Territory Pioneering 3
"Edita Sensei, did something happen in my absence?"
"Y-Yes, well, there is a certain problem we're facing…."
"So there is? If Sophisan is involved then, as her employer, I'd like to get involved as well."
"Well, umm, actually, it's about the mana potion you made…."
Just as Edita Sensei was about to explain the situation, another voice cut her off.
This voice belonged to the noble mage.
"O-Oi, Tanaka, what is that…?"
This damn ossan is stopping me from valuable time spent talking with Edita Sensei.
It took all of my power to turn away from Edita Sensei and respond to the noble mage.
"What is what?"
I followed his line of sight which ended on a shelf lined with the main souvenir of our town. The mana potions that had been made from pessari grass. I had instructed Gonzalez's men to get the display set up in anticipation of our grand opening.
"Those items on the shelf there…."
"Oh, those are souvenirs. Would you like one?"
"Don't tell me, are those mana potions?"
"You're able to tell that off of a quick glance? I'd expect nothing less of Lord Fahren."
"But that colour is…."
"I know it's a bit strange and the taste is terrible, but I promise you it will recover mana. Think of it more as a gag gift."
I grabbed one off of the shelf and brought it over to the ossan.
He quickly cut open the seal and downed half of the potion.
We've got a real challenger here.
As long as he doesn't puke it up like Nannuzzi-san.
"Ngh!?"
The noble mage's face froze.
"It's just as I thought."
Of course, it's disgusting.
There's no chance that terrible taste would suit the refined palate of the noble mage.
"O-Oi, this is…!"
"I told you, didn't I? It's more of a joke than anything serious. It's something we've decided to sell her to bring in a small amount of extra revenue, but I'd appreciate it if you refrain from judging the entire town off of that one potion."
I never expected it to be a suitable gift for a nobleman, but if he were to give a critical review of it — or I hate to even consider if he were to become ill after drinking it — my entire town would suffer because of it.
It would also be terrible if we were forced to recall all of them after producing such a large stockpile of them. If we had to, I'm sure that it would lead to my financial ruin and, eventually, to me becoming a slave.
If a powerful noble were to demand compensation for any damages caused to their body or dignity, I'd certainly go bankrupt. I've purposefully made sure the vials they're in are the cheapest quality available so that commoners can afford them and there's a sign above the potions that specifically states they taste terrible.
It's similar to how an onahole's manual describes the product as a joke gift and the developer is not responsible for any damages caused while using the product. Please, use responsibly and educate yourself on urethritis.
"…o-of course, a joke."
"Yes, just a fun product to buy a friend as a souvenir."
I can't afford for him to demand compensation or punishment of any kind.
It's literally a matter of life and death.
"…."
"…."
I tried to sell him a little more on the idea of a gag gift, but it was impossible for me to read his face. Was I about to feel the wrath of the noble mage? Or was he impressed by the quality of a potion made using pessari grass?
I have a feeling that I need to make amends.
"Um, Fahren-san, if you're feeling ill…."
But the noble mage ignored me completely and turned to the glasses woman.
"Nannuzzi, drink this."
"I-I don't think that's necessary…."
"You have no say in the matter. Drink it."
He held out the half-empty potion to Nannuzzi-san.
This bastard. Is he trying to get an indirect kiss?
Why didn't I think of that?
I want to lick every last drop of Edita Sensei's saliva from the rim of the vial. If it were sold in stores, I'd buy it in the gallons. I'd cook ramen in it and savour every noodle coated in her juices.
"F-Fine…."
Nannuzzi-san carefully brought the vial to her mouth.
As the first few drops passed her lips, her eyes opened wide.
"…."
"I believe you understand now, Nannuzzi."
"…."
She had no answer to give the noble mage. She pulled the vial away from her lips before her arms fell limp at her sides. I could then see her shoulders starting to tremble.
She doesn't look like she's doing well. Did it upset her stomach that much?
I don't imagine she'd cough it up for a second time.
This is an important first demonstration before our grand opening and I would like it if I could avoid two nobles from harshly criticizing one of our main exports. The reputation of my town hangs in the balance. And the opinion of the nobles is important as there's no other way of spreading the word about my town except by word of mouth.
"I'll say it once more, Nannuzzi-san. Do you now understand?"
"…yes."
She was barely able to squeeze out a meek response.
What kind of play is this?
I'm so envious of the noble mage.
"This is Baron Tanaka."
"…."
"This is a perfect example of why a student needs their teacher. We saw extraordinary potential in this potion and I'm sure you saw a fortune for you, but, despite how ridiculous it may sound, he only thought of it as a souvenir. Something only worth being used as a joke."
"…of course."
"No matter the potential this potion possesses, I will not allow you to use it as you please. And I will also add this, no educator at my academy would be allowed to fail one of their students as you've done and escape punishment. Do you understand my meaning?"
"I-I understand…."
"Then, we shall proceed with your execution."
"Aa…."
The noble mage declared this in front of the gathered crowd.
Where did that even come from?
We're days away from our grand opening and the noble mage wants to have a public execution at our entrance. Why is he even punishing Nannuzzi-san? Seriously, what did she do? He didn't bring my maid all the way out here just so she could witness an execution.
"Despite your status as a teacher, you robbed one of your students of their achievements and attempted to profit off it yourself. As school director, I cannot allow you to go unpunished."
"Fahren-san? I don't mean to interrupt but could you put an end to this?"
"I know. This is the academy's fault, so I'll end this quickly to rectify the problems you have been caused."
"No, that's not…."
