episode_0218

“Count Art. Could you please help me?”

“… … Suddenly? By any chance, the head of the school had an accident and you’re asking me to help you sort it out, right?”

Count Art’s face slightly frowned, as if he had quite a bit of experience in resolving the princess’s mishaps.

But that wasn’t the case, so I shook my head and my crumpled expression returned to its original state.

“This time, I won a territory battle and received territory, but I think I need to sell it. He asked me to introduce him to nobles who might be looking to purchase territory.”

“Ah, I said we were having a territory war. That’s why the head of the school returned to the capital… … . First of all, congratulations on your victory. But why do you want to sell the estate?”

Count Art, who was looking at the princess running around busily inside the school president’s office for a moment, looked at me with an expression of incomprehension, just like Count Carbon.

I had to repeat the explanation I had given to Count Carbon when he seemed to be asking why on earth he was selling such precious territory.

“Well, a level of territory that cannot be properly handled is rather poisonous. If it weren’t for my husband managing the territory for me, I wouldn’t have been able to leisurely practice alchemy in the capital. Maybe half of the territory was taken away.”

Or maybe he wasn’t good at alchemy- Count Art trailed off.

Anyway, Count Art, who understood why I wanted to sell the estate, turned his attention to me. No, to be more precise, I turned my attention to the school president’s office, which was visible right next to my head.

“Are you going to return to the territory after finding someone to buy it?”

“Uh… … . For now, yes. I plan to sell it properly after gathering people who want to buy it.”

“I can’t help it. I will introduce you to the people who will buy the estate.”

Count Art, who looked at the princess who seemed to be packing her luggage for a moment, then nodded willingly.

I wondered if there was something wrong with making a decision while looking at the princess, but the reason was more absurd than I thought, but completely understandable.

“Explosions have been getting worse these days. Since I have to take care of things, I hope that the head of the school will quickly go to the magic tower in Viscount Steele’s territory… … . ”

“Is that in order?”

“In the past, the explosion was not serious. Even if I got caught up in it, I could just wash it off, but now it’s to the point where I can’t even use shield magic. Same as just now.”

The door wouldn’t open, so I was wondering if I should break it down with magic. Count Art muttered, giving off an air of being quite distressed.

I don’t know if that’s why, but he said that if I can get the princess quickly, it won’t be difficult to find a buyer for the estate, and he immediately decided to make good use of his connections.

“Then shall we go right now?”

“Yes? Right?”

“It seems like the school leader wants to go right away, and I would be happy if the school leader doesn’t explode anymore. Do you know how difficult it is to fix things?”

He shook his head, saying that there was a lot to do – repairing the inner walls of the blown-up building, handling the budget, treating the injured, analyzing the cause of the explosion, etc.

I really felt that he desperately wanted to hand over the princess to me.

Looking at that, I wondered if it was right to take the princess with me, but I had no choice. Alchemists, including the princess, were already at a level where I couldn’t live without them. It’s an explosion, so we just have to be careful and study it somehow.

Although I was nervous, I tried to convince myself and immediately escaped from the magic tower with Count Art.

After leaving the Magic Tower, Count Art took advantage of his connections and guided me to a place where nobles met to become friends.

Located on Noble Street, where the mansions of noble families are lined up, it was a space where tea parties and other events were often held. There is a separate place called the Noble House created for that purpose, but it is said that this place has a more comfortable atmosphere and is often visited by royalist nobles.

In fact, inside, several nobles were laughing and having a peaceful time. There were noble ladies sipping tea and talking about various things, and there were also several nobles betting on simple card games and other forms of entertainment.

“Baron Eze Enes. Is the time okay?”

“… … Count Art? No, what’s going on? I think he was at the Magic Tower at this time. Please take a seat. As always, we have plenty of time.”

“I have something else to do today. I decided to help Viscount Steele over here.”

“Steel… … . ah! It’s him! Nice to meet you. Within the Royalist faction, Baron Eze Enes is a member of the Arbitration Committee. It mainly mediates disputes between royalist nobles. If you have a dispute with royalist nobles, please contact me and I will help you resolve it amicably.”

The story about me must have spread widely in the capital as well, as Baron Enes, who was chatting warmly with Count Arth, simply said hello and said it was nice to meet him.

“I prefer not to intentionally create situations where disputes may arise, so I don’t know if that will happen, but if I get the chance, I’ll visit.”

“Now that you say that, I think it will be some time before I see you next time. It is quite unfortunate that it will be a while before I meet the famous Viscount Steele again.”

Baron Enes spoke as if he was truly sorry and smiled cheerfully.

However, he said that he could not miss this opportunity and immediately sat down with Count Art. A place where Count Art could talk quietly, as if he sensed that he had something to say.

After taking a seat under the guidance of Baron Enes, I immediately turned my attention to Count Arth. It carries the meaning of whether this person is the person who will purchase the territory.

I don’t know if he understood the meaning of my gaze, but Count Art opened his mouth, pointing to Baron Ennes sitting across from him.

