CH 348

After that, we repeated the same survey.

In restaurants, snack bars, sweet shops, the commerce guild, and so on.

We didn’t go near the mercenary guild. A mercenary guild in a town with a bad economy is dangerous because there are many hot-headed people.

And the Commerce and Crafters Guilds, which because of the town’s small size, combined into one guild, we were able to collect information by exchanging small jewels called my ‘grandmother’s mementos.

Of course, it’s artificial jewels from Earth, very small, unprocessed loose stones.

Although it was reasonably priced, it was a one-of-a-kind ‘memento’, so there was no commotion.

The reason why I chose loose stones is that in the case of artificial gemstones, the base, side stones, and chain are more expensive than the stone itself… Yeah, on Earth.

And the result we got was…

“”The magistrate is an idiot and a piece of trash…””

Yep, it’s as the first information said.

We didn’t get duped or tricked.

“…Yep, I knew…” (Mitsuha)

“And I don’t really understand the lord!” (Sabine)

“Likewise, Isaka Juzo!” (Mitsuha)

Yeah, well, normal lords don’t really make friends with their subjects, wander around the territory alone without guards, buy and eat at food stalls, or casually stop by taverns. No chance. Ordinary people don’t know the personalities of their lords either.

“…Speaking of, there’s another lord who’s doing all of that, right here!” (Sabine)

“Shut it…” (Mitsuha)

It’s fine to have a lord like that sometimes!

But this particular lord here was neither good nor bad, apparently.

Having said that, it doesn’t mean that there’s direct interaction with ordinary people, so it seems that everyone’s opinion of the territory is based on the tax rate, the overall attitude of the government officials towards the people, and the quality of public order.

……Well, it’s quite normal, apparently.

And now, the lord seems to be returning to his territory.

That’s because, no matter how busy they are with the activities in the capital like the applications for aid and laying the groundwork, there’s no way they would leave the territory in a difficult situation unattended for too long……

Well, when you assign a magistrate to take care of the territory, it’s not like you’re just leaving it to them indefinitely.

…And if they’re working properly, though.

Now then, the next action would be…

******

“Excuse me, we’re here for a courtesy visit!” (Mitsuha)

“……Eh?” (Gatekeeper)

Gatekeeper-san looks troubled.

Well, if two children (at least appear like one) suddenly come to a noble family’s estate mansion and say such a thing……

Too old to understand things like children’s antics.

We’re dressed properly, so we clearly don’t look like commoners.

Sabine-chan radiates an aura of nobility.

……Yeah, I don’t think there are any gatekeepers who have the courage to shoo her away.

If you do it badly, your head will fly off.

Physically, not figuratively.

Well, in order to shift the responsibility, they’ll take it to the top.

That way, whatever happens after that, at least won’t be their responsibility.

“Ah, um, who might you be…? I didn’t hear we’re having any guests scheduled to visit us today…” (Gatekeeper)

Well, yeah, you won’t normally hear about this…

“I’m Viscountess Yamano. Please inform your lord that Viscountess Mitsuha von Yamano has come to pay a courtesy visit.” (Mitsuha)

“…Yes! Immediately!!” (Gatekeeper)

One of the two gatekeepers dashed into the mansion.

The other remains, of course, to guard the gate and us.

Of course, the gatekeepers of the territories far away from the capital would not know my face.

They wouldn’t go to places beyond the royal capital, especially to the Yamano territory, which is much farther. And there’s no way an accurate portrait of me would spread around this far.

No, it’s not that the artists are bad, it’s just that there was no portrait of me that I modeled for hours while being watched closely by a painter.

Oh, there are portraits that were created for the game board tournament, but the person who got it will never let go of it, so it won’t be on the market here.

But, well, there are not many residents of this country who don’t know my name, so the gatekeepers here at least know my name, right?

……It’s so slow……

A little too long to be waiting at the gate.

Are they intentionally making us wait to show the difference in our position?

No, no, no, I mustn’t take this the wrong way.

It’s my fault for suddenly visiting without an appointment.

Maybe other guests are coming, or maybe they are in the middle of an important meeting with their vassals.

We should sit tight and wait here… Unless we are turned away.

And after waiting for quite a while, a person who seemed to be a butler finally came out and let us into the mansion.

……We’re probably going to have to wait even longer in the reception room or something……

******

After waiting for a while longer without being served tea or sweets, as expected, the lord of the estate, Count Esnor, appeared with his butler, and with a pouting appearance.

As expected, since he’s dealing with two little girls, there’s no need for escorts……

And the moment he saw us, the Count froze.

He turned pale and trembled…

“You’re being reckless, Viscount Yamano!!” (Esnor)

Suddenly, I was yelled at.

And called the maid out loud…

“Change the tea leaves and tea cakes to the finest! NOW!” (Esnor)

Are? I thought cheap tea leaves and sweets were enough for me, but he suddenly changed his mind?

How come?

“Y, you! Pretending to be the highest-ranking person and calling in for a ‘courtesy visit’…

What a vicious trap… to conceal the fact that Her Royal Highness is visiting and to humiliate the Count Esnor family by giving her a poor reception.

Your Highness, I have been deceived! I never meant to keep Your Highness waiting outside the gates for too long!” (Esnor)

Ah~…

Aah~…

Aaaaah~!!!

That’s right! My bad!

For me, Sabine-chan is ‘Sabine-chan’, so I’m having less and less awareness of her title ‘Her Highness the Third Princess’.

…But for the others, that’s not the case.

Sabine-chan herself, perhaps inadvertently, made an ‘Ah!’ look on her face……

Well, I have no choice but to do that.

“I’m sorry~yyy~~!!” (Mitsuha)

……Yes, my special move, ‘Jumping Dogeza‘.

It must have been bad publicity to have the “Hime Miko of Thunder,” the princess’s companion, the head of the Viscount’s family, and the great salvation hero of the Kingdom, down on her knees.

He doesn’t have any choice but to accept my apology here, does he?

Fuhahahaha!

======