Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Visiting Baron Arnoldt

“Almost there, Tina. Hold on tight as we approach the main village.”

“Yes, Kurt-sama.”

I rode on horseback towards the main village, with Tina holding onto me tightly from behind.

Although there was a carriage available, riding directly on horseback was faster and less tiring for the horses. We only had two horses in the settlement, so we needed to take care of them.

Occasionally, I felt Tina nuzzling against my back, a sign of her affectionate nature.

At this pace, we would arrive soon.

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By midday, we finally reached the estate of Baron Arnoldt in the main village.

The estate, a two-story brick building, was surprisingly grand for a poor nobleman.

As I entered the house, the servants greeted me. Most of them were elderly women who found farm work too strenuous.

Tina stayed close behind me, her memories of this estate not particularly fond.

After exchanging brief greetings with the servants, I made my way to my father’s study on the second floor.

I knocked lightly on the door.

“It’s Kurt. I’ve come to report on the progress of the settlement.”

“Come in.”

I entered alone, leaving Tina outside to wait by the door.

“Father, it’s been a while.”

“You’ve come at a good time, Kurt.”

Father sat in a sturdy chair, wearing a calm expression.

Despite his imposing physique, he had a certain intellectual gleam in his eyes.

I respected my father. Though he could be stubborn, he was a good lord beloved by his subjects.

Approaching him with a smile, I walked up and presented my report.

He accepted it, spreading the documents across his desk and scanning them from top to bottom.

“Hmm, it seems the settlement is progressing splendidly. To think that in just three years, you’ve developed it to this extent and have the capacity to pay taxes. I had estimated that even if I were to do it, it would take five years to be able to pay taxes. This year, with the aid for settlement and the collected taxes, the finances are in order. At this rate, we’ll be in the black from next year onwards. Quite impressive.”

“It’s all thanks to the hard work of everyone in the settlement.”

“Motivating people is difficult, especially with such a limited budget. Despite not being able to provide decent rewards to the subjects, you’ve done well. And even if you manage to motivate them, guiding them to make the right efforts is also challenging. Kurt, you’re an outstanding son. If I leave it to you, the Arnoldt family will undoubtedly grow larger and more prosperous.”

“Do you not doubt this report?”

“Of course, I doubt it. I’ll tell you now because it’s relevant, but there are overseers in your village. Their reports and yours match perfectly. The overseers also praised you highly. You’re not only skilled but also have an excellent character, and you’re well-liked, making you an ideal village head. Your reports to me are also concise and accurate, which I appreciate.”

Father praised me lavishly, but I couldn’t rejoice wholeheartedly in his words because I could already imagine what would follow.

“That’s precisely why it’s regrettable… that I can’t let you inherit the lordship. I wish you were born into another family rather than the Arnoldt family.”

Yes, I lacked any talent that was most sought after in the Arnoldt family.

“Father, the decision of who will inherit the lordship has not been made yet. The selection ceremony is supposed to be next week.”

“That’s right. It hasn’t been decided that Jorg will inherit. I apologize for the confusion.”

The possibility was extremely low. Yet, I still wanted to strive for it.

“Kurt, there’s something I need to tell you. Tomorrow, the March Count will be inspecting the lands you’ve cultivated. Be prepared.”

“Why is that?”

“Your area is the newest settlement and has shown results. It’s perfect for the inspection.”

The March Count was a high-ranking noble who oversaw the nobility in this entire area, including the Arnoldt family.

He regularly visited the territories to check on the work of his vassals.

Father’s main duty was the development of new farmland. In that sense, my settlement would be favorable.

“And Kurt, you’ve done well so far. Once the selection ceremony is over, return to the main village. You no longer need to govern that settlement.”

“What!? What do you mean by that?”

“This inspection, I’ll tell the March Count that Jorg built up your settlement. Jorg is closer to being the next lord. I want to impress upon the March Count Jorg’s suitability as the next lord. Showing him that village will leave a good impression. It’s about time Jorg got involved in practical matters. While he might not be able to develop a village from scratch, managing an established one will be a good experience for him.”

I saw red with anger.

Before I knew it, I slammed both hands down on the table.

“Don’t joke with me! You’re breaking your promise! Do you have any idea what kind of feelings and hardships I’ve gone through to build up that village?!”

For the first time in my life, I yelled at my father.

“Three years ago, you made a promise! You said we’d cultivate the wasteland with the surplus manpower from each village and create a splendid village! In return, even if I couldn’t inherit the lordship, you’d let me stay as the village head in this territory! Father, you agreed to that!”

