I Was Reincarnated as a Marquis in Another World

“Good. Then, at this moment, I declare that my son Schwabin von Nante has become the Lord of the Count Nante territory.”

After saying that, the old Count sat down wearily in his chair, wearing a somewhat relieved smile.

Seeing this, the other vassals quickly tried to help the Count to rest, but the Count raised his hand, seated in his chair, to stop them.

In accordance with this, Schwabin stepped forward to continue speaking.

“Glory to Deus, dignity and honor to His Imperial Majesty of the Eraline Empire, and I shall demonstrate loyalty and nobility as a Count serving them. Therefore, I ask that you repay me with loyalty and devotion.”

Everyone knelt on one knee and bowed their heads in response.

“Good. Then, as your lord, speak if you have anything you desire. I shall grant the wishes of you all as your lord.”

It is said that a saying grants all wishes, but in reality, it is customary to ask for tools needed for work as a ‘Count’s military.’

And since not all requests can be addressed here, it is likely that only a few barons would even be mentioned.

Instead, each would receive expensive weapons for free according to their rank and title, making it a subtly lucrative event.

As a brief moment passed, the Count’s stewards collected the notes on which each noble had written their ‘wishes.’

A little later, only the notes submitted by the barons or their heirs were delivered to the Count, and Schwabin declared that he would personally bestow them.

What was particularly surprising was that, while most asked for weapons, Baron Ren’s son requested the title of ‘Knight.’

Ultimately, Schwabin personally granted the knighthood during the intermission, and from that moment on, the boy became Sir Ren.

And I…

After the knighting ceremony, Schwabin opened my letter and said in surprise.

“Lastly, hmm? SIEL von Croilet, why did you request things like the second and third sons of serfs? Wouldn’t they end up as impoverished or wandering if left alone? They could become bandits, but wouldn’t they be a burden on you and your territory instead? It’s not as if there’s an overflow of food.”

As he said, in most territories, those who cannot receive arable land like the second and third sons of serfs are expelled from the territory due to food shortages.

So, a few lucky men join mercenary groups, while the majority are exploited as urban poor or low-level laborers.

Women with good looks become maids or concubines of nobles, or end up as courtesans following mercenary groups or in towns.

Those who want neither become bandits or thieves.

However, our territory plans to change agricultural implements and reform the territory, so there will be surplus food, and various manpower will be needed to develop the territory based on this food.

People to work on construction, those to create something, those to make farmland, those willing to become soldiers, and so on…

So, excluding the statement that ‘there might be surplus food,’ I answered honestly.

“I plan to seek cooperation from the nobles of our Count’s territory, taking on some burden in exchange for pioneering undeveloped land for agriculture. For this, I thought it would be more helpful to take along future criminals who would otherwise trouble Count Your Excellency.”

Seemingly pleased with my response, Schwabin smiled and replied.

“You are right. I appreciate your ambition to plan for the future and dedicate yourself for me. Within a month, I will send male and female serfs to your territory.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as that was said, the other nobles returned to enjoying the banquet.

**

The next day, my father and I went around to visit the homes of the Count’s vassals to say farewell.

I don’t understand why we had to go around and spend more than an hour saying goodbye, when we could have just said, ‘We’re leaving. Thank you,’ and given a suitable gift.

“Oh ho ho, we parted this way when we were fighting in the Lithheim plains, so I brought the ham you expressed a desire for. Ah, but this ham…,” and similar endless stories went on for what seemed like an eternity.

While I could kind of understand this, the most confusing part was buying souvenirs to give to the vassals upon returning.

Of course, buying souvenirs for the vassals who couldn’t come to the city is a noble act.

The nobles who receive gifts boast for generations about receiving expensive items from their lord, and if they receive wine, they celebrate for days and brag about it.

In doing so, loyalty that never existed may be born.

However, the problem is…

“Here, 20 bottles of wine aged 10 years, and 40 swords with engraved family crests…”

After purchasing these and having them specially wrapped for nobles, the prices jump to at least double the original.

