Chapter 144. That Ca On a Bit Strong (5)
The Schneider fiefdom, where Patrick Schneider was absent.
Even without Patrick, the seeds he had sown were growing vigorously.
The regular inflow of external goods through the Red rchant Guild.
The cooperation with the soldiers and the Red Rock Tribe to fend off the monsters erging from the Great Forest.
Among them, the cooperation with the Orcs was a truly important matter.
Due to the nature of the fiefdom, strong power was essential for survival.
And today, too, valiant warriors were tempering themselves, sweating profusely in the fiefdom’s training grounds.
“Uwoooooooh!”
“Dieeeee!”
The stone sword of a green, muscular Orc swung as if to crush its opponent.
The soldier facing him countered by swinging two swords like a madman.
Clang!
Claaang!
Clang clang clang!
The way both of them clashed, with aura enveloping their weapons, was not ordinary.
The two, who had been fighting as if to kill each other, exchanged a powerful attack and then separated.
And as the distance grew, the soldier sheathed his twin swords and said.
“You’ve improved quite a bit, you bastard Tutan.”
“You too are quite sothing, Soldier A. At first, you were just a punching bag.”
“When was that! And I told you my na is Oliver!”
“Don’t lie. The big brother said your na is Soldier A. Everyone else called you that too.”
“That’s…”
“I heard your mom calling you that too.”
“…Die! You green-green bastard!”
“Die! You human with a weird na!”
Kwaaaang!
The two clashed violently again.
Watching the two fight as if to demolish the training grounds, a soldier spoke to the person in charge.
“Captain Sanson, is it alright to leave them like that?”
“Training should be like a real battle.”
Sanson, who had beco a knight, nodded as he watched the fierce sparring between Oliver and Tutan.
Those two, perhaps because their personalities didn’t match, would fight to the bitter end once they started.
To others, it might seem like they were going too far, but the effect was certain.
As a result of the violent sparring that was reminiscent of a real battle, the skills of both were improving day by day.
A faint smile ford on Sanson’s lips as he watched.
‘We must beco stronger to protect the fiefdom while the Young Master is away.’
Sanson felt a sense of responsibility.
Right now, at this very mont, Patrick was at the Academy in the capital, sweating hard and devoting himself to training…
‘…He’s probably not doing that.’
Right.
That was unlikely.
But, anyway, whatever the case may be, the soldiers had to be trained strictly.
In this training ground right now were not only the soldiers of the Schneider fiefdom but also the Orcs of the Red Rock Tribe.
They too were neighbors who shared a life in the fiefdom and comrades who shed blood and fought together, so they were together.
In fact, the effect was good.
A sense of rivalry was born between them, and in the process of rolling around together, covered in sweat and blood, a sense of camaraderie was also born.
At first, Sanson had asked for the Red Rock Tribe’s cooperation simply to push the soldiers to their limits in Patrick’s absence, but…
‘If the result is good, then all is good.’
He smiled faintly and said.
“Break’s over. Today, we’ll start the group mock battle. The condition is set to 1 versus 10. 10 sets of 10 minutes each. Start the rotation!”
At that, the expressions of both the humans and the Orcs crumpled at once.
Rotation.
It was a training thod created by Sanson, who had been entrusted with the training by Patrick.
What it ant was to endure being ganged up on 10 against 1.
The soldiers cried out at the command to do that for 10 sets of 10 minutes each.
“Captain, are you crazy?”
“Grandfather was right. Humans are evil.”
“Captain, you can go to the capital too!”
“This is Orc abuse!”
Despite voicing all sorts of complaints, the soldiers and Orcs ford teams and created formations together.
“Let’s decide the order first.”
“Aigoo, here we go again, dying.”
“I want to go back to the forest.”
Thus the training began, and the sounds of soldiers and Orcs screaming echoed.
In the midst of it, a man in a butler’s uniform approached Sanson and spoke.
“Sir Kainel.”
“Chandler? We’re in the middle of training, what is it?”
Chandler, the apprentice butler of the barony, greeted politely and said.
“The Baron is looking for you.”
“Hmm, do you know what it’s about?”
“He said a guest will be arriving from the capital soon. They will probably bring news of the Young Master.”
