Published: January 4, 2026
I jotted down the compiled price survey on a sheet of paper.
I wrote two copies, tucked one into my pocket.
I handed the other to Jiji and gave instructions.
"The price of rice in Almeria has dropped. Use this for comparison in the next report. Remember it so you can present it when asked. This is very important."
"Y-yes! I'll remember!"
Jiji received the paper from me with such tension that his whole body stiffened sharply.
I stood up and, walking away, spoke to Don.
"I'm stepping out for a bit. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Should I send someone to Almeria?"
"Well... Almeria is still under Evelyn's charge, right?"
"Yes, she is Your Majesty's retainer."
"Treat it carefully, but just ask Evelyn if anything unusual has happened — nothing more."
"As you wish. Please go safely."
☆
After changing into plain clothes, I left the detached palace and boarded a carriage.
It wasn't the emperor's carriage but one of moderate rank used by imperial envoys.
Since I'm still at the front on a personal military campaign, and I'm acting based on information gathered by spies, I don't want to attract too much attention right now, so I chose this kind of carriage.
The carriage went straight to Byron Allan's mansion.
I've been there many times since childhood. Unlike before, it now flies the crest that connects to me, and the building is far more luxurious than in the past.
Naturally, there was a gatekeeper at the front, but since I was in a carriage befitting an imperial envoy, the driver told the gatekeeper a few words, and the gatekeeper let us through without hesitation.
The carriage stopped in front of the main building of the mansion. I waited for the driver to bring a stepping platform before getting off.
By then, a message had been sent, and Byron came out from inside the mansion.
The moment Byron saw me, he looked shocked and rushed over hurriedly, attempting to kneel on the spot.
"I did not realize Your Majesty would grace us with your presence. I beg your pardon—"
"It's fine. We'll talk inside."
"Ha ha!"
I stopped Byron and headed into the mansion first.
Byron hurriedly followed and personally guided me.
On the way, he gave instructions to the servants about how to entertain me.
Then, he led me to the most luxurious reception room in the mansion, a place I'd been to many times as well.
We dismissed all the servants to leave us alone, just the two of us.
Byron knelt before me once again, as if to show proper manners.
It was a formal bow.
"You needn't be so formal. You can tell from the carriage — today's visit is private."
"Y-yes."
"I have something to discuss. Please sit."
"Thank you."
After receiving my permission, Byron waited as I sat down, then took a seat opposite me across the table.
"First, look at this."
I said, pulled out the paper from my pocket, and handed it to Byron.
It was the same content as the one given to Jiji — a price list of civilian goods in Almeria.
Byron took it and glanced over it.
Seeing the notes, Byron furrowed his brow and looked at me with a confused expression.
"What is this...?"
"It's from Almeria. The items and numbers are exactly as listed. These are recent market prices."
"Eh!?"
Surprised, Byron looked down at the notes again.
"This is impressive... not inferior at all to the information I have — no, actually more detailed."
"There are a few things I want to ask. First, is this information reliable?"
"Y-yes... I think it's mostly accurate."
"I see. Do you understand why only the rice price has dropped?"
"Huh?"
Byron hastily looked at the notes again.
After staring intently for a while, he made a troubled face as if thinking hard.
"Indeed... compared to this time last year, the price has clearly fallen."
"Hmm."
"Could it be a bumper harvest?"
"I think that's unlikely."
"Has Almeria not reported such a thing?"
Harvest reports come from magistrates across the regions.
Some lie to curry the emperor's favor by reporting a bumper crop, but the magistrate of Almeria is Evelyn.
She knows me well and never lies about harvests affected by weather — she always reports the truth.