Chapter 205: “A Family-like Territory” (2)
Family.
The word warms the heart just by hearing it.
Up until now, no nobleman has ever recruited talent with such words. To them, a steward was just a disposable tool, something to be used and thrown away.
Only those who swore loyalty and had been together for a long time could even dream of hearing such words.
But the Chief Officer Penris brought up the word “family” before even starting the work. It felt like he was reaching out to say they would be together forever.
The thought of being part of that “family-like territory” filled the students with overwhelming emotion.
Malron also gripped the contract tightly, holding back tears.
“Mom, Dad! I finally got the chance to become a steward of the Great Territory! The hard times are over! The pay is amazing, so I’ll spoil you!”
Of course, it wasn’t something he could decide right away.
He needed time to discuss it with his family and gather his thoughts.
Claude continued with a soft smile.
“When you make your decision, just come find me. I’ll be staying at the Seiron Academy for a while. For those whose families are far away, just let us know, and we will send soldiers to escort them safely to the territory.”
The students beamed with bright smiles.
For those nearby, moving with their families would be easy. However, for those whose families were far away, migrating to another kingdom was not so simple.
Yet, they promised to send soldiers to ensure everything was handled safely. Truly, this territory had amazing welfare.
As Malron pondered how to convince his parents to move, he finally put aside his last worry.
“Wow, this place really offers a deal that’s leagues above the rest. I can’t wait to go home and… wait, what’s this?”
Malron spotted a tiny print in the corner of the contract.
“Duration… 20 years?”
At his muttering, the other students began to look for the tiny text as well.
“Why would they specify something like this?”
“Isn’t it obvious we’ll stay until retirement?”
Typically, it’s hard to become a steward, but choosing when to retire is usually left to the individual.
Those who don’t want to work anymore might be scared of their lord and unable to even voice their desire to quit, or find it hard to refuse further requests to keep them on.
After all, if you betray or act as a spy, you’d lose your head anyway. It’s rare for a steward to have such a specified duration.
Claude wiped cold sweat from his brow.
“Ahaha, that means we guarantee your employment for that duration. Since we’ll be like family moving forward, it’s a promise to take responsibility until the end.”
Students, including Malron, nodded in agreement immediately. The assurance of stability felt truly family-like.
Although not being able to leave might be a downside, in these times, that wasn’t a significant consideration.
As the atmosphere shifted completely, Claude whispered to Wendy.
“Is it okay? Was it alright?”
“……”
Right now, the territory was struggling due to a lack of manpower, so Claude should not be thwarted in his actions.
But no matter how much it was for the territory, being next to the bad guy felt like it was dragging her down too.
Eventually, Wendy decided to remain silent.
‘It’s not like he’s just using people without reason, so it should be fine.’
Ghislaine’s principle was to give more than enough—often excessive—rewards to those who worked. Therefore, the stewards of Penris Territory received several times more compensation than those in other territories.
The problem was that they had to accept it even if they didn’t want to.
‘After all, those people have no other options if they don’t come to our territory.’
If they didn’t come to Penris, half of the students wouldn’t be able to find proper jobs.
It’s better to come to Penris and work hard than to starve to death.
‘It’s almost uncanny how perfectly everything aligns.’
If it weren’t for this time, it would have been tough to recruit so many people even using Claude’s connections.
The thought that what the lord did always seemed to be perfectly timed hit her anew.
*
A few days after the recruitment explanation, Malron, whose house was nearby, was the first to visit Claude.
“My family has decided to migrate as well. Thank you for your help, Chief Officer!”
“Oh, that’s a great idea. But what do your parents do?”
“Yes! My father is a carpenter, and my mother makes dyes!”
Upon Malron’s answer, Claude quickly turned his head and bit his lip tightly.
They hired one new steward, but two technicians come with him?
Holding back a laugh and managing his expression, Claude said,
“Don’t worry. I’ll send soldiers to help with the migration. And unlike here, there are plenty of jobs, so if your parents are willing to work, they should be able to earn a lot of money.”
“Thank you!”
After that, countless students visited for several days.
