The Lure (1)
It is terrifying how dangerous a law can be when it hasn't been modernized.
And in an era of absolute monarchy, at that?
'There’s no way there’s any mercy to be found.'
Some might argue that even if they are unregistered wanderers, they are still imperial citizens because they live their lives on imperial land. But that is merely the perspective of a modern, educated person raised in the 21st century.
'In this era, a wanderer without a name in the census register is nothing more than a traitor who refuses to pay taxes or fulfill military service.'
Since the Emperor’s power is derived from the sheer number of imperial subjects, what would happen to the merchant guilds that regularly traded fur with unregistered wanderers?
'One report is all it takes for a "heads will roll" ending.'
Just look at the merchant in front of me, currently in a state of panic. And this is someone I called up because I thought they had a bit of backbone. If it had been any other merchant, they would have either fainted on the spot or drawn their blade in a "let's die together" frenzy—it would have been absolute chaos.
"But since you are all so cooperative with the authorities, surely there must be a reason for it, right?"
Aiden intended to give them a chance.
'Besides, it’s inconvenient if they disappear right now.'
I’ll calculate the margins first, and if I decide the benefits outweigh the costs, I can always deal with them later.
"...What if I were to answer that I don't know?"
"Is that your answer?"
"It’s a hypothetical. I have many mouths to feed, you see."
Still, Kalisa was indeed a formidable woman. Even after her secret was exposed, she was already back to clicking her abacus with a chilling expression.
"A cornered rat will bite the cat, after all."
Now she was even resorting to threats. In other words, what she was really saying was:
'If things go south, you’re the first one I’m taking down with me?'
It was a threat only possible here in the North, where they were practically cut off from the central government. But I wasn't a fool either.
"Adjutant. The tea has gone cold; this is no way to treat a guest."
"Yes, Administrative Officer."
Jamie, who had been huddled in the corner, rose from his desk and approached the table with hot water he’d kept on the stove.
Crack, crack-.
Thud, thud, thud-.
They said spring was coming, but the North still required a fireplace. The sound of firewood burning in the hearth kept time with his heavy footsteps.
Pour, pour-.
Steam rose in billows from the fresh tea Jamie poured.
"Sigh. I told you we need to change the tea leaves."
"Ah, is that so?"
"This is the fourth time they've been reused. It makes the tea taste bitter."
"I was born and raised in the North, so I don't know much about tea..."
"I’ve taught you now, so don't forget it next time."
"Yes, Administrative Officer."
And then, thud, thud-. Jamie returned to his post.
"......"
Gulp.
Only the sound of Kalisa swallowing hard broke the silence.
That’s right. Aiden’s lovely adjutant, Jamie, was a pure-blooded Northerner. He was the toughest of the tough—the kind of man whose entire village had grabbed his pant legs and begged him not to become an official, but a hunter instead.
'Heh.'
Even now, a guy who looks like he’d be much better suited wielding a halberd than a pen is standing right next to me. Do you really think you can stab me?
'She’s smart enough to know better than that.'
That was the reason Aiden didn't bother using his office alone.
"Drink up. It’s been steeped a few times, but it’s warm, so it’ll help you thaw out."
"...Yes."
"And about that 'cornered rat' comment from earlier..."
"It was nothing."
"That’s what I thought."
The world runs on muscle. That’s a truth that applies in every world.
"...You really didn't know either?"
"I thought there would be some, but... this is..."
The leadership of the Lord's Castle (two people) could only stare blankly at the map Kalisa had gifted them.
The red marks on the map.
"This means these are all villages the Lord's Castle hasn't even identified."
There were eight villages in total where the approximately 3,200 people listed in the Northern census register lived. The largest village, where the Lord's Castle was located, had about a thousand people, while the smaller villages had populations of only one or two hundred.
But,
"Three, four, five..."
There were twelve red dots. Wow!
A miracle administrator who increased the number of villages by 150% in just one month of taking office.
'This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.'
I should have known from the moment I realized there was no proper administrative data left behind.
"It’s mind-boggling."
"I, I apologize."
"What do you have to apologize for?"
I should be blaming the pathetic state of technological development in this place, which lacks even satellite imagery. Or perhaps it’s the fault of those previous administrative hacks who didn't even bother trying to do anything because they thought this was a discarded land?
'I heard renowned mages can fly through the sky—can't they just use them instead of satellites?'
I briefly pondered a "Mage Exploitation Project," but since I couldn't even begin to fathom how to start that, I passed.
"Anyway, the census. We have to do it again, right?"
"Will they comply willingly?"
"Their trade with the merchant guilds depends on it. No compliance, no trade."
"Ah-."
I had already issued a stern warning to the guilds, including Kalisa.
- You’ve been milking this for a long time, haven't you? From now on, you can't have it all to yourselves. Let's share, shall we?
I explained that very kindly. I told them:
- You want to keep trading with the unregistered villages like you used to? Don't even dream of it. We’re going to attach an official or a soldier to each of those villages. The moment one of them disappears, gets hurt, or meets any other 'personal misfortune,' we will report to the capital that your guilds have been intentionally hiding wanderers from the Empire for profit.
