My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 149

§ 149 – New Vice-Administrator (1)

If you were to ask someone, “What is administration?”

The question would be truly perplexing.

Because “administration” is a truly ambiguous concept.

For some, it’s the act of managing something.

For others, it’s the act of operating organizations and groups.

There are many different opinions on the concept of administration.

However, if you carefully examine those opinions, certain words consistently appear.

“Management” or “operation.”

In other words, administration can be defined as the act of managing or operating something.

Therefore, an administrator can be defined as someone who manages or operates something.

Thus, the administrator of Elan D’or.

That position could be defined as someone who manages or operates Elan D’or.

And now.

A man hurries down the hallway of the Elan D’or mansion.

“Why at a time like this…”

Elan D’or’s chief administrator, Python.

Python was rushing through the hallway of the Elan D’or mansion.

With quick steps, the scenery of the mansion flashed by.

Employees greeted him in passing, but Python had no time to respond.

“Young Master Cyan, huh…”

His complicated thoughts swirled in his head.

The Lord’s appointment of Cyan as an administrator.

He couldn’t quite accept this extraordinary event.

“To be appointed as Vice-Administrator right away…”

Moreover, the position was none other than Vice-Administrator.

The position directly below the chief administrator, with immense authority and the potential to replace Python’s role.

A position not easily granted within Elan D’or.

Of course, in terms of formal rank, he was below Python.

However, strictly speaking, that wasn’t entirely the case.

First of all, Cyan’s bloodline was extraordinary.

He carried the blood of Elan D’or itself.

Although he was a bastard, it didn’t change the fact that he inherited Durac’s blood.

Well, considering the treatment Cyan had received in the past, there was perhaps no need to worry so much.

From the beginning, Durac hadn’t particularly valued Cyan.

But.

“That the Lord would directly appoint him…”

This time, Durac appointed him directly.

An unprecedented and truly unconventional event.

“……”

Python was quite perplexed as to how to interpret this situation.

And finally.

“Perhaps the Lord made a mistake this time…”

Python arrived at this conclusion.

The disgrace of the Marquis family.

A useless loafer.

There was no one in Elan D’or who didn’t know about Cyan’s reputation.

Such a Cyan as Vice-Administrator…

Of course, he knew that Cyan had changed recently.

The incident in the north, which was widely rumored throughout the Empire.

A new star of the Empire, as the rumors suggested.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

It seemed that he had definitely changed from before.

He didn’t seem to have that pathetic image anymore.

Perhaps Elan D’or’s hidden talent was finally shining.

But that was it.

Administration wasn’t something you could do well just because you were good at fighting.

The martial and the literary.

The sword and the quill.

The two were clearly different fields.

Managing and operating something required different talents.

Even if one had a genius-like talent for martial arts.

It was common for them not to be able to properly manage even a small village.

Why else would Durac delegate the internal affairs of the family to Isabel?

“The Lord made a mistake this time…”

A clear mistake.

But he couldn’t disobey.

No matter how much of a mistake it was, it was Durac’s order.

In Elan D’or, Durac’s command was absolute.

Python quickened his pace.

And soon arrived in front of a door.

Python took a deep breath and knocked lightly.

Knock knock.

“This is Python, the chief administrator of Elan D’or.”

#

Cyan, who became the Vice-Administrator of Elan D’or overnight.

Cyan was sitting alone in his room.

Originally, he should have been in the administrative office, but the chief administrator was away, so he couldn’t do much there.

It seemed like Python had quite a busy schedule.

To be exact, it seemed like there was a significant issue in the Elan D’or territory.

That was because the numerous administrators in the administrative office were moving busily.

So Cyan returned to his room.

If he was just standing blankly in the administrative office without knowing what to do, the administrators would be watching him.

Cyan was waiting for the chief administrator alone in his room.

“How much can I spend…”

First of all, Elan D’or’s budget was impossible to easily estimate.

Elan D’or, which dominated the entire eastern part of the Empire.

Cyan didn’t know the exact details, but the annual budget easily exceeded hundreds of millions [of gold coins, the standard currency].

And the Vice-Administrator was a position that could manage that budget.

Of course, Cyan didn’t have the authority to use the entire budget.

Not only the chief administrator, but most of it was being managed by Isabel.

However, the budget that Cyan could manage was at least tens of millions.

“There won’t be a lack of embezzlement monitoring…”

The ledgers were being kept thoroughly.

The source of budget use was being checked by administrators in duplicate and triplicate.

Even if you embezzled, tracing the source would be instantaneous.

But.

