Chapter 41

This is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no connection to any real entities.

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039 - The Recommendation of the Honorary Baron

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In front of me stood Zeigen, the steward of the ducal family, with a frowning brow and sharp gaze. Beside him was Balkan, the captain of the ducal family's knights, who could make even the most wicked of thieves flee barefoot.

I understand why Zeigen is here, but why is Balkan here too?

"First, you need to understand what an honorary baron is. It is a noble title that lasts for one generation only. Therefore, it will not be passed on to your descendants."

I don't really need a noble title, though.

Zeigen, with his dull blonde hair streaked with white, slammed a stack of paper about 20 centimeters thick onto the table.

"You can take this home and read through it all, but I'll explain the important parts here."

Read all of this!? It's 20 centimeters thick! I don't even read the flimsy instruction manuals for games...

The only saving grace is that the papers are thick, like parchment. I hope there aren't 100 pages.

"The honorary baron has the same authority and responsibilities as a regular baron."

Authority and responsibilities... It sounds grand, but I'm sure it comes with some troublesome tasks.

"In times of emergency for the ducal family, you must come immediately."

"What kind of emergencies are we talking about?"

"War, large-scale bandit hunts, and so on. Additionally, the Grand Council is held twice a year, and the dates are set in advance."

I'd like to know what happens at those Grand Council meetings.

"The Grand Council held at the beginning of the year summarizes the previous year and announces new policies for the ducal family by His Grace the Duke."

That sounds like a lot of heavy content. I wouldn't be able to contribute anything even if I attended.

"The Grand Council held in late summer to early autumn is more of a mid-year report. Attendance is mandatory for all nobles serving the ducal family."

"Will I just be listening to the Duke's announcements?"

"At the next Grand Council at the beginning of the year, you will introduce yourself as a new noble."

Ugh, really? I can't do a self-introduction. "Hello, I'm Toi, a reincarnated person from another world!" I can't say that!

"After the self-introduction, you don't need to speak unless asked for your opinion."

If they ask for my opinion, I'll have to speak! I have a bad feeling that they will.

"Other than that, we will contact you when irregular events occur."

"Can I continue my activities as an explorer?"

If I can't level up in the dungeon, I'll refuse outright.

"For now, you don't have a specific position, so it's not a problem."

Even though I refused, they pushed it on me. It seems the Duke's side has thoroughly investigated me. I could have fled, but with this much investigation, it would be tough, even if not impossible.

If I run, I won't be able to survive in this country. I could flee to another country, but that's a last resort. I'll endure what I can, and if I can't, I'll either run or pressure the Duke. I'll build up the strength to pressure the Duke in the meantime.

Fortunately, I can enter the dungeon, so I can level up. I want to level up as an assassin to avoid being noticed by the Duke and Balkan. I need to level up a lot, but since there doesn't seem to be any immediate harm, it's fine.

"The honorary baron receives an annual salary of 12 million grils. If you take on a position, you will also receive a position allowance."

12 million grils is 120 million yen. You get that much just for attending the Grand Council twice a year? Being a noble is amazing.

"Normally, we would arrange a mansion for you, but we will buy the mansion you are currently living in and give it to you. Is that acceptable?"

"A mansion... really?"

From his tone, I thought he had investigated a lot, but he must know where I live and that it's a rental.

"We do the same for other noble families, so it's not a problem. The size of the mansion you live in is appropriate for a baron. However, if you want to buy another mansion, you will have to do it yourself. The ducal family will only provide one."

If I wanted to buy a vacation home, I wouldn't ask for money, right?

"The salary is paid in full at the beginning of each year. Since you are a baron, you will receive 12 million grils annually, but since only two months remain this year, you will receive a prorated amount of 2 million grils and 1 million grils as a preparation fee."

In this world, a year is 12 months, so the monthly salary is 1 million grils. For the remaining two months, you get 2 million grils, plus 1 million grils as a preparation fee, totaling 3 million grils in a leather bag on the table.

Once I accept this, I can't run away. I don't plan to run unless the Duke is unreasonable, but it feels like I'm tied down. I think the Duke's goal is to tie me down.

