Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou! Chapter 49

“Here we go, we have arrived.” (Wendelin) 

“Well, teleportation is convenient.” (Paul) 

As my family’s home is affected by various troubles, we leaped as far as the capital and consulted with Erich-nii-san’s group. 

Which reminds me, although we should have fought twice with undead armies, that any normal adventurer would want to avoid, yesterday in the Demon Forest, it left a weak impression thanks to my family’s home. 

Since he was angry to have lost his life in an unreasonable expedition, he became a lich far quicker than the other undead. 

And, it was just with the words 『Leave it to you』. 

Afterwards we went to the Brandt’s mansion in the capital to consult with Erich-nii-san. But in the end we didn’t know whether the things that Klaus said were the truth. 

That’s probably how it feels? 

My influence is already too big. Something like this truth is a trivial issue. 

Certainly, it’s correct to not waste useless effort on that person in the future. 

I have decided to take back the territory of my family’s home in this way. 

I will only provide the money and go with a strategy of trusting them in the future. 

Once time has passed, it will be a new miracle. 

That was the strategy. 

By the way, if I were to fail, I planned to quickly defect to the Holy Empire Urquhart. 

Given that the seafood was tasty, I’m not too worried though. 

Without a doubt, as Finance Minister Rückner and Minister of Military and Naval Affairs Edgar should have been told by Erich-nii-san, they are likely the masterminds behind this. 

Furthermore, in order to give Paul-nii-san a justification to enter the territory, he has been appointed to do a provincial inspection trip. 

Indeed, the kingdom’s finances will be alright even if I fail at worst as it is someone else’s money. 

And, in the morning of the next day. 

A single pain in the ass was mixed among them. 

However, she is endowed with superhuman strength because of her hero syndrome constitution. The battle-axe master Wilma Etol von Asgahan. 

It might be the start of my harem legend at this point. 
Or rather, because it felt like even a single woman was impossible for me in my previous life, I honestly want to be spared from this part.

“Say, Elise.” (Wendelin) 

“Yes, what is it?” (Elise) 

Given that the number increased, I leapt to the forest located behind the mansion of the Baumeister main household three times, but the current target of interest was the situation with the little girl called Wilma. 

“That girl, is a bit, you know…” (Wendelin) 

As it would be troublesome if she started to say 『My stomach is empty』 once again, it proved fortunate that I had handed her a large quantity of candies. 

Maybe they are discussing the guard schedule. 

“Certainly she also gives the impression of her speech and conduct being slightly childish, but I think she has a good head on her shoulders.” (Elise) 

Defending me is the task of the guards. 

Judging by my first impression, we seem to be making a big mistake. 

“Did you know about her?” (Wendelin) 

“Only to the extent of rumors.” (Elise) 

Wilma is the third daughter of the Associate Baron Asgahan household. 

Because they are an appointed Associate Baron household, they are suspicious people who may use Wilma as a chess piece in a political marriage. 

Even if it’s the Associate Baron Asgahan household, she is a valuable talent, but it was also a fact that they couldn’t only spend money on her. 

If it’s a man, they can gain fame by things like the martial arts tournament or by playing an active role in the army making use of their superhuman strength. 

But Wilma is a woman. 

Once she became 10 years old, she headed to the mansion of Minister Edgar holding a certain weapon from her family’s home. 

There was the troublesome point of how to deal with her since she is a woman, but it is never wrong for important nobles of Minister Edgar’s level to posses many pieces that can be used. 

“Minister Edgar judged that he can probably use her for something. He even provided her with personal training.” (Paul) 

Having her grasp battle-axe techniques to counterbalance her superhuman strength, he looked after her other necessities such as studying and food expenses as well. 

If he now offered a too plain woman to me, there would be many complaints from people like Cardinal Hohenheim. 

This is why she is the most suitable talented person to join me. 

“Wilma will stick to Wend.” (Paul) 

“Haa…” (Wendelin) 

During my talk with Paul-nii-san, the discussion of the five people finished. 

