Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou!

My name is Hermann von Benno Baumeister.

Im a novice noble succeeding a certain hinterland territory.

However, although that territory might be in the sticks, a large-scale development of the adjoining Savage Lands has begun.

There are plans to connect a road to the Baumeister Earldom, which is close to the original Savage Lands. If that happens, the contact with the outside will increase as well. It will enliven my territory, which was completely isolated before.

But, the path up to here wasnt easy at all.

Originally I was the second son.

The second son, born to a noble household, has always been reputed to be the spare of the eldest son.

While free-loading at home as adult, their marriage will be later than that of the eldest son, too.

And, there are many, who cant marry, either.

At worst, if the succeeding eldest son is unable to produce children, the second son will remain for life in the provided room of the mansion.

In my childhood I didnt know that.

The eldest son, Kurt, who was the heir, was by no means a bad person, although he was mediocre.

However, once he grew up, he gradually grasped the situation of the household and territory.

Given that Kurt was the heir, he was cherished. My treatment was considerably befitting.

As there was also a mistress, younger brothers and sisters were gradually multiplying, but their situation might have still been better.

My younger brothers, who were born by mother, who is the legal wife, were preparing to leave elsewhere since they couldnt succeed the household anyway.

As red-bloods(T/N: in contrast to blue-bloods aka nobles), they would become village headmen or assist their elder brothers. For the younger sisters it would be fine as long as they married, even if it was a wealthy farmer.

However, I was living in a room as Kurts spare.

I was given a private room more or less, but I couldnt regard it as anything but a jail without bars.

That doesnt mean that I particularly hated father or mother.

I just hated the established rules of the nobles.

It reached the point that I vented that resentment into my sword training.

And also into the training of the formed guard unit, which consisted of the second and third sons of farmers in a similar situation.

That guard unit was usually responsible for maintaining the public order.

In an emergency it would naturally become the core of the feudal army.

Even if I say that, criminals or such rarely appeared here since it was a remote countryside which had been isolated from other regions.

Even the feudal army shouldnt have an opportunity to get a turn, if there wasnt that previous expedition to the Demon Forest, which caused heavy losses, though I didnt go there myself.

Besides, although it might be called a guard unit which acted to maintain the public order, they stopped the occasional brawls between fellow farmers, who got drunk on sake, or mediated violent matrimonial quarrels.

In this territory the guard unit was dispatched for incidents of that level.

It was a job, that finished with several people rushing on-site, listening to the arguments and splitting up the fellow related parties.

Also, there was the occasional subjugation of wild boars and bears, who lost their way into the fields, I guess?

Those were defeated in cooperation with the hunters, but there were many cases where the animals were driven away or defeated by the hunters before the guard unit came running.

There wasnt a considerable amount of work for the guard unit.

Sometimes it was limited to gathering the unit members for training.

Be that as it may, the members had ordinary jobs, too.

A regulation for the amount of training had been decided more or less, but it was never obeyed.

As it didnt make sense to abandon the fields in order to carry out the training according to the regulation, father, who is the previous feudal lord, carried out a large-scale reclamation saying that it was for the sake of increasing the tax revenue.

Given that reclamation was more important than training, I mainly helped out with that as well.

Hermann, the place, you are in charge of today, is over there. (Artur)

Digging up the soil at the place designated by father, I chopped down hindering trees and uprooted their stumps from the ground with several people.

Removing large stones and blocks was quite the labour.

However, as the field, which was assigned today, had been properly prepared by the unit members, it was decided that Helge would receive it.

He was a third son, who was unable to succeed his homes fields.

Therefore he couldnt afford failures in this reclamation.

Thank you, Hermann-sama. (Helge)

Lets not say such stuff to each other. If you didnt remain in this territory, the already shabby guard unit would have become even more shabby. (Hermann)

Hermann-sama, thats a taboo word. (Helge)

We had a great laughter with the guard unit members, who were assisting in another reclamation.

As everyone was a second son and below, there were only people in the same circumstances. The method of laughing rather than sighing, even if it was masochistic, ended up comforting us emotionally.

You have been paying a large amount of money as taxes. So, dont hold back. (Hermann)

Helge, who became 20 years old this year, was a survivor of the Demon Forest expedition, although it was difficult to see that.

In those days he had just become an adult with 12 years, but he was recommended by his home, who thought it wouldnt be a problem for him to die as he was the third son.

No, it was probably correct to call it getting rid of a nuisance.

Theres no difference between nobles and commoners in handling a problem like this.

To be frank, Im believing that it was good for me, who was 18 years old at that time, to no be dispatched with the army.

Instead, the annihilation of the Junior Commander, who was my granduncle, and his three sons caused the currently icy relationship between the main family and the branch family.

It was obvious, once you looked, that the women had to help with the reclamation since there werent enough male helpers and subordinate warriors, serving the branch family.

They were following fathers order, but once in a while they were looking at father and Kurt with piercing gazes.

