front of Elise.
Therefore, one can expect him to not show any mercy at all towards
fellows who try to endanger her position as first wife.
Katharina, who sensed that, immediately became obedient.
"Well then, let's go? By the way, you are quiet today, Burkhart."
(Hohenheim)
"I'm merely acting as guard." (Burkhart)
"Let's pretend it just like that, I guess? What's Margrave
Breithilde's thoughts on this case?" (Hohenheim)
"He is thinking that it was quite fortunate?" (Burkhart)
"Well, I guess so. Even for Finance Minister Rückner the
wrongdoings of his predecessor are something troubling.
Also, the Earl Liliental household acted quite foolishly." (Hohenheim)
I was able to follow vaguely.

| Azura Ren |
In short, if his predecessor didn't force the change of ranks, there
wouldn't be any reason for Minister Rückner to be hated by the
useful magician called Katharina. That's because she would be under
the control of the Earl Liliental household.
"Did the Earl Liliental household mention anything after you became
famous, Katharina?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. Coming from the third son who is around 40 years old, it was
'Since I'm able to revive the Waigel household, become my wife.'"
(Katharina)
"And?" (Wendelin)
"I told him to sleep-talk while he is asleep." (Katharina)
Since he is the third son of a big noble so far as it goes, it might have
been wrong to use such reckless remark, however I'm able to
understand her notion quite well.
"So, will I become your husband? I don't particularly believe that I'm
such a handsome man either though." (Wendelin)
"Aren't you dependable and don't you have a big wallet, Wendelin-
san? There's nothing as important as this as requirement for a
husband." (Katharina)
Since this place is different from Japan, it rarely happens that the
spouse is chosen for love's sake. That doesn't mean that Katharina's
view is too dry either.
"...Besides, it's fun to be together with you, Wendelin-san.
Because you treat even a woman like me normally..." (Katharina)
Saying this much, Katharina casts her eyes down while her face turns
bright red.

| Azura Ren |
"She became dere."
"She became dere, yes."
"She turned dere."
"She became dere."
"Hey, Elise. Is that word "dere" a fad in the South?"
(Hohenheim)
Of course, it didn't become something like a fad in this world at all,
but since I unconsciously ended up referring to her as such, it
reached the point that even Ina's group was using it in regards to
Katharina.
"Oh well, I guess it's fine? Let's quickly go to the mansion of Minister
Rückner." (Hohenheim)
For the sake of negotiating the revival of the Waigel household, we
hurried towards the Rückner mansion.
* **
"That Cardinal Hohenheim?" (???)
"That man has many worries recently." (???)
* **
The crucial Waigel revival negotiations finished in little time.
Although it would probably be immediately approved of, if
I asked His Majesty; the bothersome aspect of noble society is that it
seems necessary to lay the groundwork with the Marquis Rückner
household which put effort into changing the rank of the Waigel
household in the past.
If we were to shirk this, it might cause them to become nuisances out
of spite.
One might think that this is stupid, however such situations also
often occurred during my trading company time.
It was a reality that higher-ups went even as far as becoming a
hindrance by storming at me while yelling "I didn't hear about this!",
if I didn't properly explain things like projects or new personnel.

| Azura Ren |
Since humans are beings which possess pride, it's necessary to make
such arrangements in advance.
Even though we went to his mansion while I was thinking that,
Finance Minister Rückner ends up showing a weary expression once
he sees us for some reason.
To be more precise, it's Katharina who was together with us, I
suspect?
"Why is the daughter of the Waigel household together with Earl
Baumeister!?" (Rückner)
As one should expect of an important noble. Minister Rückner
apparently knew about Katharina.
"As I will take Katharina-san as my bride, please give us your
permission for our child to succeed the Waigel household."
(Wendelin)
"Curse him! That damn old man!" (Rückner)
It appears that from Minister Rückner's point of view not only his
younger brother but also his father were people who stood in his
way.
Just like his younger brother, his father was probably a person who
didn't care to tread over the corpses of other people as long as it was
for the sake of the Rückner household.
I can understand the principle, but I don't believe it to be a smart
move to go too far with it.
And it seems that Minister Rückner's father was such a person.
Since they had many enemies, Minister Rückner, who took over the
family, ended up having to put strenuous efforts into mending the
relationships.
"You won't allow it?" (Wendelin)
"No, I will give you my permission..." (Rückner)
In such negotiations there are many cases where the method of
pressing the other party for an answer while they are weakened will
go smoothly.

| Azura Ren |
Besides, Cardinal Hohenheim is standing in the back as well. There
was no necessity to worry about anything.
"And, you see. Katharina should become an honorary Associate
Baron until the child is born. I hear there is such system in place for
royalty and the daughters of important nobles?" (Wendelin)
"Do you want me to write a letter of recommendation?"
(Rückner)
"Yes, please." (Wendelin)
"Or rather, as the Waigel household was a Knight household..."
(Rückner)
"If it's territory, I will allocate some from my Savage Lands. The
development will be troublesome. So, please assist us on that point."
(Wendelin)
I possess the right to name several nobles as well, but it should be
easier in the future by preserving that right and not using it for as
long as possible. I negotiated in a way of having the household revive
into the same shape it had originally.
"Got it..." (Rückner)
"Also..." (Wendelin)
"There's still more!?" (Rückner)
"Actually, it's about the residents and retainers of the former Waigel
territory. They want to follow Katharina." (Wendelin)
Them moving to a new territory isn't particularly anything illegal
either.
However, with the governor of the former Waigel territory
apparently being a second cousin of Minister Rückner, it was
indispensable to prevent unnecessary conflict and friction at the time
of them relocating.
"Understood. I will convey that to Kellner." (Rückner)
Kellner was the name of Minister Rückner's second cousin.
"Afterwards we will need development support funds for the Waigel
territory, too." (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
I believed it to be difficult for me since I'm providing the majority of
the funds for the development of the Savage Lands. The kingdom
offered various types of subsidiary aid.
Because they were able to put the leftover young nobles into
governmental service, there is a system to guarantee the wages of
those young nobles for several years and there is also additional
assistance payment for families who have to develop the territory
from scratch like Paul-nii-san and my nephews.
If the Waigel household is able to receive that, it should speed up the
development considerably.
"However, as Katharina-jou should be earning quite an income..."
(Rückner)
"That's true for me as well, but this and that are different matters. If
Your Excellency, the Finance Minister, doesn't give his permission
with a ba~~~m here, you won't be able to mend your relationship
with the Waigel household." (Wendelin)
"If I didn't allow it, the petitions by the Earl Liliental household..."
(Rückner)
Although the Marquis Rückner household is currently holding the
Ministry of Finance, that family is also one of the leaders of the
financial affairs faction.
Moreover, once the term of Minister Rückner ends in two more years,
Earl Liliental will become the next Finance Minister.
He shouldn't be able to disregard the petition of such person who
holds almost equal authority.
"Uuh... That alone, please stop it by all means~~~!" (Rückner)
Of course, Minister Rückner cannot allow that.
If I take the side of Katharina's petition, the Earl Liliental household
will be able to form a connection with me.
But then again, the relationship between Katharina and the Earl
Liliental household has been severed due to their misconduct in the
past, but I had no obligation to inform Minister Rückner of that.
"Fine! I will provide the funds!" (Rückner)

| Azura Ren |
"That's great. Katharina, give him your thanks, too."
(Wendelin)
"I'm very grateful for you to permit the revival of my esteemed
household. You are also one of the people my husband is acquainted
with.
With this I will forgive and forget the whole case since I believe that
it won't be good to continue resenting the Marquis Rückner
household." (Katharina)
"I'm appreciating that very much..." (Rückner)
Though he is grateful, Minister Rückner's face is glum.
That's because once Katharina receives the honorary Associate Baron
rank in the future, rumors will spread through the church.
There isn't anyone in noble society who doesn't know of the absurd
reasoning for the Waigel household's change of rank. It will be said
that Katharina, who revived the household, has the permission of the
Marquis Rückner household.
Which side will be deemed more tolerant as human being?
(T/N: The one allowing the revival or the one forgiving the past actions of
the other)
Given that noble society cherishes its public face, the Waigel
household's side will naturally be considered as generous.
Minister Rückner, who noticed that, couldn't do anything but
showing a sullen expression.
"And, the next head of the Waigel household, born by Katharina, will
marry an ojou-sama of the Marquis Rückner household who will be
chosen to be a good match age-wise..." (Wendelin)
"How very wonderful..." (Rückner)
No matter how much he struggles, with this he won't be able to
obstruct the revival of the Waigel household anymore.
It was arranged that the Marquis Rückner household, which is the
biggest problem, will provide a bride to the Waigel household.
"It's great that we could settle it peacefully." (???)

| Azura Ren |
"That's right, Earl Baumeister-dono." (???)
There was only one person who had a poor facial colour, but the
negotiations concluded without problems.
***
"Well, the negotiations are done, but there's a problem."
It was a temporary measure until Katharina's child is born, but there
was the matter of her being bestowed the rank of honorary Associate
Baron.
It seems that a messenger from the royal palace will come tomorrow
to appoint the peerage to her, however with her not receiving it
directly from His Majesty because she's a woman, this country has
unsociable parts as well.
Be that as it may, having finished our business with this, we were
invited to the mansion of the Viscount Hohenheim household and
were treated to tea and sweets. We also gave them souvenirs like the
native fruits of the Demon Forest.
Although I also passed some to Minister Rückner, I wonder how
many days it will take until his mental state reaches the point of him
savoring those from the bottom of his heart?
Since he had aspects resembling me in regards to going through
hardships for the sake of his family, I ended up sympathizing with
him a little bit.
"Son-in-law-dono, is the development of the territory going well?"
(Hohenheim)
"Yes, it's proceeding faster than scheduled." (Wendelin)
The development performed with engineering magic has a
completely different speed after all.
Furthermore, it's not only me, but Katharina can use engineering
magic as well. I she pushes forward in the development of the new
Waigel territory together with me, it's very likely that the plans will
be sped up once again.
"I see, that's wonderful." (Hohenheim)
"It's because it's my own domain." (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"Well, nobles acting as feudal lords are such people."
(Hohenheim)
After we received favours in the mansion of the Viscount Hohenheim
household until Katharina received her honorary Associate Baron
rank, we quickly returned to the Baumeister Earldom in order to
prepare the relocation and settling of the new Waigel territory.
***
"I see, this will make Marquis Rückner sob."
The new territory of Waigel was obtained on the conditions of the
child between me and her being able to succeed and her temporarily
receiving the title of honorary Associate Baron. Its location was
decided to be in the outskirts of Baulburg.
The reason is that the development rate will be quicker since their
former territory had the same conditions.
As time advances there will be a stream of people and goods towards
the Meinbach household, which will be succeeded by my nephews,
from the two Baumeister branch families along the northern
mountain range.
They have rich experience with things like managing an inn town
along the highway. And they will also be able to maintain
agricultural land to supply Baulburg with food.
Since the highway itself has already been created, the new Associate
Baron territory was allocated next to it and many residents ran about
to develop agricultural land and an inn town.
"Been' a long time since I was this exhausted." (Rembrandt)

"Well, I'm sorry, Baron Rembrandt." (Wendelin)

"However, you are doing great too, Earl Baumeister-han. By telling
them that they will receive a new territory, you grabbed a whole
bunch of experienced personnel. Your new bride-han is also a
beautiful lady and a magician." (Rembrandt)
It takes time to establish farm fields and an inn town from the scratch
on an empty plot of land.

| Azura Ren |
Thus, the permission I obtained from Marquis Rückner is useful. It's a
permit of travel since there are people who want to come along for
the development of the new territory.
Of course, there's no restriction on travelling, but it's usually wrong if
they don't leave their fields and inns in the old territory once they
travel.
However, relocation magic exists in this world.
Wedging ourselves into the reservations with Cardinal Hohenheim's
pull, the majority of houses, inns and shops were relocated from the
former Waigel territory to the new territory with my help this time.
Even the agricultural land, at the same time as the harvest of wheat
finished, all of the fields' soil is taken along.
What will become the biggest bottleneck in the reclamation of the
new territory is keeping the soil in good condition.
It's possible to greatly reduce the reclamation time with my magic,
but it's obviously much easier to bring in already conditioned soil.
"Over there. Although it's close to the capital, it became awfully
depopulated." (???)
The majority of former Waigel fief's population abandoned that
fantastic location and moved to the new territory.
Being able to establish an inn town alongside the highway connecting
the north with Baulburg due to Baron Rembrandt's technique, they
are beginning to prepare for producing spring wheat by spreading
the soil we brought along from their former fields on the agricultural
land Katharina and I reclaimed recently.
Since there's still agricultural land left, we started to prepare that for
rice cultivation.
The assistance in rice cultivation is mainly assigned to the children of
the residents and their families, who left their homes in the time of
the former Waigel territory due to there not being sufficient work
and agricultural land.
"Don't they wish for the former Waigel territory to grow anymore?"
(Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"Everywhere around the capital's outskirts gives such impression.
The only exception is the Palkenia Grasslands which were liberated
by you, Earl Baumeister-han." (Rembrandt)
In the era of the former Waigel territory the population exceeded
1000 people and they had to leave elsewhere since it couldn't support
those people.
However, since the surroundings were mostly in a similar state, it
resulted in them having to move quite far away.
Yearning for the capital and proceeding towards there, it seems there
weren't few cases of those people becoming residents of the slums
after a short while.
"Even though things may appear this way, it has improved since
there's the Palkenia Grasslands." (Rembrandt)
"However, the land remains, right?" (Wendelin)
"If it's new reclamation in the remote countryside, it will be quite
difficult. This place is a lot more comfortable thanks to you, Earl
Baumeister-han." (Rembrandt)
Besides, there's also a difference in the speed of information
transmission.
Even if a noble performs recruitment of people to reclaim new land
which is far away from the capital, the problem of how they want to
advertise to the people necessary for new agricultural land appears.
"Certainly, the land is left behind. However, reclaiming it and
obtaining income from that is quite difficult." (Rembrandt)
"If it was this easy, it would be very improbable for the young nobles
to cry over having no place of employment" Baron Rembrandt
expressed.
"As fourth son of a stunted, poor Knight household I was saved from
dying in obscurity by having talent in magic." (Rembrandt)
If that wasn't the case, his children would have fallen to commoner
status without doubt.
"The former Waigel territory reached its limit. But if it's this place, the
children and grandchildren can live nearby. Actually, it seems they

| Azura Ren |
called their children, grandchildren and their families when they
moved." (Rembrandt)
Around 900 people came along to the new territory from the
approximately 1000 residents of the former Waigel territory.
However, the current population of the new Waigel territory is 1.200.
In addition, there were close to 1.000 people from old fiefs cultivating
agricultural land in the outskirts of Baulburg or managing and
establishing new inns in the circumference of Baulburg by my
request.
There is also a minority of young people of former retainers who
decided to serve the Earl Baumeister household.
As Roderich had said, the revival of the Waigel household would
also carry benefits for the Earl Baumeister household.
However, on the other hand there are people who got the short end
of the stick.
Decreasing the population to around 100 people and with most of the
buildings having vanished, Minister Rückner who has his relative act
as governor in the former Waigel territory must start from keeping
the agricultural lands' soil in good condition.
"A famous inn town in the outskirts of the capital has all of sudden
become de popularized. I was treated by all ministers with sarcasm,
but..." (Rückner)
"Didn't I properly obtain permission for the move? In the first place,
it's not illegal to change residence. However, that's why I secured
Marquis Rückner's agreement just to be sure..." (Wendelin)
"It's fine! I appreciate the sincerity of Earl Baumeister!" (Rückner)
I cheaply sold magical portable communication devices (magic
cellphone) to acquainted nobles from among the large amount of loot
obtained in the Demon Forest underground ruins exploration the
other day.
The performance of those magic cellphones is far more excelling than
that of already existing ones. I contacted Minister Rückner right
away.

| Azura Ren |
At the beginning of the call I pondered whether I should tell him
about the misery called the current condition of the former Waigel
territory which became depopulated due to the moving.
"The place is nice. I believe it will overflow with people before long."
(Wendelin)
Because it's a fact that the place is good, it would sell at an according
price even if it's only the land. Since I compensated for it by
improving the foundation of the soil which I brought in from
elsewhere with magic, the agricultural land should return to its
original yield once it's used for 2~3 years.
Therefore, this would also be sold out right away. It would end up
selling in the blink of an eye to people who are considering the time
for reclamation although they want to begin agriculture.
"Katharina has said that there will be no resentments with this, but if
you consider the emotions of the former Waigel fief's population, I
think it will also be easier for you afterwards in regards to them
being tormented in this place." (Wendelin)
"I know that. That's why I will have a daughter of my family marry
the next Associate Baron Waigel. It will be pathetic to torment the
bride." (Rückner)
In regards to mere persecution, there are also parts similar to a partial
drama-like tormenting since Minister Rückner is an important noble
after all.
"For me it's impossible to express myself without words and gestures
like important nobles. The best I can do is to earn my money by using
"Relocation" magic. However, is this the new model of magic
cellphones? It's very user-friendly." (Rembrandt)
"For me it was strange for you to not possess one though,
Baron Rembrandt." (Wendelin)
"There are many people who can't buy small magical communication
devices even if they pile up money." (Rembrandt)
At any rate, making them is difficult and the ones, which are fully
functional, are given to the army and royal palace with priority.

| Azura Ren |
Therefore, it seems that even Baron Rembrandt, who is earning quite
a bit, didn't stand a chance of purchasing one at all.
"It will be convenient, if you use it for your work." (Wendelin)

"On the other hand, it has the potential to bind me to my work. Are
you telling me that in order to skillfully induce me into it from an
unexpected angle?" (Rembrandt)
As the one who sold a magic cellphone to Baron Rembrandt there
will be many cases from now on where I will request his work.
The discovered large objects such as cars, trucks, etc. exceed 500, but
since Roderich said that it would be better to properly make sure of
them before selling them, an overwhelming number of them is still
being stored away.