Although, normally there would be no choice but to take around one and a half months for the provincial inspection trip to arrive after the notification came, they will appear together with us and furthermore, Paul-nii-san is the leader of the inspection. 

The kingdom’s administration has dissatisfaction towards the governing system of this territory. 

That’s because the setup is for him to visit here on a provincial inspection trip. 

“Sieghard’s group belongs to the capital’s guards. They have been appointed as group members because they are young nobles.” (Paul) 

Therefore they can’t avoid giving their greetings alongside Paul-nii-san. 

“However, Wilma isn’t a group member.” (Paul) 

“I’m Baron Baumeister-sama’s personal guard.” (Wilma) 

While munching on the candies she had received from me, Wilma talked about her own role. 

Doesn’t she understand the meaning too well? Though it was uncertain whether she thought it wouldn’t be good to push me down forcefully. 

She ate them without even licking them. 

“Are those candies tasty?” (Wendelin) 

“Given that they are from a store I previously thought that I want to eat from, they are delicious. Those are not something I can buy myself.” (Wilma) 

Because those are candies from a store of a certain noble purveyor in the capital, Wilma never had the chance to eat them up until now. 

If I think about it like this, this girl is a bit pitiful. 

Having increased up to a total amount of 12 people, we leave the forest in the back of the mansion of the Baumeister territory’s main family and move towards the location of father and Kurt. 

“Paul… No, it was Sir Baumeister.” (Artur) 

Around two years ago, at almost the same time as Helmut-nii-san was adopted as groom into the capital’s Baumeister household, Paul-nii-san has been given the rank of appointed Knight as well. 

However, my Baron household, the main family in the capital, the newly appointed Knight household and this territory, the number of Baumeister households was increasing completely like an amoeba. 

“It’s been a while. As a matter of fact, I have been appointed for a provincial inspection trip by the kingdom the other day.” (Paul) 

Although even more than hundred years passed since the territory has been established by the kingdom’s administration, it’s probably funny that there hasn’t been an inspection even once. 

Accordingly, due to the role of Baron Baumeister being capable of transferring with magic, Paul-nii-san, affiliated with the capital’s guards, was appointed to do a provincial inspection trip to get the details on the state of affairs on-site. 

Father understood the reason we came here, including Paul-nii-san himself. 

“And, the Baron-dono next to you.” (Kurt) 

“That’s impolite, Kurt-dono.” (Paul) 

It was Kurt, who showed a far too bitter face after seeing the face of Paul-nii-san. But now he asked for the purpose of my visit. 

Or did they fail? 

If I remember correctly there were 77 victims in the Baumeister feudal army. As far as a place where all of their bereaved families can gather is concerned, there was no other choice but the plaza where we held the bazaar before. 

“Have them gathered in the evening. They will be able to assess the articles of the deceased there.” (Wendelin) 

“No, that’s unnecessary. Leave everything that seems to be an article of the deceased behind.” (Kurt) 

“Haa?” (Wendelin) 

Whereupon Kurt once again said something foolish here, 

“We are a poor agricultural community. Even though the bazaar the other day was the same, it’s troublesome if you tell me this easily to do something like gathering the fief’s inhabitants. I will handle the inquiry work for the articles of the deceased.” (Kurt) 

“No, we refuse.” (Wendelin) 

“What was that!” (Kurt) 

“Is that something to get angry over?” (Wendelin) 

Getting angry over the things said probably means that there’s something to feel guilty about. 

Beyond being told by him his wish to have the articles of the deceased returned to the bereaved families, it was necessary for me to confirm whether this has been fulfilled completely. 

I think he won’t exploit such rusted weapons and armors from the bereaved families, but I can’t guarantee that for almost everyone’s shares such as the inhabitant’s wallets in addition. 

More than one would think, those were often packed with silver coins and such. 

