I want Dodds to tell me about the general situation in Ribidoon, information about the governor sent from the Espana Imperial Kingdom, and the locations of the main sanctuaries of the Demonic Milk and Pure Small Breasts Churches. How much is the information fee?
“Normally, it would be three silver coins (equivalent to 30,000 yen). However, since I want to maintain a good relationship in the future, I’ll let it go for the cost of a meal.”
“I see… Thank you, Dodds.”
“Yes. Well then… First, I’ll explain from the time the Espana Imperial Army invaded…”
According to Dodds’ explanation, the town of Ribidoon was the territory of the Romaneil Viscount family, who were Waiyar nobles. The territorial army led by Viscount Romaneil fought bravely against the invading Espana Imperial Army, but were outnumbered and annihilated. Viscount Romaneil himself died from his battle wounds.
The Espana Imperial Army immediately surrounded the town of Ribidoon and demanded its surrender. Those of the Romaneil Viscount family who surrendered were mercilessly beheaded and cremated, including their key retainers. In particular, the executions of the Viscountess, who had a gentle disposition and was enthusiastic about charitable activities, and her daughter, the Viscount’s daughter, who was beheaded at the tender age of 13, were carried out despite repeated pleas for their lives from the residents.
Lyushenne, who was listening to Dodds’ explanation, appeared calm, but she gripped her palms tightly and seemed to be trembling slightly. Liliana and the others, who had experienced similar tragedies, assumed a solemn attitude, as if offering condolences and prayers to the annihilated Romaneil family. Alicia, an Espana noble from the perpetrator’s side, seemed shocked by the atrocities of the Espana Imperial Army.
Observing the movements of the Espana Imperial Army up to this point, they showed consideration for the general populace, as they were also a fighting force for demon subjugation, and tried to keep them out of combat as much as possible. However, they carried out fierce massacres against the ruling class. Furthermore, the Espana nobles sent as governors afterwards seemed to be chosen for their good character, perhaps to facilitate the smooth implementation of their occupation policies. Emperor Henry, a cunning old man, seemed to be pushing forward with his military and occupation policies, exploiting the psychology of the populace.
For the Espana Imperial Kingdom, this was an opportunity to expand its territory, but at the cost of weakening the “Human-Demi-Human Allied Forces” fighting against the demons. Emperor Henry seemed to be congratulating himself on skillfully alternating between carrots and sticks to avoid this weakening, but perhaps he was in a hurry as his death approached? It might be ironic that Prince Elizabeth ended up bearing the consequences. Considering all this, it is likely that Emperor Henry was becoming senile or losing his mind.
One might think that his subordinates should have admonished him, but perhaps there was no one capable of disagreeing with the charisma that built the small Kingdom of Espana into the largest nation in the western countries, no, the largest human nation in just one generation.
“I… I…”
As I was pondering the future of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, Alicia, unable to bear Dodds’ story any longer, looked at me with tear-filled eyes, seeking salvation. Alicia also seemed to be plagued by guilt upon hearing about the atrocities of the Espana Imperial Army. Although Alicia was born into the Robe Viscount family, she had never been involved in any atrocities. Nevertheless, as an Espana noble, she felt something. Perhaps it was also related to her closeness to the victims, Lyushenne and the others.
“Alicia is Alicia. There’s no need to be ashamed of anything.”
“Yes… Thank you, Hal.”
As I encouraged her in a low voice, she thanked me resolutely. Liliana, sitting next to Alicia, was stroking her head to calm her down. I was relieved that introducing her to the “Princess Harem” party members had not been a mistake. Looking around at the companions gathered around the table again, I realized that people from various backgrounds had come together. The thought that this group might have been brought together by divine guidance flashed through my mind. I suppose I was overthinking it, but the thought lingered in the back of my mind.
“There was terrible fighting around this town too, Dodds. And even if they are enemy nobles, I wish they wouldn’t execute defenseless women and children…”
“For the townspeople, being surrounded by the Espana Imperial Army was tough, but the fighting itself was just between armies. Viscount Romaneil and his family were quite admired, but in the end, it was just a change of rulers…”
Dodds offered a surprisingly cool opinion here, and I could only force a wry smile.
“Then please tell me about the Espana Imperial Army and the dispatched governor. You weren’t granted land by Espana nobles here either, were you?”
“Oh, about the Espana Imperial Army… According to Dodds’ explanation, after removing the influence of the former rulers, the Romaneil Viscount family, the Espana Imperial Army in Ribidoon maintained public order without the feared looting. The fact that not a single rape occurred should be praised.
Speaking of which, the Viscount’s daughter who was executed at the age of 13 was likely a follower of the Asgard Holy Church. The Asgard Holy Church prohibits the execution of innocent virgins. However, in cases of political decisions by those in power, it is customary to first perform the deflowering using a divine artifact before execution. I cannot let Alicia hear this supplementary explanation. It is highly probable that the Viscount’s daughter was beheaded while letting crimson tears flow from her crotch, cursing everything.
I gently closed my eyes and prayed for the repose of the unfortunate Viscount’s daughter. Even if the beheaded corpses remained without decay, they could not be resurrected by Elixir. It is impossible to apply it to a corpse missing an important part, the head. All I can do is pray for the soul of the Viscount’s daughter to rest in peace.
Or, if she had been turned into a “dead doll,” there might be a possibility of resurrection with Elixir? Come to think of it, the bodies were burned, weren’t they? My thoughts wandered slightly, but I’ll get back to the topic.
