I should have gone when you said you’d send me episode 98. (2)
When the group arrived at Fenris Castle, they were met with a gruesome sight.
The appearance of people who are no different from beggars.
Their eyes looked just like those of a dead fish, as if they had given up hope in life.
Giselle frowned.
“It’s worse than I thought.”
I had expected it to be like this after seeing the state of the village I passed by, but I never thought it would be like this all the way to Yeongju Castle.
This meant that even the potential of the spirit world had been completely stripped away.
The soldiers guarding the castle were no different.
The equipment is worn out and there is not a shred of motivation.
‘A beggar who doesn’t even have the strength to rebel.’
Even a rebellion is something that can only be attempted if one has some strength and will left.
People who were just waiting to die didn’t seem to have the will to rebel.
Even though they had heard the news that a new lord was coming, their eyes were filled with despair.
Because I have lived for so long being exploited, I do not trust anyone who becomes the lord.
Ferdium was poor too, but at least the people weren’t this frustrated.
The other party members also clicked their tongues and shook their heads.
No matter how much the former lord exploited it, it was not a place for people to live.
The Fenris Territory has no useful resources or special products. It is not good land for farming.
In order for the lord to live in abundance, he had no choice but to continue squeezing the people of the lordship.
‘If someone other than our lord had become the lord, he would have just dried up and died.’
Belinda clicked her tongue.
Thanks to the arrival of Giselle, who had the rune stone in her hand, there was some hope.
The most important thing for feeding the people and developing the territory is money.
Claude also realized that fact and pulled himself together.
‘It will take a long time to develop the territory. It’s fortunate that the lord has a lot of money. It won’t be difficult to hold out.’
Claude took a close look at the information he had so far acquired.
‘It’s worth a try. It’s worth the challenge.’
He thought that since it had come to this, it was a chance to show his abilities… … .
If I had known Jiselle’s true feelings, I would have risked my life and run away, regardless of whether it was grace or not.
Claude still had no idea how big Giselle’s goal was or how quickly she wanted to achieve it.
The fact that the Duke of Delphine is Giselle’s enemy.
It was a fact that he had deliberately kept hidden even from his closest associates, Belinda and Gillian.
Of course, I had no intention of telling everything to Claude, whom I had only just met.
The biggest reason was that there was no need to cause unnecessary confusion by bringing up stories without evidence.
It would have been more convincing to say that he had an ambition to overthrow the Duke of Delphine.
‘Not yet.’
Giselle looked at Claude’s pensive face, then quickly turned her head away.
Anyway, the Duke will reveal himself someday.
The truth can be revealed when it comes.
* * *
As soon as Giselle entered the castle, he immediately summoned all the officials.
Although their number was small, they were the ones who maintained a minimal level of administrative power to prevent the territory from being completely paralyzed.
The officials quickly lowered their heads as soon as they saw Jiselle.
“Your Majesty, I greet you. I didn’t know when you would arrive, so I didn’t prepare a welcoming party. If you could give me just a moment, I’ll be able to… … .”
It was customary to hold a grand banquet when a new lord took office.
The officials were afraid of being harmed by the nobles whose pride was hurt, so they bowed their heads first.
“Okay. I don’t intend to tire you out with that.”
The officials were taken aback by Giselle’s answer.
I couldn’t tell if he was being sincere or just being sarcastic out of anger.
He continued, clicking his tongue.
“I’ll say it now. For the time being, holding banquets in the castle is prohibited. I won’t stop private events, but I won’t tolerate any harm to the people of the castle.”
Giselle left the people watching and got straight into giving instructions.
The meaning was clearly conveyed.
I didn’t want to waste time explaining everything and making everyone understand.
The most urgent task was to stabilize the territory as quickly as possible.
“The state of the territory doesn’t look good, so I’ll have to normalize it first. It might feel a bit forced, but I hope you’ll follow along. Feel free to tell me any good ideas you have at any time.”
Everyone bowed their heads and followed the order.
Those who participated in the war have already been beheaded by Giselle.
The officials who knew that did not dare to talk back.
“All existing positions will be abolished and a new advisory committee will be formed.”
The people gathered there had tense, stiff faces.
How the positions were distributed would determine whether the power held until then could be maintained.
After taking a moment to observe people’s expressions, Giselle pointed to Claude and said.
“From now on, Claude here will assume the position of General-in-Chief and establish and implement policies. Consider this as my order and cooperate unconditionally. I also delegate the authority to appoint secretaries and other personnel necessary for administrative work to Claude.”
The officials were a little surprised when an unexpected person appeared, but they quickly accepted it. It was common practice to appoint close associates to important positions.
Claude also had an expression on his face as if it was obvious.
From the beginning, Jiselle had wanted to entrust him with the management of the estate.
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Considering the state of the territory, Claude should be given the position of governor so that he can proceed as he wishes.
Jiselle continued speaking.
“Claude is also the treasurer of the cashier’s office.”
At these words, several people were so surprised that they let out a noise without realizing it, and then quickly shut their mouths.
It was rare for one person to hold more than one senior position.
Claude was a little surprised, but soon came to understand.
‘Well, it would be faster and easier if I managed the money myself.’
I’d rather have more work than argue with the person in charge of financial management when I’m busy.
I was confident I could handle that much.
Since I can’t run away anyway, it would be nice to have more authority.
But Jiselle’s words were not over.
