Baronage
“P-Prime Minister! What is the meaning of this!?”
The loli bitch raised her voice in front of the King.
“I created these condition only after receiving His Majesty’s approval. Now that the official procedures have begun, they cannot be changed. The title of baron shall now be bestowed upon this man and he shall be required to uphold the honour and integrity of his position. He must live his life in accordance with these conditions.”
“That’s….”
“Your Majesty, are you satisfied with these conditions?”
“Yes….”
The old man bowed to the King.
Beside me, I could see the loli bitch trying to restrain herself.
I wonder if the Prime Minister and the FitzClarence family are at odds with each other. This is a common occurrence in medieval fantasy novels. A large noble family is in constant conflict with a corrupt and powerful official from the government. The worst thing I could do would be get caught in between them.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
The loli bitch suddenly spoke up.
Fight, loli bitch.
You can do it, loli bitch.
Preserve my happy life with Sophia-chan.
Have I ever cheered her on in the past? I’d honestly like to openly cheer her on, but I’m sure if I speak now it would just cause me more problems. This time is reserved for the nobles. A commoner like me shouldn’t speak.
Or, if my suspicions are correct, it may be exactly what that old man wants.
“The conditions the Prime Minister set are ridiculous! They’re impossible to meet!”
“Viscount FitzClarence, you will refrain from such childish outbursts in front of His Majesty. You are a nobleman with the title of viscount. You should be more than capable of helping this man meet all of the conditions I’ve laid out. Or did you have His Majesty make these arrangements with no intention of putting any effort in yourself?”
“S-Still, it’s just too much! It r-really is impossible! First off, why is the Prime Minister the one creating the conditions!? You say I’m acting childish but only a child asks for the impossible!”
You know, Ester-chan….
This might be too much even for the daughter of one of the Great Noble families.
“If you’re finished, I’d like to continue.”
The old man said this while staring down Ester-chan.
“His Majesty is already being quite generous by even allowing a foreigner to have a chance at joining the nobility. There are several others – some of which, many would consider more deserving than this man – that desire that position being granted to him. Even if we put that aside, this man is a strange foreigner we know nothing about. We don’t know where he was born or who his family is. It was already an unreasonable request to grant such a person the title of baron. You are a member of the FitzClarence family so I’m sure you can understand.”
“Even so, I-I can’t accept those conditions!”
“You should be on your knees thanking His Majesty for his grand generosity. Instead, you’re just making a disgrace of yourself and embarrassing your family. If this man is as great as you claim, he should have no problem meeting each of these conditions. Or do you not believe in him?”
“….”
The loli bitch is too weak.
He calls her belief in my abilities into doubt and she immediately falls silent. Besides, what the old man says is right. Ester-chan basically forced herself, and me, to the front of a long line. It would probably be best for me to politely bow and apologize.
I wonder what kind of father allows his daughter to get herself into situations like this.
I guess I really don’t have to wonder.
It says a lot that in all the time I’ve known Ester-chan I’ve never seen her father.
“Viscount FitzClarence, this matter has already been decided. I’m amazed that you, the daughter of a noble family in the Penny Empire, don’t seem to understand how serious your request was. I’m actually impressed that you’d come here when you clearly know so little.”
“That’s….”
Ester-chan was unable to argue against any of his points. When we were with Drill-chan, Ester-chan acted like a proud, powerful noble, but I guess she’s not quite ready to deal with someone like him.
The King, who had remained silent so far, finally spoke.
“Everyone, be silent.”
While the loli bitch was being insulted by the old man, it seems like he’s come to a decision.
Silence filled the great hall.
But then Ester-chan spoke once more.
And this time it was to the King directly.
“Y-Your Majesty! Please…please wait!”
“Viscount FitzClarence, your King has demanded silence!”
“Ku….”
The Prime Minister acted like Ester-chan had committed some terrible offense, but the King barely even noticed her objection. Still, the Prime Minister’s words seemed to have an effect on Ester-chan and she held back whatever she was going to say.
I’m sure the King earned a lot of hatred from the nobles after agreeing to the loli bitch’s request. That’s only natural. I wonder if Ester-chan’s dad played any part in the King’s decision.
“Your name, I believe it is Tanaka.”
“Yes!”
“Raise your head.”
“Yes!”
God, I feel so helpless.
I can’t do anything now but nod and follow his instructions. Especially after seeing everything that’s happened so far. I know everything has already been decided. I’ve been caught up in the loli bitch’s plans and the old man’s plans, and now I’m stuck.
“As the thirty-ninth king of the great Penny Empire, I grant you the title of Baron.”
