Noble Reincarnation: Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power

On the way to Almeria, we passed through the outskirts of Gavel Province.

To quickly resolve the potion issue and avoid unnecessary trouble, I decided to stay overnight at a roadside station — one that was privately run.

However...

“Y-Your Majesty, long time no see.”

Just as I got off the carriage and was about to enter the inn at the roadside station, a man waiting there knelt before me and bowed his head.

“You are… Phil Morm. Why are you here?”

The young man who lifted his face — Phil Morm — was the young governor appointed after the salt tax incident.

He was the governor of Gavel Province, formerly a slave, still inexperienced and busy, or so I thought.

“I heard Your Majesty was coming, so I came to escort you.”

“Escort?”

Frowning, I looked around carefully.

I saw that indeed, though hidden, there were many people around who did not look like ordinary travelers.

“I was told that in such situations, an escort also comes to greet.”

“I see. I have something to discuss. Take me somewhere we can talk.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Still unfamiliar with using formal language as a subordinate, Phil Morm stood up and personally led me.

He guided me to one of the inns — anyone who knew the situation would immediately recognize that the place was reserved — and I was ushered into an especially luxurious room.

When I signaled, Phil Morm dismissed all his subordinates and servants, leaving just the two of us inside.

Then, once again, he knelt on one knee and performed the ritual bow of a subordinate.

“All right, enough of that. I have something to talk about.”

“Y-yes! What is it?”

“First, I have read your reports. They are fine. If there is anything you are concerned about or want to report, send it to me anytime.”

“Yes!”

Phil Morm had drawn his reports as pictures for me since he couldn’t read or write.

Hearing this, I realized that such reports could easily be crushed by some ‘well-meaning advice’ from subordinates or others in the future.

“If anyone says anything, just reply that it is fine, it is an imperial edict.”

“U-understood!”

Emphasizing that it was an imperial edict, Phil Morm nodded energetically in a determined pose.

“Now, from now on, such formalities are unnecessary.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. I am giving you another imperial edict — a secret mission. Act for the people; you can ignore formal etiquette towards me.”

“B-but then—”

I cut him off as he tried to say something, looking him straight in the eye.

Speaking clearly, in a slightly slow and serious tone, I declared:

“There are plenty of people skilled in etiquette. If that were necessary, I wouldn’t have appointed you.”

“—!”

“Do you understand?”

“Yes! I understand!”

“Good.”

That should be enough.

Because of how firmly I said it, Phil Morm was quite tense.

To ease the tension, I brought up a casual topic.

“By the way, have you gotten married?”

“N-not yet.”

“What? Haven’t found a suitable partner? Shall I introduce someone?”

“No, it’s not that. There are some girls I’ve been with for a long time, and I’m troubled about which one to choose...”

“Oh, is that all?”

I chuckled softly.

Phil Morm was making a common mistake typical of those who had risen from slavery.

“Listen, Phil Morm. Polygamy is a duty of the nobility.”

“A-duty?”

“To your eyes as a former slave, it may seem like a right, or even a privilege. But no, it is a duty.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is the duty of those who can support many people to have and raise many children. Commoners may have children but often can’t support them. In extreme cases, even if they fall ill, your old self would pray to gods — but your current self can take them to a doctor.”

That was why the empire banned black slave traders and was trying to address such issues.

“I-I understand! I can take them to a doctor!”

“Nobles can support and raise children. People are treasures and possibilities. It is the duty of those with the ability to support them to have many.”