Volume 1 - Chapter 11 – LITHIA FAHLHEIT (1/2)

Lithia Fahlheit is the eldest daughter of the Fahlheit House. Her father, Nicholas Fahlheit has worked as a soldier of Cline Kingdom for many years. A few years ago, when there was conflict with the bordering Seruroa Kingdom, he solved it without casualty and with such meritorious service, he was bestowed with the title of 《Ritter》.

Originally, the prestigious title of 《Ritter》 was meant for a single generation, however the Cline Kingdom had an insufficient number of nobles, and so it was decided as a special case that the same title would be given to their children.

「Haa, being a noble is really tiring…」

A sigh escaped Lithia’s mouth. In any case, the perception of a commoner would have already taken root to those given the education of a noble past the age of 10.

And then the village chief appeared, opening the door,

「Well well, what do we have here? You are the new tax collector right? I am the village chief, Gibbeku. I look forward to working with you from now on」

The greetings were done. Lithia dismounted the horse and answered.

「I am Lithia Fahlheit, I am responsible for the Kaina Village area this year. I look forward to working with you too」

「Come on in, please make yourself at home」

The village chief prompted Lithia. Tying the horse to the stable, she entered the village chief’s home.

She was guided to the table and sat down, his niece Barbara brought over tea. Being thirsty, Lithia drank it in one go. Barbara immediately placed down a second cup. This time Lithia drank it a little bit at a time.

Having then taken a breather,

「W-Well then village chief, how has the harvest been this year?」

she began her work. The village chief is a serious person, she thought while,

「That’s right… it’s been about average I think?」

「Then you’ll be able pay the tax decided last year, right? 」

「Yes, that is alright」

It’s been about the payment of tax until this year.

「Well then, can you show me the village situation and field now?」

「Eh? Right now?」

Hearing that, Lithia knitted her eyebrows,

「I-Is there anything inconvenient with thet?」

She tried to show her utmost dignity, but after stuttering, it was in vain.

「No, I thought Fahlheit-sama might have been tired. Up till now, those that came did not do anything on the day they arrived and instead did their inspection the next day.」

「Is that so? However, I am me. Please guide me around」

「I understand」

Thus, the village chief guided her around the village and fields.

「This here is the wheat field. They sprout in Autumn」

「It seems to be going well」

And then the other crop fields.

「The vegetables have already been harvested」

Finally the storehouse.

「Fun-fun, if there’s this much wheat, you’ll be able to last the winter even if you pay the tax」

「Ee, I think we will be alright」

「I’m relieved. Can I transport it tomorrow?」

「T-Tomorrow is it? That can be done, but Fahlheit-sama, aren’t you tired?」

The village chief somehow noticed that Lithia was fatigued, but,

「I am fine. Because this is my duty」

She said and gave a forced smile, then a ball rolled towards her feet.

「Ara? This is?」

Lithia picked up the ball,

「Aah! Onee-chan, thank you~! That is my ball!」

saying that Kurt ran up to her,

「Okay, here you go」

Saying that she handed over the ball, but her line of sight was not directed to Kurt, but rather glued to the ball.

「Fahlheit-sama?」

Wondering what it is, Lithia asked the village chief,

「… village chief, what is that round thing that child just then was playing with?」

「Aa, that is a ball」

「Ball?」