Ch.122122. Bingo

“I hereby bestow the title of Marquis upon Erick Wellesley.”

“I grant the rights of taxation and military command over the former Count Neize’s territory. Furthermore, I permit the exercise of judicial authority under the oath to abide by national law. I also grant by imperial decree the right to inherit all these authorities.”

“Congratulations, Hero.”

***

Erick, a Marquis.

‘I’m dead.’

Bingo, who was supervising workers in front of a massive granary (owned by the Hero) on the outskirts of the imperial capital, felt his vision go dark.

It wasn’t that he envied Erick at all.

Even back when they would meet occasionally at the Royal Order barracks to talk about crowns and nipples, Erick had always been someone of immeasurably higher status than Bingo himself. Erick was just relatively modest and treated him as an equal.

Considering Erick’s achievements, the title of Marquis was not excessive at all.

Hadn’t he eliminated two of the Tetrad in just over a month, and even recruited another? Though the Beast King matter was still confidential.

If Gwon Heejin had accomplished such feats during her lifetime, the Emperor might have personally visited the exchange to buy Cordana.

‘One could even say he’s pitiful.’

Bingo suspected that Erick hadn’t wanted this promotion.

Though he didn’t live by peering into Erick’s inner thoughts, he knew the guy was already shouldering an unbearably heavy responsibility. This expansion of territory was probably a measure to accommodate thousands of refugees.

Power that kept growing despite his wishes. From a common perspective, it was advancement, so he couldn’t complain about it to anyone.

But Bingo didn’t feel sorry for Erick.

No, to be honest, he didn’t feel even a fingernail’s worth of sympathy.

‘Honestly, I’m the pitiful one here. Damn it.’

It had been backbreaking enough as the financial officer of a Count’s household, but now he was the financial officer of a Marquis.

It wasn’t just a simple promotion in rank; the territory had more than doubled in size, and the population would increase even more. Worse yet, the lands weren’t even connected but separated.

How was he supposed to deal with this catastrophic situation?

What made it even more distressing was that he didn’t even have time to worry about it.

“Financial Officer~! We received the second shipment of canola oil from Baron Holden’s territory. But these bastards somehow managed to break one of the containers during transport…!”

“…Measure the loss and report back.”

“The Vader Viscount’s household is saying they might not have enough wheat harvest… They’re asking if they can substitute with soybeans they planted as a rotation crop. How should I respond?”

“Damn it. Looks like we’ll be getting beans too.”

It was because the time had come to receive and sell the commodities secured through futures contracts.

The one fortunate thing was that out of more than 30 small territories, only one place had uncertain contract fulfillment so far. It was an area with frequent monster attacks because they had used the money advanced for increasing guards to repair their mansion instead.

‘They’ll either get their heads cracked open soon or not.’

But the fact that there were few accidents wasn’t particularly comforting to Bingo. Just because he was making good money didn’t mean he was any less tired.

It was hard.

Really, it was hard.

“Haah.”

Bingo let out a sigh, his short arms drooping.

Fortunately, the gloomy moment was brief, thanks to a woman who placed her hand on his shoulder and asked how he was doing.

“Financial Officer? Are you alright?”

Bingo rubbed his contorted face with his palm to smooth it out before looking up at her.

He really did look up. Because she was taller than him.

“…No, honestly, it’s tough.”

“I know. You’re already small, but you seem to be shrinking even more. But once we get through this period, we’ll have a little break until we receive the beer, woolen textiles, and tobacco. Think about that and hang in there a little longer, okay?”

The woman in her late twenties who patted Bingo’s shoulder while saying these slightly impertinent words had an impressive build with a height over 170cm and a voluptuous figure.

She was someone Bingo had recently hired with the Hero’s permission.

Though born out of wedlock, she had grown up in a noble family and was a talented graduate of the Academy. She had even worked at the tax collection office before.

Besides her ample build and educational background, there was one peculiar thing about her.

Despite her size, her name was “Mini.”

“Mini. I’m sorry, but the Hero’s territory has expanded.”

“Oh my. When…?”

“Just now. The investiture ceremony is already over. He’s even decided to take in a large number of refugees… I think I’m going to be ground down again, Mini.”

“Goodness. The Hero is too much.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“…But those refugees are in a pitiful situation too. How much must they have suffered, traveling all that way with four or five children in tow? Someone like you needs to take care of them, Financial Officer. In a way, they’re all potential labor.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Hang in there.”

Her attitude was more like an older sister than a subordinate.

However, Bingo didn’t find Mini’s demeanor unpleasant at all. Rather, it felt like he had gained someone he could lean on.