I don't understand what's happening.
I need more information.
"Before your pitiful existence is cleansed from this world I will allow you a moment to apologize for your sins."
"P-Please, just wait a moment, i-if I could just…."
"That was your last chance."
The noble mage raised his hand as a magic circle began to form across his palm. He turned his palm towards Nannuzzi-san but before he could bring it down, she took off running.
"You won't escape!"
The noble mage pointed his palm at the fleeing woman before an eruption of flames blew forth from the magic circle.
He really did it.
Even if it's used, pu●sy is pu●sy. It's a valuable commodity. (TN: This is censored like this in the raws.)
"Please, stop!"
I got ready to create a Stone Wall.
A five-metre monolith sprouted out of the earth between the noble mage's flames and Nannuzzi-san. The flames struck the pillar and erupted into a pillar similar to how my own fireball had reacted when it struck the loligon's Stone Wall.
"Oi, what are you doing!?"
"That's what I want to ask you, Fahren-san."
After our heated exchange, the other nobles seemed to be admiring my Stone Wall.
"FFahren-sama's Flare Arrow was stopped by a simple Stone Wall!?" "How is that possible?" I-Is it possible for a Stone Wall to be that strong!?" "Fahren-sama's magic was no match." "That's simply not possible…."
Oh, so that magic is called Flare Arrow.
Whatever that isn't important.
I don't want to damage the aesthetic of the town, so I quickly pulled the stone monolith I created back into the earth.
Once the monolith had sunk back into the earth, Nannuzzi-san could be seen with her arms covering her head and a small puddle at her feet. She must have been genuinely terrified.
There was a good amount there too. As expected of a woman over thirty.
This just increased my appreciation for Sophichan. She leaks out the perfect amount.
"Fahren-san, we're in my territory. Even if it is you, I won't allow you to commit such actions without at least informing me about the current situation."
This is an important stand.
Even if it's the noble mage, I have to put up a strong front.
"Hmm…yes, what you said is understandable."
"I would just like to know what is going on."
"Of course."
I had somehow managed to calm down the noble mage and allow him to see reason.
The group of nobles once more voiced their admiration for me.
Why had the noble mage led a group of nobles to my territory? And what purpose had brought Sophichan and Edita Sensei together? The answer was surprisingly simple.
It was all because of Nannuzzi-san.
But I'm also partially at fault. I revealed Edita Sensei's recipe to the world. I wasn't even considering that when I used it during the exam. It's similar to when a boyfriend accidentally shows someone the homemade POV film his girlfriend reluctantly allowed him to shoot.
The POV film has been leaked and the embarrassed Edita Sensei's social life is ruined.
Yes, very nice.
I would pay good money for that video.
"So that's what happened…."
"Do you now understand?"
"Yes, I understand the situation."
But I don't really understand why he had to bring so many nobles with him.
"Then you understand why I have to do this and you have no reason to protect that woman."
"But, I feel like I'm at fault as well…."
"That's not the problem. It's about her failings as an educator."
"I think that's a reasonable response as director of the academy."
"Good."
"But…."
I need to apologize to Edita Sensei later. I never expected this to happen in my absence. I even caused problems for Sophichan.
However, the problem that needs to be addressed now is the noble mage's desire to kill Nannuzzi-san.
He's obviously serious about killing her.
"This is a town created for entertainment. I would prefer it if we could avoid shedding blood anywhere around here. I'd also like to ask one thing. When it comes to cases like this, how are the punishments decided in the Penny Empire?”
When it's matters involving the academy, I as director have been given permission to decide the punishments by His Majesty."
"…."
Seriously?
It's a complete dictatorship.
How much does the King love this ossan?
"We should at least return to the school and go over everything once more before deciding anything. Editsan and Sophisan were affected more than me so their opinions in the matter should hold more weight than my own."
"That's not true. Miss Edita may have developed the theory, but you are the one that perfected it. You should at least stand as her equal in this matter. This technique is a child of your combined efforts."
"And Nannuzzi-san was trying to take all of the credit for herself?"
"Exactly."
"Then, I have no issue with her being punished."
Honestly, I'm fine with whatever.
I don't want any bad rumours spreading about my land before my town even opens. She is clearly in the wrong, but she undoubtedly has friends that would want to seek revenge. It would be even worse if she had connections to any anti-FitzClarence factions.
She's an attractive woman that's still rather young as well. I'm sure she has a sex friend or two that would have every reason to be upset with me.
Rather than creating a bad image for my town right from the start, it would be better if I could find a way to use this as a way of promoting my town. I may have received Ester-chan's patronage, but I'm still a brand new baron who needs every advantage he can get.
For now, at least, I believe it would be best if I avoided drawing the ire of the noble community at large.
"She must be punished. I will not budge on that point."
"I can agree with you on that…."
When it concerns magic, this ossan becomes incredibly stubborn.
Does that mean he'll postpone it at least?
We can imprison her until her punishment has been decided.
"I understand. We can return to the academy before deciding her punishment. At the very least, I'd prefer it if nothing was done here."
"Hmm, I can agree to that."
"Thank you."
I'll need to do more if I want to prevent the noble mage from killing Nannuzzi-san. For now, I've only bought myself some time and need to figure out what I'm going to do with that time. When I looked over at her, she was on her hands and knees and her entire body was shaking.
I changed my focus from her pitiful figure to the group of nobles.
"By the way, I have a suggestion for everyone else…."
It's time to start promoting.
I'll allow the town's first guests to enjoy the hot springs as much as they like.
***