Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou!

The crucial Waigel revival negotiations finished in little time.

Although it would probably be immediately approved of, if I asked His Majesty, the bothersome aspect of noble society is that it seems necessary to lay they groundwork with the Marquis Rckner household which put effort into changing the rank of the Waigel household in the past.

If we were to shirk this, it might cause them to become nuisances out of spite.

One might think that this is stupid, however such situations also often occurred during my trading company time.

It was a reality that higher-ups went even as far as becoming a hindrance by storming at me while yelling I didnt hear about this!, if I didnt properly explain things like projects or new personnel.

Since humans are beings which possess pride, its necessary to make such arrangements in advance.

Even though we went to his mansion while I was thinking that, Finance Minister Rckner ends up showing a weary expression once he sees us for some reason.

To be more precise, its Katharina who was together with us, I suspect?

Why is the daughter of the Waigel household together with Earl Baumeister!? (Rckner)

As one should expect of an important noble.

Minister Rckner apparently knew about Katharina.

As I will take Katharina-san as my bride, please give us your permission for our child to succeed the Waigel household. (Wendelin)

Curse him! That damn old man! (Rckner)

It appears that from Minister Rckners point of view not only his younger brother but also his father were people who stood in his way.

Just like his younger brother, his father was probably a person who didnt care to tread over the corpses of other people as long as it was for the sake of the Rckner household.

I can understand the principle, but I dont believe it to be a smart move to go too far with it.

And it seems that Minister Rckners father was such a person.

Since they had many enemies, Minister Rckner, who took over the family, ended up having to put strenuous efforts into mending the relationships.

You wont allow it? (Wendelin)

No, I will give you my permission (Rckner)

In such negotiations there are many cases where the method of pressing the other party for an answer while they are weakened will go smoothly.

Besides, Cardinal Hohenheim is standing in the back as well.

There was no necessity to worry about anything.

And, you see. Katharina should become a honorary Associate Baron until the child is born. I hear there is such system in place for royalty and the daughters of important nobles? (Wendelin)

Do you want me to write a letter of recommendation? (Rckner)

Yes, please. (Wendelin)

Or rather, as the Waigel household was a Knight household (Rckner)

If its territory, I will allocate some from my Savage Lands. The development will be troublesome. So, please assist us on that point. (Wendelin)

I possess the right to name several nobles as well, but it should be easier in the future by preserving that right and not using it for as long as possible. I negotiated in a way of having the household revive into the same shape it had originally.

Got it (Rckner)

Also (Wendelin)

Theres still more!? (Rckner)

Actually its about the residents and retainers of the former Waigel territory. They want to follow Katharina. (Wendelin)

Them moving to a new territory isnt particularly anything illegal either.

However, with the governor of the former Waigel territory apparently being a second cousin of Minister Rckner, it was indispensable to prevent unnecessary conflict and friction at the time of them relocating.

Understood. I will convey that to Kellner. (Rckner)

Kellner was the name of Minister Rckners second cousin.

Afterwards we will need development support funds for the Waigel territory, too. (Wendelin)

I believed it to be difficult for me since Im providing the majority of the funds for the development of the Savage Lands.

The kingdom offered various types of subsidiary aid.

Because they were able to put the leftover young nobles into governmental service, there is a system to guarantee the wages of those young nobles for several years and there is also additional assistance payment for families who have to develop the territory from scratch like Paul-nii-san and my nephews.

If the Waigel household is able to receive that, it should speed up the development considerably.

However, as Katharina-jou should be earning quite an income (Rckner)

Thats true for me as well, but this and that are different matters. If Your Excellency, the Finance Minister, doesnt give his permission with a ba~~~m here, you wont be able to mend your relationship with the Waigel household. (Wendelin)

If I didnt allow it, the petitions by the Earl Liliental household (Rckner)

Although the Marquis Rckner household is currently holding the Ministry of Finance, that family is also one of the leaders of the financial affairs faction.

Moreover, once the term of Minister Rckner ends in two more years, Earl Liliental will become the next Finance Minister.

He shouldnt be able to disregard the petition of such person who holds almost equal authority.

Uuh That alone, please stop it by all means~~~! (Rckner)

Of course Minister Rckner cannot allow that.

