Episode 258
“…Eurachacha. Keueuung. Oh my, my back.”
Eric, a farmer in the midst of harvesting, straightened his bent back and made a groaning sound.
But contrary to his words, the smile never left his face.
Even if sweat trickles down on my sun-tanned skin.
Even though my back hurts like it will break from the scytheing that started early in the morning.
The dense waves of yellow wheat that I saw for the first time in 40 years of my life as a farmer spread out before my eyes, turning all that hardship into reward.
Even the fact that there was as much work left to do as the waves of wheat that filled my field of vision made me feel happy.
“Eric! Don’t rest alone, let’s rest together! Now, hurry up and get to work! You don’t want to just focus on your field and rest, do you?”
“Wait a minute, stretch your back a little and stop scolding me! I’m working! Do it!”
Leon, his colleague who was shouting next to him, seemed to feel the same way and had a smile on his face.
That mood spread throughout the western wilderness, newly cleared for farmland. No, beyond the western wastelands, the entire royal domain was filled with laughter.
“It’s a good harvest! It’s a good harvest!”
“Wow, look at these wheat grains. I’ve been farming all my life, but this is the first time I’ve seen wheat grains this strong.”
“What about rice!”
“I won’t have to worry about food this year!”
All of this was the result of the magic water farming method that was only practiced in the McLane estate last year.
This year, not only the newly cultivated western wasteland, but also the entire royal territory and the Esperanza domain were experiencing an unprecedentedly abundant harvest.
In addition, the tax rate, which had skyrocketed last year, was lowered to 30%, so the faces of the farmers who were working hard during the harvest season were all filled with joy.
Crops throughout the kingdom were no different from normal years, but only in the McLane domain and the Esperanza domain, areas under the direct control of the royal family, there was a good harvest.
That situation coincided with a period when the king purged the nobles and enforced a new tax policy, creating strange rumors.
The land under His Majesty’s blessing will be blessed with abundant harvests.
It was something that anyone who had learned anything would scoff at because it was absurd, but among the people, the number of people who believed in the rumor was gradually increasing.
“The Macline estate had a good harvest last year too!”
“How is it that the newly cleared wasteland is producing such a bountiful harvest?”
“Not only did we transform the wasteland into fertile soil, but we also had an unprecedented bountiful harvest…!”
Whatever the logic and basis, the change was very clear in their eyes.
‘Our’ King, His Majesty, is the one whom God protects.
As the rumors about Logan and the royal family changed 180 degrees from before, there were people who sighed even in this changed world.
* * *
“My lord. I think it will be difficult.”
“…I guess so.”
Baron Trevor D’Artan could only sigh with a dark look on his face upon hearing the report of his vassal Leto.
“How much is not enough?”
“After giving 60% of the 40% of taxes collected to the royal family, it will not amount to even a third of last year’s fiefdom budget.”
“Be more specific.”
“If the harvest is at the expected level, the salaries of 30 drivers alone will likely exceed the budget.”
“Uhm…”
The Baron’s face suddenly darkened.
‘A lord who can’t even maintain a knighthood. Are you really saying that the King is planning to kill all of our nobles?’
The Daltan estate was poor.
It was a mountainous fiefdom that collected 60% in taxes and sometimes had a deficit even when 30% of it was given to the royal family. Daltan Estate had no choice but to become a hard-core local nobleman because he could not afford to buy a mansion in the capital.
In such a situation, the moment the tax system was forced from 40% to 60%, it was a predictable process that financial ruin occurred.
“…I have to file an appeal to His Majesty.”
I thought that if I was going to die anyway, it would be better to at least try to ejaculate.
But Leto seemed to think differently.
“My lord, you are in big trouble. Your Majesty has already annihilated all the opposing nobles!”
Leto’s blue face seemed to represent how dangerous what the Baron was about to do was.
“I’m not saying I’m going to do it alone. We can’t be the only territory in a bad situation.”
“…Are you planning to file an appeal along with other nobles?”
“Yes. That’s the only way.”
“But, my lord. If you do that, you’ll end up like Count Jacques Juan…”
“Leto!!”
“I’m sorry.”
The Baron’s face was stiff as he looked down at Leto, who was lying face down.
The story of ‘Purge Day’, which included the incredible rumor that the king blew down the castle walls with a single blow, was recently considered a taboo in noble families.
