Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord

This world consists of three great continents and countless islands. The country I’m in is located on the western continent. There’s a port where ships cross at one of the narrowest spots in the strait, connecting the continents. By the way, the central continent and the eastern continent are said to have islands between them.

From what I’ve heard, the civilization here is about as developed as in the medieval or early modern era, but this world has monsters called demonic beasts. Gigantic demonic beasts appear in the deep sea and attack, so an age of great maritime exploration like the Age of Discovery is impossible here.

When I asked about the races, I was told there are various species. Surprisingly, there are Elves, Dwarfs, and even beastmen. Usually, each race builds their own settlements and cultures, so it’s rare for people of different races to meet.

By the way, because magical tools like magic are so convenient, the spread of gunpowder is remarkably poor. Weapons here are basically swords, spears, bows and arrows, and magic. Crossbows and other bows exist, but since everyone can use magic, the most valued weapon is magic.

Some are trying to develop guns that can barely shoot bullets properly, but since no one is investing in them, they have hardly progressed.

For transportation, people walk or ride horses, and there are also two-legged creatures resembling komodo dragons. Of course, there are no steam engines. However, some other countries have transportation methods that use magical tools.

What exactly are magical tools?

When I asked, Til gave a vague explanation.

Magic Crystals and certain gemstones, stones, and minerals have the power to store mana. By imbuing them with mana, magical tools can be created according to the magical aptitude of the user.

By the way, the country I’m currently in is the Kingdom of Scuderia, a great power in the southern part of the Grant Continent. The king’s name is Dino En Zola Berlinate. The Berlinete Royal Family has lasted for three hundred years and gradually expanded its territory. The current king, leading powerful nobles like Count Jalpa, invaded a small country and gained new land. During that time, my father was promoted to marquis.

In other words, we are a martial noble family specializing in military power within a militaristic great power. Our status is secure as long as the country remains stable, but if neither children nor subordinates have fighting ability, they won’t be taken seriously.

Still, we are a marquis family. Among nobles, we rank high and being a military family gives us considerable influence even within the kingdom.

So, surely my future is bright.

After that, I asked Til many questions and began learning about magic on my own. Rumors gradually spread within the marquis family.

The maids started to whisper that Van might be a prodigy. This even reached Espada, the head butler.

Then, almost forcibly, Espada appeared before me as my instructor.

“Lord Van is two years old. I believe you are currently studying letters and simple numbers. How much have you learned?”

Espada said this, looking down at me. His eyes were sharp and narrowed, his mouth a straight line. His hair was white and slicked back. He wore a crisp black butler’s uniform and was tall and slender. He’s about fifty years old.

Espada is said to be a capable butler who has supported my father for many years. I had never spoken to him before, but he looked very competent. However, he was intimidating.

“What is it? I would like you to tell me what you have learned so far.”

That’s not how you talk to a two-year-old, Espada.

Feeling nervous inside, I thought carefully before speaking.

“I think I can speak and understand well, but I’m not very good with letters…”

“...Then, how about numbers?”

“Ah, I, I can do a little... like adding and subtracting?”

When I answered, Espada paused for a moment.

A quiet moment passed that made me want to run away. Espada put both hands forward and raised his fingers.