If I take the side of Katharinas petition, the Earl Liliental household will be able to form a connection with me.

But then again, the relationship between Katharina and the Earl Liliental household has been severed due to their misconduct in the past, but I had no obligation to inform Minister Rckner of that.

Fine! I will provide the funds! (Rckner)

Thats great. Katharina, give him your thanks, too. (Wendelin)

Im very grateful for you to permit the revival of my esteemed household. You are also one of the people my husband is acquainted with. With this I will forgive and forget the whole case since I believe that it wont be good to continue resenting the Marquis Rckner household. (Katharina)

Im appreciating that very much (Rckner)

Though he is grateful, Minister Rckners face is glum.

Thats because once Katharina receives the honorary Associate Baron rank in the future, rumours will spread through the church.

There isnt anyone in noble society who doesnt know of the absurd reasoning for the Waigel households change of rank.

It will be said that Katharina, who revived the household, has the permission of the Marquis Rckner household.

Which side will be deemed more tolerant as human being?(T/N: The one allowing the revival or the one forgiving the past actions of the other)

Given that noble society cherishes its public face, the Waigel households side will naturally be considered as generous. Minister Rckner, who noticed that, couldnt do anything but showing a sullen expression.

And, the next head of the Waigel household, born by Katharina, will marry an ojou-sama of the Marquis Rckner household who will be chosen to be a good match age-wise (Wendelin)

How very wonderful (Rckner)

No matter how much he struggles, with this he wont be able to obstruct the revival of the Waigel household anymore.

It was arranged that the Marquis Rckner household, which is the biggest problem, will provide a bride to the Waigel household.

Its great that we could settle it peacefully.

Thats right, Earl Baumeister-dono.

There was only one person who had a poor facial colour, but the negotiations concluded without problems.

Well, the negotiations are done, but theres a problem.

It was a temporary measure until Katharinas child is born, but there was the matter of her being bestowed the rank of honorary Associate Baron.

It seems that a messenger from the royal palace will come tomorrow to appoint the peerage to her, however with her not receiving it directly from His Majesty because shes a woman, this country has unsociable parts as well.

Be that as it may, having finished our business with this, we were invited to the mansion of the Viscount Hohenheim household and were treated to tea and sweets.

We also gave them souvenirs like the native fruits of the Demon Forest.

Although I also passed some to Minister Rckner, I wonder how many days it will take until his mental state reaches the point of him savouring those from the bottom of his heart?

Since he had aspects resembling me in regards to going through hardships for the sake of his family, I ended up sympathizing with him a little bit.

Son-in-law-dono, is the development of the territory going well? (Hohenheim)

Yes, its proceeding faster than scheduled. (Wendelin)

The development performed with engineering magic has a completely different speed after all.

Furthermore, its not only me, but Katharina can use engineering magic as well.

I she pushes forward in the development of the new Waigel territory together with me, its very likely that the plans will be sped up once again.

I see, thats wonderful. (Hohenheim)

Its because its my own domain. (Wendelin)

Well, nobles acting as feudal lords are such people. (Hohenheim)

After we received favours in the mansion of the Viscount Hohenheim household until Katharina received her honorary Associate Baron rank, we quickly returned to the Baumeister Earldom in order to prepare the relocation and settling of the new Waigel territory.

I see, this will make Marquis Rckner sob.

The new territory of Waigel was obtained on the conditions of the child between me and her being able to succeed and her temporarily receiving the title of honorary Associate Baron.

Its location was decided to be in the outskirts of Baulburg.

The reason is that the development rate will be quicker since their former territory had the same conditions.

As time advances there will be a stream of people and goods towards the Meinbach household, which will be succeeded by my nephews, from the two Baumeister branch families along the northern mountain range. They have rich experience with things like managing an inn town along the highway. And they will also be able to maintain agricultural land to supply Baulburg with food.

Since the highway itself has already been created, the new Associate Baron territory was allocated next to it and many residents ran about to develop agricultural land and an inn town.