“Spending on Mobile Lord can’t be traced, so what.”

Spending was a little different.

This was something that no one knew the source of.

If the gold just disappeared into the game, who would know who embezzled it?

“Indeed…”

No matter how he thought about it, it was a great position.

Why hesitate?

Cyan took out his smartphone with a very excited heart.

And he immediately launched Mobile Lord to organize the list of things to spend on and estimate the cost.

But.

[Emergency maintenance is currently in progress.]

[Some services may not be available during the maintenance period.]

[We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.]

Mobile Lord did not run.

To be exact, Mobile Lord was running, but not fully.

However, the 【Territory Facilities】 and spending-related parts were not functioning.

“Ah…”

It seemed that the spending function was only activated when the fainted Mobile Lord was present.

At that moment.

Knock knock.

-This is Python, the chief administrator of Elan D’or.

A light knock and a clear voice were heard from outside the door.

Cyan put his smartphone away and replied.

“Ah, come in.”

Then, with a click, the door opened.

A white-haired old man stood in the opened door.

Slightly shorter than Hans?

However, unlike Hans, who had a gentle impression, he seemed quite stubborn.

An old man carrying a lot of stubbornness.

That was Python’s first impression.

Soon, Python bowed to Cyan.

“I would like to introduce myself again. I am Python, the chief administrator of Elan D’or.”

“I’m Cyan. I have been appointed as Vice-Administrator by the Lord this time.”

Cyan bowed back to Python.

The chief administrator had a great responsibility within Elan D’or.

Not only his position.

In fact, Python was a nobleman with the title of Baron.

Even though Cyan was of Elan D’or’s blood, he couldn’t treat him carelessly.

“Well then… let’s leave the introductions at that. So, what should I do? Since I’m an administrator… should I manage the territory’s people?”

“……”

At Cyan’s words, Python was momentarily speechless.

How could the Vice-Administrator say such a thing?

The Vice-Administrator is, literally, the Vice-Administrator.

A position that can replace himself, the chief administrator.

But he doesn’t even know what he should do.

“I know that you have been appointed as the Lord of Ruben… Have you ever done any administrative work there?”

“Uh… not really? I left all the administrative work to Hans.”

In fact, I don’t even know what administration means.

Cyan’s last words were almost a mutter.

Python sighed deeply inside.

Doesn’t that mean he has to teach everything from scratch?

And the Lord delegates to his subordinates and does nothing.

‘Anyway, martial artists who only know how to fight…’

No matter how he thought about it, appointing Cyan as Vice-Administrator seemed to be a clear mistake by Durac.

Python slowly opened his mouth, maintaining an expression that didn’t reveal his thoughts.

“I will inform you about the related administrative tasks gradually. First, we need to deal with the damage caused by the current famine…”

“Famine? Is there a famine in the Marquisate [a territory ruled by a Marquis]?”

“Yes. It’s not just the Marquisate. The entire Empire is experiencing a famine, and all jurisdictions are in a state of emergency.”

“Is that so?”

Cyan tilted his head, a gesture that made Python inwardly click his tongue.

This famine was a disaster that had struck the entire Empire.

Of course, Ruben wouldn’t be any different.

“I see…”

However, Cyan reacted as if he were hearing it for the first time.

Of course, it wasn’t that Cyan didn’t know there was a famine in the Empire.

Wasn’t that why the Imperial Family’s support for the North was delayed?

“I didn’t know it was this serious.”

But he didn’t realize the situation was this severe.

That was because Ruben was completely unaffected.

The Lv.5 production facilities upgraded with the recent cash injection.

And the effects of the World Tree, Instiz, that was planted this time.

Ruben was imbued with the source of life.

And thanks to that effect, seeds now grew as soon as they were planted.

Some crops could be harvested in just a few days.

In short, it was as if Ruben’s land was being blessed with divine power all year round.

So what famine was he talking about?

So he only knew that there was a famine in the Empire.

As for the aftermath, he just assumed it was happening elsewhere.

But the Elan Dur Marquisate was also having problems due to the famine?

“It seems to be quite serious.”

Cyan could understand why the Crown Prince, Conrad, was so troubled.

And why the Emperor, Valuaga, readily gave 12 million gold for the Northern support supplies.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly readily… well, anyway.

Python, unaware of these circumstances, thought, ‘How little interest does he have in his territory to not even know this…’

Python could only click his tongue inwardly.

“So I brought the related approval documents. I will explain the related matters one by one while looking at the approval documents.”

Python took out the bundle of approval documents he had brought.

