Me, a priest? How could that be!

Chapter 97 is pure love.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries between Viscount Scott and Hibiki Mitsurugi, the group proceeded to the reception room, where maids promptly served them black tea—neither particularly good nor bad, just average.

Having lived in the palace for a time, Charlotte could easily discern the quality of the tea.

"I'm sorry, we only have some coarse tea."

"You're too kind."

Yu Jianxiangye picked up his teacup and drank more than half of it. Xia Luo and Youyou followed suit, and the three of them's willingness to drink brought a smile to Viscount Scott's face.

Regardless, the three were just ordinary adventurers, and it was already quite generous of them to receive such hospitality without any noble status. A large part of this was due to the fact that Mikami Hibiki was the third-ranked adventurer in the kingdom, and that Charlotte and her companions were able to defeat the Demon King's daughter.

"So, Lord Mikage Hibiki, is there something important that brings you here today?"

"...I cannot accept that suit of armor."

and many more!

You just blurted it out so sweetly!?

When Charlotte heard those words, she was completely devastated.

As upright as Yu Jianxiangye was, he should know that the person who gave him this set of armor was Lady Scott. If Viscount Scott was unaware of this, there would definitely be a rift between the two of them, and he would also take his anger out on them.

How can the investigation proceed then?!

Just as Charlotte was thinking about how to make amends, Viscount Scott said with some regret, "So Lord Mikami Hibiki doesn't think much of this? This is the most presentable thing I have."

……Um?

Viscount Scott knew about this? Does that mean the whole "sugar baby" thing was a misunderstanding?

"What's wrong, Mr. Charlotte?"

"Nothing... no, I just found what Viscount Scott said a bit strange, something about being shabby or something..."

Charlotte's gaze fell on Mrs. Scott.

Gleaming with jewels and heavily made up.

It is permeated with stereotypes of nouveau riche in high society.

"So, misunderstandings are bound to happen...?"

Viscount Scott gave a wry smile and explained, "Actually, these were all my wife's dowry. Although she had suggested selling them when I was in trouble, how could I do that... As a result, my wife has only had this one dress for many years, and she has suffered ridicule among the upper class. I really feel sorry for my wife."

Charlotte knew that the formal attire worn by medieval nobles to banquets or tea parties was only worn a few times before being thrown away, euphemistically called "social etiquette."

"Don't say that, I'm willing."

Mrs. Scott's heavily made-up, plump face no longer seemed so repulsive. Their hands were clasped tightly, and their faces beamed with happiness.

It's pure love!!

strangeness.

When did I start to have prejudices?

"Mr. Charlotte, you don't look well. Are you sick?"

No, I'm fine.

He felt like a vampire, able to laugh and joke around with shit and blood, but turning pale at the sight of love and light.

"Speaking of which..."

Charlotte took the initiative to ask, "Why did Viscount Scott gift the swordsman such expensive and exquisite armor?"

"Of course, Lord Mikami Hibiki has a famous demonic sword. Sending him another weapon would be a sign of his lack of self-awareness."

"...That's not what I meant."

Viscount Scott's strange look made Charlotte feel looked down upon. However, he quickly understood Charlotte's meaning and explained, "Naturally, it's for the development of the territory..."

"develop?"

"I wonder if Mr. Charlotte knows that the Scott family's territory is in the western part of the kingdom, a very barren, desolate and remote place. The common people have no harvest year after year, and even those who rely on hunting for a living cannot trade due to the remoteness, resulting in a severe shortage of resources and frequent need for support from the royal family."

Charlotte learned a little about this from Claire and Mikami Hibiki.

"But aren't there mines within the territory?"

"Yes, thankfully we discovered the mine," Viscount Scott said with a look of relief. "Through the efforts of my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father, generations of people finally broke through the mine. They also vigorously promoted and promulgated various related policies to attract artisans and merchants to trade. Only then was the territory able to continue to develop."

"That……"

"However, there are limits to this. Mines cannot be mined indefinitely. The policies implemented to expedite development have ultimately caused us problems. The mines within our territory have gradually become exhausted. If this continues, the mining will be over-exploited, the artisans and merchants will leave, and the territory will decline."

"Hmm!"

Charlotte's mind conjured up images of cities that had flourished because of coal mines, only to become desolate and deserted because of them—a fate that seemed almost inevitable.

"So, to avoid running out of resources, I changed the policy. Although it has had a significant impact on the territory, it has been able to extend the territory's lifespan. But even so, it will still decline in the long run, so—"

Viscount Scott looked at Mikami Hibiki.

Charlotte followed his gaze and quickly understood, "You want to build a brand and go for high-end products!"

"...Your explanation is surprising, but it is indeed easy to understand." Viscount Scott was slightly taken aback, but quickly admitted it, explaining, "One day, when I was worrying about the future of the territory and didn't know what to do, someone said something like this to me."

"Is that so?"

"That's right. TA said that the concentrate mined from the Scott Mine is of very high quality, and it would be a waste to continue selling it under the previous policy, which would also cause dissatisfaction among those who bought ordinary ores before. In that case, it would be better to raise the price of the ores, find famous craftsmen to forge high-level equipment, and then sell it at a high price... High-level rare equipment is very sought after among nobles. So, I agreed."

That makes sense.

This is a very simple thing.

If Viscount Scott wants his territory to develop sustainably, he has no choice but to change his previous policies and hire master craftsmen to create high-end products. However, high-end products also need to build a reputation, and the Demon Sword Warrior is a perfect spokesperson.

Speaking of which, Mrs. Scott had previously told Mikami Hibiki that she was providing financial assistance rather than keeping him as a mistress, so I thought it was just a different way of putting it. It turns out it really was a misunderstanding.

"However, Lord Mikami Hibiki..."

"I'm sorry, but I promised Lady Aqua that I would defeat the Demon King on my own, so I cannot accept this armor."

That's what Mikami Hibiki said.

Just as Viscount Scott was about to show a regretful expression, Charlotte quickly interjected, "That's not it. What Yujian means is that this armor is excellent, but he's not yet worthy of it."

"...Charlotte?"

Mikami Hibiki opened his eyes wide, but after Charlotte secretly pinched him, he closed his mouth again.

After that, Charlotte gave him a demonstration of what the art of speaking is all about.