Most of the students decided to follow Claude. They were all struggling to make ends meet because of the drought, and opportunities to work in the Great Territory were rare.
Staying here meant only a select few talents would receive good treatment.
“I’ll work hard! My family decided to go together too!”
“My family is staying. You really will pay that much, right? I have to send money home every month.”
Claude greeted them all with a bright smile and hugged each one tightly as they arrived.
“Don’t worry at all. The territory will take care of everything. You don’t need to worry about the livelihoods of those who stay behind.”
This time, it wasn’t a lie.
Those who became stewards of Penris received several times more in compensation.
Moreover, the territory would take responsibility for everyone, from the remaining families to those wanting to migrate.
But that meant everyone would have to commit their bones to Penris Territory.
‘Sorry, junior folks. I really have no choice if I want to survive. Let’s live together like a family for a long time. Money should solve it, right?’
Tears glimmered at the corners of Claude’s eyes as he hugged the students.
*
Claude was genuinely busy.
Not only did he have to meet students, but he also needed to visit seniors and friends who were the disciples of his mentor.
Hunting down each person himself was just too inefficient.
“Find everyone on the list as quickly as possible and bring them here. If we offer food, even if they don’t want to come, they will. If they refuse, just drag them here!”
As Claude became more and more like Ghislaine, the soldiers quickly sprang into action.
They sent heartfelt letters along with food to those who had returned home, but those relatively nearby could be easily met using food as a bargaining chip.
Most were involved in his mentor’s betrayal and had lost their positions or were treated poorly.
Some looked at Claude with resentful eyes, some with welcoming eyes, and others mixed with envy and confusion.
Claude was met with a gaze full of resentment from some, while others looked at him with warmth, and yet others mixed envy and confusion.
Every time they came to visit, Claude persuaded them to join him.
“Staying here won’t bring any more hope, right?”
“That’s true, but… leaving my hometown all of a sudden is just…”
“Are you going to starve to death here? No one’s going to take care of you! What can you even do here?”
“Ugh…”
Leaving his hometown was no easy task. But for those already abandoned, there were no other choices.
His seniors and friends, unable to withstand Claude’s persuasion, decided to head to Penris.
Staying here would just leave them living like beggars anyway.
Billy, one of the friends, asked on behalf of the gathered friends.
“It’s great that you’re achieving success and providing a place for us, but… why us instead of the people of Ruthania?”
Claude replied with a dramatically sorrowful expression.
“It’s not really my fault, but the fact that I caused all this trouble weighs heavily on me. I’ve felt so uneasy thinking about how hard things have become for you.”
Billy and the others exchanged slightly suspicious glances.
“You… you’re not that kind of guy, are you?”
‘This jerk?’
Having known each other for a long time, they weren’t easily deceived. But Claude maintained his composure and continued.
“I’m not the same as before. I’ve truly been working my butt off, suffering… Almost to the point of wishing I were dead… But anyway, I’ve become the Chief Officer of the Great Territory now. Can you believe that’s all for you?”
Billy suddenly covered his mouth with his hand and spoke with trembling eyes.
“You… why would you do that…?”
The Claude he knew wasn’t that kind of person. He got good grades, but otherwise, he was closer to being a complete weirdo.
Who would have thought he harbored such a deep friendship and guilt about the past?
Claude looked warmly at Billy and said.
“We’re… friends, after all.”
“Claude!”
Billy couldn’t contain his rising emotions and embraced Claude. Claude also teared up and hugged Billy tightly.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry…”
“Don’t apologize, you jerk! It’s not your fault! It’s okay! We’re okay!”
Other friends watching from the side also reddened their eyes and hugged the two. Everyone, regardless of gender, joined in.
“Don’t cry, Claude! You haven’t done anything wrong!”
“Just the fact that you still care about us is more than enough!”
“Don’t ever apologize again!”
Seeing his friends’ exaggerated reactions, Claude thought to himself.
‘No, it’s not that I’m sorry… I’m sorry for dragging you to my territory…’
After the outpouring of hot friendship subsided, a slightly embarrassed Billy cleared his throat and asked.