A considerable amount, easily exceeding the thickness of two thumbs.

“These are all approval documents related to relief efforts. Currently, in 62 territories, including 1,232 villages under the Marquisate’s jurisdiction…”

Python recited the contents written on the approval documents one by one.

And unlike his words, he didn’t add any detailed explanations.

Because Cyan wouldn’t understand anyway.

“Next.”

Python simply flipped through the pages as if reading a dictionary, rather than giving explanations.

Cyan quietly listened to Python’s words.

How much time had passed?

“Wait.”

Cyan interrupted Python’s words.

#

The famine that struck the Elan Dur Marquisate.

In fact, Cyan wasn’t very interested.

Whether Elan Dur had a famine or not.

Honestly, who cared?

Cyan was only thinking about using Elan Dur’s budget to spend money.

But now, Python’s report.

Seeing the extent of the damage, it was quite… serious.

People were starving to death every day.

And those who were sick from not eating were increasing day by day.

‘Hmm…’

Cyan was lost in thought for a moment.

Of course, Elan Dur was Cyan’s enemy.

They would soon become mortal enemies.

But.

“The bodies of the starving are rotting, and epidemics are breaking out in some villages. So…”

The people of Elan Dur were not.

Cyan’s enemies were Durac and the Elan Dur family.

They were just innocent people who knew nothing.

The only crime they committed was being the people of Elan Dur.

No, even this couldn’t really be called a crime.

Because they didn’t choose it.

Durac and the Elan Dur family.

And Cyan didn’t particularly feel sorry for Elan Dur’s vassals [a person or state that has a duty of loyalty to a superior lord].

He had no intention of showing them mercy when he faced Elan Dur in the future.

So he didn’t really intend to step in.

He didn’t even think about doing his job as Vice-Administrator.

He was just full of thoughts of siphoning off the budget to spend money.

However, the people of Elan Dur were a slightly different story.

‘Cyan. Love people, have compassion for them, and care for them. This is how Cyan can live like a noble.’

Why did Cecil’s words come to mind again at this moment?

Was it because he was in the Elan Dur mansion, where he had memories with Cecil?

Cyan chuckled without realizing it.

“Wait.”

And he interrupted Python’s words, which sounded like he was reading a dictionary.

Python stopped and looked at Cyan.

Cyan held up the approval document that Python had set aside earlier.

“This. Why did you do this?”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

Cyan showed Python the approval document he was holding and said.

“Here. It says you’re distributing grain to Churn Village. Why is that?”

“Well… because there are starving people?”

Python answered, but honestly, he was dumbfounded.

It was natural to distribute grain to people starving from the famine.

Yet Cyan was asking why he was distributing grain.

Did he mean that he didn’t care if people starved to death?

For a moment, contempt flashed in Python’s eyes as he looked at Cyan.

And right then.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I mean, why did you allocate this amount of grain?”

Cyan’s meaningful words were heard.

Soon, Cyan rummaged through the bundle of approval documents.

And he took out another approval document and showed it to Python.

“Here, it says that the state of Churn Territory has a higher proportion of sick people than the proportion of starvation. Then you should provide more medical supplies than grain.”

“What…?”

Python looked back and forth between the two approval documents that Cyan handed him, feeling bewildered.

“Ah, this is…”

And he didn’t know how to explain this.

“Don’t tell me you simply allocated the amount of grain based on the population?”

“That’s… not true.”

“Then what is it?”

Python paused for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

“Baron Keiple of Churn Territory made an urgent request…”

“Oh, my.”

Cyan made an absurd expression for a moment.

Because he could easily guess what the situation was like.

In short, he had used his power.

“So you allocated more grain?”

“Without significantly affecting the relief efforts…”

“Do you think that makes sense right now?”

Python had nothing to say to Cyan’s rebuke.

Whether he knew Python’s feelings or not.

“Then, by any chance, here, Gesril Territory too?”

Cyan asked, holding out an additional approval document.

And as expected.

“……”

Python had nothing to say to that point.

And at the same time, Python felt his mind go blank.

Because the problems that Cyan was pointing out right now.

That is, Cyan was pointing out the problems.

That meant.

‘He understood all the things I said…?’

It wasn’t just understanding.

He was accurately pointing out the problems and properly grasping the reasons.

These were things that you would never know unless you had done related work.

Unless you had a thorough understanding of administration.

‘How on earth…?’

Wasn’t he just a young nobleman who didn’t know anything?

“I knew it. No matter how severe the famine is, there’s no way Elan Dur would be this damaged. You’ve been embezzling everything, haven’t you?”