Around 10 of them were sold to His Majesty by the members who

participated in that exploration and who are the owners. Apparently,
it was the same for Minister Edgar and Minister Rückner, too.
The remaining ministers had to lend them from His Majesty while
they were in active duty.
Because it would be endless, if we sold them recklessly just because
they are distinguished and important nobles, I limited it to only those
people I particularly received favors from.
Of course, I gave 5 of the large magic tools to Cardinal Hohenheim.
He kept one machine in possession of his household and donated the
others to the church in my name.
Given that the ability to gather information is one of the churches'
strengths, the new models of magic cellphones are indispensable.
Owning a number of magic communication devices ranking next to
the royal family to begin with, the priest, who has been entrusted
with the church in Baulburg which is currently under construction,
brought an item as way of thanking, which had luxurious ornaments
added to it, afterwards.
Also, three large magic tools have been sold to Margrave Breithilde.

| Azura Ren |
"This new model of magic cellphones has a splendid performance."
(Breithilde)
Margrave Breithilde called me at once and told me that he ended up
selling his old, small magic communication devices to rich nobles
who wanted them.
"Wouldn't it have been better to keep them for yourself?"
(Wendelin)
"There are many nobles who are calling me sly or such for receiving
them as if it was an under-the-table pay-off to Earl Baumeister.
Therefore, I let go of my treasures." (Breithilde)
"Did they sell for a large amount of money?" (Wendelin)
"As those are originally items one can't obtain no matter how much
money they accumulate, you can expect them to obtain it even if they
have to pay a large amount. Is this an under-the-table pay-off, I
wonder?" (Breithilde)
As usual it was a statement befitting an important noble, but those
magical cellphones, which resembled the cellphones made on earth,
had functions just like the earth's cellphones as well.
How the heck where they built?
To say nothing about within the kingdom, the instruction stated that
it was possible to talk anywhere with a clear voice as long as it's on
this continent.
Functions like an address book are existing as well. In fact, once I
open the address book of my magic cellphone, it's a bit frightening
that I can find all active ministers and His Majesty there in addition
to my usual friends.
Just a little while ago I suddenly got a phone call from Minister
Edgar, but in the beginning, I wondered whether it was from a
yakuza or a right-wing extremist.
"Is Wilma healthy!? Also, I will send some people over to participate
in the insufficient guard unit! Be cautious of forgeries since they were
given letters of introduction!" (Edgar)

| Azura Ren |
I heard outrageous details, but as a matter of fact groups holding fake
letters of introduction began appearing once it was actually possible
to enter governmental service with us.
"Somehow it seems quite difficult." (Rembrandt)
"Well, it's a matter of practice. You will get used to it."
(Wendelin)
"Looking at such long term, with your age." (Rembrandt)
"Wendelin-saa~~~~n!" (Katharina)
When I'm talking with Baron Rembrandt who finished his relocation
job in the central part of the new Waigel territory, Katharina, who
finished talking with the residents in a similar manner, comes
walking in this direction.
"You done already?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. I will leave the matters of the territory to Heinz' son, Alexis."
(Katharina)
Although it had "honorary" attached, Katharina, who became an
Associate Baron, tries to participate in the management of the
territory as much as possible, however Heinz stopped that.
"In the first place, the thing which Katharina-sama has to do with
utmost priority is to make a child with Earl Baumeister-sama."
(Heinz)

Afterwards he apparently told her that she can't leave my side since
she will become my wife.
"Please come on an inspection as married couple occasionally. Also,
in regards to the situation of the assets and development of the
territory, we will give you a detailed report every half year.
Once you examine it together with Earl Baumeister-sama, you will be
able to point out changes and such, Katharina-sama." (Heinz)
"What's that? It's very enviable." (Katharina)
At the time of Katharina's grandfather's change of rank, Heinz dealt
with all the governmental affairs of the territory by himself although
he was still young.
| Azura Ren |
It seems he was invited by other noble households after the Waigel
household's change of rank since he is capable, but he refused those
and stuck to the Waigel household as aboriginal.
"He is a person who has the exactly opposite position to Klaus
though he is similarly capable." (Wendelin)
However, since he has already passed the age of 60, he will leave the
job of governor to his son, Alexis, whom he educated from his
childhood.
Once it becomes like that, this experienced, capable person will have
spare time. Therefore, it was decided that he will act as Roderich's
advisor and act as counsellor of the Baumeister Earldom.
Thus, the current him should be pushing forward the development
operations in Baulburg together with Roderich.
"I will actively earn income as adventurer together with you,
Wendelin-san." (Katharina)
"Don't strain yourself too much." (Wendelin)
"As usual you have weak ambitions, Wendelin-san. Although,
considering that, you seem to have many various achievements..."
(Katharina)
"It's the boon of bad luck." (Wendelin)
Right, I have strange bad luck, or rather, I might somehow have a
disposition to be dragged into incidents.
Thinking like that, I have a hunch that something will happen once
again, but something apparently happened in fact.
Burkhart-san comes plunging in with a changed facial expression.
"Boy! A rebellion occurred in the Knight Baumeister territory!"
(Burkhart)
"Eh? Rebellion?" (Wendelin)
I don't know about it if it was a bit back in the past, but since I
considered it highly unlikely for something like a rebellion to happen
in these circumstances, my mind was plunged into confusion.
"In these circumstances? Who's the ringleader?" (Wendelin)
"It appears to be Klaus." (Burkhart)
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"...Haa?" (Wendelin)
I pondered about Klaus just a little while ago, but I cannot help but
feel like a rebellion is far too much bad luck no matter how you look
at it.
Or rather, the odds for something like a rebellion occurring in these
circumstances are not existing in the first place.
Will that Klaus, who is an incarnation of self-preservation, really do
such reckless thing?
"Rebellion, you say, what are their military forces?"
(Wendelin)
"It seems they are 30 people. Occupying the mansion of the feudal
lord, they have taken Hermann-dono and his family hostage."
(Burkhart)
"It's truly incomprehensible for me." (Wendelin)
"Same for me, but it's necessary to dispatch soldiers."
(Burkhart)
"At this busy time..." (Wendelin)
Anyway, the first move is to grasp the state of affairs.
"Katharina." (Wendelin)
"Yes." (Katharina)
"We are going back." (Wendelin)
"Got it." (Katharina)
Taking Burkhart-san and Katharina, I rushed back to Baulburg.

| Azura Ren |
Chapter 62: Ill weeds grow apace even if they've become old

"Oi, Klaus! Do you have some grudges against me, too?"

(Hermann)
"Grudges? There are. You made light of my grandchildren." (Klaus)
"You want to make them nobles!?" (Hermann)
"That's only natural, isn't it?" (Klaus)
"Haa? Are you really saying that?" (Hermann)
"Of course I am." (Klaus)
***
A rebellion occurred, plotted by the village headman Klaus, in the
Knight Baumeister territory which is my home.
At the time I heard the report, I wasn't able to believe it.
Klaus is certainly a dubious person who schemes various thing
behind the scenes. However, at the same time he is a capable man.
Causing something like a rebellion with this timing, even a child can
see that it obviously has no chance to succeed. I didn't believe that
Klaus to not realize such a thing.
"So, what's the military strength of the rebel army?" (Wendelin)
In any case, it won't do if I don't command the soldiers at high speed
first.
Hiring the adventurers who came to the Baumeister territory, Klaus,
together with them, has caught Hermann-niisan, his family, the
servants of the mansion and the stationed subordinate warriors and
put them under house arrest.
In other words, since the territory's governing system got paralyzed, I
have to deal with it as I'm their patron as well as the head of the main
family.
"U~~~m. Who will serve as commander?" (Wendelin)
"I'm busy..." (Thorsten)

| Azura Ren |
Although it will be someone of the guard unit, they are busy with
securing the city where all of the development helpers and
adventurers gather.
Or rather, a rebellion at this period of time had a meaning close to
harassment.
Thorsten, who is the top of the guard unit, seems to deal with it by
assigning his subordinate to it as he can't move himself.
"Will it be fine with Moritz?" (Thorsten)
Because of Thorsten's recommendation, it resulted in Wilma's elder
brother, Moritz, participating and leading 50 soldiers.
"Isn't the number of soldiers a bit low?" (Wendelin)
"Are there any magicians among the rebel army?" (Moritz)
"Doesn't look like it." (Wendelin)
The rebel army which occupied the mansion consists of Klaus,
Walter, Karl, 5 approved young residents and around 20 adventurers.
Their total number is around 30 and it has been confirmed that they
don't have anything like a magician either.
"To mention anything else, they are using an entrenchment strategy
without any intention to come attacking from the beginning."
(Wendelin)
If they unskillfully try to gain full control over the territory just
because they seized the feudal lord, it will just incur losses from
being counter-attacked and Klaus realizes that as well.
Besides, the strategy of using the feudal lord as game piece will
hinder the Junior Commander, the other subordinate warriors and
the male residents to become a military force.
"Anyway, it's certainly essential to dispatch soldiers as fast as
possible." (Wendelin)
"True. Moritz, get the soldiers ready." (Thorsten)
"Yes, sir!" (Moritz)
Even if we have to send reinforcements later on, we reached the
conclusion that this military force would be enough for now and I

| Azura Ren |
sent Moritz and the soldiers to the Knight Baumeister territory with
teleportation using several trips.
"Check only your own equipment perfectly! Lord-sama will carry the
food and other necessary goods." (Moritz)
"Haa... My first feudal army dispatch is for the suppression of a
rebellion..." (Wendelin)
While I sigh, we transfer to the Knight Baumeister territory with the
usual members including me and a soldier.
We were greeted by the Junior Commander and the residents, which
were mobilized by him. They had arranged their military forces in
order to surround the mansion.
"Why did that village headman stage something like a rebellion?"
(Erwin)
"Who knows. Just ask him directly." (Wendelin)
"No, that's the job of Feudal Lord-sama..." (Erwin)
Eru's question was quite basic.
Even so, we dispatched solders swiftly since a rebellion is a rebellion
after all. But since we were able to deploy military forces on the spot
albeit only few, Moritz was admiring my magic.
Also, given that I'm able to carry food, water and the necessary goods
in my magic bag, he highly praised it as wonderful as a supply unit
was unneeded.
I hear that he guarded the supply unit as training in his time as
soldier of the royal army. Apparently, he still remembered the
difficulty of that well.
"After a rebellion occurs in a small territory like this, the royal army
will join the reinforcements because the feudal lord and his family
were captured. There is also hypothetical training like that." (Moritz)
According to Moritz, it is crucial to send soldier in an as early stage
as possible during such time.
"The numbers of the rebel army and such, though that only
obvious..." (Moritz)

| Azura Ren |
They seized the feudal lord first because they are only few. If that's
neglected for an extended period of time, it would very likely result
in something foolish.
The fief's population would gradually start to do as they are told by
the rebel army.
"That's because their leader has been captured and is absent."
(Moritz)
Therefore, it is necessary for me to relieve the fief's population by
quickly entering the territory.
"For that reason, the transport of food and goods becomes urgent."
(Moritz)
If the soldiers, who were dispatched to suppress the rebellion, did
something like requesting those on-site just because they got nothing
to eat, that would become a cause for the population to be pushed
towards the side of the rebel army.
Therefore, it's necessary to prepare food and such as fast as possible.
"How about buying it with money?" (Wendelin)
"That's alright if there's surplus food, but..." (Moritz)
If there isn't, you will have to push the money on them and requisite
it forcefully.
However, such deed would trigger a flag of getting pincer attacked
by the fief's population and the rebel army.
That's because from their point of view, the royal army, which had
stolen the food, would be nothing else but a rebel army as well.
"This matter was easy this time." (Moritz)
The soldiers were transferred with magic and there are large
quantities of food in my magic bag.
Because the support was quick, the retainers, who escaped getting
captured, participated in the besieging of the mansion together with
the soldiers who were recruited from the fief's population. No chaos
or such has occurred thanks to me, the patron, entering the
Baumeister territory.

| Azura Ren |
Since Klaus' group is caging in Hermann-nii-san's group in the
mansion as hostages, they were able to prevent aftereffects towards
outside the mansion.
"However, the village headman called Klaus had the intention to stop
at the occupation of the mansion from the very beginning." (Moritz)
With his current military forces and the state of affairs, it will be a
pipe dream for Klaus to seize the Knight Baumeister territory itself.
In the current situation the inhabitants of the main village shouldn't
sympathize with him and we don't even have to talk about the other
villages.
"The sympathizing residents are 5." (Helge)
The soldiers brought by me and the Junior Commander, who
avoided capture, successfully finish a complete siege of the mansion
by leading the feudal army.
The Junior Commander together with several subordinate warriors
comes to give a report.
Among them a small man, who seems to be around 30 years old and
is called Helge, had investigated the precise number of sympathizing
residents in the rebellion.
"Currently they are serving under Hermann-sama as retainers, but
originally they were members of farmer families belonging to the
main village." (Helge)
Since the feudal lord together with his family has been captured, they
came to report to me who held the right to command them.
"There were even 5 who went along with it?" (Wendelin)
"That's because they are nothing but young men." (Reich)
Should that be called a youthful indiscretion? They were probably
skillfully tempted by Klaus when they were holding large dreams of
their futures and longings towards the outside world after having
been raised in the sticks.
"I'm told that they were lured in by Walter and Karl." (Reich)
"Those two, eh...?" (Wendelin)
"Yes, it's those two." (Reich)
| Azura Ren |
The person called Reich, who is a relative of the branch family and
serves as Junior Commander, reports that these two had previously
spouted stupid things in the Knight Baumeister territory.
"They said that they will be given territory in the future because they
are the elder brothers of Earl Baumeister-sama." (Reich)
"Ah. there was such a talk." (Wendelin)
I thought that I didn't particularly mind doing that, but ended up
being told that it wasn't allowed at all by father and Hermann-nii-
san.
From my point of view who has a Japanese spirit, I consider it
necessary to treat Walter and Karl well since they are my half-
siblings. That also included the possibility of making them into
nobles.
However, according to father's and Hermann-nii-san's opinions, no,
according to the common sense of the noble society, that is absolutely
impossible.
Blue blood and red blood.
There is an absolute difference between these two.
"It's fine if a former commoner becomes a noble in their generation after
clearing a plot of land." (Artur)
There are nobles in the central government who look down on those
as well, but that will be resolved by repeatedly marrying with other
nobles in the next generation and the ones after.
Even in case an illegitimate child, born from a commoner because the
noble, legal wife has no children herself, becomes the heir, it's
possible to have that approved as an inevitable exception.
However, I'm a blue-blooded noble who was born by the legal wife.
If I do something like elevating my brothers, who are half red-bloods,
into the status of nobility, it's definite that I will be hated entirely by
my surroundings, I was told in the end.
"You can make them into village headmen or give them business
concessions. But, to the bitter end the favorable treatment has to happen
within the limits of the commoner status." (Artur)

| Azura Ren |
Having been told that by father, I decided to give them the right to
manage the store I used before and made them into village headmen
of new villages after consulting with Hermann-nii-san.
For some reason the other party rose in rebellion feeling discontent
with that treatment.
"Walter and Karl thought they can become nobles, too." (Reich)
"Are those two that stupid? However, they are Klaus' grandchildren,
aren't they?" (Wendelin)
"He failed in their education...? They believed they could join in on
Earl Baumeister-sama's progress as well, since they are young."
(Reich)
It's likely some sort of youthful indiscretion, but if it goes as far as
causing a rebellion, that will already be too complicated to excuse.
Or rather, why is it a rebellion all of a sudden? Don't you usually
start with a petition or such?
"What I can't understand most is why Klaus is agreeing with them?"
(Wendelin)
On the contrary, he has become the ringleader.
What else I can't understand is the matter of them having no chance
at winning after staging a rebellion with so few people.
At least as far as I know, Klaus won't do something this reckless.
However, when I went to the occupied mansion to listen to their side
just a while ago, Klaus, who came to greet me, threw the absurd
demand to make his grandchildren into nobles at me.
"Why does that Klaus make such absurd demands without any kind
of thinking?" (Wendelin)
"As expected, everyone believes that to be odd." (Reich)
Walter's heirs and Karl would become village headmen of the new
villages which will be developed from now on.
The husbands of my half-sisters have been given favorable treatment
by being Karl's and Walter's helpers and leaving the management of
the store to them as well.

| Azura Ren |
Therefore, I can't understand the meaning of giving that up and
staging a rebellion.
"The person himself is insisting that it's a direct petition though."
(Wendelin)
"No, usually you will judge this as rebellion." (Erwin)
They have amassed war potential by employing adventurers as
mercenaries.
Although they might call it something like a direct petition, that
didn't sound as anything but sophistry.
"Anyway, it's strange..." (Wendelin)
Since the Junior Commander went back after finishing his report, I
was pondering in the house which has been changed as temporary
troops headquarters.
I believed it to be impossible for that Klaus to do something like
planning a thoughtless rebellion. Therefore, it won't work if I don't
surmise his reason.
"It's certainly strange." (Ina)
Even Ina, who is accompanying me as my guard, was puzzled.
***
"Why were my half-sisters and their husbands excluded from the
rebellion?" (Wendelin)
It was confirmed right away.
Leila-san, my half-sister Agnes and her husband Norbert as well as
Korona and her husband Reiner turned themselves in and were led
to the Junior Commander at the time we arrived in the Knight
Baumeister territory.
They say that once they opposed the staging of a rebellion, her
children severed their connection to Leila-san and the other four
were isolated by Klaus as well.
"Leila-dono. There are rumors that you instigated the arrogance of
Walter and Karl by using your relationship to the former lord." (???)