"Regarding the servants, knights, and soldiers you will hire, their salaries will be covered by your salary. As a baron, you are required to hire at least one knight and five soldiers."

I've never heard of hiring knights and soldiers before!

"Since you are an explorer and have come from another land, you probably don't know many people. If you need them, we can introduce you to knights and soldiers. You don't have to decide immediately, but please hire them by the end of the year."

Hiring a knight and soldiers in two months? Maybe I should get introductions... No, I'll go back and consult with Mondalque first. He said he served a noble family, so he should be familiar with these things.

"Please read the materials thoroughly and remember the details, but first, decide on a family name within 10 days."

"A family name...?"

"Nobles need a family name. And a coat of arms. You will design a coat of arms that is not already in use. Please come here tomorrow morning, and I will introduce you to the herald."

A silver medal, like an Olympic silver medal, was placed on the table.

"This medal proves your status as a vassal of the Galdorland ducal family. Show it wherever you go, and it will prove that you are an honorary baron under the Galdorland ducal family. If you lose it, not only will your title be revoked, but you will also face severe punishment. Keep it with you at all times."

I was excited to hear that losing it would revoke my title, but there's an additional punishment. Damn.

"Lastly... Nobles are given privileges, but that does not mean they can commit crimes. On the contrary, they will be punished more severely. As a privileged person, you must set an example for the commoners. Never forget this."

I have no intention of becoming a criminal. In this world, criminal records can be easily checked with a record card, and criminals must live as criminals for the rest of their lives.

Since the topic of privileges came up, I'll ask about that.

I thought about using a noble's privilege to free a dominated slave. Since nobles determine the sentences, maybe I can reduce the sentence.

"Do you have any questions?"

"Can I free a dominated slave?"

At this question, the frown on Zeigen's brow deepened. Don't look at me like that, I'm not freeing any criminals.

"Unless it's a serious criminal, you can free a slave if you guarantee their future behavior."

"Serious criminal..."

"Speaking in terms of levels, level 1 and 2 criminals. So, level 3 and below can be freed."

I remember Annelise was a level 2 criminal. It was an accident, but the damage was significant. This is the only useful privilege, and it's disappointing that I can't use it to free her.

I thought about freeing Annelise, but it seems I received something useless...

"Your mage slave was a dominated slave, right?"

"Yes. She was cursed in the dungeon and was researching a way to remove the curse when an accident happened. I thought there was room for leniency."

"Hmm, a curse... What kind of curse was it?"

"A curse that adds 300 years to her age. She survived because she is a half-elf, but a human would have died instantly."

"I see... 300 years..."

Zeigen muttered and pondered.

By the way, why isn't Balkan speaking? Is he just standing there doing nothing?

Balkan is just staring at my face. I'm not interested in that, you know.

"Hmm. I will inform His Grace the Duke about this."

"Really!?"

"If the curse is the cause, leniency might be considered. However, it may not be satisfactory to the victims, so I cannot predict what His Grace will decide."

Still, there's a chance she could be freed. That's a glimmer of hope!

"Oh, speaking of slaves, there's the matter of Chardina."

Chardina, that old lady. What about her?

"Chardina will be sent to the mines as a level 1 dominated slave."

Chardina's criminal record was a parade of crimes. Murder, fraud, theft, arson, and even rape, despite being a woman.

Despite all that, she's not getting the death penalty.

"Sending her to the mines is a way to prolong her suffering."

They'll work her to death in harsh conditions. It's a case of getting what she deserves.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Just so you know, I'm going to play dumb.

"Hmm. No particular reason."

With that, Zeigen's part was over.

Now, why is Balkan here?

"Is there anything from Lord Balkan?"

"Come to the training ground after you decide on your coat of arms tomorrow."

"I told His Grace the Duke that I can't fight."

"Enough with the excuses. You must come."

He stood up and left the room. I'm stunned. Am I going to die tomorrow?

"Truly, Lord Balkan is a problem..."

"Do I really have to go?"

Zeigen pressed his temples and looked at me. Don't be so dramatic, I'm worried I might have a heart attack.

"If you don't go, I think he will come to your mansion."

"Please, don't do that."

Maybe I should run away tonight.

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