Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 254

“The king took the lead in overcoming the plague. Rumors are spreading among the people as well…….”

Jacques Juan’s complexion hardened at the voice of Mike Teroa, which clearly revealed his discomfort.

On top of that, Ivan Claude added a grim prediction.

“Our position, which claimed the massacre at the Raftan domain, has become troublesome. If word of this leaks out…….”

For the first time in a long while, Jacques showed his emotions clearly.

“If it leaks out, what then?! What are you saying? Do you mean to suggest that these village idiots will rise up against the nobles?”

Peasants, after all, could be slaughtered by the hundreds, even by a mere hundred knights.

Though these were just thoughts spoken aloud, Mike and Ivan did not hide their displeasure at Jacques’ increasingly raised voice.

“Count Jacques! We’re talking about your plan to pressure the king using public opinion! And what’s with this attitude now? Are you considering us mere underlings or what?”

Chastised sharply by Mike Teroa, Jacques managed to control his expression at last.

“Hmm. My apologies. I lost my composure due to an unforeseen situation. I apologize once again.”

Despite his words, Mike and Ivan’s expressions did not fully relax.

‘Such a mistake…….’

Blaming himself for not controlling his emotions, Jacques took a deep breath once more.

Then he smiled broadly and opened his mouth again.

“Hmm. And as I was saying, even if the king turns the hearts of the people, what truly matters is the will of us nobles.”

Their expressions remained unchanged.

However, Jacques had an idea that could easily mend this minor rift.

“And I have a plan to significantly strengthen our power. This will require the cooperation of you two gentlemen and several other nobles.”

Only then did their expressions change.

“……What plan?”

“Don’t beat around the bush, just tell us, Count.”

“It’s quite simple. You both know it’s about time that the peasants start starving.”

“Hmm. And what of it?”

“These peasants going hungry is nothing new. But what does that have to do with us?”

Jacques grinned at the two men who showed no interest whether the peasants starved or not.

“Last year, ‘because we had to’, the nobles collected much more tax than usual due to the king’s coercion. This year, the peasants won’t just be simply hungry.”

He filled his glass with wine worth more than 1,000 gold per bottle as he sighed lightly. Of course, he never thought that one bottle could support a peasant family for a year.

After all, this was a privilege that nobility deserved to enjoy.

But now.

“When it’s time to farm, some will starve to death. If the labor force needed to farm dies out, our income will decrease, so we must take some measures, right? Like distributing food.”

Mike and Ivan reacted with surprise, unanticipated thoughts creeping into their minds.

“Why would that be an idea to strengthen our power?”

Clearly not having thought of that, Mike Teroda replied with a grunt.

But outwardly, Jacques maintained his smile, raised his glass gently, and met the eyes of these two foolish nobles.

“We distribute food to the peasants and then collect interest during the harvest season. Perhaps five-tenths will be appropriate.”

“Ah……!”

Realizing this scheme would further fill their storerooms, the two nobles admired the idea.

But.

Then Ivan, who was not entirely foolish, raised an objection.

“Couldn’t we accomplish the same by simply wringing out more taxes? Why bother charging interest?”

Of course, Ivan Claud did not say this out of concern for the peasants.

His intent was straightforward.

Why go through an intermediary step for something that could be done at once?

Of course, Jacques had prepared his response, and now the real discussion began.

“It’s not just our realms, but also the royal direct domain, Esperanza, and the Maclaine domain whose population could benefit from our food distribution. We will charge them interest. Especially the royal domain, isn’t it quite close to our three realms?”

Hearing this, the nobles gasped.

“If we offer a ‘legitimate’ reason to absorb the people and lands of other domains, even the king won’t be able to stop us.”

“Ooh……!”

“Indeed…….”

Within the exclaimed praises of the two simpletons, Jacques felt his earlier discomfort ease into comfort.

‘By now, the taxes I’ve drawn in have been depleted. The royal family is stretched thin. Even if the sentiment from the plague shifted slightly, fate remains unchanged. Soon this kingdom will bend to my will…….’

Count Jacques Juan’s hopes rose high once again.

* * *

“Geron, I’m terribly sorry… if you have some leftover food at home, could you please lend a bit to us? I will certainly, certainly repay you!”

Farmer Geron had reluctantly approached his next-door neighbor after much hesitation. However, his dear friend and neighbor Lethe did not welcome him warmly.

“Ah! Man! Do you think I have any surplus?”

“Yet your household has fewer mouths to feed than ours! As for my own home, we don’t even have food for tomorrow!”

“We can barely survive a few more weeks ourselves, let alone until the harvest season……, I’m sorry!”

Slam.

With a pallid face much like Geron’s, Lethe closed the door with firm resolve.

Geron, left with no choice, collapsed where he stood.

The fact that they had no food for tomorrow was not an exaggeration.

Having stretched their meals to one porridge a day over the past few weeks, their vision became blurred with hunger.

‘Must I really resort to approaching our lord?’

The recent decree noted something about borrowing food.

At first, some residents celebrated thoughtlessly, but they soon realized the weight of the five-tenths interest. It meant trading their current hunger for a guaranteed hell in the future.

But.

‘If not, my family will starve now.’

Stand up. Go to our lord.

Even if it means enduring for the moment.

Yet, knowing that such a decision would plunge him deeper into despair, his legs refused to lift.

That was when.

“Ge, Geron!! Did you hear the news!?”

From a distance, another neighbor, Soren, came running, shouting.

Knowing him to have been hungry since yesterday, Geron was shocked by his neighbor’s sudden burst of energy.

‘Where did he get that strength?’

Inevitably, such questions arose.

“The royal officials are distributing food!! They are lending it without charge, only asking for the same amount in return after the harvest!!”

“What!?”

Geron was momentarily so astonished that he appeared dazed.

Bang!