98-92 Oath Letter

A representative meeting for me and the eight tribes was about to take place at the mansion where the chiefs gathered in the north central part of the capital city of Yenis.

The representative of the fox-beastman, Mr. Follens-dono, was to be the moderator of this meeting.

''Then let's begin this representative meeting. First of all, I would like to talk about the Commerce and Industry Guild and our respective sales.''

What Lord Follens told him was a report of the sales of the state-run stores and a summary of the income and expenditure from the Net Profit Commerce Guild.

It was a neat report of what was sold and how much profit was made from last month.

With this report, I decided to remain silent for a while, saying that the dragon and tiger beast man would not have anything to say.

''That's all.

'Yes. As for this month's harvest........

There was an explanation of the spices harvested, the spices to be caught next month, and the presence or absence of disease.

Next, Lilliard-dono the rabbit-beast man reported on the expansion of the fields and the presence of monsters.

The dog-beast man Sebek reported on the fields he had cultivated.

''Next, I've been asking Jack-dono for security up until now, but from this time on, I'll be asking Kasral-dono for security,''

'The bear-beast man became huge once four days ago, but other than that, nothing remarkable.

Conspicuous.........

I should mention that the honey I had in my possession was handed over to the Bear-Beastman. I use it occasionally in my cooking, but when Lord Souther accompanied me the other day, Lady Brian the Bear-Beastman asked me to import some honey for him, but I didn't think it would be possible to do so immediately, so...

You've given her honey.

It was Lord Sauzer who told him this from above.

'So what about the airborne surveillance that Lord Sauzer is conducting?

It was fine.

Lord Southerner replied.

''Hmm. I'm sorry. Please include Luciel-dono and raise your hand if you have any suggestions.''

No one raises their hand. This is what they've always done, isn't it?

Are we going to let this go, even if they said they would?

I need to ask about this, and it's going to be a completely pointless meeting as it is.

If that's the case, I guess we'll just have to make good use of the information I've got.

Thinking that far, I raised my hand.

''Well then, Luciel-dono.

It was right for a moment, but I don't care about that.

It doesn't matter if we can carry on with the internal politics that we're going to be advancing more and more, even if they're not inherently willing to do so.

'There are some points that have been bothering me for a while now, so these are more questions than reports. The first point is, who is advancing the special zone for healing plan? What is the size of the property and how many people currently living there have relocated? Who's in charge of the budget and securing the personnel to build it?

When I tell him that, the scene goes quiet.

He didn't think I was going to ask the special healing zone.

I can vaguely see that this is not progressing at all.

But I don't approve of letting it slide just because it's a verbal agreement.

''What's wrong?'' If it hasn't been decided yet, can we assign you to be in charge here? I don't see any reason to renege on the decision made by the Representative Council to create a special healing zone.

I laugh and speak.

'....we're in the process of deciding on a budget allocation for that.

'I see. What's your progress on that? Will the budgeting be done by Lord Forens alone?

'No, we will be working with the dragon people on that.

I see. Well then, Master Jack, since you're taking the time to do so, could you swear to the dragon that you'll tell us how far you've progressed and tell us your progress?

I've never heard of it.

He was completely sleep-deprived.

Normally I would just dodge, but since I'm told that they can't lie to me, having the dragon blessing, it's no surprise.

''I see. Well, Follens-dono? What the hell does that mean?

Well, well, everyone forgets to talk about something, don't they?

Olga-dono interrupted the conversation by saying that.

''I see. That's true, too. I believe that everything will be organized by next month's report. I'd also like you to budget for the construction period and personnel, etc.''

...Yes. Okay.

He nodded.

'Second point, of the six thousand one hundred and fifty-four people living here in Yenis, about one thousand six hundred are children. If you take those one thousand six hundred out and calculate the payment of the workers, the funds float quite a bit, are they pooled somewhere?

No, it can't be. You'll have to wait a while.

Lord Follens threw off the facilitator and went to get the ledger.

'Have I offended you? Oh, yes, Master Souther, I would like to ask you one thing, but I heard on the map that there is a brave man in the Avian-Beast-human tribe who returned from the blank zone to the left of Yenis, is it true?

''Well I've heard of such rumors, but I haven't heard of anyone,''

I see. Then could you find it before the meeting in a month's time? Please raise the report even if it doesn't exist, because that will help us attract adventurers. We'll come up with other strategies to attract them.

''...Okay. I'm sorry if you're not there, since it seems you're an adventurer, but....

No problem. Good luck.

I answer with a smile and this time I call out to the representative of the tiger-beast man.

He may be Shazza's replacement, but I can't get a good impression of him. Is it because he's a tiger-beast man?

''In your earlier report, you mentioned the day the Bear Beastmen transformed, the Tiger Beastmen tribe apparently put pressure on Lord Brian of the Bear Beastmen, may I ask the representative of the Tiger Beastmen about that matter?''

Hearing my words, it was Lord Sauzer who reacted before the tiger-beast man did.

''What?! What do you think you're doing when you say you're going to be quiet about Shazza?

The representative of the tiger-beast man hurriedly opened his mouth at that threat.

''Jeez, let me check the facts. I've never heard of it either.''

I didn't know if this panic was really ignorance or impatience with what Lord Brian had spoken, I didn't know, but I could feel the atmosphere of the place slowly starting to get confused.

The representative's term of office is two years.

And this time there was only one year, and there was no such policy.

I don't think any of them were actually familiar with the details of the Special Healing Zone, or the wages of their respective species and how they would be paid.

They must have represented an adornment.

So I suppose it's fine if they don't think they and their own kind are at a loss.

'There's just one more point after that question. Who is paying the workers from the treasury?

