Kent And The Others’ Base

Kent and Caro passed through the center of town while carrying somewhat heavy luggage and headed for the Town Head’s house. Along the way, they could also see fields where wheat had been grown a little distance away. The wheat that had been ripening when they visited last time had all been harvested, and the land had become covered in weeds.

“I wonder if they were able to harvest the wheat safely?”

“Yes. I received a report that they harvested almost the required amount.”

“I see. That’s good, then.”

Caro answered Kent’s question. It seemed that the bird damage Kent had been worried about had been kept to a minimum, and he felt relieved.

“We’re here.”

“We’re here.”

Kent and Caro arrived in front of the Town Head’s house. It was an especially large building within the town, but compared to the noble mansions in the town of Tior where Kent and the others lived, it felt small.

“Oh? If it isn’t Kent and Caro. Did you come to see me?”

Kent and Caro were a little surprised when someone suddenly called out to them from behind.

“Ah, it may not have been long enough to say it’s been a while, but it’s been a while. Verna-san.”

“It has been a while. Verna-san.”

Seeing Kent and Caro’s faces, Verna, the daughter of Sampto’s Town Head, looked to be in a very good mood.

“It would not be good to talk in a place like this, so please come inside.”

As usual, she took Kent and Caro by the hands without giving them any room to object and brought them into the house.

“You are carrying quite a lot of luggage. Will you be staying long this time?”

“That’s right. We’re planning to stay for a little over a month this time.”

Kent answered Verna’s question.

“Huh? Really? Yay. Ah… ahem. I see, so you will be staying rather long this time. Things are a little busy at home, but I will prepare tea right away.”

After saying that, she led them to the office room. When they looked around the room, no one was there.

“I wonder where your family is.”

“Yeah. The wheat harvest is over, so I thought the Town Head would be in his office.”

Since it was the office, they had thought the Town Head would be there, but not only was he absent, there was no sign of anyone other than Verna in the area where the Town Head’s family lived.

“Thank you for waiting. I have brought tea.”

With efficient movements, she placed tea in front of Kent and Caro, who were sitting on the sofa.

“Thank you, Verna-san.”

“Thank you very much, Verna-san.”

“It is fine. I had just finished my work, so I do not think I have any errands for a while. Please keep me company.”

After saying that, Verna placed her own tea down and sat in the seat opposite them.

“Kent, Caro, please listen. The new lord was a wonderful person who truly cared for the people of the territory.”

“Is that so? For example?”

“Let me see. Thanks to the abolition of the entry tax, many people and goods have started coming in, and the living environment has improved. Thanks to the major reduction in the tax rate, the farmers were able to earn a small income from growing wheat. The guards’ attitudes have also improved. Thanks to that, while we cannot exactly be called wealthy, everyone in town has become able to live in peace.”

“I see. So that means the people of the town have accepted the new lord?”

“That is right. I have not met them yet, but I would very much like to thank them.”

Verna, who seemed extremely grateful to the lord, said that.

“She says that, Caro-san. It seems they’re happy.”

“But it is still not enough. Our goal is to raise the town’s living standard to the point where everyone in town will not struggle for food.”

Kent and Caro spoke quietly to each other.

“Kent, Caro, even if the two of you are lovers, I will not forgive you for talking while leaving me out.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“I apologize.”

Seeing that, Verna seemed to feel left out, and she puffed out her cheeks as she said that.

“And so, actually, I heard that someone who is acting as the lord’s representative will come here today. They will apparently manage the territory directly from here for a while. The previous lord never paid any attention to this town, but I thought the new lord must be trying to understand the people of the territory. Because of that, my entire family has been cleaning the place where they will stay since several days ago.”

“So that’s why your family wasn’t here.”

“But they should be finishing soon.”

At the same time Verna said that, Verna’s father, the Town Head, her mother, and her older brother entered the office.

“Verna. Is the cleaning finished?”

“Yes, it is finished. We are ready for the Acting Lord to arrive at any time.”

“Oh, aren’t you Kent-kun and Caro-san? You helped us with the bird damage countermeasures. Thanks to you, we were able to harvest more than expected, and everyone was able to feel relieved. I would like to thank you on behalf of the town.”

“No, no, I didn’t do anything that impressive. I’m glad if I was able to help everyone.”

After being thanked by the Town Head, Kent answered while looking a little embarrassed. After that, the six of them talked about various things, including the wheat harvest, the state of the town, and what would be done from now on.

A considerable amount of time passed after that, and it was already starting to grow dark outside.

“Even so, they are not coming. I am certain we were informed that they would come today… correct, Father?”

“That is right. The document certainly stated that the Acting Lord would arrive after noon today.”

“I wonder if something happened.”

After confirming again with the Town Head, Verna said that worriedly.

“Come to think of it, Kent and Caro, you will be staying here for a little over a month, correct?”

“That’s the plan.”

“I think paying for an inn would be a waste, so why not board here? The rooms for the lord’s servants are empty, so you can use them. This time, I heard the Acting Lord did not bring any servants, so you can use them without worry. Of course, I cannot make it completely free, so I will have you shoulder some food costs, but I think it will be cheaper than staying at an inn, so you should do that.”

Verna decided their lodging for them in a half-forceful manner.

“I apologize for my daughter pushing the conversation forward so forcefully.”

“It’s all right. If our lodging costs become cheaper, that helps us a lot.”

“We will be in your care.”

Kent and Caro said that with wry smiles to the Town Head, who apologized.

“It is here. The rooms used by the butlers and maids inside the building are in the lord’s area, but this is a separate building, so the Acting Lord will not know about it.”

The room Verna guided them to was a hut behind the building. This hut was apparently a place for lower-ranking servants who accompanied the lord to sleep and stay.

“Well then, I will call you when dinner is ready. Please organize your luggage and such until then.”

After leaving those words behind, Verna returned to the building.

“Caro-san, sorry. It was supposed to be a better room, actually…”

“I did not have the courage to say it in that situation either. We are both the same. Besides…”

After saying that, Caro hugged Kent.

“We will be living together under the same roof, just the two of us, you know?”

“When you put it that way, that’s true.”

Caro said that happily.

“It will be the three of us living together!”

“Huh?”

A voice came from nowhere. Then the flower ornament Caro had been wearing transformed and became Al.