“I understand. I will go now.”
Sanson, who would not normally leave his post during training, couldn't help it this ti.
Sanson smiled naturally and said.
“I wonder what kind of news we’ll hear this ti.”
* * *
“I wonder what kind of news we’ll hear this ti.”
The sa words.
But a different atmosphere.
Baron Schneider, his stomach churning just at the thought, gently rubbed his belly and muttered.
Lawrence, as if accustod to it, brought him water and stomach dicine and said.
“My lord, are you alright?”
“Would you be alright if you were ?”
“Hohoho. I would be fine. It’s not my son’s matter, after all.”
“What a heartless friend you are.”
At the betrayal of his lifelong loyal servant, Baron Schneider sighed and took the dicine.
It was good at first.
In fact, he thought he would be a little gloomy after his son left for the Academy, but…
It wasn’t like that at all.
“Ah, so this was peace.”
The Baron realized anew.
Most of the nurous incidents and accidents that had occurred in the fiefdom so far had been caused by his son.
Of course, most of them produced good results, but the stress that felt like his insides were lting in the process was sothing that only those who had experienced it would know.
With such a son gone to study at the Academy, peace ca to Baron Schneider’s daily life.
The strengthened soldiers and the Red Rock Orcs took care of the monsters around the fiefdom.
On top of that, the fiefdom’s budget also beca very abundant.
The reward money from Count Parmas and the 2,000 gold to be paid in 10 yearly installnts from the Viscount Landes family.
Never since ascending to the title of Baron had he managed the fiefdom with such a rich budget.
The Baron proceeded with the fiefdom projects that he had conceived in his head but had given up on because he didn't dare to.
He did his best to increase the yield of the fiefdom’s residents by reclaiming farmland and building waterways.
In addition, the Red rchant Guild dispatched rchants regularly once a month, allowing the fiefdom’s residents to purchase daily necessities and farming tools at low prices.
The securing of safety and economic developnt.
The Schneider fiefdom was now developing as if it had reached its peak.
Everything was good.
That is, until the news of his son arrived from the capital.
* * *
“Baron. The Young Master has apparently beaten up the two sons of the Marquis Panola family at the Academy.”
“Pa… Marquis Panola family?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“The… the condition? Was it just a light scuffle? It was just a light scuffle, right?”
“The Marquis' son is said to have quit the Academy due to the shock and has beco a shut-in.”
“Urk… ughhh….”
At the news that he had beaten the two sons of the captain of the royal palace’s royal guard knights to the point of being unable to recover, the Baron grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed.
He had thought he wouldn’t stay quiet, but he had never imagined he would cause such a huge incident.
But this was only the beginning.
* * *
“Baron. A person from the Elbador rchant Guild has arrived with a letter from the Young Master.”
“The Elbador rchant Guild? Why are they coming to us?”
“I am not sure of the reason, but they have brought a letter from the Young Master.”
“Give it to .”
When the Baron hastily opened the letter, it said…
-To my father, who must be losing sleep at night worrying about his son…
He choked up.
He almost tore the letter.
Barely composing himself, Baron Schneider continued to read the letter well.
-This son is doing well. Living in the capital is not as bad as I thought.
It’s a good neighborhood for drinking.
And due to so circumstances, I beca friends with the son of the Elbador rchant Guild.
So we will be selling the fiefdom’s specialty products through the Elbador rchant Guild.
As for what we’re selling…?
Well, you can just proceed with it.
It’s better for you not to know, Father.-
This child of mine…
-Regarding the products, I have asked Mother for sothing, so she will know what to do if you relay my words.
That is all for now.
From the world’s most filial son, Patrick Schneider-
He almost tore it up again at the very end.
Anyway, the Baron hurriedly prepared to receive the guest.
He would have to hear the details of the business when they ca, but for a person from a huge rchant guild like the Elbador rchant Guild to visit a rural fiefdom like this?
To at least avoid being laughed at, he had to be fully prepared to receive them.
And a few days later.
The person who appeared before Baron Schneider was…
“It is a pleasure to et you, Baron. I am Aron of the Elbador rchant Guild.”
“A… A… Aron?”
The head of the Elbador rchant Guild himself had appeared.
