Chapter 536: Justice Power

Aegir~ Im coming in~

I get the feeling Carla is calling me, but Im too tired to get up and simply bury my face into a soft pillow and groan.

Aegir, are you still sleeping~? Wait, Nonna what are you doing!?

As you can see, Aegir-sama is still resting. If you have nothing to do, go dance in the living room. Shoo shoo.

Nonnas voice accompanies the pillow shaking. Im not able to gather my thoughts yet.

What the hell are you doing tucking Aegirs face between your tits? Are you trying to suffocate him!?

Dont be stupid. Aegir-sama is sleeping peacefully on my breasts. Have a look at his calm sleeping face.

I grab the soft pillow with both hands and cover my head with it as if trying to block out the noise.

Afuun! Fufu, his head is completely between my cleavage. This is a prime example of what married couples do, a slumber of love. Nuisances should climb a tree in the courtyard.

A hand combs through my hair and the warm sweaty pillow gently envelops my head.

Im not climbing anything! and actually, I heard Aegir went out late at night yesterday, so you lied!?

I dont have any memories of that. I was drinking.

With all that arguing, I begin becoming more alert.

Something hard brushes by my cheek, and when I put it in my mouth, a warm liquid comes out.

It is perfect to quench my thirst so I gladly drink more.

Afuun! Aegir-sama, if you suck so muchaahn

Arms tightly hug my head, but I continue drinking because Im thirsty.

Why are you doing lactating play so early in the morning? Wait, youre actually lactating! Nonna, you havent stopped producing milk!?

I stopped a long time ago! however it comes out when I cum lots. I guess you can say its become a bit of habit.

The warm sweet liquid doesnt stop.

I am still half-asleep, but I feel like I have to keep drinking.

What do you mean lots, how many times did you cum yesterday?

once as soon as I entered the room when I got licked standing up, once in a sitting position after being carried to bed, once when pushed down directly after in the missionary position, and Aegir-sama also shot it here.

It feels like the amount has increased.

keep going.

I came once in the cowgirl position when he was fondling my breasts, twice from behind after my hips gave out, then I was flipped around into the missionary position againand he mounted me and from here I kept cumming until I lost count

The tip has also gotten bigger and harder to suck.

In addition, the flow is increasing to the point I cant drink everything in time.

Mu, this is Nonnas nipple.

Ah! Dont let go so suddenly! You sucked so much that it wont stop!

The first I saw when I woke up was an anguished Nonna squirting milk from both boobs.

Left with no choice, Carla and I each take one nipple into our mouths and start sucking.

so much! How many kilos are you squirting out!?

Ive never measured it! It has never run out no matter how much I let my child drink.

My stomach was filled just from Nonnas milk.

I stand up naked, crack my neck and shoulder, and then open the window.

What a beautiful morning. Its been two weeks since Leopolt made a fool of himself.

Two weeksfeels long.

Carla wipes her mouth and stands up too.

Nonna, after letting us drink as much milk as we want, sobs deliberately.

It feels like something bothersome will happen soon.

Nonna stops fake-crying and claps her hands, signalling her two maids, the tall slender and reliable Sally and the tiny plump and calm Maruru, to enter the room.

The two of them blush at the sight of my naked body, but bow once and quickly bring Nonna a change of clothes.

Oh, the back of Marurus hand touched my dick as she brushed past.

Feeling a little turned on, I turn to Carla, but she unfortunately refuses.

Im in the mood too. Its just Adolph is searching for me, going around and checking room by room. Hell definitely run into me if we start now. So tonight is reserved for me, okay?

I knew it, something bothersome happened.

Nonnas fussing about something half-naked, but the rest is just the two of them frolicking.

They can have more fun without me, so Ill let Adolph find them.

The longer it takes, the more trouble it becomes after all.

I prepare myself and open the door.

Fugya!?

The door hit someone.

I peek behind the door and see Celia on the ground rubbing her red nose.

Sorry. Why are you crawling on the floor?

I was looking for Aegir-sama and following your scent

Thats what a dog does.

And you were able to accurately pick out this room, I dont get how you do it.

