Where Responsibility Lies

Upon leaving Mia-san's room and closing the door, I looked at Quinns-sensei standing before me. The smile had already vanished from my face, and Quinns-sensei's expression had grown serious.

Quinns-sensei had come from the city of Milet for one reason: to discuss the future of Mikala Territory—or rather, the Roberk region.

Mikala Territory, ravaged by war, was now writhing in despair and suffering.

Lady Kara, its mistress, and Calus, who had effectively managed the territory, were both dead. The soldiers who had protected it had also been annihilated alongside the Roberk Alliance army.

Fortunately, many of the villagers had survived. But many men—the region's workforce—had joined the Roberk Alliance army, and Mikala Territory and the rest of the Roberk region had lost a great deal of manpower.

This was an even bigger problem than the manor burning down and the Demon Lord's Army looting the villages. To be honest, Mikala Territory's future was bleak. It couldn't survive on its own.

"Sensei, is investment really out of the question?"

I asked Quinns-sensei.

The alliance I had founded was currently investing funds in territories across the Roberk region to stimulate the economy and foster industry.

As part of that effort, I had considered providing funds to help Mikala Territory recover. But Quinns-sensei, who was well versed in economics and numbers, looked grim...