“Baron Enes is quite a famous person in the capital. Even if they don’t know other regions, most people staying within the capital city know Baron Enes. Even among the nobles, there are many people who know Baron Enes. There is no one better than Baron Ennes to achieve what Viscount Steele wants.”

I nodded at Count Art’s words that most royalists would know this. If I were to say that I had a good job, I would be able to find people who fit my conditions and make connections with them.

“I… … . Count Art? Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Baron Enes is the one who will help you, not me. Viscount Steele is planning to sell his estate, and he hopes to gather buyers.”

“Yes? Do you mean territory?”

“Well, that’s right. I can’t go looking for people right now, so I’m asking Baron Enes. first… … Baron Comnity and Baron Saucier would be fine. ah! Baron Mita would be fine too. If there is anyone Baron Enes would like to recommend, feel free to do so. Anyway, Viscount Steele will decide who will ultimately purchase the territory.”

Hearing Count Arth’s words, Baron Enes turned his attention to me. I nodded as he looked at me as if asking if it was true.

Fortunately, Baron Enes did not mention why he was selling the estate.

Rather, the question was how to sell it.

“The territory owned by Viscount Tarr was divided into one… … I plan to sell it to about four or five people.”

In response to Baron Enes’ question, he explained various other conditions, starting with selling the territory in pieces. He repeated the conditions I had told him as if he would never forget them.

“But if you sell a fiefdom of that size to four or five people, it will be a little smaller than a general barony.”

“If the size is small, is it difficult to find people to buy it?”

“Oh, it’s not like that. Even if it’s a fist-sized territory, it’s better to have it than not have it, so you’ll want to buy it with your eyes lit up.”

Baron Enes exuded confidence, telling him not to worry about finding a buyer. And, that confidence was well-founded.

“If you have a fiefdom, it is not impossible to build a strong family in the future, even if it is difficult now. On the other hand, nobles without fiefdoms have to do nothing but suck their fingers, waiting for the moment when they can make a mark. And, even when the moment comes to make a contribution, those who have territory tend to be able to make more contribution.”

Whatever it was, it was said that having territory, even if it was very small, was so good that it could not even be compared to not having territory.

Of course, it was also added that not all nobles wanted to own fiefdom.

“It’s not like there aren’t people like me who enjoy hanging out with people. As you know, territory is nice to have, but it can also be a hassle.”

“Yes. It’s annoying to have it. But I can’t throw it away either. Aren’t you actually trying to sell Viscount Steel because it’s too much of a hassle?”

Hohoho – I shrugged my shoulders at Count Art’s words while smiling. There was no reason to sell the estate because it was inconvenient.

“Anyway, I will make sure to find those who want to purchase territory. Isn’t this also what the arbitration committee should do?”

“Please. How long can this be done?”

“Just tell me when is convenient for you. However, since I have to deliver the news in person, I can’t do it for an hour… … It might be necessary to some extent.”

I nodded my head at Baron Enes speaking with confidence, and we agreed to meet again in an hour.

Baron Enes stood up and left, his steps taking a leisurely pace, as if he was taking his time, even though he only had an hour, which could possibly be a short time.

And, contrary to his leisurely gait, it took less than an hour for Baron Enes to return. As I was lightly chatting with Count Art about alchemy, he suddenly appeared accompanied by seven other people.

“These are people who meet the conditions mentioned by Viscount Steele. We wish to purchase all the fiefdoms, and have decided to accept all the conditions requested by Viscount Steele. There were some who would accept it if the conditions you requested were slightly changed… … I don’t think he will allow that, so there are only seven of us.”

I shook my head when Baron Enes said that if I slightly modified the conditions, I could bring in more people. If more people competed to purchase the estate, it would be possible to get a higher price, but there was no need to modify the conditions I wanted.

In addition to the seven people here now, plus those recommended by Count Carbon, it was already enough.

“The story is likely to be long since it involves trading territory, but we will talk in detail while looking at the actual territory.”

Since I didn’t need more people, I thought about heading back to my city right away. In the first place, there were no people who would buy it after hearing that it was a territory, so everyone had to be taken with them.

“Oh, in that case, I will accompany you and help you. The Arbitration Committee not only handles disputes, but also helps with these big transactions!”

When the seven would-be estate purchasers willingly decided to accompany them, Baron Enes also volunteered to accompany them. Although he seemed to say that it was natural for him to help, it seemed like he was trying to build a network with me.

Of course, anyone who mediates between nobles could be helpful in transactions, so I readily agreed.

“Well, now that I’m done with my business, I’ll leave. I’ll see you again next time I get a chance. Viscount Steel.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“What? All I did was introduce you to Baron Enes.”

As if he realized that he had nothing to do now, Count Art waved his hand and walked away. Perhaps because he was trying to return to the Magic Tower, he moved in a completely different direction than the direction leading to the Magic Tower.

As I watched Count Art leave, I immediately sent someone to the magic tower. It was to summon the princess and the alchemists who were preparing to return to my city.

And, after the princess and the alchemists returned with a lot of luggage, they headed outside the castle walls where the zombie wyverns were to go straight back to my city. Alchemists, including the princess, and those who wanted to purchase the territory.