I also bought a box of cookies for Ela and a dagger for Balt, but I feel like I’ve made a loss.

All that added up to two gold coins…

**

After buying all the gifts and returning over the course of a week, the Baron and I returned to the Croilet territory.

On the way back, the Baron and I shared the same carriage, during which he asked me various questions.

“When will you get married? Do you have someone you like?”—questions that, while natural for a noble, were still important.

I brushed off this question with, “I’m too busy developing the territory for that.”

Fortunately, the Baron did not press me on why I hadn’t reported my new agricultural methods.

Had he pressed, I would have needed to think of a plausible excuse, so I was relieved not to have to.

**

As soon as we arrived at the Croilet territory, I joined Ela, who had been staying at the Baron’s mansion, and we climbed into the carriage to head back to Windheim.

As I sat in the carriage, Ela naturally took the seat next to me.

Though a bit distant, it was close enough that if the carriage swayed a little, our shoulders or bodies might touch.

After a moment, as the carriage began to move, Ela smiled broadly and spoke.

“Welcome back, Master. I really missed you.”

“Yes, I missed you too, Ela.”

Then I gently tousled Ela’s hair.

When I stopped petting her, Ela spoke with a slightly gloomy expression.

“I was really lonely while separated from you, Master. So next time you go far away, I worked hard to learn so I could follow you. Cooking, cleaning, etiquette as a maid…”

As she spoke, Ela’s tone had changed from the innocent, childish way she used to speak to one more befitting a maid.

“The head maid said that you would definitely inherit the Croilet territory one day, Master. And when that happens, even greater people will stand beside you. So, she told me to cheer up.”

Ela spoke softly, her voice carrying a sense of ‘Don’t go far away.’

It was understandable, as the pain and sorrow this girl must have faced was beyond imagination.

Despair when she lost both her parents, followed by losing her younger sibling due to the Bailiff.

And despite everything, the resignation when she chose to become mine.

What must it have felt like to bear all these circumstances alone?

Then, smiling brightly, Ela shifted from her previously sullen face and said to me.

“So, Master, can I go with you from now on?”

“Of course.”

As soon as Ela heard that, she leaned into me as if to ask for more pets.

I continuously patted her head.

I simply hoped that this child’s sadness and resentment would be alleviated.

Then I handed Ela a cookie I had bought.

After Ela ate the cookie, she showed a truly happy expression and said.

“Thank you, Master. And it’s really sweet.”

I’m glad I bought it.

**

Two months passed since I returned to my territory, Windheim.

First, the old men serving as village heads in various towns of Windheim were dispatched as Bailiffs or village heads throughout the Croilet territory.

At first, everyone opposed the dispatch, but when I said that everyone could become Bailiffs if I did well, they all happily complied.

From what I hear, thanks to their hard work in other regions, they have properly organized and are implementing the agricultural method I proposed.

If I follow through as I envisioned, our territory’s serfs and nobles should secure enough food to spare.

And in Windheim, serfs began using the carts I purchased to go further and start pioneering new fields.

Since I promised that we would reduce taxes on all cultivated fields when the current fields were fully developed and that more land could be cultivated with the use of oxen and horses, there’s been a positive effect.

Around this time, they should still be plowing the arable land assigned to them, but thanks to distributing plows drawn by horses to each household, they can make deeper and wider fields more quickly.

If all goes well, and there are no sudden natural disasters causing famine this year, I believe we can safely support the newly arrived serfs.

And when the serfs arrive, yes…

Balt rushed over to my side and said to me.

“Master! The serfs have arrived!”

I smiled and said to Balt.

“Is that so? Tell the serfs this: ‘If you don’t like that forest, clear it all away.’”

It may sound like a division commander from a military entertainment program, but what can I say?

It’s something that needs to be done if we want to earn money.

The amount I have amassed so far feels trivial, and to make substantial money…

I need to invest.

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