103
色濃い日々を送っていたレオルドだったが、ようやく転移魔法の復活を成した功績についての褒賞が用意出来たとの事で王城へと呼ばれる。
シルヴィアとの縁談の時に予め教えて貰っているので、特に気負うことなくレオルドは王城へと向かう。
王城の廊下を歩いている時、やけに視線が気になったがレオルドは真っ直ぐに玉座の間へと向かった。
今回も以前のように主役であるので玉座の間に続く巨大な扉が開くのを待ち、大層な音とともに扉が開く。
堂々と中央のレッドカーペットを歩き、玉座の前へと進んで跪く。忠義を示したレオルドに国王は頷き、レオルドへ褒賞を与える事を宣言する。
「これより、転移魔法の復活を成し遂げたレオルド・ハーヴェストに褒賞を与える。
まずは一億B、次に子爵位を与え、最後にゼアトの領地を与える。異論はないか?」
誰も異論は無かった。むしろ、異論など挟むことは出来ない。レオルドが成した功績はあまりにも大きいからだ。それに異論を唱えたとしても、返り討ちにされるのが目に見えている。
だから、ここは何も言わないのが正解だ。そして、後々レオルドへと接触して縁を結んでおくべきだろうと多くの貴族が同じ事を考えていた。
今後の事を考えればレオルドには多大な利益が巡ってくるだろう。それを逃す手はない。媚びを売ってでもレオルドと仲良くするべきだ。
「次に転移魔法については我が国の学者達が研究を行っている。恐らくだが、近い内に転移魔法は普及されるだろう。
その際には転移魔法を活用した公共事業を行うつもりだ。そして、転移魔法による公共事業で得た利益の内、二割をハーヴェスト子爵へ褒賞として与える事に決めた。異論は無いな?」
これには静観していた貴族達も驚き、玉座の間は騒然となる。国が主導して行う事業に加えて転移魔法の活用だ。どれだけの利益が生まれる事になるかは容易に想像できた。
舗装もされていない危険な道を騎士という護衛を雇って無駄に金を払うよりは、多少高く金を払う事になっても転移魔法を利用するだろう。
それに加えて商人がどれだけ金を落とすかは目に見えている。商人たちは品物を輸入したり輸出するのだから、使用頻度は極めて高いはずだ。
まだ、具体的なことは何一つ分かっていないが、転移魔法が普及すれば莫大な利益が生まれ、その内の二割がレオルドの懐に収まるようになる。流石に個人が得ていいものではないと多くの貴族たちは反発する。
「陛下。恐れながら少々レオルド殿個人が得るにはあまりにも大きいものかと。これではレオルド殿に国の財産が集中してしまう恐れがあるのでは?」
「ふむ。しかし、レオルドの成した功績を考えてみれば当然のものと言えるが?」
「転移魔法の復活は確かに歴史的偉業とも言えましょう。ですが、そこまで褒美を与えるほどではないと思います。既に一億Bに子爵位と領地まで与えてるのですから、多すぎるかと」
「ならば、お前ならばどのような褒美を与えれば転移魔法の復活に相応しいと?」
「ですから、先程陛下が述べた三つで十分だと思うのです」
「そうか。一つ聞きたいのだが、お前は自分が転移魔法を復活させた褒美として満足できるか?」
「勿論でございます。文句の言い様がありません」
良く口が回る事だとレオルドは感心していた。実際、反発している貴族も体のいい言葉ばかり並べている。本当に当事者になったら不満タラタラで文句を言うに違いない。
レオルドとしては、爵位に領地を貰えるので転移魔法による公共事業が得られる利益二割を領地改革に費やしたいと考えている。
だから、ここで邪魔をされるのは許しがたいことだった。しかし、反論しようにも敵が多すぎる。ならば、ここは静観して国王に全て委ねるべきだとレオルドはただ見守る。
「そうかそうか。ならば、お前には転移魔法で得られる利益は回さなくてもいいな」
「は?」
「そうだろう? 先程、自身が言っていたではないか。自分には不要だと」
「あの陛下......?」
「まだ具体的な案は出来ていないが転移魔法が普及した場合は使用料を取るつもりだ。その際には治めている領主にいくらかは還元するつもりだったが......先程の発言を聞く限り必要なさそうだな」
貴族達に動揺が走る。国王の言うとおりであれば自分達にも利がある。レオルドに比べれば少ないかもしれないが、十分に期待は出来るだろう。しかし、それが無くなろうとしている。
これはいけない。反発していた貴族たちは手の平を返すようにレオルドを褒め称える。
耳障りな言葉にレオルドは溜息を零す。貴族とはこういう生き物だと知っていたし、真人の記憶でも政治家は汚職まみれだった。だから、過度な期待はしてはいけないのだ。
「では、これにて謁見を終わりとする」
やっと息苦しい時間が終わったと安堵するレオルドであったが、この後に転移魔法復活による式典があると知って落胆する。
恐らくだが、多くの貴族が群がってくることだろう。前回は馬鹿にしていた者達も態度を変えて近付いて来ること間違いなしだ。
レオルドはそう考えると、復讐心が沸き起こる。前回、自分を見下した者と馬鹿にした奴らに復讐してやろうと決めた。
器が小さいレオルドだが、やり返した所で罰は当たらない。当然の権利なのだから。
そう思うと少しだけ気が楽になり、楽しくなってきたレオルドは胸躍るのであった。
Ch 103
Leolde, who had been living a colorful life, was finally summoned to the royal castle to receive a reward for his achievement  for reviving transfer magic.
