Volume 6 Chapter 28 Strike While The Iron Is Hot
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Miss Floria was scary. Her strong energy felt sharp and cold.
When I told her about my talk with Baron Toyata, I thought she would get angry that I made more work. But instead, when I said Baron was being tricked by his own helpers and it was sad, she got even more tense. I did not know what to think.
She looked like a cold fire. Her face showed no feelings, but I felt she would explode if touched. Those helpers were finished.
Miss Floria gave quick orders to her helpers and Yakou. They worked on papers fast. I could only watch.
I wondered what people who are good at their jobs think about.
My teacher said nobles are often tricked by their helpers. In this world, nobles should not be fooled. But it still happens. Maybe this is just how the world works.
I thought about traitors in old stories like The Last Emperor and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In this world, things were bigger and worse. They even burned treasure rooms to hide theft. The palace caught fire many times.
If things go bad, Baron Toyata’s helpers might burn his house too. If pushed too far, they might do crazy things.
Miss Floria seemed to want to fix problems before it got that far. She was a noble too. She did not think it was someone else’s problem.
Helpers who steal from their lord have their reasons. They know how the world works. If nobles live in luxury, they think they can too.
This bad thinking has been passed down for many years. That is why Baron Toyata is now controlled by his helpers.
From my view, as someone from another world, the real problem is this world’s system. Nobles keep knowledge for themselves and control people who do not know much.
But no matter how I think, it feels like the saying: “A fool’s thoughts are like rest.”
Miss Floria already sees ahead. She acts for the best result.
The helpers who do not respect their lord will be punished very harshly. Their story will be told by singers. People will feel sorry for the Baron and hate the traitors.
The sad ones are the helpers’ families. If you count their relatives who live on their money, there are many. Some are innocent children.
Even bad people in old stories have families. To the watchers, only good and evil are clear. But behind the scenes, many innocent people suffer.
Is there a way to protect those families? I fear people might hate me for it. Yorimoto and Yoshiie are famous brothers from Japan’s Kamakura period (late 1100s to early 1200s). They fought many wars but are known for being ungrateful. And Kiyomori is kinder. He was their father, usually seen as a powerful but sometimes good-hearted leader.
* * *
Miss Floria stayed up all night and finished her work in one day.
She tried to hide dark circles with light makeup, but I saw them. I hoped she would not work too hard.
”Baron Toyata seems shy. Let’s finish everything now while he is calm. They say, strike while the iron is hot.”
I thought, that was like an Earth saying. Dwarves forge iron by heating it red-hot, then hit it hard. It looks strong.
Baron Toyata is reliable in his way. He hates his helpers. His mind will not change fast, but quick action is best.
”For now, let’s divide the old Toyata land into three parts: one for the Toyata Viscount domain, one for the Holy Sabroa Kingdom, and one for the Sabroa Dukedom.”
”I thought you wanted to punish Baron Toyata’s helpers fast,” I said.
”Baron Toyata’s family will fight back soon. We must act fast.”
Miss Floria always solves problems quickly. I could not imagine doing it in one move.
She spoke of the Sabroa Kingdom. I did not know she could become king there. I did not know how to tease her about it.
”You want to split a small, empty village into three parts? Two countries?”
”Size does not matter. It only matters that there is a country on paper.”
A paper country? I understood a little but not fully.
No need to understand all. I do not have to do it alone. Miss Floria trusts people who understand. Baron Toyata failed because he did not do that.
”Listen, you have one piece of meat and three wolves chase you. To live, you split the meat into three parts and give them to the wolves.”
”Since they will eat it anyway, you let them eat first.”
”When others want something, they will try to take it. But if you give it to them, they will fight to keep it. One wolf will eat all the meat fast. But three wolves watch each other and stop. They become good guards.”
Oh, the plan of three parts, not the world, but the village. Using wolves as watchdogs — if Ms. Uruu heard this, she would be angry.
”Are the three wolves the King, the Temple, and the Merchant Guild?”
”Never say that out loud. We must hurry more than planned. That is good.”
Talking like this makes me feel important. I know I am a fool. I trust Miss Floria and leave everything to her.
* * *
After that, Miss Floria was amazing.
She quickly got the king’s approval for the new country and the Viscount title. She contacted the Cardinal. Something must have happened behind the scenes, but she moved the country with papers.
With some papers and stamps, I became Viscount. With other papers and stamps, I became king.
It felt too easy. I thought there would be a big ceremony at the palace, but there was none.
Viscount and king titles are different.
I gave myself the rank of Duke as king. It was just stamps on papers.
If I need power later, I can ask historians to write that a grand ceremony happened. The history books here are very loose. Maybe Shea-Shea will make it sound cool.
”Yakou got the proof. Baron Toyata will move soon. He will send messengers to ask the king for war permission. Protect Baron Toyata at my sign.”
Miss Floria is a great commander. Baron Toyata’s helpers dance on her finger. I feel like she controls me too, but she makes me want to work well. I call her Miss Floria the Flatterer.
Though on a different street, Baron Toyata’s house is close to Miss Floria’s. I snuck into the house quickly. I know the place well. There are some magic tools for guards, but for me and Yakou, they are toys.
I heard loud voices from the study. I went to see.
”That Viscount Toyata is a fake! They mock us! We will never accept this!”
An old man shouted at Baron Toyata, who sat back in his chair. The man was rude for a villain.
Notes:
• Miss Floria – Elegant, silver-haired noblewoman in her 40s, referred to as an ‘older sister’. Judge of the Supreme Court and Baroness. Former tutor of Princess Auroora. Initially stern but warms up, showing a playful side. Close with Ms. Nina (Princess Auroora’s doll copy), treating her like a sister. Trustworthy and explains legal matters clearly.
• Yakou – A newly created kunoichi spirit with high specs from Mubiel. She pledges loyalty to the Narrator as her ‘Lord Shogun’ and seeks to punish villains.
• Uruu – The wolf.
• Shea-Shea – Mauro’s daughter. Hurt by Alexander. Became an eager fiancée after advice from protagonist.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply