Chapter 76

■■■ King Kobal Pilatus II ■■■

It was during lunch when a rather trivial matter was brought to my attention.

Truly, it was inconsiderate.

The one who interrupted my rare enjoyment was the Special Minister in Charge, Brou Soar.

This man, though competent, was the one who invariably disrupted my enjoyment. Despite my having appointed him after he bowed his head in gratitude, he proved to be the most ungrateful of all.

"I am truly sorry to disturb you during your meal, but this is an urgent matter that requires your attention."

Hmph. If he truly felt sorry, he should have handled it himself. Well, never mind. I have just finished my buttered bread, so I am in a somewhat better mood. I will hear him out. I am magnanimous, after all.

"I will allow it. Continue."

"Thank you. This morning, a patrol squad reported the discovery of a stray buffalo near our castle."

Brou continued his serious report, but could it be that he disturbed my lunch for such a trivial matter?

"In light of this, I believe we should urgently mobilize the reserve military to deal with the buffalo."

"Such a thing will be hunted by the Merchant Guild on its own. Why must we mobilize my precious military forces?"

Brou's words, as always, made no sense.

"There are three main reasons."

"Speak."

"Yes. The first is the safety of our citizens. While buffaloes have never shown a tendency to cross the castle walls, it is not impossible. Moreover, this season is the time for timber collection and the pre-rainy season trade, when activities outside the city walls increase. Although buffaloes are generally docile, they can become unpredictable when excited. Fortunately, this stray was discovered not far from the city, making it easier to mobilize the military with minimal burden."

"Hmm..."

I can understand what he is saying, but the common people would run away on their own if left alone.

"If the military acts to protect the citizens, it will undoubtedly enhance the glory of King Pilatus."

"My popularity is already at its peak, is it not?"

"Popularity is never too much of a good thing."

"Hmm... very well, state the next reason."

"Yes. At this time of year, buffaloes fetch a good price. The revenue from the sale of their hides and bones can easily cover the costs of the military operation. Since there are fewer dried meat craftsmen this season, we can instruct the Merchant Guild to distribute the meat for free in exchange for the butchering costs, and then distribute the remaining meat to the citizens. This will further enhance King Pilatus's popularity."

"Hmm, I see."

Indeed, I will show my magnanimity to the foolish people who do not understand my greatness.

"Hmm. What is the last reason?"

"Yes, the last reason is the training of our soldiers. Buffalo hunting is an important duty in this country. For many new recruits, their first real combat experience is hunting a herd of buffaloes. If we mobilize a relatively young military unit to hunt this stray, it will be good training for the soldiers."

I chewed on the tropical fruit for dessert while pondering. Normally, stray buffaloes are dealt with by the Merchant Guild during the off-season for hunting. However, I have heard that this is not always successful. In such cases, the Merchant Guild may come to us for help. Moreover, an injured buffalo is extremely dangerous.

The death of soldiers is their job, so it is not a problem, but the benefits are minimal.

If we take the lead this time, the foolish people will recognize my greatness. In that case, there is no reason to oppose it. I am magnanimous, after all.

"Very well, form the military with great pomp and circumstance."

"Immediately, of course."

The Chancellor, Genol Borro, interjected. What a man who cannot read the room!

Even though I have already made the decision!

"I understand! It was intentional!"

"Of course."

Genol and Brou bowed deeply.

They are both men who lack manners.

---

In the evening, while I was being serviced by my third wife... or was it the fifth? Anyway, one of my wives, I was interrupted again.

"If it is an urgent matter, I have come to request your time."

The voice from behind the screen belonged to the detestable Brou Soar.

Why can this man only disrupt me?

"Hmph. Very well, let him in."

"Are you sure?"

"I am magnanimous, after all."

It was a woman I had grown tired of anyway. Seeing her naked body no longer bothered me. Although she was one of my official wives, I could easily transfer her to someone else as a concubine.

Brou approached me, lowering his gaze as he moved around the screen.

"I will now report. The buffalo that the buffalo hunting squad set out to hunt this afternoon..."

The buffalo?

Ah, the one they were supposed to hunt at noon. What about it? I waited impatiently for his next words.

"Right before the squad reached the target, it had already been hunted by a civilian."

"What? But, so what? Such things happen."

The hunting rights for this season belong to the Merchant Guild. It is pitiful, but our military must have been slow.

"There is a slight problem. First, the Merchant Guild did not issue any hunting requests for this matter. Second, if the soldiers return empty-handed, it could tarnish the glory of His Majesty in the worst case. There is another issue, but it has been resolved."

Now that you mention it, it is not a pleasant story. It could be said that my military was mocked.

"What was the issue that was resolved? And who hunted the buffalo in such a short time?"

Upon saying it aloud, I realized that hunting a buffalo in such a short time would be impossible even for the military. Could it be that an adjacent city-state was involved?

No, even if it were adjacent, the distance is considerable. It is unlikely that a military force would come for this purpose.

"The first issue resolved was the ownership of the buffalo. The buffalo was hunted by a dwarf and an elf, both renowned warriors. It is understandable that the buffalo was hunted in a short time. Since the Merchant Guild did not issue any requests, the ownership of the buffalo was nullified."

"A dwarf and an elf? I have never heard of them working together..."

The enmity between dwarves and elves is well-known. They are as incompatible as oil and water.

"They were hired as bodyguards for a certain individual. This person is... Akira, the wandering merchant recently hired as a special advisor by Chelina Veriello. I heard that Your Majesty has already met him."

"...What?"

I grabbed the head of the woman who was still servicing me and threw her aside. She let out a small scream, but I did not care.

Akira.

That black-haired, pudgy-faced man who stood next to Chelina as if it were his rightful place, looking down on me. According to Brou and Genol, he was the one who likely thwarted the potato strategy, a detestable foreigner.

"What is to be done with that man?"

"He is currently being questioned in the dungeon of the castle."

"Has a punishment been decided?"

"The final decision is up to the judicial department, but the punishment will likely be a fine or a few lashes. The most severe punishment would be a fine and forced labor."

"...That is too lenient."

That man is a heinous criminal for harboring Chelina. I let him go because of his contribution to the butter, but this time it is a clear crime.

"Do you think such a punishment is sufficient for mocking my soldiers?"

"Legally, that is the appropriate punishment."

Brou replied.

"I am the law in this country."

"Of course."

"Very well, I will decide the punishment myself. That man will receive 500 public lashes followed by public crucifixion."

"500...? He will certainly die before the crucifixion."

"Then 100 will do. Maim him without killing him and then crucify him in the square."

"...Is that a death sentence?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps the crime does not warrant a public execution."

"Then add a charge of treason or something, you are good at that, are you not?"

Brou raised an eyebrow at my words but showed no further reaction.

"...Understood. When will the execution take place?"

"Hmm, tomorrow will do."

"The documents cannot be prepared in time. At the very least, we need a few days to make it seem like an investigation and questioning have taken place."

"That is troublesome. When would be acceptable?"

"Let's say four days from now. If we want more people to see it, we should announce it four days in advance and then carry it out a few days later."

"Four days is fine. I just want to see the flogging. People will gather on the day, won't they?"

"Yes, enough to fill the square."

"Then the execution of that man is set for four days from now. Leave the rest to you."

"As you wish."

Brou Soar bowed and left the room, passing through the screen.

I felt a rare, pleasant laugh rising from my belly.

A naked woman was trembling in the corner of the room.

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