| Azura Ren |
The Junior Commander, who brought them along, actually witnessed
Leila-san coming along at the time when Walter and Karl went to
petition to Hermann-nii-san before.
"Is that true?" (Wendelin)
"Yes, but..." (Leila)
According to Leila-san, she accompanied them in their petitioning
only once with the intention of at least her children and the husbands
of my half-sisters receiving proper, good treatment as commoners.
By no means did she think that they want to become nobles or such.
She was adequately satisfied with the first treatment.
"Knowing that it will be thwarted, such reckless petition..." (Leila)
Noble households with long histories are always suffering severely
for a while when it's about handing blood-related people and
successions.
For that reason, they were very strict about unnecessarily breaking
the law at strange parts. It would end up becoming the foundation of
an odd precedent.
Leila-san seems to understand that as well.
She might have been told that by Klaus, but if that's the case, Klaus'
rebellion will become even stranger.
In the first place, why did he even go as far as cutting all connections
to his daughters and their husbands?
"Can you stay obedient until the situation is resolved?" (Wendelin)
Ordering Leila-san's group into house arrest, I arrange for several
guards to watch them.
There's also the treatment of the adventurers who are helping in the
rebellion.
"The adventurers who are not participating in the rebellion have been
placed under house arrest as well, right?" (Wendelin)
"That's only natural." (Ina)
It will be bothersome if they stab us in the back as sympathizers after
all. Naturally they were gathered and confined in the same place.

| Azura Ren |
"Eru, Luise and Katharina have gone to interrogate them, right?"
(Wendelin)
"Going by my intuition, they won't know anything though." (Ina)
The tree of them went to interrogate the confined adventurers.
It's for the sake of hearing information about the adventurers who
were participating in the rebellion.
Also, Elise, together with Wilma as her guard, have gone to the
church to voluntarily provide free healing with the goal of stabilizing
the territory.
Elise's popularity in this territory has become a definite fact.
In spite of a rebellion occurring at the same time, the church is
crowded with many people.
"We are back." (Luise)
"How was it?" (Wendelin)
"No good. It seems the sudden incident is a bolt out of the blue for
the other party as well." (Erwin)
Having finished the interrogation of the adventurers, the three have
come back, but as expected there were no results.
"It seems that all of them came here to investigate whether they can
really hunt the flying dragons and wyverns inhabiting the northern
mountain range." (Katharina)
If you aren't a magician, it's difficult to hunt a flying dragon, even as
adventurer with remarkable abilities.
Even if they are able to hunt those, there will be only little profit if
there are injured people. All the more if it leads to corpses appearing.
Therefore, it was common practice for ordinary adventurers to form a
bigger group at the time they go hunting dragons.
They tackle the dragons' power with numbers. With at least 10
people, they freely use things like traps after skillfully luring in one
dragon.
The rewards will be split by their leader, but even so, if it's an
adventurer party which is great at teamwork, they will earn far more
money than usual.
| Azura Ren |
It seems they came here to check this place whether it can be used as
new hunting ground.
"The bunch who went along with the rebellion as well?" (Wendelin)
"Well, in fact, some of the adventurers said something weird."
(Erwin)
Eru received the testimony, "I have never seen those guys." from several
veteran adventurers who have reached an age of 40.
"If it's the world of adventurers hunting dragons in groups, it's
unexpectedly small." (Erwin)
It requires a degree of individual strength and whether one is able to
put priority on teamwork even if there's team competition.
Since the hurdle of being able to earn money with it is high, the
number of large-scale parties specialized on dragons is small. In this
world the long-standing, aged adventurers are aware of almost all
the people in the same profession.
However, until now they haven't ever seen them.
"What about something like the first challenge as newcomers?"
(Wendelin)
"Even so, since one would join up with some veterans in the
beginning, it's very unlikely for them to not know the faces of those
veterans." (Erwin)
Certainly, the adventurers who are guarding the occupied mansion
are all young men in their twenties and lower thirties.
Since they are adventurers a few women should be mixed in as well,
however it's also a weird aspect that there are zero women.
"They aren't adventurers, I think?" (Luise)
"I guess so. They are too accustomed to leadership." (Katharina)
The adventurer parties which are experts in hunting dragons are
accustomed to leadership as well. But, that's only at the time of
hunting dragons.
Since they are ordinary adventurers, there are many people who do
as they like. It's unthinkable for them to earnestly guard in shifts as if
they belong to a military unit.
| Azura Ren |
In spite of being hired as mercenaries, they don't amuse themselves
with sake and food or scavenge through the mansion for money and
goods.
"If you look at the way they operate, they resemble soldiers." (Erwin)
"Certainly..." (Wendelin)
Although they have the appearance of adventurers, they are totally
moving briskly like soldiers.
If that's the case, they are soldiers disguising themselves as
adventurers.
"Is it the royal army?" (Wendelin)
"By no means!" (Katharina)
At the present time they shouldn't hinder the development of the
Savage Lands. Let alone the profits, they would only incur heavy
losses.
"If it's like this, then it's the private army of a noble.
Moreover, it ought to be a high-ranking noble." (Katharina)
It's probably just as Katharina imagines.
If it's the feudal army of a high-ranking noble, the difference in skill
with soldiers of the royal army will naturally vanish since they will
be retainers who are doing special training.
"I wonder who has instigated this?" (Wendelin)
It was very likely that some noble was scheming something once
again.
Intending to confuse and delay the development of the Baumeister
Earldom, they aimed at my home town which is my Achilles' heel.
Dispatching soldiers who are disguised as adventurers, they
instigated Klaus' grandchildren knowing that they are dissatisfied
with the current situation.
No, even that would be weird after all.
That Klaus shouldn't become the leader of the rebellion if the
possibility of success doesn't exist. Klaus is harboring warped

| Azura Ren |
emotions towards the Baumeister household, but he always secures
his own benefits.
I don't expect him to be a man who gets suppressed just like that and
dies by hanging.
"Different from our Heinz, he is black-hearted." (Katharina)
"Isn't such soft-hearted, outstanding talent rare?"
Something like supporting his fallen master's household without
even receiving pay, that's a really precious, outstanding talent in this
world.
Currently he is working as our counsellor, but it's at a level that
Roderich is grateful for it from the bottom of his heart. He was the
lead retainer of a small territory; however, he was even aware of the
way to associate with high-ranking nobles with the territory's nature
to be close to the capital.
Experienced and strong even in economic aspects, he has become a
valuable person for the Earl Baumeister household which has only
young retainers.
"Anyway, for now we will wait-and-see, I guess?" (Wendelin)
Earlier I tried to talk with Klaus after calling him out, but that
fellow's reply was the intense statement "Don't underestimate my
grandsons!"
It seems he will withdraw the soldiers once I make Walter and Karl
nobles.
His demand is far too unreasonable. It's completely out of question.
"By the way, where's Burkhart-san?" (Wendelin)
The figure of Burkhart-san who should have come here together with
us couldn't be seen much.
"I think he is communicating with Margrave Breithilde-sama." (Luise)
He is probably informing him of the situation over here. However,
we have to avoid a situation where we need reinforcements from
him.
No matter how much he is my patron, if I depend too much on him,
this will create problems as well.
| Azura Ren |
"A forceful storming at worst, huh..." (Wendelin)
It would lead to many victims without a doubt; however, this was
also method in this world if there was no other way.
If I did something like negotiating and compromising with rebels, it
will end up causing a second and a third rebellion.
"Is it foolish to get reinforcements from Margrave Breithilde-sama?"
(Erwin)
"An independent resolution will be the best." (Wendelin)
"Please do so because I agree with you completely." (Erwin)
As I'm discussing ways of resolving the situation with Eru, Burkhart-
san, who apparently finished talking with Margrave Breithilde,
comes back.
"Did something happen?" (Wendelin)
Usually you would expect Margrave Breithilde to send
reinforcements at this point.
Helping us since we have still our hands full with the development
will show his own influence. This would be the ideal move as noble.
"It seems impossible as a sudden large-scale troop deployment has
been decided." (Burkhart)
"Large-scale troop deployment?" (Wendelin)
A large-scale troop deployment at this stage, or rather, in this warless
world? A question mark floated in my mind.
"It's the Margrave of the East, Browig." (Burkhart)
Which reminds me, I have heard that there was a conflict with each
of them confronting with large armies in the past.
If I remember correctly, Klaus should have earned military
achievements by participating as well.
"Anyway, please ask master about the details." (Burkhart)
I quickly take out the magic cellphone from my pocket and connect a
call to Margrave Breithilde. Then he answered the call immediately.
"Earl Baumeister, it seems like the large-scale troop deployment over
here and the rebellion over there are linked." (Breithilde)
| Azura Ren |
"Doesn't it... But, why all of a sudden?" (Wendelin)
"That is, you see..." (Breithilde)
Since the old days, the Margrave Browig household which controls
the East and the Margrave Breithilde household which controls the
South didn't have a good relationship.
Repeatedly breaking down direct negotiations in disputes over
territory and concessions of fellow small nobles which are below
their control and have adjoining territories, it has sometimes created
a multitude of small-scaled conflicts and confrontations leading to
the dispatch of soldiers for the sake of accepting each other’s
demands.
This was always like that before the peace with Holy Empire
Urquhart.
"At the time when each other's predecessor became the family head, a
large-scaled conflict broke out and led to many victims." (Breithilde)
I have heard about that before.
It should have been the battle where Klaus raised his military
achievements.
"Also, at the time when I just succeeded the household's headship,
they harassed me badly." (Breithilde)
As a family head who had just taken over the position will likely be
late in reacting, they tried to take effective control of some of the
disputed areas and attempted to steal all the forestry and mine
concessions.
Of course, both parties’ relations grew only worse.
"However, recently our side had completely the advantage."
(Breithilde)
The biggest reason for that seems to be me.
"I was saved with you being there, Earl Baumeister." (Breithilde)
A magician who performed two dragon subjugations was the child of
his own vassal.
Thanks to that Margrave Breithilde triumphantly strengthened his
pipe to the central government as well.
| Azura Ren |
Apparently, Margrave Browig looked at Margrave Breithilde with a
deep red expression at a certain party.
"Also, by now it goes without saying, I guess." (Breithilde)
With the concessions to exploit new territories, there are also various
spoils that are yielded from the Demon Forest.
By just interacting with the Baumeister Earldom and the capital, the
Breithilde Margraviate has conveniently obtained profits.
The flights of magic airships have increased. It's the same with ports
and maritime ferry services. Many jobs related to development
demands are flowing in as well.
Naturally it results in him being all smiles.
"Of course, I have completely excluded the eastern folks from that."
(Breithilde)
Certainly, he should have no obligation to split those with Margrave
Browig and the eastern nobles under his control who pestered him
thoroughly until now.
If he has such leeway, he will split it with the southern nobles. It's a
correct decision from Margrave Breithilde who is their leader, I think.
Even I would have certainly done it like that.
"So, they have deployed their troops? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
(Wendelin)
"It's true that it's a bit strange. But we won't know unless we
investigate it a bit more. Since he was pressured by the eastern nobles
who don't have any development rights, he is trying to diverge from
the troublesome matter at hand by stealing the control over territories
with a troop deployment.
That might be the point." (Breithilde)
Actually, since it has been decided to split the forestry fityfifty
between South and North for now, they are apparently driving out
the fief's population of the nobles on Margrave Breithilde's side and
likewise the miners from the mines.
There are no casualties, but they ended up being driven out by the
soldiers of the completely armed feudal army of Magrave Browig's
side and the soldiers of Magrave Browig private feudal army.
| Azura Ren |
"We have completely fallen behind. If I don't gather the soldiers
quickly, haa... That will cost money." (Breithilde)
Margrave Breithilde had to gather soldiers disregarding the costs
since he won't do something like Japan which is an expert at weak-
kneed diplomacy and which would leave their opponent in control of
the territories.
"I want to ask you to participate in a mixed army of feudal armies as
well, if possible, Earl Baumeister" (Breithilde)
"I guess so. I will join you as fast as I can." (Wendelin)
"Is that so? I'm grateful for that. Please do so." (Breithilde)
"Is it alright?" (Erwin)
Once I cut the communication through the magic cellphone, Eru
immediately asks me whether we will really dispatch our feudal
army as well.
"I have to send them." (Wendelin)
This happens just as I began to develop a new territory.
If I don't hand down a thorough punishment on the group which
schemed this strange incident first here, it would be possible for a
second or third Margrave Browig to appear.
It's absolutely necessary to beat them up and make others believe that
they will only incur losses if they start a fight with us.
"It's a war where people will get killed though." (Wendelin)
"You have to resolve yourself for such things. Will you be alright,
Vel?" (Erwin)
"I don't know about that unless I have a go at it." (Wendelin)
People will kill people.
It's probably something detestable, but that also depends on the
environment where those people were employed.
Actually, I might have bad dreams full of feelings of guilt after I
killed someone. Or I might not feel anything unexpectedly.
I won't know about such matters if that time doesn't come.

| Azura Ren |
"However, this period's war, no, dispute, huh? It seems it would be
better if people didn't die." (Wendelin)
"You will settle it with magic?" (Erwin)
"Yep. If I do it together with Katharina and Burkhart-san, I can
calculate with zero victims." (Wendelin)
In order to suppress this rebellion first, I began to discuss things
among us three magicians right away.
***
"The hostages have been gathered in the dining room, eh?" (Burkhart)
"Nice, you found them." (Wendelin)
"I'm still better if it's about detection." (Burkhart)
"Well, I still can't use minute spells with the mana I own."
(Wendelin)
"I'm also unable to be so detailed in the detection."
(Katharina)
We unrolled a hand-drawn map on the table in order to plan the
suppression of the rebel army while at the same time guaranteeing
the safety of the hostages.
It's a detailed map of the mansion and its surroundings I requested
from the servants, who luckily got away, and the Junior Commander
who are participating in the siege. On the map the deployment of the
personnel, we learned from Burkhart-san, is drawn in.
Although it’s my own home, I didn't comprehend the entire layout.
My room, the dining room, the study and the hallways connecting
those.
The time I spent at home became shorter as I grew older. Thus, I
didn't approach rooms where I had nothing to do.
"Hermann-dono, his family and the servants, in total it's 11 hostages.
Gathering them in the dining room, there are four men guarding its
entrance. The rest is securing each place in the mansion and the front
of the fence set up around the mansion. In total it's 20 rebels."
(Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
"Have you found Klaus?" (Wendelin)
"Yes, he is in the middle of the dining room." (Burkhart)
As apparent ringleader of the rebellion he is talking about his own
cherished opinion to the hostages?
"It will be unexpectedly easy if we do it with three people." (Burkhart)
"An Area Stun, you mean?" (Wendelin)
"That's it." (Burkhart)
The spell called 「 Area Stun 」 paralyses its targets with a lightning
strike, just as the name says.
The majority of magicians are able to use it if their mana is at an
intermediate level, but it's a spell which is difficult to control.
It's quite convenient for guards to do things like mob suppression,
however if the output is too weak, it will only be a slight electric
shock.
On the other hand, if the output is too high, the targets will become
electrocuted. If the caster is too unskilled at controlling the range,
unrelated people will get dragged in and become paralyzed as well.
Likewise, if the range is too narrow, most of the targets won't be
affected.
That's just an example for many of the registered spells.
"The area, where the rebel army is located, and this mansion will be
split into three parts." (Burkhart)
Putting aside the dining room which is the most difficult to take
control of, Burkhart-san points out the four who are guarding it.
"We leave Klaus alone?" (Wendelin)
"Even if he moves by himself, he won't be able to accomplish
anything." (Burkhart)
"Given that he's old, it will be troublesome if he dies from getting
shocked, huh." (Wendelin)
"If he resists pointlessly, I won't particularly mind though." (Burkhart)
Afterwards, Katharina and me divide the remaining area in two
parts.

| Azura Ren |
"I have the weakness to make the stun a bit too powerful." (Katharina)
"Don't electrocute them." (Wendelin)
"It won't be that powerful." (Katharina)
We move to the spot closest to the area within the encirclement each
of us is responsible for.
Moreover, I called out to Moritz' and the Junior Commander's group
who were given the task to capture the rebel soldiers after Area Stun
has been cast.

