Weinstein County
“So… you're saying that our family has become an County?”
“That's right. A messenger came from the Royal Castle two days ago.”
Carlos nodded in response to Rudell's question, who was diligently moving his knife and fork.
At the same time, Rudell felt a throbbing headache.
Of course, it wasn't as if he had no idea about this situation.
The incident at the Sabbath Festival.
It had been overlooked because the situation was so chaotic, but Rudell and Leje had saved the Princess, who was first in line to the throne, from an assassination attempt.
It was something that no one could object to, even if they were to receive a title and a Kingdom Medal of Honor, but…
‘I guess it means it's better not to make a fuss about it in the current situation…’
In the first place, the reason Jade and Cayley had decided to ask about the assassination was to avoid giving the Royalist and Noble factions a reason to fight.
As such, they couldn't have held an event like an award ceremony that would have attracted attention.
“Your ancestors would be proud of you.”
“I just did what I had to do…”
Rudell chuckled softly and put a piece of finely chopped steak into his mouth as he looked at Carlos, who was looking at him with a proud face.
“That's true, but what's this about the Dukedom deciding to invest in our territory?”
“To be honest, I was surprised by that as well. Our family is part of the Duke's faction, but we're not in an important position.”
“Hmm…”
Rudell let out a low groan at Carlos's response, who seemed just as clueless as he was.
-Well… maybe it's because he's my only friend, but you've never met face-to-face?
The only possibility he could think of in this situation was his and Leje's relationship.
Practically Leje's only friend.
But…
“Come to think of it, I wonder if it has something to do with your relationship with the Princess…”
“That's too much if that's all there is to it. This is…”
An investment that would change the entire territory.
Even for a Dukedom, it wouldn't have been an easy decision to make.
Carlos and Rudell frowned and began to ponder…
“Hehe…”
“Madam?”
“Mother?”
As Maria chuckled, both of them looked at her with puzzled expressions.
“Oh, my men are too much alike, it's a problem.”
“Madam, what do you mean all of a sudden…”
“Our son has finally returned, and there's been great news for the family. Are you just going to worry about it?”
“Hmm…”
Carlos let out a low groan at her words, then let out a short breath and relaxed his stiff expression.
“I think your mother is right. Let's think about that later. Let's celebrate your return today.”
“Yes, Father.”
As expected. This is the Weinstein Viscounty… no, County.
Rudell smiled faintly as he watched Carlos and Maria raise their glasses and shout in cheerful voices.
* * *
That evening.
“Wow… I can't even recognize it…”
Rudell couldn't help but say that as he walked through the completely transformed streets.
In the past, the County, which could be considered a slightly larger rural village, had now grown into a proper city.
The streets, which used to be deserted after sunset, were now bustling with people relying on the light of street lamps.
The shops were still open even though the sun had set, and people who seemed to be new residents of the town were sitting in the pubs, chatting in loud voices.
A scene that would have been unimaginable in the old County…
“There's a newly built plaza up ahead. If you go from there towards Mr. Fernum's general store, you'll find the newly built shopping district, and if you go the other way, you'll find the temple.”
“I would have been completely lost if you hadn't followed me…”
Rudell let out a low groan at Kyle's words as he followed behind him, guiding the way.
If he had come alone, he would have been hopelessly lost.
“You'll get used to it quickly, Young Master.”
“Well… that might be a little difficult…”
It would probably be difficult for a while.
With that thought, Rudell let out an awkward chuckle.
Just then…
“Oh my, who is this!? Isn't it the Young Master!!”
“Huh? Elder Barze!”
Rudell turned his head at the familiar voice coming from nearby, and what he saw was an elderly man.
Ordinary clothes that could be seen anywhere, gray hair, and a wrinkled face.
His extremely kind impression had hardly changed from what he had seen before he entered the academy.
His name was Barze.
In the past, before Rudell entered the academy, he had been the representative of the Village Chief's Council, a group of representatives from various villages in the Viscounty.
“It's been a while.”
“I heard you were back. Welcome back.”
Barze greeted Rudell with a kind smile, who spoke in a welcoming voice.
“By the way, what are you doing here so late at night?”
“I'm investigating the list of goods needed by other villages. The County has grown in size, so the amount of supplies needed has increased significantly.”
“I see…”
It was only natural.
Rudell nodded and replied to his words.
“You seem to have become very handsome since I last saw you. Haha.”
“Oh, come on~ It's only been half a year.”
“What are you talking about? I think you've grown quite a bit taller.”
“Really?”
Would anyone dislike being told they've grown taller?
Rudell chuckled softly with a faint smile on his lips.
“So, how's the investigation going?”
“It's almost done. I'm going to report to the Viscount… no, the Count early tomorrow morning.”
“Do you mind if I take a look?”
“Hmm? Are you already preparing to succeed the Count?”
“It's something I'll have to do someday.”
Rudell replied to Barze, who asked playfully, and received the documents he handed over.
“Hmm… Hmm…”
As he began to read the documents with a low groan…
‘As expected… It's not easy to conclude deals with merchants…’
Looking at the lists that filled the documents, Rudell couldn't help but think so.
It had been half a year since the Duke decided to invest in the Viscounty.
Of course, the Duke had arranged for merchants who dealt with the Dukedom, but even for large merchants, it would be unreasonable to bring all the necessary goods to this remote area within half a year.
In the first place, it was such an underdeveloped region that even with a little development, the amount of goods needed would increase tremendously.
“The Duke has arranged for merchants, but other than those, they are reluctant to come to this remote area, and even the arranged merchants are stalling and delaying delivery.”
“That means they're looking down on us.”
Even if they were merchants arranged by the Duke, they were still merchants in the end.
They were trying to raise the prices of the goods they delivered, assuming that the Viscounty wouldn't be able to complain to the Dukedom.
That was all he could think of at the moment.
“Tsk…”
Merchants are always like this when they're underestimated.
With that thought, Rudell clicked his tongue.
The County, which was only a Viscounty until recently.
It would surely seem ridiculous to merchants who had the financial power to buy out entire small territories.
‘There must be a good way…’
Rudell fell into thought.
There was the option of talking to Leje directly, but he wanted to save that for last.
He couldn't rely on her every time he needed something.
“Hmm…”
A way to get back at the merchants who were acting tough, and at the same time solve the Viscounty's lack of supplies…
‘I think I might have something…’
Rudell's expression gradually began to contort, and as Kyle and Barze watched with uneasy eyes, it happened.
“Wait a minute…”
A thought suddenly crossed Rudell's mind, and he quickly began to calculate in his head.
And after a few minutes.
“Elder Barze, can you leave this matter to me?”
“Huh? Are you saying, Young Master? What are you going to do…”
Barze's voice was filled with astonishment at Rudell's words, and looking at him, Rudell grinned and said,
“I have an idea.”
At the same time, Rudell looked towards the towering mountain range located to the west of the County.
He gazed at the mountain range called the Blade Ring Mountains.
Access 5 advance chapters with the 'Leje's Friend' Tier ($10).
Choose your tier by clicking the 'Support me' button!
Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel.
Join our discord server for the latest release updates and novel discussions.