Chapter 279: [Another Perspective] The Arrival of Lord Panamera (Shortly Before Van's Departure)

[Panamera]

“Ooh! Is that Fortress City Cayenne!”

When I said that while still mounted on my horse, Macan, the Commander of the Panamera Chivalric Order, spoke up.

“Magnificent walls… It is a solemn fortress city worthy of you, Lord Panamera.”

“Hahaha! Indeed, it is a fine city! After all, it is my city!”

When I answered, Macan laughed with a face almost like a father’s. He was the only knight in his forties in my order, and while not particularly tall, he was one of the most capable individuals in the order. One reason for his appointment as Knight Commander was his aptitude for water magic, but above all, his experience as a commander who had survived many battles was the most significant factor.

As we approached the castle gate, guards who appeared to be gatekeepers walked toward us. There were about ten of them. It was clear they had no intention of engaging in combat.

“Excuse us! You are…?”

A bearded male guard spoke in a loud voice.

“I am Count Panamera Carrera Cayenne! You should have already been notified, but by the order of His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Scuderia, this fortress city is henceforth the territory of Count Panamera Carrera Cayenne! Let us through!”

Though still on horseback, I puffed out my chest and declared this loudly. At that, the guards bowed, though their expressions twisted slightly.

“…Yes! Open the gates!”

The man gave the command, and the castle gate opened with a noise. It must have been quite old. The upper part of the wall was chipped, and the gate creaked as it opened and closed.

“Hmm. First, I would like to have the castle gate and walls repaired. No, I haven’t checked inside yet. Should I see the castle that will be my residence first?”

Muttering such things, I passed through the gate, and a cityscape of historic brick buildings spread out before me. The streets were wide and seemed easy to travel. Also, despite being an old town, there was an atmosphere of it being well-cleaned and maintained.

“…Lord Panamera. It seems they are slightly wary.”

I snorted when Macan said that.

“That is to be expected. Until a short while ago, we were nobles of an enemy nation they were fighting. They must be anxious about how they will be treated.”

His Majesty imposed a heavy tax, close to keeping them barely alive, on the Kingdom of Yelenetta, which had become a vassal state. That said, there was also mercy. The property of ordinary citizens was not seized, and their lives were kept unchanged. This was to avoid incurring unnecessary resentment.

However, among nobles with territories who have various means of earning money, there would be some who try to earn as much as possible before the administrator arrives. Some nobles impose taxes even heavier than the heavy taxes imposed by His Majesty and pocket the difference. Because of that, confusion seems to be arising in various parts of the Kingdom of Yelenetta.

Well, it is a foolish act that can only be called folly, but the ordinary citizens forced to go along with it find it unbearable.

I advanced through the streets where people were extremely scarce, thinking about how to govern this land.

“Lord Panamera, this is your residence.”

The guard who guided us said that and stopped in front of a castle built in the back of the city.

“Oh? I am curious about the castle, but I am even more curious about the knights lined up in front of it, don’t you think?”

Saying that, I looked at the knights lined up in front of the castle gate. There were several hundred knights carrying swords. They were lined up with an air slightly too murderous to be called a welcome. At this, Macan also placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, showing caution.

I restrained him with one hand and looked at the man standing in the center. He was a man with a fearless face. Perhaps in his mid-thirties. The man looked straight back into my eyes and opened his mouth.

“…It has been a long time. Lord Panamera.”

“Hm? Do you know me?”

When I asked back at the unexpected words, the man shook his head.

“I also participated in the previous operation to recapture Werner… no, the battle over Werner Fortress. At that time, the name of Viscount Panamera, who stands as a peer to Count Ventury, reached the ears of those of us protecting the main camp. We heard that despite your youth, you possess unfathomable talent in martial arts and magic…”

“What, you were in that battle? So, knowing that a hero of Scuderia was coming, did everyone come out to welcome me?”

Hearing the man’s words, I spread my arms and asked. At that, the man fell silent for a moment, but immediately shook his head.

“No, that is not it… Our swords exist to protect this Fortress City Grosser. Even if it becomes part of the Kingdom of Scuderia, we are with this city. The reason we were waiting for Your Lordship was to confirm how Your Lordship intends to manage this city.”

With an expression of resolve, the man said that. This involuntarily brought a smile to my face. A good knight. One rarely meets someone who is a knight in both body and soul, but to be able to maintain that in front of me is splendid.

However, although I feel sorry to mock the man’s resolve, I must say something that will grate on his nerves right away. While regretting it, I crossed my arms and answered.

“First, I will change the name of this city to Fortress City Cayenne.”

“…What did you say just now?”

Furrowing his brow, the man spoke in a low voice. Deepening my smile at that, I raised one eyebrow.

“Exactly as I said. From now on, this city and the ten kilometers beyond it are the territory of the Kingdom of Scuderia, and my territory. The country has changed, and the administrator has changed. It is only natural that the name changes. And the laws will also change to the laws of the Kingdom of Scuderia.”

“How will they change?”

“I am going to discuss that now. Surely you are not the administrator of this city. Call the current administrator.”

“…Understood.”

When I told him clearly, the man accepted it, albeit with a dissatisfied look. Judging by that face, they must have at least minimal interaction with other cities in the Kingdom of Yelenetta. As I thought, they know how heavy the taxes imposed on other towns are.

“Please, this way.”

“Mm.”

There is no use thinking about it. First, let’s go in with the elites of my knight order.

I entered the castle leading ten people including Macan. It seemed to be about three stories high. It was a castle of decent size. The entrance hall would be full if about twenty people lined up, but I liked the furnishings. There was only one staircase in the front, and it seemed the first and second floors were separated there. First, we went up to the second floor and proceeded down the hallway in front. At the back, there was a staircase that turned back and went up to the third floor. Arriving on the third floor, a large door appeared before my eyes. It was a black, rugged door.

“This is the magistrate’s reception room.”

“Mm, open it.”

When I told the guard acting as a guide, two guards knocked on the door from the outside and opened it.

“…Excuse us. Count Panamera has arrived from the Kingdom of Scuderia as the lord.”

While dissatisfied with the guard’s simple introduction, I stood before the opened door.

Beyond the door was a hall. There was a large window at the back, and sunlight was streaming in. Someone was standing in front of the window looking this way, but due to the wide opening of the window, they were backlit and in shadow, making their face unconfirmable.

“I am Count Panamera Carrera Cayenne. State your name and status.”

When I said that, the person standing in front of the window walked over to us and bowed like a servant. With a hand on his chest, he lowered his head lightly. It was also a gesture showing that he had no hostility.

He was a man with ash-gray hair close to silver. Perhaps around thirty years old. He looked slightly older than me. He was slender but tall, and wore silver-rimmed glasses. Glasses were still expensive items even in the Kingdom of Scuderia, and few people wore them. In particular, it felt strange for someone who wasn’t a noble to be wearing them. The man with dark gray hair raised his body and looked up at me.

“…My name is Zetros. I served as the head butler under Lord Actro, the son of Duke Ecnic At Sitan, who governed this land.”