“Claude will also be in charge of the intelligence officer. He will also select and use the subordinate officials as he sees fit.”
Claude began to feel a bad feeling and his expression hardened.
A cold sweat began to form on his forehead.
‘Yeah, that’s right. Information is important. It’s better to know in advance and prepare than to rush to prepare after a war breaks out.’
But Giselle didn’t seem to have any intention of ending it yet.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its head, Claude… … .”
“I will leave the security of the territory to Claude. I will supplement the soldiers as the situation unfolds… .”
“Claude as an operations officer during the war… … .”
“In order to rapidly develop the territory, a special development department is established. Claude is appointed as its head… … .”
“The laws of the land are being reorganized. The Chief Justice is Claude… … .”
“The duties of material management and logistics officer are Claude’s… … .”
“I will create the upper echelon of the territory. The upper echelon will be Claude… … .”
As Jiselle continued speaking, the faces of those present turned pale.
Claude began to tremble.
Suddenly, I remembered what Giselle had said before leaving Austin.
– Don’t worry. There are many ways to get it.
Oh, those words were so damn sincere back then.
‘You’re saying you’re going to leave all the annoying stuff to me! How long do you plan on making me do it!’
In fact, just having one governor position is enough to manage the territory.
However, entrusting all kinds of positions means that you have to get directly involved in everything and make sure it gets done.
There are people like that. People who need to see definite results for anything to feel satisfied.
Unfortunately, this damn young lord seemed to belong to that group.
But it was too much of a hassle to do it all myself, so I dragged myself in and left it all to him!
If a person does something like that, he will die. That’s why the lord must have brought someone to pass the buck.
There is no way that I, who is physically weaker than the lord, can endure it.
Claude bowed with a serious expression.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with Anna. Please let me. I don’t think I’m suited to living here. The air doesn’t suit me, the water doesn’t suit me… … The work doesn’t suit me.”
Jiselle asked indifferently.
“You say your heart hurts when we’re together?”
“Time heals all that. I was just pretending to be cool. It hurts, that’s what youth is all about.”
It’s a little embarrassing to be talking in two directions, but I’d rather be out of luck for a little while than work myself to death.
But the opponent was not that easy.
“It’s too late. There’s only one way for you to leave now.”
“which……?”
Jiselle smiled kindly.
“Pay me back, and I’ll send it right away.”
“Ugh… … .”
Claude couldn’t answer and just clenched his fist.
I wasted years gambling for that guy’s money.
I barely escaped from the gambling house, but here again my life was mortgaged for money.
‘I can’t back out like this!’
Claude gritted his teeth.
Just when I was about to die, thinking that I might as well say something since I was going to die anyway, Belinda started to argue with me from behind.
“Your Majesty! Why are you giving me so many tasks?”
Claude turned to Belinda with shining eyes.
She was a mean woman who beat people up with words, but now I was very grateful.
“That guy is a gambler, a loser, a life-giver, an idiot, a runaway, and a pathetic guy who doesn’t understand women! He can’t even clean a toilet!”
‘No, not to that extent… … .’
I don’t know if it’s right to take sides.
Claude made a subtle expression, as if he was smiling or crying.
He took a quick look around.
Even the existing managers were suspicious of him. He was to the point where he had preconceived notions before even doing anything.
As Claude tried to stop Belinda, this time Gillian’s deep voice was heard.
“Your Majesty, this person’s abilities have not yet been proven. How about entrusting him with each task one by one?”
‘Yes, that’s how you should say it.’
As expected, their experience was different. Gillian was persuading Giselle while maintaining a proper line without belittling him.
But, Gillian added, it was scary to be reassured that the mood wasn’t bad.
“I am a gambler. It is a well-known fact that gambling ruins the mind. Perhaps I have even forgotten how to write.”
‘hey!’
Claude glared at Gillian with dark, dead eyes.
Gillian continued speaking without paying any attention.
“Even if it’s not to that extent, their body and mind won’t be able to keep up. They haven’t studied or worked in years. The more authority you give them, the more likely they are to abuse that power and gamble away.”
It was a more polite tone than Belinda’s, but it felt worse when she turned it around and attacked me seriously.
Claude looked around again in confusion.
Now everyone’s eyes were filled with complete suspicion.
Claude’s gaze, which had been wandering here and there, was fixed on one person.
A shaggy looking redhead stood there with his head tilted crookedly, glaring at him.
‘Your name is… Kaor, right?’
Kaor was in charge of security in the Fenris domain while Giselle was away in Austen.
Today was my first time meeting Claude.
But the look in Kaor’s eyes was too… … to be seen at first sight.
‘Why are you looking at me so defiantly?’
He glared at Claude without blinking, as if trying to seize the initiative.
Claude let out a hollow laugh when he saw that sight.
He lived a life of daily conflict with gangsters in the gambling house and was even involved in treason.
I’ve lived a life too eventful to be discouraged by just a single glance.
‘Eat this.’
Claude secretly raised his middle finger.
Then Kaor’s face distorted and he put his hand on the sword at his waist.
But I couldn’t move because I was trembling as if I was going to run away, but I was always looking at Jiselle.
‘Aren’t you going to take medicine? You won’t be able to move since you’re in front of the lord, right?’
Claude went even further and wiggled his thumb between his fingers.
“This kid!”
Eventually, Kaor couldn’t hold back his anger and drew his sword and ran out.
