Chapter 40 Managing Territory

Translator: Isekai Shousetsu

Yal, is it really fine for you to not stay like them?

Yes, I have decided to devote my life to you, after all. Yal said with a grin.

All the former Ferrum Territory has become part of the Ars Territory. That includes, of course, the territory of my original village.

After all, it would be a waste to abandon or to neglect the village weve spent years to reclaim and develop. Having said that, managing all these lands by myself would be out of the question.

Thus, I asked each of the villagers whether they would like to stay in the village or come with me.

A large part, particularly from those who I saved as children and those who were slaves, who I have now freed by the way, have decided to come with me. I will grant them territory.

Most of the refugees who came last year, on the other hand, elected to stay in the village even though I thought they would want to come back to their hometowns. They probably felt it would be more comfortable to live their lives in the new village.

However, its a village where one hundred and thirty people lived. Having only thirty people living there would be a waste so I plan to add more people from my new territory there.

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(Scene change)

Alright, all members are accounted for huh.

We have Tetra, Soyon, Lulu, Ron, Roswald, Gram, and Yal. Bolus and Bartolo has also joined.

Hey, I think I feel like Im the only one sticking out like a sore thumb. (Bartolo)

Well, I heard Bartolo-san holds some territory so I figured to consult your opinions on managing territory. (Almis)

Its my first time managing territory. I really dont know anything about it.

Thats why asking a senpai is only natural.

Sofirst, please teach us what feudal lords do. (Almis)

Its not a big deal, really. Basically, youre responsible for maintaining public order, sorcery defense, territorial defense, and giving tribute to King Rosyth. Youre also responsible for passing judgement and justice. Also managing necessary expenses and tax collection. Thats pretty much it. (Bartolo)

Hey, isnt that a big deal?

Well, although it might not be a walk in the park, its not that difficult as youre imagining. First, of course, is the tribute to King Rosyth, but youve been given exemption for two years due to these special circumstances. (Bartolo)

Ah, right. Something like focusing on recovery and reconstruction or what not.

As for tax collection, you let each of the village heads and the landlords collect them for you. You only have to set the tax rate. Well, the old landlords in your territory were all executed so theres another problem for you. (Bartolo)

The landlords supported and cooperated with King Ferrum. Theres no way an excuse like We were deceived by King Ferrum! would float. So, all of them got executed while their relatives fell into slavery. You might call them pitiful but its just them reaping what they sowed.

Sorcery defense should be left to sorcerers. Especially since you have a few particularly skilled sorcerers in your team. However, it is very important that you take care, retain, and conserve those who can ride souls. (Bartolo)

This means I cant let Tetra, Soyon, and Lulu participate in the construction of magical barriers. It might be fine if the scope of the barrier were small but covering the whole of my territory would be impossible. (Re-check)

Moreover, theres also that country somewhere who was known for the behind the scene sorcery attacks ten years ago.

Speaking of which, regarding, the junior sorcerers employed by King Ferrum, theyre in jail but I can free them and use them as per my discretion right? (Almis)

Well, yes, since administering justice is one of your jobs. I think thats the reason King Rosyth left them there in the first place.

I see. Thats King Rosyth for you. Splendid.

As for maintaining public order and territorial defense, we will be helping you for the meantime. (Bartolo)

Would that be alright? (Almis)

Its an order direct from King Rosyth. The king is not stupid enough to completely leave behind the defense of a territory bordering King Domorugals domains to someone who doesnt have territorial management experience except that of a small village. (Bartolo)

Ah, right. We border King Domorugals territory.

But dont worry much. It would be fine, really. King Domorugal is busy fighting a war with King Girubetto and King Fardam after all. He wont have the leeway to look south. (Bartolo)

Is it really alright?

Youd get attacked if you get careless you know.

Please tell me more about my judicial duties. What laws do I have to base my judgements on? (Almis)

Basically, it depends upon your discretion. Well, murders and virgin rape typically warrant the death penalty of course. Robbery and general rape warrant the amputation of the right arm. Petty theft warrants caning or whipping. Thats pretty much how conventional judicial wisdom goes. (Bartolo)

In short, its customary/common law huh.

In the first place, without a proper/dominant system of writing, theres probably no use writing down the laws.

Then lets just leave the judgements to the village chiefs opinions and discretion. (Almis)

I can now somewhat understand the things I need to do.

With this I can somewhat get by. (Re-do )

For the meantime, I think we should start a population census. (Almis)

What do we do specifically? (Someone)

We record in writing the sex, age, and occupation/industry of all the people within our territory. (Almis)

Theres not a lot of people who has a good command of the Cretian language. Inevitably, because of this, there wont be something like family registers and such. Therefore, the village chief, which is the person who knows the village the most, becomes in charge of the tax collection and governance in behalf of his lord. Its become a system like that. But this becomes the stage for tax evasion, corruption, and acting as one pleases. Surely lots of taxes are wasted and unaccounted for because of this.

I would like to address this one way or another.

But the people who can freely write in Cretian, including Leader and Tetra, arent even more than ten people. I dont think this would work.

Dont worry about that. Well make the forms beforehand. Youll only have to write the numbers in them. (Almis)

That way, tallying the results would also be much easier.

The forms would be handwritten? That would be too bothersome I think.

Ive also thought about that. I think I have a solution and it shouldnt be too hard. (Almis)

We would be able to prepare them in large quantities by printing them, that is by Woodblock Printing.

Youve thought of a great idea huh. Can we also do it in my territory? (Bartolo)

There no particular problem with that. It would cost you though. Dont forget the cost of the paper too. (Almis)

My territory probably has around 6000 to 7000 people though. How much paper would that take? (Bartolo)

Lets seeA sheet could have twenty peoples data recorded in them so you would probably need three hundred to three hundred fifty sheets of paper. A sheet of paper would cost around 10 bronze coins so that would be around 3500 bronze coins. (Almis)

Bartolo held his head with his two hands as he heard my answer.

You calculate fast huh. 3500 bronze coins huh? How much would that be if I paid with wheat? Ive never used bronze coins so I dont know. (Bartolo)

I dont have experience buying wheat with bronze coins so I dont now but if with salt against bronze coins, that would be around 21000 didals (350 kilos). (Almis)

Bartolo grimaced as I said so.

Thats pretty expensive huh. Make it cheaper, come on. (Bartolo)

Well, its pretty hard on us too you know. But since were fellows after all Ill cut down the price by twenty percent. (Almis)

For now, its become that well trade paper with wheat. With this well be able to secure our food provisions.

Then the next order of business would be the tax rate. The Ars territory fell into ruin because of King Ferrums reign therefore I think we should lower the tax rate. (Almis)

At the same time, this is also a bid for popularity with the people. Im a newcomer after all.

However, if we lower the tax rate too much we wont have income. Moderation is needed. So, what would be the prevailing reasonable tax rate? (Probably Almis)

Lets see. Theres lot of patterns that influence the tax rate after all. If its payment in kind (PIK), sixty percent would be expected. However, they can also pay thirty percent of that in the form of labor. (Bartolo)

According to Bartolo, in PIK, they could pay in wheat, cloth, or a specialty product like when blacksmiths pay with swords and spears.

Then lets go with a PIK only system. The tax rate would be