kscans

Chapter 180 - The Lord and I, 4. A Consultation

"...I will consider the matter of your identity separately... but the reason I asked you here today is that I was hoping for your advice on a small matter."

How could a mere regional lord possibly handle a landmine of a case like a child who might be a foreign noble? Negotiations and consultations with the royal court would be indispensable, Baron Darren mused internally. This was contrary to Yuri's wish of not wanting to make things a big deal. Unaware of this, Yuri replied to the baron with a respectful demeanor.

"If it is Your Excellency’s will, I would not refuse... but is it something a child like me can do?"

He was implicitly saying, Don’t push an unreasonable task on a child, but Baron Darren was not so naive as to back down at that. A lord was a position that could not be managed with pleasantries alone.

"Not at all. I am confident that you, Yuri-kun, who has shown such great wisdom, will surely be able to do it."

Yuri glanced at Old Man Audel, but the answer conveyed in the old man's gaze was a resounding No! It seemed that word of what he had done in Laurenzen and the matter of his materials had not leaked from Old Man Audel, at least. As expected, Baron Darren's consultation was about food, and the related food problem.

"Ah... so that was the situation..."

The current poor harvest facing the Rivairein Kingdom was not that severe in scale. However, food imports from abroad had become scarce, placing a slight burden on farming villages to compensate. It seemed that the people of the Rivairein Kingdom as a whole were beginning to feel a vague sense of crisis. As for the Darren Baron's Territory, he said it was painful that they had been forced to supply their stockpiles to other domains.

"It would be one thing in an age of war, but these days, no territory can survive by ignoring its relations with its neighbors."

"I understand."

According to a diviner, the poor harvest in the Rivairein Kingdom was expected to start recovering next year. However, the situation in other countries was unknown, so the food supply remained unpredictable.

"Your teachings were a great help this year, Yuri-kun, and we will not be as cornered next year as we were this year. However, your knowledge of famine foods is valuable, and I would like to spread it throughout my domain if possible. In fact, I have already recruited volunteers from End Village to travel to the other villages in the domain to teach them."

He had already been briefed on this matter in End Village. Since things were already in motion, the baron's words were merely an explanation of the current situation.

"Therefore, and this is not to doubt your words, Yuri-kun, but for the time being, I would like to strive to verify its effectiveness within my own domain. That is one thing. I want you to leave the timing of its dissemination throughout the country to my judgment."

The baron's true intention was likely to monopolize this knowledge for the time being, until a system for its use was established. He was asking Yuri not to spread it carelessly until then. To Yuri, this seemed like a reasonable request. As a lord, it was only natural for him to prioritize his own domain. In fact, to do otherwise would be neglectful of his duties as a lord. There would be various political judgments to be made as well. As for Yuri, he had no need to concern himself with the villagers of other domains he had never met.

Despite his appearance, he was the former Isarai Yuuri, thirty-seven years of age at death, who knew a fair amount about both the bright and dark sides of life.

"It seems you have been providing Adon with various products, Yuri-kun, and I have no intention of meddling in that now. However, from now on, I would like you to inform me of any agricultural matters before you tell Adon."

As expected of a lord. It seemed he had figured out that Yuri was behind the products sold by Adon’s firm. It might have just been a guess, but there was nothing to be gained from playing mind games with a lord here and now. Thinking this, Yuri simply gave a silent nod. Perhaps pleased by his dutiful attitude, the baron eagerly asked what kind of crops would be suitable for his domain, but...

"...Even if you say that... I only know about my own village. I know nothing of your domain... If there were a village in a similar location to mine, I think I could be of some help, but..."

...There were no villages in such a dangerous location. The baron thought for a moment that he had been hasty, but...

"For now, I will try to bring any crops or techniques that might be useful in your domain to End Village. How about we test them there, and if they are judged to be useful, they will be reported to you, my lord? ...In that case, I would ask for your due consideration for End Village, which will be taking on the task of trial cultivation for things that may or may not work out..."

The baron judged Yuri's modest proposal to be reasonable. He was already aware that he was imposing a lot on End Village. Above all, if they were to take on the practical application of young Yuri's knowledge, techniques, and new crops, they deserved to be treated accordingly. When the baron nodded in agreement, a look of relief appeared on Old Man Audel's face. Yuri had shown concern for End Village. Now it was his turn to show goodwill.

"...With all due respect, I have a request to make."

"I will hear it. What is it?"

"Yes. Yuri-kun currently has nothing to guarantee his identity. I and Adon are acting as his guarantors, but..."

Having heard that much, the baron understood what Old Man Audel was trying to say.

"I understand. I will issue an identification document for Yuri-kun immediately."

It would be unbearable for him to be treated as a vagrant just because he lacked identification. Several people had entered Salt-Sour Mountain before, but all had been forced to retreat. Amidst all that, Yuri, who had lived on Salt-Sour Mountain for over five years and achieved numerous accomplishments, was, for the baron, the most promising prospect and winning horse in recent memory.