Chapter 28: This is the Best Option. (2)
“What do you mean?”
Belinda felt dizzy.
She had seen Ghislaine since he was young, but at some point, he had become completely incomprehensible.
“He’s gone mad. It’s not that he’s matured or anything; he’s just lost it.”
Belinda, with a blank expression, urged Gillian, who stood next to Ghislaine.
“Gillian! Say something!”
Gillian, who felt the same way as Belinda, finally spoke up.
“Your Highness, perhaps it’s time to stop? Belinda is right. The remaining money is quite substantial, and if we just protect that, we can use it for other things in the future.”
Despite Gillian’s persuasion, Ghislaine shook his head.
“I believe a certain level of explanation is necessary. Call Kaor as well.”
Once Kaor had arrived, Ghislaine began to share his thoughts.
“As everyone knows, we haven’t even started, and our funds are nearly depleted. At this rate, we won’t last long, so I plan to prioritize generating income quickly.”
All three of them wore expressions of confusion.
Developing a territory means securing areas that were previously untouchable.
So, there was no way to tell where any profits could come from right now.
Belinda, unable to hold back any longer, stepped in again.
“Just withdraw now. If we spend all the remaining money, we won’t be able to do anything. Once we enter the Forest of Monsters, we’ll surely be discovered. We might even get kicked out of the territory.”
Over a hundred mercenaries were loitering near the territory. The retainers were definitely on high alert.
With laborers gathered around, it was obvious that everyone was casting suspicious glances.
Belinda had claimed she was going to create a new training grounds and a Grand Duke’s villa, but that lie would come crashing down the moment Ghislaine entered the Forest of Monsters.
Gillian and Kaor finally chimed in as well.
“If you insist on proceeding, we will follow… but realistically, it’s impossible. In the end, the Lord will punish us.”
“We can fight for the money, but thinking about the people who will die, what we’re being offered won’t cut it. Well, we’ll definitely get more famous, but as the dumbass prince who made a stupid decision. Hehehe.”
Everyone evaluated Ghislaine’s plan negatively.
No one had succeeded in what the lords of Perdium had given up on, especially with just 20,000 gold.
Ghislaine nodded as if understanding their thoughts.
“You have a point. Of course, I think it’s impossible to develop it that way. It would probably end in failure.”
“Then why do you keep being so stubborn?”
“Because it’s not going to happen that way.”
“What do you mean?”
Belinda asked in confusion as Ghislaine took out a map and spread it out.
“Look, the Forest of Monsters is here, and we’re entering from this side.”
Following Ghislaine’s gesture, the three started to carefully scan the map.
The size of the Forest of Monsters was roughly marked on the map.
Ghislaine pulled out a pen and began to draw a line from the entrance of the Forest of Monsters but suddenly twisted it sideways.
“This should be about right. We’ll ignore everything else and create a path like this directly. That’s the first goal.”
“Huh?”
“We’re not securing territory; we’re securing the fastest route to the target.”
“Were you not going to develop it?”
“General development is impossible, you know? I planned from the start to acquire resources that would allow us to make money the fastest. This place is the closest to our territory.”
“Do you know what’s here?”
At Belinda’s question, Ghislaine chuckled.
“Something that’s incredibly profitable.”
“……”
Everyone was too bewildered to say anything.
To them, it looked like Ghislaine was just randomly picking a spot and insisting there was money to be made.
Gillian managed to regain his composure and asked, “Sir, what makes you so sure there’s something profitable here? And how do you know it?”
At that question, Ghislaine awkwardly smiled as if caught off guard.
“It’s high-level information that I know alone.”
“So, how did you come by that information? No one has gone into the forest and come back alive!”
Belinda slammed the table and pressed for answers. Gillian and Kaor nodded, agreeing with her.
After a moment of contemplation, Ghislaine replied with a serious expression.
“Alright, everyone, don’t be shocked and listen carefully. Actually, I died and came back to life…”
“This is serious! Stop joking! How did you find out?!”
“No, really…”
“Young Master! This is about people’s lives!”
“Tsk…”
Ghislaine clammed up at Belinda’s anger.
This was an attempt to reveal the truth, but as expected, no one would listen. He felt a bit lonely.
At this point, he had no choice but to make something up.
“I heard a rumor. They say there’s something incredibly profitable here.”
“What?!”
Belinda narrowed her eyes, glaring at Ghislaine. Gillian wore a blank expression, while Kaor chuckled, his head down.
The Forest of Monsters was shrouded in rumors without any concrete information.
Especially, there were many rumors about expensive medicinal herbs inside the forest, linked to money.
Some explorers, knowing the danger, still ventured into the forest because of those rumors.
But who would have thought Ghislaine would align with such reckless individuals?
Kaor finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
“Our employer was really crazy. There’s someone crazier than us! Hahaha.”
To throw away all their money on mere rumors and defy the Lord’s orders was something only a real lunatic would attempt.
Ghislaine continued to speak, ignoring how others reacted.
“Someday we’ll have to drive out the monsters and make full use of the forest’s resources. But not now. It’s going to take too long. We need money right now, so we have to choose a quick way to earn it.”
Belinda barely held back her rising rage, trembling as she asked again.
“So, according to the ‘rumor,’ there’s ‘something’ here, right?”
“Right. First, we gather resources that can make us money here, and then with that money, we expand our territory. It’s like making money with money. Simple plan, isn’t it? Hahaha.”
