Chapter 44

Evening Party II

¯_(ツ)_/¯

—

“Prince Alfred was trying to assess your ability as well. I have to admit, some of the Armelia House’s policies seem useful for the country.”

“Oh… Prince Alfred was?”

“…You don’t seem too surprised.”

“I was told prior that he was working in this country. Furthermore, since factions are beginning to form here and there, wouldn’t it be natural for them to be in contact with the head?”

In reality it seems like the people who have assembled here are quite independent on their own, but there are some interesting characters here and there. By collecting everyone here, the real mastermind probably planned on banding everyone together. Of course by gathering everyone here, it’d be especially difficult to summon a representative over the real.

“In addition, if that person has large supporters among the participants, there’s no doubt that the story of my fief has been told as well. ”

After all, the Minister of Finance, Earl Sagittaria, and a large number of other rather important bureaucrats are assembled here. If he was able to make them accompany him, it’s not hard to deduce that they’re here for political reasons.

“If he is truly observing my house’s fief, then I am honored. However, I cannot say for sure that my territory is up to his standards”

The success of my fief, and my ability to push forward my plans was largely attributed to my status. Had I not been the Lord of my territory, there would’ve been a doubt that I’d been able to succeed so much. The power of a Landlord in this country is very high, if for example the country attempted to move as a singular being, chances are the time between the negotiations and movement would be taxing.

“I’m confident that he would be able to change the existing order to reunify this country.”

As if understanding my true intentions, Earl Sagittaria laughed lightly.

(私の意図を読み取ってか,サジタリア様は笑って言った)

But what he said stuck with me. To change existing order and reunify the people? I glanced at Earl Sagittaria who was grinning. It was as if he was trying to read into my true intentions.

Like I thought earlier, the power of one lord is too great. Basically a single territory is more like a state, and the collection of said states is named a country. For that reason legislation and taxation is somewhat regulated by the country, but as long as the state doesn’t violate preset laws they can do anything. I also attribute my success to these allowances. The one exception to these understandings is, of course the capital, which is under direct control of the king.

So then, let’s assume that someone were to change these understandings. Wouldn’t that lead to the rise and strengthening of the royalty? Removing power from the Houses and giving them back to the Royalty, It seems more feasible and quite possible to unify the country. But there’s also no doubt that there will be opposition to that idea. Is this truly possible?

Even so it bewilders me that Earl Sagittaria would discuss such matters with me. Even If I had decided to attend this party, there’s no guarantee that I would side with the First Prince’s Faction

With that in mind, I rethought the conversation I had moments ago.

“In the end, what’re you aiming at?”

Could it be that the previous conversation was tied into this one? If it were possible to, indeed unify the country through reorganization of power, was it to inquire, what would I do? I wonder if that’s what he wants to know. Would I rebel and secede.. Or would I follow and obey? Instead of father, he wanted to know what I, the substitute Landlord, thought.

“I have not been able to understand what kind of person he is, so, as of this moment, I cannot decide. Therefore I will try to observe.  However, even if he’s able to  succeed… even if its for the nation’s purpose, I will in no means be overjoyed”

I cannot say anything as I have yet to meet Prince Alfred in person, so this is my true opinion. I cannot say with certainty that I would be willing to follow.

“Of course. Very interesting. Anyways I’ll look forward to the day where you stand by him”

“Surely you jest. It is terrifying to imagine standing by him”

“My apologies, I took a joke too far”

With that, I parted with Earl Sagittaria. My eyes followed him as he went and gave his greetings to several people, and after that was done, he took a small break.

While watching the Earl, I was surprised. Even though I only had a conversation with the Earl, I was exhausted.

While I was wondering such things, the host of today’s party, Baron Messi had appeared by my side.

“How do you find today’s event?”

“I’ve been finding it very enjoyable”

I said in a smile. If I let my guard down, my exhaustion would appear on my face”

“Ah.. That reminds me Baron Messi, may I ask you a question”?

“What is it?”

“Why is it that you wish to return to your territory so soon? Everyone that’s here-excluding the bureaucrats from the imperial castle, stay till the end of the season don’t they?”

(「何故,貴方は領地に早くお帰りに?ここにいる皆様方…王城で官僚をされている方を除いて…シーズン中は皆様王都に残られると仰ってました.てっきり,皆様方ももうお帰りになられるかと思っていましたので……」)

I thought I had inquired too much, and much to my surprise Baron Messi started talking.

“That is because it was a task entrusted to me”

“A task is it?”

“Yes. Has Miss Iris been told by Gazelle about the Towair military campaign?”

“I have of course heard of it. Though, I have to admit my knowledge is limited to what I’ve read”

“That should suffice. As Miss has probably been told, I once fought under Gazelle in the Towair campaign.And because of that campaign, my achievements were awarded with a peerage.”

Baron Messi looked as if he was remembering a far away place.

“I am nothing more than a soldier, even with the change in my status, nothing about me changes. And since we have yet to reach an armistice or a conclusion with Towair, I cannot leave my territory open for too long.”

His reason is understandable; however, something gets caught on my mind. Earl Monroe who governs over the same territory as Baron Messi once reasoned it was because he was a “Military Man”. Its no doubt that he would be more cautious to such things. But I can’t help but to feel that its too rushed. Coming to the capital barely before the start of the Foundation Day holidays, and leaving soon after, almost seems as if there’s still a threat of an outbreak of war.

“Even now I see us in the middle of a war, I cannot as a man tell Miss that we will be okay, I cannot tell Miss to not be worried. And so I hope you stay wary… That is all I can say. I cannot predict whether the opposing side would come attack us now or later, all I can say is that they are for sure aiming at us.”

“For our resources, wealth, and food I see.”

“Yes, as well as the hatred left over from the war 30 years ago”

War.. I cannot consider the distance between Amelia and Towair to be my reason to let my guard down. And once the war does start, the burden put on everyone will be hard.

“Thank you very much for the warning”

“Not a problem. I apologize for bring up such a terrible topic while here. I shall excuse myself now.”

“Not a worry, It was very informative”