Chapter 2

2. The Fief of Haaroon

"Whoa."

Usually, changing horses is faster, but I took a leisurely long journey with my horse, Niels.

I couldn't enjoy the scenery while chasing after monsters with Gareth.

The landscape, fitting for a healing game, was truly beautiful to see with my own eyes.

"You've worked hard."

After petting Niels a few times, he neighed softly.

Such a cute guy.

When I dismounted, a young man with a short brown beard approached and took the reins.

"It's been a long time since I've seen a horse around here, my lord. I am Majuk."

I had only been introduced to Majuk, the lord's representative, through a letter.

I didn't want to worry unnecessarily, so I decided to have a detailed conversation later.

"Hmm? There are no horses around here?"

"Yes, that's right. They are quite rare."

Majuk, who was momentarily flustered, nodded.

"What a pleasant village. I was worried about the small population, but it seems there are quite a few children."

"The population distribution is not bad. In fact, the lack of land prevents us from accepting new settlers."

The land belongs to the lord, and the residents are only tenants.

However, unless a suitable area is secured, people generally do not move to such a frontier fief.

"Now that the lord has arrived, Haaroon will surely change a lot."

For someone who seems to be from the countryside, he is quite skilled at flattery.

Although I am of serf origin, I am a knight.

The fact that he can speak to a minor noble without hesitation is probably because of that.

"Are you from the royal military academy?"

"No, I am from the imperial academy."

"Did you study abroad and then come to this remote place?"

"I am from this area."

"I see. So you're returning home."

"That's right."

A meeting between a returnee and a returnee to farming!

Not bad at all.

Both of us have a deep attachment to this land.

"What is your relationship with the previous lord?"

"We are half-brothers."

"…I see."

After escaping the stigma of being a bastard, I meet another bastard.

I heard that the previous lord lost all his children to illness.

I didn't expect there would be a bastard.

If I had been a legitimate child, the lord would have been Majuk, not me.

"You must be familiar with the fief's affairs."

"Although I was away from Haaroon for a long time, not much has changed in this remote area. Please entrust it to me."

"Take good care of Niels first. It's a shame there are no other horses. He's an excellent horse, and I wanted him to have offspring."

Niels snorted, as if to say, "That's not what we agreed on."

"If you give me some time, I can find one."

I shook my head.

"No, it's fine."

There's no money in the fief, so I can't waste it on that.

"Finding a mate for him will take some time."

Niels lightly flicked my leg with his tail.

"Ha ha. This guy seems to understand human speech."

I burst out laughing at Majuk's comment.

I wonder what expression Majuk would have if he knew I was telling the truth.

"By the way, I'm a bit hungry. Can I have a meal?"

"I can't guarantee it will suit your taste, but I will bring it to you shortly."

"Good. I like your straightforwardness. My name is Kammin Listretto."

"Yes, Lord List… Listretto. I will serve you with all my heart."

Listretto? What a name.

"It's hard to pronounce, so just call me Lord Kammin."

"Understood, Lord Kammin."

Listretto was a name I created, missing coffee in a world without it.

Since it was only for official documents, I made it casually.

I also included the meaning of finding and coming to me if there were any other people from my past life.

After my rebirth, I drank more monster blood than espresso, but…

I hope that won't happen anymore.

The lord's residence where I would stay was a two-story house with a red roof.

It smelled strongly of wood, as it had been newly built.

On the way, I felt that the weather in this area, the western part of the kingdom, was quite pleasant.

…But the financial situation is not good at all.

"Let's see."

Can this work now?

I took a gold coin from the bag next to me and placed it near the floating text.

"Sure enough, it works."

…Damn.

After falling into this world for 10 years, I finally have an inventory.

I didn't expect the system to activate only after obtaining and arriving at the fief.

However, the only inventory item I can use so far is the fief's funds.

When I put my hand in the air, a gold coin appeared.

"The system is still the same."

Then, I need to recall the vague strategy for "The Lord of the Frontier Land" and organize the tasks I need to do.

