37-53

EP.53 An Unexpected Encounter (2) 

An Unexpected Encounter (2) 

Yuno, who had been shaking Meyer by the shoulders, let go with an apologetic look when he saw Meyer getting dizzy. 

"Hey, Meyer, what brings you here?" 

"My hometown is nearby. I’m originally from the Teshida Barony, but after getting a hefty reward from the last war, I wanted to quit dangerous work and maybe open a shop, so I came to Kiese Castle." 

"So, have you found a good spot for your business?" 

"I haven’t, that’s why I’m wandering around. By the way, Your Highness, what brings you to this countryside?" 

"I’m the new Count of Teshidanikana, assigned here for my achievements in the last war." 

"What! Then—?" 

"Shh!! I’m doing an inspection before officially taking up the post, so keep it down." 

Yuno covered Meyer’s mouth and looked around. Fortunately, the blacksmith who should have been minding the shop was away, so Yuno let go. 

"Hey, why are you suddenly covering my mouth?" 

"And stop with the formal speech, just call me Yuno." 

"…You’re not going to use this against me and have me executed later, right?" 

"If I was that kind of person, would I have made you corps commander?" 

Meyer nodded, seeing the logic. Then, hearing the shop owner returning, Yuno cleared his throat and continued. 

"Ahem, so Meyer, what brings you to the blacksmith?" 

"Ah, there was a note on the door saying the shop was up for sale, so I came to ask about the price. Haha." 

Their acting was extremely awkward, but the blacksmith owner didn’t seem suspicious and spoke gruffly. 

"You’re both outsiders?" 

"Yes. I studied in the capital and was sent here as an extra administrator after Nikana territory was promoted to a county. I know Meyer from the capital." 

"Pleased to meet you. I’m Meyer. I came down here to maybe open a butcher shop in Kiese Castle. I was the captain of the guard in Teshida until recently, so I’m not a total outsider. Haha." 

"Ah, so you’re Meyer, the former captain in Teshida until two years ago. Nice to meet you. But why not go back to Teshida?" 

"All the good business spots there are already taken, so it’s hard. But Kiese Castle is bigger, with more residents, so I figured business would be better." 

"Heh, you don’t know how things work here, do you? There’s a reason I’m selling the shop. It’s not hard to vacate the place, but come back tomorrow morning with the administrator. You’ll probably need to slip them a gold coin or two for a business permit, so bring some money." 

At this, Yuno interjected. 

"Excuse me, sir, but what do you mean? Isn’t it imperial law that you just need to notify the lord or their agent to start a business, and taxes are paid at the start of each year?" 

"Heh, you seem like a smart kid, but the law is far and power is near. In the countryside, you need to get on the good side of the local powers more than the high nobles above." 

He grumbled that the new guys were especially aggressive, so he was quitting the business out of disgust. 

After hearing this, Yuno and Meyer checked a few more shops, but everywhere they heard the same thing: nothing could be done without the permission of the captain of the guard or the administrator. 

"Damn it… No need to look further. We should just start by killing that captain and the administrator." 

Yuno, agitated, was about to storm the lord’s manor, but Meyer grabbed his hand to stop him. 

"What is it, Meyer?" 

"Hey, Your Highness, you can’t do that. If you kill them without evidence, you’ll just be a murderer." 

"You think anyone would charge a prince with murder? I could just accuse them of insulting royalty." 

"Even if you could, you shouldn’t do that as a ruler. If you kill the captain and administrator as soon as you take office, will the people follow you?" 

"Wouldn’t the people be happy to see those troublemakers gone?" 

"That’s a very simplistic way of thinking. No matter how much they suffer, the locals live with those guys day in and day out. This is a closed-off region, and everyone here is connected in some way, whether they like it or not." 

Yuno couldn’t answer, so Meyer continued enthusiastically. 

"Even if you kill them, you’ll have to appoint new ones. Won’t they just repeat the same corruption? After all, they’ve seen their predecessors get away with it." 

"So what do you want me to do? Just let them keep embezzling?" 

"Of course not! I’ll get you irrefutable evidence. In return…" 

"In return?" 

"If I do a good job, can I get a silver reward…? Haha." 

"Fine. If you get solid evidence, I’ll reward you handsomely." 

Meyer whispered his plan in Yuno’s ear and requested some items. 

Yuno, half-doubtful, agreed and gave Meyer what he needed, and Meyer immediately set his plan in motion. 

First, dressed in his finest clothes, he went to the house of the captain of the guard, Gerard, and knocked. A servant answered, and Meyer said he needed to see Gerard urgently. 

Soon, a huge man in pajamas came to the door, stretching and speaking. 

"Ugh… What is it at this hour? If it’s not urgent, come back tomorrow." 

‘Wow, he’s huge. Almost as big as the Third Prince himself.’ 

Meyer, as a former captain of the guard and centurion in the imperial army, was no small man, but Gerard’s size was intimidating even to him. 

"Hello. I’m Meyer, sent by the Third Prince from Adria. I urgently need to see you." 

At the mention of the prince, Gerard’s sleepy eyes sharpened. 

Though the locals hadn’t been told, Gerard and the administrator already knew the Third Prince would be coming to take up the Teshidanikana countship, and they had planned to cozy up to him to keep their power. 

"Oh? Really? Come in. I can’t receive the prince’s envoy at the door." 

Gerard brought Meyer inside, sat him on the sofa, and poured him a drink. 

"Wow, I’ve run errands for many nobles in the capital, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a refined house." 

"Heh, thanks. I worked hard, and the Viscount left me a lot when he went to the capital." 

‘Yeah, right… How much did he embezzle to live like this as a captain?’ 

"So, why did the Third Prince send you?" 

"Actually… the prince doesn’t want to come to this backwater. He just came of age and wants to enjoy life in the capital, not in some countryside." 

"Haha, Nikana’s nice, but compared to Adria, it’s nothing. So?" 

"So… the prince wants to appoint a deputy to run Teshidanikana. There’s no legal issue." 

"And you came to me because…?" 

"Well, the deputy should be someone who knows the territory well, so the people will follow. I thought you’d be perfect for the job." 

Gerard considered the proposal. 

‘Not a bad idea. Some lords do appoint deputies and stay in the capital. A young prince would want to stay in the city…’ 

"Hmm… But do you have proof? It’s a sensitive matter…" 

"Of course! Here’s the appointment letter with the prince’s seal, and the signet of the Teshidanikana count." 

Seeing both items, Gerard’s suspicion vanished and he was overjoyed. 

‘If I become deputy, I can extort even more. No need to worry about Boras!’ 

"But…" 

"Hmm? What is it?" 

"I heard there’s someone else well-respected here besides you—Administrator Boras…" 

Gerard’s face soured. 

"Hmph… Don’t worry about him! As deputy, I can handle everything myself. I promise to run things well for the prince!" 

"I trust you, but Boras is also being considered… If you had proof of his corruption, the job would be yours." 

Gerard’s eyes lit up. 

"I do! Boras pretends to run things well but bleeds the people dry! I was planning to get rid of him soon!" 

"If you can bring proof to the manor by noon tomorrow, we’ll punish Boras and appoint you as deputy." 

"Good! I’ll make sure to bring it!" 

Gerard even escorted Meyer back to the inn, promising to get it done. 

Then Meyer, pretending to enter the inn, went to Boras and made the same offer. Boras, too, fell for it and promised to bring evidence of Gerard’s corruption.