Chapter 210 A Lord Too Soft on His Own
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As soon as Ayumu returned to his post as Lord, the very first things he did were clear.
He reopened talks with the leaders of every ethnic group, and he granted special pardons to the Guard Squad, the Guard Corps, and even the Domain Army’s infantry. The deal was simple: they would be allowed to return to service without punishment, as long as they rejoined the chain of command at once.
He also brought Ninim and Cartier back to work, ordered overdue wages to be paid, and began discussions with the parents of Lilina—the merchants who kept trade and transport alive—on how to rebuild.
Velma, commander of the Guard Corps, had led her men faithfully until wages stopped. Once that happened, desertions spread, so she closed the city gates of her own judgment. Since it was the natural duty of guards to secure the walls, Ayumu ruled that her actions were acceptable.
Meanwhile, Oregano, the rabbit-eared woman who led the Guard Squad, had worked seriously, but also took valuables from restless townsfolk as so-called “fees.”
Still, considering that she kept the bare minimum of order without pay, Ayumu shocked everyone by releasing her without punishment.
Of course, this decision sparked outrage.
”Why does the Lord forgive a Guard Squad captain who extorts money?!” the townsfolk protested.
Ayumu explained calmly. The economy of Keldan had to restart at once. Emperor Rai was demanding tribute, and without restoring logistics, nothing could move. Then he cut deeper:
”Most of you shouting so loudly here… you yourselves have stolen, dodged taxes, or embezzled. If I punished every criminal, I’d have to arrest the entire city. Aria Religion teaches: Forgive the sinner! (T/N: Religious doctrine). If you truly believe, then you too must accept that Oregano should be forgiven.”
The people, confused by his acrobatic reasoning, could only mutter, “So… what does that mean?” Their protests dwindled.
In the end, a Lord’s word was absolute, for his rule was entrusted directly by the emperor, the agent of divine authority.
Oregano herself grinned. She had watched Keldan rot, and she knew that once Ayumu returned, he would turn his focus toward healing the economy and restoring trade.
Truth was, for the city’s stability, the Guard Squad needed her. She had been chosen for her physical strength, and as a half-rabbit beastman, no replacement would appear easily. Who in their right mind would want to command a failing Guard Squad in a collapsing city?
When Ayumu was dismissed, Alize and Velma had already searched for new employers, and Cartier was writing to his grandfather at the Nelrearia Merchant Guild, begging to be allowed back. Without Ayumu, Keldan simply could not run. Sergei of the Royal Knights and the Security Division had underestimated this.
News of his return spread fast among the populace. Criminals fled at once, fearing the Lord who had taken office again. Soon after, a proclamation was announced:
”No discrimination in trade! No price differences for goods based on ethnicity or birth!”
With that, commerce stirred again, and prices began to fall.
Some still grumbled, “He’s just a useless Lord, too soft on his own people.”
But Oregano remembered well: there had never been such a thing as a perfect Lord.
Other Lords exploited young women, bled taxes from their people, lined their pockets, and never returned a coin to public works. Worse still, they neglected their most basic duty of protecting townsfolk from monsters and bandits.
Ayumu, however, was different.
He recalled the day before.
She had always hated her half-blood ties with rabbit beastmen. As a child, she was mocked: “Was your parent into bestiality?” The words cut deep. She had never been sure of her own identity.
”I’m Nelrearian,” she told herself. Yet somewhere inside, she could not deny a sense of kinship with those rabbit beastmen.
When she saw them holding military tents—obviously stolen from the Domain Army—she thought Ayumu would punish them harshly.
Instead, he sighed when he learned they had bought them with what little money they had.
”I’d wanted them back, but if they bought them with their own savings… taking them now would just be cruel.”
Oregano asked sharply, “But as Lord, isn’t that property paid for by taxes? Isn’t it yours?”
Ayumu smiled faintly.
”No, it’s fine. I admit, I feel sorry for the taxpayers. But I never liked forcing our infantry to use second-hand gear anyway. And look at their faces—on the verge of tears. They weren’t lying. There’s no need to rip away worn-out gear. Instead, we’ll buy new with public funds. That way, the townsfolk earn too.”
At that moment, she realized she felt relief.
No one else was so kind.
Whatever others said, Ayumu was a true Lord.
And so, in her heart, Oregano kept that thought close.
With Ayumu’s return, Keldan began to move once more.
Notes:
• Cartier – Nelrearian merchant prodigy, striking with soft pink hair and sharp sapphire eyes | First in Ch.144 | Genius at bookkeeping and logistics, granddaughter of a major merchant guild founder | Powerful family ties grant her vast influence | Initially scornful of Ayumu and treats him with cold disdain | Oversees arms and supply distribution while mocking his manners | Unique note: brilliant yet venom-tongued, she insults him as vulgar while quietly accelerating Keldan’s military growth
• Velma – Human, tall and rugged with cropped ash-brown hair | Captain of Keldan city guard | First in Ch.162 | Elite swordmaster and squad tactician | Family unknown | Loyal to Ayumu, trusted to maintain order | Meant to stop brawls but arrived drunk, slurring threats at Myucel | Unique note: famed for discipline yet caused chaos by missing her cue completely
• Alize – Nelrearian knight from Keldan, dark bronze skin with wavy chestnut hair | First in Ch.163 | Agile swordfighter and quick thinker | Family unknown | Rival toward Whitney despite working alongside her | Fiercely fought her over cream puffs at the welcome party | Unique note: normally composed but loses all restraint when sweets are involved
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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