CH 61

I felt relieved after I left the room. I think there was something I wanted to confirm with His Highness, but I forgot what that was. Must be because I am taking care of too many things recently.

I know that I have no cheat. That’s why I need to get help from many people. I envy the hero’s ability to solve everything by himself, but I can’t help what I don’t have.

With these thoughts in my mind, I headed back to my office and found Neurath and Schunzhel waiting for me inside wearing the knights uniform with a different colour compared to the uniform Worn by the Kingdom Knights. None of them wore armour though.

By the way, most knights’ uniforms in this world have the same design but in different colours. The 1st division of Kingdom Knights wore the blue colour while the 2nd division wore the green colour. The red colored uniform is for the nobles’ knights with a family crest on the armband that indicates which family the knights belong to.

Then, there are also black uniforms for the Royal Guards and the white uniform for the Protectors of the Inner Palace. By the way, the Protectors of the Inner Palace are also known as the White Dragon Knights. There are many female knights among them. This makes sense since they served as the escorts for the queen and princesses.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“It is fine, sir.”

“Please do not be bothered by such things.”

Well, it’s not like I had them waiting while standing to attention. Rather, they are quite relaxed so I guess being a bit late didn’t cause them too much discomfort. At any rate, I let them sit on the couch for visitors, then I sat across from them. There are many things I need to confirm with them.

“Once more, I apologise for the delay. By the way, both of you, tell me the information you got.”

The revival of the Demon King is probably widely known by now and Mazell probably became a total celebrity because of the recent parade, but I don’t know what else is happening. It would be a great deal of trouble if there were any discrepancies from my game knowledge.

When it comes to their fighting ability, it seems that they are both knights befitting their age. I suppose we can try to have a spar later on. But based on what I’ve heard, they’re probably stronger than me in sword fighting.

Since they both will also be accompanying me as my escorts on the battlefield, Father must also have taken account of their fighting ability before choosing them.

According to the information I got from the two of them, it seems like when I was out of the capital, there were noble knights who actively hunted demons in the area surrounding the capital, but there were also knights returning to their lords’ territories. There were many nobles bringing their knights to return to their territories with their children and grandchildren under the excuse ‘wanting to protect their territories’.

I guess there are many different kinds of people among the nobles. Protecting their houses is the nobility’s main priority. To be frank, I’m not surprised by the fact that there are families that don’t care about what happens to the capital so long as they can keep their own territory safe.

I wonder what the situation of the nobles is like in the game. Did they focus on defending their territory due to the destruction of the Kingdom Knights? or on the contrary, were they forced by the king’s decree to lend their strength to the capital?

“At least, it seems that none of the nobles made any suggestion to surrender to the demon army.”

“The Veritza Fortress incident must have left a deep impression on them.”

Neurath added to Schunzel’s words. Hmm, judging from their actions, It seems Schunzel is the type of person that speaks after thinking while Neurath is more the type that speaks according to his feeling and instinct.

Maybe because unlike in the game the Kingdom Knights are still going strong that’s why there has been no unrest among the citizens. At least, on the surface. The recent festival may cause anxiety to rise in their hearts, but not to the extent of revealing it on their faces. Though that being said, perhaps because of the increase of the demon’s appearance rates, some products are running low on the market.

“Affordable weapons are beginning to be in short supply. Perhaps the citizens are purchasing them with self defence on their mind”

“Though those kinds of weapons are useless for fighting demons.”

I commented on Neurath’s line with a straight face. The ‘affordable weapons’ Neurath was talking about are the kind of weapons used by apprentice adventurers. Maybe that kind of weapon can work against the weak demons before the demon king’s revival but now, that sort of cheap weapons are useless especially since the wielder is the untrained citizens.

“Well perhaps they purchased those as a kind of protection charm”

“Well, that could be true.”

Normal citizens carrying weapons is bad for public order. But telling people who are afraid to dismiss their fears will also be difficult. Well, I should just tell the people in charge of public order to be more careful.

“I heard in the knights’ cafeteria that the price of some vegetables has been skyrocketing.”

“I also heard that it’s now harder to acquire medical harbs.”

“The skyrocketing price might be the reason.”

No matter which world you are in, the citizens of capitals tend to be consumptive.

This world’s food preservation technique isn’t high. Something like ice houses exist, but I doubt that alone is good enough to do a perfect food preservation. In fact, I was surprised when I saw vegetables that have been frozen by magic were sold in still frozen state. For the citizens of the capital, fresh vegetables are a valuable commodity. As the appearance rate of the demonic beasts goes up, the roads which the capital uses to bring food will become dangerous. This might become the largest problem in the capital.

The same applies to medicinal herbs. The recent demon outbreak probably consumed a lot of herbs that were effective for wounds, but with the increase of demons appearance rates, places will become more dangerous causing gathering the medical herbs become much harder than before. The increase of difficulty in gathering them will naturally result in the increase of their price.

“I suppose managing safety on the highway will be an issue soon enough.”

“It will, most probably.”

Even up to now the highway has never been perfectly safe, but from now on the highway will become even more dangerous. The merchants will now have no choice but to hire adventurers and mercenaries for their protection. That means, the possible military forces of the capital will be scattered. I think that’s not a good thing.

In other words, the capital will face a shortage of military forces in the future. The kingdom might have to cut the military force in other areas to supply enough military force for the capital, and it will make the areas that have their military forces cut become dissatisfied. Well, that’s the problem for the kingdom’s higher ups to think, not me.

“Still, there is nothing we can do even if we keep thinking about it.”

“That’s also true.”

Schunzel’s words brought me back from my sea of thought. I am just an heir of a count house that has a peerage of deputy count. My right to meddle in this kingdom’s politics is virtually zero. Though for some reason, I seem to have His Highness’s favour.

(T/L: It feels like “deputy count” feels better than “vice count” so I will be using it from now on.)

But if nothing big happens, the demons will attack the capital so I should do everything I can to maintain the public order in the capital.

“Well, just offering some suggestions to the higher ups won’t cost us anything. Tell me if there is anything else you both notice.”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

Actually, offering suggestions to the higher ups did cost me something. If I kept offering an idiotic suggestion to the higher-up, their evaluation of me will fall. If I offer a proposal, I also need to at least secure enough budget.

Well, that’s that.

“I just remembered a place I wanted to visit. Will you two come with me?”

It’s unlikely that there’s a big development in just one month, but I still want to check.