Chapter 133: No Free Lunches (1)
“Here ye! For the abovementioned achievements, I hereby grant the Frontera barony the status of a county.”
Silence ensued right after the messenger ordered forth. No one dared to open their mouths. The messenger, his delegation, and Javier… Everyone was silent until a little later when Baron Frontera, who now rose as Count Frontera, started to sob.
The baron immediately covered his mouth in an attempt to smother the choking sob. But it was no use. His wailing couldn’t be contained, and it kept spilling from his muffled lips. As tumultuous emotions rushed through him, his shoulders shivered terribly as a blanket hung outside during a storm.
Goodness… Goodness gracious. How do I make sense of this?!
The count couldn’t believe what he was hearing. But it had to be true. The messenger was standing right in front of him, holding a royal scroll. And the voice reading the order aloud was grave and serious. Everything was actually real and true.
What a blessing to my family…
Count Frontera hung his head lower as he muffled his sobbing. Meanwhile, the messenger continued to declare the order.
“Here ye once more! In accordance with the elevation of status, Frontera county may experience a hierarchic conflict with County Cremo, for it is the central fiefdom in the Cremona region. Therefore, the Frontera county shall be thenceforth directly under the control of the royal palace, separating from the administrative jurisdiction of the Cremona region.”
Oh, this is good.
The corners of Lloyd’s lips rose up as he heard the announcement.
A direct-controlled city, eh? It’s a measure to prevent the hierarchy between the nobles from getting all twisted.
Come to think of it, this measure was an obvious one. The Frontera barony originally fell under the administrative order of Cremona county. But now that the baron had risen to become a count, he now enjoyed the same status as Count Cremo. One region with two count families would only breed conflict as the hierarchy jumbled between Count Cremo and Count Frontera.
So it’s better to divide the administrative districts as independent entities. I knew my queen was a genius.
She was not only skilled in sword fighting. Her skill in politics was at another level. And next, the messenger proceeded to enumerate the various benefits that follow the escalation of status.
“Here ye once more! Therefore, the Frontera barony is hereby exempted from taxes to the royal palace for the next 20 years as it has been designated as the hub of reconstructing the eastern region.”
Woah!
Lloyd’s eyes widened in surprise. There were even more benefits that followed.
“Here ye once more! The royal palace shall assist the Frontera county for the next ten years by allotting supplies and a special budget for it.”
Well, well, well!
By then, Lloyd was smiling from ear to ear. The sweet benefits didn’t end with that.
“Here ye once more! The Lacona viscounty, which sits near the Frontera county, shall be designated to fall under the direct control of the new county.”
Viscount Lacona… Hahahahaha!!
Lloyd was so overjoyed that his shoulders started to tremble. He almost broke into wild laughter. More benefits followed after that. These included the right to receive investment from the royal Central Bank at the lowest interest rate, participate in the Royal Assembly, marry a member of the royal family, conscript people from lower fiefdoms, and appoint and dismiss lords of lower fiefdoms. The benefits were listed one after another without pause. Each one was powerful, and it couldn’t be compared to the benefits given to a barony.
“With it, I, Queen Magentano, congratulate and bless Count Frontera. January Year 618. Declared by Queen Alicia Termina Magentano in the royal capital Magenta.”
Flap! The scroll was closed, and the messenger smiled courteously.
“My sincere congratulations, Count Frontera.”
“Oh, my sincere thanks to, I mean… Thank you.”
Count Frontera was dazed by this whole situation. He remained in this state as the messenger congratulated him and when the maids and servants sent their wide cheers. Even when the news of the escalation spread all throughout the villages and when he was seated at the dinner table, Count Frontera wondered what had just happened. He simply was bewildered. It was as though his feet and mind were stepping on a cloud. It all felt unreal.
I am… a count?
Count Arcos lifted his spoon, feeling dazed. A scoop of mushroom soup went up, but it fell back on the plate. The baron blankly took another scoop of the soup.
I have never even dared to imagine this scenario.
He considered this an impossibility. Not in his lifetime. I mean, the count thought to himself, I had been suffering from crippling debt just the previous year.
“So we all must be alert from now on.”
“…”
“Excuse me, are you listening to me?”
“Huh?”
Count Frontera heard a voice, and he was jostled out of his trance. He then stared at Lloyd, who was looking at him across from the table. Lloyd chuckled faintly.
“I am sure that you are dazed, and all of this seems unreal. You are not alone,” said Lloyd.
“Yes, um, it is, indeed.”
“Yes, so you must stay alert from now on. That goes the same for me and everyone else.”
“What do you mean, Lloyd?” Count Frontera spoke, and Lloyd’s calm voice brought the same effect on him. He soon regained some calmness. Lloyd continued to speak.
“Because the intent behind raising our fiefdom to the status of a county is very clear.”
“By intent, do you mean Her Majesty’s?” asked the count.
