‘Taxes were cut drastically. The market is not very active.’
Vermont was certainly a large city, and the market was large.
Now that I look at it, it was quiet compared to its size, with few customers or shops.
Even though the pressure from taxes had eased and economic flexibility had presumably increased, why was it still like this?
The answer was “fear”.
Although taxes had decreased for now, there was fear about when they might be raised again.
This fear was dampening consumption and prompting people to hoard money in their safes.
‘It wasn’t strange for Vermont to go bankrupt.’
Even considering the fact that all key figures in Vermont Territory were being removed in the game, it was collapsing too quickly.
Now, looking at the situation of the territory, it wouldn’t be surprising if it collapsed at any moment.
The people of Vermont Territory weren’t living here because they liked it; they were simply stuck here, unable to leave.
Most of them were just accumulating money, planning to flee as soon as they had enough wealth to buy citizenship in another territory.
No matter how stable the finances of the noble families were, the state of the territory was in such disarray that it was on the brink of collapse.
It was necessary to take action.
“Sylvia, return to the mansion and conduct a new household census. List the number of households and their members in the territory.”
“Yes. I will do that. But why conduct a census that’s done once every ten years now?”
“To promote consumption, we need to implement a policy. For example… Yes. We’ll provide 20% of the amount spent within Vermont Territory as subsidies. The maximum limit will be 2 million Lark. We may need to adjust the specific figures based on the census results. All expenses will be covered using the funds seized from Leon and his gang.”
“Ah…! Indeed, that should greatly help restore public sentiment.”
“…”
Public sentiment?
I couldn’t care less about that. First, we need to revive the drying market.
That’s the only way Vermont family will survive.
I don’t really care about my popularity either.
In the best of times, people might not even know the lord’s name.
Since praise isn’t expected, I hope my infamous reputation disappears quickly.
‘This is a major policy that distributes a whopping 10 billion Lark at once. There could be side effects. We need to think carefully.’
Of course, good intentions don’t always lead to good results.
Predictions of policy makers always tend to go awry in unexpected ways.
For example, as soon as subsidies start being distributed, merchants might drastically increase the prices of goods…
We need to consider all these things carefully and start cautiously.
“If domestic economy doesn’t support it, there’s no future. To attract talented black magic experts, we need to change Vermont Territory’s dull atmosphere first.”
“Ah, yes…”
[The Evil God, ‘Kali’, is amazed as if he has finally understood!]
There was even a tailored explanation for Kali.
Well, it’s not just empty talk.
I don’t expect Vermont Territory to become a pleasant place to live right away, but this is a step forward.
It’s the first step towards my comfortable and peaceful life without threats.
‘It would be great if Irene didn’t interfere…’
Of course, this is all assuming there’s no external pressure.
Last time, Irene subtly pressured me a bit and left.
But will Irene stay quiet even when such a big policy is implemented?
‘I don’t want to see that woman’s face again.’
Oh. Just thinking about those cold eyes gives me chills.
Still, Aslan currently holds the real power of the family.
Instead of regretting later by being overly cautious, wouldn’t it be better to act now, even if it means making mistakes?
At least we should struggle.
“I think we’ve bought almost everything we need.”
“Young master…”
“Should we go see Charlotte’s sword?”
“Wow! Really!?”
“Young master… Why are we buying more things here…?”
With Charlotte, who seemed to be in high spirits, they headed to the forge.
In the game, there was a description that there was a legendary swordsmith in Vermont Territory.
It was said that his skills were so exceptional that kingdoms paid attention, empire was constrained, and republics were on tenterhooks.
He didn’t appear in Chapter 1 that I played.
Well, there must have been episodes where he created a legendary sword for the protagonist.
“It’s harder than this…!”
“You can do it. Believe in yourself, Sylvia.”
Ignoring Sylvia’s voice complaining with both hands and shoulders loaded from behind.
It didn’t seem that hard at all.
I guess she’ll even be able to carry more loads.
“Guide us to the nearest forge, Sylvia.”
“Ha. There’s only one forge in Vermont Territory. I’ll guide you there.”
Upon arrival, it was indeed a forge the size of an open mouth.
There were a total of six boiling crucibles.
Next to them was a three-story large store, inside of which was a magnificent display shelf.
“For knights, this must be heaven.”
