CH 21

The territory window did not provide many functions and only told basic features of the area–citizen population for example–alongside an infuriating description. Still, it was better than when Ayra first saw the status windows; at that time, only given names were revealed.

Ayra slowly recalled what little information was provided. For someone originally from modern Earth, Ayra thought that a population of 156,000 was quite tiny.

‘This fief is truly small, isn’t it?’

The population was enough that one could even dismiss this place as a proper estate. However, in this world, the concept of a kingdom didn’t really exist–the closest term would be ‘fiefdoms.’ So, perhaps such small populations were normal.

After familiarizing himself with the information, Ayra closed the territory window. It required more mana to look at the territory window than the status window.

“I want to go down and drink some hot soup.” Ayra mumbled, almost subconsciously.

Hearing those mutters, Ginas said he’d order some as soon as they arrived. Bloom unclasped the cape he was wearing and draped it over the young lord.

‘Is this…the taste of power?’

Feeling small tingles of thrill, Ayra traversed the mountain road; Botello was waiting for Ayra along that path. Perhaps Botello noticed how cold Ayra had gotten when the young lord sneaked out for his behind-the-scenes adventures, the old man had been waiting to offer his lord a warm, leather waterskin. “Ayra-nim. The guest you’ve arrived with, Shinje-nim, has said he’s leaving the castle today.”

“Already?”

As soon as he heard that, Ayra hurried to the castle; Shinje had already finished his preparations for travel and was waiting for the young lord outside. As a mage, he had placed all his spare, trifling luggage in his dimensional subspace and was only dressed in carefree robes.

“You’re leaving now? You don’t need anything else?” Ayra asked.

“Your grand chamberlain has done well enough to take care of me. Thanks for caring for me all this while. Mm, and…” Shinje looked around to see if anyone was listening before asking in a quiet voice, “Ayra, are you going to return to the Labyrinth?”

Ayra shook his head at that question. Until he had children, raised them properly as his heirs, and placed them in the Lord’s position…returning to the Labyrinth was a distant dream. In addition, this place and the mage’s haven weren’t close enough to easily come and go without a space-transportation tool, which was rarely rented except for urgent matters. Like when Ayra had first come to this land.

Shinje, who understood Ayra’s situation, gave him a sympathetic look. “Alright… Take care.”

“Yeah–thanks. Return safely.”

Since they weren’t particularly intimate in the first place, the conversation was a bit dry. Nevertheless, watching the other prepare to leave, Ayra felt somehow sorrowful that his connection to the Labyrinth was being disconnected.

As a show of courtesy, Ayra attached two soldiers to Shinje’s escort detail. Then, atop the castle walls, he stared for a long time at Shinje’s departing back before sighing.

It’s time to work properly from now on.

After firmly steeling his mind, Ayra descended the walls and smiled at Ginas. “Well then, Sir Ginas. Now that I’m the lord, can I touch the seal 1 in the study?”

“Of course, my lord. Let us go immediately.” Even though Ginas was sure to have felt the thorns laden in Ayra’s words, his expression didn’t change one bit. Following the governor, Ayra called forth his stat window just in case. There was no change in the affection value–it was still at 3.

‘Wow, still, he at least likes me more than Janus does.’

Should he be happy at that thought…?

Just then–a notification window suddenly appeared.

[Tip. the Solar Territory’s current young governor is suffering from depression.]

‘What? This…tip must be of some use somewhere. Did that mean that the governor hates me so much that he’s now suffering from depression?’ Ayra gave the artificial spirit floating next to him a suspicious look.

They headed to the third floor of the Lord’s castle. Though he had visited every corner of the castle, it was his first time in the Lord’s study. Ginas, who led from the front, took a key out of his pocket and politely held it out for Ayra. Since the mage had become the Lord, the governor could only enter the study with Ayra’s permission from now on. Holding the cold key in hand, Ayra stuck it into the door and twisted it around.

Bookcases placed where sunlight can’t touch; vintage furniture and carpet.

As a mage, Ayra immediately took a liking to the quiet and large study. The room was as cold as it was spacious though, so the mage had to call a servant to set a fire in the fireplace. In this castle, Ayra was the only person who wanted a lit fireplace in this weather.

For now, he sat in the chair and drank warm tea. Only after he warmed his hands did Ayra beckon to the young governor, “Sit down, Sir Ginas.”

Ginas sat in front of Ayra in a calm and mysteriously distant demeanor. Distracted from drinking his tea, he gathered his hands neatly on his knees. The young lord had thought the man was quite skinny when he first saw him, but the man seemed much thinner now.