“(He might go as far as stealing the contents of the wallets within the articles of the deceased…) I was told by Margrave Breithilde that to have them returned to the proper bereaved families.” (Wendelin) 

“You bastard! This is my territory!” (Kurt) 

“You are the person in line to be inaugurated as next family head, right? Lord Baumeister?” (Wendelin) 

Due to my words loaded with sarcasm, Kurt’s face has become even more red. 

It’s unusual for father to talk to me first. 

“I don’t mind if you gather the bereaved families to show them the articles of the deceased, however will that really make the distinction easier?” (Artur) 

“To be honest, it will be easier than the Breithilde feudal army.” (Wendelin) 

In the case of the Breithilde feudal army it was easy to differentiate between the equipment of some like the previous family head, the staff group and magicians. 

On the other hand, it will be simple to split up the Baumeister feudal army’s side’s items. 

Father and Klaus. 

But, I guess father is forced into a position where he has to consider Klaus’ abilities. 

They will probably carry out the original task of the provincial inspection trip, but even Kurt has already noticed that Paul-nii-san’s group is my guard troop. 

Father will innocently guide Paul-nii-san’s group to the familiar places within the territory since it is his home. Paul-nii-san will also check merely for form’s sake whether there are any problems with the public order within the territory. 

As expected, the current me wants to be excused from such meals. 

“Although I allow you to gather herbs and go hunting, before that…” (Artur) 

“Before that?” (Wendelin) 

Father points out that I have forgotten the most important thing. 

“It’s been a while, mother.” (Paul) 

“I’m terribly sorry to not have greeted you the other day.” (Wendelin) 

The aspect pointed out by father was neither Paul-nii-san nor me having yet met mother. 

Also, even though father’s group and us are currently talking about work, what would happen if mother recklessly barged into those talks? 

In addition the bad thing was that I didn’t meet mother as I went to the Demon Forest yesterday for performing the purification 

Due to my existence, it might from now on become possible to easily trade with other fiefs. 

On the other hand, there are also people who think that the current lifestyle is sufficient and that such convenience is unnecessary. 

If you consider that they originally were inhabitants of slums, their current life would satisfactory. 

In their case, they support the line from father to Kurt and they are expecting me to receive a hearty welcome from the inhabitants from the other villages. 

“At any rate, both of you have become handsome men, haven’t you?” (Johanna) 

Although we are her children to whom she gave birth, there aren’t enough chances to meet us with out sudden change in rank. 

Therefore Paul-nii-san rejected mother’s words with partly filled sarcasm. 

“It’s probably different from Erich, who became the son-in-law of the Brandt household by his own efforts, but Helmut and I have the same feelings on that, I think. We consider us as disappointing as elder brothers. However, even we won’t throw a tantrum like Kurt-aniki. He has an attitude of showing no mercy.” (Paul) 

Thanks to their younger brother they were able to become nobles with the possibility of inheriting a peerage. 

Even I’m able to understand Paul-nii-san’s feeling quite well. 

“Although I think that Kurt is strange as well, there isn’t anything I can say about it in this territory.” (Johanna) 

If mother advised Kurt or such in such remote rural region, it would only kick up a fuss with the conservative folks. 

Father and Kurt are relying on Klaus for stuff like calculations, but in fact, even if Klaus didn’t do that, mother and Amelie-sister-in-law-san should be able to handle it to some extent. 

Thanks to that, it has turned into mutual distrust with Klaus. Though it’s a reality you can’t really laugh at. 

“It can’t be helped now that it has already become like this. Let’s stop talking about this. By the way, Helmut and Paul have married and Wendelin has a fiancée as well, right?” (Johanna) 

“Yes.” (Wendelin) 

At such occasions you would show something like photos in my previous life, I end up thinking. 

Although I should say that this would be Paul-nii-san’s reason. For me there was no problem to buy a camera. 

Elise was silent in accordance to noble’s etiquette and it was normal for Ina to be slightly nervous too. 