...the head of the time.

So Olga-dono told me with a serious look on his face.

''I see ... yes. Now, I also have a report about the school and the slums. First of all, as for progress, we expect the slums to be removed in another three months. Secondly, we expect to have a school and a house to attract adventurers on that site within three to six months.

'That's great. But still, how could you plan to get rid of the half-beastmen?

Lilliard-dono said and agreed with the elimination of the half-beast man.

''It's not an exclusion. They're just moving to a place that suits them.''

I smirked at him.

'That's great,'

Both Lord Sebek, the dog-beast man, and Lord Casral, the cat-beast man, and the bird-beast man, Lord Sauzer and Shaza's substitute, who were bickering with each other, were also smiling.

Olga-dono, the wolf-beast man, and Jack-dono, the dragon man, looked worried and sad.

''So, if we include all the construction costs and magic stones, it's about thirty white gold coins, but of course you can pay for it in the country, right?''

I laughed at that and the words that came back to me were just as I imagined they would be.

'It would ruin the economy of Yenis.

You know I can't give you that much.

'You were told at the last meeting that there would be no charge for materials, right?

'No, all I said was that I would bring wood from the uncultivated forest. I was told that I couldn't fund the adventurers who would be sent to the uncultivated areas from the treasury, but I never said it would all be free, did I?

No, I'm pretty sure he said there were no costs other than personnel costs.

Lord Lilliard will tell you that, but it's completely his assumption.

''Hahaha. There's a difference, isn't there? It was Lord Lilliard who said that. All I ask is that you leave the slums in charge, okay? I would like to remind you why I, who is not profitable, represented this city.

I prodded at that.

'Lord Luciel, could you wait?'

Oh, Master Forens. So how did it go?

Well the books didn't match up as you said they would.

What do you mean?

'There seems to have been corruption somewhere. That makes it difficult for us to get the funds I mentioned earlier out of here.

I'm already working on a plan and it involves five white gold coins?

...it's

You don't mean to tell me that you're going to throw away all your money for Yenis, do you?

I look over at each representative and they all try not to look at each other.

First, we will purchase the entire area that is currently a slum in Yenis.

I have no objection to this and why? I have a look on my face.

'Next, we'll build the school and all the adventurers' houses here, but the rights will be given to the Healer's Guild.

What are the requirements for admission to the school?

Lord Olga apparently wants to send Sheila to school.

''As I've said before, the child is basically free. Lord Forens, is it the country that buys the medicine from the Medicine Guild? Or is it the Commerce and Industry Guild?

The Commerce Guild has it.

'I see. If that's the case, then if you make something that can be sold in a church, I'd like your permission to sell it, not to exclude a brokerage fee. Those are the three things I'm requesting.

The second one is good if it is conditional. And the third will be allowed as well.

What is the second condition?

If Yenis wants to buy you out, you must comply.

''................Fine. I don't want to get in trouble if I say or don't say something later, so I've agreed with all the representatives of the various tribes here. And I will ask you to sign a pledge.

I take out a piece of parchment and write down the words I just wrote.

Then, after each of the proofs are finished, I put my magic power into the pledge and offer it to the Lord God, Klair.

It is stated that if your clan makes a mistake in its promise, you will lose the right to represent Yenis.

It was decided to make three copies of the pledge, one for me, one for the chief's mansion, and one for the Adventurer's Guild to keep at the Adventurer's Guild.

The storage at the Adventurer's Guild was easily accepted because it contained details to attract adventurers.

''It's done. Then this should be notified to each race. Let's build a school and a house for adventurers. Now I'll also ask you to apply for cooperation in the special healing zone and adventurer's guild where adventurers can earn a safe income.

''From now on, the dragon race, tiger beastman race and bear beastman race will work on expanding the city in order to gradually build the land for the special healing zone. I'll talk to them about how to coordinate their movements. The avian beastman tribe, stay in close contact with the adventurer's guild and find out about the demons. The other races will work hard in the fields.

Lord Follens gave instructions to each of them.

There was an air of blood in Lord Follens' eyes as he confirmed the injustice and no one could stop him now.

Thus ended the monthly meeting of the delegates.

As I walked home, I thought to myself that this was where the moment of truth would come.

Originally, I had planned to be more cunning.

To be entrusted with the full power of the slums and to run the factory in secret in the current Guild of Healers.

However, verbal pledges could only be hung on individuals, so in the case of the family, he had to hoard the pledge like this one.

I've gotten into the bad habit of trying to rely on pledges that are too ingrained in our world and not left in writing.

It was thanks to Mr. Follens that I was able to realize the perception there.

Lionel laughs at me as I think about it and tells me.

'This time you've extended your attempt on your life by three months.

Yeah. Somehow, though.

'The way Luciel-sama spoke this time was a bit risky. It could have gone any way.

Ugh, I'm sorry.

I hadn't had a business meeting in a long time, and my talk was a mess, and the order in which I spoke was no good at all.

I had to learn some more belly tricks to make things work.

'This is Keti. Lady Luciel is only twenty years old, and has a long way to go.

Lionel laughed at that, but there was no way he could say that he was really thirty-five years old and had five years of sales blanks.

'I really wouldn't have known that Lord Forens would be on our side if it weren't for Keti's information. I would have appreciated it.

I taught him, but it was Master Luciel who solved the problem and brought him to our side, Nya.

Mr. Follens' wife was blind.

When I got the report yesterday, I went to the house of Lord Fallens to cure her.

That's all.

Keti, Kefin and the others, who had carefully investigated Mr. Fallens, led to the success of this meeting.

I've made up my mind to think about the future, and I've made up my mind to do the ropes before any meeting that I know about in advance.