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TL: ALT
Chapter 30 – Baron Moye’s territory, Star-Gazing Hill
The fourth day.
They were able to enter the Baron’s territory as planned.
On the way, they separated from the caravan, but Marumaru of the Rock Squirrel Tribe was very grateful to them and treated them well until the end.
Perhaps it was only natural for them to be grateful, but it was a nice feeling.
They even invited Wataru to eat with them, treated him like a king, and even left their name tags, saying that if he ever needed help, they would be there for him.
Apparently, these name tags are like business cards in this world.
Even though Wataru and the Welcome Trading Company have a good relationship, it is important to make more connections.
If he only has one place to rely on, he won’t be able to escape if something happens.
When they entered Baron Moye’s territory, they noticed that the roads had been improved.
The cobblestones were in good condition, and it was obvious at a glance that they were regularly maintained.
Mariel and Aire also noticed that their walk was easier.
“The atmosphere has changed somehow.”
“It seems that Baron Moye’s management skills are solid… Maintaining the roads takes a lot of money and manpower. In the long run, the positive effects of increased distribution will be greater, but most lords don’t have the resources to do that.”
“Is he famous for anything other than being a collector?”
“Yes, he’s quite well known in the country. His most famous work is his potato production.”
“Potatoes? I’d rather have meat.”
Compared to Mariel’s wealth of knowledge and insight, Aire’s frank remarks make Wataru laugh.
It’s only natural that the daughter of an educated former noble and the daughter of a family that prides itself on its strength and produces guards and mercenaries would have different sensibilities.
It’s a matter of each person’s sense of values, not a matter of which is right.
Mariel didn’t even look unhappy; she just smiled wryly and was taken aback.
As they continued on their way, they arrived at the territory’s capital, Star-Gazing Hill, just before dusk.
Unlike Southern Ship Town, where the governor was stationed, the capital of a powerful lord was a different place altogether.
The flow of people was intense, and in front of the main gate, many people formed a line to pass through the gate.
Wataru and the others were also questioned by the gate guards, and they entered the city.
“Wow, the atmosphere is so different. It’s like a festival!”
“It’s really bustling…”
“Sniff, sniff, there are many delicious smells! It smells like skewered grilled meat!”
People, people, people.
Humans, demi-humans, and beast-kin all gathered together, pushing and shoving each other as they made their way forward.
There were many different races crowded together, with winged races flapping and gliding overhead and shorter races like spiderkin at their feet.
Then there were the carriages pulled by Hupos, running one after another, and the flow of people and things was swift.
“Let’s find a place to stay before it gets dark and see if we can meet the lord.”
“The lord’s mansion is over there, right?”
“That’s a huge building! It looks like it would be nice to go up to the roof.”
“Really? I’d be scared, to be honest. Next time, I’ll take you to Harukas Observation Deck.”
The buildings of the Master’s world! I bet the view is great.”
The fact that a large castle stood on a slightly elevated place made it easy to see where the lord’s residence was.
It was a beautiful Western-style castle with a magnificent stone structure.
Unlike Southern Ship Town, it was not only an administrative office but also a place to prepare for war.
“It really is magnificent…”
Mariel’s somewhat envious murmur stuck in Wataru’s ears for some reason.
○○○
Fortunately, a large inn in the commercial district had a vacancy, so the three of them took a room there, and then Wataru and the others went to the lord’s mansion.
The city is roughly divided into four main areas: the administrative district, the residential district, the commercial district, and the industrial district.
In reality, however, the areas were not so strictly divided, and there were workshops in the middle of the commercial district, as well as buildings scattered throughout the various districts like mosaics.
It seemed that there were many shops dealing with precious metals.
After climbing the sloping hill and reaching the castle gate, Aire prepared a letter of introduction.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t meet the lord.”
“But I have a letter of introduction.”
“Oh, is that so? I’m sorry, but the Baron is currently in the royal capital. He’s not here.”
“I-is that so…?”
Wataru never thought that he would be away.
However, there was also the possibility that they would have missed each other if the Baron had gone to the royal capital.
It would be good to stay a few days and consider it as sightseeing.
It was also a chance to stock up on rare items.
“Do you know when he will return?”
“He will be back in a few days, but the Baron is busy. I don’t know when you can see him.”
“I see…”
It’s difficult to see him at all?
As disappointment began to appear in Wataru’s heart, Mariel suddenly stood in front of him.
The gatekeeper’s expression softened as he smiled at the beautiful woman with her elegant appearance.
She gently took his hand and handed him something from her pocket.
“We have brought you a valuable item. I am sure it will impress the Baron, so please do your best to arrange a meeting for us.”
“Hmm. Well, that is a noble intention, so I will do my best to arrange a meeting for you.”
“Thank you very much.”
Mariel stood next to Wataru as she asked the guard to send a messenger to inform the inn.
As they left the castle, Wataru thanked Mariel.
“Thank you. I would not have noticed such consideration.”
“Did the master not like the fact that we gave the gatekeeper a bribe? I’m sorry for doing something so selfish.”
“No, there’s no need to apologize. If we hadn’t done that, we might not have been able to meet with him.”
Wataru himself did not think that giving a bribe was a good thing.
Did his attitude reflect his feelings?
If bribery becomes widespread, the rich will become even richer, and it will become difficult for the poor to even complain about their plight.
However, he also understands that there is no point in complaining alone if the world works this way.
There are also people like the Welcome Trading Company who are kind to as many people as possible.
Before asking others to change, Wataru himself should treat everyone equally.
“That’s why I won’t deny Mariel’s current approach. If there are areas where I am lacking, please do as you see fit. Your judgment is my judgment. I trust you.”
“I will do my best not to betray that trust.”
Mariel’s eyes welled up, and she bowed deeply.
Wataru thought he had somehow gotten through to her.
“Well, if you do something wrong, I will punish you properly, so don’t worry.”
“Master, that look on your face is a bit…”
“My master has a really vulgar look on his face!”
It was just a joke.
Maybe it was just his imagination that he had managed to get through to her.
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Means of contact with a gem merchant will come handy, considering that he can buy artificial gems for cheap on Earth. And those are physically indistinguishable from the natural ones, even if the process is different. They can be bigger and have even less imperfections than the real thing, so from that aspect they might be more valuable to people from that fantasy world. It’s a common trope for gems to be used in magic devices, right?
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