However, they do keep a distance from each other as the feeling aren’t that pleasant either. 

Looking at my current situation, she probably noticed that she had been forced onto me. 

“Because Wendelin has returned home, there is the possibility of various things happening in this territory. Please support Wendelin properly. That’s the only thing I can say as his mother.” (Johanna) 

She probably wanted to request the safety of Kurt’s child as mother. 

At any rate, she wanted us to put the priority on our own safety. 

Even if something happened to father or Kurt’s child, everyone knows that mother is without doubt necessary to put in order the state of affairs required afterwards. 

Even if it turns into a cruel outcome, I’m waiting for something to happen so that there is a necessity to deal with it. 

“Wendelin, Paul, just keep the victims low.” (Johanna) 

“Yes.” (Wendelin) 

Paul-nii-san and I only bowed silently.

“Be that as it may, basically we are on standby now, right?” 

“You can even call it holiday, eh?” 

Having finished the conversation with mother, I have transferred to Breitburg right after that. 

The only exceptions are items that are thought to be articles of the deceased of the Baumeister feudal army. 

To begin with the differentiation was simple given that the equipment items were different. 

There’s also the returning of the articles of the deceased to the bereaved families of those killed in action of the Baumeister feudal army. It was necessary to pay 30% percent of the procured gains as tax to father. 

This time it won’t be fine to once again stay at the branch family, was Klaus’ opinion. 

As a matter of fact, that open private house was the house where Klaus’ father lived during his time of serving as village headman. 

『Until a few years back it was used as storage for wheat and spare agricultural tools, but nowadays it is a vacant house. Even stuff like the cleaning has already been finished.』 (Klaus) 

『Well then, let’s borrow it without reservations?』 

Since the branch family is no good, I would end up rebuking Kurt each time I encountered him at the main family’s mansion. 

Although I’m bothered by this setup, gathering the 12 outsiders, we decided to take care of preparing our own meals and such. 

Given that there is a detoxify spell in the worst case, there won’t be any extreme situations, I’ve decided to think. 

“Isn’t it quite a chore for Paul-san’s group?” (Erwin) 

“In a certain sense.” (Wilma) 

Excluding Wilma, Paul-nii-san’s group has become the provincial inspection party for form’s sake. Currently they were in the middle of inspecting the territory while being guided by father.  

At most it is to the extent of inhabitants, who are on bad terms with each other, quarreling. 

And, father, being its chief executive, will be forced into retirement and taking that opportunity Kurt will also be disinherited in order to take responsibility. 

That doesn’t mean that we aren’t doing anything either. You could even say that us being here is a provocation. 

“Wend-sama, it’s full of wild strawberries.” (Wilma) 

“Let’s do our best in picking them up.” (Wendelin) 

“Wild strawberry juice.” (Wilma) 

It’s our usual members who have entered the forest. 

It reached the point of her calling me 『Wend-sama』. It’s the result of me asking her to stop calling me 『Baron Baumeister-sama』. 

“Isn’t that girl quite skilled?” (Ina) 

Together with the others from the girl’s faction, Wilma is gathering stuff like wild strawberries and yam, but her way of using her hands was quite adept. 

“In fact, I’m used to it.” (Wilma) 

No matter how much support she receives from Minister Edgar, she won’t survive if she doesn’t eat a lot. 

There is prey to catch in the forest as well, but there is a great number of large prey in the Savage Lands. 

My skills didn’t deteriorate as much as I thought they would. Both of us caught around 10 rabbits. 

With a method of striking the top of their heads with a quick single blow just before they passed below, Luise easily killed the large wild boars. 

“Wend, please drain the blood.” (Luise) 

“Understood. Eh? Elise and Wilma are?” (Wendelin) 

While draining the blood of the wild boars, Luise carried over, with magic, I’m storing them in the magic bag. 

Therefore she appears to be harvesting plants that can be eaten close-by. 

