“It’s transparent and beautiful … oh? The shadows seem to be rainbow-colored.”
“Oh, this is beautiful”
The civilians picked up a manalal crystal placed on the desk as a sample and were impressed by its beauty.
Since they are civilians with no magical power, they do not seem to be aware of the characteristics of manalal crystals.
“Rumon, how many gold coins is this worth?”
The sample is about the size of a small piece used for the mahjong title.
“If this is the case …”
After seeing the manalal crystals in the hands of the civilians, Rumon thought a little and answered the number of gold coins.
It was an astonishing number for a civilian, and they gently laid the sample on their desk with a pale face.
“Well, that much …”
“I thought I’d give it to my wife, but it’s impossible.”
“At this size … the jewels are scary.”
The civilians stepped back from the desk, even though they had just picked it up casually.
I took out my manalal crystal. It is a manalal crystal that was previously requisitioned from Room On. It’s about the size of an AAA battery, so it’s probably worth it.
I glanced at Rumon and glanced at the crystals.
“It’s … a keepsake of my mother, so the soldiers spilled it with gold coins.”
In the case of a family whose property is confiscated by the patriarch’s collective punishment, the soldiers in the field are given the discretion to overlook any property in their wallets. Not many soldiers know the value of manalal crystals, so they likely missed it because it was called a keepsake.
Whatever happened, if I didn’t visit the requisition site, Rumon would have tried to escape with three enormously valuable manalal crystals.
“If you tell a lie, you will be severely punished.”
When I said that, one of the civilians intervened in a hurry.
“Please wait, young master. What Rumon said is true.”
“Really?”
According to a civilian, Rumon made an excuse to take away the manalal crystals when he started working as a city official.
The facts were confirmed immediately, and it was confirmed by the soldiers in charge of requisitioning Rumon’s father, who was in custody.
For the time being, when I was told to “leave his property”, he voluntarily offered it, and I heard that he was acquitted of taking it away.
“Really. Is it a keepsake of your mother?”
“Yes. It was a gift from my father to my mother …”
Rumon’s father is a merchant who mainly deals with mineral resources.
Rumon’s father, who peddled around the continent when he was young, said he had tried several times to invade the Mamshred region.
It hasn’t changed since he started to set up a trading company in Nambonan City, and he seems to have sent a child-rearing person as a spy on a regular basis.
One of the spies has successfully acquired an official from the Federation of Mamshred and stole three manalal crystals. Moreover, he also grasped the fact that manalal crystals are refined by unique technology.
There is no doubt that huge profits can be obtained if the technology can be stolen. If local officials have been able to acquire it, it will be easy to embrace engineers.
Rumon’s father was a working person and left his family completely abandoned, but at that time he came home in the daytime, whether he wanted to share his joy or just want to brag about his achievements. That’s it.
“… And my dad gave my mother two of those three crystals. I’ll be able to make as many as I want …”
The remaining one will be displayed in the mansion. As expected, manalal crystals cannot be placed in a factory where many people come and go.
After that, Rumon’s mother who gave birth to Kohari died as it was due to poor postpartum confinement.
But shortly before her death, Rumon’s mother handed over two manalal crystals to Rumon and the newly born Kohari.
“… It’s an important form of my mother for me, but for Kohari, it was the only thing my mother gave to her …”
I didn’t know that I had such a feeling, and I scraped one of the three manalal crystals for experimentation and used it as a material for arrowheads.
I pretend to be a calm face and ask Rumon while smirking inwardly.
“… Do you know the owner this crystal is?”
Rumon received a manalal crystal from me and immediately affirmed.
“This is the crystal that Kohari received.”
I exhaled a little so that no one would notice. Apparently, the crushed one was Rumon or the one displayed in the mansion.
I felt that one of the three wasn’t his mother’s keepsake, but I stopped putting tsukkomi in it.
“Well … I see, forgive me for this.”
“… I’m thankful for your kindness.”
Rumon thanked him with his knees and hand on the floor. The civilians also took a breather, and this settled the case.
“It’s also beautiful as a jewel …”
I held Kohali’s manalal crystals over the sun and watched the rainbow-colored shadows falling on the floor.
It is a manalal crystal that is nothing more than a jewel for the commoners, but it can also be said to be a strategic resource considering its characteristics related to magical power.
Although limited, knights will be able to use aristocratic magical powers. If operated well, the power of the army will increase dramatically.
Just as the advent of guns drastically changed the pattern of war on Earth, the advent of manalal crystals is likely to advance the war on the continent of Eruo to the next stage.
“I don’t know why my father wanted this place.”
In his father’s original plan, the suppression of the city of Nambonan was a long way off. There are many reasons for the early schedule, but I’ve heard that there are two main reasons.
The first reason is manalal crystals.
It seems that his father had touched manalal crystals when he was young. His dad would have immediately thought of using it as a weapon.
However, at that time, few possessed manalal crystals outside the Mamshred Federation. Manalal crystals were considered a gem for the royal family of Mamshred, so exports to foreign countries were strictly prohibited.