Meanwhile, the man appointed as local governor of Ribidoon was Baron Shuze Nikolai Von Hylandora, a handsome middle-aged man. Baron Highlandola was a single man in his prime at 35 years old. He was a slender, sharp-featured intellectual with short brown hair and sharp, cool brown eyes. Combined with his gentle demeanor, he quickly became accustomed to his role as governor. The average lifespan of humans is around 50 years, so at 35, he was at a delicate age, with one foot already in old age.
I had never met Baron Highlandola, and it seemed Alicia hadn’t either. However, given Baron Highlandola’s appearance, it was not hard to imagine that he had caused quite a stir in Espana’s social circles. Consequently, people who wanted to curry favor with Baron Highlandola appeared, and since he was single, personal maids and female slaves were assigned to him. Of course, their purpose was to seduce Baron Highlandola and win him over.
However, Baron Highlandola was surprisingly ascetic, and their schemes were unsuccessful. In this situation, the secretary Baron Highlandola chose was a beautiful girl named Myale Popais, the eldest daughter of one of the town’s influential figures. Myale was a fresh 17-year-old maiden with beautiful lavender hair and bluish-gray eyes. The sight of the two of them walking side-by-side through town was a harbinger of peace, and they gradually gained the support of the general populace. Myale also seemed to have been tasked with charming Baron Highlandola with her burgeoning young body. At first, she seemed to approach him in provocative attire, but gradually she began to wear a more modest secretary’s uniform. Among the curious, the day Myale would lose her virginity had secretly become a betting subject.
It was quite disheartening. However, a sudden turn of events occurred. Baron Highlandola, who had been diligently focused on his duties, suddenly changed his behavior one day. He indulged in gluttony and beautiful women, leading a decadent life of feasting and revelry. Baron Highlandola’s body quickly grew fat and degenerate into an ugly pig, and he began imposing heavy taxes to fund his debauchery. This attitude also infected his subordinates, and the discipline of the Espana Imperial Army devolved into chaos. Come to think of it, the uniforms of the Espana soldiers guarding the castle gate were disheveled, and I remembered being charged an outrageously high entry tax.
Naturally, Myale, who had been by Baron Highlandola’s side, was also easily deflowered and began to be treated like a prostitute. It was rumored that she had been subjected to rough, almost rape-like treatment on her first night, judging by her demeanor at the time. Myale’s attire also changed to revealing dancer’s clothes that made her breasts and crotch area visible, and she was even forced to have sex in broad daylight in his office. Originally, she probably intended to use her body to seduce Baron Highlandola, but after actually being subjected to cruel treatment, the smile disappeared from Myale’s face. In other words, Myale was also an unsophisticated 17-year-old young lady.
After being in such a situation for some time, Myale, who had seemingly fallen in love with Baron Highlandola at one point, suddenly eloped without any prior notice and joined the anti-Espana movement. Currently, Myale Popais is a wanted criminal with a bounty on her head.
Somehow… Dodds’ explanation is strange. I looked at the three Vampire sisters and Astarotte, and they nodded slightly in agreement. This means that there is a high possibility that a Demon was involved in Baron Highlandola’s madness.
“Dodds, I want to know.”
“Yes, what is it, young master?”
“What caused Governor Highlandola’s behavior to change so abruptly?!”
“It’s not confirmed, but people say it was a political merchant who started appearing around the time his lifestyle drastically changed.”
“What is that political merchant’s name?”
“I should really charge extra for this, but I’ll take a gamble on you, young master. The political merchant’s name is Marmo Mamot. Come to think of it, around the time I found out his name, I also started hearing about the Demonic Milk and Pure Small Breasts Churches.”
“So, is Marmo Mamot the mastermind behind both religious organizations?”
“Unfortunately, I have no evidence that Marmo is involved in religious activities.”
What I wanted to ask Dodds was about the general situation in Ribidoon. In response, Dodds carefully explained the events since the invasion of the Espana Imperial Army. The Romaneil Viscount family members who were eradicated must have had deep regrets, but there was nothing I could do now. If necessary, Alicia would surely condemn Baron Highlandola for his misconduct as governor. The full power of attorney entrusted to Alicia by Princess Elizabeth of the Espana Imperial Kingdom through Swan Hilda is valid in this city as well.
However, the fact that his lifestyle changed drastically from one day to the next suggests that there was some external factor. Simply disposing of Baron Highlandola might be easy, but it is essential to identify and address the cause of his change. Therefore, Marmo Mamot, who was revealed through Dodds’ explanation, may need further investigation. Marmo, as a political merchant, has been ordained as a Third-Class Quasi-Noble by the Espana Imperial Kingdom. I am ordained as a First-Class Quasi-Noble, so my status is higher than his. Furthermore, with Alicia present, there is no way he can compete.
However, there are concerns. Lulu_Berze, the youngest of the three Vampire sisters known as “Ruru,” has warned that a demon of equal or higher rank than her is lurking in Ribidoon. If Marmo’s true identity is a demon, it would be like disturbing a snake in its nest, and a difficult battle would be inevitable. It seems necessary to investigate Marmo’s true identity without alerting him. And if Marmo is connected to the Demonic Milk and Pure Small Breasts Churches, even more caution will be needed.
Incidentally, the main sanctuaries of both religious organizations are located in line of sight of the Former Lord’s Mansion. The main sanctuary of the Demonic Milk Church is immediately recognizable by its distinctive roof shaped like breasts. The main sanctuary of the Pure Small Breasts Church has a nearly flat roof shaped like small breasts, making it harder to identify, but it is also distinctive when approached.
Having acquired valuable information from Dodds, the reseller and information broker, we cheerfully left the tavern and headed for our parked carriage.
“Lord Hal, there’s a strange girl collapsed in the carriage.”
However, I received an unexpected report from Eria.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 46-4: Consultation and Treatment as Usual ① has been scheduled for October 13th at 0:00.
