Mr. Ekenhart would stop by at Range Village

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“When you say Ms. Anne… It is because her father was the one who set the orcs on them…”
“Yes, Mr. Takumi. While an apology was made to the chief, there are people in the village who were actually injured. Thanks to you and Leo, no one was killed. But it was bad enough that things could have easily become that serious. And so even if it was Barsler who did it, it would still be for the best if she apologized in person. It could affect her future, after all. It does not matter that she is a noble…”
“Lady Anneliese seems to not think that a duke and his guest would usually go out to such a village. Indeed, normally they would come here. And the chief has already done that before. So there is no problem. If anything, going to them now will help strengthen the trust they have in the duke. Some other nobles might feel differently, but that is how this house is.”
“Indeed. It is important to think about the people. I think it is a good thing. Even though I don’t know much… So it may not be very convincing.”

In this country, a duke was the second most powerful after the royal family.
And so it was not necessary for someone like him to visit a small village.
I knew that, but being reminded of it now made me like him even more.

I suppose it was because I used to be someone who worked near the bottom…
The people liked him because he didn’t rely on his authority, and thought about their needs as well.
It was the kind of thing that Mr. Ekenhart and Ms. Claire could do, but perhaps not Ms. Anne.

“Not at all. I think you are quite right, Mr. Takumi. It is important to hear the opinions of people like you, who are not nobles. One does not want to be a dictator.”
“Of course, there are some lords who have actual charisma, and can lead their people…”
“Did you say something, Claire?”
“May I say something?”
“It does not sound very good. But if you must.”

Ms. Claire was staring or glaring at Mr. Ekenhart now.
I had a feeling, judging by the flow of conversation, what she might want to say… Still, Mr. Ekenhart told her to continue.
I suppose words were more damaging when they came from his own daughter.

“Father, you are simply not charismatic enough. The people will not follow you if you remain silent. You need to slowly build up trust, so they will follow you. Well, you do have the strength to bring them by force, but…”
“Ahaha…that is true…”
“Hmm…even if I know it, it still stings to hear it from you. In any case, I would not use force with the people. And so I have no choice but to go slowly. I will do my best to make the land safe and fulfill my role as the lord.”
“Well, with charismatic leaders, it can often give rise to conflict. It is because you are the way that you are, that we servants trust you and this house.”
“…You are suddenly very complimentary. Why is that?”

Ms. Claire said just what I expected her to.
But Mr. Ekenhart already knew it himself, and so it didn’t do too much damage.
Well, no father wanted to hear from his daughter that he had no charisma to speak of. It was quite depressing.
That was when Sebastian came in with some encouraging words, which the other servants nodded to.

Ms. Anne was watching all of this with a slightly bewildered expression.
Indeed, the members of this family certainly seemed to be closer to the servants and common folk compared to other nobles.
They were friendly, and so I liked them.

Next Chapter

My Beloved Dog is the Strongest in Another World