Volume 3 Chapter 25 How About ‘Dacia’？
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So?”
”The northeastern part of Izerland──a land that can still be called a ‘uninhabited kingdom’ with its fields and mountains intact.”
Maribel pulled out several illustrated sheets from a wooden box and handed them to Kian as she continued.
”We have a domain we call ‘Dacia.’ If you look at this map, you’ll see it’s right next to Ramsey, which used to be governed by Oswald, on the east side. And──you might find this side more interesting, but it’s also the final resting place of the ‘Thorn Demon.’”
”────. Why would I be interested in the ‘Thorn Demon’?”
Maribel stepped away from the wooden box and crossed her fingers again.
”To be precise, I’ve been pondering whether you might have an interest in ‘vampire’ information or the uninhabited Bloodsucking Kind. Over this past month, I’ve had many visiting lords and nobles tell me your story, and──after hearing from several of them, I got the impression that when you accept personal requests, you judge whether to take the Quest not by the reward’s size but by whether it’s related to the Bloodsucking Kind.”
”────”
”Moreover, the fact that you saved me using vampire techniques this time, and the testimony from Oswald about using vampire-like powers in battle, I’ve recently come to think that perhaps you’ve rapidly grown stronger by studying the powers of the Night Clan, said to have ruled the ancient world. And that perhaps your vampire research is still ongoing.”
”I see.”
”I apologize for acting like a man infatuated with a woman. But… I couldn’t help but follow the trail of the hero who so gallantly saved me.”
”No, it’s an honor.”
”Is that so? If I were you, I’d think, ‘This girl is a bit creepy…’”
Maribel gave a wry smile and traced her fingers over the materials she had handed to Kian.
”Let me rewind the story a bit. This ‘Dacia’ is not only a place where the ‘Thorn Demon’ once wreaked havoc, but it’s also teeming with monsters that are its minions. Sword Cain, Shield Cain, Wing Cain… it’s dangerous enough that Remi Cain might be lurking somewhere too. If I, the Margrave, were to say you can have this untouched land to do with as you please, would Kian be interested?”
”You’re asking me to manage the land?”
”No, there’s no need for management or taxes. Feel free to use it for hunting or training whenever you like. Of course, you could also develop it as part of your domain. In that case, I would officially recognize you as a noble lord. As a Margrave, the highest title I can bestow upon you would be that of Count.”
”So, essentially──”
Kian lifted the bridge of his ‘glasses’.
”When I turn this ‘Dacia’ into a place fit for people to live, you’ll recognize it as an independent kingdom?”
”In essence, an independent kingdom. Well, it would be a part of Margrave Izerland’s domain. Feel free to use my name whenever it’s convenient. I won’t let any of those noble lords utter a single complaint.”
”It’s a bit much to take in all at once.”
”Oh? Wasn’t Kian planning to rise to nobility after becoming an Adventurer?”
”Certainly, I have such ambitions.”
”By the way, we went to help suppress a group of bandits who had made the ‘Dacia Plain’ their stronghold 4 weeks ago. During that time, we took some soil samples from the plain and brought them back.”
Maribel said this as she pointed to a dozen test tubes she had taken out of a wooden box.
”From right to left, these represent layers closer to the surface, and as you move to the left, you reach layers that are difficult to dig up with human effort. Take a look at these. The deeper alluvial layer on the left is dark and damp, heavy to the touch. If you put it in your mouth, you’ll notice a distinct, earthy odor that’s a sure sign of good soil. I’ve even confirmed with spiritual medicine that it contains all the necessary components to grow crops.”
”This soil──did Your Excellency collect it yourself?”
”Yeah, that’s true. But what of it?”
”I was absolutely floored when Manon first said she wanted to join the expedition to hunt down the bandits, but when I later heard from Lady Eleonora that ‘the princess suddenly started turning the plains upside down,’ I could hardly believe my ears.”
Christy furrowed her brow.
Lucretia beside her also grimaced.
”When you returned to the fortress, Your Excellency’s armor was caked with mud. It was quite a bother for Lady Eleonora…”
”Well, I was digging with a spade instead of using earth magic at first, so of course I got dirty. I wasn’t doing anything dangerous. What’s more, we should focus on the fact that this soil is perfect for growing grains and beans. As I mentioned earlier, the soil is moist and heavy, so while it requires either earth magic or specialized tools for digging it up, once cultivated, it will definitely become a sprawling wheat field by autumn. If Kian wants to have territory in the future, how about this ‘Dacia’?”
”Listen, Manon. In addition to the powerful Bloodsucking Kind, there are Griffins nesting in the Dacian Mountains. Beyond those mountains lies the Inner Sea, and further ahead is the land of Azrael’s Twelve Divine Generals. The fact no one lives there means it’s a perilous area. So just recommending it for its fertile soil is a mistake.”
”But, leaving such vast land untouched would be a waste~. Recently, the number of advanced-rank Adventurers in our nation’s Adventurer Guild has been increasing. If we can hunt the monsters and carry out cultivation, our food situation will improve. Especially in Châtillon, where meat and vegetable consumption is high and food importation is a constant headache for Guy. Right now, they’re trying to instill a food culture among the citizens that heavily relies on grain consumption. Selling grain at a high price to that town would be a smart move~.”
”Are the people of Châtillon ‘vegetable eaters’?”
That’s a saying often heard in the Franz Kingdom.
It seems to come from their habit of dousing vegetables in lemon juice and salt and pepper, consuming them in large quantities.
In reality, the meat from the birds and beasts caught in the mountains behind Châtillon and the fish from the sea is also consumed in large quantities.
