Episode 205: ‘A Family-Like Territory’ (2)
family.
Those words that warm your heart just by hearing them.
No noble has ever recruited a talent with such words. To them, officials were just people who could be used and discarded at any time.
It was impossible to hear such words unless it was from someone who had sworn loyalty and been with you for a long time.
But the General of Fenris had already mentioned family before he could even begin his work. It was as if he was reaching out to me to be with me forever.
The students felt a surge of excitement at the thought that they could now become part of that ‘family-like estate.’
Malone also held back tears and held the contract tightly in his hand.
‘Mom, Dad! I finally got the chance to become the manager of the Great Estate! Now the hardships are over! The pay is also huge, so I’ll treat you well!’
Of course, this isn’t something that can be decided right away.
I needed time to discuss it with my family and gather my thoughts.
Claude continued, still smiling softly.
“Once you’ve made your decision, come see me. I’ll be staying at Seiron Academy for the time being. If you have family living in distant places, just let me know and I’ll send soldiers to safely bring them to their territory.”
The students smiled brightly.
Those who lived nearby had no difficulty moving with their families. However, those whose families were far away had difficulty moving to another kingdom with their families.
But the thing is, they sent soldiers to take care of everything safely. As expected, it was a territory with great welfare.
Malone, who had been wondering how to convince his parents to allow him to move, put aside his last worries.
‘Wow, this place is really incomparable to other places in terms of treatment. Hurry up and go home… … . Huh? What is this?’
Malone noticed some very small writing in the corner of the contract.
“The period of time… … 20 years?”
At Malone’s muttering, the other students also looked for the phrase.
“Why do you insist on specifying this?”
“Isn’t it natural to stay until retirement?”
It is usually difficult to manage, but the retirement date can be freely determined.
The only cases where people force themselves to continue working even when they don’t want to are when they are afraid of their employer and cannot say that they quit, or when they find it difficult to refuse a request to continue working.
Anyway, if you betray or act as a spy, your head will be cut off. It was rare for a merchant to specify a period like this.
Claude said, sweating profusely.
“Ahaha, that means we’ll definitely guarantee your employment for that period of time. Since we’re going to be family in the future, we’ll take full responsibility for it.”
The students, including Malone, immediately nodded in agreement. They felt like family, as they were given stable responsibility.
Not being able to travel anywhere else might be a downside, but in these times, that’s not something to consider.
As the mood completely changed, Claude whispered to Wendy.
“How was it? Was it okay?”
“… … .”
We are currently short on manpower and the territory is struggling, so we must not stop Claude’s advances.
But no matter how much it was for the sake of the spirit, being around a bad guy made me feel like I was becoming worse along with him.
In the end, Wendy decided to remain silent.
‘It’ll be okay, since I’m not just going to use you like that.’
Giselle’s principle was to compensate workers sufficiently, if not excessively. That’s why the officials of the Fenris Estate received several times more than those of other estates.
The problem was that I had to receive it even if I didn’t want to.
‘Anyway, those people have no other choice but to go to our territory.’
If they don’t come to Fenris Estate, most of the students won’t be able to find proper jobs.
Rather than starve to death like that, it would be better to come to Fenris even if the work is a bit difficult.
‘It fits so well, it’s amazing.’
If it weren’t for these times, it would have been difficult to hire this many people even using Claude’s connections.
I once again had the thought that whatever the Lord does is always done with exquisite timing.
* * *
A few days after the explanation about recruiting talent was finished, Malone, who lived nearby, was the first to come to Claude.
“My whole family has decided to move too. Please take care of me, General.”
“Oh, I thought about it well. By the way, what do your parents do?”
“Yes! My father works as a carpenter and my mother works as a dye maker!”
At Malone’s answer, Claude turned his head away and bit his lip.
You hired a new manager, but he brought two technicians with him?
Claude said, holding back his laughter and controlling his facial expression.
“Don’t worry, I’ll send soldiers to help you move. And unlike here, there’s plenty of work, so if your parents are willing to work, they’ll be able to make a lot of money.”
“thank you!”
