Chapter 53 – Unexpected Meeting (2) *Mayer Illustration*
Unexpected meeting (2)
Yuno, who had been shaking Mayer by the shoulder, let him go with an apologetic expression when he became dizzy.
“No, May, what are you doing here?”
“My hometown is around here. Baron Teshida was originally my hometown, but I must have received a lot of reward money during this war. I wanted to stop doing dangerous work, so I came here to Kiese Castle with the idea of opening a store.”
“Okay. Have you found a place to do business?”
“I couldn’t find it, so I’m wandering around like this. By the way, what brought you to this country, His Highness?”
“I am Count Tessidanicana, who has decided to take up his post here. I received this territory for my achievements in the last war.”
“Huh! Then what?”
“Shh!! I’m just making an inspection before taking up my post in earnest, so please be quiet.”
Yuno covered Mayer’s mouth and looked around her. Fortunately, after seeing that the owner who was supposed to be guarding the blacksmith shop was away, Yuno released Mayer’s mouth.
“Hey, hehe, why are you suddenly covering her mouth?”
“Don’t even use the honorifics, just call me Yuno.”
“… You’re not going to find fault and hit your head later, right?”
“If I were that kind of person, would I have made you a corps commander?”
Mayer nodded her head as if it made sense. And when Yuno heard the owner coming back, he cleared his throat and continued speaking.
“Hmm, Uncle Mayer, what brought you to the blacksmith shop?”
“Ah~ There was a note posted on the door saying they had opened a store here, so I came here to ask how much it would be to take over the place. Haha.”
It was an extremely awkward performance between the two, but the blacksmith owner opened his mouth bluntly without any suspicion.
“Are you both foreigners?
“Yes. I studied in the capital, but this time, when Nikana territory was promoted to county territory, I was dispatched as an additional official. I was acquainted with Uncle Mayer here in the capital.”
“Please take care of me. My name is Mayer. I came down here from Chiese Castle to think about opening a butcher shop. I used to be a guard captain in Teshida Territory, so I’m not really an outsider. Haha.”
“Ah, Mr. Mayer, who was the guard commander at Tesida Territory until the year before last. Nice to meet you. But why did you come here instead of going to Tesida?”
“I thought it would be a bit difficult in such a small place, since all the good places to do business were occupying one place. Still, Chiese Castle is quite big and there are many residents, so wouldn’t there be some level of business?”
“Clark, it’s been a while since I’ve been here, so you don’t know much about the situation here? Do you think I gave up the store for no reason? Well, it’s not difficult to vacate the store, but first, come tomorrow morning with the administrator. I don’t know, but you have to give me a gold coin or two to get permission to do business. “I think I’ll have to bring some with me.”
After hearing what the blacksmith owner said, Yuno intervened.
“Hmm? Uncle, what do you mean? According to imperial law, wasn’t it necessary for anyone who wanted to start a business or business to just report it to the lord of the relevant territory or his agent? Taxes are paid at the beginning of each year, right?”
“Looking at you, you seem like a very well-educated kid… The law is far away, but your fists are close. If you want to make a living in a country like this, you have to impress those in power right above you rather than the people in the sky.”
He complained that the newcomers this time were particularly polarizing and that he was giving up his business because he was dirty.
At the words of the blacksmith shop owner, Yuno and Mayer took a step back and looked around a few more stores to inquire about the situation, but they only heard similar stories about how nothing could be done without permission from the guard captain or administrator.
“Damn it… I don’t need to find out more. I have to start by killing that guard captain and the administrator.”
Yuno was excited and tried to invade the lord’s residence, but Mayer held his hand and stopped him.
“What is it? Mayer”
“Hehe, Your Highness, the prince. You can’t do that. What are you going to do if you beat him to death like that and there’s no evidence? Then you’ll just be a murderer.”
“Do you think he can dare charge the prince with murder? He could just charge him with insulting the royal family and that would be enough.”
“… Even if that’s possible, you shouldn’t do that if you want to rule the territory. What if you kill the territory’s guard captain and administrator as soon as you take office as the lord? Would the people of the territory respond well?”
“No? They seem like a nuisance, but wouldn’t the people of the territory like them?”
“That’s a very simple thought from those in high positions. No matter how much they harass them, they are still local residents who usually live together. This is a closed area where outsiders do not come and go. As such, the people who live here, whether they like it or not, “I mean, they’re all wearing at least one thing.”
“…”
When Yuno could not answer, Mayer continued speaking excitedly.
“Besides, let’s say you beat them to death like that. Then, wouldn’t it be necessary to appoint a guard captain or administrator to do that job? Then wouldn’t they commit fraud using similar methods? They were already clearly watching their predecessor get a share of the money. ?”
“Then what are you asking me to do? Are you just going to watch them make illegal gains?”
“Ah, do you want me to say that? I’ll secure evidence that they can’t steal. Instead…”
“Instead?”
