The Monster of the Northernmost Territory?Wealth and Military Strength of A Country that Begins in Debt Trap? - Chapter 5

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

The base of Earl Banyusas was a castle known as the Great Eagle Castle. It was named “Great Eagle Castle” for its white and brown walls and its shape, which resembled an eagle with outstretched wings when viewed from the sky.

Rodney and Rodmer were flabbergasted by the lavish-looking furnishings of the Great Eagle Castle’s waiting room while waiting to meet Earl Banyusas. Not only was the Great Eagle Castle majestic, but so were the magnificent furnishings, as one might expect from Earl Banyusas, who was recognized as the North’s leader. Even the sofa on which Rodney and Rodmer were sitting would have valued several large gold coins. In Rodney’s house, this furniture would have been nothing but a dream for them to acquire.

After a short wait, the butler came to summon him, and Rodney was escorted to the reception room. The room’s furnishings were much more exquisite than those in the waiting room.

“Well done for coming. I am Adelaide Schneiffer Banyusas.”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance for the first time. Following the passing of my father Beck, I have assumed the title of Knight Forbus. Rodney Elias Forbus is my name.”

“Have a seat.”

At his prompting, Rodney settled down on the sofa. Earl Banyusas, seated in front of him, was an elderly man with gray hair who exuded a sense of superiority despite his age.

Earl Banyusas read over the documents brought to him by the butler. Having not been advised by his father of what to expect in such a situation, Rodney wondered what Earl Banyusas was up to.

“How old would you be, Sir Rodney?”

“I am fifteen years old.”

“What a young age. Taking over your household at such a young age must be a major challenge. If you ever encounter any difficulties, you can rely on me.”

“I appreciate your support. Although I am sure I will cause inconvenience to you in some way, I would be grateful for your kindness on that occasion.”

Beginning with a safe affirmation, Earl Banyusas assembled his formalities as a Yorioya, to which Rodney responded in a nonchalant manner. Rodney also remembered to express his gratitude for the patience he had shown in waiting for the debt to be paid.

Earl Banyusas was considerate enough to swiftly switch the subject of the debt to something else. That was something Rodney appreciated. Nonetheless, not bringing up the subject of debt did not equate to not repaying it. Besides, Rodney felt that it was partially due to the aristocratic tradition not to fret about money.

“I heard that today something called Garim syrup was sent to me. While I am not familiar with Garim syrup, could you perhaps clarify what that is meant to be?”

“It is a sweetener, Your Excellency.”

“Oh, a sweetener? You mean it is different from sugar or honey?”

“Yes. Garim syrup is made from the sap of the Garim tree, and I hope to make it a specialty of the Dedel territory.”

Rodney provided a brief explanation of Garim syrup. He also revealed that it would be handled by his grandfather Hacklehoff’s store. Since Earl Banyusas was aware that Hacklehoff was Rodney’s grandfather, he assumed that he was being treated as a nexus.

“Specialty products are incredibly essential to the development of a territory. Do your utmost.”

“Thank you.”

The meeting with Earl Banyusas ended smoothly and effortlessly. There was no demand for payment of the debt. Assuming that Earl Banyusas had been understanding of the fact that this was a memorial service for his succession to the household, Rodney felt relieved that the meeting had gone off without a hitch.

Earl Banyusas shifted his focus to his close advisor, Geldobus, after watching Rodney exit the room. Afflicted with an ailment as a child, Geldobus was incapable of moving the left half of his face and barely had the ability to move his eyelids with any degree of ease. Therefore, he dexterously moved the muscles on the right side of his face to do the work of communicating, which people found hilarious when he was a little boy. Because of this history, his disposition was somewhat distorted.

“What do you think of Rodney?”

“I can’t say yet. First, let’s confirm what a Garim syrup is.”

Since the left half of his mouth did not move, Geldobus spoke only with his mouth on the right side, making his words rather muffled. Even so, Geldobus’ talent lay in his ability as a tactician, and Earl Banyusas, who recognized this, said nothing and didn’t feel compelled to say anything.

“Right. But I thought he would ask for another loan, yet he didn’t.”

“It is likely that Hacklehoff has given him a loan. I have heard that he has been staying at Hacklehoff’s mansion since yesterday.”

“So that is to say he is counting on his grandfather, a wealthy merchant.”

“Who can say to what extent the austere Hacklehoff will support him?”

“That’s true.”

Earl Banyusas had his employee bring the Garim syrup. He had his subordinate test it to make sure it wasn’t poisoned, but his cheeks softened when he remarked how luscious and delectable it was. Upon hearing this, Earl Banyusas and Geldobus also had a taste of the Garim syrup. A savory taste was present in the sweetness, yet it was not a clingy sweetness typical of sugar.

“Oh… this is a treat.”

“According to him, this Garim syrup will be the specialty of the house of Forbus, which may improve their finances.”

“It was Hacklehoff who managed it, wasn’t it? That old man is a smooth talker, so I’m sure it will be a smashing success.”

“Yes. While it will depend on the pricing, there is a high likelihood of making a significant profit.”

“Can a specialty be born in the northernmost, most remote area where nothing existed?”

Since the ability of administration as a Yorioya would be questioned if their Yoriko failed to manage the territory due to debt difficulties, Earl Banyusas would be inclined to provide support to the Forbus household, albeit to a limited extent. In fact, a certain level of dependence on the Yorioya from the Yoriko would be desirable. Their capacity to maintain control over them would be severely hampered if they lost their debt connection.

