Kuro no Senki

Early October 433 of the Imperial Calendar - Betil was walking down the hallway leading to the conference room, looking for an excuse to skip the meeting.

I feel that I may resign from the position of Chancellor anymore, but I need a step by step even if I can justify my ill health.

Betil stopped in front of the conditioner.

Placed on a pedestal is a pot of saddle roasting that was made about a hundred years ago.

It's a plain yet savoury pot, though I don't know how it came to be decorated in the hallway of Alfilc Castle.

I had thought about decorating my mansion as well when I was dedicated to the work of the Knights Commander, but I declined because it was too expensive.

The expensive pot has a thin pile of dust.

A week ago, Alfort ordered Farna to stay.

This is the result.

It's not just here.

All of a sudden, the women are confused because of the absence of a superior named Farna.

Maybe he's fighting a faction.

The woman is the daughter of a nobleman.

I can't be unrelated to my parents' thoughts.

If there were superiors, they would reluctantly - or happily freed themselves from their parents' homes - have obeyed, but otherwise move according to the thoughts of their parents' homes.

Perhaps they fear isolation again, just as the military fear isolation.

"... I want to go home"

Betil whines small and starts walking toward the conference room.

"Good day, Chancellor Betil."

"... thank you"

The Kingsguard knight opened the door and Betil entered the conference room.

Three people have taken their seats: Bowties Treasury Director, Burkmeyer Promissory Director, and Ralph Libra Military Secretary.

Betil took her seat silently.

Leaning on the back of the chair, he turns his gaze around.

Bowties Treasurer is slightly pale.

Did the harvest cut 70% of the year before?

Are you not running the arena well that you took over?

Either way, it has nothing to do with Betty.

After a while, Alfort came into the room.

Alfort got to his seat and leaned against his back.

"... start a meeting. Bowties, Treasury Director, report."

"Ha."

Bowties Treasurer stood up quietly.

"First of all, I would like to say to Your Majesty about this year's harvest. The expected yield was 70% compared to the previous year, but the yield was 60%."

"Huh?

Stunned, Alford opened his eyes wide.

Betil was also surprised by this.

Nicole told me that the expected yield is 80%, or 90%, higher than the previous year.

According to information obtained through my father-in-law, it was 90%.

Perhaps the actual yield is 90% compared to the previous year.

The tax collectors in the emperor's direct jurisdiction would have embezzled 30% of the previous year.

"However, take a look at the material at hand"

Betil took the materials placed at her desk.

"The price of wheat has increased 30% year-on-year. Cash at this rate, combined with other tax revenues, keeps 80% of tax revenues compared to the previous year."

The tax revenues of the previous year were six million pieces of gold - four million pieces of money for crop exchanges and two million pieces of money for specialties, toll taxes, etc.

This year's tax revenues will be five million and two hundred thousand gold coins in the way of the Bowties Treasurer.

But...

"Fear not, Your Majesty"

"What is it, Chancellor Betil?"

"You can get five or two million gold coins the way the Bowties Treasurer does, but our army is not being fed in kind"

Naturally speaking, military spending is paid for in gold.

The previous year's military expenditures included two and a half million pieces of food.

"Damn, talk to me briefly"

"Soldiers starve on the same budget as in previous years. I mean, we can't keep the Standing Army at 100,000."

"Ralph Libra, military director!

"Right. At current rates, you can buy 80% of what you need."

Alfort screamed sharply, and military director Ralph Libra said as he gripped his beard.

"What's more..."

"Chancellor Betil, do you still have something?

"You won't be selling wheat for the amount the merchant bought"

As a matter of course, the merchant sells his share by putting it up.

How much will the wheat be by the time it comes to market?

"... Military Director Ralph Libra"

"What is it?

Military Secretary Ralph Libra turned his gaze to Betil.

I think you have nasty eyes, but that's all.

"What's going on with the soldiers?

"Right. About 5,000 people have been discharged."

"Why?

"You don't know that much."

Military Director Ralph Libra gripped his mustache.

