Read Novel Full Chapter 16, Meeting the Mayor
Chapter 16, Meeting the Mayor
Translator: Lizz
The next day, the three of them dressed up and headed to the Mayor’s mansion.
The Mayor’s position was hereditary, and the office was essentially the Mayor’s mansion.
When Edward informed the guard at the gate of their business, the guard was surprised and quickly went to confirm.
“Welcome! The Mayor will see you!”
The guard, using incorrect honorifics, saluted and guided them.
The Mayor’s mansion was one of the more splendid buildings in this town, but compared to other prosperous towns, it wasn’t much. In fact, on average, it would be considered modest.
Edward, who had suspected embezzlement, was puzzled internally.
–An elderly man who seemed to be the Mayor approached them.
“We’ve been expecting you!”
He said this with such enthusiasm that the three of them wondered [For what?].
Edward composed himself, greeted the Mayor, and introduced Sylvia.
“This is Lady Sylvia Hughes, my liege and the new Lord of the fortress, appointed by the Duke. Lady Sylvia will be managing the fortress, which has been neglected for many years, and from now on, this fortress town will be under her jurisdiction. We have come today to understand the current situation with the Mayor’s help.”
Sylvia nodded lightly.
–Edward had repeatedly lectured Sylvia beforehand.
“Lady Sylvia, please refrain from speaking. The trick to looking dignified is to either nod silently or shake your head silently. I will handle the negotiations, so please try to keep your back straight, tuck your chin in, and either nod lightly or shake your head if you disagree. Just keep that in mind.”
Sylvia, afraid of Edward’s reaction if she did otherwise, silently complied.
The Mayor offered them seats on the sofa and began speaking in a relieved tone.
“Ah, we are truly grateful. Considering the history of this place, it can’t be helped, but we still live here, and it has been like living on an isolated island. We were even considering seeking help from the neighboring country if things continued like this. I’m relieved to know that we haven’t been forgotten.”
Edward felt a cold sweat internally at the Mayor’s ominous words right from the start. Gina, maintaining a composed expression, also had many questions floating in her mind.
After some thought, Edward bowed slightly to the Mayor.
“…I deeply apologize. The truth is, neither Lady Sylvia, nor I, nor the maid Gina, have been informed of the details. We have a certificate from the Duke appointing Lady Sylvia as the Lord of the fortress, but there were no other specific instructions, so we assumed there were no particular issues…”
He mixed some truth with a lot of lies to gauge the Mayor’s reaction.
The Mayor was left speechless.
“…The mayors throughout history, including myself, have sent petitions to the Duke’s family. The facilities here have deteriorated… especially the bridge over the outer moat river, which has decayed and collapsed, making travel difficult and turning this place into a semi-island. A very long time ago, tax officials used to visit, but perhaps because we constantly appealed for repairs, they eventually stopped coming. We have had no choice but to repair what we could at the discretion of the mayors, but… a bridge requires a professional architectural engineer. There are also many other places that need extensive repairs, such as the crumbling outer walls and broken waterways. We have written about these issues in letters every year, but…”
Edward struggled to keep from looking up at the sky.
He had intended to collect money, but it seemed more like they were being asked for money instead.
As Edward began to think about what to do next…
“–Do all the people living here wish for that?”
Sylvia asked the Mayor.
Edward panicked, but Sylvia was staring straight at the Mayor.
The Mayor was a bit surprised by Sylvia’s words, but he nodded firmly.
“Of course.”
“Then gather everyone. All of them. If they wish for it, I will fix it. But only for those who recognize me as the Lord of the fortress.”
Edward understood what Sylvia intended to do.
She planned to dominate all the residents of the fortress town and use the magic power obtained from them to make the repairs.
…But, was it really okay?
“…Lady Sylvia. Isn’t that dangerous?”
Edward asked quietly, and Sylvia looked at him.
“I have become the Lord of the fortress. It’s not enough to be recognized only by Gina and Edward.”
“Your resolve is admirable, but…”
Sylvia’s magic was unknown magic.
Moreover, Sylvia herself was young.
Edward worried if it was safe for a child to use such large-scale magic.
Gina, who usually maintained a poker face, was anxiously watching.
Both Edward and Gina had witnessed Sylvia collapse before. They didn’t want her to do it, but it seemed Sylvia had made up her mind.
“Gather everyone.”
She urged the Mayor again, and the Mayor nodded.
“Understood. A week from now, I will gather everyone in the square.”