“Yes.” Lloyd grinned. “The monster domino phenomenon destroyed many fiefdoms that sit in the eastern range, and as a result, the refugees flooded here. This means that she plans on designating this place to be in charge of reconstructing the region.”
“Hmm, I see…” said the count.
“We will be busy from now on.”
“I guess we will be.”
Count Frontera nodded his head, and it was indeed true as he listened to his son.
“Her Majesty has raised our status and entrusted us with equally heavy responsibilities. And this means that-”
“We can say goodbye to living a simple life as a noble in a rural province. Our influence has grown bigger.”
The smile on Lloyd’s face slightly turned bitter. Yes, an ascension to the status of a count called for celebration because it came with countless benefits and power. But the duties and responsibilities grew just as much. Their modest lifestyle as a provincial noble family was now gone.
Though we won’t wind up in treason or anything like that.
It would at least be so while Queen Magentano is on the throne because of the title Lloyd had: “The One who Carried the Magentano”.
The title was marked in the unofficial history of the kingdom. And I will be free from any form of suspicion of treason. In one word, this is awesome. The effect is applied throughout the kingdom, and it lasts until the queen steps off her throne.
The effect was a tremendous one. Lloyd even felt that this effect was the best and greatest he had among the other titles.
Since the worst thing to experience as a noble is to get involved in treason.
History proved so. It was also a common theme in historical TV series. Even the most powerful nobles and privileged were beheaded because they schemed treason. Even when the accusations were false and rumored, they were sentenced to a hanging.
It won’t be too different in this world, either.
In short, this effect that freed him from any form of accusation of treason was huge. It was especially so when the baron was receiving considerable attention after being promoted to a count.
“In relation to that, I suggest that we appropriately use our powers as our family status is raised and enjoy more authority,” suggested Lloyd.
“What do you mean by using our powers appropriately? Do you have anything special in mind?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
At the count’s question, Lloyd quickly gathered his thoughts. He regarded that it was appropriate for them to get a sweet taste of power now that his family status was raised.
“About Viscount Lacona,” said Lloyd.
“Viscount Lacona?”
“Yes.”
Viscount Lacona had a history of pestering Lloyd and his family, but he was retaliated against by Lloyd. And now, the viscount is paying the water bill. Lloyd decided to give the viscount a bitter taste of power. Thinking such, he smiled in satisfaction.
“Let us summon Viscount Lacona first thing tomorrow morning.”
The following morning rolled around. Viscount Lacona scrambled into the manor, his long mustache dancing as he ran. He had received a visit from a royal messenger the night before, and so he was aware that the baron was promoted as a count and that his viscounty now belonged to the county. The news was a bolt from the blue for Viscount Lacona, who was known for his wealth in the small province.
What…? Baron Frontera, that penniless good-for-nothing, became a count? And he’s my superior now?
Viscount Lacona wanted to dismiss it because it was too unbelievable and dumbfounding. But he had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill as the order came from the queen herself and came into effect as soon as it was declared. Knowing this very well, Viscount Lacona couldn’t get a wink of sleep all night.
What’s going to happen to me now?
His blanket normally felt fluffy and light in his hands, but now that he was gravely anxious, the blanket felt uncomfortable. It felt heavy, hot, and offensive. The same was true for his pillows and pajamas. Everything felt too uncomfortable.
Haah… Goodness, why did I do that…
Heavy sighs continued to escape from him without any end. He felt particularly guilty about the Frontera barony, and each time he sighed, a panorama of his evil deeds in the past spanned his head. Mortifying Baron Frontera had been part of his daily routine. There was also a time he insulted the baron in a ball. And just recently, he had stirred conflict over the Maritz Land and dared to contaminate the river that flows through the Frontera fiefdom.
What am I supposed to do now?
His future grew bleak with each passing second. He racked his brain, trying to come up with a solution through the night. What am I supposed to do now? He constantly asked. Grovel with a gift? Repent for his past misdeeds with a penitent heart? As the night crawled, he tossed and turned in his bed, his concern growing deeper. And when the morning came, someone from Frontera county arrived to announce that the count wished to see him.
Eeck!
His heart sank. The day had come. He threw on some clothes, darted to the county at lightning speed, and bowed before Arcos Frontera, who was now a count.
“Ehem. It has been a long while, Viscount Lacona,” said Count Frontera.
“M-my honor… to meet you, Your Excellency.”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Yes… Eh?”
“You are sweating a lot,” the count pointed out.
“N-no, it’s nothing. My clothes are just a bit too warm… Anyway, congratulations on your promotion, Your Excellency.”
“Hahaha. Thank you. In fact, I summoned you here because I wanted to be congratulated,” said the count.
“I-is that so?”
“Whew, of course not. I am merely pulling your leg.”
“I-I see! Ah, hahaha.”
