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‘Even though taxes were cut drastically, the market is still not very active.’

Vermont was certainly a large city, and the market was sizable.

However, it was eerily quiet compared to its size, with few customers and stores.

Despite drastic tax cuts meant to increase economic flexibility, the market remained stagnant.

The answer was simple: fear.

Although taxes had decreased, people feared they could rise again at any moment.

This fear stifled consumption and caused people to hoard money.

‘It’s no wonder Vermont was on the brink of bankruptcy.’

Even considering the removal of key figures in Vermont Territory in the game, the territory was collapsing too quickly.

Observing the current state, it wouldn’t be surprising if it fell apart any day now.

The residents weren’t living here out of choice but because they were trapped, saving up to buy citizenship elsewhere.

Despite the noble families’ financial stability, the territory was in such disarray that it was on the verge of collapse.

Immediate action was necessary.

“Sylvia, return to the mansion and conduct a new household census. List the number of households and their members in the territory.”

“Understood. But why conduct a census that’s done once every ten years now?”

“To promote consumption, we need to implement a policy. For example… Yes. We’ll provide 20% of the amount spent within Vermont Territory as subsidies, with a maximum limit of 2 million. We may need to adjust these figures based on the census results. All expenses will be covered using the funds seized from Leon and his gang.”

“Ah…! That should greatly help restore public sentiment.”

“…”

Public sentiment?

I couldn’t care less about that.

The priority is to revive the drying market to ensure the Vermont family’s survival.

Popularity doesn’t matter.

In the best of times, people might not even know their Lord’s name.

Since praise isn’t expected, I hope my infamous reputation disappears quickly.

‘This is a major policy that distributes a large amount of 10 billion at once. There could be side effects. We need to think carefully.’

Good intentions don’t always lead to good results.

Policy predictions often go awry in unexpected ways.

For example, merchants might drastically increase prices as soon as subsidies are distributed…

We need to consider all these factors and start cautiously.

“If the domestic economy doesn’t support it, there’ll be no future. To attract talented black magic experts, we need to change Vermont’s dull atmosphere first.”

“Ah, yes…”

[The Evil God, ‘Kali’, has finally understood your intentions and is amazed!]

Even Kali seemed to grasp the explanation.

This wasn’t just empty talk.

I don’t expect Vermont Territory to become a pleasant place immediately, but this is a step forward—a step towards my comfortable and peaceful life without threats.

‘It would be great if Irene didn’t interfere…’

Of course, this assumes there’s no external pressure.

Last time, Irene subtly pressured me and left.

But will she stay quiet even with such a big policy?

I don’t want to see that woman’s face again.

Just thinking about those cold eyes gives me chills.

Still, Aslan currently holds the real power in the family.

Instead of regretting being overly cautious later, it’s better to act now, even if it means making mistakes.

It’s better to die trying than sit still and wait for death.

“I think we’ve bought almost everything we need.”

“Young master…”

“Should we go see Charlotte’s sword?”

“Wow! Really!?”

“Young master… Why are we buying more things here…?”

With Charlotte, who seemed in high spirits, we headed to the forge.

In the game, it was said that a legendary swordsmith resided in Vermont Territory, whose skills were so exceptional that kingdoms paid attention, the empire was constrained, and republics were on tenterhooks.

He didn’t appear in Chapter 1 that I played, but there must have been episodes where he created a legendary sword for the protagonist.

“It’s harder than this…!”

“You can do it. Believe in yourself, Sylvia.”

Ignoring Sylvia’s voice complaining with both hands and shoulders loaded from behind, it didn’t seem that hard at all.

I guess she could even carry more loads.

“Guide us to the nearest forge, Sylvia.”

“Ha. There’s only one forge in Vermont Territory. I’ll guide you there.”

Upon arrival, it was indeed a forge the size of an open mouth.

There were six boiling crucibles and a three-story large store with a magnificent display shelf.

“This must be heaven for knights.”

“It’s not exactly like that. Producing in bulk means making mass-produced goods tailored to the preferences of the majority. Once I reach my level, I wouldn’t even consider a place like this.”

