Part III
Notices were posted in towns and villages in the southern Reim territory.
[Blart, who served as the deputy governor of the south, has been dismissed due to the suffering he caused the common people. A replacement deputy governor will be dispatched within two weeks. Additionally, the excess taxes collected will be allocated for the construction of reservoirs, road improvements, and distribution to areas suffering from food shortages. Furthermore, regions that faced increased taxes will be granted a three-year tax exemption. Ryoji Uchino, Count.]
“Oh! We won’t have to pay those high taxes anymore!”
“I’m going to consult with Ryoji-sama about the reservoirs!”
“I’m going to ask for road improvements!”
As the people read the notice, they smiled and cheered at the bright future ahead. Meanwhile, the territory’s capital was enveloped in a quiet excitement, as another notice announced that the new lord, Ryoji Uchino, who had departed from the Royal Capital, would soon be arriving.
For the residents, the fall of the Count Reim was a wonderful event. Over the past five years, taxes had increased several times, and prices had risen accordingly. Moreover, there had been no measures taken for road improvements or to address crop failures, leading to an increasing number of people fleeing to other territories, and the shortfall in tax revenue was being compensated for by raising taxes.
Among them is Count Ryoji Uchino’s appointment. He is known as the hero of Drugul and is a favorite of King Marcel, who has achieved numerous accomplishments. He has connections with influential figures such as the papal faction’s heavyweights Harold and Cardinal Ralph, the chief court magician Hermann, and the commander of the royal knights, Theobald. There are rumors of his engagement to Princess Elena.
Additionally, he is the conqueror of the beginner explorer dungeon owned by the Royal Magic Academy, and he is currently using the rewards he obtained to improve the road from the Royal Capital to the Holy Capital. Everyone was filled with hope that someone like Ryoji, who seemed to have jumped out of a story, would somehow manage the situation.
“You seem to be less energetic than I expected.”
“I think so too. I’ve heard that life is quite tough due to tax increases and poor harvests.”
In response to Ryoji’s voice, Carena replied sadly. The carriage of the group had stopped in front of an inn in the territorial capital, where Melta was negotiating accommodation with the innkeeper.
This was because Ryoji had expressed a desire to see life in the territorial capital while hiding his identity until they entered the mansion. A sign was raised to announce their arrival, and in the meantime, they planned to look around the territorial capital. They had prepared an old carriage, while the luxurious carriage Ryoji had created was stored away.
“Ryoemon-sama, the arrangements at the inn have been made. It seems we have a large room on the second floor. I also requested meals, but was that really alright?”
“Thank you for the arrangements, Mel-san. This way, we can understand the level of living better, right? After we drop off our luggage, I want to head out right away! Mel-san, Care-san, and Kuro, as usual, please gather information.”
“Ugh. I want to go with you, Ryoemon-sama.”
Kuro protested with a pout, and Ryoji smiled wryly, explaining that it was a job only Kuro could do while patting her head. Despite puffing her cheeks, she happily set off into the city.
———–
“I wonder what the specialty products of the Reim Count’s territory are?”
As Ryoji and the others walked through the market area, buying ingredients, food, and sweets, they noticed many closed shops, making the shopping district feel desolate. The items available were not spoiled but of poor quality, and the prices were high.
“Isn’t it quite expensive? I came from the Royal Capital, but are vegetables this pricey?”
“Of course! Even though it’s the territorial capital, the taxes are the same! If we don’t sell at this price, I might end up hanging myself. The same prices apply at other shops too.”
The woman who responded angrily to Ryoji’s question softened her tone slightly when she realized he was a child.
“Recently, those who can’t pay their taxes have been selling their children to reduce the number of mouths to feed or disappearing in the middle of night. Plus, if we source from other territories, we get hit with high taxes, and the roads are rough with many bandits. Hiring guards ends up being costly.”
The woman grimaced as she spoke about the current situation in the Reim Count’s territory.
——–
“It’s more serious than I thought.”
“Yes. I checked with the Adventurers’ Guild, and it seems the northern part with the dungeons still has some leeway. However, the southern region, including the territorial capital, seems to be in trouble.”
Listening to Melta’s report in the inn’s dining hall, Ryoji was deep in thought. The Reim Count’s territory was heading into winter, and while there likely wouldn’t be any starvation in the immediate future, something needed to be done.
“Perhaps we can revitalize the economy by improving the roads through public works while paying wages?”
“That’s true. But what about the food shortage? Even if we have money, if there’s nothing to buy—”
A man who appeared to be a merchant, having overheard Ryoji and Melta’s conversation, chimed in.
