Chapter 101: Want to Make a Bet with Me? (1)
“Meow!”
Claude screamed in a weird way and fell over.
“Hey, why are you hitting me! Wendy, what are you doing?”
Claude shouted while lying on the floor.
Wendy, who was supposed to be the bodyguard, stood still while Belinda attacked him.
Regardless of Claude’s grievances, Belinda pointed at him and yelled loudly.
“How dare you try to build such a vulgar facility on our Young Master’s land!”
Ghislaine, who had cared for him like treasure, was irked that this was her first territory.
But what? A gambling house?
As a former private tutor of Ghislaine, she absolutely couldn’t tolerate such facilities being built.
“Look at that! He’s completely obsessed with gambling, isn’t he? As soon as he became Chief Officer, he’s planning to set up a gambling house!”
“No, no! Wait, listen to me! I’m not saying I want to gamble! I’ve quit!”
“Quit what? The person who claims he’s quit is talking about building a gambling house? It’s more likely for a dog to stop pooping!”
Belinda’s words made even the retainers raise their eyebrows in suspicion.
Claude waved his hands frantically.
“That’s not it! Just listen. I’m talking about turning this place into a lively entertainment city like Austin. If we promote it well, nobles will flock here and spend a fortune!”
“……”
Still with questionable looks, Belinda finally kept her mouth shut.
It was true that many nobles visited Austin. That’s how Baron Austin made a fortune.
Seeing that people were intrigued, Claude quickly added with excitement.
“Put positively, it’s a city of cultural life and tourism. Territory residents will also be able to earn money by serving guests.”
“That actually sounds plausible.”
Belinda nodded while stroking her chin.
If done right, it certainly seemed like they could rake in a lot of money.
Even so, she couldn’t agree that gambling was part of cultural life.
“I found out there isn’t a city like that in the Ruthania Kingdom. We’ll make it the first planned city from the start, grand and splendid. Austin has its rough edges because it grew naturally.”
Austin originally had a situation similar to Penris.
No specialty goods or resources, just barren land.
People who enjoyed gambling and engaged in illegal activities accidentally gathered and developed this place.
It grew naturally without any policy, a shabby place that’s unprecedented on the continent.
A place that grew naturally without any policies, an unparalleled shallow spot even on the continent.
That place was none other than the city of pleasure, Austin.
“The nobles pretend to be composed, but the truth is they’re always looking for ways to have fun. Not just nobles, but mercenaries and adventurers will flock here. The more people come and go, the more money flows, and more folks will settle down,” Claude confidently declared.
At first, the retainers were hesitant, but they soon showed agreement.
Having secured public opinion, Claude looked at Ghislaine.
“So, what do you think? If we just tidy up the city, we can make money while having fun later. Money replicates itself, right? Ah, that’s something I can’t resist.”
Ghislaine, who had been listening quietly, chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
“Well, that was an interesting opinion. I might think about forming a small city later on.”
“Later? What about now?”
“Why are you asking something obvious? We’re proceeding as originally planned.”
“No, my lord! Let’s avoid wasting money!”
If it were any other lord, this proposal would certainly be tempting enough.
If they used all the runestones, they could create a city on par with Austin.
However, for Ghislaine, who would eventually have to confront the strongest duke faction in the kingdom, it wasn’t a good option at all.
“I know there are many problems in the territory. Among them, what’s the most urgent right now?”
“Of course, they’re all problems, but… the most pressing issue is food. We’re buying food right now because we don’t have any. We can’t keep buying food, can we? If we run out of money, we’ll all starve.”
“Food, huh… I actually had something in mind, so this works out. I’ll take care of the food situation, so secure some land for cultivation.”
“Seriously…”
Claude stared at Ghislaine with an irritated look.
He had explained multiple times that the land was barren and couldn’t increase production!
Did this guy actually listen to anything?
“Uh, my lord? I’ve been saying all along that this land is not suitable for crops. No one can revive it, not even the God of Agriculture… No, even the Goddess would likely give up because this land is disgusting.”
“That’s enough. I’ll handle it.”
Claude’s expression started to look increasingly rude.
“…My lord, have you ever farmed? Do you know anything about agriculture?”
“No, not really.”
He hadn’t farmed at all; he’d only been fighting all this time.
“…Are you secretly the God of Agriculture? Is that your birth secret?”
“Absurd, how could that be?”
“Then how on earth do you plan to increase food production? Do you think other lords don’t want to do it? They can’t do it! So let’s just make loads of money first!”
As Claude stubbornly pushed his point, Ghislaine grinned and replied.
“If I solve that problem, what will you do?”
“Eh?”
“Shall we make a bet? Whether I can increase food production or not.”
“Ha, how would you do that, my lord?”
“Don’t worry about how. So, how about this? If I win, you’ll do whatever I say without a word.”
Claude scoffed.
How dare he challenge a gambling expert like him! A bet with an obvious outcome!
A bet that’s clearly going to be a showdown!
“What kind of bet is it if you don’t even put any money down?”
“You’ve got no money. Ah, then let’s make it so that if I win, you become my unpaid slave for ten years. I’ll provide you food and shelter; in return, you have to follow my orders without complaint.”
Sure, Claude owed Ghislaine 2,500 gold, but at least he was still getting paid.
After all, he had to live his life, and little expenses would surely come up.
