The other day, I entertained my brother Geisel who came to my house on a hunting trip.


    Perhaps it was because he saw how many retainers I have in my service.


    "Brother, ...... why do you have so many vassals ......?"


    "It all comes down to defending Fort Nagrad. We have had many men of valor from the surrounding lands come to hire us, and our numbers have increased.


    "Isn''t it hard to feed so many vassals, ......?"


    "Indeed. However, with the increase in the number of people, land that was previously fallow can now be used as farmland, and the yield of the estate is likely to increase considerably. This has allowed us to distribute the land to the increased number of vassals."


    "Yeah, I see. ....... But you are only my vassal, my lord. ....... Oh, don''t be too discreet ......."


    Speak for yourself. I''m not going to do that.


    "But there were some close calls in the defense of the fort the other day. If I had had as many men as I have now, I would have been able to defeat the enemy more easily. I am sure that this force will be needed to defend the territory of Navre. Please understand.


    "Ugh. ....... I see. ....... That''s true too....... All right, keep up the good work ......


    "Yes, brother helping brother, that is the way our father in heaven would be pleased."


    Now that I have more leeway than in the past, I can talk more. I''m going to keep pushing my brother as hard as I can.


    But - if I keep on like this, that paranoid brother of mine will try to do something anyway.


    I knew that, so I let him find out what he thinks of me in advance.


    The news came quickly.


    A spy who had entered Castle Navre as a peddler reported to me.


    "The Viscount seems to be frightened of Mr. Arsrod. Especially since he has no children of his own yet. He seems to be worried that if he is killed now he will be deprived of his position as Viscount.


    "I see. I knew it, but you really can''t hide your feelings.


    It''s only been about nine months since I got back from the fort. That means it''s been less than a year since I got a job and officially became an adult. I didn''t expect things to change like this.


    I read a lot of history books. It''s not uncommon for military men of military fame to establish their own dynasties. People flock to those who have charisma. On the other hand, a brother who is weak in war is inherently difficult to gain people''s trust.


    "I will send to his wife a talisman from the temple, which is famous for its ability to bring peace in childbirth," he said. Keep on gathering information.


    The merchant backed away.


    Since we are not making any suspicious moves, he will not be able to say anything about taking my land, and will probably try to kill me in the near future.


    I know Geisel''s character. He cannot wait for me to rise to power.


    But that''s when I''ll have the best chance.


    Until then, I will build up my reputation as much as possible.


    I have taken an active part in the maintenance of the family tombs. The Naevres - a family with the same name as the land.


    There is no law that says I can''t keep the graves clean. But from the outside, it would appear that I am the heir to the House of Nayvre. Of course, on the surface I am acting on behalf of the busy head of the family.


    Then the voice in my heart started to speak to me again.


    --You''d better promote commerce while you still have the chance. There is no such thing as a poor man''s king. It is better to start small.


    There is no need to worry about money. But what exactly should we do?


    --Make the tax free for merchants. The size of the market on the street will grow.


    It was a common sense that you have to pay a tax to open a market. It is not necessary to pay money to the merchants'' association as in the case of Castle Nevre.


    But doesn''t that mean that the lords can''t make money?


    --We can change the system to one that allows a portion of the profits to be paid up.


    They''d probably leave without paying the tax.


    --If they make a profit, the merchants will pay it. You don''t want to ruin a profitable story by being stingy with taxes. It doesn''t hurt if one or two people who don''t make much money don''t pay. It is better to collect taxes from those who have money.


    I''ll take Oda Nobunaga''s word for it.


    I have decreed that all my lands shall be free of tax on all goods sold in the markets and stores. Merchants and peasants may sell whatever they wish. But you must pay 10% of the profit you make.


    The effect was immediate.


    When I went around and looked at the markets that had opened along the roads, it was obvious that they were larger than before.


    As the number of people increased, more and more people started new businesses, such as selling sake and box lunches. The size of the city grew at an accelerated rate.


    It was about a year after I had been in business that Raviara and I went out again to make the rounds.


    Raviara said to me, "Raviara, I''ve never seen such a lively city!


    Laviala was truly amazed at the bustling atmosphere.


    "It''s still small compared to the castle in Neville, but as a temporary market, it may be one of the largest in Neville.


    "The elves on my mother''s side are selling medicinal herbs, and the number of beastmen peddlers is much larger than before. This is not a street market but almost a city!


    "More and more merchants in the castle are opening stores here. Even if they fail, there is no financial loss because it doesn''t cost money to open a store.


    "I''d say it''s really a great success."


    So far, the sales have been paid. The more profitable the business is, the more it tries to pay. In fact, the city is now a place where people want to open new stores even if they have to pay for them.


    "But ............ this, this will stimulate the Viscount ......."


    Laviala said, a little hoarsely.


    "Yes, definitely."


    Geisel is about to make his move.