Chapter 188 Lord Harvest ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I was summoned to Her Majesty’s office, just like always. In the midst of being officially notified of my wartime rewards, I have finally been elevated to the nobility. Thus, Viscount Harvest¹ was born.
I’m just glad I didn’t end up as Kento O-chin-po-kun or something…. Though, if I’d gone with O↓chin↑po↑kun↓—using the same intonation as Alain Delon—or perhaps Kento Mara or Kento Penis, maybe I would’ve had a chance… No, probably not.
”Well then, Lord Harvest, all of our prior arrangements have now been fulfilled. What do you desire beyond this?” Her Majesty asked.
”Eh? Well, let me see…”
Oh, ‘Lord Harvest,’ huh…. To be honest, I didn’t have much interest in the whole ennoblement thing. I was more flustered by the warmth of Her Majesty’s breath I’d felt during that earlier whisper, but being addressed that way makes me feel strangely upright and surprisingly pleased.
”What’s this? It seems you have your own worldly side after all, Lord Harvest,” she said with a smirk.
It seemed she’d seen right through me. Hmm, now I understand the reason behind those stories of staff at certain hostess bars using ‘President’ as a nickname for their customers…
”I’m a man composed entirely of ‘worldly’ desires, you know. Your Majesty is well aware of that, isn’t she?”
”Hmm? Well, considering your usual conduct, that may be true…. Yet if anything, you seem more like the type who is detached from the secular world,” Her Majesty replied.
What in the world is she saying to a man who crafts and sells adult magic tools for a living and treats sexual harassment as a hobby…? Her Majesty looked as though she had more on her mind, but she didn’t say anything further.
”So then, is there anything else you want? As a monarch, I must grant appropriate rewards to those who have rendered great service. I shall provide whatever is possible, so simply speak your mind.”
”Well…. Actually, there is one thing I’d like to ask of you specifically…”
”Hmm, ‘specifically,’ is it…? Fufu, if you think I shall be surprised by your words every single time, you are gravely mistaken. Now, say what you wish!”
Why did she have to go and set a flag like that? Even as I felt a certain fondness for Her Majesty and her inability to stray from the script, I opened my mouth with a hint of concern. Well, she seems to be in a good mood today, so it should be fine.
”Actually, I would like to receive permission to start a family with Lady Tina Duke Badcage²…”
”Ha…? What… did you… say…?” Her Majesty stammered.
Upon hearing my request, Her Majesty didn’t disappoint; she wore a completely stunned expression. She سپس looked up at the ceiling, glanced at the maid Muse-san and the Captain of the Royal Guard, Merluza, who stood on either side of her, and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
”So that is how it is…. No, I should have anticipated this. A man who assisted her at her first social gathering, who became the key to developing the weaponry that led her clan and people through the war, and who ultimately brought the war to an end…. Yes, she would fall for him…”
”She definitely would, ssu…” Muse agreed.
”She’d fall hard…” Merluza muttered.
Oops, this reaction is more understanding than usual. Her Majesty, Muse-san, and Merluza each crossed their arms and nodded thoughtfully. A lot of it was due to coincidence, but indeed, from Tina’s perspective, I suppose that is how it would look…
”I didn’t think Your Majesty would find fault with her future path, but I thought it would be best to ask, just in case…”
”Indeed, that perception is correct. At this stage, it is not a problem if one or two more distant relatives with succession rights appear, but it would be problematic if a child with an unknown father were suddenly born. If I am informed in advance, I can protect her. Or rather…”
Her Majesty said this and then fell into deep thought, rubbing the bridge of her nose once more. She was likely considering the implications of Tina having a child. Eventually, she seemed to have reached a conclusion and spoke slowly.
”Why don’t you simply marry into the Badcage Family house?”
”Eh? No, wouldn’t that be a bit too problematic…?”
”True…. It would not be impossible if you were to achieve two or three more feats…”
”No, even before that, for a newcomer like me to marry into a Duke’s house…. Besides, the Harvest house was established only a moment ago.”
”Hmm, you needn’t worry about that overmuch. The Harvest house is the Harvest house; you can simply have another child inherit it…”
Ah, so the Harvest house is a hereditary nobility. That’s a generous move and I’m grateful, but does that mean inheritance will become a massive headache…? Well, I can think about that in due time.
”To be honest, it is not a bad development for me if you deepen your ties with the Badcage Family house. It binds you to us just as much as granting a title does. Furthermore, in future trade with Coalmine³, cooperation between the Badcage Family and you will progress.”