This is common to all successive dynasties. The great kings of the Mamshred region continued to be attracted to the iridescent glow of the times and tribes.
One of the few examples is that it leaked out in the turmoil of the fall of the dynasty.
Since it is a precious jewel, it cannot be used as a tool for war, and his father at that time may have decided that way.
However, the technique of crystallization was transmitted from Mamshred, and manalal crystals can now be refined from manalal ore.
That means that aristocrats without manalal ore are more likely to be at a disadvantage in the future. In the case of the premortal earth, it would be like a country without oil resources.
It seems that crystallization technology has only been transmitted to some cities, but once it has spread, it cannot be returned.
My father must have had a strong sense of crisis about the future of the Koldenze family. There was no mine in the territory of Koldenze that could produce manalal ore.
At that time, he jumped into the information that a merchant in Nambonan City found a manalal vein.
Should we change our plans to conquer the city of Nambonan and seize the mine? What is the reason for winding it up when it is stolen? What should be the control of the city?
Viscount Galiana leaked one piece of information to my father, who was working on a plan amendment. It is information that the city of Nambonan is connected to the enemy.
And my father decided to occupy the city of Nambonan and raised the army.
My father told me to think for myself about another reason why the plan was accelerated. I’m likely to be asked for an answer soon, so I have to think carefully about the answer.
“Mamshred’s technology is interesting. If you’re an immigrant, you’ll want to welcome him in Nambonan or Nyuneri.”
“I think it’s difficult. The current Mamshred Federation seems to be stable, so security near the border will be tight.”
Rumon speaks generously with information about the current dynasty. He would never have said it when he was a merchant, but now he is a city employee full of compassion.
“If you look closely”
“Yes, because trading with Mamshred is a dream for merchants.”
Even today, pure white silk fabrics from Mamshred are treated like the finest products, and ceramics with fine patterns are highly regarded as works of art.
There are many other attractive products, so it’s no wonder that the former merchant’s rumon is detailed.
“Hmm, by the way, how did you trade with Mamshred? You couldn’t go through the territory of Koldenze openly?”
After the control of the surrounding area, the city of Nambonan was virtually neglected due to my father’s plan, but for the time being there was a conflict. As expected, it is not possible to cross the territory of Koldenze.
“Trading doesn’t mean you can trade well. It’s more likely that you’ll fail. It’s dangerous along the way …”
Going to the Mamshred Federation can be a daunting journey.
Since it is located in the southern part of the continent, it may simply be far away, but the threat of nature blocks the way. There are three main routes to enter the Mamshred region, but none of them is straightforward.
Rumon’s route was to cross the second largest lake on the continent.
“It seems that he went down the river through the Empire side, entered the territory of Evenapis (TLN: エヴェナピス, if someone has a better name just tell me at discord or comment) and then went south and crossed the lake.”
Rumon explains the trade route by giving the names of places and towns in the territory of Evenapis.
Since my mother’s parents’ home is in the Evenapis territory, I have seen the map of the territory several times. So I could imagine the route with my head.
“Are you familiar?”
“Yes. Many people have moved from the territory of Evenapis to the city of Nambonan in the last year or two, so I had a lot of opportunities to hear about the land.”
“……Oh really?”
“Yes. Isn’t the Evenapis territory difficult due to the monster disaster? It seems that the migration to Nambonan was attractive to those who have some assets. The migration is refused in the Koldenze territory and the Siruopea (TLN: シルオペア) territory. It is unlikely that you will move to the eastern part of the empire, which will be subject to heavy taxes.
Commoners basically spend their lives in the land where they were born and raised, but they may also move to another land. For example, if you can’t live anymore on that land.
To put it bluntly, the territory of Evenapis was destroyed by a continental monster disaster that destroyed several villages and towns. The lord of the Evenapis family and the subordinate knights have suffered great damage and their power of control has weakened.
The inhabitants of the Evenapis territory, who couldn’t afford it, were worried about the weakened lord and began to flee to another land. Since the headquarters of Evenapis territory is eastward, it seems that it headed for Nambonan city through the west side where security is weak.
Even though it was glared at by the Koldenze family, the city without aristocratic rule would have looked attractive.
“I see”
“The city of Nambonan has also become a territory of Koldenze, and immigrants will no longer come from the territory of Evenapis, because the mayor of Nambonan is master Wilk.”
Commoners are the ones who control taxes and support the aristocrats who are the rulers. If you imitate it indiscriminately, it could be a source of war. If it is between territories that have a friendly relationship, that area will be dealt with firmly.
The Koldenze family and the Evenapis family are very close. From the eastern aristocrats of the kingdom, they are so close that they can be slammed together with “the three central aristocrats, [the stratagem of Koldenze, the martial arts of Evenapis, and the sword of shiruopea] .”
Anyway, the mayor of Nambonan is me. And my mother, Merly (TLN: メルリィ), is from the Evenapis family, so of course I should be careful.