“It’s not exactly like that. Producing in bulk means making mass-produced goods tailored to the preferences of the majority of people. Once I reach my level, I wouldn’t even consider a place like this.”
“There’s a saying that craftsmen don’t blame their tools, isn’t there?”
“I don’t know which country’s proverb that is, but it’s just nonsense. Craftsmen do blame their tools! A lot!”
“…”
Maybe Sylvia is sensitive after all.
That’s what I decided to think.
“Hello, sir. How can I assist you?”
“I’m looking for a sword for this child.”
“Is it for training?”
“No! A real sword! One as big and beautiful as the one this knight wears at her waist!”
“Alright, young customer. Please wait a moment.”
The shop assistant returned with a ladder and fetched a sword from the display on the second floor.
It seemed quite heavy; despite having well-defined muscles, his arms trembled a bit.
It was quite a large sword.
“Please be careful. This is a two-handed sword, very heavy even for adults. Of course, it will be challenging to wield now, but it’s an investment for the future…”
“A… a greatsword! Just like Sylvia’s!”
“…?”
“So cool!”
In a flash, Charlotte lifted the thick greatsword with one hand.
There was no tremble in her thin arm, and her expression looked relaxed.
The shop assistant’s face was filled with astonishment.
“Sylvia, I heard Charlotte doesn’t have any talent.”
“Yes. She has no talent.”
“Isn’t that strength talent?”
“Yes. At her age, I lifted a carriage with one hand.”
“…”
Was talent her own standard?
I couldn’t have imagined she’d claim to have no talent despite knowing she possessed such incredible strength.
Everything under her seemed to be out of the ordinary…
I must be a fool to have blindly believed Sylvia’s evaluation.
‘Does this mean she wasn’t meant to be a magic knight?’
Was Charlotte actually inclined towards swordsmanship?
Or perhaps a greatsword warrior?
Either way, with that kind of strength, she might be within the top 1 percent.
Now that I had lost the point, it was time to find a sword that was just right for a magic knight…
“What’s that? What kind of sword is that? Can I try that one too?”
Watching Charlotte so excitedly, that thought stuck with me.
I’d already agreed to buy it, so now I had to keep it.
I should get her one she likes.
That’s what I thought…
“This one’s pretty good too…!”
“He’s cool too!”
“What should I do, Mister! I can’t decide because everything is so nice!”
“…”
This is getting awkward.
If she says she likes it, what am I supposed to do?
Is she subtly pressuring me to buy them all?
But her face are too innocent to say that…
It’s like she genuinely can’t decide because she likes everything so much…
One thing’s for sure, there isn’t a sword here that suits Charlotte’s qualities perfectly.
It was set up so that a magic knight would know immediately when they found their match.
Otherwise, there’s a possibility that Charlotte simply isn’t a knight.
“Choose anything. I’ll only buy one for you.”
“Aaah! What should I do! What should I choose!”
I sighed and rummaged through my pockets to take out a gold coin.
Since Charlotte bought that genuine sword that she sang about, should he go back now?
As I turned away from Charlotte, who was still undecided, I discovered Julia staring blankly at the wall.
“Why are you spacing out.”
“…”
“Julia.”
“Eek!?”
As soon as I touched her cheek, Julia’s body jumped up.
It seemed like she jumped about 1.5 meters in place…?
“You even have a talent for standing while asleep.”
“I wasn’t sleeping! …Yes.”
“Then what?”
“I was concentrating on a voice coming from over there. It was a bit quiet. …Yes.”
“What voice?”
“You can still hear it now. It’s an old man shouting outside. Can’t you hear it? …Yes?”
“I can’t hear it. What’s the voice saying?”
“I couldn’t hear it either.”
“Me neither…”
Looking over, Sylvia and Charlotte both had bewildered expressions.
It’s not just me whose hearing is bad; none of us could hear it equally.
Surely Julia heard the voice of a spirit alone.
It’s before she’s awakened, so there’s no way she could understand it…
“Huh? Can’t everyone hear it? I can hear it clearly. He’s going crazy because of the unfair treatment. Cursing the king who cut off his arm and killed him. Crying to return all the swords that were taken from him. How can you not hear this?”
“…”
In an instant, Sylvia and Charlotte’s mouths hung open, their faces turning pale.
Julia, this girl…
Could it be that she can hear the voices of spirits and even ghosts too?
