Chapter 9

Here you are, the resolution.

"Yuto, next time, let's have meat. Pork."

"Finish the salted fish you have in your hand first, then we'll see."

Later that afternoon.

Yuto and Yona, who had returned to Härdensturm for the council meeting, were in the middle of a detour.

They were wandering around the market stalls in the heart of Härdensturm, indulging in skewers, fried fish, fruits, and drinks. At the moment, they were holding more skewers of meat and shellfish than they could manage with both hands. It was as if Yona had become a troublesome little sister.

For Yuto, who had been an only child, this was a new and enjoyable experience.

"Can't help it. Just one, okay?"

He couldn't help but be lenient with her.

"Indeed. The flavor of meat is the flavor of fat."

Yuto smiled at the satisfied voice of the usually expressionless albino girl. While eating the same thing—a skewer of pork belly grilled with a sweet and savory sauce—Yuto began to think from a new perspective.

It's difficult to keep livestock through the winter due to feed issues. Therefore, this was also the time of year when pork was most abundant. Soon, the focus would shift to processing it into dried or salted meat.

He wanted to reform this system, but after consulting with Althea, who had been sent to inspect the villages, they concluded that the introduction of crop rotation would take some time.

It would be easy to introduce, but if the population increased due to crop rotation, the issue would be where to accommodate them. In England, the Industrial Revolution and the development of industry provided employment opportunities when crop rotation was introduced, despite the poor working conditions.

However, in Blauwers, where even the printing press had not yet been invented, it was impossible to have such a long-term vision.

Moreover, the focus was on commerce, not agriculture.

"Also, eat your vegetables, vegetables."

"I don't need them!"

"Don't say that so firmly. Apologize to the sailors fighting scurvy."

"Rum is fine, though."

"If I let you drink, what do you think Althea would say to me?"

"Such a precious sacrifice..."

"So cheap, my life."

While engaging in this banter, they arrived at the five-story building where the council meeting was to be held.

Officially, it was the Härdensturm Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

In reality, it was the landmark that dominated the city.

At the entrance, Yuto showed the same letter he had given to Regina to the guards and gave a few instructions. It was an overreach, but the guards nodded in agreement and left their posts.

Thus, they entered the impressive stone building without an escort. Despite his confident demeanor, he was actually late.

It was partly due to the time it took to prepare, and without an accurate clock, it was much looser than in Japan, but being late was still being late.

"Sorry for the delay."

In a low-key manner, Yuto entered the rectangular meeting room, and Yona followed silently.

The meeting room was not particularly large.

There were probably no more than ten people seated at the round table. However, they were all important figures in the city, including the head of the merchant guild, the representative of the craftsmen's guild, and the head of the Paris Temple, which oversaw trade.

Each had guards behind them, adding to the oppressive atmosphere, making the room feel cramped.

However, Yuto was indifferent.

Once again, he sat down in an empty seat at the round table before being invited to do so. It seemed there were only seats for the official attendees, so Yona had to stand behind Yuto.

Looking around, he saw that the elderly Cesk was also standing behind Regina.

Noticing his gaze, a smile appeared on Regina's composed face. Seeing her visibly relieved expression, Yuto felt a pang of guilt.

Considering her state of mind until now, it must have felt like being left alone in enemy territory.

No matter how much she was pampered, it wasn't the time for indulgences like street food.

(Well, everything is for victory, so she should understand.)

Selling himself a get-out-of-jail-free card, Yuto was about to start the meeting when he was preempted.

"There is only one unfamiliar face among today's participants. Perhaps we should start with introductions?"

Arrogant.

That's how it could be described. However, he probably didn't see himself that way. He likely felt he was being humble.

After all, Bruno Exdell held the most power in this room.

"I am Yuto Amakusa, the representative of the new lord, Baron Valtrode. You can think of me as here to discuss the future of this city under the new lord."

Yuto subtly implied that taxes should be paid properly.

Bruno Exdell reacted immediately.

"Unfortunately, that is not possible."

With a greasy smile on his fat face, he spoke in a damp voice.

Indeed, a toad.

Bruno continued, seemingly impressed by Yuto's reaction.

"You must have heard, but the port facilities of Härdensturm have suffered catastrophic damage. Of course! Of course, paying taxes is an obligation, but I believe the circumstances will be taken into account."

After his long-winded speech, he snapped his fingers, and a guard behind him bowed and placed a lavish jewel box in front of Yuto.

"Thus, I ask for your leniency with this."

