So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

"We've roasted a whole piglet. Baby pig roast is a specialty of this eastern region."

An administrator is basically a 'bureaucrat.'

Not a noble, but rather an appointed official from the imperial court.

In the Empire's case, they say an administrator can govern a city for a maximum of 5 years. Discover exclusive tales on empire

After 5 years, they must go to another region or take on different duties.

Obern explained to me that this was a method to strengthen imperial authority.

Owning 'land' and 'people' means having power.

Within their territory, a fief noble becomes essentially like a small king.

You can see this in how even Solion's king cannot freely handle cases involving the Court Count or great nobles.

By replacing feudal lords with administrators, the Emperor further solidified his power.

'That's clever.'

I was impressed hearing that explanation.

I feel like I saw something similar in history class before.

"However, there are side effects too."

Pelerian said so.

"Would an administrator who will leave after just a 5-year term have any sense of responsibility?"

Noble lords don't only have bad points.

Since the territory is the noble's property, lords always seek an appropriate 'balance.'

How many fools would cut open the goose that lays golden eggs?

They have the desire to make their territory prosperous and strengthen their own power.

But administrators would have no such thing.

"They would only think about amassing as much wealth as possible before leaving within their time."

Isn't it just like a typical corrupt official from the Roman Empire?

Like a magistrate who uses high-level 'Buying Jobs magic' and then squeezes the people's blood to recover the cost.

I don't know if corruption is this rampant in the Empire too, but the side effects would be similar.

"That's why there are inspectors."

There's a reason they send high-ranking nobles or officials like Margrave Sareb as inspectors to the cities.

But in reality, the Margrave was just drinking and laughing "hohoho" with the administrator.

"Please drink this, it's our city's specialty liquor made from lemons."

"How refreshing."

The Margrave's face was slightly red as he laughed heartily.

That appearance seemed unbecoming of an inspector and pathetic, but when I said so, Pelerian had a different reaction.

"He doesn't seem like such a soft person."

Well.

After several rounds of drinks, the night grew deep.

Phili was tired and started nodding off, while Obern seemed pleased to taste fine liquor after a long time and just kept sipping.

I just kept eating the food on the table.

And as the night deepened, a lecherous expression began appearing on the administrator's face.

"Should we call the children now? There's a private room in the government office."

"Children?"

"Yes, Gaun City's women are famous for their beauty and fair skin. Though since it's not a large city, they might not meet Your Excellency's standards."

What!

Well, I hadn't thought there wouldn't be this kind of entertainment in this world.

The administrator's eyeballs rolled around looking at the Margrave. He was clearly trying to read the situation.

The Margrave eagerly accepted the suggestion as if he'd been waiting for it.

"Hohoho, good, drinking with just you won't taste as good."

Then he suddenly staggered over to where Obern and I were.

"Obern! You come too. They say Gaun's girls are pretty!"

"Ah..."

The smell of alcohol wafted over strongly.

Obern didn't fall for it completely.

"I've had too much to drink. I'm sorry."

"Agh, how can a young man have such weak stamina. This is why magicians... you should exercise more."

"Haha, yes, I will."

You should exercise yourself. With that mountain of a belly.

The Margrave staggered back toward the administrator.

The administrator quickly linked arms with him as if supporting him.

"Haha, I'll call the most beautiful girls."

"Well, pretty is good but... get ones who are bold and... won't be scared of blood... hehe, get some docile ones."

"...Yes. Hehe."

Though the administrator was a bit taken aback by the Margrave's creepy tastes.

He soon smiled like a sycophant.

"Ah."

Just then, the Margrave suddenly turned back.

"Don't leave first, wait here a little while."

He's telling us that.

That guy. Ordering us around. I don't like it.

Well where would we go? It's rather nice that the unlikeable Margrave and administrator are gone.

I should take out Isil and give him some food too.

Maybe because he overexerted himself when saving Rila, Isil's size had become very small.

The cotyledon part that could be called his main body was safe, but his length had shortened considerably.

Thinking I should give him some nutrition, I brought him some soup, and Isil extended his vine roots to eat it.

'Oh my, eating well.'

Sodium would be poison for plants.

But Isil isn't an ordinary plant but a chimera, so it should be fine.

Ah, come to think of it, this would be Rahan and Dana's first time seeing Isil. I should introduce them.

I liked Rahan and Dana.

I especially liked how they used sign language since one couldn't speak.

When talking to each other, they could chat quietly without making any sound.

Anyway, so when I tried to find Rahan and Dana.

'Huh, they're gone?'

They were definitely on the opposite side of the table just a moment ago.

They were quietly eating, where did they disappear to?

'Have you seen Rahan and Dana?'

I asked Phili so.

"No, I haven't. Why?"

'Just wondering, since I can't see them.'

"They probably went to the bathroom or something."

Even if they're married, going to the bathroom together.

Or maybe they went out to eat ice cream together. I'm jealous.

By the way, Phili and Obern didn't really like the Rahan and Dana couple.

They said they felt creepy and gloomy somehow.

Look who's talking, when you're the most suspicious one.

"You're not good at judging people."

'No, I am good.'

But well.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Dana, Rahan.

Just when I contradicted Pelerian like that, it makes me look bad.

The two returned with screams.

"Aaaaah!"

"Kyaah!"

It was the sound of servants screaming.

It came from below the stairs leading up to the banquet hall.

And a fishy metallic smell.

Before Dana and Rahan appeared, I smelled blood first.

And then Rahan and Dana appeared.

"Aaaaaah!"

This time it was none other than Phili who screamed.

Phili raised both hands to cover his eyes.