April has arrived.
Today marks Yuri’s official inauguration as Lord of Feel and Prada Village.
Since the residents already recognize Yuri, a celebratory atmosphere fills Feel.
“I apologize, Lord Yamato. We’ve made the Union House our temporary lord’s residence.”
“It can’t be helped, as the construction of the Esmeralda Tenchaku Residence wasn’t completed in time. It seems it will be finished in about two more weeks at the earliest, so don’t worry about it until then.”
“Thank you.”
Yuri will be the first of the Esmeralda Tenchaku Family, so there is no mansion in Feel.
There is a royal villa, but that cannot be used. Therefore, I hastily requested the Crafter’s Guild to construct the Esmeralda Tenchaku Residence, but due to the urgency, construction just recently began.
Even so, it’s amazing that it will be completed in less than a month.
So, for the interim, we plan to use the Wing Crest’s Union House as a temporary lord’s residence.
The construction costs are to be covered by the official funds for the Tenchaku, which Emperor Reinhardt has provided.
The necessary expenses for a Tenchaku include the mansion that will serve as the lord’s residence, clothing, and other expenses for managing the territory. All of these will be covered by the official funds.
Official funds are determined by rank. For Dukes, it’s 100 million El per year, Marquesses receive 70 million El, Earls receive 50 million El, Viscounts receive 30 million El, and Barons receive 20 million El.
There’s a five-fold difference between Dukes and Barons. However, there are a considerable number of Baronial families, and they are appointed as governors of towns belonging to nobles of Earl rank or higher. In addition to official funds, they receive 30% of the tax revenue from that town.
Viscount territories, apart from the capital, only encompass two or three towns and villages. However, since they do not have appointed governors, the tax revenue is reflected directly, making many of them quite wealthy.
The Earl families are reportedly the ones facing the most financial hardship.
The size of Earl and Marquess territories is not vastly different, so the significant difference in official funds is likely the primary reason.
Nevertheless, the tax revenue paid to the royal family is 50%, with the remaining 50% becoming the lord’s income. Thus, even after paying 30% of the tax revenue to the Baronial families serving as governors, their livelihood is not in jeopardy.
However, this only applies to nobles who possess territory.
All nobles in Amister possess territory. However, in other countries, there are many nobles who do not. Therefore, I have heard that the official fund system will be reviewed and revised to minimize significant disparities between countries.
Incidentally, the Knight Baron of the Order’s Guild and the Dragon Baron of the Dragoner’s Guild do not receive official funds. The Phantom Baron of Torencia reportedly receives 10 million El annually.
I understand about the Knight Baron and Dragon Baron, as they are Guild titles.
I feel the Phantom Baron is a small amount, considering she was the former queen. However, there are apparently eight Phantom Barons currently in Torencia, and since they do not manage territory, this is considered a significant amount.
Even when moving one’s residence to another country, official funds are provided, but in that case, it is halved to 5 million El, suggesting it serves more as living expenses for retired queens.
Incidentally, the annual income of a Guild Register varies by rank, but for an S-rank, it’s around 2 million El per person. With multiple wives also working, the average is around 5 million El.
The official funds for the Tenchaku have been set at 100 million El, the same as for Dukes.
Mana and I are also to be conferred the title of Tenchaku, so we will receive it, but as we have primarily lived as Hunters, it is a sum that is difficult to accept straightforwardly.
However, it seems it cannot be declined. As a last resort, citing our lack of territory and the reduction for Phantom Barons who move abroad, we managed to have it halved to 50 million El. We then discussed focusing our efforts on developing Feel and Prada Village, which will become the Esmeralda Baronetcy, and on establishing and opening the Scholar’s Guild.
Regarding taxes, in Amister, registration with a Guild is mandatory, and payment is made after deducting taxes.
The tax rate is reportedly 20% of remuneration, so the system seems to be that the more remuneration one receives, the more tax revenue is generated.
I had thought that a certain percentage of the yield, converted to money, would be taxed. However, since farms are under the jurisdiction of the Trader’s Guild, it seems that tax is paid by the Guild, not by individuals.
