Chapter 56: Subsidy

They were not ignorant of magic like Beric. After all, they were the ones who worked with the Ministry of Magic in the capital and handled state affairs. There was no way they wouldn't understand what the gleam in his eyes meant.

Molin and the others stared at Ian with their mouths slightly agape, and the silence was broken by Romandor's hiccup.

"Hic, well, you... you..."

"Such a person is called a mana manipulator."

"No, when did you...?"

"I don't know. It's a power that has naturally been with me for a very long time."

It was a setback. Molin pressed his forehead with his dry, twig-like hands. He was sure that what he had seen before was not an illusion. Mac and Degor also covered their mouths in surprise.

"I only control and release mana now, but I hope to become a power in Bariel someday."

"Of, of course! Of course! Good heavens! To think I would see a mana manipulator outside the Ministry of Magic! Haha!"

And he was the illegitimate son of an executed viscount!

Romandor instinctively realized that Ian was at the center of everything. From the accusation and execution to the actions after entering the city. He had seemed extraordinary for his young age, and now it all made sense.

"May I shake your hand?"

"Huh? Haha. It's an honor."

It was a trivial superstition. Meeting a mana manipulator before they became a mage would bring good luck. Romandor and Ian shook hands again, and the more they did, the more Molin's expression soured.

'What should I do?'

Ian's mother being a commoner or something like that was no longer relevant. He was sure that Romandor already knew about it from the look on his face.

'From the way he's showing off in front of Romandor...'

It was clear that Ian had no intention of returning to the desert. He seemed to be staying in Bariel, and now that his identity as a mana manipulator was known, all the initiative was in his hands.

Look at Romandor's flushed and excited face.

"Let's discuss the details over dinner. You must have had a long journey. It would be better to rest and regain your strength."

"Ah. Is that alright?"

"I'll have rooms prepared for your subordinates."

"Thank you. It wasn't easy to ride in a carriage for a month and a half."

After confirming the overall situation, Romandor got up from his stiff body. They could discuss the future plans and the disposition of the illegitimate son later.

Was there even anything to discuss? He would likely receive a report on the reconstruction efforts.

"Ian, I want to talk to you for a moment."

Just as he was about to leave, Molin muttered quietly. Ian nodded to Kakantir and sat back down.

"Romandor-sama. A letter has arrived from Merelop."

"Alright. I'll go."

Ian concluded that further conversation with Molin would be unproductive. He got up without hesitation when he heard the servant calling from outside.

"You must be tired as well. Please rest. Since you're from the palace, I'll make sure everything is prepared for you."

Creak, Bang!

"Hah!"

Molin and his party stared at the door Ian had just left, letting out a laugh of disbelief. But no one could come up with a solution to the situation. It was that solid, both in attack and defense.

* * *

-To His Highness Prince Marib. It's Romandor.

I have just arrived and inspected the territory. The condition is better than expected. There are still houses to be rebuilt, but almost no one is sleeping on the streets, and people often smile.

However, there is a surprising development. Instead of Captain Erica, Ian, the illegitimate son of Derga, is stationed here with the Thalier people. I was taken aback, but he seems friendly to the palace and has genuinely worked hard on the reconstruction. I will attach a detailed report.

There seems to be no problem with the overall progress. Additionally, Ian, the illegitimate son, is a mana manipulator. Molin insists that he should be reduced to a slave according to the national law, but that is absurd. I will...

Knock knock.

Romandor paused in his writing. The servant's face appeared as the door opened, and the smell of food wafted in.

"Dinner is ready."

"Alright. I'll come down."

Romandor went down to the dining room on the first floor. The neatly arranged dishes on the silver platters. He first surveyed them with his eyes, noting that there were almost no fresh vegetables or fruits, and mostly preserved meats.

'It seems the supply of food ingredients hasn't been normalized yet.'

It was the scorching summer. The time when the labor of the territory's people was needed, but many had died, and the survivors were disheartened by the damaged fields. Moreover, the food stored by the central army and the investigation team would have quickly run out.

