After The Inspection

Caro and I had come to the town center. Or rather, we had simply stepped out from our inn.

“The return carriage leaves at noon today, so I intend to see as much as possible until the very last minute,” Caro said, outlining today’s schedule.

“Then let’s start with what’s close by and look around the shops in the center.”

Led by Caro, I looked around the cluster of shops in the heart of town. There were clothing stores, eateries, food stalls, and general stores; it seemed that as long as one had money, daily life wouldn’t be a struggle. Eventually, we made our way to the town’s bakery.

“Welcome.”

When we entered, an old man who appeared to be the owner was tending the shop.

“The bread is 120G, I see.”

“Right. Comparing it to the market price, it’s a bit on the high side, isn’t it?” I remarked, and Caro answered with a comparison.

“Yo, young lady. You say my bread is expensive?”

“Yes, it is expensive. We came from Tior, and the market price there was around 80G.”

“From Tior, eh… It can’t be helped if it’s higher than there. With the distribution costs, we have to add that to the price.”

The shop owner replied to Caro’s comment.

“What exactly is included in those ‘distribution costs’? Would you mind telling us?”

“What do you want to know that for? Well, it’s not like it’s a secret. The biggest cause is the entry tax. Because of that, merchants themselves have started avoiding this town. Even if a merchant does come in, paying that high entry tax adds to their costs. Plus, since there’s little competition, they can sell at whatever price they want. We have to buy from those merchants, so material costs go up, which in turn gets added to our prices.”

“I see… thank you very much.”

Caro jotted down the owner’s words in her notebook.

“Well then, mister. Two loaves of bread, please.”

“Right, thanks for the business.”

Caro bought two loaves and left the shop with me. After that, we visited several other stores, finding a similar situation in shops that purchased their materials from outside.

“That should be enough for the shop survey. Kent-san, next let’s head to the guards’ station.”

“Eh? We’re going there?”

I was surprised by our next destination. The high-handed attitude of the guards when we entered town hadn’t left a good impression, making me feel uneasy.

We headed to the guards’ station. It was located near the town entrance, and several guards were on standby inside.

“Hey, did you come in here knowing this is a guards’ station? Oh, you’re quite a cute girl, aren’t you?”

A vulgar-looking guard said, his eyes practically crawling over Caro. I quietly stepped in front of her, shielding her from his gaze.

“Oho, Mr. Boyfriend, trying to look good for your girl? Nice, real nice.”

The other guards were also smirking at us.

“Caro-san, why did we come in here?”

“It’s fine, leave it to me.”

Caro said, stepping forward.

“Excuse me. Could you call the person in charge?”

“The person in charge, she says. The Captain of the Guard is out right now. More importantly, why don’t you leave the boyfriend behind and have some fun with us?”

The guard grabbed Caro’s arm and pulled her toward him.

“Kya! What do you think you’re doing?”

“Get away from Caro-san!”

Caro let out a small shriek, and I shouted at the guards.

“You lot, don’t blame me if you end up regretting this.”

“Regretting what? Go on, tell us.”

“You lot are being noisy.”

Someone emerged from the back room.

He saw one guard clutching Caro’s arm and pulling her, while I was glaring at the others. Then, the hammer fell.

“What do you think you are doing!?”

“”“W-We are terribly sorry!”““

The guards snapped into a line and saluted the sturdy, middle-aged man who had just entered.

“My subordinates have been incredibly rude. I am the one entrusted to lead the guards of this town. My name is Chuck.”

“It’s been a few days, hasn’t it, Chuck?”

Caro seemed to recognize the Captain of the Guard.

“…Hah. M-My sincerest apologies!”

It seemed he recognized Caro’s face; Chuck stood perfectly rigid and gave Caro his most formal salute. The guards were shaken by their Captain’s sudden transformation.

“You were the one grabbing her arm just now, weren’t you?”

“Hie!”

Chuck stood before the guard who had grabbed Caro, his face a mask of absolute fury.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done!?”

Without another word, he sent the guard flying with a punch.

“My subordinate was inexcusably rude. It is my responsibility that such a situation occurred. Please, grant me whatever punishment you see fit.”

Chuck knelt before Caro. Since the Captain had taken such a stance, the other guards followed suit without even knowing why, kneeling before her.

“I visited quite suddenly, so I have no intention of saying anything more. Please, do stand up.”

As Caro spoke kindly, Chuck stood up, followed by the rest of the guards.

“Captain, who exactly is this lady?”

One guard asked timidly.

“I seem to have lost my composure. Forgive me for the lack of explanation. This lady is Lady Caroline, the daughter of our Lord.”

“”“W-What!!?”““

Following Chuck’s explanation, the guards hurriedly gave Caro their most respectful salutes.

(I feel like I’m realizing for the first time just how important Caro-san really is.)

I watched the events unfold while thinking this to myself.

“S-So, what brings Lady Caroline to a place like this?”

“Well, you see. I have come to conduct a confidential investigation of the territory. Based on these results, we will decide the direction of the territory’s future management. The purpose of this visit was to investigate the reality of the guards. I haven’t seen the documents yet, but I already feel the need for several improvements. If you wouldn’t mind, could you show me various records?”

“Yes, of course. You lot, bring the documents, quickly!”

Caro explained the purpose of her visit and requested the files.

Caro and I reviewed the documents gathered by the Captain’s order and identified the problems.

“Thank you. I shall take my leave now. Please continue to work hard at your daily duties.”

As Caro spoke, the guards saluted and saw us off.

“Kent-san, it’s almost time for the return carriage. Let’s pick up our bags at the inn and head to the station.”

“Right. But Caro-san, you were really cool just now.”

“Ehh. You’ll make me blush if you say things like that.”

Chatting as we went, we stopped by the inn for our bags and then boarded the return stagecoach.

“We’re about to depart!”

The guide announced.

“Wait! Wait for that carriage!”

Someone came running and scrambled onto the coach.

“Elnette-san, I thought you weren’t going to make it.”

“Whew… pant… No, I accidentally overslept. Even in my dreams, I could still hear those voices. I broke out in a strange sweat while I was sleeping.”

“Elnette-san, was that actually sweat?”

“Hmm, I wonder. Maybe it was something else?”

“What are you two talking about? Other people can hear you!” Caro snapped, cutting off the lively conversation between Elnette and me.

“Sorry, sorry.”

“My apologies.”

Elnette and I both apologized.

The stagecoach departed, heading toward the town of Tior. As we were about to leave the town of Sampto, the guards lined up in a row and saluted as the carriage passed. The driver, the guards, and the other passengers were all left in shock.