"In evidence that soldiers are starving?

"Let's investigate"

If Betil is in the position of military commissioner Ralph Libra, I'll look into why.

Doesn't it seem like other personnel?

No, maybe you're not interested in retired soldiers.

That sounds like a good story.

He was unable to achieve merit as a military teacher in the civil unrest of 400 years of the imperial calendar.

At the time, the lord led his own army.

It would have been difficult even to maintain the army in a situation where the thoughts of the lords were intertwined.

That is why I can say that the new nobles - mercenaries at the time - were able to work.

"... oh, I see"

Betil whines in a small voice.

Military Secretary Ralph Libra is not interested in soldiers who don't get what he wants.

"... I see"

Again, whine.

I feel like I finally found out about him now.

He wants to start over.

I want to prove my strength by leading an army that does what I want.

"If the number of soldiers decreases, won't we stop starving?

Betil was drawn back to reality in Alfort's words.

"You think you're gonna throw away the possibility of security getting worse?

"Oh, I didn't say that"

When Betil inquired, Alford snorted.

"If you are a decent lord, you will fear a deterioration in security, and even if you cut your own stomach, you will try to connect and stop the soldiers. Then the soldier becomes a private soldier of the lord."

"That's not possible!

"Are you going to fool us?

Bowties Treasury Director and Burkmeyer Promissory Director climb out and scream.

"It doesn't matter how you two feel. For a soldier, the only person who fills his belly is his master."

The two come at a gaze colored by negative emotions, but there's nothing to say about it.

I'm confident I can slap him down with my bare hands even if he hits me.

"Bowties, Treasurer, what's going on with the southern border?

"No reply yet"

"Did you seal off the streets?

"Yes, no, because it's something I haven't heard back from yet"

Bowties Treasurer answers Alfort as he wipes his sweat.

"Why don't you seal it off?

"… Your Majesty"

"Now what?

Alford said frustratingly as Betil spoke.

"The new nobles have something to say about convenience."

"It's all about the country, isn't it?

"They also have people to protect."

From Betil's point of view, it is the Empire that is committing the illegality.

Because at our own convenience, we are trying to take away the wealth that the new nobles have so desperately built.

But if you say that, Alfort won't understand.

"Ralph Libra, military director! What's Marquis Elakis like?

"We are sending Lord Leonhardt and Lord Rio, a hundred horsemen"

"... if we hold the Marquis Elakis"

Alfort has a dark grin.

For the most part, I would intend to use the captured chrono as a material for negotiations.

There is no such thing as character.

Betil had no choice but to sigh.

Leonhardt moves his horse west.

Leading is the Hundred Horsemen of the First and Ninth Kingsguards.

Individual skill and skill as a cavalry give way to the Fifth Kingsguard Knights, which specialize in cavalry.

Of course, I'm not going to blame you for that.

Leonhardt himself doesn't make it to Viscount Brad Hamal with his equestrian arms.

The human horse as a whole - this is how I commend the skillful collaboration that takes place as if the rider has become one with the horse.

Viscount Brad Hamal is the kind of man who embodies this word.

That said, in the framework of the Imperial Army, Leonhardt has top notch strength as a cavalry, and his men also have top strength.

Such proud men, but lack excellence in their movements due to the influence of the forcible forces.

I don't think so.

If it was meant to be, it would take two weeks to set foot in a week.

Take care not to break the convoy, too.

If you can't get through, there will be distortions somewhere.

Leonhardt is also aware of the fatigue that hangs on his shoulders.

Using divine authority temporarily deludes fatigue, but this is truly a last resort.

Even so - would it be the closest thing to a foreclosure?

It does lift the spot, but the load will be heavy later.

I look back when I carried out the multi-stage rocket walk in the Kingdom of Holy Argo.

The horses died then, and Leonhardt and the others were about to die.

"... nevertheless"

Rio, who was running a horse next door, groans in a potpout.

"Nevertheless, I didn't think Lord Leonhardt would take on the Krono escort. Why did you take it on?

"Because it's an order."

