Chapter 61

It has been three years since the establishment of the Sora Kleinserdt Viscountcy.

Reforms have proceeded at a dizzying pace.

Trade with the Bartz Margraviate has been established, and the inland villages that produce smoked wood have flourished, while vegetables from the Bartz Margraviate have improved the nutritional status of the people.

Since the villages that produce smoked wood always have rivers for transporting timber, they preserve fresh fish brought from the coastal fishing villages as smoked fish to prepare for famines and poor fishing seasons.

The incidence of epidemics has also decreased due to the use of distilled alcohol for sterilization.

The Sora Kleinserdt Viscount's residence, built near the sea, produces goods using technology that serves as Sora's source of income.

High-pressure dense wood is manufactured in secret by Sania and Gorge of the Flame Squad.

Similarly, Luly is cultivating pearls, steadily increasing Sora's wealth.

These are just a few of the new technologies.

In addition, the ban on large shipbuilding has been lifted and encouraged, reviving the nearly extinct net fishing through the guidance of elderly net masters, and postal services have been established using existing inns and restaurants, making for a very busy time.

Chaf, the advisor, was on the verge of collapsing from overwork, while Sania and Luly, who had been living harsh lives, worked without complaint.

"I won't take a wife from the Kleinserdt territory. I'll definitely be henpecked."

Chaf muttered this while tossing and turning in bed.

Naturally, there were those who opposed the large-scale and hasty reforms.

For example, the local administrators who were under the influence of the Kleinserdt Count boycotted them.

They thought that Sora, who had just been ennobled and lacked political expertise, had no choice but to give in.

"If you had worked honestly, I would have turned a blind eye for a while."

So when Sora said this with a bored look, they were only perplexed.

To put it bluntly, they were immediately arrested.

Sora had piled up mountains of evidence of their perfectly concealed misconduct and said with a smile,

"I borrowed a few people from the Bartz Margrave. You are no longer needed. How about you pay for your crimes?"

They were terrified. After all, Sora was the child of that Kleinserdt Count.

"Please forgive us. Just not execution!"

As they pleaded while crying, Sora's smile never wavered.

"I won't execute you. Corpses are of no use."

Relieved that they wouldn't be killed, they vowed revenge while secretly watching Sora, shuddering.

Because Sora's face didn't show a merciful smile but rather the expression of a master about to whip a disobedient animal.

"The punishment is forced labor. Go dredge the riverbed of the viscountcy."

Sora continued with a bright smile.

"For life."

They are still engaged in forced labor even two years later.

There were also other issues, such as diverting the anger of the churchgoers who opposed trade with the Bartz Margraviate to the weak church, and introducing places to live and work to refugees who had fled from the Kleinserdt Count's territory after hearing about the booming viscountcy.

However, the residents of the viscountcy could feel their lives improving rapidly, and no one denied that it was due to the new lord's skills.

The number of cooperative residents increased at an accelerating rate.

Before long, the town where Sora's residence was located became a strange place where no one found it odd to have a mage's workshop next to the church.

The church, which played a role in mutual aid, was indispensable, but without mages, the production of goods would be affected. The residents understood this, so they couldn't complain to either.

The balanced chaos gradually became the norm, and even churchgoers who were mages began to appear.

Sora had resigned herself to the idea that what no one could control was called culture.

Sora's residence in this chaotic town was a wooden building with a calm atmosphere.

Sora's residence, made of wood, is called the "Great Tree Hall" because of the giant oak tree that towers in the courtyard.

Sora and her companions were gathered in the conference room of the Great Tree Hall.

The purpose was to discuss the truth of several rumors with the companions, excluding Zess, who was late.

"– So, did the murder in the Kleinserdt Count's territory actually happen?"

Sora propped her cheek on her hand at the conference table.

She sat at the head of the table without any sense of incongruity, despite being only ten years old.

Chaf nodded.

"There are some strange points, but it is certain that people who entered and exited the Kleinserdt Count's residence over the past two and a half years have been killed or have disappeared."

"Strange points?"

Luly narrowed her eyes and repeated.

"There have been no sightings of the Kleinserdt Countess since the same period, and the frequent executions of the residence's servants have stopped."

Chaf disclosed the information obtained through the Trainen Margraviate.

He had been weak in information warfare, but he had been trained to collect information under Sora's instructions.

"The information from the Bartz Margrave also mentions that two merchants who went to the residence have disappeared."

When Sora compared the information, it seemed suspicious.

"Something is being hidden."

When Sania concluded, everyone nodded.

"The question is what is being hidden."

Due to the lack of information, Sora instructed to continue the investigation and moved on to the next rumor.

"About the fire thieves. Kor, report."

Kor, who had been acting nervously, stiffened when his name was called. When Sora prompted him again, he stood up hesitantly.

"According to the information from the inn and restaurant association, the fire thieves have been inactive for a year, and their last crime was the Sidorba fire last winter."

"Where is Sidorba again?"

When Sania tilted her head at the unfamiliar name, Gorge answered.

"It's a major city in the Sidorba Margraviate, which is to the east of the Bartz Margraviate and to the north of the Trainen Margraviate. It's about a month's ride from here. They really went for a big target."

Kor nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, the Sidorba Margrave confronted them with his lord's army and killed several of the thieves."

"So they are lying low until the heat dies down?"

"Given their previous frequency of activity, it is rumored that they will commit their next crime soon. There have been no sightings of suspicious groups in the Kleinserdt Viscountcy."

Kor sighed in relief, placing his hand on his chest.

He had been promoted from Sora's personal chef to the head of the inn and restaurant association, which manages inns and restaurants in the town.

Merchants use inns and restaurants, and for merchants, information from various places is crucial for profit and survival, so frequent exchanges take place.

Naturally, information gathers in inns and restaurants.

Kor's job is to collect and compile this information, distribute it to each store, and improve its accuracy to make it more convenient for merchants to use.

It is said among merchants that if you want to know the situation, go to the Kleinserdt Viscountcy.

As a result, Kor's workload has been increasing.

"Alright, that's it for today. Everyone, get back to work. Have Zess report to Lazette."

Just as Sora was about to announce the end of the meeting, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard, and the particularly heavy door of the conference room was pushed open, and Zess burst in.

"I'm late. Sorry!"

"Zess, the meeting is over."

Sora replied with a sigh as Zess was breathing heavily.

"Of course it's over. I have one report. Can you just hear it?"

The others smiled wryly and gestured for him to continue.

Zess looked relieved and began.

"Another red tide has appeared."