“If it’s Wilma, she’s on the other side, if I’m not mistaken.” (Elise) 

Turning my sight into the direction pointed out by Elise, I saw Wilma fighting something outrageous over there. 

Such huge bear as an opponent is severe even for Wilma, thinking that we head over to her as relief in a hurry. 

The bear, who was facing off against Wilma in an imposing stance, loses its head and from the severed neck a fountain of blood is spouting into the air.

“Umm… Wilma?” (Wendelin) 

“Today will be all-you-can-meat.” (Wilma) 

“Yea, we will get our fill.” (Ina) 

It’s fine since she is possessing sufficient skill to serve as my guard. 
I persuaded myself with that.

“Eh! Such huge bear in one hit?” (Paul) 

“Yes.” (Wilma)

“I wonder whether I should call you Wilma-san from now on?” (Paul)

Evening of the same day Paul-nii-san’s group has returned just as we are cooking the large amount of game as ingredients. 

And the one reproving that was the elderly Ottmer-san. 

“Rather than that, the food’s here.” (Gotthart) 

It seems anything’s fine as he already finished the inspection. 

But, in order to avoid this, we obtained the permission to hunt from father. 

“I’m serving as poor guard in the capital, however now I’m eating far better food than my family.” (Paul) 

While saying this, Paul-nii-san ate the tasty bear meat in miso stew. 

And as dessert we have wild strawberry juice and jam.

Therefore, we are always able to eat freshly baked bread. 

Even Wilma demonstrated her skill to do such things as dismantling and preparing the game. 

This house didn’t have a stove and cooking ware from the start. 

He held a bottle of the aforementioned honey liquor in one hand. 

“Burkhart-san, alcohol is forbidden.” (Wendelin) 

“I know. This is honey water and not alcohol.” (Burkhart) 

Since I don’t know what will happen during our stay within the territory, I have sentenced everyone to abstinence. 

Thanks to that, all of the today caught prey is cooked. Furthermore I got stuck with supplying additional ingredients that were stored within the magic bag. 

“I can eat so much meat.” (Wilma) 

“Aren’t you full yet?” (Burkhart) 

In the territory’s forest and the Savage Lands the number of captured prey is low because the population is low. If they felt like it, they could get plenty of game. 

Today even a bear appeared. And the huge wild boars are dangerous wild beasts as well. 

If you consider it normally, it should have only become a dinner party requested by the Junior Commander family of an adventurer party and the provincial inspection group staying within the territory. 

There are certainly people who will overreact to this fact. It will gradually cause repercussions within the territory. 

“Humph! Isn’t it a splendid thing for brothers to be on good terms.” (Kurt) 

“And, what about it? Does it inconvenience Kurt-dono in any way?” (Wendelin) 

Early morning of the next day we were asked to come to main family’s mansion once again by father. 

He has been spilling complaints as soon as he met us, but I played dumb with my answer on purpose. 

For that reason I invited Hermann-nii-san’s family over on purpose. 

“How long do you plan to stay here?” (Kurt) 

“At least until the liquidation of the aforementioned loot has finished.” (Wendelin) 

Yesterday evening the bereaved families of those killed at the expedition gathered upon Klaus’ notification. They took home the rusted weapons, equipment, personal belongings and wallets we had collected. 

Rather, differentiating the unified equipment of the Breithilde feudal army was likely more difficult. 

『Wendelin-sama, thank you very much.』 

『My father finally returned home.』 

The bereaved families thanked us for bringing back the articles of the deceased. 

Kurt showed up leading the fief’s population that is about the same age as him. 

『It’s impossible to re-use those after all, eh?』 (Kurt) 

『Yes. But isn’t it possible to melt and cast them?』 

A male inhabitant answers Kurt’s question. 

And, from among them, a single old person, as representative, began to persuade Kurt to reverse his statement. 