“Are you discussing whether the economy is good or bad? You have money but nothing to buy? If you’re interested, I can make a deal with you, depending on how you pay.”
“We’re in the same boat. Can you provide food that matches the money?”
Ryoji responded suspiciously to the suddenly speaking merchant. The man, still smiling, began to introduce himself.
“I know I seem suspicious. My name is Cecilio. I originally did business in the Count Stokeman’s territory, but I lost my market to the Carcano Trading Company. I came to the Reim Count’s territory seeking new opportunities.”
“We are from the Binbou Hatamoto San Nambou Shop. So, you came here after losing to Aurelio?”
“Ehh! Wait, are you—!”
Cecilio was about to respond with a wry smile to Carena’s words but froze when he looked at Ryoji. The moment Cecilio shouted, Ryoji quickly closed the distance, covered his mouth, and forced him to sit back down.
“Hey, what were you about to shout?”
“Y-you… Are you perhaps Count Ryoji Uchino?”
In a hushed voice, Ryoji asked, drawing the attention of those around them, and Cecilio whispered back.
“I’m pretending to be a merchant to learn about the current situation in the Reim Count’s territory. I didn’t think it would be discovered so quickly.”
“Anyone like me who saw the Count in Drugul would notice right away. You should really consider disguising your appearance.”
“Disguise? I see. I want to discuss a deal, so come at breakfast time.”
After hearing Cecilio’s remark, Ryoji nodded and replied.
The next morning, Cecilio arrived a little before the designated time. He began to eat a bland, small portion of soup with hard bread and dried meat, sighing in disappointment as he tried to finish his breakfast.
“May I join you?”
As Cecilio struggled to eat the hard bread dipped in soup, a beautiful woman asked to share the table with him. With her long, straight silver hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and fair skin, Cecilio found himself momentarily captivated. However, he quickly regained his composure and smiled as he welcomed her.
After observing Cecilio for a while, the woman casually took out breakfast from her item box and elegantly arranged it on the table before starting to eat.
“Wait, are you really bringing your own food into the dining hall?”
“Would you like to join me?”
As Cecilio lightly teased her while looking at the spread before him, the woman responded with an innocent smile, encouraging him to try her food.
“… By the way, this food is delicious. Does this item box have the ability to stop time? The dishes are still steaming.”
“It has a small capacity, but it’s quite convenient for transporting food.”
As they shared the meal from the item box, Cecilio asked her a few questions about it, and the woman cheerfully explained. Watching her delight in her explanation, Cecilio couldn’t help but smile wryly to himself. It was rare to see even a regular item box, and yet this woman seemed completely unaware of its value, casually showing off an item box that could stop time. Feeling certain she was connected to Ryoji, Cecilio looked around and sighed in exasperation.
“I’m supposed to meet the Count, but you’re one of his associates, right?”
“You’ve met me, but don’t you remember me?”
The woman tilted her head with a knowing smile as she answered, prompting Cecilio to glance around and shout.
“Hey! I told you to disguise yourself, but I didn’t say to dress up like this!”
At Cecilio’s loud voice, Ryoji, who was sitting at the next table, stood up and spoke.
“Did I get found out?”
“I can tell! Besides, you rented out the whole dining hall! First, you!”
Cecilio pointed not at Ryoji but at a man sitting next to him.
“Why are you dressed so strangely?”
If someone recognized him, they would say he looked like a samurai from the Edo period. The sturdy and sharp-featured Vitor was impeccably dressed in a traditional haori and hakama, complete with a topknot. Vitor looked at Cecilio with a knowing gaze and replied.
“It’s my lord’s command.”
“O-oh. Right. I think you should choose your master wisely. Next! You over there!”
“You see through my disguise? You are no ordinary person!”
“I am ordinary! What part of that is a disguise? It looks ridiculous!”
Cecilio calmly retorted to Kuro’s response. It was clearly a costume. A five-year-old child was standing stiffly in a black cat outfit. It was undeniably awkward.
“How can you even talk in that outfit?”
“Ryoji-sama, the downside of this is that it’s hot. I request improvements.”
Thinking that the downside was definitely not that, Cecilio began to point out the others in disguise.
“Hey! You there! Why do you have a little mustache and a bald wig? Huh? Are you also following your lord’s orders? My bad. You’re wearing a basket that covers your face, right? Is that a monk’s outfit from the count’s homeland? And why do you have a giant conch shell? Does it make a loud sound when you blow it? And what about that guy in heavy armor with messy hair? Huh? Is he dressed as a soldier who lost a war in the Count’s country? Are you okay, sweating like that? You say it’s for atonement, so don’t mind it?”