Even more so in Daltanga, where Jacques Juan was considering joining, albeit belatedly.
However, the Baron who shouted was not unworried either.
‘The current king does not forgive those who rebel against him. I filed an appeal and really…. No, no. It’s not like we’re uprising, and we’re not going to cut our throats just to appeal.’
Current difficult situation and fear of the king.
The two things clashed dizzyingly in the Baron’s mind, creating conflict.
But then.
bang!
“My lord!!”
One of the knights opened the office door and came in, screaming.
“Wow, this is communication from the royal family!!”
Before taking any action yet.
However, the Baron’s heart seemed to sink because of the story he had been talking about a while ago.
The anxiety grew worse when the Baron entered the communications room with heavy steps.
[Are you Baron Trevor D’Artan? [This is my first time seeing this.]
A young man with red hair and red eyes in the communication port.
The Baron had never seen him in person, but he couldn’t tell who it was.
“Your Majesty. How can you directly….”
[Why? Did I do something I couldn’t do?]
Sigh.
The Baron swallowed his breath at those cold words and immediately fell flat on his face.
“Oh no, Your Majesty. How dare I think such a thing. It is just an honor to meet Yongan.”
[okay? Thank goodness.]
The Baron’s heart sank inwardly at that nonchalant tone.
But the relief only lasts for a moment.
[But there was a rumor that you tried to cooperate with Jacques Juan?]
“That’s a ridiculous rumor!”
At those thunderous words, the Baron jumped up from his prone position.
“Never! I never did that, Your Majesty! Please believe in my loyalty!”
The Baron shouted with an expression that showed a desperate will to cover up the truth.
Did that earnest feeling resonate?
Logan chuckled and immediately changed the topic.
[okay. It’s probably just a rumor. Well, I didn’t directly communicate with the Baron just to talk about such rumors.]
“Well, just tell me anything! I’ll do it faithfully!”
[okay? Hmm. That’s nice to hear. But this is not an order. This is just a suggestion, so I hope you think it through before answering.]
Suggestion?
King? To me?
…why?
The Baron’s mind became even more blank at the sudden words, but words were heard from beyond the communication port that confused his mind even more.
[baron. Isn’t it difficult to run a territory these days?]
Yes. It’s very difficult thanks to someone.
There were a lot of things he wanted to say, but the only words that made his voice drop as soon as he said them were so the Baron had no choice but to spit out the formal words with a shocked expression.
“…I am just acutely aware of the shortcomings of small people.”
[You don’t have to change your mind. I have heard plenty of stories about financial difficulties through dispatched supervisors.]
What does this mean?
Are you even going to help me?
[okay. Your guess is correct.]
Well, I don’t know. What did I guess?
As the Baron looked even more confused and lost his way, unexpected words came out of the King’s mouth.
[If you wish, the royal family intends to help you run the estate.]
“…Yes?”
[The Baron said that the royal family would help him run the estate.]
It was such an embarrassing statement that the Baron couldn’t help but ask back in a daze.
Didn’t the king try to take away the rights and interests of the nobles and oppress them?
Or is this even a trap that foresees the future?
As confusion added to the confusion, the Baron couldn’t help but ask a question that felt stupid to him.
“…why?”
A question like a child’s complaint.
‘What a fool…!’
Even I was surprised by the harsh tone that had not been used in the 40 years since I learned the etiquette of nobles at the age of 8, but the king in the communication section responded with a smile.
[The subjects of the Waggin Kingdom are going through difficulties, so wouldn’t it be natural for a king to lend a helping hand?]
At that moment, the Baron came to his senses.
These were very unbecoming words from a king who massacred dozens of nobles and ruined their families.
“…What are the conditions?”
Wasn’t this the first time he spoke like a lord since he met the king via communication?
In response to that reasonable question, the king just smiled and said.
[Conditions are really just a favor.]
“…I would be grateful if you would help me without conditions…”
That king really can’t do that.
The Baron looked at the communication port with an anxious expression and ominous confidence, and an answer beyond imagination came back.
[I will tell you the secret to bringing about a great harvest in the McLane territory and the royal territory of Esperanza.]
“Are you serious?”
As a baron, it was something he could not help but be pleased with.
A great year in just the three territories.
It couldn’t just be seen as a coincidence.
