Chapter 276: The Future of Panamera and Talga
Perhaps worrying about the future of Fortress city Murcia, Panamera and Talga were staring at the top of Murcia’s head as he hung it in dejection, wearing indescribable expressions.
Glancing at that, I cleared my throat once and called out to Talga.
“Next is my request for you, Talga.”
“Yes! Please order me as you see fit!”
When I called out, Talga immediately switched gears and replied. As expected of a knight through and through.
“I would like you to eventually govern a town as a magistrate, Talga. It might be rude to say this to the head of a Baron family, but please dedicate yourself to training new personnel alongside Esparda. In the process, I want you to learn Esparda’s knowledge of territory management.”
When I told Talga that, Panamera started cackling.
“In the end, isn’t that synonymous with becoming Sir Esparda’s disciple?”
“Ugh… It is absolutely necessary if one is to be a magistrate…!”
Panamera pointed out the hard-to-say truth clearly, so I made excuses while on the verge of tears. Talga smiled wryly at that and shook his head.
“No, I do not mind. I still do not consider myself to have become a Baron… However.”
“…However?”
Sensing some hesitation at the end of Talga’s words, I asked back. Then, Talga opened his mouth with a determined expression.
“If possible, I would like to learn the work of a lord by your side, Lord Van.”
“Eh? By my side?”
At those shocking words, I repeated part of what Talga said verbatim. He nodded deeply at that.
Esparda closed his eyes and groaned as if in thought.
“…That might be good as well. Trivial matters will eventually be left to subordinates. As long as he learns the minimum knowledge required as a lord, learning aspects like ideology and foresight from Lord Van might be useful for our future alliance.”
Even Esparda started saying strange things.
“Ehh? There’s nothing to learn from me.”
What are they both saying? Thinking that, I answered, but they both shook their heads in unison.
“No, there is.”
“Lord Van, you have allied with apkallu and dwarves, whom one normally cannot subjugate. Also, you are favored by His Majesty, and you achieved independence and promotion faster than anyone else. Rather, even high-ranking nobles would likely want to learn from you, Lord Van.”
“Ugh, I’m completely misunderstood.”
I inadvertently voiced that thought at their reactions. However, Till and Khamsin shook their heads violently.
“That is not true!”
“There is no lord as wonderful as Lord Van!”
“Ahaha, thank you.”
My lips naturally relaxed at the comments of the two who viewed me with extreme favoritism. Arte was also smiling gently beside me.
“Anyone who sees the people living in Seatoh Village would think so.”
At Arte’s words, Panamera smirked.
“…My, my.”
“W-What is that smile for…?”
I asked out of embarrassment, but Panamera shrugged and looked back and forth between me and Arte.
“I was born with this face. I have no reason to be complained at. Well, I suppose I shall observe the state of Seatoh Village a little longer before going to my territory. I will use it as a reference for my own territory management.”
Panamera muttered that, leaned her weight against the back of the chair, and stretched lightly. Smiling wryly at her behavior, Talga looked at me.
“…I seriously wish to learn under you, Lord Van.”
“Sir Talga? You speak as if I am not serious?”
After laughing dryly at that conversation between Talga and Panamera, I sighed at the fact that the hurdle had been raised extremely high.
“…Haa. Understood. Well then, shall we try doing it like that? Ah, by the way, how do you intend to manage your territory, Panamera? It is a town still managed and operated by people who were citizens of the Kingdom of Yelenetta, you know? Moreover, the scale is over five thousand people.”
It is a medium-sized town or larger of a country that was hostile until just the other day. Furthermore, it is one of the fortress cities meant to protect and support the fortress that serves as the keystone of defense. Education regarding the Kingdom of Scuderia must have treated us as a hypothetical enemy nation. Even though they lost the war and became a vassal state, that hostility cannot be easily changed.
To such a place, Panamera, who has not held territory until now, is going with a private army of knights numbering only a few hundred. If handled poorly, there is a risk of rebellion.
Thinking that, I asked out of worry, but Panamera waved one hand as if it were nothing.
“First, I will educate the current magistrate and civil officials. After that, if the town has a chivalric order it operates directly, I will force them to submit with brute strength.”
“I figured as much.”
Hmm, if it’s Panamera, there will be no problem. In a few years, the town of the former Kingdom of Yelenetta will surely transform into the Fortress City Cayenne of the Panamera Kingdom.
“…Is… Is one month later really okay? If you intend to remodel the town, wouldn’t it be better to organize the territory’s administrators and chivalric order first?”
Murcia asked that, sounding more worried. However, Panamera narrowed her eyes as if it were a bother.
“There will be no problem. Given a week, I can meet with everyone and ensure they don’t even think about rebelling.”
“I-I see. I spoke out of turn.”
Murcia bowed his head apologetically. At that, Dee laughed aloud.
“Wahahahaha! Indeed, as expected of Lord Panamera! A reliable ally, Lord Van.”
“No, truly…”
I’m glad she isn’t an enemy. I continued that thought in my heart.
Thus, the future course of action for the Viscount Van family, the Count Panamera family, and the Baron Talga family was decided. Before I knew it, both my territory and allies had increased, which is extremely reliable. However, I feel like the atmosphere is becoming increasingly militant.
Well, before I knew it, Seatoh Village’s population had also increased steadily, and we had become able to manage not only primary industries like agriculture, forestry, and hunting, but also many secondary and tertiary industries on our own. In a little while longer, the innocent genius boy Van will likely be able to live a leisurely and depraved noble life.
Come on, let’s do this.
