Chapter 2:
The Duke’s Daughter Sets Out on a Trip
OVER TWO DAYS, I somehow managed to get through reading the documents. With that out of the way, I decided to tackle exploring the duchy as planned, from the capital to the border forests. Unfortunately, it would be impossible to see literally everything, so this time, my plan was to visit the south, where revenue was precipitously dropping, as well as the east, where revenue was skyrocketing.
The ladies of the group (Tanya, Rehme, and I) rode in the carriage, while Lyle and Dida accompanied us on horseback. Including the driver, there were six of us. From the carriage window, I watched as the scenery moved past. We’d been traveling for a few minutes, but our pace was relaxed, so we weren’t outside the capital yet. What a beautiful city, full of history. The flow of people was heavy and somewhat restless… At least, that was the impression I got.
“It’s lively, isn’t it?” I said.
“Of course!” said Rehme. “This city is touted as the second royal capital due to its growth.”
“Right…”
Just then, a certain district caught my eye. Most of it was hidden from view, but it gave off a grimy vibe. Even from afar, the flow of people there was obviously reduced.
“Say, Rehme, what’s that?”
An awkward expression filled Rehme’s face as she realized what I was pointing at. “Oh, that’s…”
“Please, Rehme. Don’t hide anything. Just tell me.”
She sighed in resignation. “That’s a slum. It popped up recently.”
“A slum? How did it come to be?”
“There are many reasons. They’re populated by drifters from other territories, people with debts, people who came to the big city with dreams but ended up starving, and even people who have lived in slums with their families for generations. But the biggest reason would be that they couldn’t pay their taxes. The second and third sons of farmers tend to end up in places like this.”
Rehme’s words made my heart constrict. Was it pity for these poor people, or anger at the cruelty of their situation?
“Taxes, huh? How long has it been since our tax system was updated?”
“I believe the last time was five generations ago, my lady.”
Her quick reply made me sigh. “It hasn’t changed in that long?”
“Still, this slum is better than most. Unlike other territories, there are still jobs to be found in the duchy, even if the pay’s low. Also, our civil ordinances circumvent persecution.”
“I see. But this place…” I swallowed the words I was about to say.
“What’s the matter, Lady Iris?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll probably be pestering you with many more questions, but I hope you’ll still answer them.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Our conversation finished, I returned to looking out the carriage window. At some point, the slum had disappeared from view.
But this place… The words I’d swallowed earlier echoed in my mind, unabated. But this place is full of children just like you all were.
I still remembered my meeting with each of them like it was yesterday: wild eyes, thin bodies, and covered in filth. Neither “me” had seen a child like that before, so the first time had come as quite a shock. At the time, all I had been able to do was take the individual children before my eyes from that environment. Now, however, I might be able to help them in a different way—and more. This was the nature of the power I had obtained.
My thoughts distracting me, we eventually exited through the gates and left the city. Outside the city walls, the countryside was dotted with what appeared to be houses amidst abundant nature. Its beauty calmed my heart. Unlike the city’s roads, the one we were now on wasn’t maintained, and the ride became quite bumpy. Every now and again, the carriage swayed violently.
I lazily watched the unchanging scenery until eventually we could see the next town. We would spend the night there, and then it would be a week and a few days’ ride south to our first objective: the southern village.