Leonhardt sighed small.

If you're down, you'll be on your shoulders.

The Krono escort is better than the original - I do not believe that the detention order is justified.

Originally, paper from the group of free urban states had to be used in Alfilc Castle.

Nonetheless, what was actually used was a piece of paper made in Marquis Elakis territory.

This is evidence of Chrono's involvement in embezzlement.

That's Alfort's claim, but I have to say the logic is broken.

It's like saying that the blade wound shaft happened because of the blacksmith who built the murder weapon.

But orders are orders.

"If that's the logic, why did Lord Rio take it on?

"I haven't seen Chrono in a long time."

Rio laughs glossily.

But I feel danger and madness in that laugh.

This would have been better before I met Chrono.

"But how could it have been us?

"I don't ask others what I realize."

We were chosen because we were close to Chrono.

It's a stepping stone, so to speak.

Alford is asking the Leonhardts which side they're on.

At least he intends to.

Damn it, Military Secretary Ralph Libra does the extra thing, frowns.

Leonhardt is not just a Kingsguard Knight Commander.

He is a palatium man with a territory second only to the Emperor.

If such a self openly refuses the Emperor's order, the country will be broken.

Worst case scenario, civil unrest.

Either way, the land will be devastated and the power of the country exhausted.

It would be more troublesome if the group of free urban states and the Kingdom of Holy Argo were involved.

"What do you think of this mission?

"Honestly, it's not a mind-blowing mission."

Oh? and Rio gives an unexpected look.

"Even I have feelings."

"Really?

"Yes, I am."

It's not a lie, but it's not true either.

The Palatium family's calculations as human beings take precedence over anything else.

Of course, Military Secretary Ralph Libra understood and used it.

The fact that he followed Alfort appealed to the Empire to be a single rock.

I'd like you to calculate a little more, but I'll add it in my heart.

The only thing that appeases me in this case is the old aristocracy of the Alfortists.

The old nobility of the non-Alfortists will remember their fears and their relationship with the new nobility will be broken.

What's more, many military personnel will be offended by this one.

No, not many people are even averse to their own people.

There are bad rumors, but Chrono is a hero.

When the Holy Argo kingdom invaded, he withdrew from it by odd means, and in his parental enlistment, he made great sacrifices, but took full charge as his lord.

For many years, I established friendship with the barbarians of the Aleos Mountains - the Lou.

And it's a manipulation against the Holy Argo Kingdom.

The story of Chrono undertaking a dirt job to recover his men's bodies is widespread as a beauty story.

Most importantly, Leonhardt is not so simple to think about.

In any case, the contents of the classified mission are leaking.

This will disqualify the Commander.

Has former Prime Minister Alcor intentionally spilled information?

Or someone else.

Either way, there is no doubt that there are those who seek to increase the appreciation of Chrono.

"... I wonder where the drop place should be."

Leonhardt is alone.

I can't be more innocent than I've shaken my fist up.

Alford, you have to satisfy the perimeter by pulling.

I know it's a terrible story, but Chrono made too many enemies.

"I don't think you're gonna let me out of the capital for the rest of my life."

Hmm, Leonhardt nodded small.

I thought it might be a mistake not to let it out of my mansion, but not to speak of it.

Maybe we can work it out.

I can appeal to Leonhardt that he did all he could, even if Chrono was executed.

"Damn, that's terrible."

"Yeah?"

As Leonhardt shrugged, Rio leaned his neck wonderfully.

"No, it's about this one."

Saying I have feelings, I'm thinking about how I can benefit myself and how I can minimize the damage.

This is like not having feelings.

Chrono was facing Elena in the office of the Marquis Mansion.

Even so, pinch your desk.

"... this year's tax revenues combined with dividends from the Sinner Trade Union are 29,400 gold coins and 10 silver coins. By the way, the spending is 49,000 gold coins and two pieces."

Elena said with a face like she chewed up a bitter bug.

"It's not a deficit because we have carry-overs."

"Right. Coupled with the carry-over, there 'll be fifteen thousand nine thousand six hundred and two pieces of gold and ten pieces of silver left in the vault."