Belinda fought the urge to slap him as she watched his cheerful smile. Gillian sighed with a gloomy expression.
Kaor didn’t care what happened, just as long as he got paid and had fun.
Looking around at the confused followers, Ghislaine spoke firmly.
“You may not understand it now, but this is something that must be done. If any problems arise, I’ll take responsibility for it all.”
Seeing that determined gaze, Belinda and Gillian had no more words to say.
“Everyone, trust me and follow along. If we all do our best, we’ll surely succeed.”
Belinda muttered with a resigned expression.
“I really hope this is just the last rebellion of adolescence. I’m too old for this now.”
“I’m not sure if the rumor is true… but since you’re saying it, I’ll do my best to help,” Gillian stated, his face set in determination. Kaor continued to chuckle.
“It’ll certainly be amusing to see the heir of the territory locked up in a prison. Just be sure to settle the dues first.”
Although everyone was half resigned, only Ghislaine smiled inwardly.
‘If it goes according to plan, we’ll be rolling in money.’
The place Ghislaine aimed for was the closest to the forest’s edge with the easiest cash-convertible resources.
It was information he had learned in his past life, so he couldn’t reveal his source, but it was solid information, not just a rumor.
‘The resources were discovered by Duke Delphine in my previous life.’
The Duke of Delphine, who overthrew the kingdom and established a new dynasty, had set out to extensively develop the Forest of Monsters with the combined strength of the entire kingdom.
Ghislaine, harboring a grudge against the Delphine Duke, began his own investigation into the Forest of Monsters.
He wondered why they were putting in so much effort and if there was anything he could do to hinder and torment them.
‘The dukedom didn’t initially realize the resources available. The entrance into the Forest of Monsters must have had another purpose.’
Though he could never find out that reason, he had successfully obtained a map and log that recorded the locations of major resources within the forest.
To think he’d end up using the information he memorized in his past life.
‘Thanks for the hard-earned information, losers. I’ll make good use of it.’
In his previous life, the Duke of Delphine amassed incredible wealth while developing the Forest of Monsters.
This time, Ghislaine intended to pocket it all for himself.
That wealth would be a tremendous boon in thwarting the schemes surrounding Perdium.
“Alright, let’s get to work.”
At Ghislaine’s words, everyone returned to their respective tasks.
Gillian managed the mercenaries around the territory, providing them with simple training to avoid interfering with one another.
Belinda directed the laborers, focusing on constructing the fortress.
Though they were preparing at Ghislaine’s behest, their minds were not at ease.
Especially Belinda, who lay awake each night in worry, her eyes darkening with fatigue.
He spent every night worrying to the point where the bags under his eyes turned dark.
“If the rumors are true, we don’t know what kind of monster might show up. If the Young Master dies there… he’ll be called a fool even in death.”
In fact, every time Ghislaine was insulted by others, it made him angry and hurt his heart.
To him, Ghislaine seemed nothing but cute, but others couldn’t appreciate that cuteness.
Hearing so much criticism occasionally led him to question his effectiveness as Ghislaine’s tutor.
But if he were to lose Ghislaine in a dangerous place… he wouldn’t be able to face the late Count Perdium’s wife, who entrusted Ghislaine to him.
“If it’s even slightly dangerous, I’ll have to forcibly drag him out.”
Belinda took out all the poison she had collected and examined it carefully.
“Let’s see… which poison should I apply so our Young Master won’t die but just faint?”
Since Ghislaine’s skills seemed to have improved, she needed to choose the poison carefully.
Belinda meticulously selected the poison and applied it lovingly to her dagger.
If it seemed urgent, her plan was to stab him from behind and escape with him.
She knew full well that others were worried, but Ghislaine did not revoke his orders.
Even he, who was usually confident and relaxed, couldn’t let his guard down this time.
The Forest of Monsters was dangerous. Even the powerful Duke Delphine had failed multiple times in his past life.
In truth, it was almost impossible for Ghislaine to succeed with his current abilities.
What he relied on was only his past experiences and information.
Based on that, he reviewed his plans repeatedly and assessed the possibilities, selecting the fastest, safest, and most certain route.
“But information is just information… In reality, there could be any number of variables.”
That being said, this method was the best option to save the territory.
All other methods were running out of time.
The Duke Delphine’s family was already on the move. If he responded leisurely, everyone would die.
He had to act quickly, risking his life.
“I will… absolutely succeed in protecting the territory and the family.”
As Ghislaine constantly revised and reviewed his plan, time passed quickly.
Belinda and Gillian came to find Ghislaine once their preparations were complete.
In fact, they had planned to persuade him one last time, but the moment they saw Ghislaine’s face, they swallowed their words.
There was no trace of his usual playfulness.
The coldness of his expression seemed to reflect a resolve that would not shy away from death.
With no other choice, they reported the current situation and the progress of the tasks.
“Young Master… for now, the fortress is ready to provide lodging and meals. But I don’t think we can delay any longer.”
“The mercenaries’ training is the same. The retainers from the territory have started moving the soldiers to apply pressure.”
“Hmm.”
Ghislaine pondered for a moment.
It would be good to prepare more thoroughly, but for now, this was the limit. Thankfully, as the Grand Duke of the territory, he could endure this much.
He smiled bitterly and slowly stood up.
“Yeah, we can’t afford to stall any longer.”
Time was always the thing in short supply.
If this plan succeeded, it would buy him some time.
Taking a deep breath, Ghislaine firmly spoke.
“Summon the mercenaries.”
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