The lord couldn't help but feel displeased by the overseer's words.
'He was a commoner, after all...'
Since ancient times, it was almost customary for the position of a baron to be handed down to the Lyon Guild Master.
The problem was that the other party was not from a noble family, but merely a commoner.
"Would they suddenly bestow the title of a baron upon a commoner?"
The lord shook his head.
This was not because he disliked Rockefeller, but because the nobles had always thought so.
'I don't really like this idea.'
The sudden rise in status of a commoner.
This was what the nobles were most reluctant about.
"I'm not sure. Of course, the position of the Guild Master is not low."
The overseer also seemed to agree with that statement.
It was truly exceptional for a commoner to suddenly become a baron.
"Maybe so."
Nevertheless, the overseer was confident.
The Guild Master had traditionally received the title of baron, and he thought that nothing would change even if a commoner took that position.
"If the position of the Lyon Guild is low, it may not be impossible as you say, my lord. But the impoverished royal family cannot ignore the leader of a guild alliance either."
The overseer continued.
"Most of the moneylenders are of commoner origin. There are no nobles here. Yet, they appointed their leader as a baron because it had its own significance. So, my opinion is a bit different from yours, my lord."
The overseer's words made sense, and the lord nodded in agreement.
Although they were just a group of moneylenders, their power couldn't be ignored if they controlled the empire's gold coins.
"You're right. It's not an easy position, after all. So, the royal family can't ignore it either."
The lord then thought to himself.
What kind of trick did that cunning child use to get that position?
'I'm sure he pulled some kind of scheme, like how he dragged me down. I'm not exactly sure what he did, though.'
The overseer then unexpectedly congratulated the lord.
"Congratulations, by the way."
The lord expressed his doubt at the sudden congratulations.
"What are you talking about?"
"Isn't it true that you have now established a connection with a baron's family?"
The lord was a viscount.
Just slightly higher than a knight.
Originally, Lord Chester's goal was to marry his daughter to a higher-ranked family.
But now, without intending to, he had achieved that goal, which is why the overseer congratulated him.
"..."
The lord remained silent as the overseer continued.
"Wasn't it your lifelong wish to marry your daughter to a family higher than yours?"
"..."
"I'm congratulating you because you've achieved that, albeit unintentionally."
The lord, seated at his desk, blinked his eyes.
The overseer's words were not wrong, but the lord's feelings were mixed.
Perhaps it was because he couldn't believe that Rockefeller and his family had suddenly become a baron's family.
'Is that... how it's going to be?'
Still, he didn't feel great about it.
"You don't seem too happy?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your expression says so."
"No, it's not because of that. I've just had a lot on my mind lately."
The overseer knew the lord's half-hearted feelings, but ignored it as it wasn't necessary to pay attention to.
Then, the overseer remembered something else and called the lord.
"My lord, there's something unusual going on lately."
The lord expressed his doubt as another story was about to unfold.
"Unusual?"
"Yes, you remember when we went to survey the territory that had turned into a mess?"
After the great change, Montefeltro's territory began to show different appearances than before.
The changed landscape was one thing, but there was something even more surprising.
"Don't tell me you're talking about the gold ores that have been continuously discovered recently?"
"Yes, my lord, don't you find it strange too?"
The overseer took out a shiny stone from his pocket.
It was another gold ore discovered this time.
"I've been thinking about this... I'm suspicious that..."
The lord could roughly guess what the overseer was about to say.
"Are you saying there's a gold vein here?"
"Yes, didn't you think so, my lord?"
"Well, it's possible. It's said that dwarves used to mine gold here in the past."
However, there was nothing good for the lord if a gold vein was discovered in his territory, which had already transferred its rights.
What would be good about such a thing happening while he was receiving a salary and working as a lord?
The only place that would be happy about it was the one that had taken over the rights to the territory.
The Rothsmedici family.
No, it was now the only place that had become a noble family.
"But even if it's there, it won't benefit me. And it won't benefit you either. It'll just be a nuisance."
The lord's words were negative, but the overseer disagreed.
"That's not true. Why would it be bad for us? If the territory becomes wealthy due to the gold vein, our position, who are in charge of the territory, will naturally rise as well."
Depending on the importance of the territory, the owner of the territory could become a baron or even receive a higher title.
"Do you think I would be happy if a gold vein was found here when I'm already crippled?"
"You could receive the title of an earl. Aren't you the nominal owner of this territory?"
"..."
"Nothing bad would come from the discovery of a gold vein. On the contrary, it would be a good thing."
Still, the lord seemed reluctant.
"You don't seem to know. A land full of gold is too much for a lord like me to handle."
The lord continued.
"Such land must be managed by someone powerful to be safe. Otherwise, it would naturally be taken away by others."
A gold vein in the territory?
If it was a small amount of gold, it would naturally be a good thing, but if it exceeded that, it could become a disaster rather than a blessing.
"Do you know about Blood Gold?"
Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi. Access 5 advance chapters with the Imperial Dalants Tier ($10) or 10 advance chapters with Dwarven Sovereigns Tier ($18). For every $15 collected on Ko-fi, I will release an extra chapter. Choose your tier by clicking the 'Support me' button! Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Happy reading!
Huh isn't Chester an Earl?? I think I saw it on prev chap long ago... Also if the noble rank refering European... Shouldn't Viscount>Baron??? Translation error?
ReplyDeleteProbably translation error, it is edited mtl after all so all the rank and what not will be mixed.
DeleteI don't remember they calling him Earl... ever. BUT, yes, viscount is higher than baron. The title ranks are a huge mess in this series. Either author error or translation error no one bothered to fix.
DeleteHe's probably a Baronet.
ReplyDelete