Territory Management

Some nobles only ruled over one planet.

But one planet still had many things.

There were many resources, a myriad of environments, and various other features.

It was the responsibility of the ruling lord to conduct a thorough study of their territory’s planets and to manage the domain accordingly.

–With that in mind, the resource-rich planet the Razel house rules over specialized in the development of resource mining and processing technology.

“So that’s the reason why the Razel house adopted ‘arcology’?”

Mining resources eventually led to environmental destruction, so the upper class lived in environmentally controlled cities called ‘arcologies’.

The places they cared for were beautiful, but everywhere else seemed to have been reduced to wastelands.

During class, my desk was lined up with the other children who were learning the basics of domain management.

Kurt was making a perplexed expression.

Was he thinking about adopting this method to squeeze more out of his people?

As I thought, he sure does have the qualities necessary to be an evil lord.

According to the lesson of today’s class, it looks like the people ruled over by the viscount worked hard for the chance that they might be able to move to an arcology.

Therefore, the lord had the advantage of human resources naturally gathering around him even if he was silent.

Though from the people’s perspective, they didn’t have a choice.

Was it really okay to destroy your planet’s environment just for this?

In my opinion, I didn’t really want to invest in this venture.

It wasn’t just the home of the people, it was the home of the lord as well. It’s not good to destroy the place you lived in.

–The way of the Razel house wasn’t something that could be adopted back home.

Their way of managing their territory could be said to be as solid as iron, but as a lord, though they weren’t bad, they weren’t good either.

Though there was potential to be seen in their use of arcologies and their treatment of the people, there wasn’t much.

Once class finally finished, Kurt turned to me,

“Liam, don’t you think that was just awful?”

He was the kind of evil lord who squeezed out his people to the very last minute.

I myself was still trying to figure out the ‘last-minute’-line.

In my case, I didn’t really want to put in much effort, so the moment I saw any ‘lines’, I stopped.

“Not everyone thinks the same as yourself.”

“Yeah… that’s a little sad.”

If there was even a little bit left to squeeze out, he’d get angry.

“If that’s your opinion, you should use today’s class as a reference to use when running your territory.”

“…yeah, I’ll do that.”

His father was a man who built up enough achievements to be appointed as a noble.

Therefore, he sent his son out to the Razel house to learn how to manage a territory.

He was the ideal image of an evil lord.

Kurt’s father- the Baron was a great success in that area.

Taking the Razel house’s lessons to heart, Kurt’s response showcased much potential for the future.

In the first place, being called a ‘lord’ was great, but in essence we were the same as pirates.

We claimed territory, controlled its residents, and beat them down if needed.

The fact that we bowed down to the emperor was only the reason why we were called noblemen instead of pirates.

But in essence we were the same.

Viscount Razel didn’t seem to understand his territory at all.

Well, I’m still grateful to them for providing a place for me to make friends and connections while teaching me new things.

As an individual, I also wanted to have a solid foundation for my house, but unlike them, in all aspects.

◇ ◇ ◇

Some children who came to the Razel house received preferential treatment.

Among them was the person known as Peter.

In his class, Randolph himself was teaching how to rule as a lord.

The children were listening to Randolph’s lesson while snacking on drinks and sweets.

“The most important thing about territory management is balance.”

Randolph explained the importance of balance, and gave an example,

“Sometimes it’s important to take action against wrongdoers. There are even some stupid nobles out there who actively try to destroy all pirates, but most pirates are actually just former civilians if you look into their origins. In other words, they’re people who turned to piracy to vent out their dissatisfaction.”

There were only a few children who received preferential treatment.

Most of them seemed convinced after hearing Randolph’s lesson.

“A lord’s duty isn’t to be in conflict with pirates, but if possible, gain control over them.”

Peter opened his mouth,

“I understand- back home my house is like that too.”

Randolph started to smile,

“That’s a bit surprising, but now I’m sure our houses can build a strong relationship in the future. Anyways, now let’s look at some things you’ll need to watch out for to prevent losses.”

It’d be bothersome if the pirates attacked incoming merchant ships that would stimulate your economy.

But if they say they’ll just take tolls from them, tell them you’ll allow them to do so in return for a percentage of the profits.

“Building a mutually beneficial relationship with them is of the utmost importance.”

Under Randolph’s tutelage the children were led astray.

◇ ◇ ◇

The Henfrey Chamber of Commerce had received a report,

It was an application for a loan from the Peetak house.

Thomas held his head as he struggled to think of a reply,

“–more importantly, how could such a house even consider applying for a loan?”

