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Peerage and Interview
“Van-sama has been officially conferred the rank of baron.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The official letter and announcement will be delivered by a messenger in a month’s time.”
I became a baron.
Now, even if Daddy had something to say about it, he couldn’t forcibly take away my lands or dismiss me from my lordship.
“You did it!”
“Congratulations! “
Till was overjoyed when I made the V-sign of victory.
“Panamera-sama won’t be coming to the village? “
Camsin asked somewhat sadly, and Rango nodded in reply.
“The Viscount said that she plans to report this matter to the Count and then go back there after some formulation of the matter. To be clear, she thinks that it will be more interesting to work with Van-sama to grow the territory rather than belonging to the Count’s faction
”
“Eh?  They’re going to live in this village? “
The lord is me, but it’s difficult to do things when Panamera, who has a higher peerage, resides in the village. Although I don’t dislike her or anything, but her Boss is a different matter. Rango shakes his head from side to side when I ask him back feeling like this.
“No, it seems that she intends to get a territory next door. I don’t know how they are going to negotiate, but they said they will build a town in a place adjacent to this village
”
“How can they get a territory that easily? “
I don’t know if this is the right thing for me to say, but I couldn’t help but hear the words from her being proud about how she got it.
But I guess Panamera will do whatever it takes.
“I’m sure Panamera-sama will get a territory in no time! “
Camsin also gave his assurance.
I’m sure she will. She’s going to be a leader or something before long.
“Oh, and regarding the materials and defeat of the armored lizard that Van-sama mentioned, I told them that we have achieved it thanks to your brother, Murcia-sama. So, Van-sama alone was responsible for defeating the bandits in the first battle, Van-sama and Murcia were responsible for defeating the armored lizard, and Van-sama and Panamera were responsible for defeating the dragon. The materials will be purchased by the royal family if possible.”
“Oh, I did remember saying that I would give credit to my brother. Something else
oh, let’s say the boars and wolves were hunted thanks to my brother’s advice. That way, we could make increase his chance to become the head of the family
”
When I replied, Espada, who had been quietly listening, shook his head from side to side.
“No, it would be better not to do that. It would not have been a problem if it were not for the important matter of the dukedom and the defeat of the dragon, but because of this, a survey team from the Royal Capital is coming to visit us. The survey team’s job is to investigate about the battlegrounds and territories, and to find out detailed information about those who fought in the battle. I think it would be better not to bring up the subject of Murcia-sama, who is so far away
”
“Raise unnecessary suspicions? “
“Yes.”
“That would be troublesome. Yes, that would be too much trouble.
Well, my brother is a serious and hardworking man, so even if he is left alone, he will become the head of the family.
With these thoughts in mind, I enjoyed a barbecue party with Rango and his family.
The day after the welcome party for Rango and the slaves, I called Bell and Rango and decided to interview the slaves.
Incidentally, Rango was happy to call the slaves, as he had always intended to do so.
“One hundred and fifty people must mean that you bought up a percentage of Royal Capital’s slave market. You’ve done it again with flair
”
Bell says this with a wry smile, and I groan.
“I’m curious about the fact that the Mary Chamber of Commerce waived their commission.”
“I thought they had offended Van-sama and were trying to put him in a good mood
? “
“Even though he’s harmless?  I’m in the Royal Capital with the Mary Chamber of Commerce, which is compelling in the country, and the new Baron of the Outskirts of the Frontier. My mood is of no consequence, is it? “
I ask in doubt, but Bell is stumped.
“I thought that
perhaps it means that the Mary Chamber of Commerce thinks highly of Van-sama.”
As he said it, Bell twisted his own head. That’s because I’m afraid that they think they will gain status and power in the frontier, but the Mary Chamber of Commerce, which has the backing of the king, still doesn’t have much influence.
Well, I would appreciate it if you could make a discovery. Next time something happens, we can deal with the Mary Chamber of Commerce on a priority basis.
While we were having such an exchange, Rango first brought ten slaves.
The lake was opened in the morning, and the slaves cleaned themselves by wiping and bathing. The Apkallu children, who were surprised by the Apkallu but had become accustomed to humans, helped by creating a bathing area for the women.
They also provided clothing and shoes, so the men and women lined up in front of them did not look like slaves.
“These are slaves who would normally be valued at three to ten gold coins or more, so if Van-sama needs them, please purchase them.”
Bell says this and introduces the slaves.
A former baron’s daughter. A former knight’s man. The daughter of a knight. A man with aptitude for wind magic. A woman with aptitude for earth magic. A former B-rank adventurer man. The daughter of the chairman of a major merchant company that went out of business. A former knight who was an officer of an enemy country.
Normally, these people would be in a better position or richer than the commoners.
“How much magic can the two of you with aptitude for wind and earth magic use? “
“Wolf? I can kill an orc with a single blow.”
“I can create a wall of earth.”
“Hired.”
How about an assistant for Espada, especially a woman around twenty years old with an aptitude for earth magic?
“So, woman from the Chamber of Commerce. Have you ever been involved in accounting or commerce? “
“Ha, yes. I’ve been running a store since I was a kid
”
“Oh. Isn’t this the kind of person the Bell Rango Chamber of Commerce wants? “
“Of course, if Van-sama is willing, we’d be happy to let you run the store
is that okay? “
I ask, as Bell looks at the woman in response to my suggestion. Oh, because she’s so beautiful, right?
“Yes?  She’s so beautiful, I think she’d make great sales if she opened a weapons and armor store at the entrance to Espa Town or Seat Village.”
“Thank you!  Then, I would like to entrust her with the arms shop in Espa Town.
Hearing such an exchange, the daughter of the former merchant chairman moves toward Bell, confused.
“I’m in the process of building a knighthood for people who can fight, so I’ll hire them there. Just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you should act like a big shot, okay?  Even if you are just a villager at our place, you are a member of the knighthood. Let’s get along well as colleagues.”
When I told them this, the men who had been knights or adventurers laughed happily. Well, it’s not every day that a slave becomes a knight. That’s a relief, isn’t it?
“After that, you’re a former noble’s son, huh?”
I mutter and look at the former baron’s daughter. She is about fifteen years old, and she is the beautiful girl who looked most anxious from the beginning.
Even now, she is gripping the hem of her long skirt with both hands, her shoulders shaking slightly.
“
I guess so. An innkeeper, a knight, or a maid in the lord’s mansion. Which of those would you prefer?  In the case of the nanny, there’s a sweet and lovely maid named Till who will teach you how to do your job.”
“Oh, my goodness, Van-sama!”
Till was embarrassed at my words behind me. I’m not mistaken, you know. She’s cute.
“Well, in that case, the maid will
”
I don’t know if she was relieved or what, but she looked up and opened her mouth for the first time.
Mmmm, she’s cute. Maybe I should make her my secretary after all. No, Till is enough of a secretary on her own.
Oh, perhaps Espada’s secretary
no, no. No, no, no. I’ll definitely be trained in Sparta, and I’ll cry. I’ll cry.
Well, it might be fun to have such a pretty maid, so I guess it’s okay.