More importantly, theres trouble! Something terrible happened!

Celia also has a problem, huh?

Lord Hardlett, a messenger arrived just now and Im afraid I cant make a judgement so I need to speak with you urgently.

Myla comes running too.

All three matters are overlapping.

I am being attacked by Estelle, who believed the baseless rumor that Margrave spread! Its unreasonable for me to be beaten by a woman claiming to be my fiance for something I didnt even do

Tristan, who has scratches all over his face, is simply complaining so I can save his issue for later.

I bought tea and books for you so let bygones be bygones.

Ive never seen that bitter green tea before, where did you buy it? These books are ones that Ive wanted to read for a while now, and I was initially happy it was a long series, but you skipped volumes one and two while collecting volumes three through twenty, was that on purpose? I searched the entire city and couldnt find them I know Im going to regret it if I start from the third volume meaning I cant even read this!

I know nothing about tea or books.

I just picked up whatever the peddler presented and bought them.

Now then, I can see where this is going.

Leopolts going to come with the largest and most troublesome problem of them all.

I ready myself mentally and turn around.

?

Rita, who was carrying the laundry, was surprised by me suddenly turning to her.

Mu, hes not here.

In the meantime I sneak a kiss and a pat on the bum before turning in the opposite direction.

!!

!?

Celia surprises Myla, who had cut in line, by groping her ass, making her let out a sexy moan unintentionally, which results in Myla getting angry and stretching Celias cheeks.

Hes not here.

Its kind of a let down.

Hardlett-sama, there you are!

Adolph comes running with a mountain of documents in his arms high enough to obstruct his vision.

Im not going to escape at this point so I let myself be caught.

I have a myriad of things to report, from numbers we couldnt calculate due to the confusion of reconstruction, tax collection at the beginning of the year, tax payments to the kingdom, grain, and other troubles, plus I have worries to consult with you! Please come!

I turn around one more time as Adolph pulls me along.

Leopolt never came in the end.

First of all, here are the tax collection documents from each town and village. Due to the war and reconstruction, we couldnt get the numbers, but they finally took shape this past month.

He drops a stack of papers in front of me, which I dont understand, but there is a thin sheet attached that simplifies everything for me.

Revenue

Head Tax 50 000 gold

Mine Tax 30 000 gold

Trade Tax 10 000 gold

Sale of Grain 0 gold

Trade 160 000 gold

Earnings from the South 24 000 gold

Total Revenue 274 000 gold

Expenses

Mansion Maintenance 10 000 gold

Guard Maintenance 10 000 gold

Army Wages 120 000 gold

Military Facilities and Other Expenses 14 000 gold

Domestic Affairs/Reconstruction 100 000 gold

Interest 24 000 gold

Total Expenses 274 000 gold

dishonesty, huh?

No matter how ill-informed I am about finance, I know something is wrong when the revenue and expenses match exactly.

Its happening.

Celia quietly draws her sword while Myla readies a box large enough to fit a head.

Aaah, dont do such scary things. Ill explain. Its a result of thinking without sleeping!

Now that he mentions it, Polte, who is waiting beside Adolph, also has bags under her eyes and is nodding off.

First the head tax, its natural that there is no increase with respect to the population. There is a limited number of places we can take from. Hardlett-sama is not suggesting we take from the villages burned down from war or from Rafen that participated in battle, right?

Head tax is basically a fee for living in the area.

Tax is high in safe large cities protected by walls and guards, whereas the tax is cheaper in towns and villages where the risk of bandits and monsters appearing are greater.

Pioneer villages and other places in remote areas with a particularly high level of danger are often exempt.

In other words, it can be seen as a tax that the lord takes in exchange for providing safety to his people, and it does not make sense to take it from a town or village that has been thrown in the middle of war nor is it possible to take it from citizens who have been chased away from their houses by fire.

A big factor for this result is the fact most of the entire region of Rafen is exempt. On the other hand, the reason we barely managed to secure an amount is because of the tax from the former Libatis region. Although they were occupied, there is no substantial damage and they can afford to pay. It is not our fault either so we dont need to grant them an exemption.

I understand the logic, but they might dispute it.