“Ahem, about that contract… The pay is great, and everything from family livelihood to residency is excellent, but why are we stuck with 30 years? I heard the juniors have 20 years?”
“Well… I wanted you to work comfortably and steadily. Now you don’t have to worry about food and can focus on showcasing your skills.”
‘If you learn more, you’ll have to roll even harder. Just die with me there. Show your abilities until you drop dead.’
“Claude, you…”
Billy looked at Claude with a trembling gaze again. Claude met him with warm eyes once more.
“We’re… friends, right?”
“Claude!”
Another round of passionate hugging began, while Wendy, watching from the sidelines, sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling.
Claude spent around two months at the Academy, successfully recruiting many talents. It was an incredibly successful journey.
Among those who couldn’t meet him because they were far away and only sent letters, some would surely come to find him.
Some were certainly coming.
“Alright, let’s head to the Penris Territory!”
Behind Claude, countless people were following. It wasn’t just friends and students; their families were also on the move.
There were no major troubles in the migration since they had bribed the surrounding lords and nobles with food.
Those who couldn’t migrate this time would receive additional troops from Penris to help.
Before departing, Claude gazed at the academy’s main gate for a long time.
‘Anna, I hope you’re doing well?’
He hadn’t met Anna. She had been dispatched to another academy for work related to the history book compilation.
He had left a substantial amount of money and food through the chancellor, so she would be surprised when she returned.
‘…….’
Claude turned his body, feeling a bit disappointed yet somewhat relieved.
*
Finally, the large-scale procession entered the boundaries of Penris.
Everyone looked healthy, albeit a bit tired. The large number of people slowed down their pace slightly, but there were no significant problems with the journey.
Ghislaine welcomed the arriving people with a bright smile.
“Claude really caught a lot of fish… I mean, everyone, welcome! I am Baron Penris, the lord of this place. I consider you all my family and will always treat you with the strongest hospitality!”
“Wowww!”
At those words, people were ecstatic. Ghislaine, riding the wave, spoke even more passionately.
“From now on, remember that we are family and one body! We live together, and we die together!”
People were truly moved. They had never heard such words from a noble, even through rumors.
Hearing the lord assure them of a “family-like territory” made all their worries about being in an unfamiliar place vanish.
They were touched, not realizing he was serious about the whole dying together thing.
In any case, Ghislaine kept his promise and provided them with the best treatment. They received houses, land, and even advance payments for labor.
“I can’t believe I’m getting this kind of treatment! It feels like a dream!”
“I’m so glad I came! This is a land of opportunity!”
“The lord seems like a really nice person! He’s got a totally different vibe from other nobles!”
People felt like they were floating on clouds every day.
Although the place felt a bit underdeveloped compared to their expectations, seeing construction projects underway reassured them that things would progress quickly.
In fact, families that came with scholars were even happier as work opportunities were overflowing.
Life became considerably more abundant compared to the Seiron Kingdom, leaving them with no choice but to feel satisfied.
The newly appointed stewards began to occupy key positions throughout the territory and handle important administrative tasks.
Billy, one of Claude’s friends, was busy managing the workload but initially thought it wasn’t a big deal.
“It seems like there’s a lot of work… But hey, we can manage. If there was this much work, they should’ve asked for help sooner!”
Malron and other graduates were overflowing with enthusiasm.
“We must repay the lord’s grace! We’ll become stewards worthy of this treatment!”
It was a grueling schedule—teaching at Penris Academy during the day and handling administrative tasks at night.
Naturally, they gained considerable power within the territory.
With great rewards and power, they were initially motivated and determined to endure.
However, their responsibilities were not limited to just that.
Billy, who was managing a fairly large area, started feeling something was off as he handled his tasks.
“Wh-what is this? Is this a territory?”
The deeper he dug, the stranger things became. The Penris Territory was operated in a seriously abnormal and bizarre manner.
“Th-this is insane….”
Looking at the piles of documents stacking up beside him in real-time, Billy’s face turned pale.
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