He knew that other houses would try to take advantage of them, but the shamelessness of this house in particular was stunning.

Simply put, they were exactly like the Banfield house before Liam was born.

They were in huge debt and their territory was desolate.

And even worse than the former Banfield house was the Peetak house’s private army.

Rather than an army, they were more like pirates.

If Thomas refused the loan, the application had written nuances that they’d use force against them.

Unfortunately, their recent trip to Viscount Razel’s territory revealed to them that it’d be better to not associate with such a house. So they couldn’t really ask them for help.

Worriedly, one of the subordinates asked,

“Why don’t we rely on Count Banfield’s house?”

Listening to that opinion, Thomas shook his head,

“If we bring them into this, we might end up starting a war. Besides, the Razel house that Lord Liam is currently residing in also has the heir of the Peetak family there.”

If they unthinkingly brought Liam into this and messed up- it’d be war.

Unwilling to make such a decision, Thomas decided to accept the loan application.

“It’s obvious that they’re never going to pay us back.”

In such a situation, if they didn’t lend out the money now, then they’d surely get in the way of business from now on.

Liam was currently in training.

Even if he was returning in a few years, he’d be leaving again soon after for schooling in the imperial capital.

He might even be gone for decades.

“…we’ll endure this for now. I just hope that Lord Liam won’t be stained by misguided values while he’s at the viscount’s.”

The Razel house that had a connection to the Peetak house brought many worries.

The things Thomas had anxiety about had increased.

◇ ◇ ◇

The entertainment district located in Viscount Razel’s territory.

Inside a place called a black casino.

There was the figure of a noble child in addition to the crowd of pirates that seemed to gather there.

There were even a few knights there. It was an illegal casino that operated in secret.

In such a place, Peter was playing a card game.

He threw down his cards.

“I lost again.”

A man in a suit approached Peter.

“Lord Peter, how are you doing today?”

Peter drank alcohol while holding the woman that was sitting on his left by her shoulder.

“I’m broke and sad. For some reason I keep losing.”

“While it’s true that the amount that you owe us has grown quite considerably. For a simple favour, how would you like it if you could settle all of it at once?”

“Hmm~ What’s stopping me from asking the viscount to clear it?”

“Because doing so would damage Lord Peter’s reputation. With that said- I’d like to ask you something.”

Peter agreed to settle his bill in exchange for some information.

He didn’t think too deeply about it.

“What do you want to know?”

“I want information on Count Banfield.”

After receiving the image data, Peter looked at the picture of Liam’s face floating in the air and narrowed his eyes.

“Hmm~ I don’t know such a guy.”

“I heard that he was also training in at the Razel house, do you really not know him?”

“There are actually a lot of children being taken care of at the viscount’s residence. If they aren’t receiving preferential treatment like I am, then they’re probably just some third-class nobleman with no prospects.”

Hearing that, the man in the suit started to laugh a little,

“Lord Peter, if you can give us some more details, then we’ll be willing to offer you our special service.”

As the man in the suit snapped his fingers, an assortment of beautiful women started gathering around Peter.

Peter spread out his arms and started laughing,

“Just leave it to me. If all you want is information on that kid, then I’ll tell you everything!”

“I have high expectations for you, Lord Peter.”

The man in the suit darkly smiled.

◇ ◇ ◇

I was brought to a snack-shop near the outskirts.

There, two women, one of them old and the other middle-aged, were selling some home-made goods.

Before the head knight that was singing enka¹ songs on the karaoke, I started to complain.

“When they told us they were going to bring us somewhere, I thought they were going to take us to a more flashy place.”

Kurt looked troubled by my comment,

“Liam, you’re being rude.”

But that’s how I really felt.

The old lady started to laugh,

“It’s fine, our humble store usually isn’t enough to satisfy great nobles like yourself.”

She said that, but weren’t the snacks that she brought out absurdly delicious?

Watching me greedily scarf them down, the middle-aged lady looked slightly amazed,

“Young children sure do eat a lot.”

“Well… it’s because it tastes good.”

As we made a few more orders, the knight pumped his fist as he sang.

I continued to talk with Kurt while slightly amazed.

The other upperclassmen and underclassmen brought were playing around as well.

“Don’t you think that there’s better places for us to play around? This is boring.”

Like the entertainment district, or other places that gave off that sort of feeling.

Knowing what I meant, Kurt started blushing,

“I-I’d be troubled even if you asked me.”

“Well, isn’t that generally considered important to do those things? Eat, sleep, and do the deed. For humans, it’s unhealthy to be missing something.”

