Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five chapters are posted simultaneously.
This story is the third chapter.
~Side ???~
While Ryoma was contemplating his future...
"That wraps up today's schedule, right?"
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
"Would you prefer to eat now? Or take a bath first?"
"...What shall we do, Elise? I'll leave it to you."
"I... would like to take a bath slowly. Let's have the meal first."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
A maid exited the luxurious room, decorated with tasteful furnishings that balanced elegance and calmness. The Duke and Duchess, Reinhardt and Elise, watched her leave.
"Haa..."
They both sighed deeply.
The continuous work and dealing with visitors had worn them out.
"Really... it's the same every year, but can't it be handled a bit better?"
"Indeed... It would be easier if only those who came to greet us showed up..."
Even though they understood this was their duty, they were human after all. Fatigue was inevitable.
With no one else in the room, the two showed no effort to hide their exhaustion and gazed at the piled mountain of documents.
"How much of these petitions do you think are true?"
"Well... I hope about 70% are genuine."
"What a nuisance..."
All of these were petitions from nobles they knew, mainly requests for loans.
"At least this one looks suspicious."
"Which one? ...Ah, this one. The money they really want is probably just to keep up appearances..."
"This is not the first time this request has been made. Yet this person spends money recklessly."
For nobles, the upcoming social season was crucial. They all eagerly held parties every night to maintain connections and deepen friendships. To avoid embarrassment, they invested large sums preparing for these events.
The burden was no light matter, and outside the social season, many families were forced to live frugally, sometimes even more so than common citizens. Mismanaging their finances in the rush to advance status could lead to bankruptcy every few years.
Now, just before the year-end social season, it was common for nobles to secretly apply for loans from financially stable families.
"I want to reject this... but,"
Reinhardt held off on making a decision. There was a reason he couldn't dismiss it easily.
"Most of the others also claim the money is for magical beast defense or damages caused by magical beasts."
"What a troublesome excuse."
If they truly suffered from magical beast attacks and expenses for protecting towns and people increased, it was worth considering. Especially if their subordinate nobles had no choice but to ask for loans, they needed to be handled with care.
Careless treatment could spread bad rumors among the nobles.
It could sow seeds of future discord or worsen relations.
Though the Duke's household held power appropriate to their status, making enemies served no benefit.
Moreover, in recent years, a trend of increasing numbers and activity of magical beasts has been confirmed throughout the country.
Therefore, the petitions could not simply be dismissed as excuses. They needed to collect information first and carefully judge.
"Speaking of which, Ryoma-kun will be arriving soon."
"Why the sudden mention?"
"The increase in magical beasts started about three years ago, right? Thinking about it, it's probably around that time he began living in the forest. Just a thought."
"Now that you mention it, that might be true... That child really manages to venture far from home..."
"Indeed. He supposedly plans to visit the den of magical beasts to check things out, but is that really safe? Or maybe it doesn't matter since it's originally their territory?"
"From the reports, he seems to be doing well in town. I think there's no need to take unnecessary risks..."
"I don't want him to do dangerous things either, but his way of living is his own choice. He's a boy after all, and it's safe to assume he has the skills to match."
"I know, but I'm still worried. Besides, Elia has gone to school too, so it's lonely."
Elise's words made Reinhardt smile wryly.
"It's okay. Ryoma-kun is reliable, and he has allies. Besides, thanks to him, Elia seems to have made good friends."