Been a long time since I was this exhausted. (Rembrandt)(T/N: As usual speaks in Osaka dialect)

Well, Im sorry, Baron Rembrandt. (Wendelin)

However, you are doing great too, Earl Baumeister-han. By telling them that they will receive a new territory, you grabbed a whole bunch of experienced personnel. Your new bride-han is also a beautiful lady and a magician. (Rembrandt)

It takes time to establish farm fields and an inn town from the scratch on an empty plot of land.

Thus, the permission I obtained from Marquis Rckner is useful.

Its a permit of travel since there are people who want to come along for the development of the new territory.

Of course theres no restriction on travelling, but its usually wrong if they dont leave their fields and inns in the old territory once they travel.

However, relocation magic exists in this world.

Wedging ourselves into the reservations with Cardinal Hohenheims pull, the majority of houses, inns and shops were relocated from the former Waigel territory to the new territory with my help this time.

Even the agricultural land, at the same time as the harvest of wheat finished, all of the fields soil is taken along.

What will become the biggest bottleneck in the reclamation of the new territory is keeping the soil in good condition.

Its possible to greatly reduce the reclamation time with my magic, but its obviously much easier to bring in already-conditioned soil.

Over there. Although its close to the capital, it became awfully de-popularized.

The majority of former Waigel fiefs population abandoned that fantastic location and moved to the new territory.

Being able to establish an inn town alongside the highway connecting the north with Baulburg due to Baron Rembrandts technique, they are beginning to prepare for producing spring wheat by spreading the soil we brought along from their former fields on the agricultural land Katharina and I reclaimed recently.

Since theres still agricultural land left, we started to prepare that for rice cultivation.

The assistance in rice cultivation is mainly assigned to the children of the residents and their families, who left their homes in the time of the former Waigel territory due to there not being sufficient work and agricultural land.

Dont they wish for the former Waigel territory to grow any more? (Wendelin)

Everywhere around the capitals outskirts gives such impression. The only exception are the Palkenia Grasslands which were liberated by you, Earl Baumeister-han. (Rembrandt)

In the era of the former Waigel territory the population exceeded 1000 people and they had to leave elsewhere since it couldnt support those people.

However, since the surroundings were mostly in a similar state, it resulted in them having to move quite far away.

Yearning for the capital and proceeding towards there, it seems there werent few cases of those people becoming residents of the slums after a short while.

Even though things may appear this way, it has improved since theres the Palkenia Grasslands. (Rembrandt)

However, the land remains, right? (Wendelin)

If its new reclamation in the remote countryside, it will be quite difficult. This place is a lot more comfortable thanks to you, Earl Baumeister-han. (Rembrandt)

Besides, theres also a difference in the speed of information transmission.

Even if a noble performs recruitment of people to reclaim new land which is far away from the capital, the problem of how they want to advertise to the people necessary for new agricultural land appears.

Certainly, the land is left behind. However reclaiming it and obtaining income from that is quite difficult. (Rembrandt)

If it was this easy, it would be very improbable for the young nobles to cry over having no place of employment, Baron Rembrandt expressed.

As fourth son of a stunted, poor Knight household I was saved from dying in obscurity by having talent in magic. (Rembrandt)

If that wasnt the case, his children would have fallen to commoner status without doubt.

The former Waigel territory reached its limit. But if its this place, the children and grandchildren can live nearby. Actually it seems they called their children, grandchildren and their families when they moved. (Rembrandt)

Around 900 people came along to the new territory from the approximately 1000 residents of the former Waigel territory.

However, the current population of the new Waigel territory is 1.200.

In addition, there were close to 1.000 people from old fiefs cultivating agricultural land in the outskirts of Baulburg or managing and establishing new inns in the circumference of Baulburg by my request.

There is also a minority of young people of former retainers who decided to serve the Earl Baumeister household.

As Roderich had said, the revival of the Waigel household would also carry benefits for the Earl Baumeister household.

However, on the other hand there are people who got the short end of the stick.

Decreasing the population to around 100 people and with most of the buildings having vanished, Minister Rckner who has his relative act as governor in the former Waigel territory must start from keeping the agricultural lands soil in good condition.