"Do all the residents of the manor eat like this?"

"Ah... Is there something you need? The same food was served to the advisor's subordinates."

"No, I was just curious. What about Ian?"

"He said to eat first. A letter arrived from a neighboring territory."

Judging by the reactions, it seems everyone eats like this. Romandor picked up his fork to satisfy his hunger. If the situation had been worse, they might have eaten on the floor. It was natural in places affected by the bloodshed of battle. But to have a warm dinner at the table!

'Good luck. Yes, good!'

Just as he was finishing his meal, Ian entered the room.

"Romandor-sama. Is the food to your liking?"

"Oh, come in. How is Sir Molin?"

"He is also dining in his room."

Romandor pretended not to notice the thick documents in Ian's hand as he greeted him. Ian smiled and sat down nearby. The servants quickly cleared the empty dishes.

"Please refer to this for your future actions."

"Let me see. Ah, a map and a situation report."

"I have compiled a detailed list of the completed repairs and regional information."

The advisor scanned the map and then asked. The servant had mentioned that a letter had arrived from a neighboring territory.

"Do you have any exchanges with the neighbors?"

"During the height of the battle, we kept the outer gates firmly closed to avoid getting involved. But now we are gradually exchanging letters."

"Before anything else, it would be good to obtain crops that can be harvested before winter. What is the status of food supply?"

"The presence of the central support army has increased consumption. We have emptied the manor's storerooms, but they will soon be completely depleted."

Ian said this and handed over another document.

"Therefore, I suggest that the central tax for this winter be reduced to about 30% of the usual rate."

"As I said, my goal is to set it at the usual rate."

Romandor was a bit surprised. Although he was currently in charge of the manor, he didn't expect Ian to understand the concept of tax adjustment. After all, he was just sixteen, an illegitimate son from the border.

"After reviewing the property lists reported by the residents, it is half of last year's. Additionally, the manor needs to pay compensation to the Thalier people and a few servants. Based on the calculations, 30% seems appropriate."

Ian explained and flipped to the next page. The decision was based on clear evidence, as dozens of sentences and formulas indicated.

"However, I cannot adjust the goal."

"That's a shame. If the central government exempts taxes for this year, it might be possible to reach 50%..."

"Did you calculate all of this?"

"Yes."

"But you said you were an illegitimate son of a commoner, didn't you?"

"Before crossing the desert, I had a teacher responsible for teaching me according to the peace treaty."

Still, this...

He was competent enough to be put into practical work immediately. Romandor couldn't help but admire and continued to carefully check the documents. As he took a sip of the wine the servant had poured, he said:

"...There's no choice. There's a second option. I have a letter from Merelop. Please read it."

"Hmm?"

Romandor couldn't help but chuckle as he read the letter. It was a method to procure food from the neighboring territory.

Romandor was almost grinning from ear to ear at Ian's efficient and straightforward handling of the situation. If things went well, they might even see the first snow of the year in Bariel from the capital.

"Merelop's viscount agreed to sell us food. He will send a list of possible items and the prices. The prices for essential items like wheat and corn are expected to be higher than usual due to their own shortages..."

Romandor nodded unconsciously as Ian explained.

"...Regardless, we need to trade with them. The manor's funds are almost depleted, so we can only buy enough to last the residents about a week."

"Ah, don't worry about that."

As an advisor sent to stabilize the public sentiment, he couldn't adjust the taxes for fairness, but he had brought the subsidy funds. He tapped the table.

"We can cover up to two months. That should allow for normalization until winter, right?"

"About the amount..."

Romandor only sipped his wine in response to Ian's question. It was a silent refusal to disclose the amount. Being the only power Romandor held, it was understandable.

"Then I will convey our intentions to Merelop."

"Go ahead."

"I'll just organize it..."

Ian nodded to the servant and left the dining room. As he turned the corner in the hallway, Kakantir and Nersarn, along with his subordinates, were waiting. Beric was there as well.

Ian spoke.

"A problem has arisen."