Guilds, with the exception of the Order’s Guild and Priest’s Guild, pay 30% of their annual income in the spring. The amount is likely in the tens or hundreds of millions of El.
This tax is paid to the Lord, and by regulation, the Lord must then pay half of the tax to the Royal Family.
Naturally, tax evasion and fraudulent accounting are illegal. If discovered, severe penalties are imposed. At best, the Lord is forced to retire; at worst, the entire family can be implicated and executed, as I’ve heard.
The citizens are constantly paying taxes through their Guilds, so in spring, the Guilds are the ones paying taxes.
Feel’s tax revenue this year is expected to be lower due to the Magic Silver mine being temporarily out of use. However, it is said that because we have been hunting high-ranking monsters to compensate, it may record its highest amount ever.
The Federation Heavenly Empire’s tax system operates similarly to Amister’s, with 10% of each country’s income being paid to the Celestial Emperor.
Emperor Reinhardt had no such intention, but various monarchs, including Hilde, insisted that it is natural to pay taxes to the head of state, so he apparently had no choice but to accept.
For the time being, taxes will be collected using the methods employed by each country, but it has also been decided that a complete transition will occur within a few years.
The issue lies with Solemne. It seems that only about half of Deseo have registered with a Guild there, and they reportedly haven’t received many requests, citing their inability to use Guild Magic.
However, it’s unrealistic to expect an immediate change in mindset. I’ve heard that they will be observing the situation for a few more years with a slightly lowered tax rate.
“Lord Yuri, preparations are complete.”
“Understood. Lord Yamato, Elder Sister, Elder Sister Prim, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“All is well.”
As it is the first day, we are scheduled to make courtesy calls.
Speaking of courtesy calls, we were informed about Yuri’s assumption of office about three days ago. So, only the Provincial Governors and Guild Masters are coming to the Union House to greet them, and they are already here.
It’s being called a luncheon to coincide with the assumption of office, but since everyone is already acquainted, it’s largely ceremonial.
The Union House is about two-thirds the size of a Noble’s Mansion, but its interior is comparable, so it has adequate facilities.
A dining hall is also provided on the first floor, large enough to seat twenty people at once, so there shouldn’t be any particular problems.
“We apologize for the delay.”
We entered the dining hall in the order of the future Lord Yuri, myself, Mana, and Prim.
The order was: Yuri, the Lord; myself, her fiancé; Mana, Yuri’s sister and also a newly conferred Tenchaku; and Prim, representing my wives.
“I am Yuriana Esmeralda, who has today become the Lord of Feel and Prada Village. I may have many shortcomings, but I humbly ask for your continued support.”
“I am Manalease Mikami Lapislazurite, serving as Lord’s Assistant. While I will eventually leave Feel, until then, I will dedicate myself to the development of Feel and Prada Village.”
After Yuri and Mana completed their greetings without incident, it was my turn.
I wasn’t told suddenly, but I’ve never given a speech like this before, so I’m nervous…
“I am Yamato Mikami Fraydlancia. I intend to lend my humble support to the development of Feel and Prada Village, as well as assist the Lord.”
“I am Primrose Mikami Fraydlancia. My husband and co-wives and I promise to provide all possible support.”
All four of us are using the family names to be bestowed upon us at the Coronation Ceremony.
The Library has not yet been updated as the bestowal has not been officially conferred. However, we have been advised that it is better to start using them now, so we are adopting these names to coincide with Yuri’s assumption of office.
It is fortunate that we do not have to go to the Priest’s Guild, as the priests attending the ceremony will handle the name change procedures as soon as the bestowal is conferred. Normally, one must visit the Priest’s Guild.
Following us, the Provincial Governors and Guild Masters also introduce themselves. For the Order’s Guild, Rex, the current Order’s Master, will be inaugurated as Grand Order’s Master, so the Order’s Master and Sub-Order’s Master will change after the Coronation Ceremony.
