The second day of inspections got off to a bit of a late start since there were many business owners watching the executions and lingered around for a short while, but after a bit, we were able to actually start. Going around to the various places in the noble district, Aurelia pretty much did the same thing she did the previous day, asking basic questions in regards to employes and other business related questions.
The big change from yesterday in the inspections of the nobles who have permanent residency here. Naturally, once the Marullinus family is brought up in conversation, we couldn't hide what we did from Aurelia, but she didn't seem to mind as she claimed to dislike them anyway and that they had already sided with her Uncle.
The Marullinus family isn't the only noble family that lives in Ugernum, although they are the most important of the nobles living here, they aren't the only ones. If that was the case then this day of inspections would be over real quick. Although they are mostly either Marullinus branch families or small lesser nobles.
And while I was expecting something special from visiting the estates of the nobles, most of what we did was the same as we had been doing since yesterday. While the questions that Aurelia was asking were worded differently from what she had been asking previously, the core essence of what was being asked was the same. General financial reports, how well they pay the servants, just more of the same that's been asked already. Although I guess there were a couple of different questions, they were mostly about how the younger generation was doing, like how their education is going, if they are going the path of the pen or sword.
But it wasn't all boring, with this morning's display, every single noble family we visited was visibly shaken when facing the three of us. Some more so than others, those being the ones who have some kind of tie to Aurelia's Uncle. They looked like they were gonna collapse at the slightest movement we made. Getting all nervous the moment Aurelia asked the simplest of questions. Definitely the highlight of today's inspections, not including the execution of course.
Having finished earlier than expected, especially with our late start, we ride back to the shabby little inn. As we leave the noble district, Aurelia says, "that went better than I thought it would. Maybe I should actively hunt traitors in every city I visit."
"You probably shouldn't, do something like this too much and your actions might be twisted against you, spreading a rumour that your killing innocents or something like that. You have a good a reputation with the lower class and merchants, best not to ruin that," Lia says.
"Mhm, I know. Do not worry, it was just a passing thought," Aurelia says.
"Those are what I worry about the most," Lia says turning her head towards me, "Cory, unfortunately, tends to act on those passing thought a little too often."
"I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that. Anyway, I've been wondering for a while and it gets tedious to refer to him as your Uncle all the time, but what is his actual position?"
"Oh, I never mentioned it, did I. Other than his position as the former second prince, his official title is Magnus Dux, it's one of the titular titles that have no land associated with it but is ranked just above Archidux. It's usually only given member of the Imperial family who are out of the direct line of succession. He was previously the one in charge of the military, but I have taken back that position... nominally, in the end, nothing really changed on that part."
"Hmm, as long as you have the official title I think this whole situation can still be worked out without much issue."
"Yeah, I some ideas myself, but I'm still working out the details. Changing the topic, tomorrow is the inspection for the city's government facilities, Ugernum doesn't have much but they have what you want, the factories you wish to visit. Any particular weapon you want to see?"
"We already got our hands on a handgun, specifically a revolver, so anything other than that would be fine. Although I'm personally more interested in the blueprints for them."
"The guns are easy for me to get for you, but the blueprints might be a little harder to get my hands on since the R&D for them is a military department under my Uncle's control."
"That's fine, I wasn't expecting to get them anyways. Even without them, the Dwarves will probably do a good job at dissecting the guns."
"A shame that we don't have any Dwarves in the Empire, maybe I should look towards expanding our borders again, towards a Dwarven settlement this time," Aurelia says.
Not saying anything, Lia just gives her a strange look, as Aurelia asks, "what's that look for? It's not like I intend to send the army out towards Talonia, that too far away. There are a few Drarven settlements near some of the oversee's territory we have, it's not unusual for the Empire to expand like this."
"Let's just move back to the previous topic, other than the handgun I already have, what is being made here in Ugernum?" Lia asks.
"Other than the revolver... if I recall correctly, in Ugernum the main focus in towards guns that require both hands to use, they're called rifles. They have more range and can support larger rounds. There is also a prototype for a new type that's meant for super long range, but from what I've heard, there is still quite a few problems with it. However, unlike the others, a copy of this one's blueprint is currently here in the factory it's being produced in."
"Let's head to that place as our first stop tomorrow! Actaully, can we go right now!?" I say, shoving my face right infont of Aurelia.
With a slightly red face, Aurelia says, "no need to rush, why don't we just take it slow," eyeing Lia she continues, "no need to rush a the moment."
With a furrowed brow, Lia drags me away from Aurelia, saying," she isn't entirely wrong as the is no need to rush over this very moment. Our objective isn't going to just run off.
"Fine, let's just eat and get the day over with."