A famous inn town in the outskirts of the capital has all of sudden become de popularized. I was treated by all ministers with sarcasm, but (Rckner)

Didnt I properly obtain permission for the move? In the first place, its not illegal to change residence. However, thats why I secured Marquis Rckners agreement just to be sure (Wendelin)

Its fine! I appreciate the sincerity of Earl Baumeister! (Rckner)

I cheaply sold magical portable communication devices(T/N: magic cellphones from now on)to acquainted nobles from among the large amount of loot obtained in the Demon Forest underground ruins exploration the other day.

The performance of those magic cellphones is far more excelling than that of already existing ones. I contacted Minister Rckner right away.

At the beginning of the call I pondered whether I should tell him about the misery called the current condition of the former Waigel territory which became de-popularized due to the moving.

The place is nice. I believe it will overflow with people before long. (Wendelin)

Because its a fact that the place is good, it would sell at an according price even if its only the land. Since I compensated for it by improving the foundation of the soil which I brought in from elsewhere with magic, the agricultural land should return to its original yield once its used for 2~3 years.

Therefore this would also be sold out right away.

It would end up selling in the blink of an eye to people who are considering the time for reclamation although they want to begin agriculture.

Katharina has said that there will be no resentments with this, but if you consider the emotions of the former Waigel fiefs population, I think it will also be easier for you afterwards in regards to them being tormented in this place. (Wendelin)

I know that. Thats why I will have a daughter of my family marry the next Associate Baron Waigel. It will be pathetic to torment the bride. (Rckner)

In regards to mere persecution, there are also parts similar to a partial drama-like tormenting since Minister Rckner is an important noble after all.

For me its impossible to express myself without words and gestures like important nobles. The best I can do is to earn my money by using Relocation magic. However, is this the new model of magic cellphones? Its very user-friendly. (Rembrandt)

For me it was strange for you to not possess one though, Baron Rembrandt. (Wendelin)

There are many people who cant buy small magical communication devices even if they pile up money. (Rembrandt)

At any rate, making them is difficult and the ones, which are fully functional, are given to the army and royal palace with priority.

Therefore it seems that even Baron Rembrandt, who is earning quite a bit, didnt stand a chance of purchasing one at all.

It will be convenient, if you use it for your work. (Wendelin)

On the other hand, it has the potential to bind me to my work. Are you telling me that in order to skilfully induce me into it from an unexpected angle? (Rembrandt)

As the one who sold a magic cellphone to Baron Rembrandt there will be many cases from now on where I will request his work.

The discovered large objects such as cars, trucks, etc. exceed 500, but since Roderich said that it would be better to properly make sure of them before selling them, an overwhelming number of them is still being stored away.

Around 10 of them were sold to His Majesty by the members who participated in that exploration and who are the owners. Apparently it was the same for Minister Edgar and Minister Rckner, too.

The remaining ministers had to lend them from His Majesty while they were in active duty.

Because it would be endless, if we sold them recklessly just because they are distinguished and important nobles, I limited it to only those people I particularly received favours from.

Of course I gave 5 of the large magic tools to Cardinal Hohenheim. He kept one machine in possession of his household and donated the others to the church in my name.

Given that the ability to gather information is one of the church strengths, the new models of magic cellphones are indispensable.

Owning a number of magic communication devices ranking next to the royal family to begin with, the priest, who has been entrusted with the church in Baulburg which is currently under construction, brought an item as way of thanking, which had luxurious ornaments added to it, afterwards.

Also, three large magic tools have been sold to Margrave Breithilde.

This new model of magic cellphones has a splendid performance. (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde called me at once and told me that he ended up selling his old, small magic communication devices to rich nobles who wanted them.

Wouldnt it have been better to keep them for yourself? (Wendelin)

There are many nobles who are calling me sly or such for receiving them as if it was an under-the-table pay-off to Earl Baumeister. Therefore I let go of my treasures. (Breithilde)

Did they sell for a large amount of money? (Wendelin)

As those are originally items one cant obtain no matter how much money they accumulate, you can expect them to obtain it even if they have to pay a large amount. Is this an under-the-table pay-off, I wonder? (Breithilde)

As usual it was a statement befitting an important noble, but those magical cellphones, which resembled the cellphones made on earth, had functions just like the earths cellphones as well.

How the heck were they built?

To say nothing about within the kingdom, the instruction stated that it was possible to talk anywhere with a clear voice as long as its on this continent.

Functions like an address book are existing as well.