"They shouldn't be able to move due to the paralysis, but don't get
careless. Also, I ask you to put maximum priority on ensuring the
safety of Hermann-nii-san's group." (Wendelin)
"At your command." (Moritz)
"There won't be a single scratch on Lord-sama's group." (Reich)
Katharina has headed to her designated location first.
When Burkhart-san and me are walking to the spot where we are to
cast the Area Stun, he addresses me with a small voice.
"Aren't you skillfully handling that wild horse?" (Burkhart)
"Wild horse, eh... Actually, it's not that amazing." (Wendelin)
In fact, Katharina is able to handle quite many useful spells and she
possesses a tremendous amount of mana even for the advanced level,
but I don't have the image of her being a wild horse like Burkhart-san
has said.
There are times when her usual speech is a bit strong, but if I
consider it as her acting tough for the sake of reviving her esteemed
household, I think she is cute. That's probably because my insides are
those of an old man.
"Because I'm an old man, I know that Storm's attitude comes from her
putting up a front. A youthful indiscretion, I guess? It seems to be the
same for those idiots who are participating in this rebellion."
(Burkhart)
Burkhart-san is probably talking about the young residents who
joined the rebellion out of sympathy for Walter and Karl.
| Azura Ren |
"Though they will hang, if they make a blunder. Youth has the
potential to do something rash." (Burkhart)
"Those adventurers as well?" (Wendelin)
"They are even more pitiful." (Burkhart)
In this situation it's hopeless for them to return to Margraviate
Browig alive.
Getting killed in the process of the suppression or getting executed
after capture, those two options exist.
"Probably they were told to say that they are simple adventurers,
even if tortured. They are sacrificial pawns to seal your movements,
boy, and to divert my lord's attention." (Burkhart)
"It's far too tragic..." (Wendelin)
"Even as retainer you are on the inferior side. For those below the
second son of a household there isn't much of a difference to regular
soldiers." (Burkhart)
"Unable to succeed the retainer's household, they are nothing more
than guys living as free-loaders at home, I guess." Burkhart-san
predicted.
"It would be fine if they simply became adventurers." (Wendelin)
"Not everyone thinks like that." (Burkhart)
Even in my previous life there were many people aiming for jobs that
are safe (like public servants and such) with a frightening
enthusiasm.
Undoubtedly, they are the same type as well.
"Someday I want to build an independent household without sponging off
my home. While thinking such things, they are striving in their studies
and training, occasionally receive a part-time job from the master's
house, grow old without even marrying and die in the end. There are
fairly many such people." (Burkhart)
Since they are excess personnel, they are the best for wasting them as
errand boys on a military operation like this.
"That's miserable, isn't it..." (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"Doesn't Earl-sama understand after seeing the elder brothers of Ina-
jou-chan and Luise-jou-chan open a dojo at your place? There's quite
a lot of such guys." (Burkhart)
Revising their points of view a bit, there are many people who
change their occupations to farmers, craftsmen or merchants, but
while thinking that's running away, those guys are too fixated on
establishing an independent retainer household.
There are many people with high skills, but no matter how high-
ranking the noble household is, the limited number of retainer
households won't increase and thus many people remain living in
obscurity in the end.
"So, these guys want to turn things around with a single successful
attack...?" (Wendelin)
"They have a terribly low chance of success though." (Burkhart)
Even so, from their standpoint, it's still a chance.
No matter how I look at it, I can't see it as chance, but they are people
who have been driven into a corner to such a degree.
"It's different if they have talent in magic though, like you, boy. The
same applies for Storm's case. Do you believe that such tomboy is
taken as wife so easily?" (Burkhart)
If it's the stupid son of a high-ranking noble, he will likely think
about such stuff and use the authority of his home.
But if it's a normal man, they will be uncomfortable to take such
strong magician as wife, Burkhart-san explains.
"With the possibility of dying in a matrimonial quarrel, they will be
reluctant to accept her as wife." (Burkhart)
"Certainly..." (Wendelin)
"If it's you, boy, such worries are unnecessary." (Burkhart)
"Even in Burkhart-san's case, there are no such worries."
(Wendelin)
"I don't have that kind of taste. Besides, she is a necessary game piece
for you as noble, boy." (Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
She is probably fine personnel to use if you win her over, but such is
a noble's way of thinking.
Though I have a feeling that I will stray off the dream of becoming a
great magician I have received when I was introduced to magic by
master.
"Do such matters worry you? Perhaps I should tell you that even in
Alf's case it was to a certain extent decided for him to enter the
service of the Margrave Breithilde household because of his magic."
(Burkhart)
"It's not like master particularly fussed over leading a thoroughly free
life as adventurer and thus he got himself employed as his retainer."
Burkhart-san explains.
"The previous Margrave Breithilde was very pleased with Alf's
service. Apparently, he considered creating a new retainer household
and having him marry with Anita-sama once they returned from that
expedition." (Burkhart)
As youngest sister of the previous Margrave Breithilde, Anita is right
now an ojou-sama, who has passed an age of 40, and works as maid.
Now she was a woman who completely missed her chance to marry,
but with her being in her twenties at the time when master served
that household, those talks had progressed behind the scenes given
that they were a good match agewise.
"Alf's and the predecessor's death in action spoiled that though.
Incidentally, Anita-sama is on the path of leading an unmarried life."
(Burkhart)
Timing matters for a marriage.
I remembered that I talked about it with my company's boss in my
previous life.
"You are practising your magic every day. Aren't you using your
magic for hunting and public works as well? Even now you are
playing an active role with the Area Stun." (Burkhart)
"That's true as well." (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"No one know what awaits them in life. You are young, boy, so do as
you like for now. Even Alf did as he pleased when he was around
your age, boy." (Burkhart)
I was worried a bit over my life, but I feel like Burkhartsan's advice
eased my feelings.
Once I separated from him and reached my designated location, I
began to prepare the invocation of Area Stun at once.
Seeing the figures of three magicians at the front line of the
encirclement, the adventurers, who were watching the front of the
fence placed around the mansion, got tense, but as they didn't know
what we were attempting to do, they only glared at us.
The timing of the Area Stun invocation was left to Moritz and the
Junior Commander who will storm the mansion first.
It's three seconds after the soldier, who's next to me, puts his hand on
my shoulder.
'There! 1, 2, 3!' (Wendelin)
Just as arranged the soldier put his hand on my shoulder.
And after counting to 3, I cast Area Stun.
Immediately following that, the ground of the mansion and its
surroundings was enveloped in a bluish-white light. The guarding
adventurers fell then and there without a second passing.
"Go! Storm in!" (Moritz)
On Moritz signal the chosen soldiers vigorously rush into the
mansion.
Entrusting the capture of the adventurers, who have collapsed
paralyzed outside the mansion, to the siege unit, their number one
objective was to gain total control of the mansion's interior.
"Eru! Ina!" (Wendelin)
"Roger!"
"Leave it to me!"
I also stormed the mansion's interior from a window with Eru and
Ina as guards.

| Azura Ren |
The objective is to secure the hostages who have been gathered in the
dining room...
"I'm looking forward to what kind of sophism Klaus will use!"
(Wendelin)
"Vel, you hate Klaus-san, don't you?" (Ina)
It's not at the level of hate or such. That geezer is doing nothing but
being a nuisance in my life.
"Even if I cover for him, he will be hanged anyway. I want to at least
hear his last words!" (Wendelin)
Rushing in through the window of the study which is usually not
used most of the times, we left the room and entered the hallway.
There we ran into adventurers who are paralyzed by the Area Stun.
Leaving those to Moritz' group who stormed together with us, we
hurry to the dining room to find Walter, Karl and two other resident-
like youngsters collapsed at its entrance.
They are apparently unable to move due to the paralysis of the Area
Stun.
"As expected of Burkhart-san." (Wendelin)
Hermann-nii-san's group, who had their feet and hands bound and
were confined in the dining room, weren't affected by the Area Stun.
By using his minute detection ability, he restricted it only to the
lookouts and brought them down with the Area Stun.
It was a feat that Katharina and me are unable to accomplish unless
we train for a bit longer.
"Please tie them up." (Wendelin)
"Got it." (Erwin)
"Understood." (Ina)
Leaving the capture of Walter and Karl's group to Ina and Eru, I enter
the dining room and an unexpected scene unfolds there.
Klaus, who is the ringleader of this rebellion, cut the ropes binding
Hermann-nii-san's group who were the hostages.

| Azura Ren |
"Do you believe that you will be found innocent with that degree of
action?" (Wendelin)
"What are you talking about, Earl Baumeister-sama?
I only deceived them following Lord-sama's order." (Klaus)
"Haa?" (Wendelin)
Klaus was Klaus after all.
As soon as he saw my face, he called this rebellion a play.
"A play that causes this much of an uproar? Do you dislike hanging
this much?" (Wendelin)
Hearing my remark, Walter and Karl, who were tied up by Eru and
Ina in the back, ended up fainting after screaming. It seems they
finally realized the graveness of the situation.
"I understand your mood, Earl Baumeister-sama, but I would like
you to listen to my story." (Klaus)
"I will at least hear you out. After all the ropes for hanging and the
scaffolds have to be prepared." (Wendelin)
Next the young residents, who were together with Walter and Karl,
fainted after being overwhelmed by the shock.
It seems they participated with a casual feeling to get more favorable
treatment than the other residents if they join the rebellion. They
didn't really consider the time after it failed after all.
Or rather, the young folks fainted from my statements, but only
Klaus' expression hasn't changed. It seems that he is absolutely
confident that he won't be executed.
Seeing his expression, I suddenly felt a bit angry.
"I have thought that the preparation over there might become
unnecessary, but..." (Klaus)
Let's see, just what kind of explanation will Klaus give us?
Just because I wanted to know that, I decided to listen to that guy's
story.
***

| Azura Ren |
"Requesting a deal to be judged innocent after having caused a
rebellion is..." (Wendelin)
"No, not at all. It's not about being judged innocent, what I want and
wish for is to avoid for it to be judged as capital crime." (Klaus)
In the end the rebellion was completely suppressed in one day.
With there being zero victims due to Area Stun, the men except
Klaus, who participated in the rebellion, were disarmed and put
under surveillance by soldiers after gathering them in one place.
And then I met with the main instigator Klaus, but he boldly
requested a deal with an innocent look in the study of the mansion
which had finally regained its peace.
As it's related to highly classified information, there's currently only
Burkhart-san, Elise, Hermann-nii-san and me in the room. Everyone
else helped with the cleaning up after the rebellion.
"Klaus, did you warn them before?" (Hermann)
From Hermann-nii-san's point of view, for some reason they ended
up causing a rebellion to claim a direct petition with the three of
them although he had ordered Klaus to give Walter and Karl, who
were growing impudent, a warning.
With Klaus insisting on his innocence, it was only natural for him to
be angry.
"Making a mistake in the education of Walter and Karl was honestly
my blunder. It's difficult to instruct them skillfully.
Even the move of restraining them with my authority doesn't work if
I'm going to die in a few years anyway." (Klaus)
At the time he worried what he could do, those adventurers
contacted Walter and Karl with just the right timing.
"They are the subordinates of Margrave Browig." (Klaus)
"You knew it?" (Hermann)
"Yes, it seems they were troubled. I talked to them whether they
wanted me to cooperate in the planning of a rebellion." (Klaus)
"..." (Wendelin)
Klaus seems to speak the truth without concealing anything.
| Azura Ren |
Cooperating himself with them who got in touch with Walter and
Karl, who got cocky by being able to become nobles, to use them, he
skillfully drew out information from them in the process.
Once you look at the lot who participated in the rebellion, you will
see that there are many young men.
From the experienced Klaus' viewpoint, he likely regarded them as
easy targets to extract information from.
"If you reported that, it might have been an achievement. But isn't it
too late for that, experienced village headman-dono?" (???)
"I thought about that, but the arrest of rebelling forces surpassing 20
members in this small territory would have likely caused many
victims." (Klaus)
Since they are a bunch who hasn't any achievements from before,
they should have resisted desperately. Accordingly, he decided to
cause a rebellion.
"Related to the number of participants, a complete takeover of the
territory was impossible. Since they also moved in order to constrain
Earl Baumeister-sama to dispatch his troops and to confuse Margrave
Breithilde-sama's rear, they didn't wish for that much either." (Klaus)
Therefore, he changed it to an official direct petition by occupying the
feudal lord's mansion and taking hostages. It appears that was the
strategy he implemented together with them.
"Did you believe that we would suppress the rebellion, Klaus?"
(Wendelin)
"Well, in fact you are a high-ranking magician-sama." (Klaus)
Having the rebels gathered in the mansion, he expected us to catch
them all in one haul. Moreover, with no victims on either side.
Klaus caused a rebellion after predicting that far ahead. "Did you
drag Walter and Karl into it as well?" (Hermann)
"It's no good if they aren't scolded severely at least once. Also, it was
for the sake of them never again getting used like that." (Klaus)
Seeing that they are my half-brothers, it's possible that one day
another noble, who tries to use them, appears.

| Azura Ren |
Therefore, Klaus apparently considered it to be necessary that they
won't ever be used again.
"Having failed once, there will be surveillance with them barely
keeping their heads on their necks. Certainly, aren't there nobles who
come up with unnecessary things...? Vel, the problem on my side is
that I have no choice but to accept it." (Hermann)
The biggest problem for Hermann-nii-san was that he would run out
of capable personnel if the village headman and his successors
suddenly vanished.
"It's necessary to prepare a next one if the village headman of the
main village is gone." (Hermann)
It won't do for Klaus to remain as is, but having said that, a sudden
stranger would be problematic as well.
It seems he wants to leave the store to Reiner, the husband of my
half-sister Korona, and make Norbert, the husband of my half-sister
Agnes, into the village headman of the main village.
"They have opposed Klaus' rebellion to the point of severing
connections. I think there will be little resistance from the residents."
"So, what about Walter and Karl?"
They completely did a grandstand play, but as result they certainly
advanced the situation as Klaus had intended. There were no victims
among the personnel of the Knight Baumeister territory.
If Klaus had reported to Hermann-nii-san that a rebellion is about to
occur, he would most likely have gathered the soldiers and tried to
arrest them. If that were to happen, it's possible that they, who are
sacrificial pawns, would have resisted frantically and caused many
victims in the process.
As he acted on his own authority, it's not like we can recognize it as
Klaus' achievement. However, it wasn't a case where it would be fine
if we just hang him either.
Seeing that Klaus will apparently take the responsibility and retire, it
would be wrong to hang Walter and Karl as well.
"I will make them village headmen." (Hermann)

| Azura Ren |
With Klaus' forced retirement, he will leave the reclamation of a new
village to Walter and Karl.
However, the assistance from Hermann-nii-san will be cut down
quite a bit. There won't be any help from me and Katharina either.
Clearing the fields from scratch by themselves, they will build a
village. Even the salary and support from the feudal lord won't
return until the next generation.
They barely avoided the execution because they are my elder
brothers, but they will be constantly supervised in their reclamation
of a new village until they die.
Since there will be surveillance, they probably won't think of
pointless ambitions from here on out, is Hermann-nii-san's idea.
Moreover, the population of that new village will be scarce.
As it will be only the people who participated in the rebellion and
their families, Hermann-nii-san won't lend them a hand in recruiting
new immigrants.
Given that they have no other connections, they will apparently
perform the development of a new village by themselves until the
generations change.
It was a punishment close to an exile.
"What do you think, Wendelin?" (Hermann)
"That should do?" (Wendelin)
He is hesitating to execute them after all. On the other hand, it will
set a bad example for the other residents if they don't receive a
proper punishment.
I believe it's fine as point of compromise, however Klaus listens
normally without changing his expression in any particular way. It
completely seems as if he had foreseen our thoughts.
"Are those conditions fine for you, Klaus?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. Of course." (Klaus)
While scolding his grandchildren who came up with something
stupid, he was calm with them becoming the village headmen of a

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new village even though they have the difficulty of developing it
100% by themselves.
From the standpoint of the other villages their salary will be low until
the generations change, but that will be cancelled for the generation
after Walter and Karl.
The husband of Klaus' granddaughter was able to succeed as village
headman of the main village too. It might be much better compared
to having his relatives hanging.
Probably Klaus' true objective was to save the lives of his two
grandchildren who came up with something stupid.
"Well, then I will leave the rest to you, Hermann-nii-san." (Wendelin)
"What shall I do with the captured rebels?" (Hermann)
"Since they have a use, I will take them in." (Wendelin)
"That will save me troubles. The food expenses and the manpower to
control such lot would..." (Hermann)
There are more than 20 adult males who have received military
training.
Although it's growing, they would likely be too much for the current
Knight Baumeister territory.
Having said that, even if we execute all of them, it will cause a strong
shock to the fief's population.
"Do you want to use that bunch for a counter-attack against
Margrave Browig, Earl Baumeister-sama?" (Klaus)
"While someone is busy, he stood in my way with something trivial."
(Wendelin)
"That's right, isn't it? If you want to go with that, do you want me to
help you with something?" (Klaus)
"I want to peek once in that head of yours." (Wendelin)
"You won't find anything interesting there. With the incident this
time I have reached a forced retirement. However, my age is a
difficult age to help Walter and Karl in the reclamation. Fortunately, I
have life experience with more up and downs than other people. If
you make use of that, I'd like to receive a small reward from you, Earl
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Baumeister-sama. Although they are paying for their own mistakes,
it's necessary for me as their grandfather to assist Walter and Karl a
bit." (Klaus)
"That's true." (Wendelin)
Since there are the eyes of the other residents, the young residents,
who participated in the rebellion, will need to build a house by
themselves at the planned location for establishing a new village and
till the fields there.
That's probably why Klaus wants to help out on the funding.
"It will be a part-time job to earn an allowance." (Klaus)
Given that it will be a problem if he acts as counsellor like Heinz, I
will personally provide his salary as counsellor. I guess that should
be his position, huh.
"I will even pay you a bonus if you are really useful, but I won't give
you anything but a meal if you don't meet my expectations."
(Wendelin)
"Since I'm a retired old man, it will be splendid if my meals are taken
care of." (Klaus)
Like this I got stuck with temporarily employing Klaus who is the
ringleader of the rebellion for some reason, but I somehow ended up
feeling like it moved according to his expectations.

