Chapter 38
(Kyle Calendar
Year 504: Age 11)
Each Person's
Intentions
Translator : PolterGlast
At the reception held
at the manor after the tournament, Father was sandwiched between Margrave
Hastburg and Viscount Kirias, being bombarded with questions.
"Baron Solis, I
thoroughly enjoyed this event.
It truly showcased the
military might of the Solis baronial family."
"Even so, the
mobilization of your citizens is quite remarkable.
How many of your
citizens participate in this crossbow tournament?"
"The participants
from the citizenry number about 1,500 in total, but it also serves as
entertainment for women and children, so overall, their skill level is still...
not very high yet."
Father's numbers were
false.
The true figures,
known only to a limited few within the Solis baronial family, were over 4,000
registered participants, including women and children.
Among them, those who
could handle a bow to some extent already numbered well over 2,000.
Of course, that was
just at the level of being able to shoot.
"I see. So Baron
Solis has already secured over 1,000 archers as assets. Quite formidable."
Viscount Kirias's
sharp observation cut through. This man is brilliant but also frightening...
"Even if they can
handle a crossbow, most of them cannot yet be counted as military strength. Not
at all..."
Yes, being overly
praised at this stage and having the number of mobilized troops increased for
the next war would be problematic.
"Baron Solis, I
believe it is about time we seriously consider your elevation in rank. We on
our side are prepared to assist as much as possible, including recommending you
to the royal capital, preparing for the formalities of a viscountcy, and recruiting
more citizens."
"I am grateful
for Margrave Hastburg's words. However, I am hesitant as the number of our
citizens and our productivity still fall short of what is required to serve as
a viscount."
"Such things will
follow later. Looking at your financial power alone, the Solis baronial family
is certainly qualified to be a viscountcy."
Oh no, Viscount Kirias
has hit the nail.
"For new citizen
recruitment, a viscountcy in the frontier would have a better appearance than a
barony and would likely attract more people.
Regarding the number
of troops to be mobilized, aiming for 500, between a barony and a viscountcy,
for the next five years, should be fine.
In ten years, about
600, similar to Viscount Hiyorimi, would be reasonable. It would be best to proceed
with that in mind."
It seems the Margrave
understands Father's concerns.
I also thought those
numbers were reasonable.
Father must have
thought so too, as he gave a respectful bow.
Just as I felt a sense
of relief, I looked to my side and saw my nemesis, Viscount Gorman, standing
next to me.
I hurriedly performed
a bow according to noble etiquette.
"So, you are
Takuhir, the wise one of whom the baronial family boasts?"
"This is our
first audience, my Lord. I am Takuhir Solis von Daren, the second son. Thank
you very much for visiting the Estol territory."
"Hmph, as
rumored, you are remarkably astute for your age."
He puffed out his
chest arrogantly, his demeanor as haughty as his name suggested, but a slight
smile played on his lips.
It might have been my
imagination, but that's what it felt like.
"I heard that
regarding the recent flood, you foresaw the crisis and issued warnings to the
neighboring areas. My thanks... I commend you."
Ah, no, he almost
said, "My thanks," didn't he?
Was it really
necessary to rephrase that?
Is it his pride due to
his arrogance?
I was quite surprised
to receive such unexpected words from such an unexpected person.
"To have the
honor of receiving such words from Viscount Gorman himself is an overwhelming
privilege."
"I had considered
the newly risen Turnip Baron as merely having a knack for business, but the
obvious skill in his maneuvering over the past few years has been remarkable.
Upon investigation, I
have also heard rumors that you are the one pulling the strings behind the
scenes.
I had dismissed it as
baseless gossip, but considering this matter as well, it seems I must
reconsider my opinion."
Seriously, it wasn't
my imagination. He's smiling.
I doubted my own eyes.
"That is quite an
overestimation. Please consider it the rashness of a young man. My wisdom is no
match for your profound insights..."
"Hmph, the fact
that you can respond in such a way is what sets you apart from the other brats.
You should be more careful when feigning ignorance."
Viscount Gorman smiled
again.
It was a genuine,
kind, and amused smile.
Wait, am I getting
advice right now?
From Viscount Gorman?
I thought it was
impossible for him to even speak to me...
Someone, please do
something about this atmosphere! I desperately wanted to escape from this
place.
At least, I seemed to
have caught Viscount Gorman's attention, for better or for worse.
"Excuse me for
interrupting your conversation. Margrave Hastburg wishes to speak with Takuhir.
Forgive my rudeness,
but may I ask you to excuse yourself from the conversation?"
My brother had cut in
to save me from a tight spot.
I had somehow escaped
the crisis, but out of the frying pan, into the fire.
I really didn't want
to get involved in unnecessary politics...
"Oh, so you are Takuhir,
one of the Baron's prized sons? I've been wanting to speak with you."
"This is our
first audience, my Lord. I am Takuhir Solis von Daren, the second son. Thank
you very much for visiting the Estol territory. To have the honor of meeting
you again is an overwhelming privilege."
Yeah, I'm just
repeating the same lines from before.
"Your disaster
relief efforts for Hiyorimi were truly commendable. I have heard from my envoy
that the citizens there expressed their gratitude.
Also, I was impressed
to hear from the Baron that you were the one who conceived of the crossbow
tournament and everything else. Your wisdom is remarkable."
"There are still
many areas where we fall short, and I can only hope there were no points that
caused you displeasure..."
"Haha, you don't
need to be so stiff and wary. Being so formal is rather unnatural."
"I will be
careful. Viscount Gorman also pointed that out to me earlier...
Was it unnatural after
all?"
"Yes, yes, that's
good. There are times when I feel you should be more straightforward, like a
child.
However, it is rare
for Gorman to say such things."
I see, so it's okay to
take it in a positive light?
"Well then, aside
from that, there is a small favor I would like to ask of you.
I was deeply impressed
by this shooting tournament (the mobilization of your citizens), and I feel
there are many points we should adopt.
We would like to
proceed with the production and deployment of crossbows within our own
territory, and if we were to purchase 100 units from you, would it be possible
to have the manufacturing technology disclosed?"
It seemed that all the
information regarding the crossbows had been leaked, and he added in a low
voice at the end,
"I am not asking
for that crossbow that is active on the battlefield and which the Baron is
keeping secret. One must keep some weapons for when they are truly
needed."
And he winked.
It seemed he was
willing to overlook the Estol bow, which was a combination of a compound bow
and a composite bow.
By the way, as a
reward for the disaster relief and the crossbow tournament, I received 500 gold
coins, and 500 gold coins as payment for 100 crossbows and the disclosure of
the technology.
A total of 1,000 gold
coins were given to me.
Having more gold coins
on hand and considering future prospects, it was very welcome news for me.
And this Champion
Tournament became a great opportunity for the citizens of Estol as
entertainment, for the Solis baronial family as a means of replenishing its
forces (scouting), and for the mobilization of the citizens to take firm root.
Furthermore, children
of the citizens aiming for success in life also emerged through the shooting
tournament.
After all, Carleen,
the winner this time, Gale in second place, and Christoph in third place, were
all originally ordinary citizens.
This gave the children
a dream. Also, the number of female participants increased sharply from the
subsequent regular tournaments.
This influence would
later manifest itself in the Estol territory, no, in the Teigun settlement.
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