The gaze looking at him.

“Oh, my, this is not just one or two problems. I can’t do this. Spread out all the approval documents you brought.”

Python could only stare blankly at Cyan.

#

Cyan decided to thoroughly revise the contents related to the approval documents.

It was like helping Elan Dur, but whatever.

As he said, the people of Elan Dur were innocent.

And in fact, he wasn’t helping Elan Dur.

He was spending the budget to give it to the people.

Most of all.

‘I can’t spend money right now anyway.’

So he didn’t have anything to do until Mobile Lord woke up.

And he had to prepare to leave Elan Dur.

It wouldn’t be bad to work as Vice-Administrator during that time.

To be exact, until Mobile Lord woke up.

It would be good to build trust as Vice-Administrator.

‘Then the budget I can get involved in will increase.’

Cyan nodded inwardly and said,

“What are you doing? I told you to bring all the approval documents.”

“Ah, yes, yes!”

Python was startled and quickly spread out the related approval documents.

Cyan checked the contents of each approval document one by one.

‘It’s a complete mess.’

And it was a mess like no other.

Well, he could guess why it was like this.

Like everything else in the world.

The more desperate things got, the more only the wealthy lived in luxury.

Cyan took his eyes off the approval documents and said to Python.

“First of all, you know those grains that are stored in the Marquisate in preparation for times like these? Open them up and distribute them all to the people.”

“B-but, if we do that, the granary won’t be able to withstand it.”

“We can get it back after the harvest. Since we’re going to get it back anyway, just give it out generously.”

While lending grain to the people who were starving due to the famine.

“There will still be people who can’t borrow. Not everyone has the means. There will be those who have nothing to gain even at harvest time.”

“That is true, but…”

“Let’s give a certain amount of grain and clothing to those people for free.”

He distributed it for free to those who were not in good circumstances.

“Yes…? But then the finances will take a severe hit…”

“Is that a problem when people are about to die right now? And the Marquisate has a lot of money, doesn’t it? This level of expenditure is nothing, so proceed.”

“But…”

Even with Cyan’s words, Python couldn’t easily nod his head.

That’s because lending and giving away for free.

The impact it had on finances was like heaven and earth.

But Cyan didn’t care.

Was money a problem when people were starving to death right now?

And more than anything.

‘It’s not my money.’

He wasn’t spending his own money.

As the saying goes, there’s nothing easier than spending someone else’s money.

“So, proceed as I say.”

Cyan lightly ignored Python’s words and proceeded with the work.

“And there are many people starving right now. If you want to work, you have to eat first, so set up soup kitchens in each village and feed them some bread or porridge.”

“Surely, this isn’t also free…?”

“This much is okay. Elan Dur isn’t Elan Dur for nothing, is it? If anyone says anything later, tell them I said so. Me.”

Cyan, a member of Elan Dur’s bloodline.

Of course, Cyan was treated poorly within the family as a bastard.

However, now that he was receiving Durac’s attention.

No one could easily treat Cyan lightly.

Even Python couldn’t object to Cyan’s opinion right now.

Of course, the fact that Cyan’s policies were impossible to object to also played a part.

More than anything, solving the famine problem was the top priority, as Cyan said.

“Ah, I understand.”

Python had no choice but to nod.

“And set up clinics in each village to gather and treat the elderly and patients suffering from starvation in one place. Priests are expensive, so recruit healers.”

“But setting up clinics in all those villages and deploying healers…”

“Hey! Who said to set up all the clinics? First, second, third clinics, huh? Divide them into stages like this. First for small villages, second for slightly larger villages, and third for large territories. And those with mild symptoms go to the first, if that doesn’t work, the second, and then the third. You can operate efficiently like that. Do I have to explain even this one by one?”

“Th-that is…”

Python, who had served as the administrator of Elan Dur for decades.

“S-sorry…!”

However, Python could find himself just barely keeping up for some reason.

General Administrator Python and Vice-Administrator, Cyan.

It felt as if the two’s positions had been reversed.

“And don’t forget to have the Marquisate directly take care of the deceased who have no relatives.”

“Yes!”

Cyan’s words continued.

“Order each territory to completely overturn the existing farmlands and replant them with famine relief crops.”

Famine relief crops are crops that are not easily affected by climate, such as droughts or floods.

They can be cultivated even in barren land.

Also, the cultivation period is quite short, which is a characteristic of these crops.

Crops such as millet, sorghum, turnips, taro, and kudzu belong to this category.

They could be cultivated in as little as 60 days or as long as 90 days.