Next, the mine taxit has decreased drastically. Well, with the war finished, there is no need for arms or fortress construction anymore. In other words, the importance of steel has decreased significantly. Most of the current production is for the reconstruction of our own territory and the neighboring feudal lords.

Thats expected.

Claire also worked tirelessly. She is probably changing Lintblooms production.

Trade is mainly done with the city states, but we cant get back anymore. Even if we can trade with the Empire, it has to be done secretly, and the kingdom will likely monopolize trade with the Federation. All grain is being released in order to sustain living until next years harvest. We have absolutely no leeway to sell any grain.

Thankfully, we have enough grain to not starve.

If we have to buy it from the city states or the Federation, I can see them overcharging us.

Profits from the south are the fruits of the labor done in Zwei Elfie. Some people found gemstone mines and forests with good quality oak from the ownerless land and exceptional individuals even found giant diamonds. We purchased them for 10 000 gold, but if we can sell them to high-ranking nobles in the Federation through official channels, we can likely double the price.

It was a desperate measure to utilize land that had lost its entire population to bugs, but it turned out to be a great success.

Adolph nods.

Moving on to expenses next, well there are essential costs and the interest payments, as well as the reconstruction which mobilizes all available citizens including women and childrenso far everything mentioned is fine, but the problem is the military expense. Leopolt-san is stubbornly insisting on maintaining the personal army that no longer has any role beyond exterminating bandits. Things like cannons, catapults, chariots where will they be used?

As I stay silent, Celia and Myla counter with Aegir-sama will be underestimated if the army is small and the source of power of new nobles stem from military might respectively, but I dont agree with either statement.

Lets change the subject.

I understand the revenue and expense numbers. What concerns me more than the military is this.

I tap my finger on the line with an asterisk next to the word trade.

This is clearly an outstanding sum and a convenient number that helps the revenue and expense to break-even.

Well the official documents pertaining to this are subdivided into various items ranging from iron ore and building materials to black beast meat and debtthe one thing all of them have in common, they are essentially tied to smuggling gold.

Wasnt a gold nugget secretly placed in the treasury every time it was transported?

Celia lowers her voice to a whisper.

The way she puts both hands over her mouth is cute.

Only a very minute amount, a mass not enough to raise suspicion every time it is moved. This on the other hand is the main channel. A vast amount of gold nuggets, under the name of artwork, is being transported to the city states. They then melt that goldand use it to manufacture coins in their own nations currency. Afterward, they return 90% of that money to us to pay for the art.

They can earn a profit of 10% simply by continuing the production of gold coinsand the gold coins are shared by the entire continent, meaning they have the same value whether they have the mark of the Federation or the mark of Goldonia or the mark of a city state.

The problem is that well be in extremely big trouble if any one of them divulges this.

There is no reason to leak the information considering how easy it is to profit from it. Even if they try to take advantage of the situation, all we have to do is adjust the percent of payment. Its meaningless for them to swear allegiance to the kingdom of Goldonia. What do they gain by strangling a goose that lays golden eggs?

AlthoughAdolph trails off unsettlingly.

It was the day before yesterday. The wheels of a wagon transporting gold broke and turned over on the road. Fortunately, it happened in a deserted land between Lintbloom and Rafen so there were no witnesses but the worker, who normally should not look at the contents, saw the gold and had to be detained.

The things youre doing are starting to sound like what Leopolt does.

Adolph goes into a daze for a brief instant then slumps his shoulders in disappointment.

Well, the worker was let go without incident. He was not at fault. Instead I believe the accident is deliberately planned. In fear of a similar accident occurring, the wagon was reinforced and inspected multiple times.

Are you saying the one who devised the plan is the kingdom?

Adolph shakes his head.

If the kingdom found out, they would have sent an information officer. The reason this kind of cheap trick was done is because the person doesnt want to be discovered while at the same time showing us that they know what we are doing

Adolph brings himself close to me.

His expressionless face magnifying in size is not up to Leopolts standard but still creepy nonetheless.

It has to be Claire-san.

I wonder about that.

For now, lets make sure the worker doesnt say anything.

