CH extra 4

First half is Count Lunan Forseed’s POV

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“Father. We can soon head back to the Royal Capital.”

“Yes. By golly, His Majesty is also a cruel one.”

I was currently visiting my newly appointed territory along with my son, who was also heir to the House of Count Lunan Forseed.

We were granted this land as a result of the engagement cancellation, which took place a week or so before.

On that day, having become a territory-owning aristocrat, the results of my hard work were taken over by someone else, and I was instead scheduled to head towards the frontier.

Most likely, a lot of gears were turning in places unbeknownst to me, for that to happen.

“I must say, what a terrible place this frontier is.”

“I agree.”

It was a vastly empty land, with few subjects to rule over.

Most of them lived in a town made for the guards who looked over the Demon Forest.

Those inhabitants were also crude and impolite.

I shall have to educate them once, if they were to become my subjects.

Today, we shall head towards the last village, and head back to the Capital tomorrow.

“Mother was also appalled. “The noble house of Count Lunan Forseed shouldn’t hold such lands”, is what she said.”

“…She was also disrespected by this.”

My wife was from a noble Count house, like me.

Her family were land-holding aristocrats who held territory near Royal Capital, where art was flourishing.

Compared to that, this land would be like a large dustbin for her.

Letting her to accompany us, because she belonged to land-owning aristocracy, was a failure on my part.

“I’ll be busy starting tomorrow. Seeing the state of things, there must be large scale tax evasion taking place. I’ll have to begin squeezing out as much as I can.”

“As expected, father. You see through the thoughts of lowly scoundrels so well.”

“I’m sure you’ll become as able as—“

“”””””GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!””””””

At that moment, beastly screams were heard, and our carriage stops.

My son and I inadvertently slipped from our chairs.

“W, what in the world!?”

“Lord Count, it’s terrible!”

The door opens, and a knight jumps in.

I thought of rebuking him, but now was not the time.

I could punish him later anyways.

“What happened?”

“A-a large swarm of monsters is headed our way!”

“Wh—“

“”””””GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!””””””

We get swallowed by the swarm, alongside our carriage.

***

The meeting hall was filled with a dark atmosphere.

That’s because news of the Knights corps getting wiped out had just arrived.

Moreover, the central army which hadn’t prepared for defense, thinking the knights would handle it, suffered great losses due to the hastened sortie.

The guards who patrolled the frontier were also in a state of destruction.

It was at this moment, when the people of the kingdom realized, how important the Anti-Demon Aristocrats were to them.

However, it was too late to regret things now.

The King himself declared that he’ll abolish Anti-Demon Aristocracy.

He went above and beyond, by making it not only his privilege, but his responsibility to do so.

There were innumerable aristocrats at the party who saw him do that.

…No, the situation right now was more crucial than keeping up appearances.

“Home Minister.”

“Yes sir.”

“Lain Wallfeed, or was it Lain Lunan-Forseed now. Order him to resume his position at the frontier. We’ll return all his privileges, and he shall be treated the same as a Duke. Summon him to the palace.”

Hearing those words, the faces of Defense & Finance Ministers light up at once.

“That is for the best.”

“That’s right, we should always fix our own mistakes. As Minister of Finance, I shall aid him in whatever way I can.”

The two were talking about such things, but Home Minister’s face only turned more pale.

“What’s wrong? Home Minister.”

“A, about that. I have received information, that on the day of the engagement, Lain Lunan-Forseed was driven out of House Forseed, and had left the capital.”

“What!? Why did that happen?”

Home Minister continues with difficulty.

“…My apologies, but I believe Sir Lunan Forseed’s actions were natural. The engagement was cancelled at the last moment, and there’s no way he could treat a 15 year old boy, who grew up in the wilderness, as an aristocrat. Moreover, after imposing such harsh penalties, Sir Lunan Forseed’s heart could not possibly remain calm, is what I believe.”

“P-penalties? What do you refer to?”

“The territories you granted him. Our country, which does not face difficulty in food supplies due to the breadbasket, would not be developing lands so close the Demon Forest for at least decades, if not centuries to come. It’s nothing short of a penalty to be granted those lands. Was my Lord not aware?”

“…..”

I can’t believe it.

To think that I was unable to solve a problem amicably.

The Defense Minister and Finance Minister also looked down pained faces.

They too were present at the engagement announcement party.

Surely they get the meaning of Home Minister’s words.

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid we have no choice but to retreat from the front lines of the frontier. The further we are from the forest, the weaker the monsters get.”

“Hm.”

I consider Defense Minister’s opinion.

Fortunately, the area near the Demon Forest hadn’t begun developing yet. It wouldn’t make a difference even if we gave up some part of it.

But Home Minister stops me in a panic.

“T, that can’t be. The land near the Demon Forest was given to Count Lunan Forseed as reward. receding the front lines now, would be the same as taking back a gift. This would reflect poorly on our country.”

“Wha! Then what will you have us do!”

“… If, we are to cede that land, the territory gifted to Count Lunan Forseed would have to be exchanged with state-owned land.”

It would be a pain to lose state-owned land, but I’m left with no choice.

“…Mm. There’s no other choice. Finance Minister, Calculate a land area the same as the one we gifted, and send out a request for exchange.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

After that, according to calculations, the entire southern belt was found to be given to the Count. Despite repeated examinations to know if a solution could be worked out, no answer came up, and the royal family lost a large source of income, called the breadbasket.