Chapter 40: 38

26th Positive as usual

“Klein-sama, this is terrible.”

　Soon after, the royal court officially announced that Asgard had been added to the territory.

　As a result, the Asgard territory has further expanded its power.

　About a month had passed since the incident, and most of the seizure of the territory had been completed.

　When Trek brought information about the newly added territory, he had a difficult look on his face.

“Are we still short on food?”

“They seemed unaware of the cold damage, so there were beggars everywhere.”

　They had been buying food and distributing it to the Asgard territory, but now they had to distribute it to the poor.

　The rural areas were still doing well, but the urban areas were in terrible situations.

　Even though Asgard territory was having food problems, now there was an even bigger problem ―various things were happening.

“Can’t you prepare it somehow?”

“Well… it’s difficult to get more than this, even from the southern counties. We have to solve this problem fundamentally, don’t we?”

　With the addition of the new territory, the size of Asgard has roughly doubled.

　However, most of the land is marshy and not suitable for cultivation.

　It was the responsibility of developing such a difficult area that made the minor nobles into aristocrats.

　And if we add up the fief’s population, the eight families’ total population is about 24,000.

　Simply put, the number of men is 12,000.

　Divided further, the number of men who could go to war would be about 10,000.

“We’ve been out in full force, so… they’ve suffered heavy losses,”

“Haha… well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

　The damage was so severe that it was beyond recognition.

　As a result, it was as if they let their own soldiers attack the territory that would be theirs.

　The enemy casualties were about 1,500.

　The number of wounded is 2,000, of which 500 are permanently disabled.

　In other words, the new territory had to start with the loss of nearly 20% of its men.

“How did this happen…?”

　The people’s impression of Klein is terrible because he has killed so many men.

　Moreover, half of the working men were in the war. Of course, the economic activities during that period almost stopped.

　Because of the terrible defeat, the new territory was in a terrible recession.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have told them to shoot only at the enemy commanders. Well, it’s too late to say anything about it, so I’ll use it as a reference for the future.”

“I don’t want to think that the same thing will happen in the future, though.”

　What does Klein mean by future?

　Klein means that he will consider that the next time he lives his life.

　What does Trek mean by “the future”?

　Trek means that we will continue to be falsely accused and that there will be another war in the future.

　The two sides have slightly different perceptions, but at any rate, they needed to rebuild the territory as soon as possible.

“We need to be at least self-sufficient. If we encourage agriculture in the new territory, what kind of policy will Trek adopt?”

To win the hearts and minds of the people, we should cut taxes. They would be most happy with that.”

　It was a realistic policy that Klein did not need to estimate.

　While the people were suffering from poverty, each family had amassed considerable wealth.

　The graft is not yet over, but three years or so of no taxation would still make enough to pay for the balance.

“Well, let’s get…Norbert and the officials to put together a tax cut plan.”

　Tax cuts are necessary to diminish resentment.

　Klein had no objection to this point.

“But what to do? The northern edge of the petty nobility’s territory is going to be in the sphere of influence of the Northern Marquis.”

“We have to get along with them. Next time, don’t start a war with the Northern Marquis.”

“I don’t like doing this, but…”

　As they move north, they are getting closer to the forces of the Marquis of Laguna, so now the Asgard territory needs a full-scale countermeasure against the Northern Marquis in addition to the Eastern and Southern Counts.

　Klein thinks he should be cautious here since he fears them exploding if he touches them carelessly.

“Whatever it is, it’s an inspection. We need to see what’s going on in the territory.”

“I think that’s a good idea. We don’t want to get into trouble over water rights or anything like that.”

“…right”

　They decided to go and see the new territory, and the discussion was over.

* * *

“Avenge our uncle!”

“A grudge against my cousin!”

　On a visit, we were attacked by organized bandits.

　Or rather, we were attacked by relatives of the minor nobility.

　Sporadic attacks are being made daily, and the newly formed Klein guards are happy to intercept them.