"I need to gather some herbs first."

Since there's no money in the fief, I have to make do with my own efforts.

I took out a notebook from my bag.

This leather bag, attached to Niels' saddle, contained a short sword, a scroll, and some money.

And the most important item, this small spiral notebook.

A precious item I managed to protect even while enduring the petrifying breath of the dragon Drimula.

I had written down the game's tips in case I forgot, but I didn't expect to open it again after 10 years.

"When I asked the blacksmith to make a spring, his face was priceless."

I couldn't even ask why I needed it with Gareth glaring at me.

Thanks to that, I had to push all other requests aside and focus on this.

In a way, it was like cutting in line, but what does it matter in this world?

As I slowly looked around the house, Majuk entered.

"Are there no other servants?"

"Since it's such a rural area, there was no manor originally. This was hastily built after the news spread, so there might be some shortcomings. Please let me know if you are uncomfortable."

"There's no major inconvenience. Ah, it's a bit strong with the wood smell, probably because it's new."

"I forgot that the scent of uphris might be overwhelming to someone from outside. I apologize. Ventilation should help."

"It doesn't seem like it will go away easily. How about covering it with the scent of herbs?"

When I listed a few types of herbs, Majuk was slightly impressed.

"Hmm. Those can be found nearby. They should be effective temporarily. I'll have the fief's residents gather them."

"Go ahead."

During my serf days, the village I lived in didn't even have a lord.

Compared to that, Haaroon has a population of over 300.

A few people should be enough to gather herbs, so there shouldn't be a problem.

As a new lord, I started asking Majuk various questions.

Understanding the fief's characteristics and culture from "The Lord of the Frontier Land" was the first thing I needed to do.

"How much compensation should I offer when assigning tasks?"

"Gathering herbs doesn't require much compensation. You can ask the children to do it while they pick wild strawberries."

Majuk looked at me as if I was asking a strange question.

This is the problem.

In the game, it was solved with a menu click, but giving direct orders creates issues.

In this world, it's natural for the lord to assign tasks to the fief's residents.

In areas I'm not familiar with, modern concepts tend to surface.

Until now, modern knowledge has been a hindrance, but it will be very helpful for managing the fief.

Majuk placed a large tray on the table.

There was a steaming soup and a few pieces of brown bread.

Judging by the contents, it must be quite heavy.

I suddenly felt guilty for keeping him talking.

He must have been carrying it all this time.

"I'm sorry, there's no meat. It's an awkward time."

"I'm a knight, but I don't particularly enjoy meat."

In my past life, I was a meat lover, but in this life, I don't enjoy it.

Due to the underdeveloped livestock industry, the meat available is mostly tough and tasteless.

No wonder monster meat feels better.

There's no way this fief has expensive spices.

"I'll keep that in mind. Is once a day enough for meat?"

I nodded.

For maintaining muscle, I need to consume meat.

I need to consider hunting monsters based on the quality of the meat available.

It's not easy to develop the [Livestock Breeding] tech tree in such a poor fief.

"The smell is good."

Majuk was surprised to see me moving the bowl myself.

"Didn't you bring any servants?"

He hit the mark.

Originally, it's common to bring a few servants and maids.

In my haste to escape, I didn't think about it.

Besides, there was no one suitable to bring all the way to this remote western area.

I didn't want to force a farewell on my family, as a modern person.

"There was no one suitable. I planned to find some when I arrived in the village."

"I see. Well."

Majuk continued with a troubled expression.

"After you finish your meal, I'll bring a few capable children."

"Understood. The soup is surprisingly delicious."

Majuk closed his eyes tightly as he watched me greedily eat the soup.

As a noble's bastard and a graduate of the imperial academy, he probably thinks my behavior lacks dignity, but I can't help it.

I lived half my life as a serf and the other half as a soldier.

Now that I'm the lord of Haaroon, I don't plan to adhere to formalities, so Majuk will have to adapt quickly.

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