“You probably already know this, but I don’t know anything about governing a territory. Therefore, you’ll have to help me for a while.”

“Yes, my lord.” After answering meekly, Ginas stared vacantly out of the window for a moment. One could see the glimmering mountain top from the study’s wide window. Then, Ginas smiled, “With all that’s happened, my heart is has become relaxed.”

What? Don’t start the conversation in such a strangely ominous manner…

After chuckling, Ginas took another sip of the tea before continuing, “Actually, I suspected that Ayra-nim had murdered the former lord and his family because he wanted to reign over this land.”

…What’s with this sudden confession?

How fascinating–even with those suspicions, his affection value was as high as 3. Ayra frowned; such suspicions were unbelievable. “I’ve known that there’s something strange about the circumstances of my family’s death. However, after I’ve left this territory as a child, I’ve always been in the Labyrinth; the Labyrinth will corroborate this fact. Sir, what evidence did you have to suspect me?”

Also, Ayra honestly had no desire to own such a small, cold territory anyway! He just didn’t say that out of courtesy.

Even in the face of Ayra’s glare, the smile did not drop from Ginas’s face. He wasn’t smiling to deliberately tease the other. “My apologies. However, because all the surrounding circumstances were so suspicious, I couldn’t help but think that. Furthermore, when the territory was impoverished and in need of dire help, the previous Lord had sent a letter to Ayra-nim asking for help, but there were many times we received no replies…”

“Letters? What… I’ve never received any letters.” Ayra had thought that correspondence from his family had been sparse recently.  However, he had never received a letter asking for aid.

Whether or not he believed Ayra’s words, there was little change in Ginas’s expression; there was a constant vague smile on his face. “…Is that so? Well, not like it matters now.”

After chuckling, Ginas soon cut off all sounds of mirth and adopted a serious expression. What’s wrong with this person? Was it because he’s overworked? Was his depression so serious?

“Then, I’ll tell you about this land’s matters from now on.” After saying that, Ginas rose from his seat. He walked next to the bookshelf and pulled on a small candelabra hanging next to it until the candelabra clicked. A brick in the corner of the right wall of the study was removed; inside, there was a small, white box. Holding it carefully, Ginas carried the seal to Ayra. “This is the Lord’s seal.”

Inside that small box, there was a stamp carved from white stone. This was an essential item for authorizing important business and exercising the Lord’s authority. Ayra turned the seal around to observe it and placed it back in the box. Then, he received the documents that Ginas handed over.

The document contained meticulous details about the citizen population, tax rate, military expenses to feed the soldiers and knights, and how much livestock the estate owned. After reading it all, Ayra realized the document painted a similar picture to the territory that Ayra had seen while wandering around: cold, small, and without any local specialties or resources, but a place that was still surviving and enduring.

There seemed to be no problem. But there was definitely something wrong here.

‘There definitely must be something wrong for a 233-day-countdown till the estate’s ruin to exist.’

While Ayra stared at the document with his eyes squinted, Ginas held out another bushel of papers. He received it without much thought, and the governor continued to explain in a placid voice, “This is a reminder sent from Bolney and Sobleche a few days ago.”

“…A reminder? So, you’re saying we have a debt?”

“Yes. Debt.”

Ayra read the debt reminder–the contents were simple. Last year, the previous lord, after borrowing grain, mana stones, and iron ore from Bolney and Sobleche, decided to pay off the debt by this year.

There were two problems: 1 – Even the governor did not know that the Lord was in debt. 2 – The debt was truly enormous. In reality, the previous Lord, Ayra’s father, couldn’t even pay interest for a few months.

However, the most grave issue was the text at the end of the reminder.

… And so, if you don’t pay 300 cells of Manastones–overdue interest–you’ll be considered incapable of paying back the principle. Bolney and Sobleche will retrieve land as collateral for the debt.

–Bolney: 750 gentas alongside the southern part of the Sunao River and the residential buildings attached to that land.

–Sobleche: 1,200 gentas alongside the northern part of the Sunao river and the residential buildings attached to that land.

The Solar territory was around 2,348 genta. After giving 750 to Bolney and 1,200 to Sobleche, Solar would only have about 400 genta left. Solar’s land would just fly away.

Only now did Ayra realize why Ginas’s complexion had deteriorated so sharply a few days ago and why he was suffering from depression. This territory was on the verge of collapse.

How long could a Lord reigning over a territory containing only 400 genta last?

…Probably 233 days?

TL: I want to know what the earth dollar to cell ratio is. How much debt is 300 cell? >.<