"Then it's no problem."

You know, and Elena sighed small.

"You're going to lose nearly 20,000 gold coins, right? Hurry up a little."

"Well, it's just as expected."

Chrono leaned against the back of the chair.

"Damn, now you get the best tax revenues ever"

"That's why I didn't sell it."

Wheat prices in the vicinity have increased 30% year-on-year.

I thought it was because of the commercial union's insinuation, but according to Scion, it's not.

Scion - "The Temple of the Loess" gathers all the information about the Empire's agriculture.

The average yield is 90% compared to the previous year.

Opinions are divided between seeing more or less of this, but if you let Zion tell you, it doesn't affect the price of wheat that much.

"I know you won't sell it, but isn't it too much that you revived the transit tax?

"I wish another idea had come to mind."

Chrono smiled bitterly.

If the price of wheat in the vicinity is high even if my territory keeps the same yield as in previous years, I get caught up in it.

The merchants must have bought the wheat sold in Krono's territory if they knew it was cheap and took it elsewhere.

In that case, the inhabitants will suffer from soaring wheat prices.

That's all we have to avoid.

So Chrono revived the transit tax on crops.

Even so, it's only time to move crops from Chrono territory to another.

"And there's not ten times the market, is there?"

"You can never resell this."

"That's right..."

Elena caged her mouth.

In short, taxing blocked the logistics.

This stopped the Commercial Union from bringing wheat into Count Cado territory.

It doesn't make sense if you can't cash in no matter how much you carry in.

Well, even if Chrono is just grasping it, a good deal is being carried in, so Baroness Nam Cornu will be coming to negotiate in a while.

Was it a tariff barrier, Krono scratched his head.

This degree of knowledge remains, but the annual issue of Japanese history and so on has fallen out softly.

"Corner, I memorized the whole thing..."

"About what?

"Nothing."

He resented me.

"Everyone in the economic alliance agreed to it, and they paced it."

"Not everyone, right?

"... except Baron Trace"

"That's all?"

"The Bailey Chamber of Commerce has also sent a protest statement"

Chrono groaned small.

The former Viscounts of Hamal, Tina, Mersatim and Bossain showed understanding and promised me that they would adopt similar measures in their territory as in Chrono.

Most likely, if Tilia hadn't written me a letter, things wouldn't have gone so well.

What an awesome royal authority to make.

"But in the end, you're in a deficit. What do you say we cut back on spending?

"I can't do that"

"Why?

"If you think pioneering is finally on track, this is a mishap."

"It's no big deal to say no."

"It's a big deal for Pioneering Village."

Existing villages were in such a way as to offset the opening and inaction.

But the fields of the pioneering village have just been opened.

"If you work in the field, you'll have a bad year."

"They're all amateurs."

Oh, and Elena just nodded that she finally got to the point.

"Well, I guess if you've been a farmer for decades, you can give up on having these years. It's very damaging for amateurs."

"I mean, you don't want to put a chase where it's damaged."

"Exactly."

If we reduce the size of public utilities here, the faces of the pioneering villages will lose hope.

You may even think you've been abandoned.

I don't have to know when I can't afford to be nostalgic, and there's a lot of money in the safe.

I don't want to spare money and lose my trust.

"Originally, the money in the vault was the property of the people."

"It's your money, right?

"It's the property of the people."

"... Phew"

Elena stared at Chrono with a surprising eye and sighed in a small way.

"It would be splendid if we were so thorough. I praise you."

"I don't feel praised at all"

I got eyes from the top.

It is also a gaze from above, not from above, but from above.

"Well, that's more than a little bit of respect."

"Not praised."

"I'm praising you."

Elena said like she was sick of it.

That's when the door opened vigorously and Alyssa jumped in.

It's no big deal for her to make such a mistake.

"Sir! Master Leonhardt and Master Rio!

"Is it a new assignment?

"No! I wanted to take my husband to Imperial City!

"What?

Chrono screamed unexpectedly.