Marius decided to visit the territory he had been granted.
It had only been about half a month since Marius was granted the title of Count, and he had yet to meet the governor who actually managed the territory, or his subordinates, the executive officers.
He had never imagined that his title would be raised and his territory expanded in less than half a month.
He had believed that the Demon Lord and demons should be prioritized, and the King had agreed.
However, it was problematic to have his territory increased and his subordinates’ work doubled before meeting them.
Naturally, nobles who owned territory were supposed to establish their main residence within it and perform their duties as lords.
A governor was an official who took care of the territory in the lord’s absence when they attended the royal court.
At least, that was how it was understood in Filat.
However, there were always exceptions to the rule, and Marius was deemed unsuitable to be expected to manage territory and was better off staying in the Royal Capital.
Nevertheless, a letter arrived stating that there were matters only a feudal lord could decide, and they would like him to make an appearance soon.
With advice from Emma, a situation where he had no choice but to go was created.
Bara and Catherine, who were very curious, were repelled with a “goodwill event” they had prepared.
“Why are you two…?”
So, it was unexpected that Lovisa and Emma would accompany him.
Remika’s presence was justifiable as she was his personal maid.
There were other events, such as Aina quietly encouraging Remika with “Do your best, Remika-chan,” Bara looking up at the sky, and Catherine increasing her daily punches, but these happened outside Marius’s awareness.
“It is to learn about the management of noble territories.”
Lovisa stated, as usual, without showing any emotion.
Marius abandoned the idea of retorting “You must surely know” in the face of her demeanor.
Remika was endearingly nervous.
Marius stopped the royal court staff who were bringing out carriages and asked if anyone had been to their destination.
He immediately realized the foolishness of his question.
“Count Tuban’s territory” was quite vast, and many people in the royal court had lived there or passed through it.
He mentally scanned the memories of places near his destination to avoid being detected and committed them to memory.
There were forms of teleportation magic that could be activated under certain conditions, even if the caster wasn’t aware of them.
“It’s magic that moves you to a place someone has been before.”
He explained this to Remika, who was surprised by the sudden change in scenery, but in reality, it was different.
It was a combination of psychometry and teleportation magic.
Lovisa and Emma understood what Marius had done, but they said nothing to Remika.
There was a difference in the information that was meant to be known.
Lovisa had advised Marius that it would be better not to tell Remika too much, unless he intended to make her his official wife.
No one in the royal court reprimanded Marius for his unconventional method of travel.
There were differences in reactions, such as the King showing a strange expression, Lovisa frowning, Emma sighing, Falk making a face as if he had swallowed something bitter, and Bara’s eyes sparkling, but no one could outright deny Marius’s assertion:
“Time is precious.”
Indeed, it was more beneficial to have Marius accomplish various things.
Marius and his party arrived at a building much more luxurious than their residence in the Royal Capital, drawing curious glances from the local populace.
It was a rare exception for the main residence to be more modest, but that was a matter for later.
The gatekeeper, who questioned their sudden arrival, a lord and a princess, rushed inside the building in a panic.
Gasso Robert, the governor who eventually appeared, was an elderly man who seemed honest but lacked any particular distinguishing features.
He addressed the group, who had arrived unexpectedly through unconventional means, with warm yet stern words.
“Your sentiment of valuing time is admirable, but please refrain from actions that disregard proper procedure. You should be a model for the people.”
Marius, acknowledging the truth of his words, apologized with a solemn expression.
Lovisa and the others also looked embarrassed.
Seeing them, Gasso sighed lightly.
“I am on duty, so I cannot entertain you. Please forgive me.”
Gasso returned to his work without offering them drinks or chairs, leaving Marius with the impression of a “stubborn old man.”
His attitude, which was so straightforward that it might provoke rebellion, was nevertheless appealing in its dedication to his duties over those of his employer or the princess.
However, it seemed the surrounding staff didn’t have the nerve to leave the Marquis and the Princess standing for long. Within a minute, a maid rushed over to announce that tea and snacks had been prepared in the reception room.
Lovisa, Emma, and Remika made to move without question, but Marius felt hesitant.
It felt like the action of someone presuming on their privilege.
Regardless of what others thought, Marius had prepared a carriage and driver, intending to save them the trouble of stopping overnight on the journey.
In other words, he had no intention of flaunting his power or acting arrogantly.
However, he wasn’t sure if the “stubborn old man” who treated them as if they weren’t there understood this, and he felt his actions had been met with resistance.
While Lovisa, a higher authority, might be able to handle it, Marius lacked confidence in his ability to get along with someone he needed to rely on, especially after being opposed by someone who was merely a newly elevated noble.
“No, I will wait here.”
There’s a saying that even a monarch should treat talented individuals with respect.
Marius didn’t consciously adhere to this principle every day, but he felt it was the appropriate way to interact with the man before him.
Gasso’s processing speed momentarily slowed as he looked at Marius, but he quickly returned to his usual pace.
What surprised them was Lovisa and the others.
The idea of a superior waiting for a subordinate to finish their work was unknown to them.
It might be acceptable among close friends, but never between a noble who had just met their subordinate.