On the other hand, when Rodney returned to the Hacklehoff mansion, he was caught by his cousin Seema.

“Rodney, welcome home.”

“I’m back, Seema.”

After Rodney had just returned, Seema took him by the hand and led him out of the house. Rodney was dragged out of the home without rest since they had agreed to go shopping together once the meeting with Earl Banyusas was over.

“There it is, Rodney.”

“Eh…”

The place Seema took Rodney to was a women’s clothing store. Although the clothing store was still a fine place to browse, Rodney had to be very brave to go in there, especially since there was even lingerie on display.”

“This is…”

“Come on, come on!”

With Seema’s pull, they entered the store. It was a custom-made store for the affluent, displaying samples of lovely clothes and luxurious dresses. And then there was women’s underwear, which was the root of Rodney’s reluctance to step into the store.

Despite the fact that the design of the underwear was substantially different from what he recalled from his prior life, he behaved erratically when faced with the women’s underwear.

“Hey, what do you think of these?”

“Huh.”

Seema held out the undergarments for him to see. He averted his gaze as she held it over her garments, stating that a young girl shouldn’t do such a thing.

“Geez, if you look that way, you can’t see it then.”

Seema moved over to Rodney’s line of sight. Then Rodney looked away again. Now, they were like playing a game of cat and mouse.

“Forget it. Next is the dress. I am going to wear it to a party at the Earl’s place. You are attending, too, Rodney.”

“No, I am?”

He tried to tell her he wasn’t going, but Seema interrupted him before he could.

“Since we’re going together, your clothes have to be prepared too, Rodney.”

“No, I am not?”

“I think this piece of clothing would look good on me. Do you think it’ll suit me?”

“…It looks to be a perfect match for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, absolutely.”

“Okay, I’ll go with this one. Can you please make it in a lighter shade of fabric?”

Seema gave the store clerk the detailed specifications. After leaving the store, he asked her why her measurements were not taken.

“I ordered a garment three days ago, so my measurements were taken at that time.”

Custom-made clothes and dresses were extremely high-priced. It was no surprise that the granddaughter of a wealthy merchant could have ordered them three days earlier. Rodney was struck by the prospect that he was likewise the grandchild of a wealthy merchant after thinking that. However, even if Rodney were to become rich, he would almost certainly order clothing out of necessity. Having been in poverty for the past 15 years, his nature would not be easily mended, nor did he intend to correct it.

“By the way, when does the Earl have a party?”

“There’s one every month unless there’s a war or something. I don’t plan to attend all of them, but I must attend them in moderation, or else I will end up in trouble.”

The mention of once a month made Rodney’s cheeks tighten. An attire must be made in order to show up at a party. Furthermore, each one would require a different outfit. The Forbus household did not have the financial means to cover such a cost.

Not to mention, he was unaware that a party was held on a monthly basis. He could predict that his father, Beck, had always refused to attend parties for whatever reason.

Seema said they would take their lunch at a fancy restaurant and then tailor Rodney’s clothes. But he wasn’t in the mood to squander money like that right now, and if money was going to be spent on clothes, he would rather spend it on something else. Therefore, Rodney refused but was forced to go along.

I don’t even plan to attend the party, and having clothing custom-made for me makes me uncomfortable. Maybe I should simply decline flatly here.

“Shee…”

“Welcome to our store, Lady Sheema.”

Rodney’s voice was drowned out by the clerk’s. To the clerk, Rodney appeared to be nothing more than Seema’s attendant. That was how detached Rodney’s attire was from that of the aristocracy.

“Would you be able to make Rodney’s suit today?”

“Yes, of course.”

Both Seema and the clerk acted promptly. Whenever he tried to tell her that he didn’t need custom-made clothes, Seema always beat him to the punch. Rodney was astounded by the fact that merchants can be such horrific creatures.

Later that evening, Rodney returned to the mansion exhausted and sat down on the sofa as if he had collapsed.

“Hear me out, Grandmother. Look at Rodney, he just went for a little shopping, and now he can’t move. He’s so sloppy.”

“Oh, dear. But boys are like that. Shopping with women is distressing for them. Even my family used to suffer from it.”

His grandmother Aman, who was telling them stories about her early years, brewed some tea for them.

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

“Since you’re a lord, you shouldn’t have been so exhausted with this, isn’t that right, Grandmother?”

“You’re right. Rodney might need to work out a little.”

While drinking tea and quenching his thirst, he listened silently to the conversation between his grandmother and his cousin. If he interjected poorly, the conversation would be prolonged. Even without interjecting, Seema’s complaints were protracted.

On the following day, Rodney and his group left Hacklehoff’s mansion early in the morning.

“You’ll have to make an effort to show your face more regularly. Also, don’t forget to bring Emilia with you.”

“I’ll try to visit as often as I can.”

Rodney exchanged a handshake with Hacklehoff.

“Rodney, don’t strain yourself.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

He hugged his grandmother.

“My husband was rude this time. Please come back and take care of yourself.”

“You take care too, Auntie.”

He bowed lightly.

“Your clothing will be ready the next time you come. How about we go to the Earl’s party?’

“Please go easy on me…”

Hacklehoff would cover the cost of the custom-made cloth. Seema, who had intended to do so, went ahead and spent the money without reservation. Rodney was taken aback, wondering if this was the sort of person who would refer to themselves as a celebrity.