Baron Schneider, who had thought soone from middle managent would co, couldn't close his gaping mouth.
Who would have expected the head of the kingdom’s top rchant guild to appear in a small rural fiefdom at the edge of the East?
Aron spoke to Baron Schneider.
“My son is greatly indebted to Sir Patrick. To express my gratitude, I have brought a small gift.”
“No, what is this…”
“Bring it out.”
And at Aron’s command, the rchant guild’s employees took out the gifts from the carriage behind them.
No, they began to take them out.
Wine brewed by Elves.
Dwarven works of art.
Pearls made from the tears of a siren.
The latest magical tools made in the Tower of Truth.
Rare ancient books from the Holy Theocracy.
Dresses from the Venator Empire.
No matter how many they took out, the barrage of gifts seed endless, and Baron Schneider’s jaw dropped.
And Aron said with a smile.
“I didn’t know what you would like, so I brought everything that seed decent. Please accept them.”
-I didn’t know what you would like, so I brought everything-
As expected, the richest man in the kingdom was different in every way.
* * *
rchant Guild Master Aron stayed in the fiefdom for three days and built a friendship with Baron and Baroness Schneider.
The conversation was mostly about their children, and as expected, there was no easier topic to get close with.
And once they beca friendly, they started talking about business in earnest.
Regarding business, Ava and Aron mainly led the conversation, and whenever Baron Schneider tried to join in…
“Honey, please leave this to . I can do it.”
Ava gently pushed her husband away with a soft smile.
A wife pushing her husband away to talk about business.
Aron was greatly surprised by this.
‘Oh, this is troubleso…’
He thought Baron Schneider would be greatly angered.
In a normal noble family, no, even among commoners, if a wife pushed her husband aside and tried to handle outside matters, the husband would get angry, thinking she was disrespecting him.
But…
“Hmm, if you say so, then I will.”
Baron Schneider, who had the attributes of a pushover
a doting husband, simply smiled and stepped back obediently.
Aron was rather taken aback by the Baron’s appearance.
‘Now that I see it, the father wasn’t normal either.’
For several days, conversations took place without Baron Schneider.
After his wife showed him so kind of sample, said she would show him the production facility, and led him sowhere, the two discussed the detailed conditions and wrote up a contract.
The only thing Baron Schneider did was to stamp his seal on that contract.
What a pushover…
Anyway, as a result.
Two things happened in his fiefdom.
One was…
“Madam, would you by any chance be interested in taking the position of branch manager of our rchant guild?”
Aron had made such a proposal to Ava.
Ava politely refused with a gentle smile, and Aron said that the door of opportunity was always open, so she should contact him if she changed her mind.
And the second was…
“Then, I will leave this as a down paynt. The rest will be paid after receiving the goods.”
He said this and handed over a check.
“Well then. I will see you again next ti, Baron.”
“Hmm, please travel safely, Guild Master.”
As Aron’s carriage moved away, Baron Schneider checked the amount on the check.
‘Just how much is it that he’s using a check instead of cash?’
He knew that business talks were going on, but still, an amount that required paynt by check was…
“Huh?”
“What is it, my lord?”
“No, my eyes feel a bit strange.”
At Butler Lawrence’s question, Baron Schneider rubbed his eyes.
Had he been lacking sleep lately?
The number on the check seed a bit strange.
He rubbed his eyes and checked the number again.
And then…
“Huuuk!”
Baron Schneider was horrified.
It seed that the number written there had three more ‘0’s than the amount he had expected.
“What on earth is the matter… Huk!”
Butler Lawrence, who had checked the amount on the check from the side, also let out a gasp.
And beside them, Ava said with a bright smile.
“For a first transaction, it’s not bad, is it?”
“W… wife. What on earth are you planning to sell?”
Ava gave her stuttering husband a beautiful and enchanting smile.
And bringing a finger to her lips, she said softly.
“It’s a secret.”
“……”
The pushover did not ask about his wife’s secret.
* * *
Not long after rchant Guild Master Aron left.
News of Patrick ca from the capital again.
This ti, it was good news.
“My lord. The Young Master is said to have achieved the top rank in the mid-term evaluation.”
