Chapter 211 A Lord Harsh on His Own, Strong for All!!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
While checking the domain’s budget ledger, Ayumu’s eyes bulged when he spotted the expense column for voucher printing.
”What… what the hell is this――!!! Ninim!! Get here right now!! Explain this to meeeeee!!!”
His fury was justified. Every senior officer, already well provided for, had been issued free dessert vouchers.
It turned out that Whitney, Evri, Sera, Alize, and even Yoluminette had received these tickets in exchange for turning a blind eye to their comrades’ misdeeds.
Without delay, Ayumu ordered them all to appear at the Lord’s mansion and demanded the return of the vouchers.
But…
”No way!! (. >ω<.)”
”I refuse! .゜(゜´Д｀゜)゜.”
”These vouchers were given to us! Σ(゜ロ゜;)”
”That’s right! (≧Δ≦;)”
”Even for you, this is tyranny! (. ŏ_ŏ.)”
”This is too cruel!! (；ω；)”
”Tch… what the hell gives you the right to act like victims, huh?!”
Their defiance only fueled his rage.
”You insolent brats!! (◉ω◉ꐦ) And you, Ninim… I’ve overlooked your antics because of your ability. But today, no more! (◉ω◉ꐦ)”
”Uh-oh… Σ(ŎдŎ；)” Ninim tried to whistle as if she hadn’t heard, lips trembling, but it was no use.
Ayumu stormed into their quarters, overturning belongings until he recovered the vouchers. Then, in front of them all, he declared Ninim’s punishment: labor re-education at the Kolkhoz (T/N: Soviet-style collective farm).
As for Yoluminette, de facto head of the Domain Army, she too was guilty. She should have stopped Ninim, yet she had accepted vouchers herself. For that, she was sentenced to serve as warden at the dreaded state-run Man-Eating Mine—a Siberian pit where workers rarely returned alive, thanks to gas leaks and cave-ins.
Yoluminette fell to her knees. “N-no! Please, my lord!”
Ninim sobbed, “This is far too harsh!”
But Ayumu would not yield. The following week, both began their sentences.
* * *
”You’ll regret this! When you’re crying for us to come back, I won’t listen!” Ninim shouted as she left.
”Just go already. Don’t come back until I say so!” Ayumu barked, sending her off.
Yoluminette muttered bitterly as she departed, “How could a Knight like me suffer this fate…”
Ayumu only roared back, “Why? Because you stuffed your bellies with public funds, not your own coins!!”
Meanwhile, the Domain Army was still rebuilding its supplies, and Ayumu had already hired sixteen clerks to cover Ninim’s absence. It was costly, but he intended to make her reflect properly.
The rest of the officers trembled. If even long-serving veterans like Ninim and Yoluminette could be punished, none were safe.
* * *
The farm was brutal. Thin, fragile Ninim was unused to labor. After just one day, her joints screamed in pain.
”Grrr… (゜≧皿≦;)”
Ayumu, watching from afar, thought: I expected her to beg by the first day, but she’s stubborn. Still, she won’t last long… she’ll regret this soon enough.
Three days later, she was mocked by the Elandric workers as “colorless rat.” The Kolkhoz demanded twelve hours under guard, with beatings for mistakes and unpaid “extra shifts” if quotas failed.
Still no begging?! She’s too stubborn! Even if she cries, I won’t forgive her now!
Though she puffed herself up, inside she prayed desperately for Ayumu’s messenger to come end her ordeal.
* * *
On the fifth day, word came that Ayumu himself would visit. Ninim smirked. See? The domain can’t run without me!
But when she rushed forward to greet him, the infantry guards blocked her.
”What?! Why can’t I see the Honorary Count?! I’m Keldan’s secretary!”
”No. You’re a serf now. You cannot meet with nobility.”
Outraged, she caused a scene—only to be clubbed in the back of the head.
At that moment, Ayumu arrived. “Do you always strike people like this?”
”Yes, Excellency,” the overseer said nervously. “It is our duty to make lazy serfs work.”
Ayumu frowned but spoke gently. “Remember: in Yugan, we need every pair of hands. Don’t beat them too much.”
Ninim seized the chance. “There, you see? You can’t do without me! Shall I return now? I’ll forgive you if you apologize!”
But Ayumu only said, “Oh, Ninim. You seem lively. If you still have that much spirit, you can stay longer.” And he walked away.
”Wh-what?! Wait!! I’m sorry!! Please, I’ll reflect!! Take me back now!!” She clung to him, only to be torn off by guards.
”No! Don’t leave me behind!” she cried as Ayumu departed, unmoved.
In the end, both Ninim and Yoluminette were reinstated two days later—after Ayumu thought to himself, Well, pushing them too far until they break wouldn’t do either…
To be continued…
Notes:
• Yoluminette – Elandric warrior from Keldan, tall and sharp-eyed; first in Ch.146; master swordswoman using Ten-Man Slash; no family known; fought and slew bandits before Ayumu arrived, then joined his forces; stoic yet prideful, often escalates fights over petty things like cream puffs. takes “senpai” pride very seriously
• Whitney – Elandric knight from Keldan, sharp-featured with silver hair and pale eyes | First in Ch.163 | Skilled duelist and loyal swordswoman | Family unknown | Close friend of Sera and often seen at her side | Competed fiercely over cream puffs with Alize during the welcome party | Unique note: calm and poised yet instantly turns competitive over desserts
• 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
• Evri – Recon squad junior from Keldan, sharp and fiery; first in Ch.163; skilled scout and quick with blade; family unknown; serves under Yoluminette, often competes with her; bold yet respectful; unique note: turned a welcome party into chaos by dueling Yoluminette over a cream puff.
• Sera – Leader of Keldan’s bowguard squad, calm and reliable yet fiercely competitive; first in Ch.163; best friend of Whitney; known for her sharp aim and discipline; usually the peacemaker but has a secret hot-blooded streak; unique note: once escalated a petty cream puff dispute by declaring her claim with drawn bow in front of everyone.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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