I became their target as well, however that was probably inevitable.

Im still alive due to the sacrifice of granduncles group after all.

Possessing that much money, there was also the option to go somewhere else. Seeing that it was taken away, you have to properly receive a field, Helge. (Hermann)

It wasnt like Helge was particularly excelling in swordsmanship. His body was also short and slender.

However, by being skilled with the bow and furthermore having a robust body, he had stamina. And above all that, he had a strong spirit.

He, who was treated as underling due to his age, worked as messenger in the expeditionary force.

On the surface they should have an equal status, but when the Baumeister feudal army and the Breithilde feudal army merged, there was naturally no way for it to be that simple.

For the previous Margrave Breithilde granduncles group was the retainers of his retainer.

A large gap gradually formed between the two armies thanks to Margrave Breithilde treating them as retainers.

Granduncle kept the Baumeister feudal army a bit away from the feudal army of Margrave Breithilde.

It was probably because there were problems in their treatment, but maybe he predicted their fate to a certain extent.

Because more than 20 people of that small force survived, I have no doubt that he was likely preparing for the failure of the expedition.

However, the option to escape with few victims was no viable.

It was likely that it would become a problem in the future, if the Baumeister feudal army had almost no victims while the Breithilde feudal army got annihilated.

Especially, seeing that our supply route for goods such as salt was in the hands of the Margrave Breithilde household, it wouldnt do with only them escaping.

Even so, he wanted to let the young men escape as much as possible.

All of the 20 survivors were youngsters ranging from 12 years to early twenties.

It was the best outcome granduncle was able to leave behind with his sphere of influence.

He risked his own life and the lives of his sons.

However, it was cruel for fathers evaluation.

He parted with valuable residents without resistance and such.

Even so, father had the position of feudal lord.

On the surface it was necessary for him to reprimand granduncle, who lost 80% of the war potential.

Certainly, its just as father says. (Kurt)

Following up on father, my elder brother, Kurt, criticized granduncle, too.

As Kurt was a mediocre man, it was only natural for him to make such statement since he was properly listening to what father told him.

But, with that brief comment I noticed Kurts lack of military talent.

At the same time I didnt miss fathers instant expression of disappointment.

Father likely wanted Kurt to praise granduncle.

Since he was the feudal lord, he wasnt able to praise granduncle, who lost the majority of our war potential.

However, if the succeeding son praised granduncle for returning as many young men as he could, it would have been possible to somewhat alleviate the anger of people of the branch family.

Although I wasnt that intelligent, I at least understood this much.

Be that as it may, Kurt didnt realize that.

Father likely felt dejected in his heart.

Such things should be arranged ahead of time, was the only thing I could think.

Putting that aside, we have to thank those who were able to come back. (Hermann)

I considered it butting in, but I proposed that father should directly call out to the people, who were able to return.

Such concern couldnt be expected of Kurt at any rate.

Lacking manpower due to the expeditionary force, it was only me, who was regularly patrolling by leading the still remaining inhabitants, but it was also necessary to rebuke and properly correct the group I was leading, if they made a mistake. They had to at least know what to not do, if they wanted to be praised and achieve accomplishments.

They had survived the hell, which cost us 80% of our military forces.

Rewarding their efforts, it was necessary for father to give them days off and rewards, even if it was only for their feelings.

Certainly, thats necessary. (Artur)

Father consented with my opinion.

And it actually took place, but maybe the plan to put me into the branch family might have been polished at that time.

Holidays and such are unnecessary. Rather, it would be better to make them work in cultivating new land to allow them to forget that hell. (Kurt)

Kurt had such opinion, however once I considered that standpoint, it wasnt like his view was wrong either.

With all of the surviving young men being second sons and below, they were in no position to succeed a family in reality.

Given that those, who no one would mind dying either, luckily came back, he probably judged that their manpower should be immediately used.

It was probably a necessary decision for the sake of the territorys growth, but his way of thinking was owed to the fact that he had the position of eldest son.

Although I could comprehend it, I wasnt pleased with it on an emotional level.

And, although the young men were able to come back, the majority of them had collapsed mentally.

During granduncles absence I read books in fathers study thinking it was necessary to study as it was an activity on the level of a patrol unit with several people, but within the books there was a description about mind sickness due to war.

If you go through a too bitter experience on the battlefield, there will be people, whose mind becomes sick and who will become useless as soldiers.

According to their story,a large army of monsters came for a night attack.

Thanks to that, they reached the point of even becoming afraid of the nights darkness and the mysterious sounds, which occur then.

Since the male help of granduncles family was completely gone, I wasnt able to do anything but a sham patrol by leading a few guards around for a while.

I had hope for them, who had actual combat experience, but it was probably impossible to invite them as they were in such state.

I will be alright. (Helge)

However, luckily it resulted in several young men, who had a strong mind, to participate in the guard unit.