“If I handle this well, I’ll give you Eun Sang. Haha,”
“Okay. If you can secure enough evidence, I’ll give you a very satisfying reward.”
Mayer whispered his plan into Yuno’s ear and requested the necessary items.
Although Yuno was skeptical, he agreed to his plan and gave May the items he requested, and he took action as soon as he received them.
First, he dressed up in the most fashionable clothes he had, went to the house of Guard Captain Gerard, whom he had identified in advance, and knocked on the door. Then a servant came out and asked what was going on, and he asked to be called, saying he had to urgently look for Gerard.
Immediately afterward, a large man in pajamas came to the door, stretched out and spoke.
“Uuuuu~~ Something happening this time of night? Unless it’s urgent, come back tomorrow.”
‘Wow, that one size is enormous. I guess it’s almost the same level as His Highness the Third Prince?’
Mayer himself had a sturdy physique as he was a former baronial guard and a centurion in the imperial army, and was quite confident in martial arts, but Gerard’s body was so large that he flinched for a moment.
“Hello. I am Mayer, sent by His Highness the Third Prince who is coming down from the capital Adria. Furthermore, I have come to see Gerard in a hurry.”
Gerard’s eyes, which had been filled with sleepiness, began to shine sharply when he heard that the Third Prince had sent him.
Although they did not inform the residents, the magistrate, and he already knew through a telegram that the third prince was coming here with the title of Earl of Tessidanicana, and they had already made a plan to persuade the third prince so that he could enjoy his current power. .
“Ho? Really? Please come in for a moment. I can’t greet the envoy sent by His Highness the Prince at the door like this.”
Gerard took Meyer into the house, sat him down on the sofa, and gave him a drink.
“Hey, I’ve been to quite a few noble houses in the capital on errands, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been to a family so elegant.”
Hehe, thank you for the compliment. I worked hard and devoted my heart and soul, and Viscount Nikana left me a lot of property when he went to the capital.”
‘What a mess… How many people have been actively embezzling and stealing money for a security chief to live in a house like this?’
“But… Why did His Highness the Third Prince send you to me?”
“Actually… His Majesty the Third Prince does not want to come down to the countryside. He has just become an adult and wants to enjoy a luxurious life in the palace of the capital. He asked if there was anything to enjoy in a country like this.”
Haha, this Nikana territory is a good town if you know it, but… Compared to Adria, it’s like a crescent moon in front of the moon, so it’s worth it. So?”
“So… Your Majesty wants you to have your own representative rule over Teshidanikana Territory. Legally, there is no problem.”
“But the fact that you came to visit me…?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t it be better for the person who becomes the acting lord who governs the territory to be someone who knows this territory well? That way, the people of the territory will also follow along well. So, I came to see if Gerard could take the position of acting count.”
Gerard looked at Meyer’s face and thought about the validity of the proposal.
‘It’s not a completely empty story. In fact, I heard that some lords were living in the capital, sending only their agents. And the young prince deserves it. No one likes to live in the countryside after being in a fancy capital…’
“Hmm… But is there any evidence? It’s a sensitive issue…”
“Ah! Of course! Here is the letter of appointment as lord representative with the seal of His Highness the Third Prince and the seal symbolizing Count Tessidanicana.”
Only after seeing the two items that Mayer held out did Gerard’s doubts disappear, and he was filled with joy.
‘If he becomes deputy earl, he will be able to extort much more money than he does now. Hehe, there’s no need to worry about Boras!’
“Just…”
“Hmm? What’s going on?”
“Yes. From what I heard, there is another person in this Nikada region besides Gerard who is highly regarded. I heard he is the Boras administrator…”
When Gerard heard those words, his face suddenly darkened.
“Hmm… There’s really no need to worry about that girl! If she’s the Count’s representative, she can handle it all on her own. I guarantee she’ll manage it well so as not to disgrace His Highness the Prince!”
“Of course, I trust Gerard, but Boras has already been recommended… Is there any evidence that Boras has done something wrong? Otherwise, there is a possibility that an administrator who is familiar with management will serve as the lord’s representative…”
Then Gerard’s eyes turned.
“That’s right! Boras, that guy pretends to run the territory well on the outside, but behind her back, he’s a very disloyal guy who sucks the blood of the people of the territory!! I was planning to deal with that guy sooner or later.”
“Hmm~ Then, can you bring the evidence to the official residence by noon tomorrow? If the evidence is clear, I will punish Boras and appoint Gerard as the acting lord.”
“Okay!! I’ll make sure to get it!”
Gerard walked Mayer to the inn and assured him that he would do it.
Then, Maier pretended to enter the inn room and went to Boras and made the same offer as he had made to Gerard. He also assured that Boras would fall for Maier’s offer and find evidence of Gerard’s corruption.
*Illustration by Vladimir Mayer
Maravillosa jugada 😄👍