“Yes!”
Something so momentous is happening and all I can do is say ‘Yes!’
“The conditions that have been set for you may be challenging, but I’m expecting you to put up a good fight.”
“…thank you.”
Like this, I was granted the title of baron.
That entire audience was about me but I feel like I was the only one that didn’t really understand what just happened.
***
We were now in the waiting room with Christina.
“It’s absurd! W-What’s with that condition!? Why was he the one in charge of making the conditions anyway!?”
Ester-chan was venting to nobody in particular.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this angry.
Because it’s now just the three of us, she’s returned to normal. She must really have a hard time dealing with the Prime Minister.
“Ester-san, I’d like to ask you something. Is that okay?”
“…sure.”
“What kind of place is this ‘Radius Grassland?’”
“W-Well, that’s….”
It looked like this was hard for the loli bitch to talk about. Her eyes were even getting watery.
Or maybe that’s how her eyes always are.
“Is it very far away?”
“T-That’s not the issue. It’s actually next to my territory.”
“Oh, really?”
“Oi, you let this human female prattle on and on, and yet, you won’t even acknowledge me. Are your ears broken? Do you want me to kill you?”
“But, i-it’s genuinely impossible. I mean how…. Oh, right, you don’t know. You’re from another country….”
“Can you tell me why this is so bad?”
I thought she’d be happy that my territory is so close to hers.
“Radius Grassland is where we last fought.”
“So, the place where the Twilight Company set up their camp…?”
“Yes.”
“That’s…unfortunate.”
It sits along the border with the Pussy Republic. I’m guessing the Penny Empire gained control over it after the conflict was settled. It’s probably not great that my territory borders a hostile country, but we are at peace currently.
“…oi, are you listening to me?”
“Well, there was grass growing there so the land must have some use. We could grow crops and even without using fertilizer they should grow extremely well.”
The land there is soaked with the blood of the slain soldiers which should act as a good fertilizer.
It’s a bit of a morbid thought and I’d rather not make a beautiful girl think about it.
“That’s true. The land itself isn’t so terrible, and now that the conflict with the Pussy Republic has been settled, you wouldn’t have to worry about any border conflicts. If you take your time and put in the effort, it’s not impossible, but….”
“But?”
“…the chances are still slim.”
“How so?”
“Oi…Tanaka, you can’t keep ignoring me!”
Christina stood up and aimed a punch right at my stomach.
I held out my hand and conjured volleyball sized fireballs in front of her face.
“Wha –!?”
The unpleasant smell of burning hair filled my nostrils.
“The territory you were granted was won by the Penny Empire in the conflict.”
“I see.”
So my assumption was right.
“That may sound good at first, but I was able to see every inch of that land from atop the hill during the battle. The nobility has to pay taxes every three months. You’d need to be able to earn a minimum of fifty gold coins per month.”
Fifty gold?
That’s the amount the noble mage paid me to come to visit him at his home. It’s probably not much to a noble. Even to a lower noble, that amount is probably nothing. But fifty gold per month seems impossible for me.
“Is there really nothing else there? No city or villages?”
“…there isn’t.”
“….”
So this is why Ester-chan was so upset.
I seem to have been given a task much more difficult than I could’ve imagined. The grassland turned battlefield was flanked by hills and forests. To the North was the Pussy Republic and the South the Penny Empire. It’s like my territory sits in a bowl.
I wonder how far my hand can reach towards Pussy before I get bit. But based off what Ester-chan has said the border to the Pussy Republic seems close.
Well, if I think of this as a city building game, I need to start with the basics. Without them, I won’t even be able to make fifty gold.
“Why are you…. A-Are you doing this to tease me!? Oi!”
With the rewards I received from the King, I could cover the taxes and make the payment on time. However, this would violate one of the conditions. I’m sure this was meant to stop Ester-chan from paying the taxes for me.
Anyway, I need to find a way to make fifty gold per month using only what my territory has to offer.
“If there were a trade port there or a large city it would be possible, but there’s nothing there but grass. It’s impossible for you to make fifty gold with just that!”
It was rare to see the blonde loli so hopeless.
Seeing a usually headstrong girl act so timid pulled on my heartstrings.
But such is the heart of a virgin.
“Thank you, Ester-san. I have a better understanding of my situation now.”
“I’m sorry…. I’ve put you in a terrible position….”
She has nothing to worry about. If things don’t work out she can just return to Allen. Personally, I recommend that route.
“…listen to me.” [Christina]
“It’s fine. You just wanted to do something good for me.”
