Chapter 30 (1/2)

Five days later, they finished preparations to leave the estate.

Ernst’s entourage included a butler, Mais, the captain of the militia, Targes, the 2nd platoon leader, Al, and the 22 people in the 2nd platoon, plus the new recruits, totaling 48 people. Of course, there was also Ganche.

The head butler was in charge during Ernst’s absence, while the Vice-Captain of the militia, Aldo, was in charge during Targes’ absence.

First, they would head for the furthest village from the estate, Caralime.

The village of Caralime was located southwest of the estate.

It was located in the exact center between the valley Ernst had crossed which bordered the Rintz fief, the forest which lead to that valley, and the mountains which lead into Rintz fief. These mountains were tall, steep, and impassible.

The village had once engaged in farming, grazing, and hunting.

Ernst completely had no idea of how the village was doing now. According to the census conducted 50 years ago, all of the adults of the village had Kleber’s disease.

The butler Mais drove Ernst’s carriage. The militia soldiers, naturally, walked on foot. Only the captain, Targes, and the 2nd platoon leader, Al, rode on horses.

Before their departure, Ernst had asked Mais about Caralime village. But other than the village’s name and location, Mais didn’t know anything about it.

Mais was still young. He had also only served the estate for a short time. It wasn’t improbably for him not to know anything about other villages.

However, Ernst thought.

Whether they were the people of the Kata or Latelle villages close to the estate, the merchants of Saiquani town, or the people who worked at the estate like Mais, the people of Meissen generally had a very narrow field of view.

They only perceived the happenings of their own villages. Or otherwise, like the Kata and Latelle villages, they had a strong tendency to only think about the people they could easily keep in touch with.

Even though they were all residents of Meissen, they were deeply uninterested in the people who lived in villages that were too far away.

In the center between Caralime village and the estate was a small mansion owned by the lord. Since Meissen encompassed such a huge expanse of land, it was scattered with several mansions just like this one.

They departed from the estate early in the morning, and they arrived at the mansion after noon.

“It really was the right choice to bring some from the manor.”

Mais said, looking around the inside of the mansion.

“There isn’t a single piece of firewood.”

This was normally a mansion that wouldn’t be used at all. It was obvious that this would be the case.

“How are the militia’s troops?”

“I’m not exactly sure why, but the Captain seems to be angry.”

“He is?”

“Yes. And the militia members are looking downright depressed and miserable.”

“Did you call for me?”

Targes came to meet Ernst, who had taken a seat upon a creaking chair in the mansion.

“Yes; please take a seat.”

Targes sat down on the chair Ernst pointed at, which let out a similar creak.

“…Is it really alright? All this.”

“Who knows. This is a mansion that hasn’t been in use for a hundred years. No matter where you go you’ll find something wrong; it’s causing Mais a lot of trouble.”

“Yeah… it really seems that way.”

Targes looked at the floorboards, then looked up at the ceiilng. The floorboards were coming unstuck in some places, and holes had opened in the ceiling.

“If Meissen ever has anything to spare then this can be repaired, but for now it will remain as is.”

Depending on the situation in the future, Ernst thought that it might even be better to dismantle the mansion itself and build a small cabin in its stead.

“In any case, what did you need me for?”

“Aah, that’s right. When we arrived at the mansion, Mais mentioned that the Captain was angry… I wanted to ask, did something happen? Ah, no, but, it isn’t that I particularly want to meddle with the inner affairs of the militia… I’m just, a little curious.”

He didn’t intend to poke his nose in, but he couldn’t help but ask.

If the troops were in low spirits, then maybe Ganche was in low spirits, too. It was better if he knew the circumstances so that he could comfort him, was what Ernst was thinking.

“…Please rest assured. I did discipline them a little strongly, but it doesn’t have anything to do with Ganche.”

When those blue eyes brimming with laughter turned on him, Ernst forced a cough in reply.

“The new recruits seem to be completely lacking in awareness. Though there’s nothing that can be said other than, ‘No wonder.’”

“Awareness?”