The Saga Of Luca The Conquerorant

CHPTR: I PROBLEM IN ESPERN CITY

At that time I was only 15. In my young days I remember very well that I was a boy who had a hobby of riding. As a noble of Bonnemaux, I inherited the blood of my ancestors' horsemen.

Riding is a sport as well as a proving ground for talent. I admit that horses are interesting animals. They are big, agile, and have incredible spirit.

Their enthusiasm while racing makes anyone amazed.

So when my height was enough to climb into the saddle, I learned to ride a horse. My first horse was a local Bensten horse named Nero. I rode it for 4 hours a day.

It was a short time, because my father, Count Monte Bonnemaux, wanted me to study at home as well.

Studying geography, politics, philosophy, war science and management is my daily meal. My own tutor was a professor from the capital named Anspald.

He's a funny old man.

Has his own thoughts, often speaks for himself and seems lost in his youth. I remember very well how we often talked about history first.

Anspald always said that the kingdom of Albelon was the result of a combination of ambition and blood. The founder of our kingdom, the conqueror Leopard I was a Duke, the strongest noble of the Frisian empire.

In 1006 E. B. Leopard attacked the Aenglae kingdom, which was then in a civil war. After conquering Aenglae, Leopard broke away from Frisia and established his own kingdom, the kingdom of Albelon.

The history of the conquest of Leopard I has always been my favorite story. His ambition that knew no bounds made him king.

Even then I realized how ambitious nature can take people to places we never thought possible. Because fate is in our own hands.

*

In the summer of that year, I replaced Papa in conducting inspections across our county land.

Together with 50 warriors, 5 of them were knights on horseback, and two sons of the baron (noblemen under the count) named Loren and Remy.

Remy was the same age as me, while Loren was a year above us. Our inspection groups come from one city to another to check food supplies, road conditions, and address other complaints from the local community.

Our first city was Espern. Espern is the richest city in our entire county.

The people pay taxes on time and the industry in the city increases every year. A good city. Upon our arrival in the city center, hundreds of pairs of eyes quickly fell on our group.

Our armor complete with a sword at the waist dazzled the eyes of all who looked. The kids started watching us like parades.

When we finally arrived at the city center, in a city park stood an unusually large sturdy building as a symbol of the glory of the city.

The building is the office of mayor of Espern. I immediately got off the horse and one of the knights took hold of my horse so I wouldn't fall.

An old man, bald and bearded, fat not a bitch with an alcoholic scent around him came to see me.

He lowered his head in such a way then opened both his hands as if welcoming then said, “Welcome to our city Dear One, I am Jerome, and then I will be able to leave, mayor-elect Espern and I personally are really flattered for your arrival this morning.”

 I'm nodding. Looking around at the crowd then turned to Jerome. “Thanks. You're a good mayor, Jerome. The people here look peaceful, the streets here are also in good condition. I'll make sure you get an award from Count Monte.”

Jerome bowed his head deeper and replied, “Thank you, thank you very much, Dear One, I just did my job as I should.”

I smiled at the reply, “Alright, how about we go in and talk about some things inside. The day started to get hot and some of us had to go to the restroom like.”

Everyone in our group chuckled while looking at Remy's collar.

“Of course, Your Honor, please, pass here.”

We went inside to follow Jerome. Inside, we were led into the banquet hall and the finest luxuries were offered.

Seeing his guests satisfied with his service, Jerome smiled broadly at the end of the room.

I passed one of the servants, took a green apple from the tub and walked towards Jerome with Ingard my guard knight in the back.

 “Yang Honored.” said Jerome lowered his head again.

“Can we go to your office for a while Jerome. There are a few things I want to ask.”

Jerome frowned unconvinced. “Is there an Honorable Problem? Or is my service less good? Or maybe.”.

I cut Jerome's talk and said, “This is about your recent little business, Jerome.”

Jerome was surprised. His face turned serious and his consciousness returned full. He became alarmed by my words just now and seemed worried. I returned it with a smile.

Jerome thoughtfully led us both up and into his office. There, Jerome immediately sat behind the desk while Ingard locked the door as we all entered.

In front of a 15-year-old boy, Jerome looked terrified. I walked across the spacious room to the window and lifted the curtain.

I could feel Jerome's eyes following me and seemed completely alarmed.

While watching the people passing by on the streets I said, “Jerome, are you familiar with the royal rules about drugs and their prohibitions?”

“Quite understand, Your Honor.” said Jerome while removing one button.

“Means you realize that Ruffe is an illegal drug to sell.”

“Te-Of course, Your Honor. Our city does not allow drug stores to sell such goods. If you don't believe me, you can check the data, for a second yes, I think I have the paper around here.” said Jerome started looking around in his drawer.

I walked up to him and sat down in the chair in front of him. Jerome stopped looking and looked even more frightened now.

He looked at me in disbelief and I said, “You sold Ruffe, Jerome. You confiscated everything and became the only city in this city.”

Jerome gulped. Wiping his sweat and then doing the defense. “Sa-I have absolutely no idea what you mean, Your Honor.

I let out a breath. “Ruffe is hard medicine. The wearer gets great hallucinations. Worn too much and it will kill. You, Jerome, you confiscated all that illicit stuff from the merchants and that's a good thing. Why did it become the city? What the hell is wrong with you? Is your payment as mayor still lacking?”

Jerome speechless. He doesn't try to reply anymore. I'm proceeding. “The death penalty is the punishment for the Ruffe dealer and whip 100 times for the wearer.”

Jerome raised his face and started to look panicked. “Your Honor, please, forgive me this time, I promise I won't sell again!”

I let out a breath. “Quiet, Jerome. I'm not gonna kill you. Is your income from this business enough? Enough to feed the whole city?”

Jerome looked confused. “I think more than enough.”

“Then it's good. You can continue your dirty business. It's just that there are some rules you need to understand. First, you cannot sell to a child. Second, you cannot sell in the city center. Ingard will provide you with a list of permitted operational locations. And third, you're gonna give me a cut of, hmm, how about 60%? That's a good number. This cut will be our commission. What say?”

Jerome looked at me in silence. I smile back. I also coded Ingard to submit a list of operational locations. Jerome immediately read carefully and commented, “Yang Honored, all these operational locations are in gambling and prostitution houses.”.

“Yes. You're right.”

Jerome still seems confused, I began to explain, “Most people who go to these places are not good people, Jerome. You must know that. They were not honest merchants, nor farmers who were obedient to their families. I'm just here to help them end their lives faster. If they get tired of living, we will offer the most beautiful death imaginable. Doesn't dying from an overdose and hallucinations sound good enough?”

Jerome was silent and seemed horrified by my answer. Jerome had not had time to reply, suddenly the office door was gedor by someone. Ingard quickly removed his sword sheath.

I looked at Jerome sharply and then took out a flintlock gun from my pants and pointed it at Jerome's forehead.

“Jerome, did you frame us?”