Compared to grains, they’re drastically more expensive, so it’s said that the residents of Châtillon spend quite a bit of money on food.
”We’re also working on the methods of farming, developing tools that can till the soil without using earth magic~.”
”Without using earth magic──you mean even an average person can till this heavy soil?”
When Kian inquired, Lucretia continued, “I can’t help but feel Your Excellency is ahead of us…”
”It’s an implement attached to the back of an ox or horse, with a heavy spade fitted with wheels. It’s designed to till the alluvial soil using the weight of the iron. We plan to distribute samples of these tools, designed for military horses in the knights’ lands and for oxen in the usual villages.”
”The focus is on the equipment that connects the oxen and horses, which we’ve added a cushioning function to. This way, even if you make them run at full speed, the cattle won’t get hurt!”
Next to Maribel, who was proudly puffing out her chest, Christy’s lips curled into a smile.
”Manon is only saying good things, but we guaranteed the status of a cartwright and provided substantial financial support to develop this. Really, was it a good idea to invest 5 hundred gold coins in such a minor, unknown guild? If this ‘heavy-wheeled spade’ doesn’t sell, it’ll be a serious problem. Worst case, Baron Mankovitch will take all the blame and get fired.”
”That’s awful. The Baron just got caught up in it, didn’t he?”
Even with his glasses on, Kian couldn’t help but sympathize.
”Well, I’m not asking you to decide right now whether you need ‘Dacia’ or not. I’m merely offering you the option to reserve the right to turn it into an independent kingdom in the future. But—if you ever become a noble and find yourself in need of unclaimed land, I’d be grateful if you kept ‘Dacia’ in the back of your mind~.”
Maribel, still wearing a charming smile, began carefully packing the soil samples and documents back into the wooden box.
”Feel free to take these materials with you. If you decide ‘Dacia’ isn’t necessary, I could appoint another manager for my vineyard and simply transfer the revenue rights to you. Or, if you just need a base of operations, there’s always the ‘Labyrinth of Roses’ mansion currently up for auction in the royal capital.”
”The auctioneer in the capital said there’s no sign of that property selling anytime soon. I suppose it’s understandable, given its history. I told Friedrich no one would buy it if he wrote ‘Comes with a bloodstained underground prison that was in active use until recently,’ but that old man went ahead and listed every last detail anyway.”
”If he hadn’t, the buyer might have complained later…”
Lucretia furrowed her brows. Christy simply waved a hand dismissively.
”Oh, just say you had no idea. That kind of thing happens all the time among us Head Magicians, doesn’t it?”
”…Sigh. I still think it’s a terrible practice—blaming the buyer for being deceived.”
Kian took the wooden box of documents from Maribel.
As he did, he deliberately let his hand brush against hers, tracing the tip of his fingernail along her index finger.
Positioned at an angle where neither Christy nor Lucretia could see, Maribel’s eyes widened in surprise as she let out a high-pitched “Hyan!”
”Huh?” “Your Excellency?”
”N-No, nothing at all. Not at all…”
Despite saying this, her dark blue eyes glared at him with intensity.
To be honest, she wasn’t scary, just looked appropriately mature and kind of cute.
Christy was fun to tease, but Maribel was equally mischievous.
Kian, with a refreshing smile and a wink, steps forward after Maribel leaves her seat.
”Please, Your Excellency, keep an eye on your health. If anything happens, contact me. I may be in East End for the next couple of days, but after that, I’ll likely be in Châtillon for a while. Sir Guy has given me 2 personal requests.”
”Understood.”
”You’re really leaving, huh? It feels like a joke… I wish you could stay at the dorm for just one more day.”
”Christina might be fine with it, but I doubt I’d get any sleep. Besides, last night was quite the adventure,”
Kian replied, a smirk creeping onto his face as he recalled the previous evening’s escapades.
The black-haired witch’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red at Lucretia’s words.
Next to her, Maribel was all smiles, but there was an odd pressure in the air that made it a little uncomfortable.
”By the way, Kian…”
”Yes, Your Excellency?”
”Did you know that the Summer Market will be held at Izerland Fortress next month?”
”Ah, come to think of it, it’s that time of year again, isn’t it? The East End should be bustling with activity from the overflow.”
The Summer Market was a grand outdoor event that took place twice a year.
The Summer Market occurred in summer, while the Winter Market took place in winter.
Merchants from all corners──north, south, east, and west──would flock in, selling everything from daily necessities to local specialties.
It was a vital event for the common folk.
”Starting this year, we’ll shift the dates and hold a grand market in the East End as well. While there won’t be as many merchant groups compared to the fortress, we plan to gradually make it known to the surrounding villages every year.”
”Is that so? It may not matter much to me as an adventurer, but if there’s something I need, I’ll definitely check out the stalls in town.”
”Since the East End is under my direct jurisdiction, I plan to stroll through the market with my guards on the day of the event, you know. I also intend to stay overnight, but do you think there will be any rooms available at ‘The Boar’s Trot Inn’ where you usually stay?”
”I can’t say for sure without asking Mr. Robert, but as far as I know, there should be a few rooms available.”
”Alright then. Please deliver this letter for me. It’s a request to inquire whether we can book a stay. Oh, by the way, does the owner read the western common tongue?”
”Yes, Mr. Robert is literate.”
”I’m glad to hear that. Please convey my best regards. No need for any fancy hospitality. If my health continues to improve, I’ll definitely make my way to East End, so I’m looking forward to some delicious meals.”
Nodding at Maribel’s words, Kian tucked the scroll into his backpack.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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