Merchant Noble is out (1/3 chapters for today)
People of Former Warden Territory
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On the day Arc entered Baron Kreitz’s territory, rumors about him had already spread throughout the former Warden territory. They spread slowly from merchants who had been asked by Arv to adventurers, and from the adventurers to the citizens. For a people who were growing weary of the harsh rule of their new overlord, the fact that the Warden Household was safe was the first good news in a long time.
“Hey, did you hear what the Baron said?” (??)
Rumors had also reached a certain adventurer’s guild in the southern part of the former Warden territory. Two adventurers were discussing the matter over drinks at a tavern adjacent to the guild.
“Did Ivan do something again?” (??)
“No, not Ivan, but Baron Warden.” (??)
“Baron Warden!? Is he safe?” (??)
“Well, it seems the Baron passed away as a result of that incident.” (??)
“Is that so?” (??)
“And now, it’s said the second son, Arc, has become Baron Warden.” (??)
“Really? That young man?” (??)
Though it was rare for a lord to come all the way to the southern regions, everyone knew Arc’s face.
“It seems Arc-sama came incognito. Specifically, it seems he visited the Merchant Guild.” (??)
Before long, the noise in the tavern quieted down, and aside from the two adventurers, no one else spoke. Everyone was eavesdropping on their conversation. The nostalgic word “Warden” had caught everyone’s attention.
“According to Arc-sama, he’s taken over a territory in the Mikanda region and become its lord.” (??)
“Mikanda region? Never heard of it.” (??)
The name Mikanda region was unfamiliar. Most adventurers who lived and died locally didn’t know names of places outside their own territory. It was natural that they didn’t know about the Mikanda region, located at the far western edge of the kingdom, opposite to where they were.
“It’s on the opposite side from here.” (??)
Suddenly, a merchant interrupted their conversation.
“Here’s the eastern edge of the kingdom, Mikanda is at the western edge. It takes several months on foot and more than a week on horseback to get there.” (??)
“I see. He won’t be coming back as the lord here then.” (??)
“It was good while it lasted, Baron Warden. Free, prosperous, full of life.” (??)
The adventurers reminisced, though it had only been a few months ago. The rule of the House of Marquis was strict. Taxes were so heavy that one could barely pay them after working hard, and if unable to pay, harsh collection awaited. Moreover, the new officials who arrived were very authoritarian, and the residents harbored spiritual dissatisfaction.
“They seem to be recruiting new subjects.” (??)
The adventurers reacted to the merchant’s words.
“Eh?” (??)
“They say Mikanda is a rural place with hardly any people. Arc-sama seems to have come to recruit subjects.” (??)
“…” (??)
The two adventurers, along with those around them who were eavesdropping, weighed their options. Should they continue living here as they had, enduring under the new lord’s strict rule, or should they relocate to the distant land where the former lord had moved? It was a difficult decision, and the adventurers sighed deeply as they nodded to convince themselves.
“I have a wife and daughter. I’ll stay here, complaining as I go.” (??)
“Me too… Despite the stricter governance, the environment for adventurers isn’t bad.” (??)
The surrounding adventurers had similar reactions.
Thanks to the Baron’s efforts in improving the transportation network, the former Warden territory had become a major hub of commerce, partly due to its proximity to the border with other countries. There were plenty of jobs related to security, given the presence of wealthy people like merchants, so work was unlikely to dry up.
While their fondness for the Warden Household hadn’t waned, abandoning this place for some rural area called Mikanda, the location of which they didn’t even know, seemed too risky. Therefore, most adventurers reluctantly decided to stay here.
Amidst this, one of the two women drinking at the corner of the shop stood up as if she had made up her mind. As a solo adventurer, she bowed her head to the other who had invited her to join their party.
“Let’s forget about our earlier conversation. I’ll return all the contract gold coins.” (??)
“Why!? Everyone was looking forward to having a second-class adventurer join our party.” (??)
“I’m sorry, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll continue adventuring solo for a while. If I feel like it again, I’ll reach out. I’m really sorry.” (??)
With that, she brushed off the persuasive voices inviting her to join the adventurer party and swiftly left the shop.
“Where are you going?” (??)
“To the Merchant Guild for a bit.” (??)
With just those words, she dashed off at an incredible speed, disappearing into the darkness of the night in no time.
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