Chapter 610: Arrival in the New Territory
Tauro and his party rode Garo, the wolf-shaped puppet, and finally entered the Giro Sugar Viscounty from Viscount Jogo’s territory.
At the border checkpoint, the local soldiers were performing their duties diligently—evidence that the Garfish Trading Company’s appointed administrator was managing the area properly. Tauro quietly admired their efficiency but chose not to reveal that he was the lord, entering the territory simply as an adventurer.
“This area is mostly flat, with lots of greenery. The horizon is lined with mountains, though,” Tauro remarked, still struggling to grasp that this was now his own land.
“For a former count’s domain, it doesn’t feel very developed,” Aeris commented from atop Garo, taking in the villages they passed.
“The former lord had a terrible reputation, right? In that case, it’s no surprise the land wasn’t well developed,” Ragune pointed out.
Indeed, former Count Lunesk had governed poorly, imposing heavy taxes on the people and mismanaging the territory. Even though its finances had recently moved out of the red, villages near the border could still show the effects of that past misrule.
“But the villagers we passed didn’t look gloomy, so it seems the Garfish Trading Company’s administrator is doing a good job on the ground,” Tauro observed, acknowledging the representative’s work.
“Oh! Lord Tauro! I can see a big city!”
Zion pointed ahead, spotting the fortified walls of a sizable city in the distance.
“That must be the former Lunesk territorial capital,” Tauro said.
As they approached, the territorial capital gradually grew larger. Since its new lord belonged to a different house, the city’s official name would eventually be changed. For now, before Tauro had formally taken up residence, it still bore the former lord’s name.
“Even for a former count’s domain, the fortifications are impressive. It’d be hard to attack,” Ankh observed, admiring the city walls from a mercenary’s perspective.
When they reached the city gate, the guards were initially startled by the sight of Garo, but Tauro dismounted and showed his adventurer tag.
“A B-plus adventurer!? My apologies… I’ve been a gatekeeper here for ten years, but I’ve never seen anything like this! Very well, you may enter. Welcome to the former Lunesk territorial capital!”
After confirming that the adventurer tag was genuine, the gatekeeper voiced his surprise and allowed Tauro and the others to enter.
Tauro and the others entered the former Lunesk territorial capital on Garo.
Curious voices rose from the streets:
“Huh? What’s that?”
“Whoa—it’s huge! I thought it was a monster for a moment, but it isn’t, right?”
“Is that an adventuring party?”
“Should we get off?” Tauro suggested. The group promptly dismounted from Garo.
“Good work, Garo,” Tauro said, patting the puppet on the head. Garo barked happily before Tauro stored it in [Magic Storage]. In its place, he brought out Seth, the boy-shaped autonomous-thinking puppet, to accompany them.
Seth looked around, processing the situation through his shared thoughts with Tauro, and nodded in understanding.
“Shall we head to the Adventurers’ Guild first?” Tauro asked out of habit.
“No, Tauro. As the lord of this city, your first stop should be the castle,” Aeris corrected him.
“Yeah, Leader. You need to meet the acting administrator first,” Ankh added in exasperation.
“Ah, right. Sorry, force of habit. First the castle, then the guild,” Tauro admitted with a wry smile. They proceeded down the main street toward the castle on the hill.
At the castle gates, a guard noticed them.
“This is the lord’s residence. How may I assist you?” The gatekeeper politely stopped them. They were dressed as adventurers, so the reaction was understandable.
Tauro presented the letter he had received from the Garfish Trading Company.
“I’m Tauro Giro Sugar. I’ve arrived to take up my post as the new lord of this territory. I believe an acting administrator is currently stationed here; please escort me to them.”
The gatekeeper was initially suspicious because Tauro was a child, but he recognized the official seal on the letter. After confirming its authenticity, he hurried inside to summon the administrator.
After a short wait, he returned, slightly out of breath.
“Please follow me! Steward Robin will see you immediately!”
Following the guard inside, Tauro and his companions reached the castle entrance, where a tall, well-built dogkin woman with striking long red hair stood waiting to welcome them. Her build was similar to Ragune’s.
Her ears, tail, and facial features clearly marked her as dogkin.
“Greetings! I’m Robin, manager of the Garfish Trading Company branch here and acting administrator of this territory. Congratulations on taking up your post as lord! Please, come in!”
With a friendly smile, Robin guided Tauro and his party into the castle, officially welcoming them to their new territory.officially welcoming them to their new domain.