Cecilio finished addressing the oddities among the disguises. Then he approached those who were dressed relatively normally and began to poke fun at them.
“Those over there are clearly oddballs, right? What about you guys? Why are you wearing glasses on just one side? Is that in fashion in the count’s homeland? Then is the fake mustache also in style? Isn’t it a bit much for a girl to wear? Is it a unique item that only you can remove? O-oh. I see. That’s great. And what about the guy wearing completely black glasses, with his mouth covered by cloth and a hat, wearing a long coat indoors? Is it tough for you? Yeah, I get it. I agree with you. Isn’t it okay to take that off?”
Cecilio diligently pointed out everyone, and finally made his way to Ryoji, letting out a grand sigh.
“Hey, Count. What were you thinking dressing like that?”
“Isn’t it cute?”
Ryoji, now transformed into a beautiful girl with long silver hair and blue eyes, wearing a flowing dress, spoke to Cecilio with a defiant smile.
“Why are you cross dressing?”
“I tried various things, but Carena and Melta agreed on this. Right, Care ane-sama and Mel ane-sama?”
As Ryoji called the two with a tone of resignation, Cecilio and the woman he first spoke to, along with the woman in a fake mustache, happily approached.
“That’s right, Cecilio-san. What do you think? How does Ryoji-sama’s disguise look?”
“It’s wonderful. And everyone else looks great too. I didn’t expect anyone to wear a fake mustache.”
As Cecilio answered Carena’s question with a wry smile, Melta, wearing the fake mustache, chimed in.
“You’ve noticed the charm of the fake mustache, haven’t you?”
“No, I haven’t. Is it Melta-san? It seems a bit forced for you to wear a fake mustache, so maybe you should stop… I mean, no, it suits you well. Enjoy the fake mustache.”
At Cecilio’s words about it being forced, Melta shot him a frosty glare. Just then, Ryoji, now transformed into a beautiful girl, called out to the flustered Cecilio.
“I want you to procure food and find industries that can become specialties in Count Reim’s territory. Don’t worry about the funds; I’ll cover it myself. Also, I’ll give you an item box for transporting goods.”
“Oh, leave that to me. First, I’ll procure food. The breakfast served at the inn can tell you a lot about the land’s standards. This won’t do; we need to improve it urgently. Also, I want a pass that allows free passage through checkpoints. I’ll investigate the specialties as a service.”
Ryoji and Cecilio discussed plans for the Count Reim’s territory. The gap between the southern region, which included the capital, and the northern region with dungeons was widening. The southern region’s economy, centered around agriculture, was highly susceptible to weather changes, and with increased taxes, more villagers were leaving, leading to a decline in production and a downward trend in food self-sufficiency.
“Let’s start with the Capital. By the way, do you know anything about the reputation of this land?”
“Yeah. It feels like ‘a noble territory on the brink of collapse’ and ‘countdown to ruin’? The evaluation from the residents is the lowest, and the reputation from other territories is also bad.”
“The large amount of preparation funds we received from King Marcel is probably due to that.”
“Hey, can I interrupt for a moment?”
As Ryoji tilted his head, prompting Cecilio to continue, Cecilio slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and shouted loudly.
“Don’t just hand over an item box so easily! Do you even understand its value?”
“It’s very convenient, you know?”
“Of course! I’d like to see someone say it’s inconvenient!”
“Calm down. The Uchino family’s secret treasure, the item box, can store anything regardless of size. We even stored the carriage we rode in. Compared to that, the item box I’m giving to Cecilio isn’t that impressive. I made it myself.”
“Huh? Wait a minute. The Count’s item box can store anything regardless of size? Isn’t that a divine artifact? And the item box was made by the Count? Made it, you say? Huh? Not that impressive? If you make a lot of them, you could make a fortune! Huh? You’re not interested in that?”
As Ryoji sipped his coffee while watching the confused Cecilio, Carena and Melta were happily fixing his hair.
“Count-sama, do I have to keep pointing out that beautiful girl outfit? It’s a delight to see the three of you together, but I can’t keep up with the teasing!”
“Don’t say something so lonely. If it were Marco, he’d be teasing right away. Cecilio, catch up to Marco quickly.”
Ryoji laughed, accepting the excessive physical affection from Carena and Melta. Carena was happily braiding and unbraiding Ryoji’s silver hair into various styles, while Melta was tidying up Ryoji’s nails and trying out various accessories.
