Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 22.1 - The First Step to Transformation (2)

 

With most of the bandit groups eliminated, the supply of metal had temporarily surged.

This was because we had gathered all the weapons the bandits used and the metal tools from their mountain hideouts.

Thanks to this, there was hardly any shortage of materials for making metal taps and buckets.

Moreover, the smithing district had come alive with activity as they worked to fulfill my orders.

I stopped by one of the smithies with Diego.

The blacksmiths, startled to see my face, rushed out to greet me.

 

“Ah, my lord! What brings you to such a humble place?”

 

“Nothing serious. I just came to check if everything’s being made properly.”

 

The blacksmith gestured toward those hammering away diligently.

 

“We’re prioritizing your order, so don’t worry. These items are simple enough that we can produce them quickly.”

 

“I commend your hard work. Thanks to you, our territory can progress a little further.”

 

Praise costs nothing. There’s no need to hold back.

 

“Ah, it’s an honor!”

 

Before placing the bucket order, I had introduced the blacksmiths to standardized specifications and division of labor, which they readily accepted. While these items didn’t strictly require standardization or division of labor, I had decided to only accept standardized, mass-produced goods to assess the territory’s production capabilities.

 

After looking around the smithy, I found nothing to criticize—though part of that might be because I don’t know much about metalworking.

 

“I’ll send carts daily, so please ensure steady supply and quality control.”

 

“Of course. I’ll personally oversee it.”

 

“Thank you. I’ll trust you with this.”

 

The blacksmith was moved by my words of gratitude.

His eyes even welled up with tears.

 

The reason for such an intense reaction? I’m the idol of this territory.

 

‘I didn’t realize being blessed by a god was such a big deal.’

 

The rumor that I had received the blessing of the God of Abundance had spread throughout the territory, turning me into its superstar—an idol.

 

I thought I knew why my mother was happy, but in truth, I didn’t really understand. Everywhere I went in the territory, I could easily find people praising me.

I even frequently came across those who prayed to me as I passed by.

 

At any rate, since I had received the blessing of the God of Abundance, public support was firmly secured. 

 

However, it still wasn’t enough to gain the backing of the semi-nobility and small capitalist classes.

My young age and the fact that I was the ‘illegitimate son’ of the Count of Westphalia meant I couldn’t avoid having my competence questioned.

 

Accordingly, since I needed to act quickly, I reorganized the administrative department into the efficient, flexible structure of the German Empire and significantly expanded the council, even announcing new recruitment.

Additionally, I used the confiscated wealth of corrupt officials to pay all the overdue salaries of the administrative officers and knights.

I expected these two policies to naturally bring the support of the semi-nobility as well.

But to win over the small capitalist class, a groundbreaking decision was necessary.

 

⚔️

 

At the administrative meeting held in the Lord’s Office of Marseille.

“I will promote Richard, the former administrator’s aide, to the new administrative officer.”

 

Until now, I had considered recruiting a new administrator from outside, but no suitable candidate could be found.

In the end, to also quell any discontent among the existing officials, I decided on an internal promotion.

Instead, I distributed the authority of the administrative officer to a chief secretary council directly under the lord.

 

Administrator Richard, who had already received my prior notice, stood up from his seat and bowed.

“Thank you, my lord. With a heart of utmost devotion—”

“We’re busy, so sit down.”

“Yes.”

 

The quick-witted Richard immediately took his seat again.

“To stimulate the economy, I will introduce a few policies. Carry them out as they are.”

“What policies are they?”

“The tax system will revert to that of the lord two generations prior. All unnecessary taxes will be abolished.”

 

Since this was something everyone agreed on, there wasn’t even a response.

 

Already, some taxes have ceased to be collected, rendering them effectively meaningless.

 

“Furthermore, Captain Adrienne of the regular ship will be promoted to quasi-nobility and granted the surname ‘Ashel.’ This is a declaration of intent to bolster maritime activities with greater support. The name of the blessed regular ship will be changed to ‘Benedicta,’ meaning ‘blessed,’ and it will henceforth be referred to as the Lord’s Ship.”

 

This, too, was a perfectly understandable decision. Captain Adrienne was already being treated as a knight.

 

However…

 

“We plan to shut down all private auction houses and establish a public auction system.”

 

At my words, the officials looked at each other in shock.

 

The magistrate, in particular, was gaping.

 

“Shut down all auction houses?”

 

The small capitalist class consists of people who support the impoverished territory of Marseille with their money.

 

Many officials seemed to think that if these people were to leave Marseille, the territory would collapse in an instant.

 

“My lord, the merchants and wholesalers will fiercely oppose this.”

 

“That’s why we’ll hold a public hearing with the representatives of major wholesalers and guild leaders. Give them advance notice.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

The officials wore uneasy expressions.

 

Though they may prefer to stick to their old ways out of habit, this territory needed change.

 

Even if that change would provoke backlash from the privileged.

 

⚔️

 

As is likely the case in any city, the largest hall capable of accommodating the most people is in the church.

 

The Church of Marseille, the deity of abundance, was bustling with preparations for the public hearing. 

 

A large banner at the front read, “Public Hearing on the Establishment of a Public Auction System.”

 

Judging by the wording alone, it seemed like a forum for discussion and coordination.

 

But surrounding the podium were knights in full plate armor and soldiers armed with pikes, standing in formation.

 

The message was clear: step out of line, and you’ll be cut down.