“Ooooh. Is that really true?”
“Yes.”
Yes.
It was good news.
Baron Schneider was genuinely happy at the good news brought by an employee of the Red rchant Guild.
His son had taken the top spot at the Academy, where the most talented individuals from all over the kingdom were gathered.
Where in the world would there be a father who would not be happy about this?
This was truly good news.
“How did he do it? Tell
in detail.”
“He beat up all the Academy professors.”
“Keok…”
Only the beginning part was.
Baron Schneider, who grabbed the back of his neck and fainted, fainted once more after hearing the news that his son had been selected as the representative for Arcana.
* * *
And so, now.
“My lord, the welcoming preparations are complete.”
“Hmm, well done, Sir Kainel.”
Baron Schneider steeled his heart and prepared to welco the guest arriving from the capital.
And Ava, who had approached him, said.
“I heard that a distinguished guest is coming. Who do you think it will be?”
“I don’t know who will co, but let’s brace ourselves. We don’t know what kind of trouble that fellow Patrick has caused.”
“Hoo hoo hoo. I’m looking forward to it.”
“……”
Although he loved his wife dearly, he couldn’t understand her.
Where did this unconditional tolerance and love for their troublemaker son co from?
Just then, a lavishly decorated four-horse carriage, with a flag raised high, appeared in the distance.
“It seems a very high-ranking person has co.”
“Indeed. Wait, is that…?”
Baron Schneider was startled.
As the procession approached, the crest on the flag beca clearer, and it was a crest he had definitely seen sowhere before.
A crest that any noble in the kingdom would recognize.
Seven stars entwining the moon.
What that crest symbolized was undoubtedly…
“Royalty?”
And when the carriage arrived, the person at the front shouted loudly.
“Baron Jaycall Schneider, receive the royal decree!”
“Yes!? Yes!”
Baron Schneider hastily knelt.
And as the carriage door opened, soone descended with the escort of a knight.
And in a soft voice, they said.
“Please raise your head, Baron.”
It was a gentle and soft voice, one you wouldn’t expect from royalty.
When Baron Schneider raised his head, before him stood a noble lady with black hair, appearing to be in her late 30s, with a gentle smile on her face.
And she said…
“I am Rose Jaynova, who has brought the royal decree.”
“Jay… Ahem.”
Baron Schneider was terrified.
He had bitten his own tongue in his shock, and he hastily bowed his head again and said.
“I greet the 7th Queen.”
He had never imagined that a queen would visit his humble fiefdom.
Even to deliver a royal decree, a ssenger would have sufficed, so why had the queen co?
Queen Jaynova slowly resolved Baron Schneider’s question.
“I will deliver the royal decree.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“First, as Sir Patrick Schneider has won Arcana and raised the honor of the kingdom…”
“Yes?”
“…I’m not finished yet?”
“My, my apologies.”
The Baron hastily bowed his head.
Even so, his mind was in a whirl.
Won Arcana?
Won?
My son?
At Arcana?
Won?
To him, who had reached the peak of confusion, Queen Jaynova continued to speak.
“Therefore, the royal family comnds the achievents of the Baron Schneider family and promotes the rank of Baron to Viscount.”
“Thank you, Your Highness the Queen.”
“Furthermore, to commorate the engagent of Patrick Schneider and the royal princess Isabella Black Atronia, ten treasures and a reward of 10,000 gold are bestowed.”
“Thank… what?”
“……?”
Baron Schneider hastily bowed his head.
“I apologize. But just now, that… unless I misheard…”
“Baron, no, the Viscount’s son and my daughter are engaged, you see.”
“……”
Viscount Schneider’s mouth fell open.
Engagent?
So, the engagent that is made between lovers who promise to marry each other?
Who?
My son and the princess?
“Ah…”
Baron Schneider was certain.
“This must be a dream. I should sleep more.”
And so, he fainted with a happy smile.
“My lord!”
“Honey!”
“Baron. No, Viscount!”
The people around him rushed over, and Queen Jaynova said in a flustered voice.
“I still haven’t ntioned the reward for his achievent of reaching the 7-star level and the fact that I’ll be recuperating here for a long ti.”
And so, Baron Schneider beca a Viscount.
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