Over the next few days, numerous students came to visit.
Most of the students decided to follow Claude. Because of the drought, it was difficult for everyone to make a living, and opportunities to work in the estate were rare.
In any case, even if they remained here, only a very small number of talented people would receive good treatment.
“I will work hard! My family has decided to go with me!”
“My family decided to stay. Are you really going to pay me that much? I have to send money home every month.”
Claude greeted them with a bright smile and hugged each and every one of them as they came.
“Don’t worry at all. The estate will take care of everything. You don’t have to worry about the livelihood of your family left here either.”
This time it’s not a lie.
Because those who manage Fenris receive several times more compensation than others.
In addition, the estate will take responsibility for everything from the livelihood of the remaining family members to those who wish to relocate.
Instead, they will all have to be buried in the Fenris domain.
‘I’m sorry, juniors. I have no choice but to survive. Let’s really stay together as a family for a long time. Just give me a lot of money. Okay?’
Claude’s eyes were slightly filled with tears as he hugged the students.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
* * *
Claude was really busy.
This is because I had to meet not only the students, but also the seniors and close friends who were the teacher’s disciples.
It’s just too inefficient for him to go around and find each person individually.
“Find the people on the list as quickly as possible and bring them here. If you give them food, they will come even if they don’t want to. If they say no, bring them here by force!”
The soldiers moved quickly as Claude, who was becoming more and more like Giselle, nagged.
Those who returned home were sent food along with a long letter, but those who were relatively close by could easily meet them using food as collateral.
Most of them were implicated in the Master’s rebellion, lost their positions, or were treated poorly.
Some people looked at Claude with longing eyes, some with joy, and some with a mixture of envy and wonder.
Claude convinced them to come with him every time they came.
“There’s no hope for me even if I stay here anyway.”
“That’s true, but… … It’s a bit… … to suddenly leave my hometown.”
“Then you’re going to starve to death here? No one will hire you? What can you do here now?”
“Ugh… … .”
Leaving one’s hometown is not easy. But those who have already been abandoned have no other choice.
The seniors and friends decided to go to Fenris, pretending not to be able to resist Claude’s persuasion.
Because even if I survive here, I will end up living like a beggar.
Billy, one of the friends, asked Claude on behalf of the group of friends present.
“I appreciate that you have become so successful and have given us a place to live… … but why did you come to us and not the Lutanians?”
Claude answered with a pretended sad expression.
“Even if it wasn’t my fault, it’s true that I was the one who started the incident. Thinking about how you guys have been having a hard time, I’ve been feeling really bad.”
Billy and his friends looked slightly suspicious.
“You… … aren’t that kind of guy?”
‘This kid?’
Perhaps because they were people I had known for a long time, they were not easily fooled. However, Claude continued speaking while controlling his expression.
“I’m not the same as before. I’ve really gritted my teeth and worked hard. I really wanted to give up… … . No, anyway, I’ve become the general of the Great Territory now. All of that… … Can you believe me if it’s for you?”
Billy covered his mouth with his hand the moment he finished and spoke with trembling eyes.
“You… … why are you like that… … .”
The Claude he knew wasn’t that kind of person. He only had good grades, but he was usually just a jerk.
But I never thought I would harbor such deep friendship and guilt about the past in my heart.
Claude looked at Billy warmly and said.
“We… … are friends.”
“Claude!”
Billy couldn’t hold back his emotions and hugged Claude. Claude also hugged Billy tightly with tears in his eyes.
“I’m sorry… … I’m really sorry… … .”
“Don’t be sorry, you little shit! It wasn’t your fault! It’s okay! We’re okay!”
The other friends who were watching from the side also hugged the two with reddened eyes. Everyone gathered together, regardless of gender.
“Don’t cry, Claude! You did nothing wrong!”
“Where is it that they don’t forget us and take care of us even now!”
“Never be sorry!”
Claude thought to himself at his friends’ overreaction.
‘No, that’s not what I’m sorry about… … I’m sorry for taking you to our territory… … .’
After a heated confession of friendship, Billy, feeling slightly embarrassed, coughed and asked.