The foolish people said it was God’s blessing, but it was much more rational to infer that the king had a special secret. Doesn’t the data even prove that the McLane estate had a similarly abundant harvest last year?
However, that too was just a logical possibility and no one believed it to be true.
If such a method really exists, it would be more correct to say that it is a revolution that can change the history of mankind rather than a simple secret.
So it was not surprising that the Baron’s complexion changed suspiciously again.
“But are you saying that such a secret really exists? I can’t believe it…”
Shocked.
Even when I said it out of my own mouth, it was surprising.
The Baron’s complexion turned pale at the fact that he had blatantly doubted the words of the King of Slaughter.
However, the king in the communication sphere instead smiled.
[I wonder if I’m saying something out of the blue.]
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. If you tell me the secret, I’ll give it the honor of a lifetime.”
The relieved Baron lowered his head with still some fear and a little sincerity.
[But even if I tell you the secret, running the territory will not immediately become easier. Isn’t the financial situation difficult?]
It didn’t seem like something the person who made the financial situation difficult would say.
However, since he had already been promised undeserved favor by the king, who had complete power, the Baron honestly agreed.
“Yes. Even if we are guaranteed a good harvest next year, it is true that it is difficult to survive for another year.”
[okay. So, to solve that problem, I have something to ask the Baron.]
“Yes?”
It was truly a series of unexpected words.
How could a king ask himself a favor rather than an order?
Confusion appeared on the Baron’s face again.
[Will you send all the knights to the royal family? All financial burden, including their salaries, will be borne by the royal family.]
The baron’s expression hardened at the king’s next words.
‘also. There’s no way I’ll just give it to you.’
Knights are the basis of a lord’s power. In addition, the fundamental reason why noble families could exist above commoners was the existence of knights.
Baron Trevor, and indeed all nobles, must think that even if they lose everything else, they cannot give up the Knights.
However, since the one who said such a thing was a king who held in one hand a force and power unprecedented in the thousand-year history of the Kingdom of Grandia, the Baron cautiously asked.
“Are you saying that if I don’t dispatch the knights, you won’t tell me the secret you mentioned?”
A question carefully asked without making eye contact.
But an unexpected answer came back.
[no. Creating a country where the people prosper is what a king should do. Regardless of my request, I will tell you the secret to a good harvest.] Since
the king appeared so obediently, it was even more burdensome for the baron to continue talking to him. However, even if he considered himself a coward, he had to protect the knights for the sake of his family.
The Baron closed his eyes tightly and opened his mouth more cautiously.
“…I’m sorry, but it seems difficult to send the knights anyway. I will try to find a way as best as I can on my own.”
Of course, even if I said this, I had no choice if the king forced me to do it.
‘Even if the king cancels support, the knights must be protected.’
The Baron was determined to hold out as long as he could, no matter what tricks he used.
As I was preparing to be yelled at or treated coldly, a softer voice followed.
[baron. I don’t know about you, but there are still threats both internal and external in the kingdom. I intend to unite the kingdom’s strength to withstand all crises.]
If not for the recent war that the king personally started, wouldn’t it have always been a peaceful kingdom?
However, the Baron, who unconsciously relaxed at the soft voice, asked the king a question.
“…What do you mean by that?”
[Because this country is now the Kingdom of Macraine, not Grandia.]
Only then was the Baron able to understand the king’s words, at least a little.
A new kingdom that overthrew the existing dynasty.
It occurred to me that there could be a dispute here and there in neighboring countries.
The words that followed shook the Baron’s heart even more.
[I see the period of the crisis as three years. So, sending the knights for 3 years is enough. Your knights will learn the Iron Blood Sword and return stronger.]
Dispatch, not absorption.
In addition, he will teach the knights the swordsmanship that raised the reputation of the McLane Knights before that of the royal family.
[Will you do me a favor?]
Moreover, I couldn’t help but be shaken when the king, who had absolute royal authority and could forcefully give orders, spoke so politely to me, a mere country lord.
As the Baron was thinking about it, he felt ashamed of himself for only thinking about himself and his family. After thinking about it, he made a decision.
“I will follow your Majesty’s words.”
[…Thank you.]
That afternoon, 30 knights from Daltan territory rode straight toward the royal family.
Around the same time, knights from the same territory who received the king’s communication began to gather at the royal palace.