It was a vow from a distant day.

I knew deep down that I probably wouldn’t become the lord.

If I couldn’t become the lord, I would either assist my brother or leave the territory.

I didn’t want either option. My dream of becoming the world’s greatest pastry chef seemed more distant now.

So, I chose the path of becoming a village head, leading a village and paying taxes to the lord.

I would enrich the village, produce ingredients for sweets, and promote them as specialties. With the money earned, I’d gather various ingredients, make more sweets, amass wealth, and eventually create the world’s best sweets.

To achieve that, I enriched the village and even started beekeeping and made other preparations.

Yet, if my village were taken away, all my efforts would be in vain.

“I did make such a promise. But Kurt went too far. Once he created something like that, there’s no way not to use it. That village is too attractive to abandon.”

“That’s just an excuse!”

“If you’re frustrated, then become the lord. Because you can’t do that, you’re being used. Your village doesn’t belong to you; it belongs to the Baronetcy of Arnoldt.”

As if the conversation were over, Father turned away.

I clenched my fists until they turned white.

“Father, please reconsider. I don’t think Jorg can lead that village. It’s on the verge of collapse.”

“He probably can’t do it alone. He’s just an ordinary person. He’ll have someone to watch over him. Let him learn from his failures.”

“…Excuse me.”

“Come to the courtyard in the afternoon. Today will be the last practice before the selection ceremony. Kurt, if you don’t want it taken away, then seize it. I’ll say it again, just become the lord.”

…Because I can’t! I choked back the words that almost escaped my throat.

It would be pointless to insist further.

Feeling despair, I left the room.

As soon as I stepped out of the door, Tina rushed over. She seemed to sense something from looking at my face.

Without saying a word, she tightly squeezed my hand.

My roughened heart was slightly comforted. There was time until the afternoon. Let’s take a breath of fresh air outside.

With those thoughts in mind, I headed outside the mansion.

Something unpleasant caught my eye. Jorg… my younger brother.

Of average build, fair-skinned, with no visible signs of being trained.

He was frolicking around the relatively affluent main village of the Arnoldt Baronetcy, basking in our parents’ authority.

“Brother, have you heard the news?”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s about me taking over the village you’ve built. Seems like quite a nice village. From now on, I’ll be governing it directly, so it’ll become an even better place.”

Jorg’s words ignited a surge of murderous intent within me.

Walking beside me, Tina stepped forward.

“That village was created by Kurt-sama! Not for the likes of you!”

Tina shouted angrily.

For my sake, she was angrier than I was. That made me happy.

“Oh, what a cute girl you are. To think that scrawny brat would turn out like this.”

Jorg put his hand on Tina’s chin.

Tina glared back at him with a determined expression.

“I like her. I’ll even keep her. Along with the village, I’ll take her too. I don’t like the idea of getting a hand-me-down from my brother, but I’ll endure it.”

“I refuse!”

“Why are you so angry? Be happy. I’ll pamper her more than I’ll pamper you. With me, she can get clothes and sweets bought from the city.”

“…How dull. You don’t seem like Kurt-sama’s brother at all.”

Tina brushed Jorg’s hand aside.

Jorg, with an angry expression, raised his fist.

I stepped forward to protect Tina and intercepted the fist.

“Enough, Jorg. It’s disgraceful to punch someone just because they rejected you.”

“What’s the matter, Brother? Are you defying me, the lord? Whether I decide what to do with my subjects is my business.”

“Are you playing lord already? It’s not decided yet.”

“It’s already decided. Don’t you get it? Well, I think you’ll understand after today’s match.”

“Even so, the selection ceremony is next week. Wait until after that.”

“Fine. Then, I’ll have plenty of fun after becoming the lord.”

Jorg left, tossing out his parting words. He must be heading back to his room.

“Another thing to correct. Tina isn’t an object. She’s a person. Don’t think you can do whatever you want with her even if you become the lord.”

“It’s the privilege of nobles to treat humans like toys. You’re quite stubborn, Brother.”

He’s hopeless. He shouldn’t become a lord.

I took Tina’s hand and left the mansion. Her hand was trembling.

“I’m sorry, Tina.”

“Kurt-sama, you don’t need to apologize. It’s that person’s fault.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. And thank you for getting angry. It made me feel a bit relieved.”

Tina’s words were dangerous, but they made me happy.

No matter what, I wanted to protect that village and Tina.

I truly believed that from the bottom of my heart.

The afternoon match wasn’t just any match. In a way, it could be called a rehearsal for the selection ceremony. I was more focused and determined than ever before.