“…So this is the fortified city of Cayenne, right next to the city of Murcia in the Yellenetta Kingdom? What was it called again?”
“Fortified City Cayenne!”
Panamera Calera Cayenne, the newly appointed Count, proudly announced the name of the city. However, this name wasn’t officially recognized yet.
“What was the name of the city back in the days of the Yellenetta Kingdom?”
“It was called Groza. Now, it’s Fortified City Cayenne,” Panamera answered with a sly grin. She seemed quite pleased with herself. Personally, I was amused—I had never met someone who named a city after themselves, but it was so very like Panamera, so it didn’t feel out of place at all.
“I see. So, as part of our alliance, it’ll be your responsibility to keep an eye on the Yellenetta Kingdom.”
Looking at the map, it was clear. If the Yellenetta Kingdom had any ulterior motives, Panamera would most likely be the first to know. As for the strategic defense of the Scuderia Kingdom, it hinged on the fortifications of Murcia and our very own Ceat Village. Naturally, this would mean that the one stationed at the capital of the Yellenetta Kingdom would be Panamera.
Just as I predicted, Panamera nodded, her expression serious.
“That’s right. His Majesty has already set his sights beyond the Yellenetta Kingdom, towards the Central Continent. Beyond the Yerinetta Kingdom lies Hessel. It’s prosperous as a trading nation, but compared to Scuderia and Yellenetta, it’s a lower-tier country. Since we’ve already defeated the Yellenetta Kingdom, even if Hesel receives aid from the Solstice Empire, they won’t stand a chance.”
Panamera casually predicted His Majesty’s thinking. I had a feeling her guess was spot on. However, something troubling crossed my mind—the next move of His Majesty.
“…Hmm, but it’s no use thinking about it. Right. For now, we should focus on our next steps. Targa, you’ve got experience as a magistrate, so I’d like you to manage a town eventually. As for Panamera’s city, let’s plan for renovations in about a month.”
Panamera slapped her hands together as if she had remembered something.
“I almost forgot! I have a message from His Majesty.”
“You forgot?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
Panamera, unfazed, pointed toward the long line of carriages behind us.
“A reward, precious ores, and the slaves who were being sold illegally in the capital, for you. Also, His Majesty has entrusted you with the fate of Freitliner, the prince of the Yerinetta Kingdom.”
“Freitliner?”
At that, I turned my attention toward the carriages. One of the carriage windows slammed shut with a force that made it clear someone was hiding. Without a word, I signaled Kamshin to open the window.
“Gooood mornnniing!”
I greeted the hidden figure loudly.
“GYYYAAAAHHHHH!?”
Just as I expected, Freitliner, who had been hiding in the corner of the carriage, leapt up and screamed. His reaction was flawless, as always.
“Prince Freitliner! Long time no see!”
“L-L-Long time no see…” Freitliner replied, his eyes filled with tears. We were on familiar terms now, and the days when we were enemies felt like a distant memory.
“So, is Prince Freitliner here as a hostage?”
“I-I knew it... As a defeated general, I will be subjected to terrible tortures and work in the mines... How unfortunate for me, such a young man…”
Freitliner muttered tragically, and I couldn’t help but feel a desire to tease him… no, mock him.
“Kamshin. Bring the hostage, Freitliner, over here,” I ordered.
“Yes, Van-sama!”
Kamshin answered enthusiastically and grabbed Freitliner’s hand, pulling him out of the carriage. By now, Freitliner was sobbing quietly.
“Sobbing…” I muttered.
“It’s my first time seeing someone cry like that,” I commented, half-amused, as Panamera snorted in laughter.
“He’s pathetic, really… He barely showed his face from the carriage during the whole journey,” Panamera added, still amused.
At her blunt comment, Freitliner trembled slightly. Seeing this, Dee, who had been silently watching, spoke up.
“Van-sama, what should we do with Prince Freitliner?”
Dee seemed curious about why His Majesty entrusted such an important hostage to me. He chuckled slyly, casting a glance at Freitliner.
“It’s a request from His Majesty. We need to interrogate Freitliner to see if the Yerinetta royal family is hiding any treasures. Especially now, since the Yellenetta Kingdom has just become a vassal state. We need to act fast, or they may hide them away. Actually, I already have an idea of where they’re hidden, but we can’t send an investigation team without proof, so we need testimony from the royal family.”
I spun the lie smoothly, and as I drew closer to Freitliner, I could see him cowering in fear.
“Now, where shall we start? The nails? Or maybe the teeth? Oh, don’t worry, I’ll save the eyes for last.”
I grinned devilishly, stepping closer, and Till, her face a little contorted, spoke up.
“U-Um, Van-sama, isn’t this going too far…?”
The moment Till spoke, Freitliner screamed in terror.
“I’ll talk! I’ll talk! Half of the royal family’s treasure is hidden beneath the cathedral in the capital!”
The room went dead silent.
“...What?”
“Did you say beneath the cathedral?”
Both Targa and Panamera reacted in surprise. Freitliner, his eyes tearful, tilted his head in confusion.
“Eh? But you’ve already figured it out, right? I-I mean, normally, after a defeat, a royal family’s treasures are thoroughly investigated, and their entire family is tortured or executed…”
“Well, that might be the case if the country was conquered and annexed. But, you see, we recognized their autonomy as a vassal state,” I explained, not missing a beat.
“Send a messenger to His Majesty immediately. He was lamenting how the tax rates were too lenient. He’ll be pleased to hear this,” Panamera ordered.
Kamshin reacted immediately, dashing off to send a letter. Mary Trading Company handled all the correspondence from Seato Village to the capital, so it was likely that Kamshin had gone to the branch.
Meanwhile, Freitliner, who had let the crucial information slip, stood there, blank-faced, like an empty shell.
A few seconds later, he snapped back to reality and began frantically looking around.
“S-So... is this really it? Is it time for execution? Really?”
It seemed that Freitliner was more concerned about his own life than the royal family’s position. I sighed, giving him a light pat on the shoulder.
“Relax, it’s a joke. I actually wanted you to work as a subordinate, Freitliner. Remember that small town called Adventurer's Town near Ceat Village? I’d like you to manage it. That way, Espada can focus on managing Ceat Village.”
“...A manager? You mean a magistrate? What’s with that rough-sounding town name...?”
Freitliner shuddered when he heard the name "Adventurer's Town," as if it struck fear in him. I wasn’t sure if he was ready for what was to come.
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