“But, i-if you fail you’ll become a slave!”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
Becoming a slave might be the best outcome if I fail. The alternative is execution, and, to be honest, just killing me outright would be much easier for the Prime Minister and whoever he’s working with.
“You might be sold to someone outside the country….”
“If I were to become a slave, I’d appreciate it if you bought me.”
“Wha –”
Ester-chan’s eyes opened wide.
“D-Don’t even speak like that! You won’t become a slave!”
She hesitated for a moment.
This damn loli.
She quickly wiped away some drool that was coming out of her mouth. This is dangerous. A non-virgin would be able to do whatever she wants with me. It’s too dangerous.
What would happen to my body if she bought me?
“….”
My masochistic heart’s been stimulated.
My delusions slowly started to take shape. All right, tonight’s menu has been decided.
“I don’t just plan on giving up. Most importantly, the person I care for the most is in this country. I couldn’t stand to be apart from them. I’ll do whatever I can to succeed.”
“But….”
Ester-chan was still wiping away her drool with her sleeve.
According to Ester-chan, the taxes will be due at the end of next month. I have a little bit of time to get things started.
“I’ll do something.”
“But, t-this is all my fault….”
“…s-stop ignoring me. I really will kill you…. Do you want me to kill you?”
The territory I received doesn’t have any population and most of its land is covered by dozens of bodies.
What should I do?
***
View Comments (38)
'I wonder how far my hand can reach towards Pussy before I get bit.'
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist
... It sure couldn't be helped, LOL.
Can't be helped in this case, it's too tempting a target.
Christina does not like being ignored while they talk about the Pussy and slavery.
OK. .My heart can't take it anymore.. This is guy is .....!!
Aww, poor dragonloli doesn't even register on Tanaka's radar as anything more than a nuisance.
Though honestly, I'm quite impressed with Tanaka's overall professionalism and take charge attitude regarding this, at face value, overwhelming debt. He's not taken the normal isekai protagonist routes of UTTER DESPAIR for melodrama or the "I am so confident because of my yet-unmentioned cheat that will solve this problem" that are so disappointingly prevalent. It's refreshing to see even a pervert like Tanaka is still characterized with a level of adult maturity.
Japanese Salaryman kicked in.
well he's like thirty something so of course he's going to act like an adult but he also has his salary man knowledge under his belt. he should be fine
Christina needs attention.
Don't bully the dragon loli!
Thanks for the chap!
Stop ignoring the dragon loli!!
Yeah, that's a big offense.
come now he didnt ignore her he even thrw a fireball in her face remember the burning hair? lol
Lol, thanks for this chapter
Thanks
“I wonder how far my hand can reach towards Pussy before I get bit.”
A man of culture indeed……
I know the author did this for story but creating a seriously stupid villain as the prime minister is takes away everything from the story.
oh well.
yes and no honestly mc is super op having non stupid villians would mean they also would have to be super op and that kind of fight just gets to be annoying .
The Prime minister is a great villain, hes pure political intrigue, this will become more apparent later on when more of the bigger politcal figures are introduced.
At last! My favorite part is about to come!
https://imgur.com/a/6ay93eu
Time to make Tanakaland a dream come true!
Become Ester's slave? dang, wish that were me
Thank you very much!
I just fail vector midtermtest today
All You need to do is find a gold mine and your set.
Actually, he only needs to play SimCity.
Actually he only needs to sell some of the land to Loli bitch. He will make money off the land, decrease the size and wont break any of the rules.
you cant sell land without consent of the King, thats the whole point of being appointed a Noble.
Finally Tanakaland!
Honestly, why doesn’t he just kill the king?
The prime minister too.
this isn't xianxia he won't start killing people left and right because they dishonored him
true, haha. But it's just so pointless for him to let them do as they want when he can do something about it one way or another ~ _ ~.
"Why doesnt Tanaka just kill everyone" Cause hes not drunk enough.
well, if thought carefully, it's because he doesn't have enough capability to cope with it.
I commoner like me shouldn’t speak. Shouldn't it be A commoner?
Thanks
Wonder what's his level now? Maybe he can cast "create city" like Satou. Carve out the land to make a wide river leading to the sea and "BAM" he's got a portcity.
what's this, cold play towards christina?
thanks for the meal~
He just needs to create an apothecary with your sensei, those super potions of mana and a clinic where he will cure all wounds and illnesses, with that he will start a city. Or so I think...
I know its late for this but Ive been busy so I was only able to read this now. Noticed something while reading.
"“The conditions the Prime Minister are ridiculous! They’re impossible to meet!”"
Shouldnt it be The conditions the Prime Minister "made/stated" or something to that effect?