The Ordinary Count Willem Blanc Regor
「Willem's POV」
The Spirit Festival was over.
This year's event, too, concluded without any major issues, and a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
However, I was the count governing the vast land of Regor. Just because one festival ended didn't mean I could rest for long.
Ah, I heard footsteps approaching the study. A brisk, meticulous pace. Armarco, couldn't you show a little more kindness to your master?
「Lord Willem. We have several reports from the guards regarding the Spirit Festival.」
Oh my, the noisy butler had arrived.
Since I inherited the title of count, Armarco never allowed me a moment's rest.
「What is it? The reports?」
「We have identified criminals attempting to break into specific shops and houses in Regor City.」
「Crimes committed during festivals aren't uncommon. Any common factors?」
「Indeed. All were locations associated with recipients of Lord Chaos' letters.」
「... So they're after the lingering traces of Lord Chaos again? He rarely sends letters to the same place.」
「The criminals were all apprehended, but we couldn't unravel any background connections. Perhaps they were just hired hands.」
「Then they'll join the ranks of criminal slaves. Let's consider it an anonymous gift.」
「Indeed, my lord.」
「Public works will keep us busy going forward.」
Lord Chaos. It's been around eight years since he came to this town.
Looking back, the word "tumultuous" seems fitting for my life since then.
I, Willem Regor, was born as the third son of a stern father.
Ordinary... no, I was unattractive, introverted, and undoubtedly not a man fitting of a count's household. It might have been due to the bullying from my two elder brothers since childhood, but I also believed it was my inherent nature.
I was destined to become a man buried in history... Yet, life is unpredictable.
The strong and fierce eldest brother died in a war, falling from his horse.
The second brother, who loved intrigue and had become the first in the line of succession due to the eldest's death, suddenly died from an illness.
In the end, the one left to inherit the Count of Regor was I, the fat, short, balding third son. Even Father couldn't manage a sardonic smile.
At the age of 22, there wasn't a single person with the slightest desire to support me, who was utterly devoid of popularity among the people, and I vividly remember how fake the suddenly changed attitudes of those around me felt.
Unlike my two brothers, I lacked the Gift, a strong body, or the courage to glibly converse with people, thus I mostly spent my time reading books.
Days passed in solitude, gathering knowledge alone in the library.
But I cherished that life. It was my dream to become a scholar in the future.
That dream was shattered when I had to inherit the count's title.
Wars I never wished to partake in, conversations with nobles full of flattery, and politics with nothing but complaints hurled at me. All of it was dreadful. I never wanted to be a count from the bottom of my heart.
Well, I was aware that I wasn't in the position or age to throw a tantrum, so I had no choice but not to run away...
In reality, there were numerous areas where my politics were lacking.
Nothing went as planned, no matter what I attempted.
Though I knew what needed to be done, the malevolent forces surrounding me stifled my efforts.
Even understanding that it was my sisters-in-law's faction behind it, I had no way to address the issue.
... Until I received a letter from someone using the alias Lord Chaos.
The letter was adorned with an eerie pattern composed of multiple vivid colors, sealed with an unknown wax that, even now, its creation remains unclear.
At that time, Armarco had insisted on burning such an unusual letter out of caution, but I kept it out of sheer curiosity.
The letter contained knowledge.
It wasn't anything particularly complex, just methods of agriculture. Detailed techniques akin to how a farmer parent would teach their child.
We weren't specialists, so its mere sight gave us no clue, but upon reading the final sentence, I shivered.
By employing this method, wheat production would increase by twenty percent. That's what it stated.
Could you believe that? Naturally, I didn't. There was nothing in the letter that merited belief.
Thus, I tossed the letter on the shelf, deciding to let it die in suspension. The distillation apparatus design I received later met the same fate.
... Upon hearing that inventions from this person known as Lord Chaos were creating a huge stir in the marketplace, I ended up frantically rummaging through that shelf.
Not having thrown it away was truly a wise decision.
Though Regor was a mundane city, it swiftly became vibrant with the emergence of Lord Chaos.
For every letter he sent, economic activities heightened. Things of all kinds sold like hotcakes, and trade flourished. It felt like a bizarre dream, as none of it directly involved my intervention.
But perhaps the strangest part was how through the influence of Lord Chaos, companies engaged in fraud and monopolies in the city folded.
Many were oblivious, but without a doubt, Lord Chaos seemed to target and dismantle these malign vested interests. He was scattering the letters, manipulating factions to achieve such outcomes.
Why on earth? Who in the world was behind this incredible task?
The questions were endless, yet somehow, I understood he wasn't evil.
And if his intent revolved around goodwill, I thought of riding its wave.
Behind the scenes, the enigmatic Lord Chaos was purging the malicious enterprises.
On the front end, I created an environment that allowed Lord Chaos to operate smoothly.
Even without having met him, during those times, I oddly felt connected to him.