Marius was unintentionally attempting to overturn that common sense.
Emma gently stopped Lovisa, who had opened her mouth to say something.
Emma knew of Gasso through her information. He was a capable individual who had been courted by the royal palace but refused, remaining loyal to his former master due to his innate earnestness.
When he lost his position due to his earnestness being overlooked by the younger, new master, he was invited to become Count Tuban’s governor and accepted.
He was stubbornly devoted to his duties, valuing them above royal prestige or personal advancement.
Even after Count Tuban became a Marquis and his workload increased, Gasso never complained and performed his duties without major incident.
Emma predicted that, precisely because of this, he would not hold Marius or the others in high regard.
A newly risen noble, who brought multiple young women with him through unconventional means.
It was natural for Gasso, who only knew Marius through information, to interpret things this way, and Marius could not blame him for any negative feelings.
Considering that Gasso was the type of person to request dismissal if he disliked his master, this was a very precarious situation.
Although not the most skilled in administrative processing domestically, he was likely the most trustworthy person for Marius, who would often be away from his territory.
Therefore, Marius wanted to repair their relationship here and now.
Emma whispered this to Lovisa, who nodded in agreement.
Gasso, though stubborn, was not unreasonable, so when he came to know Marius, he would surely realize his misunderstanding.
“Then I shall wait here as well. It would not do to have Marius-sama stand alone.”
Emma had anticipated Lovisa saying this, and knew she wouldn’t be swayed once she decided, so she nodded in agreement and added:
“Understood. I will wait too.”
At this point, an atmosphere was created where Remika had no choice but to wait as well. Though she felt like crying, she put on a brave face.
“I will wait too. I cannot rest before Marius-sama and Lovisa-sama.”
Thus, the four guests were left standing and watching Gasso work, but it didn’t last long.
Whether it was because the four pairs of eyes were bothersome, or because he realized it was improper to leave young ladies standing for so long, or perhaps he lacked the nerve to completely neglect a princess and a marquis, he urged them to wait in the reception room.
Marius and the others complied without resistance.
He felt there was no need to push further, having succeeded in changing Gasso’s impression.
Sticking to his guns would only lower his evaluation further.
The reception room was quite spacious, but the interior and furnishings were unadorned.
Similar to Gasso’s office, it was altogether devoid of luxury.
Marius understood without asking that it reflected the governor’s personality.
After drinking tea and taking a moment to relax, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a voice saying, “Excuse me,” and a man entered.
He was in his thirties, and also seemed like a serious man.
“I am deeply honored to see the faces of the Princess and the Marquis.”
The man, after a stiff greeting, introduced himself as Sail and stated that he was Gasso’s son and one of the executive officers.
Emma confirmed that the information in her mind matched the features of the man before her and nodded to Marius.
Marius, as the new employer, spoke his first words.
“I apologize, but I’m not good with formalities. After all, I’m a newly risen noble.”
Marius spoke factually, without self-deprecation, while Sail bowed his head without changing his expression.
“I will handle it appropriately,” he said.
He seemed more approachable than his father.
“For now, I would like a simple report on the territory.”
At Marius’s request, Sail began to explain without looking at any documents.
The Tuban Marquisate owned three territories: Pilins, Forna, and Rispecca, all of which were agriculturally prosperous.
In other words, they were classified as rural areas with no other notable production.
Their sources of income were mainly agricultural products, tolls, fees for market stalls, and tourists who came for seasonal festivals.
Filat, being a large country with active trade, benefited from this.
Marius watched with admiration as Sail spoke smoothly, without any hesitation or need to recall information.
He had imagined administrative staff constantly poring over documents, so this was a refreshing shock.
Lovisa and the others listened with nonchalant expressions, suggesting that all executive officers were capable of this level of performance.
(Another world, amazing.)
Marius experienced another culture shock.
When Marius thanked him after Sail finished his explanation, Sail’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
He seemed surprised that a noble would offer thanks.
“It is the custom of our country for nobles to praise, not thank, commoners.”
Lovisa’s explanation made Marius understand.
However, distinguishing between “thanking” and “praising” in this world seemed like a considerable challenge.
As Marius’s expression turned troubled, Sail spoke.
“Marius von Tuban.”
He said, with great solemnity and full of reverence.
“You are a hero and a beacon of hope for the common people.”
His words were slow and commanded attention.
“Please, be aware of this. humble as I am, I sincerely implore you.”
Sail said this and prostrated himself.
Marius was touched not by his words, but by the sincere feelings conveyed within them.
“I understand. I shall take note of your counsel. In the name of Marius von Tuban.”
He tried his best to maintain a solemn tone.
He intuitively felt that this was the way to respond to Sail.
This was the first time Marius had uttered the title “von” himself, marking it as a historic day.
Incidentally, he also became notable as the first Marquis in history to accompany a princess of the realm, who should have been his host and guest, on an inspection tour.
“And one more thing,” Sail added.
“Thus far, we have maintained the status quo. We cannot undertake new development or investment without your command.”
“Understood.”
Marius had not given it much deep thought at that moment.
