Chapter 96

While on the way to Almeria, we passed through the border of Gabel Province.

To quickly resolve the potion issue and avoid unnecessary trouble, I decided to stay at a private rest stop at night.

However.

"O, it's been a long time, Your Majesty."

As I was about to enter the inn after getting off the carriage, a man who had been waiting knelt and bowed his head to me.

"You are... Phil Mome. Why are you here?"

The young man—Phil Mome—raised his head. He was the young governor I had appointed to collect the salt tax.

He is the governor of Gabel Province, and he should still be inexperienced and busy.

"I heard you were coming, so I came to guard you."

"Guard? "

I frowned and looked around carefully.

Indeed, there were many people who didn't seem like travelers hiding here and there.

"I heard that when you come, guards and people who come to greet you are supposed to be here."

"......I see. I have something to talk about, so show me a place where we can talk."

"Yes."

Phil Mome, who was still not used to speaking as a subordinate, stood up and led me himself.

He guided me into one of the inns—anyone who knew the situation would immediately realize it was reserved for us—and then to a particularly luxurious room.

At my urging, Phil Mome dismissed all his subordinates and attendants, leaving us alone in the room.

Then, he knelt on one knee again and performed the ritual of a subordinate.

"Alright, let's get to the point."

"Yes! What is it?"

"First, I've read your report. It's fine as it is. If you have any concerns or additional reports, send them to me anytime."

"Yes!"

Phil Mome's report, which he sent to me in the form of drawings because he couldn't read or write.

From what I've heard, it might be crushed by the "well-meaning advice" of his subordinates or someone else.

"If anyone says anything, tell them it's fine as it is, and it's an imperial command."

"I understand!"

Emphasizing that it was an imperial command, Phil Mome nodded with an unnecessarily forceful pose.

"From now on, this is fine."

"Is it really okay?"

"Yes. I have another imperial command, a secret mission for you. Work for the people, and you can ignore the formalities for me."

"But... if I do that—"

Interrupting Phil Mome, who was about to say something, I looked him straight in the eye.

Clearly, with a slightly slow tone, I said solemnly:

"There are plenty of people who are skilled in formalities. If that were necessary, I wouldn't have appointed you."

"..."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes! I understand!"

"Good."

At this point, it should be fine.

But because of what I said, Phil Mome was quite tense.

To ease the tension, I tried to bring up a casual topic.

"By the way, are you married yet?"

"Not yet."

"What? Haven't you found a good match? Should I introduce you?"

"No, it's not that. There are some girls I've been with for a long time, and I'm struggling to decide which one to choose..."

"Oh, that's it."

I chuckled.

Phil Mome is making a common mistake for someone who used to be a slave.

"Listen, Phil Mome. Polygamy is an obligation for nobles."

"An obligation?"

"To you, it might seem like a right, even a privilege. But it's not, it's an obligation."

"What do you mean?"

"The obligation is to raise and nurture as many people as possible. Commoners often can't raise the children they bear, right? In the extreme case, if you got sick in the past, you would pray to the gods, but now you can see a doctor."

That's why the empire banned the black slave trade and tried to address this issue.

"Yes! I can see a doctor!"

"Nobles can raise and nurture people. People are treasures and possibilities. It's an obligation for those with the means to raise many to have them bear more children."

"Is that so..."

Phil Mome seemed to understand, but not entirely.

There is a significant difference in thinking between nobles and commoners.

Commoners often see polygamy as meaningless and assume it's only for pleasure.

"Originally—"

"What?"

"The empire is a nation of warriors, right?"

"Yes."

"The empire, which is constantly at war with external enemies, sees its men die on the front lines. Women, who don't go to the front lines, don't decrease."

At least for now, Jessica's image flashed in my mind.

"If everyone had only one wife, there would be too many women left over."

"Oh..."

Phil Mome was taken aback.

"Well, if you really don't want to, that's fine. In that case, make sure your subordinates can do it. As long as the empire remains the empire, there will always be too many women. So, make your land prosperous so that men can afford to have multiple wives."

"I see. As expected, Your Majesty! You really do think about the people."

Actually, I was looking for a reason to convince you, but I didn't say that because it would complicate things.

"So, for now, marry both of the old acquaintances you're hesitating about."

"Understood!"

☆

Because of the Phil Mome incident, I sped up and kept my movements hidden.

I bypassed all the potential troubles along the way and arrived at the capital of Almeria Province, Nishir, as quickly as possible.

I stopped the carriage at the entrance to Nishir and jumped out.

The city, which had prospered with its water supply system even since the days when I was in my fief, looked much the same.

It's a good city, I thought to myself.

"Welcome, Master."

A familiar call came from nearby.

Turning around, I saw Evelyn standing alone in her maid's uniform.

"Ah, it's been a while, Evelyn."

"I'll show you the way, this way, please."

Evelyn said and started walking ahead.

