Chapter 58

I turned my eyes back to the proposed completion map once more.

I felt like an essential point was missing.

“By the way, to list the reasons the residents are in favor,” the merchant continued while I remained silent, “one: they’re grateful to have shops nearby; two: it’s been too quiet, so they’d prefer it to be livelier; and three: it offers a chance to revitalize the fading Fantland.”

He kept stacking up the positives. In a way, there was no doubt that Fantland would prosper.

Is this where the disconnect is? This commercial facility was simply too large.

“Excuse me, I know Fantland has plenty of spare land, but most of it is on a slope with very little flat ground. Was there actually a place to build a structure of this scale?”

I mean, you could build as many houses as you wanted, but this was on a different level. To fit an entire market inside with room to spare, it would have to be as large as a town itself.

“Naturally, we have selected a planned construction site. I believe you will find it quite satisfactory.”

“I’ve actually been to Fantland, and there wasn’t nearly enough flat land for this.”

“Ah, the planned site is on top of the marsh. We intend to reclaim the marshland by filling it in. That way, we can create a vast, level area.”

Then there’d be enough land— No, no, no. That’s not right.

Marsh Trolls are living—no, residing—in that marsh.

“We will create a new road into Fantland by cutting through the mountain, and the earth and sand from that will be poured into the marsh after we’ve drained the water. It’s killing two birds with one stone. The project is practically a guaranteed success.”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot hand over this land,” I said in a dry voice.

“Protecting that marsh is also the duty of the Lord. That is not something I can be persuaded to change.”

“What…? Is it perhaps a marsh registered as an Important Cultural Landscape of the Kingdom? According to our records, there are no such designations, and the land should be ready for immediate development…”

“No, there’s nothing like that. It’s just that there are beings living in that vast marsh.”

“Fish and insects, I presume.”

Did this man really not know about the marsh? If so, I suppose his reaction couldn’t be helped.

“Actually, there is a race called Marsh Trolls living there. They are a kind of indigenous people living a self-sufficient life. They never come to the city, so we don’t even collect taxes from them.”

“In other words, they are not officially citizens of the Kingdom. Therefore, they have no rights they can exercise. Though, now that you mention it, when I visited the site, I believe I saw a soaking wet person who asked me to protect the marsh.”

Wait. He knew, and he’s still pushing this plan?

“We will simply have them vacate. Marshes are everywhere, after all. We have no intention of taking their lives.”

“No, but the Marsh Trolls have their lives there…”

“The Marsh Trolls have no such rights. In fact, from your perspective, Baron, they are the ones infringing upon your rights. They are using your marsh without permission.”

The man’s expression didn’t look like he was trying to pick a fight; he was more serious than I expected.

“A Lord protects the people, and in exchange, the people pay taxes to the Lord. However, the Marsh Trolls pay you nothing. To ask to have the land protected under those circumstances… isn’t that a bit selfish? If I were the Lord, I would be quite annoyed.”

So that’s one way of looking at it.

He had a point. If my duty as Lord was for the sake of my people, should I arrange for the construction of this highly desired commercial facility?

But the scale of this was different from just knocking down a hornet’s nest…

I came here thinking I was just a new employee, and suddenly I’m being asked to make a decision as a leader of men… What should I do…?

“Well, I’m curious about today’s dinner, so I think I’ll head out.”

With an explanatory tone, Mary stood up from her chair. Wait? You’re leaving now?
But as Mary passed by my side, she whispered softly:

“Do what you think is right, Franz.”

I whispered a “thank you” in my heart.

That’s right. I am the Lord. Therefore, whatever I decide is final. Of course Mary would step away. If she decided for me, she would be disregarding my position.
I opened my mouth slightly, took a breath, and exhaled.

“I am sorry, but I cannot surrender my title as Baron. I have an attachment to that marsh.”

“B-but! Ah, we haven’t even discussed the price yet, but I can offer an amount that would mean you never have to work another day in your life!”

“No, it’s not about the money. I made a promise to a Marsh Troll girl. I told her I would protect that marsh. And a Baron must keep his word.”

To be honest, the money was tempting. But I knew that if I chose to abandon the Marsh Trolls here, I would live the rest of my life with regret. If that happened, I could never lead a happy life. Having money in an unhappy life doesn’t mean much.

“Therefore, would you please leave? I’m not trying to haggle for more money. As long as the marsh would be destroyed, I cannot give my consent.”

“Please, just hear me out for a moment longer!”

At that moment, an eerie laughter echoed from the kitchen. “Hehehehe…”

“Master, dinner is almost ready, but we seem to be missing the main dish~ Oh, look, there’s a lovely-looking hunk of meat right here~ Hehehehe~”

I immediately knew it was an act. But the merchant looked like he didn’t know what was happening.

“I am a practitioner of Dark Magic, and I employ a familiar that often feasts on meat,” I said. “My familiar gets quite ferocious at night, so it’s probably best if you leave now—”

“Understood! Excuse me!”

The merchant scrambled for the door and ran out. Behind him, only the documents for the large commercial facility remained.

“Master, you turned him down so resolutely. You were quite handsome,” Cerulia said, coming out with the food. Mary nodded as well—I wonder if she was agreeing with the “handsome” part.

“Thanks for the acting, Cerulia.”

“That he was frightened by such hammy acting was quite comical.”