CH 192

Chapter 192 - The Disposable Messenger

The construction of the store and brothel was completed and the opening was near.

As for the brothel, Ardelheid had come to inform me of the terms that had been decided with Isabeau.

“Lord Alfred, I would like to inform you of the terms that have been decided with the Chamber of Commerce.”

I silently urged her to continue.

Ardelheid began her report with a more serious face than usual.

“The health of the prostitutes will be checked on a regular basis. There will be no charge for bathing in the public baths to prevent them from contracting diseases. This will be a quarantine measure.”

Citizens could take a bath for free, but non-citizens could take a bath with a single copper coin.

I’ll have to hear the report before I interrupt.

Ardelheid was watching my reaction.

But when she saw that I was silent, she continued the rest of her report.

“In exchange for no charge, they will be required to bathe at least once every two days, unless they are sick or injured. They must be given one day off per week. The loss of vacation time will be made up for by a lower tax rate. The tax rate on sales of regular prostitutes will be reduced to 8/100. The tax rate for prostitutes who wish to emigrate will be 5/100. For those who wish to migrate, one day a week will be set aside for job training. The training itself will be free of charge, and the reduction in earnings will be compensated to the chamber of commerce by lowering the tax rate mentioned earlier. In this way, the tax rate will fluctuate in two ways.”

Will they be able to manage that? I should confirm it just in case.

“I’m sure it’s a lot to manage individually, but did Miss Isabeau agree to it?”

Ardelheid nodded.

“The Ministry of Public Health will be sending a representative to assist her in this regard.”

I have a few concerns, but… I guess I’ll leave it to her.

I don’t want to interfere too much, after all.

I kept quiet and encouraged her to continue.

Ardelheid looks even more nervous now that my question is out of the way and gives her report.

“Those wishing to emigrate can acquire citizenship at the age of thirty. In which case they will be required to stay for ten years. The fee for subcontracting will be arranged by the government. For those who have obtained citizenship, the government will provide them with a housing complex and exempt them from rent for the next five years. That will be all.”

Ardelheid exhaled largely and looked at me with some anxiety.

“I understand. Then please do your best to make this agreement operational.”

Ardelheid nodded happily.

“Yes! I’ll do my best!”

After Ardelheid left the room, I couldn’t help but think about it.

I honestly thought it was too easy.

However, I accepted it since the women had made it on their own initiative.

If there were any inconveniences, we could correct them as needed.

I’ll leave that in everyone’s hands.

◆◇◆◇◆

After that, the head of the adventurer’s guild also arrived.

Cesar Salignac, a man in his forties with a medium build.

He has black hair, black eyes, and some gray hair.

He seems to be a sincere person who is not good at bargaining.

It was just a greeting and a standard conversation.

I guess I won’t be able to interact with him in earnest until after the operation starts….

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In the report that followed, we were told that the Sanatorium town at the mine was also completed.

The workers are supposed to start developing the port after a short rest.

While going about their normal duties, we were secretly preparing for war when a messenger from Dorius arrived.

It had been half a year since the messenger, Zenon, had arrived.

I heard that the messenger was a cat tribesman.

This is already a definite thing.

The cat tribesman who was brought in front of me didn’t identify himself, just said he was a messenger and read out the letter.

“Chief Dorius considers humans who live in harmony with the beastmen of Ravenna to be the same as beasts. If you join the ranks of Dorius the Chief, you are promised a generous treatment.”

Then he raised his voice even louder.

“If you refuse, we will kill you as enemies.”

I replied emotionlessly and matter-of-factly.

“As you wish, I refuse.”

The messenger shook his head exaggeratedly.

“The merciful chieftain Dorius declares war on Ravenna. Ravenna will pay for her folly with her own blood. And then they will cut off Alfredo’s head and expose it as a sign of his stupidity.”

The messenger looked from side to side, a little uneasy.

I just said without any emotion.

“Then you should come and reap the harvest.”

The messenger seemed to snicker, but left without saying a word.

As soon as I saw the messenger, I already ordered Charles to move the army.

After the messenger returned, I looked at the ceiling and crossed my arms.

Mil seemed to have a few questions and approached me.

“Why did they make a cat tribesman their messenger?”

“If I kill the messenger, he’ll use it as blackmail material against the beastmen under my control. Saying that these guys are just like us.”

“So you’re saying he’s certain that we’re going to kill him?”

It’s not a big problem for him.

I can’t help but chuckle.

“From Dorius’ point of view, it doesn’t matter either way. If he returns alive, he will return spying on our own territory.”

Kiara didn’t seem to understand the details.

“What do you mean by spying?”

“Do you remember what the teacher said when he first met the cat tribesman?”

Kiara made a face as if she remembered.

“I remember him saying that that he felt as if he could talk to someone even though he were far away.”

“In other words, that country is using beastmen as familiars.”

The whole group was in an uproar.

Ardelheid’s face became incredulous.

“You say familiar, but Isn’t that what you do with animals and magical creatures?”

""

I shook my head.

“There are no such restrictions. It’s just that the person being treated doesn’t like it.”

Kiara didn’t seem to know what I was talking about and looked at me for an explanation.

“What happens?”

“They know your thoughts, they can control your movements. It’s not a good thing. In human terms, he is almost as good as dead. Everything he sees is known to the practitioner. Even if he is asleep, he will be woken up by the practitioner.”

If it’s before my reincarnation, I’d imagine I was controlling a character in a VR game.

Mil’s face took on a look of disgust. 

“That doesn’t end with just being terrible.”

“But if you accept that you are a messenger, you will rise in the ranks of the group. In other words, they’ve sacrificed themselves.”

There was no need to finish.

Everyone was indignant, but Kiara was relatively calm.

“What would happen if they spied on us? Since brother knew about it, you must have taken measures to prevent it, right?”

I nodded.

“They’re already moving their forces. Deploying on the plains, where they excel. I’ve placed our troops in places where I think they can interfere with that. If we hurry, we can deploy on the plains, but if we delay, we will be blocked by the cavalry in the forest. That kind of place. The messenger has politely informed them of the location.”

Kiara seemed to be convinced.

“So you rushed them and led them to the plains?”

“Yes, and they will cross the river in a hurry. Otherwise, they will not be able to deploy the cavalry they boast of.”

“So it’s all going according to my brother’s plan for now?”

“For the time being… yes. You never know what will happen on the battlefield.”

That’s why I explained the strategy, but left the actual decision to Charles.