I also told them that I had already sent soldiers to those distant places, and if they didn't receive word from me within a set period, all this information would be sent directly to the Imperial Court, so they shouldn't even dream of trying anything reckless.
'With this, my safety is also somewhat secured.'
Aiden felt a sense of relief. The sense of accomplishment you get from finishing tasks one by one is truly something! Being buried in work is definitely the only drug the country allows.
The thrill of this addiction.
"Hehehehe!"
Startle!
Jamie was uncharacteristically frightened by his superior's maniacal laughter, but a strong spirit comes from a strong body. He quickly regained his composure and spoke up.
"I will conduct the census myself."
"You?"
"I’ve learned a thing or two watching you, Administrative Officer, so I won't disappoint you!"
Jamie puffed out his chest, thumping it with his fist.
"Still, there will be quite a bit of resistance. These are people who have never paid taxes or served in the military, so they might resist violently..."
"Yes?"
"...Never mind. Good luck."
"Yes!"
Aiden had no choice but to swallow his words. Anyone would have done the same. What could be more useless than telling a physical-type Viking—who carries stones tied to his arms and legs because he doesn't have time to work out due to constant overtime—to "take care of his body"?
"But, did you finish everything I told you to do before you go?"
"...Yes?"
"Bring it here."
"That is..."
"......"
"......"
"Take off your coat again."
"...Yes..."
Aiden simply couldn't understand it. How much work could there possibly be that he still hasn't finished it? You can just eat a sandwich at your desk, and as for the nights, you can just pull a few all-nighters, can't you?
'He’s a good guy, but he really lacks a knack for work.'
People always have different standards.
In the end, the soldiers decided to take over the census of the unregistered villages. I had considered sending lower-level officials, but officials were precious resources, and it was too early to send them out into the field.
'There will be backlash about having to pay taxes, but I can smooth that over with something else.'
Even if the first whip stings, if the carrot that follows is enough to fill their bellies and then some, they won't fear the whip in the end.
'The best thing is jobs.'
In any world, there is no issue that gets the common people more on edge than the problem of making a living.
'Usually, the standard way to solve this is to launch a massive civil engineering project...'
The problem is that the Lord's Castle's treasury is currently empty.
'A lure attractive enough to make them accept paying taxes.'
For the first time in a while, Aiden took his eyes off his documents and fell into thought. Jamie watched his superior with a puzzled look, and eventually, unable to overcome his curiosity, he asked.
"Um, Administrative Officer."
"What. Are you done with your work?"
"That’s still a long way off... but, I was just wondering why you’ve been agonizing over this for a while now. The unregistered census is already being handled, so it seems like it’s all resolved."
"Resolved, my foot."
Aiden clicked his tongue at Jamie’s words.
"They might comply with the census for now because they need to trade. But how have those people been living until now?"
"...Well?"
"They’ve been living in hiding, you idiot!"
"Ah!"
A sound like a lightbulb popping went off in Jamie’s head. No matter how much you don't need a brain when you have a body like that, he’s been aspiring to be an official for five years now—if he’s still like this, that’s a big problem in itself.
'He really seems to have chosen the wrong career path.'
Regardless, he’s my only adjutant, for better or worse, so I have no choice but to teach him.
"If they don't fully assimilate as residents of the North, I don't know for sure, but those unregistered people will definitely run back outside the system."
"Eh, surely not."
"They’ve been living like that their whole lives; it’s what they’re used to. The moment you think 'surely not,' it’s already too late. We have to set up countermeasures in advance."
"But we can't send soldiers to every village to keep watch, can we?"
As I said before, Northerners are born warriors and hunters. Of course, the few soldiers at the Lord's Castle were the pick of the litter, making each one a weapon in their own right, but that doesn't mean one or two people can monitor and control every village.
"We have to find a way to fully incorporate the people who were outside the system into the system."
"Into the system?"
Jamie sat there with his brow furrowed, frustrated because he couldn't quite grasp what I meant.
"Something only we can provide."
"Uh... is there such a thing? Our financial situation..."
Jamie trailed off at Aiden’s words. I know, I know. I’m well aware we don't have a dime to our names.
"No, we do. We have money."
"If you’re talking about the taxes the merchant guilds are going to pay, they haven't come in yet."
"I know that. I’m talking about this, this."
Rattle-.
A pouch emerged from Aiden’s drawer.
"Jenkin left a donation."
Aiden’s face lit up with joy as he smiled.
'Ah, he was a good merchant-.'
Still, it’s a bribe meant for the acting Lord, so surely it’s a decent amount, right?
'I don't need much, just enough money to fund one regional project!'
Clink, clink-.
I hurriedly loosened the drawstring of the pouch, and the sound of coins inside kept making my heart race.
"This is it!"
Clink, clatter, roll, jingle!
As I turned the pouch upside down, the coins scattered in every direction.
Roll, roll, tap!
The last coin rolled to the corner of the desk and stopped.
"......"
"......"
Aiden and Jamie also stopped.
The coins that came out of the pouch were silver, not gold. And there were barely twenty of them.
"...Damn it."
"...Should I go catch him and hang him?"
For the first time in a while, the leadership of the Lord's Castle (capacity: 2) was in perfect agreement.