Chapter 194 (1/2)
Territory Pioneering 4
I was accompanied to my audience with the King by Ester-chan.
She told me it was important for a parent to look after her child when he’s still adjusting to the life of a nobleman. So I was left to stand around outside of the gates as Ester-chan finished up the final preparations.
I should be learning how to do all of that. There appear to be a few forms you’re supposed to fill out whenever you enter the royal castle.
But the lolibitch wouldn’t tell me anything about it. If she were to call me over to teach me, I’d rush over without a moment’s hesitation, but Ester-chan appeared to be the type of tutor that would spoil her student and do everything for him.
That’ll be something I need to look into. I might as well do some self-study tomorrow.
“You may wait here until His Majesty is ready.”
A finely dressed official guiding us to the waiting room outside of the throne room.
Based on my past experiences, once we’ve waited here for a few minutes, another official will enter and tell us the King is ready.
“After this, everyone will no longer be able to deny you your place amongst the nobility.”
Ester-chan looked at me with a gentle smile.
She appeared to be right at home, seated on the luxurious sofa. It was as if she was where she belonged. When I looked down at my own shabby attire, there was clearly something off about this busamen seated in a regal room such as this.
I wish I was able to dress in something a little more appropriate for someone holding the title of ‘baron.’
“I wish I could at least look the part of a noble….”
I don’t care about fashion, but it’s always important to dress for the occasion.
“You shine more brilliantly than any noble I’ve ever seen before.”
“I’m grateful that you feel that way, but it doesn’t have much of an effect on how others view me.”
“It’s fine if I’m the only one who notices how great you are. I don’t know what I’d do if someone were to take you away from me. I was surprised to see Sophie in your city and I’ve noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time together. I’m worried that she might be trying to take you.”
“That’s definitely not what she’s after.”
At just the thought of Sophie-chan stealing me away a look of pain flashed across Ester-chan’s face.
“Y-Your free to do whatever you want, of course, but I, umm….”
It was clear that she was still dealing with the trauma of being turned into a cuckquean by Allen.
Just as the conversation was turning towards a dark spot in Ester-chan’s history,
“Excuse me.”
There was a light knock on the door before an official appeared that was different from the one that had led us here. I may not have recognized him, but it was clear by his uniform that he was of a similar position.
I was hoping that King was ready for us but this wasn’t the case.
“Baron Tanaka, if you’d be so kind as to present your offering.”
“Eh?”
“I’ll confirm the amount here before you present your payment to His Majesty.”
“Ah, I see.”
T would certainly be awkward counting out fifty gold one coin at a time in the King’s audience chamber. It makes sense to count it out and confirm the amount beforehand. I don’t recall there being a table or any chair besides the throne in that room.
“I will count out your payment here to confirm you have the correct amount and prepare your offering for His Majesty.”
“I understand.”
I counted the gold myself before handing the pouch over to the official for him to confirm.
“Yes, it’s exactly fifty just as we agreed upon.”
“Thank you.”
The official counted out the coin himself before leaving with the pouch in his hand.
Another official came in immediately after he left.
“Viscount FitzClarence and Baron Tanaka, His Majesty is ready for you.”
“The time is finally here!”
“It is.”
With a nod to Ester-chan, we prepared ourselves for the challenge ahead.
***
“Raise your heads.”
The King towered over us on his raised throne.
In addition to the King, there was a great number of nobles gathered along the walls on either side of the room. I remember thinking this exact thing the last time I was here, but the crowd has increased in size from the last time I was here.
This time the increase in crowd size is probably to do with the fact that since I became a baron, the only noble I’ve had any real interactions with has been Viscount FitzClarence. This crowd is hungry to witness the foreign commoner turned noble in person. Then there’s also the expectation that I assume many of them have in that they must believe I have no chance of paying the taxes I owe.
“I was told that you’ve come here to make your offering. Is this true?”
There was no greeting or other formalities besides our original bow. He was getting straight to the matter at hand.
The King and the Prime Minister were both stone-faced as they looked down on me from the raised platform. I have a feeling that getting passed this first massive obstacle will only be the beginning of my hardships.
“Yes, that is correct!”
But there’s no turning back now. I just need to pay what I owe now and I can discuss future plans with Ester-chan afterwards.
“Hou?”
“If it pleases you, Your Majesty, I’ve brought the financial reports for the last month as well.”
I glanced up and was met with a challenging glare from the King.
“You managed to earn fifty gold coins from that territory in under a month?”
“That is correct.”
“That’s impressive. It’s hard to even believe that would be possible.”
“….”
That would’ve been nice to know before I was put into this position.
“Now then, show me your proof.”
“Of course!”
I took out Sophia-chan’s report from my bag.
But, with my proof in hand, the King looked puzzled.
“…hmm? What is that bundle of paper?”
“It is the financial report concerning the territory I was given. After deducting the expenditures from our income for the month, we were left with a total profit of fifty-two gold, eight silver, and two copper coins, Your Majesty.”
I feel like I’ve returned to work as a wage slave.
But the feeling of reading out a report while on my knees is new.
“You can read that report at a later time, right now, I wish to see the actual payment.”
“What are you saying?”
“Didn’t Viscount FitzClarence make this clear to you?”
“….”
“The amount owed as taxes imposed on your territory, Baron Tanaka, is fifty gold coins.”
“If that’s what you mean, then….”
I looked around to try to find the official that had taken the gold. He said he would prepare it to be offered to the King. I remember there being a small chest on a pedestal where the King took out our reward for the Dragon Extermination party, and I assumed this is where he would leave my payment, but I saw no sign of the official.
Where did he take it?