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Chapter 63: A schemer, that might point to someone like that

"Ye~~~a." (Wendelin)
The rebellion, which broke out in the Knight Baumeister territory,
was safely suppressed with zero casualties.
In the end the ringleader Klaus ended up avoiding the gallows
cleverly. It appears that the outcome was as he had expected, but in
some respects, there might also be parts where he is feeling relieved.
After all my true feelings are that I don't want to watch someone's
execution.
"You are harboring complicated feelings about Klaus-san, Vel." (Ina)
Although everyone struggled hard to do the aftermath finishing the
suppression of the rebellion, I was lying in a grassland at the edge of
the territory and watched the sky.
Ina was my sole escort, but I think she doesn't stand on duty overly
much.
The reason for that is that she can't move since I requested her to let
me rest my head on her lap.
Since it's not often that wild animals come here, it's not much of a
problem. Given my social status, several soldiers are slightly away
serving as guards.
Becoming important seems to be quite serious.
"Complicated, it's rather that I want to argue him into silence."
(Wendelin)
"Into silence, you say... He is not a child." (Ina)
After rushing into the dining room of the mansion with the objective
to rescue Hermann-nii-san's group, I asked Klaus, "Do you hate
hanging this much?"
The feelings of an originally Japanese person weren’t that I desire
something like hanging from the bottom of my heart either, but I
wondered whether Klaus would be shaken if I said that.
In the end he splendidly saw through it being a bluff.
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"Where Klaus-san is concerned, I think it will be difficult since it
should be easy for him to hide his feelings." (Ina)
Even so, there should exist things that make him worried, angry or
astonished within his mind.
"I believe he is sighing at the degree of stupidity of his
grandchildren." (Ina)
Currently they were under house arrest, but it's already scheduled to
send them to the location where the new village construction is
planned tomorrow.
The total number of people is 22 which includes Walter, Karl, the
youngsters who participated in the rebellion, their wives and
children.
First, they will have to build their own home and then they will
cultivate new land by themselves.
Confiscating their previous fields and houses, Hermann-nii-san has
prepared the materials to build new houses.
Although they have been allowed to keep things like cash, clothes
and furniture from their previous homes, the reason for that must be
that they won't be able to buy food.
There is the poll tax, too. The tax has been taken by collecting the
cultivated crops. With this it has been decided they will be exempted
from paying taxes for 3 years.
However, since they will starve if they don't cultivate a section of the
fields enabling them to get food even if the taxes are brushed off for
three years, Klaus will do a part-time job in order to get some
remittance.
That's because even his former house and fields have been
confiscated.
He had some assets in cash, but according to Klaus it wasn't that
much either.
It's around the average amount of a normal village headman.
Although it was possible that he would be about to get hung again if
had pilfered the taxes since father's generation, it doesn't seem very
likely that he did so.
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It's a bit disappointing, but since it's Klaus, he won't do such blunder,
I thought.
Klaus, who will come along with me, doesn't possess much money
on hand either. He had only a single bag where he stuffed in a few
clothes for changing and things for his own body.
"Passing 60 years in age, I'm going to work in the outside world. I'm fairly
excited." (Klaus)
Moreover, since he is enjoying the current situation from the bottom
of his heart, Klaus' courage is likely very large.
"It means that Klaus achieved his aim." (Ina)
If the circumstances stay as they are, he took measures that Walter
and Karl won't be killed and will be punished since one couldn't
deny the possibility of them running wild after Klaus' death.
That was likely the objective of this rebellion.
Walter and Karl, who will be troubled with cultivating new land
from the scratch, had my condolences, but you could say that it was
no more than reaping what they sowed.
"Will they be monitored during the difficult reclamation as well?"
(Ina)
They are able to buy the necessary things in the store, but Reiner,
who's the new manager of the store, is prohibited to sell the things
cheaply to them. However, Hermann-nii-san also banned selling the
items expensively.
Also, it seems that there will be personnel placed to monitor them
24/7 in turns.
"If they scheme something next, I will take responsibility and get rid of
them. I won't leave something like a second suppression to you either, Vel.
This is my territory after all." (Hermann)
With such exchange, it seems that they accepted their punishment
obediently.
There's also the opinion that he is soft-hearted since they haven't
been sent to the gallows, but since they are cultivating new land by
themselves in a grassland with nothing on it until their deaths, it's

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probably a far harsher punishment that hanging them, in a certain
way.
It's also impossible to flee.
There is surveillance. No matter how much we began the
development in that place, there are still many ferocious wild
animals in the surroundings of the grassland.
It's probably not possible for Walter and Karl, who can't use anything
but a bow, to run away.
"I will leave that side to Hermann-nii-san, we have a war to deal
with." (Wendelin)
"You have become noble-like, too, Vel." (Ina)
"Did you become wife-like, Ina?" (Wendelin)
"I have no confidence in that..." (Ina)
"Isn't that fine since it's boring if everyone's the same? I'm grateful
since I can talk with our normally, Ina." (Wendelin)
If it's Elise, I have to behave a bit respectfully. Luise is funny but she
has strange sides as well. Wilma occasionally has a wicked tongue.
Katharina has times where she is, how to call it, out of sync.
Therefore, I think it's valuable for me to have someone like Ina with
whom I can talk normally.
"Since that's how it is, continue the lap pillow like a normal fiancée."
(Wendelin)
"I will. Isn't my lap too firm though?" (Ina)
"Is it? It's not particularly firm for me." (Wendelin)
"That's great then." (Ina)
I drifted into a light nap in Ina's lap pillow for about an hour.
***
"I came to receive you, Earl Baumeister-sama." (???)
"I appreciate your efforts. A small magic airship is after all handy for
such occasions." (Wendelin)
The next day after the rebellion suppression and its aftermath
finished, a small magic airship arrived to receive us.
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It's one blow against Margrave Browig who leads the East and who
sabotaged us at this important time.
There's also the possibility of him scheming something again if we
don't do at least this much. Moreover, with a large-scale deployment
of troops at the border of the South, a request for troop participation
by Margrave Breithilde has emerged as well.
I comply to the requests of my patron as much as possible and in
exchange he will accommodate me in response. It's a straightforward
relationship.
Since it's also indispensable to retaliate, I decided to rent a small
magic airship from Henrik, who is the second son of Armstrong-
doushi, and carry out the troop movement with it. We made a
temporary chartering contract.
"I'm sorry for doing that albeit it being a good time to make money."
(Wendelin)
"No, not at all, there's plenty to profit from it. So, the number of
people is as planned?" (Henrik)
The participants are us, Burkhart-san and also the Earl Baumeister
feudal army which is led by Moritz. That's the line-up.
"Damn! I wanted to send out soldiers as well!" (Hermann)
Hermann-nii-san apparently wanted to send soldiers, even if it's only
a few, as well, but he was busy since it was just after the end of a
rebellion, although there were no casualties. With a frustrated
expression he told me that he won't join in.
"The only one participating is Klaus." (Wendelin)
"Has that guy foreseen all of it?" (Henrik)
"Recently I don't understand it well either." (Wendelin)
Also, there were the figures of the soldiers from Margrave Browig's
side who were captured after failing the rebellion orchestrated by
Klaus who became a freeter after retiring as village headman.
"Is it alright to take such fellows on board?" (Henrik)
"Klaus persuaded them splendidly." (Wendelin)
"That man was the ringleader of the rebellion, wasn't he?" (Henrik)
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The common-sensed Henrik resembled his father when his
expression stiffened up, but it was a fact that Klaus made those guys
changes sides.
***

"Master, do you plan to have them join the mission as your own
pieces?" (Klaus)
Immediately after Klaus' temporary employment was settled, he
asked about the treatment of the captured rebels.
"That's my intention, but first I have to ask Margrave Breithilde about
it, I guess?" (Wendelin)
"I have no doubt that Margrave Breithilde-sama will give you
permission without saying anything against it. That's because it was
you who caught them, master. It's master's privilege to decide what
you will do with them." (Klaus)
No matter how much relation there might be between a patron and
their vassal, the Margrave Breithilde household and the Earl
Baumeister household are different households.
Therefore, he won't meddle too much in regards to the treatment of
prisoners and spoils of war, Klaus explained.
"Is it alright to persuade them ahead of time? I will try persuading
them." (Klaus)
"You will, Klaus? It looks to me that it will turn into a great booing as
you have betrayed them." (Wendelin)
"What will turn that around is the wit of an old man." (Klaus)
Once I gave him permission we headed together to the unoccupied
house where they are imprisoned.
When we opened the door, he received a large booing from them as
expected.
"Traitor!" (???)
"You back-stabbed us!" (???)
Though he is the ringleader, Klaus is for some reason together with
me.
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Their anger is natural. It's at a level that I want to help them as well.
"I shall tell you so that you don't misunderstand, but I cooperated
with the rebellion using all my power." (Klaus)
Klaus said that's why they were able to take over the feudal lord's
mansion that skillfully.
However, the unlucky thing was that a bad opponent appeared for
the suppression.
Or rather, I think Klaus has a strong character to be able to calmly
talk about him participating in the rebellion at full power in front of
me.
"Earl Baumeister-sama, Burkhart-sama, who is employed by
Margrave Breithilde-sama, and Storm-sama, who is renown as
strongest of the West. The three of them ended up gaining total
control with an Area Stun... I swear that I haven't colluded with them
secretly. I believe that such thing isn't necessary for Earl Baumeister-
sama either." (Klaus)
Due to Klaus' explanation the booing voices gradually ceased.
"So, what kind of business do you have with us, who have been
arrested?" (???)
Acting as their leader, a man of around 30 years asks Klaus.
"That is, Thomas-dono, to mediate everyone's government service."
(Klaus)
"Us who are headed for the gallows? What kind of joke is that?"
(Thomas)
"No, it's no joke." (Klaus)
Moreover, Klaus continues his explanation.
"The Earl Baumeister household is an esteemed household which
rose in rank quickly due to individual resourcefulness of Wendelin-
sama. That's something wonderful, but they are lacking manpower
after all. Usually it would be proper to be hanged for the kind of
crime of Thomas-dono. However, it's wasteful to thoughtlessly kill
people here." (Klaus)

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"If it's people, there's plenty left. You can even go to the capital's
slums." (Thomas)
"It's not people for reclamation, but necessary people who were
educated and are able as civil officials and military officers for the
Earl Baumeister household. People like you,
Thomas-dono, who received training and education in the
Margraviate Browig." (Klaus)
Due to Klaus' statement, Thomas and everyone averted their looks.
It seems they were told by Margrave Browig's side to not talk about
their birthplace even if they were to be executed.
"Getting this far, there's no necessity to hide your birthplace. Haven't
you told me about it before?" (Klaus)
They likely ended up talking about it since Klaus is a veteran.
He might have gotten the information out of them by skillfully
inducing their sympathy with the story about him presenting his
daughter as mistress or the misfortune of his grandchildren.
He is an outrageous geezer after all.
"You don't want to cause troubles to you family and your homes. I
understand those feelings well. However, who was the person who
used you and threw you away, Thomas-dono?
Without allowing you to blend in the feudal army which is currently
being dispatched and right in the middle of enemy territory, you
were given a mission to cause confusion in the rear as sacrificial
pawns. I planned to act together with you, but if it's only as mediator,
I believe that you have the abilities to serve the Earl's household
properly." (Klaus)
"The world isn't that generous..." (Thomas)
Their leader, who is called Thomas, slowly begins to talk.
Someone like the third son of an insignificant retainer household was
better off with just being used, even if it's as sacrificial pawn.
There is help from above if the person is at a level of being a genius,
but for them that doesn't apply.

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The eldest sons and those who have been picked up as children of
high-ranking retainers, who have connections.
"Rather than that lot, our side is probably better off. However, as long
one isn't an idiot, connections are given priority." (Thomas)
Because the ruling of the territory has changed into a system, you can
become something as long as you aren't an idiot at the level of what
is called "Birdbrain".
That's why connections are given priority over everything else.
"We know about the story of the special development procurement
by the Earl Baumeister household. However, the eastern nobles
including Margrave Browig bear grudges against the Margrave
Breithilde household. Even if we request government service, we will
be rejected before we can even approach the doormat."
The bad relationship between the two Margrave households is truly
deep.
Moreover, it has amplified even more in the last two generations.
It's very unlikely for Margrave Breithilde to let any concessions flow
into the East.
Even in regards to appointment of human resources, it seems that
former eastern inhabitants are completely cut off.
"If that's the case, this is a chance." (Klaus)
"Chance, you say! You, what are you on about!?" (Thomas)
"The encounter was the worst as it was during a rebellion
suppression, but you can call this a connection too. You directly met
the Head-sama of the Earl household." (Klaus)
Due to Klaus' excessive statement everyone except him is lost for
words.
Of course, it's the same for me.
"Currently it's a minus, but how about starting over by exerting great
effort at this place? You are young. I believe that you are still able to
perfectly start over." (Klaus)
"However, ... For that redo..." (Thomas)
That was the biggest bottleneck for employing them.
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Although they have been used as sacrificial pawns, with it turning
into a betrayal towards their homes and their former master, there
was the possibility of them meeting their relatives once again on the
battlefield.
That's why I also didn't consider head-hunting them.
"Still, the other side doesn't think of you as family anymore, do they?"
(Klaus)
"..." (Thomas)
"I will take your silence as approval." (Klaus)
With them being pieces, which are to be used and thrown away, they
have been told to not talk about their relationship with the Browig
camp.
Therefore, at the current time they don't have something like a home
to return to either.
"There are no such people among us." like that.
Even if Klaus declared that Margrave Breithilde won't take care of
them, they could have guessed such circumstances.
"The Browig camp doesn't want you to be a weak point in
negotiations." (Klaus)
It was Margrave Browig household's side which started the war, but
of course they can't continue until one of the households falls.
Aiming to secure rights by occupying successfully at present, they
are sure to begin negotiations behind closed doors.
For those negotiations they are nothing more but hindrances.
Since they wanted them to preferably get entirely killed, they had
them execute such reckless operation.
"Your esteemed homes should have obtained some kind of benefits
by offering you as sacrifices. Instead, even if your personal
circumstances come out at the negotiation..." (Klaus)

"Our children don't have such younger brother."

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They will likely reply in such way.
"Don't you think that it's frustrating?" (Klaus)
"..." (???)
"The relationship with your family is certainly something important.
However, that's a matter of being mutually considerate of each other.
Something like a relationship where you are only used one-sidedly is
equivalent to a fraud, where the family relation is used, on top of it
being distorted." (Klaus)
Due to Klaus' harsh words, Thomas' group felt down and dropped
their shoulders.
"Therefore, let's have you make a comeback here. Those are lives you
should have lost once after failing the rebellion anyway. Isn't there
the move to make a fresh start in life and serve the Earl Baumeister
household?" (Klaus)
"Make a fresh start in life..." (Thomas)
They listened to Klaus sincere persuasion with serious expressions.
Though I believed that I discovered anew the talent of Klaus as
swindler.
"How about it?" (Klaus)
"I will start over! Serving them by raising distinguished war service,
I will marry and obtain a home!" (???)
"I will do it, too! I have already accomplished my obligation towards
my family's home!" (???)
"Me too!" (???)
Raising their hands one after the other after a short time, Thomas,
who was the only one left not doing so, asks Klaus a question.
"I'm already 32 years old. Will I be able to start over...? I wonder...?"
(Thomas)
"Yes. Someone like me has already passed the age of 60. Even so,
since I'm able to move, Thomas-dono has still time left even if you are
older than 30 years." (Klaus)
"...Then I will start over as well! I will teach my family's shitty elder
brother a lesson!" (Thomas)
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All of them declared that they will participate in the battle against
Margrave Browig's army because of Klaus' persuasion.
***
"That's quite an amazing story." (Ina)
"It's Klaus' old man wisdom, I guess?" (Wendelin)
"Even so, his ability in negotiations and persuasion is terrific. It's an
enviable ability for a merchant. So, Klaus-dono is?" (Ina)
"Consulting with the group standing this way." (Wendelin)
As it will stir up problems if they suddenly blend in with the feudal
army commanded by Moritz, we decided to leave stuff like the
formation of the other unit to their leader, Thomas, and made him
the commanding officer.
And Klaus settled into the role of being a liaison between them and
me.
I know that he is a competent one, but my feelings were a bit mixed
about his way of splendidly fitting the job.
"Is it alright?" (Ina)
"If he bared his fangs once again, he would definitely hang.
That Klaus shouldn't do something this stupid." (Wendelin)
It seems they are currently pondering about something like new
family names.
Since they have already discarded their family's home, it seems they
want to give themselves new family names and raise war
achievements.
"Regarding it as kind advice, isn't it in fact an advice that cuts off any
paths of retreat for those men?" (Ina)
"Since they would have gone to the gallows if it stayed as is, isn't it
more or less kind to..." (Wendelin)
'Why am I covering for Klaus?'
As expected, it's difficult to make use of fellows who refused to serve
the household.

| Azura Ren |
Since it would be troublesome to manage them even if they are used
like criminal slaves as it's also wrong to force them onto the capital,
the view that they should be executed isn't mistaken.
"Since my job is to swiftly transport everyone... Yes, even as simple
captain of a chartered vessel..." (Henrik)
Klaus was moving freely at another place of Henrik who has a feeling
of being somewhat drawn in.
"Everyone is single, right?" (Klaus)
"It will be troublesome for our family's home if we had a wife and
children."(Thomas)
"If that's the case, you have to persist here." (Klaus)
"That means?" (Thomas)
"Although it was delayed by the dispatch of troops this time, Margrave
Breithilde-sama planned to hold a largescale marriage interview meeting."
(Klaus)
If I remember correctly, that has been planned.
At the beginning it apparently was a meeting to push a concubine
onto me, but as I refused, it was changed into a meeting to introduce
wives to Eru and Roderich.
However, once complaints appeared that it was only the two of them,
it evolved into a large-scale meeting allowing all the retainers to
attend if they are single.
"If you are officially entering the service of the household after raising
achievements in the war, master will allow all of you to participate as well."
(Klaus)
""""Ooohhh~~!!!!"""" (???)
"I will be able to marry!" (???)
"I'm full of fighting spirit! I will even capture father and elder brother!"
(???)
Hearing about the marriage interview meeting from Klaus, everyone
seems to rise their tension to abnormal levels.
"Umm... Does such permission really exist?" (Ina)

| Azura Ren |
"What Klaus says has the highest efficiency on young, single men."
(Wendelin)
"I see. That's profound." (Ina)
Leaving the Knight Baumeister territory after a full day, we
arrived close to the grasslands at the border of the stationed feudal
army of Margrave Breithilde on board a magic airship.

| Azura Ren |
 Chapter 64: Beyond a strife? Less than a war?

"Although I got a message earlier, you are early." (Breithilde)

Arriving at the grassland where Margrave Breithilde's army is
stationed, I descended from the ship in advance with the spell
[Flight] and met Margrave Breithilde and his party.
Given that an Earl is an Earl, even if he's a newcomer, I'm an
existence they have to pay attention to.
"We suppressed the rebellion within one day. You have my gratitude
for the assistance by Burkhart-san." (Wendelin)
"He is your bodyguard after all. Please don't worry about it and use
him as you wish." (Breithilde)
Since it might be a setback to the development of the Savage Lands if
something happens to me in the worst case, Margrave Breithilde has
placed his treasured Burkhart-san with me.