“It doesn’t change if the knights rule the city of Nambonan. They categorically reject the people who abandoned Evenapis.”
The civilian who said that was from the knight family. He is a man who does not have the right to inherit the patriarch because he has no magical power.
A child born in a knight family who does not have magical power, a slave ancestor has a different way of life depending on the man and woman.
In the case of girls, if they look good, they will come to Indentured Castle and work with the goal of being seeded by the head clan. In the case of boys, he aims to become a civilian or military attaché of the Koldenze family by learning.
He was the latter, and he must have been able to study hard and get a job.
A civilian from the knight family raises the reputation of his parents’ home by devoting himself to the Koldenze family in terms of office work. Even a child without magical power is useful for the house.
“Imitate such fatten their own stomach is an unacceptable thing”(TLN: そのような真似をして私服を肥やすなど、許されないことです, if someone has a better word just tell me)
He is also a civilian boy who came from another knight’s house.
Since the lord of the Koldenze family is in front of him, he may be sensitive to stories about the injustice of civilians.
Although unthinkable in my previous life in Japan, small bribes are included in the discretion of the civilian. However, the refugee issue in the Evenapis territory goes far beyond its discretion, so it appeals to innocence so as not to have any doubts.
Normally, the Koldenze family would lend control of the cities and lands in the territory to the knights for indirect control.
However, regarding the city of Nambonan, I, the head clan, govern through a commoner organization called the council. There were several reasons for this.
First of all, there is no convenient knighthood to lend control of the city of Nambonan.
The city of Nambonan is so developed that it is in the top three in the territory of Koldenze. The economy is larger than the city of Evermil, which I stopped by on the way.
The knights who have been loyal to the Koldenze family for nearly 100 years are given control of the city of Evermil. It doesn’t make sense to give the pop-out knights control of the city of Nambonan.
Then I wonder if I should give it to a knight who has been loyal for a long time, but this is also not good because it looks like only that family will be special.
The knights have roots in the land and govern while interacting with the commoners there, so they cannot be easily relocated.
Second, the knights served for only a few days in the Nambonan City Battle. This is not enough to take control of the city.
For example, a knight who is rampaging in an imperial aristocratic territory with his grandfather can only gain control of the war-torn land by raising some of the enemy knight’s heads on the battlefield.
Just by leading the army, you can’t get control of a city full of rich like Nambonan.
As a result, control of the city of Nambonan will float in the air.
For now, I’m at the top of the city of Nambonan, but the knights think that control of the city of Nambonan will someday come to the knights’ side.
The ‘knightly’ knights of the Koldenze army, who are involved in the city administration of Nambonan, are always thinking about when that day will come.
If you have a track record of making significant contributions to the city administration, it will be easy to appeal to you, “Please give control to your knight’s family!”
Even if my parents’ house couldn’t get control, if I gave a judgment about how they worked, I could just quit the army and get a new job as a knight’s civilian who got control. If you think about salary, it’s better to get it.
In any case, it is very important for their life plan to work seriously, take an authorized position, achieve results, and make a good impression on me.
“Young master, we are closely monitoring that area and are careful not to let the commoners of Evenapis settle in. Rest assured.”
Somehow the Evenapis people are treated like cockroaches and pests, but it’s a problem if you don’t look at them so rigorously.
The current owner of the Evenapis family is my mother’s grandfather, a picturesque martial arts grandfather. I don’t want to come to Nyuneri to complain.
“Oh, I’ll ask that too. I don’t want to bother my mother’s parents’ house either.”
That is the end of the story.
I resumed my inspections, this time talking to miners about the site.
The civilian told me that I didn’t have to do that much during the aristocratic inspection, but for me, a former Japanese, the mine was unusual and I enjoyed watching it.
Receive a wooden board and a brush from Rumon to take notes of what he hears.
“By the way, did you enjoy the Brothel?”
“Eh!?”
When I asked him casually, Rumon was more agitated than I expected. The other day, I was giving away a few silver coins as a brothel fee.
“Is this the first time you’ve been to Brothel?”
I remember being told that when I handed over the silver coins.
That’s why I turned my hand to the brothel enthusiast soldiers to take care of Rumon.
Rumon replies though it’s confusing, how he responded to my remarks.
“Well … yes. That … It was very good. Thank you.”
It was a radiant and good smile. It’s not ridiculous, but I can feel that I really think so.
“Women are … I thought they were good …”
“Let’s agree with that”
It seems that Rumon feels like the weight on his shoulders is lifted off because he has a clear picture of the future for his important Kohari.
It seems that he had a hustle at Brothel to his heart’s content.
“Mayor. Thank you for your cooperation.”
I give a light reply to the clever Rumon.
“Why don’t you look for a bride now rather than worrying about unnecessary things? You’re old enough.”
Rumon, who laughed vaguely, replied that a woman with a beautiful heart would be nice.
Did he didn’t think I’ll steal his girlfriend with my handsome face?
Unfortunately, I can’t deny it.
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