Since he had been told about it in advance when he  broke the marriage proposal with Sylvia, he headed for the royal castle without any particular hesitation.
As he walked down the corridor of the royal castle, he felt some eyes on him, but he headed straight for the throne room.
As he was the star of the show this time, he waited for the huge doors leading to the throne room to open,
He proudly walked down the red carpet in the center of the room and proceeded to kneel in front of the throne. The king nodded to Leolde , who had shown his loyalty, and king  announced that he would reward him.
The king nodded to Leolde , who had shown his loyalty, and announced that he would award Leordo with a prize: "I now award Leordo Harvest with the prize for reviving transference magic.
"The first reward is 100 million B, followed by a baronetcy, and finally the territory of Ze'at. Do you have any objections?"
No one had any objections. In fact, it was impossible to argue with him. Leolde's accomplishments are too great. Even if  they  were to raise an objection to it, the  could see that  thay  would be beaten back.
So the right thing to do is not to say anything at this point. Many of the nobles were thinking the same thing,  when they contact Leolde and make a connection with him later on.
There would be a great deal of benefit to  him in the future. There was no way he would  miss it. They should get along with Leolde even if they have to flatter him.
"The next thing is that our scholars are studying transfer magic. It is likely that transference magic will be widely used in the near future."
"When that happens, we will use transfer magic for public  service . We have decided to give 20% of the profits from the public works project to Viscount Harvest as a reward. Do you have any objections?"
This surprised the nobles who had been watching quietly, and the throne room was in an uproar. In addition to a project led by the government, this is the use of transference magic. It was easy to imagine how much profit would be generated.
Rather than wasting money on hiring knights to escort  him along a dangerous, unpaved road, they would use transfer magic, even if they had to pay a little more.
In addition, it is obvious how much money the merchants will drop. Merchants import and export goods, so their usage should be extremely high.
They  don't know anything concrete yet, but if the transfer magic spreads, it will generate huge profits, 20% of which will end up in Leolde's pocket. Many nobles protested that it was not something that an individual should be allowed to gain.
"Your Majesty. I'm afraid it's a little too much for  him to take personally, Mister Leolde. Isn't there a risk that the country's wealth will be concentrated on him ?
"Hmm. But considering what Leolde  has accomplished, it's only natural, isn't it?
"The revival of transference magic is certainly a historic achievement. But I don't think it's enough to reward  him that much. We've already given 100 million B, a viscountcy, and a fiefdom, so I think it's too much."
"Then what reward do you think would be appropriate for the revival of transference magic?
"So I think the three you just mentioned would be enough."
"I see. I would like to ask you one question: Are you satisfied with the reward you have received for reviving transference magic?
"Of course, . I can't complain."
Leolde was impressed with how well he could talk. In fact, the noblemen who are opposing him are just using nice words.  He was sure that if they were really a party to this, they would complain and complain.
As for Leorde , he would like to spend the 20% of the profits from the public works project using transfer magic on the reform of his domain, since he will receive a  territory with his title.
Therefore, it was unforgivable for him to be disturbed here. However, there were too many enemies to argue with. So,  he thought,  he should just sit back and let the king take care of everything.
"So that's it. If that's the case, I won't have to pass on the benefits of transference magic to you."
"What?"
" You said it yourself just now, didn't you? You said it yourself, you don't need it."
"Your Majesty, ......?"
"I haven't come up with a concrete plan yet, but if transference magic becomes widespread, I plan to charge a fee for its use. I was planning on giving some of it back to the lords, but from what you just said ......, it doesn't seem necessary."
If the king is right, it will be to their advantage. It might not be as much as Leorde's, but it would be enough. But that is about to disappear.
This is not good. The rebellious nobles praised Leoldo as if they were changing their minds  .
Leolde sighs in response to the deafening words. He knew that aristocrats were such creatures, and even in   his past life memories , politicians were riddled with corruption. Therefore, he should not have excessive expectations.
"Well, this concludes our audience."
Leoldo was relieved that the suffocating time was finally over, but he was disappointed to learn that there would be a ceremony afterwards to revive the transference magic.
Probably, a lot of nobles will  cam to it. The ones who had mocked him last time would no doubt change their attitude and approach him.
When Leolde thought about it,  his desire for revenge arose. He decided to take revenge on those who had looked down on him and made fun of him last time.
He was a small man, but he would not be punished for what he had done. It was his natural right.
The thought of this made him feel a little more at ease and happy, and he was existed .
Eroge Reincarnation, Struggle of a Golden Pig Aristocrat Against Fate
エロゲ転生　運命に抗う金豚貴族の奮闘記
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/eroge-reincarnation-struggle-of-a-golden-pig-aristocrat-against-fate/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Age Progression Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Broken Engagement Butlers Character Growth Complex Family Relationships Cowardly Protagonist Crafting Dense Protagonist Domestic Affairs Doting Parents Elemental Magic Emotionally Weak Protagonist Empires Fallen Nobility Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fat Protagonist Fat to Fit Galge Handsome Male Lead Hard-Working Protagonist Harsh Training Kingdom Building Kingdoms Knights Late Romance Lost Civilizations Loyal Subordinates Magic Magic Formations Maids Male Protagonist Management Manipulative Characters Marriage Misunderstandings Modern Knowledge Monsters Naive Protagonist Nobles Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Sadistic Characters Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Time Skip Transmigration Underestimated Protagonist Weak to Strong Wizards
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4214gk/
名無しの権兵衛