“I am Iris Servant, who will be inaugurated as the Order’s Master. The Sub-Order’s Master has not yet been decided, but I believe we will be able to introduce them soon.”
Iris, the current Sub-Order’s Master, will be the new Order’s Master.
Although she did not participate in the war with Solemne, she led the Orders and thinned out the Orcs in Mylight until the snow fell, reaching level 57.
She mentioned defeating an Orc Prince twice, which likely contributed to her leveling up.
“I have heard that the Sub-Order’s Master will be dispatched from headquarters. It is scheduled to be after the Coronation Ceremony. Until then, it will be difficult, but please do your best to unite Feel’s Orders.”
“Yes!”
The Sub-Order’s Master will be dispatched from headquarters, will they?
Certainly, many Royal Orders participated in the war, and considering their achievements, becoming an Order’s Master or Sub-Order’s Master is plausible.
It will likely be someone from the First Order.
After the self-introductions and greetings, the meal was served.
The Butlers are all Rank G or higher, contracted by the Provincial Governors.
The Provincial Governors have brought Butlers from their own territories, but Feel cannot afford to not hire any.
Feel has lacked a Lord, which is a primary reason for the scarcity of high-ranking Butlers.
Most of them are contracted for the maintenance of Noble Mansions, but due to a shortage of personnel, Rank B and Rank C Butlers are often called upon.
Yuri also intends to hire Butlers from the Butler’s Guild in Feel once the mansion is completed. However, for this reason, it is becoming difficult to hire Rank S or higher Butlers.
There is a possibility that the Butler contract terms may change now that Feel has become the Esmeralda Baronetcy. However, as Feel is also a summer resort, the outcome is entirely uncertain.
Therefore, the Butler’s Guild Feel Branch is reportedly negotiating with the Butler’s Guild headquarters, which has relocated to Float, to dispatch several high-ranking Butlers.
Fortunately, Eos, a Rank G Butler, has been recommended by Mana and Athena and will be able to take the promotion test to Rank P. If she passes the test, it might be enough to maintain a minimum level of service.
However, this would place a burden on Eos, so it’s a course of action we would rather avoid.
“Ooh, this looks delicious.”
“Roast White Tier; Rudra Foul herb-grilled; Lake Dragoon bone broth ramen.”
The lunch features White Tier, a deer-like monster that appeared near Feel during winter, and Rudra Foul hunted in the Krater Labyrinth, along with Lake Dragoon as the main dishes.
The highlight is the Lake Dragoon bone broth ramen.
The bones of the Lake Dragoon are crushed to make the soup stock, and the meat is used to make chashu. This is a supreme dish prepared by Sayuri for this occasion.
I can’t help but think that ramen might be a bit unconventional for a banquet, but since ramen is commonly served at Helios Orb, I seem to be the only one feeling out of place.
“This is truly…”
“Even White Tier is a luxury ingredient, and yet… M-rank monsters as well…”
White Tier is a rare species of monster called Snow Drop, which only appears when a certain amount of snow has accumulated.
There are several peaks in the Mylight Mountains that retain snow year-round, and they reportedly live in relative seclusion there.
However, when winter arrives and snow piles up, their range of activity expands dramatically, and they descend near Feel.
While it is possible to hunt Snow Drops from spring to autumn on the peaks that retain year-round snow, the peaks where deer-like monsters inhabit are quite treacherous. Even the closest peak requires crossing three mountain ranges. Therefore, few Hunters willingly venture there.
It reportedly takes at least three days one way on foot. Moreover, due to the year-round snow, the peaks are as cold as midwinter. I’ve also heard that the monsters that appear there are not just Rank B, but also Rank S and Rank G, so it’s not a place to go out of mere curiosity.
Therefore, some nobles apparently buy up Snow Drops hunted during winter and store them in Storage Bags.
Indeed, it was quite delicious.
And of course, the bone broth ramen was also delicious.
My only complaint is that I couldn’t slurp it loudly while eating.
It’s a banquet, so it’s understandable, but I still think ramen is best enjoyed with a good slurp.