“Ahem, but about the contract… … The pay is really good, and everything from family livelihood to residence is good, but why is it 30 years for us? I heard it’s 20 years for the juniors?”
“That’s right… … I want you to work comfortably and steadily for a long time. Now, don’t worry about making a living and just show off your abilities.”
‘The more you learn, the more you have to roll. Just die there with me. Unleash your abilities until you die.’
“Claude, you… … .”
Billy looked at Claude again with trembling eyes. Claude spoke again with warm eyes.
“We… … are friends.”
“Claude!”
The warm embrace began again, and Wendy, who was watching from the side, let out a deep sigh and looked up at the ceiling.
Claude stayed at the academy for two months and caught many talented people. It was a very successful journey.
It was certain that some of those who were too far away to meet and had only sent letters would come to visit.
“Now, let’s go to Fenris Estate!”
Claude was followed by a large crowd of people. Not only his friends and students, but also their families were moving along with him.
There was no great friction in the migration because they bribed the surrounding lords and nobles with food.
Those who are unable to migrate this time will receive additional troops from Fenris to assist.
Before leaving, Claude stared at the main gate of the Academy for a long time.
‘Anna, how are you?’
I couldn’t meet Anna. She was currently on assignment at another academy on a project related to compiling a history book.
I left a lot of money and food through the dean, so you’ll be surprised when you return.
‘… … .’
Claude turned around with a feeling of regret, but also a little relief.
* * *
And finally the great procession entered the borders of Fenris.
Everyone seemed healthy, just a little tired. There were a lot of people, so the pace was a little slow, but there were no major problems during the trip.
Jiselle greeted the arrivals with a bright smile.
“Claude really caught a lot… … No, everyone is welcome. I am the lord of this place, Baron Fenris. I consider you my family and will always treat you with the best treatment!”
“Wow!”
People were excited by those words. Giselle spoke even more passionately while she was at it.
“From now on, never forget that we are family and one body! Whether we live or die, we will live together and die together!”
The people were truly moved. They had never heard of a nobleman saying such things to ordinary people, not even by hearsay.
When he came all the way to Yeongju and assured me that ‘Yeongji is like family,’ it felt like all the worries I had felt when coming to an unfamiliar place disappeared.
I was touched because I didn’t know that he really meant it when he said let’s die together.
Anyway, as promised, Giselle treated them well. She gave them houses and lands, and even gave them a generous down payment.
“I can’t believe I’m being treated like this! It’s like a dream!”
“You did well to come! This is the land of opportunity!”
“Your Majesty, you seem like a really nice person! You give off a completely different vibe from the other nobles!”
People felt like they were floating on clouds every day.
I was concerned that it was a bit more outdated than I had expected, but seeing construction going on here and there made me feel relieved and thought that it would develop quickly.
Rather, the families who followed the scholars were more likely to enjoy it because they had more work to do.
I couldn’t help but be satisfied, as my life was so affluent that it couldn’t even be compared to that of the Kingdom of Seiron.
The newly recruited officials took up key posts throughout the territory and began to take charge of important administrative tasks.
Billy, Claude’s friend, initially took the pile of work lightly.
“It seems like there’s a lot of work to do… … but I’ll figure it out somehow. You punk, if you had this much work to do, you should’ve asked me for help a long time ago.”
Malone and other graduates were also motivated.
“I must repay your grace! I will become an official worthy of this treatment!”
It was a forced march, working as a professor at Penrith Academy during the day and handling administrative work in the evening.
Naturally, they came to hold quite a lot of power in the territory.
At first, I was full of motivation because I had a lot of money and power, so I somehow managed to hold on.
But that wasn’t all they had to do.
Billy, who was managing a fairly large area, felt something strange as he proceeded with his work.
“What, what is this? Is this the spirit world?”
The more I dug into it, the more I realized that it wasn’t a normal territory. The Fenris territory was being run in a seriously deformed and bizarre manner.
“This, this crazy… … .”
Billy’s face became filled with thought as he watched the documents pile up in real time.