Apparently, he has entrusted his own protection to several magicians

he has employed in addition.
"And, they are the rebels, but..." (Wendelin)
I talk about the details of the rebellion and them who were captured
afterwards and then entered my service after getting persuaded
skillfully by Klaus.
"As expected, they were personnel to cause disturbance in the rear
from Browig's side, huh." (Breithilde)
"No, rather than personnel, they were treated as sacrificial pawns."
(Wendelin)
"The economy over there is stagnating after all. They are even getting
rid of excess personnel now, aren't they...?" (Breithilde)
Since they have been blocked from moving money, items and people
to the development of the Savage Lands, third sons and below of
lower retainer households have needlessly lost their destination.

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Given that there are people left over, they likely judged it as profit, if
they can prevent me from making a move while also using and
getting rid of the people.
"It's not like everyone who has been driven out can make a living as
adventurer either. This problem exists in my family as well. I'm
grateful to you, Earl Baumeister." (Breithilde)
Besides the Helmut Kingdom, there are currently no noble
households that are short on people except us.
Rarely there are people who aim to become nobles by reclaiming
wasteland from the scratch, but they are uninteresting for people to
become government service candidates because it's unknown
whether they will be able to become nobles or not.
Since there's nothing like a job magazine either, there are only few
people who know about them, too. In the end that means that it
creates many young people of retainer households who are unable to
get employment.
"It looks like they are quite cornered economically." (Breithilde)
As Eru's group also got off the airship while the two of us were
talking, we immediately moved to the troop headquarters and
continued our conversation there.
"Currently our battle formation is close to the border line of the
Eschago Grasslands which are extending over the eastern and
southern domains. Our military forces are around 4.000 and are
compromised by a mix of seven households.

Additional reinforcements will come in one more week, but with that
it will be around 6.000 troops, I guess." (Breithilde)
I have a feeling as if the numbers are low, but it can't be helped as
money goes flying by only preparing and deploying military forces.
The salary of the soldiers and their provisions will become the
burden of the noble household below Margrave Breithilde that
dispatched their feudal army.
"So, how about Browig's side?" (Wendelin)

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"They have 5.000 troops. That's why it's a stand-off currently."
(Breithilde)
Both sides don't wish for a decisive battle. The damage will become
big if they do such a thing. Therefore, it has naturally turned into a
stand-off like this.
"Also, there's another battlefield." (Breithilde)
Next Margrave Breithilde spreads a detailed map of the boundary
line's region on top of a desk.
"It's around 300 km Northwest from here. At that place the vassal,
Associate Baron Henckel, of Margrave Browig and my vassal,
Associate Baron Lanzel, are facing off against each other over a
copper mine." (Breithilde)
How it began originates from a recurrence of a rights dispute over a
boundary area like here.
"The copper mine, which is located at the borderline of both
territories, is boasting a splendid yield. Naturally they competed over
it in the past..." (Breithilde)
There were many conflicts in the past, but for now they are sharing it
evenly.
"That's sudden." (Wendelin)
Deploying their military forces, the Associate Baron Henckel
household of Margrave Browig's side drove the mine director of
Associate Baron Lanzel household's side and his guards out of the
copper mine.
And now the military forces of Associate Baron Henckel's household,
who are occupying the copper mine, and the Associate Baron
Lanzel's household, who deployed their army to recover it, kept
glaring at each other.
"Fortunately, there haven't been any casualties though." (Breithilde)
It's a blessing that there aren't any casualties albeit it being a dispute,
because it will become difficult to control the dispute if casualties
appear.
"Eternal monopoly is something troublesome as well." (Breithilde)

| Azura Ren |
While letting off steam by fighting each other once in a while, both
sides reluctantly agree to an even division.
Those were the true colors of this time's rights dispute.
"That's why I ask you to please use training weapons." (Breithilde)
All of the soldier participating in this dispute apparently use dulled
blades in both armies.
I never thought they would be that thorough for the sake of avoiding
casualties.
"Eh? Training weapons?" (Wendelin)
"It's alright. They are loaded on Henrik-dono's ship." (Moritz)
Moritz, who's at my side, informed me that that a number matching
the people had been loaded on Henrik's ship.
I'm told that Thorsten made a smart move and stored them there.
"Since Thorsten-sama is Minister Edgar's esteemed son, he is well-
informed about such matters, too." (Moritz)
"That saves us, but we don't have the share for those guys."
(Wendelin)
"If it's the share of around 20 soldiers, I will sell you my spares."
(Breithilde)
"Thank you very much." (Wendelin)
Because I was able to secure weapons for our new subordinate unit
too, Margrave Breithilde continues the talks again.
"Of course, even if you dull the blades, they are similar to blunt
weapons. There will be deaths if people are hit at the wrong spots.
Their number will be considerably low though." (Breithilde)
Decreasing the number by capturing the opponents, they will
afterwards have negotiations and settle it with money.
Similar to the nobles of medieval Europe, they plan to resolve it with
ransom.
It was apparently normal for there to not be more than one casualty
in both armies although they fought if it was the battlefield of
medieval knights and mercenaries as the core.

| Azura Ren |
Rather than killing it's more profitable to capture the opponents and
demand ransom. Even the kingdom's side recommends behind
closed doors to battle while avoiding casualties as much as possible.
"With such feelings, the noble households, who are engaging in the
quarrel in the boundary area, on both sides exceed more than 80
households. This time the noble households of Margrave Browig's
camp suddenly dispatched their troops and occupied and plundered
the concession of the noble households under my control. As we
must take those back, our allies have gathered their troops and now
the stand-off continues. Although it's the mobilization of such
numbers, there are dozens to several hundred smaller battlefields,
but there are also around 40 places for them." (Breithilde)
Certainly, a great number of memos was written on the map which
had been spread out by Margrave Breithilde.
The troops of Knight ○○ household are confronting the troops of
Knight ○○ household who suddenly occupied the shared woodlands
or Associate Baron ○○ household's military forces have arbitrarily
occupied the area of the ○○ riverbank prohibiting the coming and
going of people for the sake of waiting for the arbitration and the
troops of Knight ○○ household, which are their opponents in the
dispute, are confronting them by kicking up a fuss once they
withdraw the soldier from the riverbank.
After the nobles of the Breithilde household's side were beaten one-
sidedly due to the majority of the Browig household's side's surprise
attack being beyond expectations, they are itching for an opportunity
to retake their shares of concessions after gathering their troops.
"Are there any noble households who have clashed with their
opponents?" (Wendelin)
"No, not yet." (Breithilde)
This is the troublesome part of the disputes here.
I didn't grasp it from the copper mine at the beginning, but since
those were disputes to extend the territory a bit or over how much
water to pull from the river source, a genuine clash will exceed the
budget if the casualties increase.

| Azura Ren |
"On the other side, if we don't dispatch soldiers to those places, the
other side's control over the concessions will be approved. Not
dispatching soldiers is an impossible choice. We have to consider the
nobles' honor." (Breithilde)
I can understand that since there were countless territory disputes
between fellow countries in my previous life as well.
Since they would demand even more excessive things taking
advantage of their opponent, if they had a weak attitude of "so-so"
like Japan, it's probably natural to confront them by sending out an
army.
I see, nobility seems to cost quite a bit of money.
"If it's like that, aren't they a bit clumsy?" (Wendelin)
"Which household? Although the occupation could be prevented by
sensing it ahead of time, it will be our complete defeat afterwards. If
it comes to the arbitration, we will have a one-sided disadvantage."
(Breithilde)
Browig's side, which suddenly advanced their troops, is evil, but the
concessions and territories, they are competing over, will practically
end up being ruled by Browig's camp.
You could say that this would naturally become a one-sided
disadvantage in the arbitration as well.
"Do you want to take it back to some extent?" (Wendelin)
"Yes, but that's also difficult." (Breithilde)
The feudal army of Margrave Browig, who's the person at the heart
of the matter, is waiting in the rear of the Browig's camp.
Since you can expect him to dispatch his military forces in response,
if Margrave Breithilde sends out his feudal army, which is likewise
kept in the rear, as reinforcement, he can't currently do anything but
confronting them like this.
"How troublesome... As it is now, it will turn into a disadvantage if it
comes to the arbitration..." (Breithilde)
"Is that their aim?" (Wendelin)
"Yes, it is." (Breithilde)

| Azura Ren |
Because dissatisfaction has appeared due to missing out on our
development rights, he is likely restraining the complaints of his
followers with such measures.
Also, the money, which has been saved up by the Margrave Browig
household, is expended on military movements and thus circulates
into the territories.
I didn't know of the possibility of this kind of a public works-like
aspect.
"Then I will get them back." (Wendelin)
"Can I leave it to you?" (Breithilde)
Flying to the dispute areas in turns with the small airship we have
chartered; we will defeat the troops of the nobles from Browig's side
and capture them.
It will be even more convenient if he dispatches his feudal army as
reinforcements for his own camp in the middle of it.
If we can charge a high ransom by capturing them, Margrave Browig
will regret having meddled with us, too.
"Thank you very much then." (Breithilde)
Receiving the map from Margrave Breithilde, we quickly hurried to
the locations where the nobles' military forces faced off against each
other with the small magic airship.
***
"Doushi isn't participating this time after all?" (Erwin)
"As it is a dispute between the South and East, it will become a
problem if the Royal Head Magician comes to support the South."
(Henrik)
"I do understand that as well, but in the case of doushi it seems also
possible that he would participate by saying something like 'It looks
interesting!'." (Erwin)
"No way!... No... Since it's that father, it's possible..." (Henrik)
It's been a half day on board the ship while Eru and Henrik have
such chats.
The ship safely arrived at one of the battlefields.
| Azura Ren |
As it was explained by Margrave Breithilde in the beginning, the
copper mine, they are competing over, is close to the border between
the Associate Baron Henckel household and the territory of Associate
Baron Lanzel's household.
Certainly, the feudal army of Associate Baron Lanzel with its around
300 soldiers have set up camp in front of the copper mine right at its
border and is monitoring it.
If you properly look at the copper mine, the side of Associate Baron
Henckel's household soldiers had stationed sentries in several places.
"Welcome! Please come in." (Baron Lanzel)
Both armies were surprised by the magic airship suddenly visiting at
first, but once I sent Eru as messenger to the troop headquarters of
Associate Baron Lanzel's feudal army, the person himself came right
away to greet us.
Associate Baron Lanzel was an ordinary, around 40-yearsold ojii-san.
"Reinforcements from Margrave Breithilde-dono, is it?" (Baron Lanzel)
"Yes. Let's recapture the copper mine right away." (Wendelin)
"Eh? Will it be alright?" (Baron Lanzel)
Although he approves of the recapture of the copper mine, he wants
to be spared from having too many victims, too.
Once I looked at Associate Baron Lanzel's face, I was able to grasp
that he is thinking like that right away.
"In short, there won't be any problem if both sides have zero
casualties, right?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. That would be the optimal solution." (Baron Lanzel)
If that's the case, it's simple.
Just like at the occasion with the rebels, it will be fine to capture after
paralyzing them with an Area Stun. We shouldn't suffer an
unexpected defeat either, if they can't detect us.
"Well, then first comes the execution of the agreement.
Brier-dono." (Baron Lanzel)

| Azura Ren |
"Ah, yes. I was ordered by Margrave Breithilde-sama to accompany
Earl Baumeister-sama. I work in military administration." (Brier)
On a certain battlefield a certain problem with assisting the noble in
leading the army occurred.
That is their share and recognition of military gains and
achievements.
There were quite a few nobles who tried to steal the achievements of
a noble, who came as reinforcement, once the war ended despite
being the ones rescued after them having come to assist. That was the
cause of many troubles springing forth.
Therefore, Margrave Breithilde has dispatched a military
administrator to formally record and recognize such things as
military gains in this time's case.
The military administrator who was dispatched this time by
Margrave Breithilde is called Brier-shi. He was a serious looking fifty-
years old man. His character is truly bureaucrat like.
Also, there's an agreement regarding the share of military gains. It's
about the rights over such things like prisoners and the equipment,
provisions, money and goods possessed by the military forces.
There was something like a sharing percentage for stuff like the
ransom of the prisoners themselves.
"Everyone, since they will become paralyzed and will be unable to
move, please help with their arrest." (Wendelin)
"As expected of the Dragon Slaying Hero-dono..." (Baron Lanzel)
It will become an Area Stun with a vast range contrary to the one at
the rebellion suppression, but as there were no parts of selecting the
range and targets, it was a job that entered the category of being
rather easy from my point of view.
The copper mine was large, however the area with people was
limited. Even if it's me by myself, I should be able to cope with it
plentifully.
"I leave the help with the capture of the paralyzed soldiers of
Associate Baron Henckel's side, the care of the captured prisoners
and the defense of the retaken copper mine to you." (Wendelin)
| Azura Ren |
"Of course." (Baron Lanzel)
First off, it will take time to do that with just our members and
second, since the costs for sheltering the prisoners is included in the
ransom, there won't be any problems if they can receive a payback
afterwards.
Third, according to Burkhart-san's detection, it seems that around 300
soldiers of Associate Baron Henckel's side are crammed into the
copper mine.
If all of them become prisoners, the defense of the copper mine
shouldn't be that difficult.
"Won't you do something like occupying the territory of Associate
Baron Henckel at this chance?" (Wendelin)
"No, it's an unwritten law since the old days. It's assumed to be an act
close to a taboo." (Baron Lanzel)
At the time when Associate Baron Henckel's side came invading in
the beginning, they would have been able to occupy the rest of
Associate Baron Lanzel's territory as well, if they felt like it, but the
other side didn't do that.
No, it seems they weren't able to do it.
"To the bitter end we are only fighting over the interest of the copper
mine. Otherwise there would be no end to the dispute." (Baron
Lanzel)
If they entered each other's territories, killed their residents, raped
the women, devastated the fields and burned the houses, then there
wouldn't be an end to the resentments.
In the end it took the shape of the dispute revolving around the
copper mine.
It's apparently the same for their fellow noble households who are
fighting over other interests, too.
"If the dispute becomes too violent, intervention by the royal family
has to be expected as well." (Baron Lanzel)
In that case they can't expect an advantageous arbitration.

| Azura Ren |
"The copper mine, which is the source of the dispute, will be
confiscated by the kingdom or such. Back in the old days such
arbitrations weren't rare, it seems..." (Baron Lanzel)
They are only competing over the interests with both households.
Showing such stance, they are preventing the intervention of another
power.
Their patron and someone who governs the region like Margrave
Breithilde provide help to the nobles in the same area. The nobles,
who received assistance, help out with the stability of the area in
return.
It's been such kind of relationship since long ago, it seems.
"Well, then it's the conclusion of the agreement." (Baron Lanzel)
In the end the Earl Baumeister household won't be related to the
rights of the copper mine at all.
In exchange the Earl Baumeister household's side takes all the
belongings of the Associate Baron Henckel's feudal army, who
retired from the battle, and the rights of the prisoners.
Afterwards the Associate Baron Lanzel household will charge our
side for the money it took to take care of the prisoners they were
entrusted with.
Since both sides reached an agreement, although there were some
other minor supplements as well, Brier-shi quickly recorded it on a
parchment used for contracts and the Associate Baron Lanzel
household and me signed it.
Paper was already spread among the common people in this world,
but there were many situations where they even now use parchments
for things like such important contract documents.
"Well then, let's get to it right away." (Wendelin)
There are many places which have a similar state of affairs as this
place here. In order to resolve it as quickly as possible, we decide to
start the operation immediately.
"Are there any magicians?" (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
"Yes. At the time they attacked the copper mine, there was a parson
releasing fire arrows. But I think that it's probably a temporarily
hired adventurer, however..." (Baron Lanzel)
It seems that if it's the rank of an Associate Baron, they very rarely
employ a single magician of elementary level.
According to Associate Baron Lanzel, there's still no such news that a
magician was made a retainer by Associate Baron Henckel. "It's no
more than one who was temporarily employed in addition to this time's
dispatch of troops." he said.
"It's meaningless since he will become paralyzed alongside them
though." (Wendelin)
If it was a magician at Katharina's level, it would be possible for them
to resist the Area Stun and counter-attack us. However, going by the
evidences, it doesn't seem to be necessary to worry about that.
"Are the preparations alright?" (Baron Lanzel)
"Yes." (Wendelin)
Once the feudal army led by Associate Baron Lanzel and the Earl
Baumeister feudal army led by Thomas and Moritz make an
appearance in front of the copper mine, the soldiers of the defending
Associate Baron Henckel's camp get tense.
'Let's go!' (Wendelin)
However, that tension ended up getting interrupted by the Area Stun
following right after.
Paralyzing everyone who's in the mine, they lost the ability to move
from the spot.
"Storm in!" (Wendelin)
Passing the order to both armies, the perfect occupation of the copper
mine and the arrest of the paralyzed Associate Baron Henckel's
feudal army begins.
"Well then. Can I leave the rest to you?" (Wendelin)
"Yes..." (Baron Lanzel)
***

| Azura Ren |
My turn has already ended. There's no necessity for Associate Baron
Lanzel to act as head of the army either.
That's because he will steal his subordinates' work if he butts in any
more.
Accordingly, taking out a table and chairs from my magic bag, I
invited him and his close aides to tea.
Wilma sets the table and chairs and Elise begins to brew tea with the
tea set I took out.
By the way, Eru, Ina and Luise accompanied Moritz' group as
observers.
It was in preparation for the case where there are soldiers which
haven't been paralyzed in the worst case.
Also, Burkhart-san and Katharina sat down on a chair and drank tea
as well.
They wouldn't be able to do anything if they went to the mine
anyway. High-ranking magicians are welcome if they appear at such
tea parties. That's because the tea parties between fellow nobles are
quite troublesome.
Eru has gone to the actual site as retainer. Even though they are my
fiancées, Ina and Luise held back since their social standing is low
and also headed for the actual site.
Given that Wilma is Minister Edgar's adopted daughter, she
remained behind and helped Elise. It isn't necessary to talk about
Elise as she is my future first wife.
Associate Baron Lanzel and his aides feel grateful for Elise herself
pouring them their teas.
Klaus is casually partaking in the tea party as well.
There reason was that there were no retainer-like people on my side
at this tea party between fellow nobles.
Although Klaus was merely employed by me personally, it was also
true that he looks retainer-like if he's next to me.
"I'm sorry Earl Baumeister-dono's lady has to pour the tea herself."
(Baron Lanzel)

