Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Unexpected Meeting (2)
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Yuno, who had been shaking Meyer's shoulder, let go with an apologetic look when Meyer seemed dizzy.
"No, Meyer, what brings you here?"
"My hometown is around here. Tesida Barony was originally my home, but after getting a hefty reward from this war, I figured I'd quit the dangerous stuff and maybe open a shop. That's why I came to Kiese Castle."
"I see. Found a good spot for business yet?"
"If I had, I wouldn't be wandering around like this. Anyway, Your Highness, what brings you to this backwater?"
"I'm the one assigned here: Tesidanikana Count. I got this territory as a reward for the recent war."
"Whoa! Then—?"
"Shh! I'm just scouting before officially taking office, so keep it quiet."
Yuno covered Meyer's mouth and glanced around. Luckily, the blacksmith shop's owner was away despite needing to guard it, so Yuno released his grip.
"Ugh, ptoo! Why'd you suddenly cover my mouth like that?"
"Drop the formal speech. Just call me Yuno."
"...You're not gonna nitpick later and chop my head off, right?"
"If I were that kind of guy, would I have made you a legion commander?"
Meyer nodded, seeing the logic in it. Hearing the owner return, Yuno cleared his throat and continued the act.
"Ahem. Mister Meyer, what brings you to the blacksmith shop?"
"Ah~ There's a note on the door saying the place is for sale, so I came to ask the price if I wanted to take it over. Haha."
Their acting was incredibly awkward, but the blacksmith owner spoke gruffly without suspicion.
"You two outsiders?"
"Yes. I studied in the capital and was dispatched here as extra staff since Nikana Barony got promoted to a county. Mister Meyer and I knew each other from the capital."
"Pleased to meet you. Name's Meyer. Came down to Kiese Castle to maybe open a butcher shop. I was even the guard captain in Tesida before, so not total strangers. Haha."
"Ah~ You're that Meyer who was guard captain in Tesida until a couple years ago. Nice to meet you. But why not go to Tesida instead?"
"That tiny place has all the good spots taken. Figured it'd be tough. Kiese Castle's got a decent-sized castle and lots of folks, so business should work here, right?"
"Heh heh heh. First time in a while, so you don't know the lay? Think I put the shop up for no reason? Clearing it out's easy, but come tomorrow morning with the administrator. You'll probably need to slip him a gold or two for the permit, so bring some."
Yuno cut in after hearing the blacksmith.
"Hm? Mister, what're you talking about? By imperial law, to start a business, you just report to the lord or his agent, right? Taxes are yearly at New Year's."
"Heh heh heh. Looks like a well-studied kid... But law's far, fists are close. In the sticks, you gotta cozy up to the local bosses, not some high-up in the sky."
He grumbled that the new hotshots were too zealous, which was why he was quitting business.
After the blacksmith's words, Yuno and Meyer backed off, checked a few more shops, and asked around, but heard the same: nothing without the guard captain or administrator's okay.
"Damn it... No need to dig more. First, beat that guard captain and administrator to death."
Yuno, fired up, headed for the lord's manor, but Meyer grabbed his hand to stop him.
"What? Meyer."
"Heh~ Your Highness, can't do that. Beat 'em dead with no proof? You'd just be a murderer."
"Think they can slap a murder charge on a prince? Frame it as insulting royalty and done."
"...Even if that works, you can't rule a territory like that. Kill the guard captain and administrator right after arriving? Would the locals follow you?"
"Wouldn't they love it? They were headaches."
"That's the naive noble thinking. No matter how they bully, they're locals they've dealt with daily. This is a closed-off place outsiders rarely visit. Everyone here's tied to them somehow, like it or not."
"..."
Yuno speechless, Meyer pressed on excitedly.
"Plus, say you kill 'em. Then appoint new ones? They'll pull the same scams, having seen their bosses profit."
"So what? Watch them embezzle?"
"Nah, would I suggest that? I'll get ironclad proof they can't deny. But in return..."
"In return?"
"Handle this well, and a nice reward... haha."
"Deal. Get solid proof, and you'll get a satisfying payout."
Meyer whispered his plan to Yuno's ear and requested supplies.
Yuno half-doubted but approved, handing over the items. Meyer got to work immediately.
Dressed in his fanciest clothes, he went to guard captain Gerard's house—pre-scouted—and knocked. A servant asked his business; he insisted on seeing Gerard urgently.
Soon, a huge man in pajamas yawned at the door.
"Uggghhh~~ What at this hour? Not urgent, come back tomorrow."
'Damn, what a beast. Almost Third Prince size.'
Meyer, ex-guard captain and imperial centurion, was burly and skilled, but even he flinched at Gerard's bulk.
"Greetings. I'm Meyer, sent by Third Prince Highness coming from capital Adria. Here urgently to see Captain Gerard."
Hearing "Third Prince," Gerard's sleepy eyes sharpened.
They hadn't told locals, but he and the administrator knew via telegram: Third Prince taking Tesidanikana County title. They'd planned to manipulate him for their power.
"Oh? Come in. Can't greet His Highness's envoy at the door."
Gerard led Meyer inside, sat him on the sofa, poured drinks.
"Wow~ I've run errands to many nobles' homes in the capital, but this place reeks of class. Been a while."
"Hahaha, thanks. Worked body and soul; Nikana Viscount left me heaps when he went to capital."
'Bull... How much embezzling and extortion for a mere guard captain to live like this?'
"So... why'd His Highness send you to me?"
"Truth is... Highness hates coming to this rural spot. Just turned adult, wants palace life in capital. What's fun in the sticks?"
"Haha, Nikana's decent once you know it... but yeah, moon to Adria's sun. Fair. So?"
"So... Highness wants a proxy to rule Tesidanikana. Legally fine."
"And you came to me...?"
"Yes. Proxy should know the territory well for locals to follow. Thought you'd be perfect for count proxy."
Gerard eyed Meyer, pondering the offer.
'Not crazy. Heard some lords just send proxies and stay in capital. Young prince? Totally. No one likes sticks after capital glamour...'
"Hmm... Proof? Sensitive matter."
"Of course! Count proxy appointment stamped by Third Prince, and Tesidanikana seal."
Seeing them, Gerard's suspicion vanished, joy bloomed.
'Proxy? Way more cash to squeeze. No more kowtowing to Boras!'
"But..."
"Hm? Issue?"
"Heard there's another respected figure besides you: Administrator Boras..."
Gerard's face soured instantly.
"Ahem... No need to worry about him! As proxy, I can handle alone. Guarantee excellent management without offending Highness!"
"I trust you, but Boras is already recommended... Unless proof of his corruption? Otherwise, experienced admin likely gets it."
Gerard's eyes bulged.
"Got it! Boras pretends great management but sucks locals dry—disloyal scum! Was gonna deal with him soon."
"Hmm~ Then, can you bring proof to manor by noon tomorrow? Solid, we'll punish Boras and appoint you proxy."
"Deal!! I'll deliver!"
Gerard escorted Meyer to the inn, vowing success.
Meyer pretended to enter his room, then approached Boras with the identical pitch. Boras fell for it, promising Gerard's corruption proof.