The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 8.1
The Duke lifted his head. The subject was a rather sensitive matter, but it was not something that could be kept entirely secret. Thus, the Duke let out a faint sigh and admitted it.
“A newly enfeoffed vassal has yet to adapt to the situation, and so the landowners are freely renting out land as they please. It is difficult to extend control even to the lower levels of interest rate policy.”
Before the chain of command was firmly established, it was common for landowners to lease land at low interest. Even if the lord were to solidify his position later, the thought of landowners gaining strength was a troublesome issue.
Kailos had presented this very problem to Leslun.
“To let them do as they please…”
Even now, recalling that absurd reply, Kailos’ smile deepened slightly as he spoke lightly.
“In that matter, may I offer a word of advice?”
The Duke raised his eyebrows slightly. The Empress, too, turned her gaze with a subtle tension.
“At present, the low interest rates offered by the landowners are indeed attractive. So why would anyone seek out the lord’s land?”
Perhaps finding the words somewhat bitter, the Duke gave a hollow laugh.
“However, they are not using long-term contracts, but rather a variable-rate system. Whenever losses occur, they can adjust at will.”
Kailos continued in an even tone.
“By contrast, if the lord responds with a fixed rate aligned with the Empire’s standard, the situation changes.”
“But the lord’s rates are not particularly low to begin with. Would fixing them truly solve the problem?”
Not sounding like much of a clever solution, the Duke seemed slightly disappointed, but quickly concealed it. After all, the reason he had come to the Crown Prince was to offer thanks, and he had to suppress other feelings.
“Though it may seem less competitive at first, with time, stability and trust will ultimately secure the advantage.”
The Duke’s expression began to ease. The meaning of those words seemed to be slowly sinking in.
As he spoke, Kailos recalled the small lips that used to move so nimbly, answering without hesitation—Leslun’s voice echoing in his mind, bringing a strange sensation that it was flowing out through his own mouth.
“A landowner must adjust interest rates for profit. That very uncertainty becomes the lord’s opportunity. People want a certain today, not an uncertain tomorrow.”
The Duke straightened in his seat.
“If that is so, there is no need to engage in a war of rates. If one takes time as an ally, that is.”
Kailos nodded and smiled.
“In the end, as time passes, the choice will naturally shift. In that process, the lord accumulates trust without loss, and the landowner lays down his own weapon.”
The Empress quietly drew in a breath.
This was not simply about interest rates.
It was a strategy of letting the other win for now, but seizing the future entirely later. And the one who voiced such a strategy here was the Crown Prince.
“How interesting.”
The Duke’s eyes softened. For the first time, a smile appeared on the face of a noble known for keeping a measured distance, neither aligning with the Empress nor the Crown Prince—the very symbol of neutrality.
The mention of the lord’s difficulties had, at first, merely been one of many passing issues. When the Duke’s aide reported it to him, the Crown Prince happened to be present on urgent business concerning Miroi and overheard by chance—that was all.
Left alone, the aides would have resolved it themselves, but this solution was even simpler than the one his own aide had brought. That was what pleased the Duke.
“How did you come up with this?”
As the Duke’s attitude shifted, Kailos’ smile deepened. Finding the situation advantageous to himself, he grew more relaxed and was just about to speak when—
“If I had known this, I too should have listened to the Duke’s troubles. But I was so focused on Lady Miroi’s care that I failed to give due attention to other matters.”
The Empress spoke first, steering the flow of conversation. Kailos shut his mouth in surprise, then let out a helpless smile.
“Precisely in such matters, one ought to pay closer attention to the young lady, but I only aided her return home, nothing more…”
Not knowing how Lady Miroi had come to be alone was serious enough, the Empress said, twisting the situation neatly to her own advantage.
“In fact, when I summoned her, she said she was unwell, and I meant to ask the Duke if something had happened. And now to hear such a thing…”
“Thank you for your concern. Fortunately, she has recovered a great deal.”
“She has always been a dear child to me, so it weighs all the heavier on my heart. No—this will not do. We must summon her here at once…”
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