Chapter 70

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The winter at Kikunoi is deep with snow.

Therefore, the animals are kept in a greenhouse-like structure that utilizes geothermal energy, and the crops are stored and matured in the snow room.

Naturally, the mansion is also part of this system, with the chicken coop being quite warm, and the Chinese cabbage that I and Sansan brought in is stored in the snow room until it is used for hot pot.

Last year, I did this work alone, but this year, regardless of whether it will be effective, I have the company of Regulus, Kousuke, and three elves, making it quite lively.

On nights when the moon is half visible, I spend about an hour talking with Ice Wheel.

Like Arabian Nights, we talk about Cinderella, Snow White, and other fairy tales every day, which apparently is quite interesting.

The one-hour limit is a reflection of a previous cold I caught from staying up late, as Ice Wheel leaves promptly when that time comes.

The rosette for the birthday present also seems likely to be completed by the New Year.

At such a time, a letter arrived from the capital.

The sender was my father, and the content was an order to return to the capital for a New Year's party.

Utsumi had a very sour expression on his face when he saw the letter.

"…I don't think I should say this, but why does Mr. Husband seem to think so lowly of Regulus-sama?"

"Ah… I wonder."

"Doesn't he think it's dangerous for me and Regulus-sama to travel to the capital by carriage for ten days alone?"

"Well, he might think that we will arrange for guards here…"

"Mrs. Lady here, you mean?"

"Ugh…!"

No way, that's not going to happen. Rather, he would probably push us away, saying something like, "Why don't you come here?"

Incidentally, my father's efforts to attract industries and appoint capable magistrates are not progressing well. In other words, he probably can't show his face here.

So, sending a small child on a carriage journey.

In such a situation, the best thing to do is to consult someone who can make my father speechless.

So, during study time, when I showed the letter from my father to Mr. Romanov, his beautiful willow eyebrows immediately shot up.

"…I have some business in the capital tomorrow, so I will go and decline on your behalf."

"Can you do that?"

"Of course. Besides, he is also the father of Phoenix, so I don't want to say anything too bad, but it seems he really wants Regulus to be in danger. He doesn't understand the situation."

I don't think that man realizes he is my father. He probably sees me as a hostage, someone he can force into unreasonable debt. My mother probably feels the same way, if not worse. She probably sees me as a hateful object that hurt her and left, like some unknown demon.

After all, I don't know them, and they don't know me.

One day, after throwing tantrums, he suddenly started proposing deals like an adult.

However, I received an exorcism after recovering from an illness, and the traveling priest said, "There's no demon possessing you," and even gave me a certificate.

So, at least in that aspect, I am innocent. If I rhyme, it sounds like rap, hey ho!

Anyway, the situation at Kikunoi, when viewed from a broader perspective, is not as good as it seems.

Mr. Romanov's class begins.

"Compared to the beginning of the year, Kikunoi's economy is on an upward trend. This is due to adventurers spending more money here, which has helped circulate money in the region."

"Yes, that's right. I have set conditions for inns and restaurants to use locally grown vegetables, grains, and livestock in exchange for using my recipes."

By focusing on local production and consumption, the risk of the economy being controlled by outsiders is reduced, and the local economy can be sustained.

Even if this condition is eventually removed, I want to maintain a high level of food self-sufficiency.

First, I prioritized a win-win situation for the local area, but eventually, I want to spread it to other regions.

Regarding the neighboring lands, Kikunoi is adjacent to the imperial domain and the territory of a certain duke and his relative, a baron.

The imperial domain is directly controlled by the emperor, where high-quality silk and cotton are produced, and safflower is cultivated. There are no particular issues here.

The duke's territory has been managed by capable lords for generations, and the current lord is even in a position to nominate a future empress. There are no particular issues here either.

However, the baron's territory.

"This area is directly affected by Kikunoi's economic boom…"

"Wasn't it focused on developing an entertainment district for adventurers?"

The money earned from the dungeon in Kikunoi used to be spent in the neighboring baron's territory, where the entertainment district was located.

Kikunoi had high taxes, was dull, and had no special products.

But Kikunoi has changed. Taxes have been reduced, and there are now inns and restaurants that serve unique and delicious dishes. The entertainment district, though still somewhat dull, has become more enjoyable.

The entertainment district became more enjoyable because I told Victor, "I heard from the princess that adult establishments can have musical performances," referring to places called cabarets and clubs in my previous life. Victor apparently whispered this to Roland.

When I say cabaret, I mean a place where street performers and traveling singers perform shows, not a place that allows sexual services.

To be more specific, it's a theater for local or underground idols where cute girls sing, dance, wave, and shake hands, and you can enjoy a little alcohol and light snacks.

There are also cabarets for female adventurers where handsome men or cross-dressing beauties serve as hosts, which are probably host clubs.

Getting back to the topic, the dungeon remains in Kikunoi.

So, there's no need to go to the neighboring town, crossing the mountains.

In short, that's the situation.

"The number of adventurers visiting Kikunoi is increasing, but the number of adventurers going to the baron's territory is decreasing. As a result, the number of bandits on the road in the baron's territory is increasing. Currently, the guild master is commissioning patrols to responsible adventurers, and the self-defense groups and guards are managing the situation, but various impacts will be felt."

"The deterioration of security is just a matter of time…"

"Well, we also wander around the town, so we serve as a deterrent."

"Thank you very much. It is the duty of the lord."

Thoroughly informing the residents that the lord is watching can deter crime. This is something that my father or mother, as the lord, should be doing. They should also be the ones to ask Mr. Romanov, Victor, and Lala for help.

While there are more female lords in the empire compared to other countries, there is still a tendency towards male superiority, and women are educated to marry a suitable man to manage the territory. Therefore, it is not wrong for my mother, as a countess or lady, to have no interest in managing the territory.

Then, what about my father, who is supposed to manage the territory? As expected, he is not capable. It is rare for parents to instill knowledge of territory management in their sons, especially if they are not the eldest sons of poor nobles.

Huh?

"Um… I was thinking…"

"What is it?"

"Maybe my parents couldn't educate me because they lacked knowledge of territory management…"

"That's why we, the tutors, are in demand."

Wow, Mr. Romanov's smile is really dark!

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