| Azura Ren |
"You don't have to mind since she's still my fiancée." (Wendelin)
Once we put out stuff like the sweets and chocolates we got from
Artur-san next, they ate them while looking very interested.
"I heard the rumors, but those are indeed delicious sweets. Is it
alright if I also bring back some for the children?" (Baron Lanzel)
"Please feel free." (Wendelin)
Once we pass a somewhat larger quantity as present, Associate Baron
Lanzel passed it to a subordinate soldier boy who is looking
delightful.
"By the way, was it a sudden occupation?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. Back in the old days there was regularly strife over the
concession rates of that mine, but..." (Baron Lanzel)
Naturally the claim of both sides is "That mine is ours!".
However, since that was realistically impossible, they decided that
the Associate Baron Henckel's camp gets the northern side and
Associate Baron Lanzel's camp the southern.
"And yet there still dispute over it?" (Wendelin)
"Let's call it a kind of venting..." (Baron Lanzel)
When there's something like a succession of lordship, the new feudal
lord dispatches his soldiers and confronts the other party with the
reasoning of showing his strength.
"Still, they properly announced it." (Baron Lanzel)
"This mine is ours! Wait and wash your necks as we will send our
soldiers any day soon now!"
Half of it seems to be something like a beauty of style.
With that both sides dispatch their soldiers and confront each other at
another border line. Each side sends 5 representatives and they carry
out a contest of strength.
The winning side is allowed to mine at more profitable spots until the
next troop dispatch.
"There's a chance to get exquisite ore at the border line. We are able to
obtain the right to mine there." (Baron Lanzel)

| Azura Ren |
"It's completely a scrimmage." (Wendelin)
"It seems that there were more than 100 casualties on both sides when
it became a bloody battlefield in the past.
Therefore, we obtain it with a contest without valuable retainers and
young residents dying. What formed this kind of system is probably
the wisdom of our predecessors." (Baron Lanzel)
It might be a smart choice since there's no point if the miners die even
if they get to dig at the valuable spots in the mine. It was a surprise
attack and a complete occupation of the mine.
Though it seems there were many places with the same rules among
the other fellow nobles as well, all of them were violated. Everyone
was bewildered.
"It's the Margrave Browig household after all?" (Wendelin)
"It looks like it." (Baron Lanzel)
***
Two hours later Eru's group returned and reported the successful
capture of everyone who was in the mine.
Also, stuff like the water and food, prepared for a long confrontation,
the weapons, living-ware, the rewarded gems and the money;
apparently a large amount of goods was successfully seized.
"Lord Lanzel. The Junior Commander Fricks-dono has joined the
mine's defenses." (Erwin)
"Got it." (Baron Lanzel)
Associate Baron Lanzel coolly nodded like a noble to the report of
Eru.
"The defense is alright. Associate Baron Henckel's military forces
are..." (Erwin)
"Yes. Since it was reduced by more than 80%." (Baron Lanzel)
As 300 guards were forced to surrender in the cage-like mine, it must
be futile for him to do anything with the remaining war potential of
several dozens of soldiers.
At the present time it was natural for the Associate Baron Henckel
household to have lost.
| Azura Ren |
"Moreover, we captured Associate Baron Henckel." (Erwin)
"He was at that place!?" (Baron Lanzel)
According to Associate Baron Lanzel's information, Associate Baron
Henckel wasn't in the mine as he was taking command in the rear.
Therefore, he is surprised to hear of Associate Baron Henckel himself
getting captured.
"Did he come for an inspection?" (Wendelin)
"That's probably it. I think it's fortunate for Earl Baumeister-dono as
the ransom will increase." (Baron Lanzel)

For the time being it was successful, but the road ahead is still long.
According to the map I got from Margrave Breithilde, there are still
several tens of places with a similar dispute to this place.
Also, there's also the possibility that Margrave Browig will send his
main army as reinforcement.
Although they are confronting Margrave Breithilde's main army, it's
also possible that they will dispatch reinforcements from another
place.
If that happened, it would be necessary for us to oppose those
military forces as well.
"Associate Baron Lanzel-dono, we will head to the next battlefield. Is
the defense side alright with this?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. Even if Margrave Browig's army planned to re-take the mine by
sending reinforcements, it will be difficult unless it's more than 1.000
soldiers." (Baron Lanzel)
The law that the attacking camp needs more than 3 times that of the
defending camp seems to exist in this word as well.
And, even for the side of Margrave Browig's army it's pointless to
suffer heavy casualties just to take this mine.
"Even for Associate Baron Henckel, if he considers the remaining
forces, the best he can do is probably to maintain the public order.
There seems to be a son who will succeed him, but he is likely very
busy with ruling the territory." (Baron Lanzel)
| Azura Ren |
Apparently among the ones captured in the mine there were the
retainers who support the ruling of the Associate Baron Henckel
territory.
Naturally that means a shortage in labor. Also, the majority of the
common soldiers were recruited from the farmers of the territory.
The possibility of the productivity and tax yields in the Associate
Baron Henckel's territory dropping was high with their absence.
It's definitely "misfortunes never come singly."
"As it is, we will defend the mine to the last until the arbitration."
(Baron Lanzel)
"Then I shall leave the care-taking of the prisoners to you." (Wendelin)
"Please leave it to me." (Baron Lanzel)
***
Once I left the care of the prisoners to Associate Baron Lanzel, we
started to move to the next dispute site.
A few hours later we discovered dozens of troops occupying a
sandbank in a river and a matching number of troops glaring at them
from the riverbank while being atop the magic airship.
"Umm, Lord Jähring, who has stationed his forces on the sandbank, is
from the Browig household's side while the one who is restraining
him from the southern riverbank is our ally, Lord Becker." (???)
It looks like Brier-shi, who is accompanying us as military
administrator, usually works as crest official. He apparently
remembers all the names, faces and the personal histories of any
insignificant southern noble's head, their sons and their main
retainers.
In any case, there are many nobles in this country.
Therefore, high-ranking noble households always employ a crest
official. They lecture their lords about any information before
meeting another noble for the first time.
Him having become a military administrator this time was for the
sake of supplementing me as I don't know many of the nobles.

| Azura Ren |
"Both appear to possess Knight peerages and are nobles managing
modest territories." (Brier)
He doesn't call them trifling or poor directly.
Calling it modest, it seemed that a crest official of a high-ranking
noble household got refined parts.
Being entitled with the job called crest official, those people had a
specific task since the crests were drawn on the armors of enemy
nobles on the battlefield in the past.
Since there's no war right now, they gather the information of a great
number of allied nobles and their families in the same country and
teach that information to their lord as necessary.
Since they remember information related to 1.000 to 10.000 nobles,
they have been passing on the secret of memorizing such amount for
generations within their families.
The story method, the way of using the first letter of a word or a
rhyming game, that's the secret, I guess? If comparing their memory
to the ordinary me, it's a very enviable ability.
"They are glaring at each other here as well...?" (Wendelin)
It seems that both armies are glaring at each other as they are
disagreeing over the ownership of the sandbank.
In the past the river split the territories on either side, but one day a
flood came and the sandbank appeared. Naturally both of them
claimed their territorial rights and disputed over it.
"Even though something like agricultural land will bring little
profit..." (Erwin)
Eru sighed as he looked at the sandbank which lacks surplus space
and was encamped by dozens of soldiers.
"However, isn't it the noble-sama's who want to claim it?" (???)
For a noble, who possesses territory, it's out of the question to say
something like "Here you go, it's all yours". However, as there
shouldn't be any gain even if they fought over it, both sides agreed to
keep the sandbank as off-limits until now.
"Still, they are disagreeing over it since a few years ago." (???)

| Azura Ren |
Splitting it as agricultural land isn't possible, but apparently one can
catch a lot of fish if fishing from that sandbank. Quarrels appeared
between the residents of both sides who entered the sandbank at
their own volitions.
"After that they entered the sandbank during the night and caught
fish there. As they aren't getting caught, this brawl-like dispute won't
cease." (???)
From my point of view, it's "Such level of differences...", but from the
viewpoint of the fief's population actually living there, it's a critical
issue deciding whether their livelihood becomes abundant or not.
Both nobles also have their pride and couldn't afford to not dispatch
their soldiers, I guess.
"But, an occupation of the sandbank is too rash." (Brier)
Brier-shi sums it up in a brief comment, however I wonder what
Margrave Browig is planning to even occupy such location?
"Let's settle it quickly, huh..." (Wendelin)
The procedure doesn't change from before.
After paralyzing them with Area Stun, they will be taken prisoners
and the forces of our ally, Lord Becker, will occupy the sandbank.
"This time I will do it." (Katharina)
With it being a sandbank this time, it's not largely spacious like the
copper mine. Therefore, I decide to leave it to Katharina.
Once she cast the spell, the troops of Lord Jähring's side, who were
on the sandbank, collapsed and lost the ability to move.
All of them were captured with the whole process taking less than an
hour.
"You helped me greatly." (Becker)
Being thanked by Lord Becker, we leave the prisoners and the
occupied territory in his hands and head to the next point.
I will omit the rest as it's the same process everywhere. With
Katharina, Burkhart-san and me completely paralyzing the
opponents, we repeated the process of capturing the enemy forces
together with our allies on-site.
| Azura Ren |
"He appeared! The Dragon-Slaying Hero! I myself am called 'Fire
Wall'... Ah!?" (???)
Occasionally there were also magicians who resisted the Area Stun.
However, such fellows get knocked out right away and join the
others as prisoners.
"How about at least listening to him giving his name?" (Burkhart)
"That's a waste of time." (Wendelin)
The magician, who calls himself "Fire Wall", has mana to the extent of
being between elementary and intermediate level.
Even if I compete with him after his introduction, he likely wouldn't
keep up for a minute.
He had been caught by being entangled with my electric whip spell
which I christened as Stun Whip and lost consciousness right away.
"If they are first-class, they won't get knocked down while
introducing themselves." (Burkhart)
While looking at the fainted "Fire Wall" who gets tied by Moritz'
men, Burkhart-san gave a bitter comment.
"The number of magicians is fairly low." (Katharina)
Katharina appears to think that the number of magicians employed
by the noble's camp is scarce. Also, their levels are low, too.
"They aren't able to employ someone like an intermediate magician
that easily." (Burkhart)
Almost no intermediate magicians are employed for short term in
disputes between fellow, insignificant nobles.
"They are making easy money with their adventurer occupation or
are employed by a high-ranking noble."
As the rest is people like Baron Rembrandt, who makes plenty of
profit with his special magic, they ignore insignificant nobles as they
can't pay the remuneration anyway.
"As result the ones who appear are questionable folks like "Fire
Wall"-kun. Even that takes a large sum to employ." (Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
Even the degree of being between elementary and intermediate level
is useful to an extent as they can become a trump card in such
disputes.
"In a dispute between several dozens, he is a magician who can
produce a fire wall. He is very valuable. He simply suffered the bad
luck of encountering us this time." (Burkhart)
As Burkhart-san says, usually magicians like us don't appear in such
circumstances either.
It was "Fire Wall"-kun's misfortune this time.
"Also, for around 10 years the eastern area had a poor crop of
magicians for some reason." (Burkhart)
Somehow almost no newcomers with mana above intermediate level
debuted.
"Since there aren't enough magicians, they are generally bound to the
area where they were born. Even if the eastern nobles tempt them
with money..." (Wendelin)
That means they won't come since they put priority on their home
area.
"Boy, you are the biggest upstart in the recent years for my master,
who is on bad terms with them. I think that Margrave Browig got
panicked as well." (Burkhart)
Hence, he sabotaged me by rising a rebellion.
However, I think he did something stupid.
If he hadn't done such a thing, I might have refused the dispatch of
troops since I'm busy with the development of my territory.
"If he hadn't done something like disturbing our rear, I might not
have been summoned either." (Wendelin)
"No, I believe that you would have been summoned either way."
(Burkhart)
Since I as noble was made a fool by Margrave Browig, it was
definitely wrong if I didn't get revenge by sending out soldiers, it
seems.

| Azura Ren |
"As consequence of that, a large number of prisoners and even the
concessions, they possessed from before, are taken away, huh..."
(Wendelin)
In fact, the nobles who suffered damages will likely blame Margrave
Browig who ordered the occupations and troop dispatches if it
becomes disadvantageous for them during the arbitration afterwards.
There was also the possibility of them losing out if they don't even
get a compensation for their losses.
"At any rate, the entire dispute area will return to be in our ally's
side's favor." (Burkhart)
"How nasty." (Wendelin)
After that we continued to intervene in the disputes between fellow
nobles, who were glaring at each other at the border line from the
West to the East for around half a month. Paralyzing the Browig
household's side's troops with Area Stuns, we successfully acquired a
large number of prisoners.
Even things like the territories and concessions, which were the
disputed items, were all occupied by our allied camp and left to them
to defend causing deep distress for Browig household's side.
***
Once we returned to the Eschago Grasslands where Margrave
Breithilde's main army was stationed after finishing our job, we were
greeted by Margrave Breithilde himself with a happy expression.
"I heard the reports. It seems that you scared the hell out of Margrave
Browig." (Breithilde)
"Only in ransom we are able to charge quite the sum." (Wendelin)
"Although there are no casualties, the number of prisoners is
enormous." (Breithilde)
The troops, sent out by the nobles of the Browig household's side,
have become prisoners after all of them were paralyzed with Area
Stuns.
There are also many noble family heads and leaders. That means we
will be able to get a lot of ransom.

| Azura Ren |
"However, it looks like that made them seethe with anger terribly."
(Breithilde)
When I match my sight with Margrave Breithilde by looking at the
front, the feudal army of Margrave Browig, who confronted us by
taking quite the distance, had closed in to a range that one could see
them with the naked eyes.
At the same time a large number of knights and hired mercenaries
are visible within the enemy army.
"My name is Reichardt Steinauer and I'm hailed as one of his men by
Margrave Browig. I demand a one-to-one fight with a hero of
Margrave Breithilde's feudal army." (Reichardt)
Young knights and ronins with letters of commendation introduce
themselves one after the other and hoist their weapons up. However,
their weapons were after all practise ones with dulled edges.
"The contest of strength has started." (Breithilde)
"Contest of strength?" (Wendelin)
"Yes, it's something we came up with after being taught by the
previous horrible tragedy." (Breithilde)
"It was the dispute in my youth. In those days I wielded my spear
with desperation." (Klaus)
Klaus, who is recently putting great efforts, to a disagreeable degree,
in stuff like accounting and managing goods, food and follow-ups on
our new unit, speaks up here.
Which reminds me, he should have participated in a territorial
dispute, where many casualties appeared, a few decades ago.
"Right. Klaus-san participated at that time." (Breithilde)
Margrave Breithilde is aware of the details from the incident with the
rebellion the other day.
However, because it's my decision how I judge Klaus, he doesn't
seem to be worried with him being close-by.
"I survived somehow is the feeling I had." (Klaus)

| Azura Ren |
Even now the cause is unknown, but suddenly both armies, who
glared at each other, moved and clashed. Apparently, there were
more than 100 casualties on both sides.
Since the weapons weren't practice ones at that time, there was a
steep increase in killed and wounded soldiers.
"After that we put significance into reflecting." (Breithilde)
Apparently, it was decided to use training weapons in a secret
agreement.
Also, the promotion of one-to-one fights in a sham battle style.
The hired mercenaries as well, if they display great military prowess
in front of their masters and the nobles, it will connect to rewards,
promotions and getting permanently employed.
However, since there are also cases where the evaluation falls
conversely, the participation is something to be careful with.
"Everybody, we will go and confront them." (Breithilde)
Trying to answer the Browig camp's demands, the Margrave
Breithilde feudal army as well as the mercenaries and knights from
the noble households, which act alongside him, leave.
While both armies watch, dozens of people start a sham battle of
attacks. Those who reach a conclusion right away and in opposite
those who exchange long sword attacks; various scenes unfolded.
Basically, once they are pushed off their horse and lose, it finishes
with them becoming prisoners. Looking at the progress of the battle,
it seemed to be mostly even.
"Ah! Thomas has appeared." (???)
Thomas, who is the leader of the new unit, went at a one-to-one fight
against a knight who isn't too different in age from him.
"He is the superior one." (Wendelin)
When I check with the binoculars, the fight's progress is tilting
towards Thomas' side.
A short while later he pushes his opponent off their horse and with
the sword thrust at him, his opponent becomes a prisoner.
"We had something like horses?" (Wendelin)
| Azura Ren |
"As I was told that they are necessary, I lent some." (Klaus)
"That is, thanks..." (Wendelin)
For the sake of the soldiers who want to participate in the one-on-one
fights, Klaus went and borrowed several of the spare horses.
My face had a slight cramp due to the too perfect preparations.
"That man called Thomas is skilled with the horse as well."
I knew when I employed him, but Thomas was useful personnel
indeed.
Sword, spear, bow and horse as well as calculation and education; to
a certain degree he is skilled at anything. He isn't a genius, but he
apparently put great efforts into acquiring everything at his free time
since his time of living at home.
"If I increase the things, I'm capable of, I will get an independent household
someday, too", is the method how Thomas himself to put effort into it.
Even as commander of the new unit, he is above the standard.
Actually, I wanted such personnel very strongly.
"It seems that he is returning after having captured the knight of the
Browig household's side." (Wendelin)
"Will you give him a letter of commendation and a reward?" (Klaus)
This is also something to boost the morale, but once an ally captured
an enemy knight, Margrave Breithilde and the nobles, who are
participating with other feudal armies, began to write a letter of
commendation with pens which were prepared by their close aides.
When, where, who and whom they captured in the one-on-one battle.
They record that information to give them a letter of commendation
and rewards befitting their achievements.
"Does such method boost the morale...?" (Wendelin)
"Yes. The letter of commendation is an item proving their own
military exploits. If it's mercenaries who aim to enter into
government service, there's too many of those." (Klaus) As expected,
Klaus understands it well with his old man's wisdom.
He gives me advices with a slightly odious degree of perfect timing.
"It looks like Thomas-dono came back." (Klaus)
| Azura Ren |
Was it very vexing to get captured?