“Don’t you mess with us! You can’t touch the Viscount!”

　A thuggish man with a soft mohawk and a bad attitude and eyes.

　He attacks in the middle of the enemy, swinging his battle axe, and the enemy is crushed with his crude shield.

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“There are a lot of openings here. Can I attack?”

“What the? I will let you see the traditional sword passed down in this family for generations――Gahwh!?”

“Rude!”

　A guard with an old man’s tone and thin, thread-eyed eyes.

　The gentleman-like man dances with his sword, cutting down his enemies with a counterattack.

　The surrounding guards are literally a hundred-strong.

　The difference in fighting power is obvious.

　Even after the fifth attack, not a single person has been injured.

“The guards are very reliable.”

“Yes, they are first class.”

　The former is a man who was a runner-up in a past martial arts tournament, and his name is Graham.

　He is a little smaller than Randolph, but he is as strong as Randolph in terms of combat power.

　He was one of the most conspicuous men fighting on the front line in the previous battle.

　The latter is the new master of a prestigious dojo.

　He is also known as Peter the Headhunter.

　In the last battle, he shot at the commander and was so fierce that he earned his nickname. This was his first job after being reassigned to the guard.

　Incidentally, Randolph’s second name was a self-proclaimed one, but the recent battle seems to have made him a household name.

　He was happy to be the “Randolph the Stout Spear” both in name and in reality, but that is beside the point.

“You stupid dogs! ! 　Klein-sama will not be touched! ! !”

“Aaah! ?”

“Ugh! ?”

　Randolph, of course, was on a rampage, and every time he swung his red spear, four or five people were blown away at once.

　It didn’t take long for the remnants, which were not very numerous, to be wiped out.

“But this is much more trouble than I expected.”

“The inside story is terrible.”

　Klein, protected by Hans and Brynhildr in the rear, watches the battle in dismay.

　The estates of the minor nobility, which a small inner circle had run, had many relatives of the nobility in the landowner’s and local merchants’ associations.

　The petty nobles were trying to protect their interests. They would not obey the orders of the state and attacked one after another.

“Even if you kill me, the judgment will not be overturned, and there will be no profit in it.”

“They don’t understand that because they only know this place.”

　The minor nobles are the kings in their territory. Have they lived their lives with the same perception of nobility?

　A commoner or a bastard son of a noble family, many of them seem to have a lot of pride.

　That was Klein’s impression.

“Well, okay. There will be no more starvation under my rule in the future, and there will be fewer people to help these people.”

“Yes, your excellency. ―Excuse me.”

“Huh?”

　Suddenly Brynhildr draws his sword and points it at Klein.

　A moment later, there’s a high-pitched squeal.

“Looks like we have an archer. I’ll go take care of it.”

“Ahh, yeah. I’m saved.”

　She swatted an arrow out of the air and ran toward the bushes.

　Hans and Klein couldn’t react, but she seemed to have noticed the assassin’s presence because of her profession.

“It’s over.”

　A few short screams came from the bushes, and Brynhildr returned without a single drop of blood.

　She is still smiling kindly, even though the murder has just occurred.

　Klein’s mind replayed the memory of the assassination in the past, but he shook his head to shake it off.

　He calms himself down by whispering.

“No, it’s okay, I’m okay. It’s on our side.”

　Besides, Randolph, Graham, and Peter are with him now.

　She won’t kill him without a fight, He thinks to himself.

　He looks ahead again.

　Clearing out the remnants of the deteriorating security, he confirmed that the situation was worse than he thought.

　Still, the number of people has increased significantly.

“Yes, the population has increased as a result… and it’s going well, it’s going well.”

　Despite everything, the population is rather strong as long as it is stable.

　So Klein, as usual, decided to look at the situation positively.

Author Notes :

　Population 38,000 to 60,000

　Troops 5000 to 7000

　The number of soldiers does not increase so much because the war has significantly reduced the number of soldiers.

　The increased population is also full of refugees.

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