The viscount was now on one knee, feigning a groveling smile at the count’s corny joke. Doing this made it more real. The loner and underdog among the nobles, Arcos Frontera, was now his superior. And this realization hit him harder when he was called to meet Lloyd in the latter’s office.
“Long time no see, viscount,” Lloyd announced.
“…”
“You have grown thinner, I see. Your color is off, and you now have dark circles under your eyes. Could it be that you have had trouble sleeping these days? My, should I sing a lullaby for you?” joked Lloyd.
“…”
“Oops. My greeting was too long, wasn’t it? Let us get right into business. Please,” said Lloyd, “over here.”
“Th-thank you.”
The viscount sat at the chair Lloyd suggested. He opened and closed his two hands under the table, and his back was ramrod straight, away from the chair. Lloyd noticed this and started to grin.
“Are you nervous, by any chance?” asked Lloyd.
“Not at all.”
“Please sit comfortably. I do not bite,” quipped Lloyd”
“…”
“Yes, just like that. At least your seat should be comfortable.”
Lloyd’s smile brightened. This only made the viscount more nervous. At least my seat should be comfortable? He asked himself. He wondered if that meant that the business that was about to reveal next would only make him uncomfortable. His hunch proved to be true three seconds later.
“Let me get right into business. I think the water bill needs to be increased,” Lloyd said frankly.
“Excuse me…?”
“Goodness. There is no need to be that surprised. The reason is actually simple. Have you noticed that winter will soon be arriving?”
“Y-yes,” said the viscount.
“Then, won’t the water in the water supply freeze as the temperature drops?”
“Yes.”
“That will burst the pipes, won’t it?”
“Yes, yes…”
“What happens if they burst? The clean water, which is used for the dye of the Laconata cloth, will not be supplied, right?”
“Indeed…”
“Therefore,” Lloyd went on, his voice gentle and soft, “I shall have to put extra care to ensure that the pipes will not freeze from the cold. We will continue to manage it. To do that, of course, what do we need? Yes, money. Won’t it obviously use money?”
“…”
“So all these efforts and endeavors are for you, viscount,” said Lloyd as he held up his two hands. “Just imagine it. Who suffers from the damage of a broken water supply? Who’s going to be the one crying? Should I turn a blind eye to it? No. I mean, consider our relationship. Your misfortune is mine, isn’t it?” said Lloyd.
“I-is that so…” murmured the viscount.
“Of course, it is. Thus, my point is that an increase in the water bill following maintenance is inevitable.”
“Then how much do you plan on increasing the-”
“I decided to be modest. I think thrice is good,” announced Lloyd.
“…”
Oh, you deranged thief!
The words almost slipped out of the viscount’s mouth. Lloyd or whatever he’s called was personified evil. He’s a devil, thought the viscount to himself. But he suppressed his raging emotions and exercised divine patience. Clenching his fists hard under the table, Viscount Lacona asked, his voice growing diffident with every word.
“Th…rice?”
“It’s not much, isn’t it?”
“…”
“Right? Aren’t you relieved that the bill was not doubled but tripled, which is finally the reasonable cost of using my invention?”
“…”
“Viscount. I thought we had a good, close understanding of each other,” said Lloyd, smiling in a content manner. He couldn’t be any happier as he spotted the viscount’s face growing redder by the second. But he didn’t feel an iota of guilt as it wasn’t an unreasonable request or exercise of power. Not at all. It also wasn’t a retaliation against the viscount, who had a history of harassing his fiefdom. No.
This is just an extremely realistic measure.
The water bill hike wasn’t a simple emotional attack against the viscount. It was rather an objective decision born out of impartial and unprejudiced analysis. Lloyd made the decision based on the current reality of Frontera county.
We’re now exempted from tax, and the royal palace will keep funding us. But money will be spent to no end. We will continue needing it. I must do my very best to acquire capital.
The Lacona viscounty was now under his fiefdom, and yet, it wasn’t housing the refugees at all. In short, the viscounty was basking in the goodness of the Frontera county, which had protected the former from the monster herds and accommodated the refugees all by itself.
Like I would let that happen under my watch.
United efforts. I help, and you help. This was the principle Lloyd adhered to, so it was only natural for Viscount Lacona to shoulder the cost of housing the refugees. After all, the viscounty was now under the county. And so, what Lloyd did was the most pragmatic measure. Not only that, as far as he was concerned, the viscounty was financially doing good. So, raising the water bill thrice was manageable for them, though it could be burdensome.
“So,” Lloyd added, “I am thinking of ramping up the size of the civil engineering corp for my county. That is, by mostly selecting out of your forces.”
You can’t live in comfort. If I can’t, then you can’t either. I work my head off, and you should do so, too. No, you should work more laboriously than I do. That’s how I will be content. Just like that, Lloyd fired off his requests one after another, strictly adhering to the motto that you can’t be the only one lazing around in the goodness of life.