Yuto glanced at the toad-like merchant and silently opened the lid.

A large ruby appeared.

This alone was a fortune. It was worth enough to live comfortably for a year.

Seeing its brilliance, the others gasped in surprise.

More likely, they were surprised by Bruno's generosity.

(Does he think he can use this to pay part of the taxes? He wouldn't, which is why he's doing this.)

Satisfied with his own thoughts, Yuto faced an innocent question from Yona.

"Yuto, is this quite expensive?"

"Yes, pretty much."

"The most expensive you've ever seen?"

"No, a gem I received from a dwarf once was about ten times as valuable."

"Then this isn't that impressive?"

"Not necessarily. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean I'll take it. ...So, thank you for showing me this rare gem."

With that pretext, Yuto refused to accept it.

"As for taxes, it's fine."

"Oh, then..."

"We will ensure that they are paid properly."

"......What?"

"First, the repair of the port damaged by the storm. This will be a public works project. We will provide the reconstruction funds, so there will be no burden on the city. We will hold a bidding process, so please participate enthusiastically."

Saying it like an Earth announcer, Yuto gave a mischievous smile.

"Is there a qualification for participation?"

"Not particularly. If there are many guilds with civil engineering experience, we can prioritize performance."

"Please rest assured. Such damage is not common, but the city is working together to recover."

"That's good to hear."

Regina's question, timed as if they had rehearsed it, was answered by Yuto.

The seamless transition of topics left Bruno and the other participants speechless.

"Yuto, this is so much fun."

"Don't make me sound like a villain."

"Huh, s-sure. What about the pirate ships in the harbor? They're blocking the entrance, and it's impossible to remove them. I'm using my small ships for transportation, but if this isn't resolved—"

"Ah, we'll take care of that too."

"How?!"

"With a spell."

Yuto answered briefly, with no intention of explaining further.

It was too late.

Bruno Exdell's judgment was already too late. Or perhaps, his fate was sealed the moment he decided to betray his former master.

"Hmph. But, there are also costs for pirate countermeasures. Härdensturm has no money to pay taxes!"

At that moment, a polite knock echoed.

"Good timing."

Ignoring Bruno, Yuto approached the door.

"Yes, well done."

"Hmm."

The guard, who had received instructions from Yuto at the entrance, stood at attention.

"I have brought the people who were found at the designated location."

At the same time, three men bound with ropes entered the meeting room.

"Here. The pirate leaders."

"Capturing them alive was a real pain."

"......What?"

Regina let out a surprised exclamation. Her beauty was ruined.

However, this was the better reaction. The other merchants, who had long lost their presence, were speechless and could only watch the proceedings.

"Impossible! It can't be!"

"Oh? I thought you'd be happy."

Yuto approached Bruno with a very pleasant smile, his robe fluttering. Like a snake closing in on its prey.

"Valtrode can't see this."

Yona, though exasperated by Yuto's behavior, remained vigilant.

Knowing this, Yuto felt secure enough to put on a show.

"Or are you afraid that evidence of your collusion with the pirates will come to light?"

"Impossible!"

Bruno, whose boastful tongue was now silent, could only respond with a limited vocabulary. His fists trembled, and his face was flushed, like a toad being boiled.

Surprisingly, it was the captured pirates who delivered the final blow.

"Give up, Bruno."

"Yeah, we've already spilled everything."

"The letters in the fort are also seized, so there's no way to deny it."

"You bastards..."

Facing the excited Bruno, the pirate leaders were surprisingly calm.

From the morning negotiations with Regina to the afternoon return to Härdensturm, Yuto and Yona had not wasted time.

Using the spell "Clairvoyance," they had located the pirates' base from minimal clues like names, hair, and possessions.

Having pinpointed the base, Yuto and Yona launched a surprise attack from the air, and the pirates surrendered in a state of utter defeat.

Yona's "Elemental Burst" bombarded them from the sky, and Yuto's "Gravity Reversal" spell lifted the pirate ship into the air.

It was no wonder their spirits were broken.

"Regina, I'm sorry."

"H-huh? What for?"

"This man must be sent to the capital, Sejour, for a fair trial. Therefore, I cannot allow you to take revenge."

"Revenge...?"

"The pirates who attacked your parents were led by this man."

"False accusation! Injustice!"

Regina, seeing the hysterical Bruno, felt her heart rapidly turn cold.

Surprisingly cold, she watched Bruno's ugly display.

This man was the one who killed her parents and ruined the guild.