That day? Mmm, the wagon flipped over and the cargothats right! The steel building materials rolled out and it was a big mess. On top of that, I hit my head and neared the border of life and death for the first

Umu, thats enough.

I cheerfully pat the worker on the shoulder and give him ten gold coins to compensate for his injury.

T-this much!? For a lowly worker like me!?

I keep patting his shoulder and give him an additional ten coins.

The accident is due to my ineptitude. Please forgive me.

It was in fact our mistake for not realizing anything wrong with the wheel until it broke what a benevolent lord!

Thats not the accident Im referring to.

Beside me, Natia, Casie and Alice bow deeply to the man.

Through investigation, I found out that this workers hobbies are alcohol and gambling, that he made his wife work at a bar without paying her even at the age of thirty, and that he was a terrible person who was fired from his previous job for stealing money. Someone like him needs to be paid double if his mouth is to be kept shut.

This had to be done, but Adolph was against eliminating him.

So Natia suggested that he just had to forget about what happened and created a special memory loss drug in three hours, Alice used a new magic she apparently learned recently that wasnt her usual fire magic, and Casie fiddled around his head for insurance

His memories were successfully replaced, but his personality was completely altered.

On his way back home, the man pleasantly greets someone he encounters along the street.

Judging by the bewildered reaction of the other person, he was probably not the kind of guy to say hello.

There was a small commotion when he got home, but the man eventually came out hugging a woman.

From now on, I will work hard and provide for you! I wont cheat anymore and Ill stop gambling and drinking! Ive realized whats most important is you, my wife aah, everything is clear now. Its almost like I drank a miracle potion and had a spell cast on me and like someone tampered with my mind!

The wife went from being confused to being in tears and hugged the man.

My dear I believed in you! I knew one dayone day you would have a change of heart!!

And they lived happily ever after, I guess.

Everybody is happy.

And all is right in the world. Yep.

Ill have to ask Claire what her reasons are some other time.

My issue is also important!!

Celia grabs merather, she clings to my chest.

My cheeks involuntarily relax because of how cute she is, but I tighten up seeing how serious Celia is.

Theres a disturbance in Libatis!

One Week Later. Richemott.

After receiving urgent news that the citizens of Richemott and the neighboring towns were revolting and causing an uproar, I rushed to the city accompanied by the escort squad and my personal army.

I actually wanted to leave it to Leopolt.

He should have received the news before Celia, yet he didnt move and said it shouldnt be prioritized over other problems.

I could have ordered them to be subjugated, but Adolph objected to the idea, saying it would be excessively harsh treatment to the citizens, so I had no choice but to come myself with him and Celia.

I arrive at Richemott and sure enough, there is a riot.

No head tax! Tax should only be taken from the rich!

We reject the governor imposed on us! We, the citizens of Richemott, will choose a representative!

No increase to food prices! Raise our wages!

Citizens are lined up in disorderly rows from the main road to the highways, screaming all sorts of demands.

The number of people easily surpasses several thousandsmaybe even ten thousand.

Each individual is protesting about something, but when yelling together, all their voices mix and become an indistinguishable roar.

The domestic affairs official who was entrusted to manage Richemott, whose name I forgot, stands in the center of the city on the balcony of the former assembly hall shouting back to the citizens, but is quickly overwhelmed by the difference in numbers and forced back inside the building.

The deployed guards are also just standing in front of the entrance of the building.

I dont think a few dozen soldiers can do anything to control this many people.

A small smile creeps on my face as I observe the entirety of the situation on horseback.

This isnt as bad as a rebellion. If anything, its more like a direct petition.

There is no fire rising up from the city, and the people have surrounded the governor and guards, but they are hitting anybody or smashing any property. It should be easy to do if they wanted to, given the number of people though

Regardless, this kind of uproar is unforgivable in Aegir-samas territory! If we spill the blood of two or three of them, theyll sc-aabhbh, my hair!

I ruffle Celias hair to put a stop to her dangerous thoughts.

They are accustomed to Libatiss unique system. It will take time for them to become familiar with our system. They have not used any violence yet. We should avoid restraining them with physical force at all costs.