That’s why they were crops cultivated during times of famine.

So, Cyan’s choice could be seen as natural.

But.

“Yes? H-but then problems will arise later.”

Python expressed concern about Cyan’s opinion.

“Famine relief crops don’t make money…”

Famine relief crops didn’t make money.

First of all, they didn’t taste good.

Compared to things like wheat and barley, turnips, taro, and kudzu roots really didn’t taste good.

In short, they were crops that were not preferred by people.

That’s why they were crops cultivated to minimize the damage from crop failure, which was used as a staple food.

But to completely overturn the farmland itself for such unprofitable crops?

“The vassals’ backlash…”

They were not nobles who would give up their own interests.

But.

“Backlash my ass. People are about to starve to death right now, when are you going to plant wheat, when are you going to harvest it, and when are you going to fall over?”

Cyan was unstoppable.

“Backlash or whatever, we have to eat and live right now.”

“Th-that’s true, but…”

“Enough. Proceed as I say.”

“H-but…”

“If there are vassals who rebel, make a list of all of them and bring it to me. I’ll report it to the Lord as is. The Lord would be very happy to know about the embezzlement they’ve been doing.”

Python lost his words.

The Vice-Administrator directly appointed by Durac.

Even the General Administrator, himself, couldn’t do anything about that power.

Perhaps even Isabel wouldn’t be able to touch him easily.

That’s why Cyan’s actions right now could be seen as tyranny and dictatorship.

In fact, when you think about it, there was no room to refute the judgment and decision at all.

“Huh? Wait, what is this? What? A birthday party? What the hell. People are starving to death right now, and you’re throwing a party? You’re really crazy.”

Sizzle—!

Cyan tore up the approval document he was holding.

“As of today, issue a ban on drinking and banquets in all territories and villages under the jurisdiction of the Marquisate.”

Laws that affect the entire Marquisate.

The Vice-Administrator could exercise authority even in the enactment of simple laws.

To be exact, it was the authority of the General Administrator… well, it was the same thing now.

“Yes? H-but then the vassals’ backlash will be significant…”

“That damn backlash, backlash. Why do you only talk about backlash? Just do left foot, right foot, back foot, front foot, pig’s feet, and full of vigor.”

“Yes, yes?”

“Enough. If they rebel, tell them I told you to do it. Me. If they still act up, what was it? Send them to the Lord. The Lord put me here.”

At the same time, the torn approval document crumbled—.

It turned to ashes and fell weakly to the floor.

It seemed that Cyan had burned it by drawing on his aura.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you writing a new approval document?”

“……”

Python really had nothing to say.

#

Payern Village under the jurisdiction of the Elan Dur Marquisate.

“P-please! My children haven’t eaten anything for a week. I’m okay, so please, at least my children…”

“It’s not like we don’t want to give it to you. What can we do?”

“Please, just look at the situation. P-please! Please!”

“Hey, get out of here quickly!”

Bang!

Hurin slumped down in his seat as the door slammed shut.

“Dad… I’m hungry.”

“When can we eat…?”

The children urged Hurin, but Hurin couldn’t do anything, couldn’t give them anything.

“I’m sorry… This useless father is sorry…”

He could only apologize for being born as the child of a powerless serf.

“I’m really sorry…”

Hurin could only repeat the same words.

The famine that struck the Elan Dur Marquisate.

The famine caused countless famines and starvation throughout the Marquisate.

So, it wasn’t just Hurin right now.

Most people were naked and starving.

Even now, there were children around Hurin who were whining about being hungry.

Newborn babies were crying because their mothers’ milk wasn’t coming out.

And there were many weak people whose ribs were clearly visible.

The situation would be the same no matter where you went in the Marquisate.

But Hurin soon got up from his seat, trudging along.

He couldn’t just be discouraged like this.

Even if he had to steal, rob, or beg.

He had to feed his children something.

However.

“……”

Hurin was very doubtful whether this step would be meaningful.

One step, two steps.

And just as he was about to take the third step.

“Everyone! Everyone!!!”

Suddenly, a loud shout erupted from one side of the alley.

He looked over there.

There, a man was shouting at the top of his lungs.

Like Hurin, his face was quite gaunt, as if he hadn’t eaten for days.

He looked so emaciated that he seemed like he would collapse if he was poked.

Even so, why was he shouting like that?

Hurin shook his head.

He didn’t know why he was so excited, but it wouldn’t be a big deal.

Hurin trudged along.

But.

“The Marquis family is lending out grains!!”

The sound that came again was quite unusual.