The one who was especially solid among them was the previously introduced Helge.

Granduncle had appointed Helge as messenger to stay in touch with the Breithilde feudal army.

For the sake of clearing the dangerous mood between the two armies, even if only a bit, he sent the youngest.

And that attempt was slightly successful.

The leaders of the Breithilde feudal army were as high-handed as usual, but with Helge, whose parents were in the same generation as the soldiers, regularly coming for communication, the soldiers apparently were affectionate towards him.

For you its a disaster as well. You were dragged into a competition of obstinacy between fellow authorities.

I dont mind since it will becoming horsemanship training, if Im working as messenger. (Helge)

You have a great character. Since we grilled meat of monsters, we hunted, go back after eating some of it.

Thank you. (Helge)

Youngsters have to eat their fill without holding back.

He was favoured by the lower soldiers with such feelings.

And then that fateful day came.

As Helge was heading into the direction of the Breithilde feudal armys encampment to carry out his messenger duty, they gave a certain something to Helge.

We probably wont be able to return alive. Boy, you have to survive at any cost. We will give you this.

He didnt quite understand anything, but he received several monster fangs.

And he was successful in escaping alongside others from the Demon Forest due to handling his horse skilfully thanks to his messenger duty.

Together with the other survivors they barely managed to reach the Baumeister territory one way or another, but after that he was assaulted by the blaming feelings in his chest.

Father collected the taxes from them, including Helge, who survived at great pains.

Because they were given a reward by Margrave Breithilde in addition to going to hunt at the time they entered the Demon Forest, they paid it with the coins they possessed.

Father, thats probably crude, as one would expect. (Hermann)

It might be as you say, but even so, the law is the law. (Artur)

However, even the reward, they had, was substantially reduced to zero.

Besides, its probably not almost all money they have on hand (Artur)

Certainly, it was as father said.

He might have taken the tax as planned since father definitely understood it as well.

Everyone of the surviving group was second son and below.

As according to his conjecture of their treatment at their homes, the majority of the money, they earned by risking their lives, was snatched away.

Especially Helge, as the received monsters fangs would become ingredients for high-priced medicine, those were immediately bought by the merchant group, who had money, for 200.000 cents.

Even so, the money, Helge received from his parents, was mere 1000 cents.

The money, he earned by putting his life on the line, was completely exploited by his home.

(Its a story, which is really sickening). (Hermann)

Be that as it may, this is the reality of an agricultural community in the countryside.

Given that it is important for the continuation of the family, second sons and below arent considered as anything but mountain grapes, which you squeeze for their juice.

Recently the number of young people leaving the Baumeister territory together with the merchant group was increasing, but I was able to understand their feelings.

Even father was considering this to not be a good thing.

However, too radical measures would shake his reign in the territory.

If there was something like a rebellion in such isolated territory, the Baumeister territory would suffer fatal damage. Thats probably why he was trying to promote the encouragement for reclamation as much as possible to allow the second sons and below to stand on their own feet.

I didnt believe that the eldest son, Kurt, noticed fathers forethoughts though.

If it was from his point of view, it was likely the level of perception that the tax yield would increase, if the arable lands expanded.

Hermann, you will enter the branch family as son-in-law. (Artur)

At the time when I heard that story from father, my realization was no more than Will it be less objectionable because its now, I wonder?

Completing the first stage of the large-scale reclamation, it was the time when Kurts wife was finally decided.

I was told to work in the position of Junior Commander by being adopted into the branch family.

With the failure of the expedition, the military forces of the Baumeister feudal army still hadnt recovered.

In the case of an emergency it was our duty to fight with all young men, but reserve soldiers, who would keep training, were also necessary to a certain degree.

Even so, while I was looking for possibilities in the books in the study, the 20 second sons and below, in name only, went through the trouble by learning through imitation from me.

One of the few results was Helge becoming my right-hand man by accumulating experience.

Although I felt sorry for troubling them with hardships in addition to the farm work on the fields, which were reclaimed just recently, the me at that time had no other way to entertain them.

For Kurt, who had realized his secure position through being surrounded by the heirs of wealthy farmers and craftsmen from the same generation, such hardships were likely unnecessary.

Moreover, it seemed like Kurt was jealous of my military talent.

At the time I heard that story, I ended up laughing as it was far too ridiculous.

Certainly, I was the most proficient in swordsmanship within the territory. I didnt believe I would lose in archery to the hunter group either.

If it was a vigilante corps and a certain extent of a guard unit, I would probably be able to command them more skilfully than father and Kurt.

But, what about it?

While it may be true that I was the best in such isolated, rural territory, there should exist as many skilled guys as there were stars in the sky, who were more skilled than me, once you went outside.

Kurts jealousy was nothing but false accusation in my view.

Afterwards his jealousy vanished at the same time when I was adopted into the branch family.

He was probably relived because his rival became the head of the branch family.

He was a truly happy-go-lucky next family head.