“There’s a saying that craftsmen don’t blame their tools, isn’t there?”

“I don’t know which country’s proverb that is, but it’s just nonsense. Craftsmen do blame their tools! A lot!”

“…”

Maybe Sylvia is sensitive after all.

That’s what I think anyway.

“Hello, sir. How may I help you?”

“I’m looking for a sword for this child.”

“Is it for training?”

“No! A real sword! One as big and beautiful as the one this knight wears at her waist!”

“Alright, young customer. Please wait a moment.”

The store clerk returned with a ladder and fetched a sword from the display on the second floor.

It seemed quite heavy; despite having well-defined muscles, his arms trembled a bit.

It was a large sword.

“Please be careful. This is a two-handed sword, very heavy even for adults. Of course, it will be challenging to wield now, but it’s an investment for the future…”

“A… a greatsword! Just like Sylvia’s!”

“…?”

“So cool!”

In a flash, Charlotte lifted the thick greatsword with one hand.

There was no tremble in her thin arm, and her expression looked relaxed.

The store clerk’s face was filled with astonishment.

“Sylvia, I thought Charlotte didn’t have any talent.”

“Yes. She has no talent.”

“Isn’t that talent of great strength?”

“Yes. At her age, I lifted a carriage with one hand.”

“…”

Did she see talent from her own standard?

I couldn’t have imagined she’d claim she had no talent despite knowing she possessed such incredible strength.

Everything under her seemed to be out of the ordinary.

I must be a fool to have blindly believed Sylvia’s evaluation.

‘Does this mean she wasn’t meant to be a magic knight?’

Was Charlotte actually inclined towards swordsmanship?

Or perhaps a greatsword warrior?

Either way, with that kind of strength, she might be within the top 1 percent.

Now that I had lost the point, it was time to find a sword that was just right for a magic knight.

“What’s that? What kind of sword is that? Can I try that one too?”

Watching Charlotte so excitedly, that thought stuck with me.

I’d already agreed to buy it, so now I had to keep it.

I should get her one she likes.

That’s what I thought…

“This one’s pretty good too!”

“This is cool too!”

“What should I do, Mister! I can’t decide, all of them are so cool!”

“…”

This is getting awkward.

If she says she likes all of them, what am I supposed to do?

Is she subtly pressuring me to buy them all?

But her face is too innocent to say that.

It’s like she genuinely can’t decide because she likes everything so much.

One thing’s for sure, there isn’t a sword here that suits Charlotte’s qualities perfectly.

It was set up so that a magic knight would know immediately when they found their match.

Otherwise, there’s a possibility that Charlotte simply isn’t a knight.

“Choose one. I’ll only buy it for you.”

“Aaah! What should I do! What should I choose!”

I sighed and rummaged through my pockets to take out a gold coin.

Since Charlotte bought that genuine sword that she sang about, should we go back now?

As I turned away from Charlotte, who was still undecided, I discovered Julia staring blankly at the wall.

“Why are you spacing out.”

“…”

“Julia.”

“Eek!?”

As soon as I touched her cheek, Julia’s body jumped up.

She jumped at least 1.5 meters in place.

“You even have a talent for standing while asleep.”

“I-I wasn’t sleeping! Hmm…”

“Then what?”

“I was concentrating on a voice coming from over there. It was a bit quiet.”

“What voice?”

“I can still hear it. It’s an old man shouting outside. Can’t you hear it? Hmm…?”

“I can’t hear it. What’s the voice saying?”

“I can’t hear it either.”

“Me neither…”

Looking over, Sylvia and Charlotte both had bewildered expressions.

It’s not just me whose hearing was bad; none of us could hear it.

Surely Julia heard the voice alone.

It’s before she’s awakened, so there’s no way she could understand it…

“What? You guys can’t hear that? I can hear it clearly. He’s saying he’s going crazy with injustice. He’s cursing the king who cut off his arm and killed him. He’s demanding the return of his stolen sword. How can you not hear that?”

“…”

In an instant, Sylvia and Charlotte’s mouths hung open, their faces turning pale.

Julia, this girl…

Could it be that she can hear the voices of vengeful spirits and ghosts?