Adolph, who values the people, cautions us.

I dont want to kill unnecessarily either. Especially if there are women and children among them.

Im not simply being lenient.

If we do as Celia says and beat up two or three people, and the people end up scattering, theres a possibility they may riot for real.

Then well have to talk to them. Isnt that your domain?

Adolph averts his eyes when I speak to him.

Err, of course I want to meet with the representative, but under the circumstances

Everybody is fussing about something different that I dont know who the representative is.

A portion of them are so excited that all they can do is curse and shout.

I guess it may be hard for Adolph to deal with, being someone who cant handle fighting.

It cant be helped.

I spur Schwartz forward and ride into a line of people.

Not everybody will hear me even if I yell and try to quiet them down.

I need to do something with more impact.

I inhale deeply and signal Celia to poke me in the side.

Uoooooooooh!!

The roar that seems to travel endlessly through the crowd causes those in my immediate vicinity to collapse, those a short distance away to cover their ears, a horse a considerable distance away to stand up on its hind legs, and a stray dog to run with its tail between its legs.

In an instant, all the commotion ceases and everyones eyes turn to me.

I am the feudal lord, Aegir Hardlett. If you have something to say, say it to me.

Celia simultaneously sends a signal with her eyes, ordering mounted spearmen from my personal army and the escort squad to flood in and guard against potential rash behavior.

Unlike the soldiers guarding the building equipped with thin leather armor and a single thin spear, the arrival of an army donning plate armor and wielding lances and crossbows was enough to push the populace several steps backwards.

I muster a quiet voice charged with a sense of intimidation.

If youre willing to cause this much of a ruckus, you must have something to say. Go on, say it.

A brief silence follows, but eventually one courageous individual yells out, which encourages others to speak out one by one.

How annoying!!

When I strike the ground with the Dual Crater, the citizens scream and step backwards again.

I wont understand if you tell me once. One at a time, no, send out a representative.

After arguing and coming to a compromise, one person is pushed forward.

So they hadnt decided on a representative. And they probably didnt want to come out together because they were all afraid of me.

If only Jim was here. He was well-informed about the character of Libatis.

He unfortunately went on vacation prior to the disturbance.

He was talking about divorcing his wife so I didnt want to keep him.

Then I make eye contact with the grumbling representative.

It was Jim.

After an unpleasant silence, I draw my sword in a long smooth motion.

He has quite the guts to take a vacation and then start a revolt.

Wait! If we talk about it, youll find justiceno, Im alreadynot justice

When Jim slumps his shoulders, a sexy voluptuous blonde-haired woman grabs his armit was Suzy.

Solana is also standing behind them awkwardly.

The Libatis defectors are all rebelling! Lets take them out!

Adolph stops Celia, who pulls out her sword, from behind.

He gets kicked down in two seconds.

before laying out conditions, Ill listen to what you have to say.

Jim suddenly howls.

Uooooooh!!

That scared me! Dont do that!

It wasnt actually a roar or a howl, it was sobbing.

Excluding the nonsensical phrases of not justice and lost freedom mixed in occasionally, his situation can be summarized thusly:

He had been living separately with his wife Eileen ever since South Yuguria used seductive techniques on him.

His wife also discovered his relationship with Suzy and announced she would divorce him.

His house and fortune were taken as consolation, and the next day, his wife already started living together with another young man.

Mayhem ensued during his depression and he participated without thinking.

I get where hes coming from now, but there is something Im curious about.

I thought Suzy was my lover.

Suzy holds up one hand and apologies cutely.

Aegir-san doesnt really pay attention to me. How should I put this, while power and money are important, the most important part is for a couple to love each other, you know? Jim-san, who had sex with me everyday and gave me allowances was better in that regard, I guess?

I dont have much of a comeback to the point about attention.

I knew from the beginning that Suzy would fuck around anywhere, but hearing her say it openly makes me feel sick.

Celia is groping my crotch for some reason.

Ill talk to Jim and Suzy later, for now just tell me your terms as the representative of the people.

One: Instead of a governor, an election will be held to choose a representative for the city.

Two: Abolish the head tax. Tax will be based on