The New Byerldine
Translator: Cinder Translations
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The small city of Buteya is the capital of the Byerldine territory. Last September, Earl Ganard, who ruled Byerldine, faced a rebellion from his vassals. However, his ally and brother-in-arms, Earl Grayman of Alden, personally led the army to crush the ambitions of the four rebel lords. The battle took place outside Buteya, and many people heard a loud rumbling before Buteya changed hands.
Since then, the Alden army took over the city. The two allied lords reached an agreement whereby Alden's Administrative Council would oversee the administration of both territories.
Some might think, "Byerldine has been annexed by Alden," but initially, most people in Byerldine didn't feel too negatively about it. After all, they were still just working and paying taxes, so it didn't make much difference who the lord was. However, gradually more people began to feel that Byerldine was different from before.
First, a group of administrators from Alden Town arrived and, with the cooperation of the Alden army stationed there, conducted a "crackdown." A large number of local hooligans were arrested and sent to work in the mines.
Next, a slew of harsh taxes and miscellaneous levies were abolished. The official explanation was that these taxes had been secretly imposed by the former chief administrator, Ankiro—one of the rebels—without the knowledge of Earl Ganard and his deceased father.
The residents of Buteya were overjoyed. Previously, they had to pay taxes for weddings, funerals, bringing more items into the city, and even growing their beards longer. While the taxes didn't empty their pockets entirely, the sheer variety was overwhelming. Now, they could finally have a bit more financial freedom.
After the new administrative system was established, merchants and wealthy individuals flocked to the lord's manor. Rumors spread that efforts would be made to revitalize industry and vigorously develop trade.
Soon, a recruitment notice was posted in the city, announcing the establishment of new factories with very attractive salaries, which drew many eager applicants.
The Ganard family's iron and coal mines also expanded their production scale and hired a large number of new workers.
Due to the tax reforms, Buteya began to attract merchants from outside. They brought a variety of goods from other regions and took local products like canned goods and paper to Byerldine. Technically, these weren't unique local products since neighboring Alden also produced them, but clearly, Alden's production capacity couldn't meet the demand of these outside merchants.
With the influx of outside goods, competition among similar items led to a drop in prices, improving the quality of life for Buteya's residents.
Most of these changes were welcomed by the public.
However, there were some changes that made people uncomfortable. For example, new regulations were introduced, which were considered overly strict by some. Especially problematic were the heavy fines for littering and public urination, which caused many people in the city to face difficulties due to these prohibitions.
Overall, the changes were moving in a positive direction.
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In the grand hall of the Byerldine Lord's manor, two people were sitting at a large table enjoying dinner.
Sitting at the head of the table was the Lord of Byerldine—Earl Malon Ganard. Next to him was Baron Andrew, who had recently returned to the territory and was now the only vassal of the Ganard family.
Baron Andrew had led Byerldine's armed forces south last year to aid in the royal defense. He joined Princess Catherine's army to suppress the rebellion. Due to his outstanding performance in the battle to retake the capital and the subsequent fire at the granary that led to the dissolution of the royal forces, he and his soldiers were left behind.
When Alden first took over Byerldine, there was concern about the battle-hardened Baron causing trouble upon his return, given the limited control they initially had. Therefore, under Paul's "suggestion," Malon wrote a letter to Baron Andrew.
The letter briefly mentioned the rebellion of the four shameless vassals, emphasizing that the rebellion had been a mere joke and was crushed within half a day. Malon assured Andrew not to worry and concluded the letter by requesting his assistance to the royal family until the rebellion was fully quelled, showcasing the Ganard family's unwavering loyalty to the crown.
Andrew then realized that Ankiro and others had recommended him to lead the forces south, likely with the intent of drawing him away, leaving the Ganard family's vassals far from home to facilitate their scheming.
Should he continue with the princess or return to protect his lord? Andrew was torn. He had ambitions to achieve military feats on the battlefield, but he felt guilty about not being by his lord's side in times of danger. Though the rebellion had been crushed with the help of the earl's allies, he feared future problems.
After much thought, Andrew decided to stay with the princess. He was unwilling to retreat back to the Northwest Bay just as he was beginning to make a name for himself.
After meeting with Hansel, who was in the capital on royal business, Andrew was reassured. According to the royal representative, the earl was doing quite well and didn't need his concern.
However, just as he was preparing to follow the princess south to quell the rebellion, news arrived from the Northwest that the Kent family was fighting against the anti-Kent alliance, and Byerldine had joined the anti-Kent coalition alongside Alden.
Andrew knew well what the Kent family was capable of and grew concerned for his homeland and his lord.
Feeling he had failed his duties during the previous rebellion, the news of renewed conflict in the Northwest Bay unsettled him deeply.
Thus, the baron bid farewell to the princess and set off with his Byerldine soldiers to return home.
Upon returning to Byerldine, he discovered that neighboring Paul Grayman had not only assisted but also crushed the rebellion…
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Malon and Andrew sat quietly eating dinner, neither of them being particularly talkative. The atmosphere in the hall remained somber.
"Earl!"
Andrew suddenly looked up at his lord.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I feel that many things are amiss since I returned."
"Oh? Tell me more."
Andrew paused before speaking, "Having Alden's Administrative Council oversee both territories is highly inappropriate. Earl, forgive me if my words are harsh, but the current situation is no different from making you a vassal of the Grayman family."
"Anything else?"
"Yes, there's also the issue of Byerldine's defense. With soldiers from other territories guarding our land, how can you sleep peacefully at night?"
Andrew's eyes widened as he spoke, displaying disbelief.
(End of the Chapter)
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