Fun Territory Defense Chapter 199 (Patreon)

Discretionary Assignment

Serious. Super serious. Really stone-faced. He's really stiff and stubborn. But he serves me with all his heart and is strict with himself and others because he has a strong sense of responsibility.

Because I understand Espada so well, I give him all the authority.

If I were to explain the authority in more detail, it is not only the maintenance and defense of the territory in my absence, but also the selection and approval of new potential villagers. Furthermore, it is also in charge of managing and buying and selling materials for magical beasts, which is the biggest earner of the village.

If Espada wanted to run away with the money, he could do so tomorrow, clutching a white gold coin. That is how much discretion we give him.

So, Espada can select and entrust those who assist him and each administrator based solely on his own judgment. However, Espada always asked me to make important decisions. It may be that he simply values me as the head of the Baron Van Nay Fertio family.

But perhaps Espada's true intention was something else.

Thinking about this, I looked around the room.

In the hall, which is also used as a guest room, five people are sitting on chairs at equal intervals. Behind them, Espada and Roe were standing and looking at the backs of the five. Incidentally, Camsin and Tyll were standing to my left, facing me, and Arte was sitting on a chair to my right, looking at the five of them with me.

The man and woman sitting in the chairs are obviously nervous and looking at me. After checking them out, I speak.

"...Then we will begin the final interview! Starting with the person on your right, please introduce yourself and tell us about the work you are confident in, etc.!"

It felt partially like a group interview, so I threw those words at him. It should have been an unexpected word, but the man on the far right, with his palm facing me, quickly stood up and opened his mouth.

"Yes, yes...! I am Dew Giallo, a former slave! Before I became a slave, I made my living as a builder and designer, but due to the enclosure of other trading houses, my work has decreased drastically and I have become a debt slave. I was shivering in a cage, wondering what would happen to me in the future, when the Bellrango Chamber of Commerce bought me and gave me the life I have today. Therefore, I would like to thank Van-sama from the bottom of my heart..."

And so began Dew-san's greeting and self-introduction. I can see why Espada selected him as a member to educate the group.

I listened to the self-introductions of these serious-looking men and women. The fourth girl, Jullieta Berliner, a daughter of a noble family, was certainly the one Espada had mentioned.

She is a pretty girl with short-cropped golden hair and a constant smile on her face. When she spoke, however, she spoke as if checking people's reactions, and used words of agreement and sympathy as if gauging their sentiments.

She is truly a gem who can become the empress of Kabukicho. If I had been in Japan, I would have cut down my living expenses every month to pay her tribute. I never did, though.

Finally, I became the last one.

She was a tall woman of about twenty-five years old. Her purplish hair was tied back, and her powerful eyes gave her the air of a female warrior.

She was beautiful, but looked a little scary. That was my impression.

The woman looked at me, straightened her back, and opened her mouth.

"My name is Emira Cormie. I was born a knight, but my family fell due to my father's death in battle. I sold myself to my mother and brother. Fortunately, I was able to come to Seat Village, and now that Espada has chosen me, I am striving to work as an acting lord. From now on, I will do my best to live up to Espada's expectations and, by extension, to be of service to Van-sama."

With these words, Emira bowed deeply. It was the simplest of self-introductions, but it strangely conveyed her honest nature. I was curious about such an Emira and decided to ask a question.

"You are Emira-san, I see. You said you were born a knight, but do you have any knowledge of swordsmanship and tactics?"

"...Yes. My father was not blessed with many children, and since I was finally born even as a woman, I was strictly taught until I was ten years old when my younger brother was born. I am proud to say that I am as good with swords and spears as any knight."

Emira nods in confidence and looks at Espada.

"How much knowledge do you have as an acting lord, Emira-san?"

Espada nodded lightly and opened his mouth.

"I can manage a small town no problem. I can manage the finances, resources, and personnel, as well as deal with human resources, water, and sewage problems. We are in the process of learning about taxation, but currently we don't even collect a tax or toll tax for each person yet, so we are putting that on the back burner."

"I see. If that's the case, I'll give the town of Espa a try, and if there are no problems, I'll ask him to be an aide to Fortress Murcia, and since Big Brother Murcia plans to eventually take over other towns and Fortresses, I'll ask him to do his best as the acting lord of Fortress Murcia when that happens. I'll ask you to do your best as the acting lord of Fortress Murcia."

When I told Espada this, Emira rolled her eyes in surprise before Espada could say anything.

"Acting lord of the castle...me?

Her reaction was surprisingly calm, but she was surprised. Van's reward is a barista, which is just right, since he will be using it at Fortress Murcia.

As I'm thinking this, Espada rubs his chin with his finger and opens his mouth with a difficult look on his face.

"...I see. It is true that we are even more short of human resources than Seat Village, so it would be a good help to Murcia-sama. However, our original plan was to have deputies in both Seat Village and Espa Town, but this means that we will have to select and train new ones..."

Espada, for some reason, seems more reluctant than ever, and seeing this, I somehow guess what Espada has in mind.

"...Are you perhaps thinking of fulfilling His Majesty's request?"

When I asked this with a suspicious look in my eyes, Espada looked away disapprovingly.

"Wow, scary! If I put deputies in Seat Village and Espada town and Espada assists both of them, it means I can travel around as His Majesty wants! I don't want to leave Seat Village!"

I complained in horror at the ruse that was going on underwater. Then Espada opened his mouth with a deep crease between his eyebrows.

"If it is true, you should not refuse any offer, since His Majesty has been so generous to Van-sama."

"No, no, listen to my wishes too! If I were to listen to all of Your Majesty's requests, of course I would be asked to come to the royal capital!"

Unintentionally, he and Espada got into a verbal argument on the spot. This would baffle the five people gathered for the interview.

However, this is a point I must mention. I would not allow anyone to shake up my reclusive life.

While I was complaining with this thought in mind, Arte coughed cutely.

At the sound, everyone stops moving for a moment and looks at Arte. Then Arte looks back at us with a kind smile.

"Van-sama, so how is the interview going to go?"

I should have been asked in a meek manner, but strangely, my back straightened.

"Well, yes...well, let's talk about the future for everyone who will be managing the territory from now on."

With that, I returned to my main topic.