In one hour, I would conduct a hearing with the knights of the order. This would be a difficult task. The proximity at which it is conducted will be important. If possible, a group of five or ten gathered together would be preferable.
With that in mind, the first thing that came to mind was to speak with the knights guarding the lord’s manor. Once I decided that, I made my move to capture the knights guarding the entrance.
Although relatively safe within Ceat Village, the lord’s manor is properly guarded. Well, now there are many people who come to Ceat Village for business or pass through on their way to the Yellenetta Kingdom. It seems like there are a lot more unfamiliar faces around lately.
Anyway, I pushed aside such thoughts and proceeded to conduct a surprise interview with the guards of the manor. I hadn’t passed anyone on my way to the entrance, so they had to be outside.
I pushed open the door to the manor’s main entrance and stepped outside.
“Hmm? Van-sama. Are you heading out?”
As expected, there was a young knight in his late twenties standing there. By the way, this young knight was one of the oldest members who had joined the Ceat Order when it was first formed.
“Are you busy right now?”
Since he was working, I thought I should at least get his approval before proceeding, so I asked him. The young knight tilted his head left and right with a wry smile.
“I might get scolded, but since we’re in Ceat Village and there’s no danger, I’ve got some free time. Is there something you need?”
He was free. Doctors and police are better off having less work. I nodded, appreciating how peaceful Ceat Village was, and decided to conduct the first interview with the young knight.
“I was just wondering, do you have any complaints about your salary or the way knights are treated?”
When I asked that, the young knight’s eyes went wide in surprise.
“Huh? No complaints at all? Why do you ask?”
He answered so easily. Oops. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be right for me to ask a knight under my command about dissatisfaction.
It’s like when a regular employee is directly asked by the CEO, “Do you have any complaints about the company? If you have any grievances, say them now.” That would be a blatant power harassment.
“R-really? If there’s anything you think could be improved, feel free to let me know, alright? You know, like if you want a higher salary or more time off…”
I quickly asked again, gently and politely. Even so, there was still a slight sense of power harassment in the air. I nervously awaited the young knight’s response.
However, the young knight chuckled as if he had just heard a funny joke.
“No, no, I don’t have any complaints. I’m serious. Back in the day, there were times when we might not have had food to eat. Now, we can sleep soundly every night, eat whatever we want, and get paid for it. If I complained, my comrades would punch me out.”
He said, shrugging his shoulders. From the way he spoke and his expression, it didn’t seem like he was lying. But maybe, right now, he was desperately hiding his true feelings in front of me, the potential power-harassing lord.
Thinking that, I raised my hand and spoke up.
“Operation time! Wait here for a bit!”
“Huh!? Operation time!?”
The young knight was surprised, but I closed the door and called out to Kamushin.
“Please, could you ask them for me? If I ask directly, they might not say anything out of dissatisfaction.”
Kamshin blinked and tilted his head.
“Huh? I don’t think that’s necessary…”
“ Kamshin , power harassment is not good, you know? I can’t just brush it off with words like ‘I didn’t notice, I didn’t know.’ I’ve already become the head of a viscount family. Without realizing it, my dignity might be oozing out and intimidating everyone around me. So…”
“Is that… really the case?”
Kamshin, who was always by my side, asked in confusion. Now that I think about it, Kamshin was truly a person full of loyalty.
“Well, if you think about it, the head of a viscount family is the same rank as Panamera from before, right? And there are a lot of people in the Ceat Knight Order who are intimidated by Panamera.”
“P-panamera-sama has the same rank… When you put it that way…”
After I added some more explanation, Kamshin gasped and nodded deeply. Good, I’m glad he understood.
“Alright, Kamshin! Please, I’m counting on you! While you’re at it, could you ask about ten knights working within Ceat Village?”
“Understood! You mean, complaints about the knights, right? I’ll look into it!”
Kamshin nodded seriously and opened the door to go outside. I’m counting on you, Kamshin, the investigator.
“…I don’t think there are any knights who have complaints about the Order.”
“…I think so too. Compared to other territories, the treatment here is exceptional.”
Til and Arte were having that conversation behind me, but I can’t let such kind words make me complacent. I need to discipline myself and cut ties with power harassment. My goal is to have a white territory. I aspire to be a white lord.
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