“Ryoji-sama, how long do I have to keep this outfit on?”
“Vitor’s outfit will stay the same. Think of it as the gear for patrolling soldiers. By the way, it’s not just Vitor; all the subordinates are dressed like this. The unit is called Machikata Doushin. If it operates well in the north, we’ll set up another Machikata Doushin in the south.”
Vitor was astonished to learn that his current outfit was the official gear, but remembering it was his lord’s command, he nodded dramatically. The ones who were flustered were the others, especially those in heavy armor with messy hair or those wearing baskets that obscured their faces, desperately pleading for a change of outfit.
In the food market of the capital of the Count Reim’s territory, a striking trio was walking through. With long, straight hair mixed with gold and emerald, and slender bodies, one was a classically beautiful girl with cobalt blue eyes. The other had straight black hair, fair skin, and a voluptuous figure, an intellectual beauty wearing glasses that attracted attention. The third was a lovely girl with silver hair and blue eyes, elegantly wearing a frilly dress, looking a bit bewildered.
It was Carena and Melta, who had stopped their disguises, while Ryoji for some reason continued to be in disguise. The beauty of the three and the sight of the two sisters playfully pulling along their sister drew smiles from passersby, who either admired or were captivated by the scene.
Among the three who were oblivious to the extraordinary attention they were receiving from those around them, two were enjoying the market with innocent joy while one wore a more detached expression.
“Next, let’s go buy some clothes!”
“After that, we should get some accessories too!”
“Huh? I don’t need any more clothes or accessories… No, never mind. Care Ane-sama, Mel Ane-sama.”
Ryoji tried to argue against Carena and Melta’s words, but after letting out a light sigh at their sharp gazes, he decided to leave everything to them and followed along.
—-
“Hey, you cute trio over there! Want to hang out with us?” “Hey, how about working at my shop? If you all work together, I’ll pay you five gold coins each!” “You ladies are beautiful! I’ll throw in a little extra!” “Those lovely flowers over there, let me show you around the capital!”
Before they had even walked halfway down the market street, voices were calling out from all directions. While Carena and Melta casually brushed them off, those who persisted were quietly whisked away by a sudden appearance of a black-clad group that went unnoticed.
“Hey, I’m a bit tired. How about we take a break? My feet are starting to hurt in these unfamiliar shoes.”
“No way! Not with that way of speaking! You have to use a girl’s words!”
As Carena admonished Ryoji for his choice of words, she checked the availability at a nearby café and led them inside.
“Ugh! I’m exhausted! These shoes are…”
“‘Your way of speaking!’”
“I-I guess these shoes just don’t suit me.”
As Ryoji tried to express his tiredness while sitting down, he was corrected by Carena and Melta for sitting with his legs spread wide. The female shopkeeper, who had been watching this scene, approached them with a smile to take their order.
“Haha, you all get along well. Is this your first time in Count Reim’s territory? What brings you to such a desolate place?”
“We came from the Royal Capital. We heard that Count Ryoji Uchino is governing in place of Count Reim, so we came to see. We’re thinking of enjoying a parade or a welcome party before heading to Drugul to start a general goods shop. What’s the current state of the capital?”
Melta asked the question while giving a neutral response. The shopkeeper shared that the economy wasn’t doing well, that taxes were high and causing struggles, and that sourcing ingredients was quite difficult.
“Count Ryoji Uchino is called the hero of Drugul, but I hear he’s only eleven years old. He’s about the same age as that young lady over there, right? He might be great in battle, but politics is another story. In the end, he’ll probably just end up like the previous Count, going to the royal capital and never returning. We’ll be the ones paying high taxes to support that lifestyle. Everyone seems to have high hopes, but I’m worried. I hope the next Count will lower the taxes a bit.”
With a sigh, the shopkeeper went into the kitchen to prepare the ordered food and drinks.
“Isn’t the expectation for me a bit lukewarm?”
“Well, it can’t be helped. No one knows how amazing Ryoji-sama is yet.”
Melta replied to Ryoji’s disappointed words in a comforting tone, while Carena also patted Ryoji’s head to console him.
“You really do get along well. Here’s your coffee and tea. Are you going to drink the coffee, young lady? Do you want a lot of milk in it? It’ll cost one copper coin, though.”
“Thank you! If Ryoji-sama comes and the taxes go down, the milk will be free, right?”
“Haha, I’d be happy if that happens too.”
In response to Carena’s words, the shopkeeper laughed as she handed over the milk and accepted a copper coin.
—–End—–
[TN: Tomorrow will be 2 Chaps of Noble Reincarnation]
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