I only nodded to the carriage driver and followed Evelyn.

After walking for a while, Evelyn led me into a modest house.

Once inside and the door was closed, Evelyn knelt again.

"Please forgive my rudeness."

"No, this is fine. Since we're alone here, you don't need to call me 'Your Majesty.' 'Master' is fine."

"Understood."

Evelyn stood up smoothly.

It had been a while since she left the Thirteenth Prince's residence, and her maid's uniform brought back memories.

"Did you tell anyone I was coming?"

"No."

"Good. Now, about the dragon vein—"

I had sent a simple explanation in a letter to Evelyn beforehand.

I intended to provide a more detailed explanation as a supplement. However,

"I have issued a three-day water restriction and a water storage order."

"Really?"

"Since it's about the water source. I restricted both water storage and water intake. Was this acceptable?"

"Hmm, well done."

I praised Evelyn.

Evelyn looked pleased, her cheeks slightly flushed.

It was urgent, and the matter was serious.

The letter I sent to Evelyn only contained the minimum explanation.

Despite this, Evelyn implemented policies that considered the people to the maximum extent.

"You did a great job. You were the first person I sent out from the Thirteenth Prince's residence. I'm proud of you."

"Such... I'm flattered."

Evelyn became even more embarrassed, turning her face away and looking down.

Then, as if to cover it up, she took a piece of paper from under her sleeve and handed it to me.

"What is this?"

"It's a map of all the waterways in Nishir. I thought it would be necessary."

"Hmm."

I took the waterway map and examined it.

After looking it over, I took a folded piece of paper from my pocket and compared it with the map.

"What is that, Master?"

"That's the oldest waterway map of Nishir."

"Really!?"

Evelyn shivered.

She seemed to have received a great shock.

As she looked at the old waterway map I showed her, her face became even more surprised.

"What's wrong?"

"Actually..."

Evelyn took out another piece of paper.

I took it and read it.

It was almost identical to the "oldest waterway map" I had taken out.

"What is this?"

"It's the older waterway map, as you said. I thought it would be necessary, so I had it investigated, but since it was an event from long ago, I couldn't confirm its truth until now, so I was hesitant to present it."

"I see. The fact that these two match means this is correct."

"How did you...?"

"I had Leviathan write it."

"Levi... Leviathan? The magic sword?"

"Yes. And Leviathan is the same being as the Leviathan of the Four Sages of the past."

"Amazing! To have subdued such a being... Truly, Master."

Evelyn looked at me with the most respectful gaze of the day.

☆

"I see, this is the power of the earth."

A little outside the city of Nishir, I stood on the dragon vein derived from the two waterway maps and Leviathan's memory.

Then... I felt it.

The "invisible water vein" flowing beneath the earth.

The existence of the dragon vein, where the power of the earth, magic, flows, was clearly felt.

"An incredible power."

"Such a thing exists?"

"Can't you feel it?"

"Being dull... I'm sorry."

Evelyn bowed her head slightly, looking apologetic.

"But, such a great power. As Leviathan said, it should be like rivers flowing into the sea—there should have been changes in the earth long ago. Is there anything?"

"No. From what I heard, I investigated the period before and after when Master added new waterways, but there were no significant changes in nature."

"Hmm."

What does this mean?

I started walking along the flow of the dragon vein.

It was definitely flowing, so I decided to see the final destination where it converges.

As I walked along the flow, I noticed it about twenty minutes away from the city.

"Is this it?"

"What is it?"

"A stagnation, perhaps? It's blocked."

"Blocked?"

"Step back."

When I said this, Evelyn, though confused, stepped back as instructed.

"Leviathan."

I drew the magic sword from the bracelet and summoned her.

An ancient, childlike old woman, a being beyond human, appeared before me.

"What should we do?"

"It's no different from a river. We just need to break the dam."

"Hmm."

I nodded and thought for a moment.

Resolving myself, I plunged Leviathan (the sword) into the ground and channeled my power.

I poured all my power into the dragon vein in an instant.

A rumbling sound echoed.

Immediately, something shot out of the ground.

A black, ominous body burst through the earth and soared into the sky.

A dragon.

A dragon with a menacing aura.

Seeing such a powerful opponent among monsters, Evelyn shouted.

"Please run, Master! Gather the troops immediately—"

In one swift motion, I leaped up, closed the distance, and swung Leviathan, splitting the dragon in two vertically.

The dragon, cut down in one stroke, fell to the ground, losing its power.

The ground shook even more with a thud.

The dragon was powerful, but Leviathan was even more so.

And it was motivated.

Leviathan, who had been restrained, snapped when the dragon directed its killing intent at me.

For the first time, I let Leviathan's pent-up killing intent run free.

As a result, a dragon that would have required about a thousand soldiers to defeat was cut down in one stroke.

"Amazing..."

Evelyn, who had seen this up close, was left speechless with her mouth agape.