Chapter 53 – This Is The New Shit (1/2)
The new paragraph separator was added by author-sama. So let’s use that one instead of my usual one. ^^
Phyrinion saw women and men of all ages frantically studying at the Lord’s mansion in Fokalore while clinging to their desks.
They brought in a large amount of desks and chairs into one of the particularly large party halls within the Lord’s mansion. There you could find the city representatives, who changed their allegiance from Vichy to Orsongrande, as well as their civil official candidates. Furthermore there were the staff members expected to be employed by the Tohno territory, which held formal recruitments. All of them eagerly struggled hard to comprehend the details of the texts they were given, sometimes raising their hands to have the staff in charge explain it to them.
“Uwa…” (Phyrinion)
The civil officials serving the royal castle and the knight orders were simply employed by referral without having to do something like examinations. Therefore it was the first time Phyrinion witnessed such a sight and she couldn’t help but feel out-of-place here.
Next to her is Brokra, who has accompanied her as guiding civil official. Due to Caim being busy continuing the work at hand, he had been assigned as substitute in charge of looking after her.
“At the beginning, when we were purchased by Hifumi, we were told to study the subjects concerning the planned administration of the fief’s land. Since we were employed without minding our blood-lines and social ranks, they will succeed, if they are able to show that they understood the things they studied here by passing the employment examinations.” (Brokra)
“It has nothing to do with social status, so that means…” (Phyrinion)
“Yes, even orphans and former residents of the slums will be employed if they are capable to show their abilities after having been taught writing as applicants. If one doesn’t have confidence in learning, there is also the choice of entering the army. To begin with, aren’t our leading civil officials slaves?” (Brokra)
Brokra laughs smiling with his whole face.
“Now that you mention it…” (Phyrinion)
Phyrinion knew about the things they studied at the royal castle. She is even understanding the matters about Hifumi’s slaves. But, looking at the city’s state of affairs and the financial affairs, they are far superior than civil officials of other nobles, she is estimating.
“Please understand that our work is to manage the territory quite efficiently and to prepare an environment, where our Lord can take his liberties. I’d like you to comprehend this as well, Phyrinion.” (Brokra)
“Yes, I also intend to more or less grasp the situation concerning the Tohno earldom.” (Phyrinion)
“That would be great. Then, this way, please.” (Brokra)
“Huh?” (Phyrinion)
Brokra invites Phyrinion to a place in the corner of the study hall with splendid desks prepared and only few others being there.
“Well, first memorize the contents of these documents, please. This is a document summarizing the fundamental management policies and tax systems of the fief’s territory and this is a report of the incomes and expenditures up until now.” (Brokra)
“Eh?” (Phyrinion)
“Please freely use the parchment over here. If it isn’t sufficient, feel free to take some more from the stacked pile over there. It’s also possible to refill the ink there. Since it is Hifumi-sama’s policy to learn by writing, go ahead with memorizing by copying them, please.” (Brokra)
“What?” (Phyrinion)
Sitting while gazing at it in shock, Brokra smiles gently as Phyrinion doesn’t know what would be good to say with the documents being stacked up rapidly in front of her eyes.
“Please do your best because I have been instructed by Hifumi-sama to have you return if you aren’t as capable as the other civil officials. Please call out to one of the staff members being alternately in charge of the venue at the moment you want to resign midway, okay?” (Brokra)
Brokra quickly left the dumbfounded Phyrinion as he has to attend to other work.
“… Krinola.” (Phyrinion)
“Yes, ojou-sama.” (Krinola)
Just as her, Krinola seemed to also be unable to follow the situation and was showing a face filled with surprise when Phyrinion called out to her.
“Please make some tea for me.” (Phyrinion)
“Understood. Because I have to go get hot water, um…” (Krinola)
“There is no other choice but to do it. If I run from here, I will become quite the laughingstock.” (Phyrinion)
Krinola bowed towards Phyrinion, who faced the prepared documents.
☺☻☺
The Second Knight Order’s captain, Stiffels, remained alone in the troop’s assembly hall and considered the current situation.
After the First Knight Order’s captain, Ribezal, came intruding earlier and caused a suspension of the war council, the present state turned into a harmless and inoffensive situation of observing the movements of Horant closely.
“But, if Horant doesn’t make a move as it is…” (Stiffels)
According to the information brought by the First Knight Order the war in the Vichy area has more or less mostly calmed down. They are expecting that it will be possible to make quite the advantageous post-war agreements due to the complete victory of Orsongrande or rather by Hifumi’s activities and the Third Knight Order’s assistance.
If it’s like this, Horant’s army, who draws their justification from the cooperation with Vichy, will withdraw. Naturally the Second Knight Order will have to withdraw as well since they will lose their reason to be here.
As result, there won’t be any military gains either.
“If it stays like this, only that man and the princess will be able to obtain results. It will probably become difficult to gather support for the prince. It isn’t even funny that the nobles, waiting and seeing how the wind blows, have already started to change their loyalties to the princess’ faction…” (Stiffels)
No matter what it takes, I want to cause a concluded situation of “The Vichy area was settled by Hifumi’s great efforts” and “The Horant area was settled by the Second Knight Order’s great effort.” But, if Horant retreats slowly, Hifumi will show up here.
“All of them are just nuisances.” (Stiffels)
He agitates the sake while complaining.
At the time the alcohol scorched his throat, he suddenly hit on a good idea.
“Ah that’s how it is… There is no need to have only the Second Knight Order shoulder everything. Besides, the evaluation of recapturing is always higher than defending if it’s about accomplishments…” (Stiffels)
If he were in a calm state of mind, he might have considered other plans as well. If he had consulted with someone else, he might have come up with an even more simple strategy.
However his cornered mind steered the rudder onto an extreme course.
“Anyone there? Go and call the vice-captains!” (Stiffels)
Within Stiffels’ head scenes of himself being thanked by the populace and Earl Biron dying on the battlefield took shape.
☺☻☺
“Yo! yo! I am the Viscount Kamoss household’s…” (Kamoss)
“Shut up!” (Hifumi)
Hifumi interrupted the introductory words of the young noble, clad in armor, by waving his hand.
“S-Shut up?!” (Kamoss)
“Make it clear whether you have some business with me or whether you are hindering me.” (Hifumi)
Currently Hifumi has gone ahead leaving the troops behind. With only Origa following him, he has ordered the troops to pursue after him leaving all command to Alyssa.
If he doesn’t hurry to Horant, the war will end.
The hurrying Hifumi isn’t even able to conceal his irritation towards the man, leading around 30 soldiers on the highway, who are now on alert.
“I-I am a person related to the Second Knight Order’s captain. The Horant area is the Second Knight Order’s stage! Although you are the princess’ favorite, don’t try to do something despicable as snatching the achievements of others. As far as I can see there is only the two of you heading there. Certainly you don’t believe that you will be able to push your way through by sheer force… Hey, w-wait… !” (Kamoss)
Hifumi, tired of the long speech, challenges Viscount Kamoss to battle by galloping on his horse.
Although the route was obstructed by the two confused guards on both sides of the viscount, Hifumi drew his katana and killed them in one go.
“Hi, Hii, why…” (Kamoss)
While glaring at the frightened viscount who was shedding tears, Hifumi cold-heartedly said over his shoulders,
“Because they were a hindrance.” (Hifumi)
“Gyaa!” (Kamoss)
Swinging down the katana faster than he finished to speak, he diagonally split open Viscount Kamoss’ face. While spilling blood and flesh, the corpse fell down from the horse. Both his hands are bent into a ridiculous direction without him even twitching anymore.
“S-Such a…” (Soldier)
“Guwaa!” (Soldier)