Chapter 9: Seizing by Force

“…Baron Jago… are we really sure this is all right?”

When they stepped out of Master Kone’s residence, Mas asked with a worried look. He had never imagined Farra would actually do such a thing… just seize land by force.

“What’s the problem?” Farra asked casually, counting the title deeds in his hand.

“Well… I heard Master Kone is on good terms with several nearby barons. Doing this…” Mas said cautiously. The lands across this vast region were basically controlled by wealthy merchants who didn’t live on these barren tracts themselves but extended their reach over hundreds of miles. Further in, where the land was slightly better, lay the fiefs of various barons.

“Those barons? Heh…” Farra chuckled. He didn’t explain further, simply saying, “If they want to stand up for their dogs, let them come. My sword isn’t dull.” Mas fell silent. He suddenly realized this unusually young man seemed different from ordinary nobles.

…

At Master Kone’s home, the butler looked at the dazed lord and asked, “My lord, shall we just let it go?”

“Otherwise? Will you help me snatch the land back?” Kone said coldly, putting away his anger.

“I… I don’t dare…!” the butler bowed his head.

“You don’t dare, huh? At least you know your limits.” Kone stood, took a few deep breaths, and said, “Baron Jago isn’t like those ordinary barons.”

“…He certainly isn’t,” the butler agreed in a low voice. In all his years, he’d never seen someone barge in alone to seize land outright, especially knowing the Kone family’s friendly relations with local nobles. It was absurd. And the key point was, the legal claims were gone. Once signed, the deed was considered traded away. No one cared about transactions involving unclaimed land. If Kone tried to reclaim it illegally, the other side could counterattack, claiming noble privilege.

Kone paced a few steps and let out a heavy sigh. “Forget it… They were just some worthless plots. Losing them is losing them.”

“…Why not ask Lord Caman and the others to seek justice?” the butler asked.

Kone glared at him. “Do you really think Lord Caman and the others would help me for free?”

“Well…”

“These nobles sit high above everyone else. Flatter them, maybe; beg for help, never.”

“But we give them so much money and grain every year. They wouldn’t just ignore us, would they?”

“Fool, care? They don’t care!” Kone cursed. “Do you think that money buys protection? It’s for flying their banners and keeping them from bothering us, that’s all.”

“…I see…”

“In any case, don’t bring this up again. Bad luck all around…”

“Yes, my lord…”

…

After obtaining Master Kone’s deeds, Farra didn’t return home but stopped by Kaida’s estate and repeated the maneuver.

“You want to settle this privately, or…?” Farra asked.

“Settle privately, settle privately. Please, Lord Farra, just be patient. I’ll send someone right away.” Kaida grinned nervously.

With a sword at his throat, he sold the hundred li south of Bichi Village to Farra for a single copper coin. After confirming the deeds, Farra smiled. “Since Mr. Kaida is so generous, let’s pretend none of this happened.”

“Y-Yes. Safe travels…” Kaida escorted Farra out, still smiling. Only after Farra and Mas disappeared did Kaida’s expression turn vicious. “Damn him, just a Low Baron, and he dares screw me over! Does he really think I’m made of clay?!”

He grabbed a subordinate. “Take five silver coins, gather a few men unafraid to die, and…”

The subordinate trembled. “M-My lord, he’s a noble…!”

“Fool! As long as no one knows who did it, what’s the harm? Any baron who dares snatch my possessions deserves it. Go, and keep the rest of the money.”

The subordinate’s face lit up. Half a year’s wages in one go. If he succeeded, he might keep two silver coins himself.

…

Back at Bichi Village with a thick stack of deeds, Farra glanced at Mas and said, “Not bad. You didn’t freeze up. From today on, you’re my butler.”

“Yes, thank you, Lord Farra!” Mas bowed, visibly excited. Becoming a butler in a noble territory meant legal recognition. It was very different from the token “village chief” title he’d held.

Looking at the shabby village, Farra sighed. The road ahead was long; without outside help, this place would never improve. North and south lay barren land overgrown with weeds, with no water. East were mountains and forests; west held some decent plots, but those had been granted to other nobles. In short, none of the good land was left.

When Farra returned, Freya approached. “You’re back.”

“How does it feel?” Farra asked.

“…How does what feel?”

“This village.”

Freya glanced around. “It’s extremely desolate.”

“This is my fief. We’ll be here for several years.”

“…Really?” Freya asked, though she’d heard his declaration earlier.

“Really.”

“…We won’t starve, right? The food in the wagon lasts maybe a month.”

“Of course not. A month is plenty.”

…

Seeing Farra’s confidence, Freya had to ask, “You didn’t forget the three hundred half-beastman slaves, did you? They’re already two days without food.”

“It’s fine. In two days, someone will bring us grain,” Farra said lightly, without turning.

“Really… ??” Freya stared. Why was he so confident? Did he think everyone was an idiot who’d just deliver food?

“Really.”

…

Farra turned to Mas. “Are there any spare houses here?”

“Uh, sorry, Lord Farra. There aren’t any… but if you don’t mind, you could stay at my place… I have no family and can manage…”

Farra thought for a moment. “Forget it. I’ve been sleeping in the wagon so long, a few more days won’t hurt. I’ll stay in the wagon. Freya, stay in the village, don’t wander off too far. I have some things to do. Keep an eye on those three hundred slaves.”

“Understood…”

After instructing Freya, Farra set off with Mas, the stack of deeds in hand.