660 – Inaction – 4

There are quite a few territories farmed in the Kingdom of Leon.

There was a fiefdom secured to make the writer Nyadnam a count, a fiefdom prepared for Erich to make a sufficient living, and a fiefdom secured for her wives and children. It is safe to say that many of the territories located on the border between the Empire and Leon are my territories.

Among the various fiefdoms, the most central fiefdom is the County of Cericle. The location was perfectly in the middle, and the level of development was at a level where it could compete for first or second place among farmed territories, so it was good to use as a base.

And Alfonso is the chief butler and only viscount of the County of Cericle. It is safe to say that he is actually my agent in charge of my territories in the Kingdom of Leon.

“It’s been a while, Viscount. How has he been?”

Therefore, to check whether the territories located in Leon are running properly, you must first meet Alfonso. Skipping the person in charge and inspecting the scene is tiring.

“Thanks to Your Excellency’s grace, I am living days that I could not even dream of in the past!”

I burst out laughing at Alfonso’s loud answer. Wiridia and Cericle are so far away that there is a border between them, but strangely enough, I received the same answer from both regions.

“I’m glad. I was worried that I might not be able to adapt to life in a foreign country and become a nuisance, but it seems that being a self-appointed person is a good fit for me.”

“Wow, that’s too much praise! If it weren’t for your grace, how would I have become a titled nobleman? I’m just trying to repay your grace in some small way!”

It was heartwarming to see Alfonso uttering a promise similar to the pledge of loyalty.

As expected, the decision to send Alfonso into exile was the right decision. I feel relieved to have such a loyal talent managing the territory.

“Yes. Just keep doing it the way you are now. Then you will be able to fully repay the favor.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

After patting Alfonso’s shoulder as he bowed deeply, I sat down at the head of his office and looked around.

Alfonso is like my plenipotentiary representative. Thanks to this, it is said that the imperial and Armenian troops stationed in the Kingdom of Leon are cooperative with Alfonso, so although his title his is Viscount, in reality, he can exude prestige equivalent to that of a marquis or a duke ＜. Br﹥

‘It’s frugal.’

Nevertheless, Alfonso’s office was simple and crude. It’s a place with a huge amount of work and a variety of people, so it’s spacious, but it’s just there. There was no trace of glamor or luxury.

“It’s a shabby place to serve your Excellency… I’m sorry, but in the County of Cericle, this is the best place—”

“Ah, it’s okay. If the office is flashy, it’s just tiring on the eyes. I also like this rustic look.”

He waved his hand towards Alfonso, who looked hesitantly.

In fact, even if Alfonso was extravagant, he had no intention of touching. When people have power, they want to enjoy it, and when they succeed in life, they want to spend money. Moreover, Alfonso received his title after being bullied by the abusive superiors of the Quironos Kingdom, so it is not surprising that he went berserk due to his sorrow.

In the first place, the empire is a place that overlooks a little corruption as long as you have good skills. He’s managing several territories instead of me, and it’s such a luxury.

‘But if possible, it’s better to be a competent and honest person.’

However, people also want to buy better items for the same price. If both are competent, wouldn’t it be natural for people to focus on integrity?

Of course, if it goes beyond the level of integrity and degenerates to a desperate level, that would be a problem.

‘It would be difficult to misunderstand that they don’t give you money just because you are an exile.’

The corners of my mouth went up without me knowing.

Fortunately, Alfonso lives like a nobleman, so if he had been living a life at the level of a commoner just because he was watching me, I would have been criticized without even knowing why. The Minister of Inspector General, even though he was an exile, that vicious b*stard looks down on nobles.

“Viscount. There is no need for the office to be extravagant, but decorate the mansion in a grand manner. If the Viscount lives happily, others will strive to live like the Viscount.”

“That is indeed correct, Your Excellency.”

Alfonso bowed again at my suggestion.

It seemed like there would soon be a report that Alfonso’s mansion had been expanded on a large scale.

“And the Viscount also sits down. But how long are you going to stand there?”

Alfonso also sat down in his seat as if he was embarrassed by the command that was not in order.

The story will be long as you listen to the report on the territory, but keeping Alfonso standing in the meantime is tantamount to cruelty.

Although he gifted the earldom to his third father-in-law and the marquisate to Erich, the actual management was still in charge of Alfonso.

Isn’t it a territory outside the border, not a nearby territory? At first, my father-in-law and Erich tried to send a trustworthy person as their agent, but it took too much time and effort, so they decided to just let Alfonso manage it. I was only sending the income from the estate to my father-in-law and Erich.