Leading the knight of Browig's camp whose glaring expression

doesn't vanish, Thomas returns.
"Good work out there. Umm, what's the name of that knight who
became your prisoner?" (Wendelin)
"It's Christhart Richard." (Thomas)
"Hey, Klaus." (Wendelin)
Richard should have been Thomas family name before he changed it.
In other words, that prisoners are Thomas' elder brother.
"Although he hasn't served a lord before, Täufer-dono's military
exploits are magnificent." (Klaus)
Täufer, Klaus speaks of, is the new family name Thomas had chosen.
Since the person called Thomas shouldn't exist in the Richard
household anymore right after he was made into a sacrificial pawn
anyway, Klaus had him think about a new family name as fresh start.
"Täufer, you say! You are my younger brother!" (Christhart)

It looks like he is getting agitated after becoming a prisoner. This man

called Christhart is speaking of foolish things.
"Christhart-dono, although Thomas Täufer is my retainer, you call
him your younger brother?" (Wendelin)
"Of course! Thomas is!" (Christhart)
Finally, he realized his verbal slip.
In order for Thomas to participate in the rebellion in the Knight
Baumeister territory, the Richard household erased his existence.
Despite that, he is calling that erased man his younger brother.
"Is Thomas really your younger brother?" (Wendelin)
"No... he just resembles him, I think." (Christhart)
"Resembles?" (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
It's a weird story for someone to resemble a person who shouldn't
exist.
It seems that being captured after losing the one-on-one fight with his
younger brother disturbed him considerably.
"No, I didn't see such man!" (Christhart)
"Is that so...?" (Wendelin)
With Christhart's words Thomas understood that he couldn't return
to the Richard household anymore.
Albeit only a bit, he wore a sad expression.
"Master, the letter of commendation and the reward for Täufer-
dono." (Klaus)
"Ah, right." (Wendelin)
I quickly handed him the letter of commendation I wrote with a pen
and gave him a steel sword I bought after being taught by Eru
previously from my magic bag.
As quite high-priced article knights apply their family crest on this
level of sword and always carry it with them.
"I'm looking forward to your work from here on out, Thomas."
(Wendelin)
"Thank you, it's my pleasure." (Thomas)
"Also..." (Wendelin)
'Klaus, I don't know the customary monetary reward!' (Wendelin)
"It's 2-3 gold coins." (Klaus)
I also give him gold coins, but since I'm not knowledgeable about the
customary monetary reward, I quietly asked Klaus.
It would have been fine if I asked Margrave Breithilde if I didn't
know. In that case I planned to tell him "Serves you right." or such,
but that guy knew after all.
'You know it well.' (Wendelin)
'It's an old man's wisdom.' (Klaus)

| Azura Ren |
Since I grasped the customary monetary reward, I quietly put 5 gold
coins in a bag and pass it to him in the name of raising Thomas'
loyalty here.
If I splurge a bit here, the others of the new unit should do their best
as well.
However, the average is 2 million to 3 million Japanese Yen. Given
that disputes aren't that rare, even nobles hand out rewards while
splurging from the money they saved at those times.
All the more since there are onlookers in the surroundings, too, I
decide to think.
"I will also give you permission to participate in the marriage
interview meeting." (Wendelin)
I said that at the end with a mood like it doesn't matter, but Thomas,
who is a man around 30 years, returns while floating a smile with a
step that looks like he's even skipping.
As Klaus has said, he is womanly for a young man.
"When I see such a scene, Earl Baumeister joining the circle of nobles
rings true." (Breithilde)
Margrave Breithilde is absorbed in a deep emotion as he looks at my
appearance.
"By the way, where's Eru?" (Wendelin)
The female camp was preparing the meals in our encampment
together with other noble ladies, but somehow, I didn't see the figure
of Eru who should be my guard.
"If it's Erwin-sama, he's over there." (Klaus)
In the direction Klaus pointed at I could see Eru having gone to the
front and fighting in a one-on-one with a knight of the Browig camp.
"That idiot..." (Wendelin)
"Since Erwin-kun is young, he probably wants some achievements
too." (Breithilde)
It's as Margrave Breithilde says, but since it will be troublesome to
get Eru back if he is captured, I didn't want him to join the sham
battle.
| Azura Ren |
"It looks like he has the advantage." (Wendelin)
Eru' opponent wasn't as strong as expected.
Once they crossed swords for around 10 minutes, he fell off the horse
due to Eru and was captured.
"Master, I captured the enemy knight." (Erwin)
Eru returns proudly while calling me master since there are other
nobles here as well.
The captured prisoner had a somehow frustrated expression because
he lost to a youngster.
"You idiot! Don't appear in one-on-one battles!" (Wendelin)
"But I want achievements!" (Erwin)
Given that achievements are achievements, I properly gave him a
letter of commendation and a reward, and I didn't forget to drop a
fist on his head first.
Like this my first peculiar war days continued, however it didn't
seem like there were any signs for this dispute to come to an end
either.

| Azura Ren |
Omake 03: The circumstances of the opposite genders

"What should I say...? It finished unexpectedly easily." (Katharina)

"Everyone says that often though." (Wendelin)
The revival of the Waigel household was decided at a terrifying fast
pace.
Having the powerful backing of Finance Minister Rückner, there
weren't any nobles who objected to it.
Since even His Majesty stated, "It's urgent business for the stability of
the Earl Baumeister household, isn't it? There's no particular reason for me
to be against it either." it was apparently decided right away.
Furthermore, on that occasion we also got the permission for the
marriage of the next Associate Baron Waigel family head with a
daughter of the Marquis Rückner household.
It was Minister Rückner who drew nothing but short sticks in his
connection with the Associate Baron Waigel household, but it seems
he was able to largely keep his face in this matter.
On the contrary, Earl Liliental, who made a blunder, looked sullen
though.
And after the above-mentioned details, a messenger from the royal
palace arrived at Katharina's location and elevated her peerage to the
rank of Associate Baron. "Katharina-dono." (King Helmut)
"Yes. I will become the mother of the next Associate Baron Waigel. I shall
become a cornerstone for His Majesty, for the kingdom and for its people."
(Katharina)
Although her wording is considerably different in comparison to
when a man obtains a peerage, it means that it's such a special
precedent in the Helmut Kingdom.
There are doubts such as "And if you don't bear a child?", however we
don't have to mind that overly much as there's still the move to adopt
a child in worst case.
In short, it will be fine as long as the household continues.

| Azura Ren |
We, who had spare time since she was able to receive an honorary
peerage, had a talk while having a simple magic training in the
garden of the Viscount Hohenheim residence.
"Even for men it ends with a brief oath in front of His
Majesty." (Wendelin)
"His Majesty is busy as well, I guess." (Katharina)
Katharina continued the training of circulating the mana within her
body while linking it up with the Zen meditation she learned from
me.
Given that there's no way for us to release magic spells in the garden
of another family, we carried out training that wouldn't cause
troubles to our surroundings.
"By the way, when will Hermann-sama succeed the peerage?"
(Katharina)
"The other side has to deal with various things, you know... It's
something for after the situation has calmed down a bit more."
(Wendelin)
Things like the settlement of Kurt's matter, helping Paul-nii-san with
the development of the neighbouring territory and new territory
development projects.
Since he was busy, he was told by the royal palace that it would be
fine to wait until the situation calmed down.
Also, it won't do if Hermann-nii-san doesn't take at the very least one
concubine. As it's the same for Paul-nii-san, the selection process
takes time as well.
Since they already have legal wives with their social status being low,
it requires unexpectedly much effort to choose concubines who won't
butt in.
It seems that as candidates it's desirable for them to be second
daughters and below of appointed Knight households in the capital,
for the household itself to not be overly prosperous and for them to
lack any responsibilities.
In exchange, the household, from where the concubine hailed, will
receive benefits such as receiving an allowance, receiving help to
| Azura Ren |
obtain an official position and their siblings and relatives will be
employed as retainers.
It looks like Minister Rückner, Minister Edgar and Earl Armstrong
are looking for candidates.
"Both of them said that they don't want one if possible." (Wendelin)
My siblings are busy and they aren't as lustful as father.
As for father, there were some parts where he couldn't avoid it due to
the state of affairs at that time too, but since he has handled matters
rather quickly, he was treated as lustful man after all according to my
mother's words.
Although one might say that I'm resembling father the most among
us siblings as I have the most fiancées and women relationships, I
have a feeling that it's, how to say it, quite the false accusation.
"For Hermann-nii-san there are also plans to raise in peerage to
Associate Baron, though that's in the far future. To have only one
wife is..." (Wendelin)
There are also high-ranking nobles, who stick to a single wife as very
rare exceptions, but usually most of them have several.
There were reasons such as helping a disadvantaged woman by
placing her under one of the remaining noble households since they
have leeway, for tying relationships with other houses for the sake of
managing the household smoothly and for preparing in case the legal
wife didn't bear any children.
"Erich-nii-san and Helmut-nii-san are likely avoiding concubines as
well." (Wendelin)
Since those two aren't particularly lustful either, they will probably
reluctantly accept with the reasoning that it's a custom.
"This matter is easy for me since I'm a woman." (Katharina)
Since it's not like she will increase the number of husbands, there
should certainly exist people who are jealous of her in that regard.
It was a man's nature to long for a good woman they can have a good
time with without future troubles, but there are also many
troublesome matters if they live together with you as concubine.

| Azura Ren |
I feel like there are quite many men who are thinking about it in such
way.
"I see you are doing simple training, both of you." (Burkhart)
At that point Burkhart-san, who is staying at the Viscount
Hohenheim residence together with us, shows up.
He told Margrave Breithilde about Katharina's conferring of a
peerage having ended first thing in the morning.
"Simple, you say. You should be doing it every day, too, Burkhart-
san." (Wendelin)
"Of course. I am working on it every day." (Burkhart)
No matter how busy he is, Burkhart-san didn't fail to train the
circulation of the mana within his body every day.
By continuing this practice, one can maintain and raise the control
proficiency of mana.
However, carrying out the mana circulation together with Zen
meditation was an original technique from my previous life.
As it seems that the efficiency will be great if you carry it out with
this method, Burkhart-san and doushi have adopted it now as well.
Even master praised me at that time with, "It's a great idea".
"That's because it's directly connected to the power, precision and
usage efficiency of mana. I'm not negligent in doing it every day."
(Burkhart)
Even if the increase of mana stopped, it would be an indispensable
training method.
"In addition, in my case my mana capacity is still in the middle of
growth." (Katharina)
Katharina was still 16 years old. Therefore, her mana is still
increasing.
"That's very enviable." (Burkhart)
Burkhart-san was an excellent magician, however he himself always
mentioned that he wanted a bit more mana capacity.

| Azura Ren |
Since back in his days it was decided that the capacity was fixed by
birth, he often complained that it was inevitable.
"However, as expected, I think that I will soon hit my limit as well."
(Katharina)
Katharina's mana is quite superior even for advanced level. She said
that she likely can't expect any drastic increase anymore.
"If that's the case, how about unifying your capacity with the boy?"
(Burkhart)
"!? Ough! Unifying capacities?" (Katharina)
Once Burkhart-san recommends the unification of capacities with me
to Katharina, she looks downwards while her face becomes bright
red.
I didn't understand why she has become that embarrassed.
"It's not really something embarrassing, right? You two will become a
married couple." (Burkhart)
"Umm, I'm not quite catching on to the circumstances here, but..."
(Wendelin)
"What? That fellow Alf didn't explain it properly to you?" (Burkhart)
Since the society of magicians is small, there is a special custom
related to the unification of capacities. I didn't know that.
Master likely didn't teach me because he hadn't much time left. It was
also possible that I forgot though.
"Because, a man and a woman performing capacity unification, well,
that is..." (Burkhart)
Although I think that it's partially a strained interpretation,
I can imagine it to be some kind of sex act.
If it's fellow members of the opposite sex, it's no more than a simple
relationship of teacher and student, but that doesn't seem to apply to
a pair of lovers, a married couple or corresponding relationships.
"If it's between men, it's considered as genuine teacher and student
relationship. In the case of a woman, if the other side is a sibling or
her father, there won't be any issues." (Burkhart)

| Azura Ren |
"Such a thing, even though the talent for magic isn't hereditary..."
(Wendelin)
As expected, there are many situations where the women of this
world are at disadvantage.
No matter whether they are the teacher, it's improper for them to
carry out capacity unification if the other side isn't a lover, fiancé or
husband as woman.
If they do it nevertheless, the surroundings will consider them to be
in such a relationship.
"There's also no problem if you carry it out with your own children."
(Burkhart)
"Even so, that's unrealistic." (Wendelin)
"It's very rare for parent and child to be magicians, too."(Burkhart)
Which reminds me, previously I was asked by doushi to perform
capacity unification with the royal magicians and a bunch of his
apprentices, but I recalled that all of them were men.
"The exception is..." (Wendelin)
At that time, I did a capacity unification with Luise.
"In my case it was decided that I will become your wife, Vel." (Luise)
"Eh? Was that so?" (Wendelin)
And, before I noticed she joined the conversation as well.
"That's because I had already decided for myself." (Luise)
"I see." (Wendelin)
I didn't know about such custom at all, however the royal magicians,
who did the capacity unification with me, naturally knew. It seems
that Luise decided to become my wife at that moment.
"Also..." (Wendelin)
Come to think of it, I did a capacity unification with Elise during our
stay in the capital, too.
Unfortunately, her mana didn't rise overly much, but I remember
that she stayed in bed for around 2 days with mana intoxication.

| Azura Ren |
There were even Ina and Wilma too, but with the two having little
mana to begin with, I didn't perform a capacity unification with them
since they were already at their limits.
People, who are treated as magicians with a mana capacity below
elementary level, won't do something like a capacity unification.
"Elise didn't talk about that." (Wendelin)
"She likely thought that you know. Since you will become married
anyway, there's no problem either. By the way, won't you do a
capacity unification with Katharina-jou-chan?" (Burkhart)
"Waah! With me!?" (Katharina)
Thinking that it depends on Katharina, I turn my look at her and for
some reason she looks very agitated.
Moreover, her face was bright red.
"My intuition tells me that Katharina-jou-chan shouldn't be able to
win against Earl-sama in regards to mana quantity. Although I
believe that it's probably frustrating, it will increase the variety of
magic and raise the precision since her mana capacity will rise up to
the limit here..." (Burkhart)
Given that Burkhart-san has heard about the situation when
Katharina met me for the first time, he believes that she won't be able
to actively ask for capacity unification due to the frustration of being
inferior in mana capacity.
Capitalizing on his experience of having taught many students, he
persuaded her gently.
"You don't want to?" (Burkhart)
"No... That's not it..." (Katharina)
Katharina tried to bashfully face downwards while her face was still
bright red.
"If that's the case..." (Wendelin)
"Ummm! I will go take a bath and change my clothes before that!"
(Katharina)
"Haa?" (Wendelin)

| Azura Ren |
Once she suddenly blurts out something strange, Katharina returns
to the Viscount Hohenheim residence at lightning speed.
Only Burkhart-san and me, who can't comprehend the reason at all,
are left behind.
"What's this about?" (Wendelin)
"That jou-chan, just how low is her immunity towards men?"
(Burkhart)
Even though she looks like she is leading men around by their noses
with an unyielding spirit going by her appearance, with her just
hearing that she will join hands with me for a capacity unification,
she says stuff like taking a bath or changing clothes.
She probably has absolutely no resistance towards men.
"Or rather, it's probably in vain, if she is conscious of it." (Burkhart)
"Is that how it is?" (Wendelin)
The adventurers she met before being with us, the male workers
whom she met at the public works sites, doushi, Burkhart-san and
me.
Since I didn't catch sight of her being particularly shaken, I think that
a shyness switch has been likely flipped at the time she became my
fiancée.
"That jou-chan, won't her head explode at the time of the bridal
night?" (Burkhart)
"That probably won't happen." (Wendelin)
Around 30 minutes later, Katharina returns after entering the bath,
putting on light make-up and sprinkling perfume on herself.
Even her attire isn't the usual leather dress, but an expensive-looking
silk dress.
With a faint rose perfume drifting about, Katharina's beauty was
emphasized, but Burkhart-san and me had question marks above our
heads.
Why is it necessary to go that far for just a capacity unification?
'Well, the capacity unification between a man and a woman is such a thing,
however why is it necessary to dress oneself up?' (Wendelin)
| Azura Ren |
'Who knows? Well, I guess it will be fine if you do a normal capacity
unification?' (Burkhart)
Katharina had some parts that were off after all, but, thinking that it's
cute, I carried out the capacity unification right away.
***
"Ne, Vel... Did you perhaps do something strange to Katharina in the
garden...?" (Ina)
"Not at all! I didn't!" (Wendelin)
However, it seems that Katharina asked Ina about which of her
several underwear would work well at the time of her changing
clothes.
Finishing the capacity unification and going back, I ended up being
observed with strange eyes by her.

| Azura Ren |