『Kurt-sama, apart from the taxes, I’d like you to pardon us from offering the articles of the deceased which are soldier’s equipment.』 

『Why?』 (Kurt) 

『Those killed on the expedition don’t have any remains. In exchange for those, let us fill the graves with-』 

Given that the bodies, which had turned undead, crumbled away in the holy light of purification, we didn’t bring back their remains at all. 

Even he lost his children etc. on the expedition. 

『However, since these soldier’s items are things we collected on our own, there shouldn’t be any kind of problem to put them into the tombs, right?』 (Jürgen) 

We were worried because the equipment was in pieces, but it seems that even the equipment items are from one own’s effort in the Baumeister feudal army. 

Certainly, if they were to recycle the iron articles of the deceased by melting them down, they should be able to alleviate the iron insufficiency of the Baumeister territory, where nothing more than mining small quantities of red stones was possible, a little bit. 

It seems there are many of such feudal lord in the provinces. There isn’t any particularly odd point related to tax collection either. 

However, there are only few idiots who confiscate articles of the deceased from bereaved families. 

Kurt has addressed me without honorific titles just like back in the old days. 

『I can understand your plan to recycle available resources.』 (Wendelin) 

『If that’s the case, don’t interfere.』 (Kurt) 

『So, the blacksmith in the back, how much iron will you be able to collect from these?』 (Wendelin) 

『I will pay a suitable price!』 (Eckhart) 

I have no doubt that he will beat down the price close to free-of-charge. 

They probably have been good friends since their childhood. 

At the time of the bazaar the other day, Burkhart-san saw a group going to Kurt to make a report. 

He is earning his income as monopolistic blacksmith in this isolated territory.  

You could expect him to get immediately crushed in Breitburg and the capital. 

Even so, he is able to do so because they were loyal to the Baumeister family for generations since the time they immigrated. 

As blacksmith he is able to make iron weapons. 

Although there are people who are descendants of blacksmiths in the other villages, it would become a problem if they secretly made weapons for the sake of rebelling. 

If one of the other brothers succeed, the exchange with the outside will increase. He is cornered by the danger of his business failing. 

『In other words, it’s fine if it is iron?』 (Wendelin) 

『Though it is a talk of “if”!』 (Eckhart) 

It’s a good thing that this blacksmith called Eckhart has the backing of Kurt. He is hated by the inhabitants for selling stuff like agricultural tools for a high price without those items even having high quality. 

It is a single cluster of iron with a size of 1 meter in all directions, but Eckhart is unable to stand up out of surprise in that situation as it fell in front of him with a thump. 

『This much should be enough?』 (Wendelin) 

『Isn’t that dangerous!?』 (Eckhart) 

『Since you are a blacksmith, you should be proficient at handling iron, no?』 (Wendelin) 

He tried to steal the iron attached to the articles of the deceased of those killed on the expedition with a rip-off price using the authority of Kurt. 

Putting aside weapons such as swords, stuff like armors is almost completely made out of leather and doesn’t use much of metal. 

Even things like the few recovered shields are in a state of having almost rotted away as they are practically entirely made out of wood with one metallic part. 

All of those are things that can be bought at a reasonable price in Breitburg and the capital. 

Because the families of blacksmithing experts and craftsmen, including other general goods for living, originating from the main village have been monopolizing the market within the territory for generations, they became strong supporters of Kurt. 

However, I wonder if Kurt’s group has realized that? 

They might have tolerated it, if I haven’t been there, but I was there in that pathetic situation. 
They might not have noticed it, but even if they continued behaving modestly towards me in front of the inhabitants, it would have probably had the same conclusion in the end.

◆◇◆◇◆ (Added this one as it goes right back to present time in the raw)

“Quickly liquidate it and bring the taxes!” (Kurt) 

“Please tell that Margrave Breithilde.” (Wendelin) 

“Humph! It fine as long as you don’t cheat!” (Kurt) 

“Kurt!” (Artur) 

As expected, I considered it to be qui

Chapter end