In the midst of cleaning up Regor, the deleterious influence from my sisters-in-law's faction vanished in no time.
The annoying haze enveloping both Regor and myself dispersed, and at long last, I could engage in proper politics.
It was around that time when people started calling me a wise ruler.
「Increasing fraudulent activities by claiming to be inventors under the alias of Lord Chaos is on the rise. There are countless fraudsters aiming to secure development funds.」
「Those fools. As if Lord Chaos would personally identify himself.」
「It might be that those whom they deceive are somewhat aware too. Whether genuine or not, being a patron of Lord Chaos becomes a kind of prestige.」
「An appeal to Lord Chaos? He doesn't strike me as the type to care about individual allegiances. Just a guess, though.」
With the arrival of Lord Chaos, the economy of Regor flourished.
Continuously releasing practical product ideas without seeking any rights since appearing is akin to a fairy planting a money tree in one's garden for free.
For a merchant, he's certainly a star of enormous craving, yet his identity remains entirely obfuscated.
Is he male or female? Young or old? A noble or a commoner? Even that remains a mystery.
However, people have a way of conjuring an image of him that suits their convenience.
「Additionally, Lord Willem, there's a complaint from the council.」
「... What now? Did I make a mistake?」
「No, not at all. About distributing whiskey not only in the Noble District but also throughout all of Regor City; they complain about the unnecessary costs. Though it's only a select few voicing criticism.」
「Oh, that. In the end, I went ahead with it anyway...」
During this Spirit Festival, I laid out the newly developed whiskey for the entirety of Regor.
Given its newness, the quantity was limited. It's a highly valued liquor, to be sure. The council must be angry at me for giving it away freely to the commoners. Though, I suspect it's only a very slim portion of them.
For some reason, the nobles have no doubt that Lord Chaos is part of the nobility.
Given the knowledge he possesses, they presume he must be an educated individual.
Hence, they hesitated to distribute alcohol in the commoners' quarters.
... Personally, I don't believe he's noble, though.
「It was a publicity stunt for the distilled spirits using the Spirit Festival, a demonstration to external parties. Once that potent alcohol and taste become widely known, the distribution network will naturally expand. Tackling the publicity in one go should make things easier. But those thick-headed folks...」
「Perhaps they wished to reserve more for their own indulgence.」
「How competence falters when engrossed in drink... Such products thrive on being marketed elsewhere.」
Selection and sterilization of seeds to boost grain production. Followed by, crafting distilled alcohol from surplus crops.
It took time, but somehow, a plan to sustain finances was in place. Regor, already thriving, will now further venture into acquiring foreign currency. The clearing of Baroa Forest and securing stone materials will proceed smoothly. Ah, but there's embankment work and bridge construction too. It never feels like there's enough money, no matter how much we have.
「Ah, how I wish Lord Chaos could take over as count.」
「That's going too far, my lord.」
「I understand. Lord Chaos wouldn't have any interest in something like that.」
「... No, that's not what I meant...」
「But understand, Armarco. With more meticulous interventions from him, the town could advance even further. Aware as I am, I can't help but find it frustrating to see his influence only deploy indirectly.」
「... Invention and politics are rather distinct, my lord. Your adept handling of interest adjustments across various areas is something not everyone is capable of.」
「I'm just feeling out the mood, reacting when required, and maneuvering according to circumstances. Surely, anyone could do the same.」
「Hmm... Perhaps it might seem so to you, Lord Willem, but I consider it a rare talent.」
「That's a poor attempt at flattery. I'm less than ordinary. Ah... how dull...」
Munching on sweet pastries and sipping hot herbal tea.
Ah, delightful. There's nothing like sweets during work.
「Chomp chomp... So, Armarco. Anything else to report? Let's hear everything at once.」
「Quite so, my lord. In matters of lower priority, reports have come in about movements in Regor City aimed at identifying particular individuals.」
「Interesting?」
「The searchers are all guild members, apparently not even trying to conceal the endeavor.」
「Are they searching for someone? Perhaps Lord Chaos?」
「No, they're searching for a Lecherous Evangelist.」
「Pardon?」
「A Lecherous Evangelist.」
「Ehh... Who's that...? How terrifying... You needn't report such matters...」
「This individual, believed to possess formidable nocturnal skills, seems to be the talk of the town lately. That concludes my report.」
「... Regor truly must be a peaceful place.」
「Indeed, my lord.」
Whether peaceful or not, the amount of work hardly changed for me.
What a hassle. The provision of agricultural enhancement methods might have soothed the capital, but... They're not exactly a unified front either.
While they're being cooperative, couldn't they also curb those antagonistic to Regor...? Any chance?
Probably not. Hoping is probably pointless. Ah... how dreary...
Ah, the sweets are delightful...
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Mongrel be like:
「You have acquired the title 'Lecherous Evangelist'!」
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】