Chapter 352 (1/2)

12-02 At Reinhart’s parents’ house

“The boat that Reiko was sailing? Ah, a paddle steamer, right?”

It’s a propeller that Jin had hurriedly built at the port town Port Rock. It’s a boat that, instead of using oars, has a paddle wheel attached for propulsion.

By having Golems paddle, control of the boat is self-supported, making the use of a rudder unnecessary.

“That’s right, that paddle steamer… Once we’ve returned, I want to make one for myself. Is that ok?”

As expected from Reinhart, the fact that he expressed such intention to start learning Magicraft as soon as he got back home left Jin half impressed, and half shocked.

“Of course, that’s not a problem. Still, are you sure? What about Belche?

Hearing those words from Jin, Reinhart laughed.

“I wouldn’t worry about her! She knows I’m like this, and still likes me!”

It was nothing more than speaking fondly of a loved one.

“Gosh, you’re such a sentimental.”

Jin also let out a sarcastic laugh when saying that over his shoulder.

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On the next day, the 22nd, Jin and his party departed from Koju at 9AM heading to Vanne, on the opposit shore of the lake.

Just like Reinhart said, they were using a wide boat with a shallow bottom.

There were 3 of such shallow-bottomed boats that tied together being towed by a large cargo ship loaded with carriages.

The speed was about 6 or 7 kilometers per hour, which meant it would be a 3-hour cruise to the other side.

The ones on board were Jin, Reinhart and Reiko, along with Reinhart’s butler Claude. The maids Beth and Dolly had returned to their hometown of Vanne a long time ago with Reinhart’s permission.

“Vanne is a provincial town in the center of the Count Randall’s territory, and it’s also where my parents’ home is.”

Reinhart had explained this to Jin while on the deck.

“Maybe you know about the tax system of Klein Kingdom, Jin? I haven’t personally been to the Klein Kingdom, but as a diplomat I have a general idea about it.”

After that introduction, Reinhart began to explain.

“Our Shouro Empire is divided into several territories, each of which is governed independently.”

As Jin heard that, he thought “I see, so there’s a decentralization of power”.

“Basically, taxes are paid to the lords, and each lord pays a certain tax to the state. Of course, there are also areas under the direct control of the state. That’s the general gist of it.”

There are merits and disadvantages to both decentralization of power and its opposing centralized authoritarian rule. The tendency is for small countries to decentralize, while wider countries seem to have a high tendency towards decentralization. At least in this world, Jin thought back upon the country he had visited.

Translations by AsianHobbyist Website