“No, I don’t think it is.”

Meeting the three major needs is important.

I don’t like ignoring obvious things in the face of beautiful ideals.

In my previous life, I had tried to live seriously.

I’ve only experienced going to those types of stores when my boss brought me.

Though I didn’t play around because I cherished my family. Looking back on it, I can’t help but think I was being quite foolish.

It would’ve been nice if I had cut loose more.

As a living being, it was only natural to have desires.

And it was the lord’s job to prepare an area for those things to be released.

I like businesses that involved such desires.

It’s because they can easily make money.

Listening to the conversation between Kurt and I, the old lady seemed impressed,

“You’re young, but it looks like you already know what’s important. There are many stories in the world that can’t be solved by beautiful ideals. Even if you say that a man is a dirty human being once he goes there, I believe that all human beings are already dirty creatures regardless of sex.”

This old lady really understood my point,

“I like you. I’ll make sure to leave a good tip after this.”

“I don’t need it. Just order more food, boy. You need to grow a little.”

Kurt looked a little depressed.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, I just can’t help but realize how incompetent I am.”

Kurt, who solely thought about methods on how to squeeze his people, seems to have noticed the financial potential of businesses that catered to human desires.

–I guess he’s growing up.

Moderately release the desires of your people so they don’t build up stress.

Such a thing is very important.

However, Kurt still seemed a little bit too innocent about such things,

“Hey, have you done it yet?”

“-bfft?!”

Kurt started coughing at my question.

Well, even I know that it might be a bit improper to ask, but we’re both guys here.

“W-what the hell are you talking about Liam?! We’re supposed to be looking for our marriage partners right now. Nobody will take us seriously if we don’t act sincerely!”

“Sincerely… huh?”

That was the one word I trusted least in this universe.

When I used to live sincerely, all that awaited me was a cruel life.

“W-what’s wrong about that?! It’s good to live sincerely, and in any case, that’s not fair Liam.”

“How so?”

This guy, is he really that innocent?

Evil lords were supposed to know a lot about women. Well, I guess he is the brainy-type who prioritises squeezing as much as possible from his people though.

He’s different from the desire-oriented evil lord I am.

Kurt asked if as if he had given up,

“L-liam… Does that mean that you… Have experience with women?”

Huh? Of course I- wait a minute, the closest female I’ve interacted with in this life was Amagi.

I still haven’t laid my hands on any real women this life.

“…I don’t.”

“Hey! Even though you were speaking so condescendingly, you’re actually on the same level as me, Liam!”

The people around us started muttering, “Virgin?” “He’s a virgin.” “Wait, I thought he wasn’t… weren’t they like that?” in whispers and hushed tones.

You’re wrong! I might’ve not laid my hands on any real women in this life, but I actually am experienced!

“Would you all shut up already?! I understand! Hey Kurt, you wanna go to the entertainment district after this?”

“Eh?! No, that’s a little…”

To Kurt, whose voice kept growing smaller, I started to smile,

“Let’s just get rid of them here so we won’t have any problems in the future. Neither of us will get in trouble as long as we keep quiet about this.”

“N-no, but-”

Kurt’s face had flushed red, probably from whatever he was imagining.

Let’s just hurry up and get it over with.

As I thought so, the head knight had finished his song and sat down next to us.

“You two should hold yourselves back for now.”

“I’m a noble, can’t I play around whenever I want to?”

The knight looked a little troubled as he explained himself,

“Considering your position, you need to make sure you don’t go to a bad place. If you get an STD, things will only get tougher for you.”

“Can’t most of those be treated wit-”

“If that’s how you think then you’re an idiot! There are many STDs that can’t be treated with modern medicine. Diseases are constantly evolving, so what might’ve been able to cure them before may have no effect now.”

He told us that there was actually an outbreak of STDs in the viscount’s territory at the moment.

Viruses seem to evolve a great deal no matter what universe you’re in.

The recent epidemic of venereal diseases was the kind that made your manhood explode! It was that kind of STD.

At first, things would swell up and get larger.

Most men would be pleased with this, but after a few months it’d turn red and then black and then… explode.

They’d seriously explode.

Moreover, even after treatment, they didn’t seem to be able to regenerate them.

It was a kind of disease you needed an elixir to cure.

The worst part about it was that women didn’t show any symptoms of it, so it was impossible to tell at first glance.

It was an STD that only destroyed men.

Rather than a disease, wasn’t that already a curse?

“…Kurt, let’s go home.”

“…yeah.”

Our minds weren’t strong enough to continue playing around after hearing such a thing.