It wasn’t that he particularly preferred big-bodied older sisters… but there was a sense of kinship. Just the fact that someone with noble blood was named “Mini” gave him an idea of how tenaciously she must have lived.

‘…Sigh. Well. At least I have her, so I’ll endure.’

Bingo was tempted to lean slightly against Mini’s plump figure but barely restrained himself. They weren’t that close yet.

Maybe someday, when they became closer, Mini might comfort him properly. Yes. He would endure while waiting for that day.

“Thanks. Someday we’ll get a break.”

While Bingo was having this somewhat heartwarming moment with Mini.

An uninvited guest appeared.

Noticeably tall, wearing splendid armor, with a face that wasn’t exactly intimidating but difficult to approach casually. Someone Bingo knew all too well.

“Erick, I mean, Hero.”

“You’re working hard, Bingo.”

It was Hero Erick.

Bingo thought about greeting him warmly but decided against it. Judging by Erick’s expression, he didn’t seem likely to say anything pleasant (like offering a vacation).

Bingo swallowed nervously as he watched Erick, hoping he wouldn’t pile on more work.

However, Erick betrayed his expectations spectacularly.

“Bingo.”

“Yes…?”

“I need you to focus on the territory now. Specifically, the newly acquired territory. We need to employ the refugees as workers to build their own houses, and from next year, we’ll put them to work farming sugar beets. Meanwhile, we need to upgrade the sugar factory equipment.”

“You want me to manage all that…?”

“Yes.”

No. This can’t be happening.

Bingo just gaped at Erick’s face. If Mini hadn’t been holding him up, he might have collapsed on the spot.

He couldn’t understand why the Hero, who was essentially protecting the Empire, no, humanity itself, was being so cruel specifically to him, his friend.

Perhaps it had been a mistake to approach him in the early days of the Cordana market saying, “Actually, I’ve bet my life on Cordana.” If he had known it would come to this, he would have just maintained a distant relationship. For the first time, he felt resentful toward Erick.

***

Receiving my announcement, Bingo staggered with an expression like his world was crumbling.

‘This guy’s been having a hard time too.’

A small stature with notably thin hair.

Despite his disadvantageous conditions, Bingo had said he never felt inferior about his appearance. At least his face was likable. The kind of face that could probably score a bowl of stew from a stranger just by talking smoothly.

But now even that sole advantage was deteriorating.

If he overworked himself any further, Bingo might actually die, and naturally, I had no intention of letting my friend and vassal die.

In fact, I had already made arrangements to ease his burden.

“Erick, please…!”

I looked down at the pleading Bingo for a moment before starting to reassure him.

“You don’t need to worry about the futures trading, Bingo.”

“What?”

“A trading company owned by His Grace the Grand Duke has agreed to handle the receipt and disposal of goods without commission. It’s like getting free labor from royalty, but I’ve done them favors, so I should get something in return… You just need to handle the canola oil and wheat.”

At these words, Bingo’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe it.

He probably couldn’t believe I was showing him kindness. It was a moment when I freshly realized how much I had been overworking Bingo.

I decided to add one more thing to make Bingo’s work easier.

“And there’s one more thing.”

“Yes…?”

“You’ll soon receive a title too.”

I planned to grant him a title so he could comfortably manage the former Neize County territory, or rather, it would be better to call it the Second Territory.

I would have liked to make him a Viscount right away, but even I thought that would be excessive.

So I planned to formally grant him a small territory to make him a Baron, and let him oversee the entire territory using my name. I also intended to keep the officials currently managing the place.

“There are plenty of hands. The rest is up to you, Bingo.”

“You’re… giving me a title?”

“Yes. Having no connections won’t be a problem. You’ll be entering with thousands of refugees anyway. If things get tough, you can use my name to get things done.”

Employing carpenters and laborers to build hundreds of houses, and improving the production capacity of the sugar factory that would become the territory’s lifeline.

Though he was stepping away from futures trading, Bingo would still have to live a busy life. His hair would continue to thin from overwork.

“There will be… a lot to do.”

But Bingo’s expression, as he muttered to himself, had brightened slightly. He might be relieved at the thought of finally settling in one place, or perhaps he was happy about having a noble status and territory to pass down to future generations.

He even seemed to have a friend to share this joy with.

“So I’m out of a job?”

“What are you talking about? Mini, you’re coming too.”

She was a woman with quite a build. Judging by how she was patting him, they seemed quite close.

I watched them for a moment before turning away. It was to take care of another friend who was being overworked as much as, if not more than, Bingo. If I could get some comfort for myself in the process, that would be even better.