In fact, once I open the address book of my magic cellphone, its a bit frightening that I can find all active ministers and His Majesty there in addition to my usual friends.

Just a little while ago I suddenly got a phone call from Minister Edgar, but in the beginning I wondered whether it was from a yakuza or a right-wing extremist.

Is Wilma healthy!? Also, I will send some people over to participate in the insufficient guard unit! Be cautious of forgeries since they were given letters of introduction! (Edgar)

I heard outrageous details, but as a matter of fact groups holding fake letters of introduction began appearing once it was actually possible to enter governmental service with us.

Somehow it seems quite difficult. (Rembrandt)

Well, its a matter of practise. You will get used to it. (Wendelin)

Looking at such long term, with your age. (Rembrandt)

Wendelin-saa~~~~n! (Katharina)

When Im talking with Baron Rembrandt who finished his relocation job in the central part of the new Waigel territory, Katharina, who finished talking with the residents in a similar manner, comes walking in this direction.

You done already? (Wendelin)

Yes. I will leave the matters of the territory to Heinz son, Alexis. (Katharina)

Although it it had honorary attached, Katharina, who became an Associate Baron, tries to participate in the management of the territory as much as possible, however Heinz stopped that.

In the first place, the thing which Katharina-sama has to do with utmost priority is to make a child with Earl Baumeister-sama. (Heinz)

Afterwards he apparently told her that she cant leave my side since she will become my wife.

Please come on an inspection as married couple occasionally. Also, in regards to the situation of the assets and development of the territory, we will give you a detailed report every half year. Once you examine it together with Earl Baumeister-sama, you will be able to point out changes and such, Katharina-sama. (Heinz)

Whats that, its very enviable. (Katharina)

At the time of Katharinas grandfathers change of rank, Heinz dealt with all the governmental affairs of the territory by himself although he was still young.

It seems he was invited by other noble households after the Waigel households change of rank since he is capable, but he refused those and stuck to the Waigel household as aboriginal.

He is a person who has the exactly opposite position to Klaus though he is similarly capable.

However, since he has already passed the age of 60, he will leave the job of governor to his son, Alexis, whom he educated from his childhood.

Once it becomes like that, this experienced, capable person will have spare time.

Therefore it was decided that he will act as Roderichs advisor and act as counsellor of the Baumeister Earldom.

Thus the current him should be pushing forward the development operations in Baulburg together with Roderich.

I will actively earn income as adventurer together with you, Wendelin-san. (Katharina)

Dont strain yourself too much. (Wendelin)

As usual you have weak ambitions, Wendelin-san. Although, considering that, you seem to have many various achievements (Katharina)

Its the boon of bad luck. (Wendelin)

Right, I have strange bad luck, or rather, I might somehow have a disposition to be dragged into incidents.

Thinking like that, I have a hunch that something will happen once again, but something apparently happened in fact.

Burkhart-san comes plunging in with a changed facial expression.

Boy! A rebellion occurred in the Knight Baumeister territory! (Burkhart)

Eh? Rebellion? (Wendelin)

I dont know about it if it was a bit back in the past, but since I considered it highly unlikely for something like a rebellion to happen in these circumstances, my mind was plunged into confusion.

In these circumstances? Whos the ringleader? (Wendelin)

It appears to be Klaus. (Burkhart)

Haa? (Wendelin)

I pondered about Klaus just a little while ago, but I cannot help but feel like a rebellion is far too much bad luck no matter how you look at it.

Or rather, the odds for something like a rebellion occurring in these circumstances are not existing in the first place.

Will that Klaus, who is an incarnation of self-preservation, really do such reckless thing?

Rebellion, you say, what are their military forces? (Wendelin)

It seems they are 30 people. Occupying the mansion of the feudal lord, they have taken Hermann-dono and his family hostage. (Burkhart)

Its truly incomprehensible for me. (Wendelin)

Same for me, but its necessary to dispatch soldiers. (Burkhart)

At this busy time (Wendelin)

Anyway, the first move is to grasp the state of affairs.

Katharina. (Wendelin)

Yes. (Katharina)

We are going back. (Wendelin)

Got it. (Katharina)

Taking Burkhart-san and Katharina, I rushed back to Baulburg.