”So, in conclusion, I have permission?”
”Yes, you may exert yourself as you like. If her father, Duke Roost, or her grandfather, Fedal, should complain, you may use my name.”
”Yes! Thank you very much!”
I’ve just been encouraged to make babies by a woman in the prime of her life. Being a Queen is tough…. In any case, this way I won’t make Tina sad, and there’s no need to hide the child. Since I have the Queen’s endorsement, I’ll give it my best effort.
”Now, I understand the situation, but this does not count as a reward. Is there nothing else?”
”Eh? This is incredibly helpful, but is that how it works…? Um, well…. If you could provide further investment for future sales in Coalmine or Sylvaall⁴, I’d be grateful…”
”I already intend to do that. It is the policy I pushed during the ceasefire negotiations, so it is only natural. Is there nothing else?”
”Eeeh…?”
Being told that, I was at a total loss. Is there anything else I should ask for…? I’ve received money, secured cooperation for the ‘Ddo-Buddy Palace⁵,’ and been granted a title. I have permission to start a family with Tina, and she’ll support my future business.
It’s almost too much. I feel like I’ll be struck by lightning if I ask for anything more…
”A man without greed, as always…. That is why I say you are detached from the world.”
”I actually consider myself to be quite greedy, though…”
”If you are greedy, then all the nobles and influential people in my country are demons or something…. Come now, is there nothing? For example, do you want a village or two from the royal territories, or maybe four or five hundred beautiful female slaves, or a mansion in a prime location, or perhaps a treasure held by the royal family…?”
”No, I wouldn’t know what to do with such things…”
When I said that, Her Majesty sighed with a look that said, ‘See?’ I see, it seems people usually desire those kinds of things.
But honestly, even if I were given a village, I won’t be leaving the Royal Capital, so I wouldn’t be able to manage it. And Lily is more than enough for a slave. I prefer back alleys to prime locations or streets, and I have no place to display treasures. Yeah, it would actually be a nuisance.
”In the first place, until now, you have only made requests for your shop or for women. Is there nothing you want personally? If you like alcohol, I can provide wine that is decades old…”
”Ah, then maybe that…? Oh, but right now Lily can’t drink, and there’s a plan for someone else to be unable to drink in the future…”
Her Majesty looked up at the sky again, covered her eyes with her hand, and muttered, “This guy is hopeless.” Even if she says that…. As I was thinking, Her Majesty, who sensed my thoughts, sighed even deeper.
”Fine, simply tell me if there is something else you want later. I shall do what I can then. If I only keep owing you favors, it becomes difficult for me to make requests of you…”
I thought hearing that would make it even harder to think of something I wanted, but I decided to nod solemnly for now. Finally, Her Majesty smirked and said,
”Then, I look forward to working with you. I am counting on you, Lord Harvest.”
It seems she’s decided to use the ‘easy-to-use flattery’ she discovered this time. While I still felt somehow happy about it, I bowed respectfully this time.
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Summary:
Kento is officially ennobled as Viscount Harvest by the Queen. He surprises the Queen by asking for permission to start a family with Lady Tina Duke Badcage instead of typical material rewards. The Queen realizes Kento is uniquely detached from the usual greed of nobility. She grants the permission and encourages him to continue supporting the kingdom’s trade interests.
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Character Insight:
Kento’s lack of interest in the power and wealth that come with his new title highlights his ‘otherworlder’ perspective; his priorities are focused on personal relationships (Tina) and his business rather than political influence. The Queen’s reaction shows she is beginning to respect his unorthodox nature as a stabilizing, if eccentric, force for the crown.
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Behind the Scene:
The title ‘Harvest’ is a play on Kento’s role in ‘reaping’ the benefits of his innovations, though Kento himself makes jokes about much cruder potential names.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Merluza – The Captain of the Royal Guard, a veteran soldier and Lion Beast-person. She testifies to the military necessity and effectiveness of the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’ (which she calls ‘Bob’) for female beast-person soldiers, ensuring job performance isn’t compromised by ‘heat’. Have dull yellow hair, large feline ears, wearing armor, and large scar over the right eye.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Roost – Duke of Badcage and father of Tina Badcage. He has long silver hair mixed with some white, a cool-headed expression, and red eyes. Despite a relatively slender build, he possesses a strong fighting spirit.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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