It was a truth she had never considered, but it strangely made sense. Ah, so that's how it was.

However, she felt no desire for revenge.

She just wanted this toad-like man to be removed as quickly as possible.

Yuto seemed to feel the same way.

"...I'm tired of this. Yona, it's up to you."

"Okay. 'Soul Whip.'"

As the albino girl nodded, several whips sprouted from her back.

Transparent, tentacle-like whips struck Bruno and his guards, and they collapsed on the spot.

Silence dominated the meeting room.

Realizing that this silence was a condemnation of the act—murder—Yona said, without addressing anyone in particular,

"It's a mental strike, okay?"

She wanted to say it was a power that struck the mind, not the body. Seeing Bruno twitch, the others understood the situation.

"By the way, Valtz once killed an assassin with a mental strike."

"Don't worry. I won't make that mistake."

Their conversation, out of place in the current situation, had some effect in calming the room.

As the guards led away the pirates and Bruno's men, the meeting room gradually regained its composure.

"So, Bruno Exdell will be sent to the capital, Sejour, with the pirates. He'll probably be hanged. However, the handling of the Exdell guild is up to the Härdensturm council."

With that, the rest was Yuto's show.

"We will provide some compensation for the damage caused by the pirates. The funds will come from the treasure we seized from their base, so it's only fair."

Formal but businesslike.

He handled the matters with a completely different tone from his usual conversations.

"By the way, his son doesn't seem to be involved in any wrongdoing. Maybe even a toad-like face can have a cute child. So, we hope for a peaceful transition to his son rather than a takeover."

It wasn't a command or an order.

But no one in the room could ignore it.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot."

Finally, he proposed a tax rate—30% of each guild's profits—without consulting anyone, and was about to leave the meeting room with Yona when he turned back, blushing slightly.

"Can someone show us the way to the harbor?"

It was a reasonable request, but no one reacted.

"If you don't mind, I can do it."

In the end, it was Regina who raised her hand after a series of silent exchanges.

---

"Is it okay that you're not staying?"

As they walked along the harbor, Yuto called out to Regina, who was a few steps behind.

It wasn't that he was particularly concerned.

He was just tired of the silence and the sight of the devastated waterfront.

"Cesk can handle it. He's well-known here."

"I see. Guiding me also earns you favor with the council."

Regina didn't have that intention, but he knew she wouldn't be believed. So, he said something more important.

"By the way, you don't have to use formal language."

"Don't worry, Yuto is just shy."

"Hey, don't spill the beans."

"Hehe. You're more charming when you're natural."

"Alright, then."

The sea breeze swept between the three of them.

It was cold, but he didn't dislike the smell of the sea. It reminded him of his time on Earth.

"Yuto, are you blushing?"

"Ah, come on. Think about my dignity."

"Really, it's hard to believe you're the same person who took down Bruno."

"No, I went too far with that."

"Did you know everything from the start?"

Watching the seabirds in the sky, Yuto answered quietly.

"Yes. As an adventurer, I don't skimp on reconnaissance. I had ulterior motives too."

"Still, I learned who my father's enemy was. And you gave that man a punishment no one else could."

Her words pierced through Yuto's somewhat evil mood.

"I deeply appreciate it."

And with a deep bow, she left him speechless.

"O-oh."

Yuto responded with a word that wasn't really a response and hurried ahead.

"Any further, and I'll have to report to Val."

"It's not cheating. Besides, Valz and I aren't like that."

Despite his words, he gave the impression of being in a relationship.

Still, the removal of the sunken ship was completed in an instant.

Standing at the end of the harbor, Yuto took out his spellbook, tore out six pages, and threw them into the sea.

"Tide."

The pages of the spellbook, inscribed with a hexagram, glowed, and the water level in the area rapidly dropped. It was as if an invisible giant hand was pushing the water away.

Fish scrambled to escape, leaving only the decaying remains of the pirate ship. While it didn't completely block the harbor entrance, it certainly obstructed ships with deep drafts.

Yona, without changing her expression, pointed at it.

"Disintegrator."

A thin, green beam was released.

It traced a line across the ship's remains, and in the next instant, they vanished without a trace. The pirate ship was literally obliterated, leaving not even a speck of dust.

"Breaking things is easy."

Yona said this matter-of-factly, but Regina, who had witnessed the entire event, was speechless.

Still, Yuto felt relieved.

Yona was really trying to say something else.

"Breaking things is easy, compared to living things."

Yona has grown so much, Yuto thought, feeling a warmth in his eyes.

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