As long as the money comes in properly, who cares who the agent is? I don’t mind being a slave as long as it fills my wallet.

“This is my personal opinion, but I think it would be a good idea for Your Excellency’s father-in-law and younger brother to visit the estate soon.”

In such a situation, Alfonso, the head of affairs, urged the two great lords to visit. This is an issue that will naturally shake your calm mind.

“Did some accident happen?”

“That’s not true. However, from the lord’s perspective, not only the owner of the territory but also the nationality has changed, and isn’t this a situation where they haven’t seen the owner of the territory yet? Perhaps the lord considers them insignificant, and will hand the territory over to Leon again? I’m feeling anxious.”

I nodded because it was understandable.

I can also remotely control territories, but when I was dispatched to the Kingdom of Leon, I personally inspected the territories I had farmed. At least my people have clearly seen who their new master is. There is no need to be anxious.

“Fortunately, the people close to His Excellency know that he is a lord, so the residents are not very agitated. So, showing your face when anxiety is still low can prevent problems from arising in the future.”

At first it was ‘same’. Alfonso, who had been quietly expressing his opinion, began to argue with increasingly confident words.

“…Of course, this is just a personal opinion, so I would like you to make your own judgment.”

I quickly adjusted my remarks and took a step back.

“I will do that. The judgment of the Viscount on the spot will be more correct than mine from a distance.”

I nodded calmly at that sight.

If Alfonso, who is watching me, insists strongly, it means that he has a strong need. At best, if the person in charge makes a suggestion and ignores it, there is no point in coming here to listen to the briefing.

Moreover, it is very common sense and natural that the people of the territory should look after the owner of the territory. When our triplets grow up a little more, we have to go to the Duchy of Servet…

…

“Your Excellency?”

“I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment.”

I almost burst into tears at the thought of those little, cute children leaving their father’s arms.

Even though I was only leaving for a certain period of the year, I honestly didn’t want to allow that. I barely allowed it for the sake of the children’s future and the Duchy of Servet.

“…The faster the better, right?”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

I suppressed my depressed mood and took out the communication device. It is unreasonable for a son-in-law to tell his father-in-law to come, but there is one person he can call right away.

There will be a lot of free time since the Common People’s House has been opened anyway, so let’s ask them to come right away.

– Brother?

As if I wasn’t actually doing anything, Erich’s face came to mind as soon as I operated the communication port.

“You have nothing to do, right?”

– …I think something will happen soon…

“Good intuition. Come do some work.”

Erich, who was clumsily trying to dodge, was caught and lifted up.

Bouncer.

***

After completing the unilateral notification, my brother quickly cut off contact.

‘What is this?’

I looked at the communication port bitterly and sighed.

I feel like I want to ignore it. However, since they say they will personally send a teleport wizard to the Capitol, it is a call that cannot be ignored. If you refuse this, your brother may come to catch you yourself.

‘What’s going on?’

So he woke up awkwardly, but his mind quickly brought up recent memories.

If you call a teleportation wizard, it means that your brother is outside the system. But, not in the system, but in the local area… Is there a place I can work? Of course, there are times when members of the Imperial Council go on local patrols, but that is not something my brother calls me to do. The council gives instructions.

‘…Let’s go first.’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out anything, so I trudged to the front door,

“Where is this again?”

“This is your territory His Excellency the Marquis.”

As I moved with the wizard who was waiting in front of the main gate, I was greeted by my older brother, who raised the corners of his mouth as if he were laughing.

I see This is my territory.

It was a burden that was unilaterally taken on.

“Why is your expression like that? I’m the Marquis who others want but can’t.”

“Then can’t I give it to others?”

“I will think about it when you come to an agreement with your future child.”

He was appalled by the atrocity of cowardly taking his future child hostage.

“Think carefully. If you give up your fiefdom now, the child who could have been a marquis will become a baron. Abby, who is no one else, gave up her marquess and became a baron—”

“Okay, let’s get to work first. I’m here on a business trip, so I have to get back quickly.”

I hurriedly opened my mouth as the threat became more specific.

I don’t want to place heavy obligations on my children. But like my brother said, I don’t know what my future children will think. Even though it was a foreign title, he could have become a marquess, but now he inherits a baronetcy? That child may resent me forever.

“Just ride a horse and take a walk around your territory. Wave a little and hug the residents.”

“…Is that enough?”

“I’m not conscienceless that I expect a lot from you.”

It was a happy word, but a little unpleasant.