Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World

Chapter 98: "The Fall of Count Coughlin" [2]

I stared blankly at Count Coughlin, who had been captured. This was the mastermind who had been manipulating Basset from behind the scenes, aiming to disrupt paper production.

'i caught the culprit using yellow dye as bait, but it's a bit disappointing,' I thought.

Actually, I can't hit a medium with something like this because the damage wasn't that great.

But it would be a pretty useful weapon for me. This incident could ruin Count Coughlin's reputation, leading to him being stripped of his seat in the Imperial Diet.

That's why he insists so vehemently on his innocence.

"I-I definitely won't. It's just that my subordinates were acting on their own…"

Count Coughlin waved his hands wildly, speaking passionately. On the other hand, I just smiled broadly. No matter how much he struggles, it's no use.

"The butler has already confessed everything. He even detailed how he came into contact with Basset."

"That's a lie!"

"Oh, I have also received testimony from the servant who delivered the orders. So please stop making excuses."

"Ugh!"

The Count grabbed his head and groaned strangely. It seemed like the stress was quite extreme. Well, it's a different position in the National Assembly, so I guess he doesn't want to lose that great title.

'I also feel a bit burdened by the fact that I am on the same side as the noble Giovanni faction,' I reflected.

Aren't I already at the point where I can't go with the Duke of Sierre? There's no benefit to increasing the number of enemies. This case was meant to be a compromise at a very moderate level.

"Actually, there is some intention to reach an agreement," I said.

"Really?" Count Coughlin's face lit up with hope.

"What would I gain by stripping the Count of his seat? It would only cause resentment."

"Ahhhh! If you do that, I'll pay any price. What do you want?"

"Hmm..." I pretended to be in deep thought. Monetary gain is of little use. In times like these, you have to get what money can't buy.

'By the way, he said he was making parchment?' I remembered.

The advent of paper was signaling the doom of parchment, so they resorted to such a foolish move. It was decided what to take in return for the agreement.

Count Coughlin raised his eyebrows as I smiled meaningfully. He seemed to think the story was going well. But how about this?

"I heard you run a large ranch in your territory."

"That's true," he admitted.

"I hope give me that."

"What, what?" The Count looked shocked.

The County of Coughlin consisted mostly of extensive grasslands, the perfect location for livestock farming.

The Midias region also had ample fields. If I set up a ranch there, I could make a lot of profit. The old man in front of me would suffer some losses, but it's still better than losing his seat, right?

"I don't intend to take everything. Just send me the sheep and the geese. If you do that, I will write a petition for exemption from punishment."

"Isn't this too much to ask?" he protested.

"You're going to withdraw from the parchment business anyway, right?"

"That's true, but…," he hesitated.

No matter what he do, he can't beat paper.

First, even aside from their hides, sheep were very useful animals. Count Coughlin's mind was probably spinning quickly, calculating the pros and cons.

No matter how much he racked his brain, there was only one conclusion.

Even if he were to hand over the entire ranch, it would be a much better deal to keep his seat in the National Assembly.

Still, to make it easier to calculate the pros and cons, I suggested one more thing.

"I will prioritize purchasing items from Count Coughlin. Let's start with some cowhide. How about 200 pieces?"

"Huh?" Count Coughlin seemed taken aback.

In winter, wool and goose feathers sold much better than leather.

They were intended to be put in pillows, blankets, etc., or made into clothes.

Since I wasn't taking the livestock right away, he could reduce the losses a bit.

Sheep need to be sheared periodically, and geese can be plucked three or four times.

Count Coughlin nodded, his judgment having been made.

"Good. You clearly said only sheep and geese." Enjoy exclusive adventures from m-v l'-NovelBin.net

"Yes. And just in case, I'm telling you this: from the moment you make the promise, slaughter is prohibited."

"Ahem! Sir, would I ever do something so fatal?" Judging from the way he stuttered, I guess he was trying to evade the point a little.

But that won't happen. I'm going to send someone right now to count the livestock.

"Please send it to me as soon as the congratulatory message is ready. Until then, you must take good care of it."

"Of course."

"Okay. Then use it."

I signed the contract right away.

The condition was that the sheep and geese would be handed over at the moment of transfer, and that he would be given a letter of exemption from punishment.

'Not a bad deal,' I thought.

But is it okay for the person who is the highest judge to do this?

Right now, I am not the judge; I am the victim. So, I guess I could just let it go and get some compensation.

I smiled and shook hands with Count Coughlin.

"Thank you. Let's keep in touch often in the future."

"Haha! Good."

The incident that started with Basset's theft ended like this.

* * *

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Butler Miller Xavier looked dizzy.

I told him to build a ranch in Midias, one that is extremely sturdy and capable of housing thousands of livestock. I felt a little sorry for him for no reason.

They are very busy right now with the expansion of our paper mill. But what can I do?

I can't just let that many livestock loose and raise them.

"There is still some time left, so there is no need to rush. I have decided to receive it once the consecration ceremony is completed."

"Thank goodness."

"Just know that for now. But don't be too lazy. The deadline is at most half a year."

"Yes, I understand."

I deliberately timed it to coincide with my return from Deliat. That way, I can write a request for exemption from punishment.

'What's left now?' I wondered.

I might not be able to come back for the next half year. So, it would be better to take care of most of the important things before I go.

As I was thinking about it, I suddenly thought of Adam.

Although he had the appearance of a beast, he was still quite tolerable these days.

He had his hair neatly combed and was wearing noble clothes. Honestly, in my eyes, Adam looked a bit more handsome than Count Coughlin.

At least he had a fit body.

"I think it's time to change my clothing style," I muttered.

Actually, it's something I've been thinking about for a long time. It's not like it's just a day or two since I've been feeling dizzy because of the shiny, dangling robes.

And these fucking leggings.

These were pants that I couldn't compromise on no matter how many times I thought about it. The problem was that unless I'm wearing armor, I had no choice.

'Then I have no choice but to make it myself.'

The imperial nobility all had a dedicated tailor at their side.

To fill my vanity, I need to stick to a unique and sophisticated style in a way that is difficult for others to follow.

As a result, bizarre shapes often became popular, just as leggings and a short vest were standard attire for the imperial male nobility.

"A tailor…," I mused.

Anyone who was good with their hands would already have an owner. In that case, I had to discover a new character. Besides, this time I was planning to make a new bait.

I played with the quill pen, drawing a belt, pants, shirt, and other items.

'Wow! As expected, the writing feels smooth.'

No wonder they say it can't be compared to parchment or something like that.

I was deep in my work when suddenly, someone knocked on my office door.

*Knock knock.*

"Come in," I called out.

The person who entered was Vargas, the sorcerer of Nermia.

He always had a gloomy expression on his face, but surprisingly, there was a quirky side to him.

If not properly controlled, there was no telling what kind of accidents could occur.

When I told him to cure the plague, he ended up destroying the staff quarters. Perhaps because he had been studying the material left behind by Peltron, things had been quiet recently.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"You know what we collected last time? I have the rough research results," Vargas replied.

"Oh, really? Recite it."

"This substance is a by-product of the demigod."

"Demigod?" I asked, somewhat confused.

"Yes, I think that will be easier to understand. I looked into it and found that there is a similar existence here," he continued.

"Are you talking about Adam? He is said to be the god of the earth," I responded, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

"Of course, the church won't acknowledge it. They think it's almost like a monster," Vargas said, his tone indifferent.

"It is self-proclaimed," I muttered.

Anyway, it seemed that Peltron had gathered the northern nomads with his demigodly power. Then he would have been beaten by Abel and run away.