Losing meant he’d have to forfeit everything and roll around without a dime to his name.
As Claude wore a look of disbelief, he suddenly broke into a meaningful grin.
“And what about the time frame? If it’s too long, that’s a problem.”
“A generous three months.”
“…Did I hear that right?”
Claude was flabbergasted, his mouth agape.
Not three years, but three months to show results?
It was the dead of winter. If something could sprout from the ground, that would be a miracle.
Holding back laughter, Claude confirmed the terms of the bet.
“So, if I win?”
“What do you want?”
Claude’s heart raced, but he tried his best to keep a straight face.
“Well… it’s a bit difficult for me to speak up since I owe the Lord. Oh dear, you know that well enough.”
“Then I’ll give you 5,000 gold. How about going to see Anna again?”
The mention of 5,000 gold stunned everyone nearby.
That was enough for Claude to live without working for the rest of his life.
“No, not this again! Don’t do it!”
“My lord, this is too… this bet is absolutely ridiculous.”
Belinda and Gillian rushed to intervene.
Ghislaine probably had his reasons, but the time frame was only three months.
No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t possibly revive dead land within that time.
They couldn’t allow the lord to engage in such an unfair wager.
“Hey now, the lord is about to undertake a great endeavor, and you choose to intervene? Everyone, please remain silent.”
Claude put on a mock serious face.
Belinda, seeing that lazy demeanor, snapped at the other onlookers.
“What are you all doing? Stop enabling the lord!”
Under her pressure, the retainers stepped forward one by one.
“My lord, this is an unreasonable bet. You should reconsider, even now.”
“The Chief Officer is right. Most of this territory is nothing but rocky terrain; even if there’s soil, it’s rough and dry, and crops won’t grow properly.”
While everyone was trying to dissuade him, Kaor just stood back with a grin.
To him, it was an entertaining situation no matter who won or lost.
Belinda shot daggers at Kaor, but he shrugged as if to say, “Why should I say anything? He’s not going to listen.”
Ignoring the others’ warnings, Ghislaine looked at Claude and asked again.
“Are you going to do it or not? If you’re scared, just drop dead.”
“Hah!”
Claude didn’t respond immediately and let out a hollow laugh.
‘Why is he so confident? There’s got to be no way.’
He didn’t even entertain the thought that he would lose.
But the opponent’s boldness left an uneasy feeling in him.
Having gambled for years, Claude could tell that Ghislaine’s demeanor wasn’t just a show to hide his anxiety.
He genuinely believed he could win.
‘What’s he counting on? What crops can grow within three months?’
“What’s a crop that can grow in three months?”
Claude rummaged through the knowledge he learned long ago at the Academy.
Not only were there no crops that could grow in three months, but there weren’t even any that thrived in winter… but who knows, maybe there would be.
“What crop are you planning to grow? It has to be wheat, right? You can’t just plant something weird that we can’t eat.”
“Then wheat is the best.”
Claude clenched his fist.
“That’s it, then. There’s really no way. Wheat definitely can’t be grown in three months.”
Claude struggled to suppress the grin that was naturally rising on his face.
He didn’t know what Ghislaine was thinking, but this was a foregone conclusion.
“Did I overestimate our Lord? It seems he doesn’t even know how to grow wheat. Ah, could it be that he expected me to lose out of consideration for his pride? It’s only been how long since we met?”
Claude looked at Ghislaine and smiled slightly.
“Ah, I quit gambling… Call.”
“Alright, the bet is on. Everyone here is a witness. If I win, you work unpaid for ten years. If I lose, I get 5,000 gold and head back home.”
Claude nodded with a bright smile, but the others frowned.
Why on earth did the Lord make such a crazy bet?
Belinda couldn’t even stop Ghislaine and was about to leave when she glanced at Wendy and made a slicing motion across her throat.
That meant to handle it at night.
Wendy nodded with a grim expression.
Of course, Claude wouldn’t stay quiet.
With a particularly annoying voice, he addressed Ghislaine.
“Um… But, you see, if I win but don’t have protection, it’s a bit… If I can’t even leave with the money, what’s the point of this bet?”
Ghislaine chuckled.
“Claude is the Chief Officer of the Territory, so everyone should take care of his safety. If anything happens, I’ll hold everyone accountable.”
At those words, Wendy shrugged at Belinda.
Belinda kicked the innocent floor and shouted,
“Ugh! This is so frustrating!”
Gillian, who had been planning to take action if things went awry, also showed a displeased expression.
Since the Lord directly issued a command, he couldn’t intervene either.
If he revoked the bet now, Ghislaine would look ridiculous.
Claude’s face blossomed into a smile.
“Hahaha! Then I’ll go secure some cultivated land. There’s plenty of empty land, so it’ll be quick.”
As Claude joyfully turned to leave, Ghislaine warned him in a low voice.
“But if you just slack off while waiting for three months, I’ll take that as my victory. I’ll be sure to confirm, so don’t try any tricks.”
“Ah, of course. I’m not that petty. Don’t worry. Hahaha!”
Claude nearly danced out of the room.
Wendy sighed and followed him out.
The remaining ones looked at Ghislaine with bewildered faces.
They had no idea what the Lord was thinking.
Completely oblivious, Ghislaine leisurely got up from his seat.
“Shall I start moving too?”
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