Chapter: 660
There are quite a few territories I’ve farmed in the Kingdom of Leon.
I secured lands to promote Baron Niaid to Count, and there are territories I set up to ensure Erich can live comfortably. Then there are pieces of land I snagged for my wife and children as well. So, one could say that a good chunk of the land along the border between the Empire and Leon actually belongs to me.
Among all these territories, the centerpiece is undoubtedly the County of Sericle. It’s smack in the middle, and among the lands I farmed, its development competes for the top spots, making it an excellent base.
And Alfonso is the steward and the only viscount of the County of Sericle. He practically works as my representative overseeing all my territories in the Kingdom of Leon.
“It’s been a while, Viscount. How have you been?”
Thus, to check if the territories in Leon are functioning properly, I had to meet with Alfonso first. Skipping the responsibility holder and inspecting things myself would just be a hassle for everyone involved.
“Thanks to Your Grace’s favor, I am living days I could never even dream of in the past!”
At Alfonso’s hearty response, I couldn’t help but smile. It’s amusing that despite the distance between Wieridia and Sericle, I’d get the same cheerful answer from both regions.
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you might not adapt well to life out here and might be struggling.”
“Ah, please, Your Grace! If it weren’t for your grace, how could I even be a noble? I’m merely trying to repay even a tiny fragment of Your Grace’s kindness!”
Seeing Alfonso earnestly pledge loyalty made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Indeed, deciding to exile Alfonso was the right call. Having such a loyal person manage the territory brings immense peace of mind.
“Right. Just keep doing as you are. That way, you can repay the kindness adequately.”
“I will keep that in mind!”
After giving Alfonso’s shoulder a reassuring pat, I took my seat in the main office and glanced around.
Alfonso was practically my full agent. Thanks to that, even the Imperial Army and the Ainter troops stationed in the Kingdom of Leon have been cooperative towards him. Although he holds a viscount title, he essentially enjoys the status comparable to a marquis or duke.
‘So modest.’
Still, Alfonso’s office was simple and crude. While it was spacious due to the immense workload and the multitude of people flowing in, that was about it. There weren’t any signs of extravagance or opulence to be found.
“This may be a humble place to host Your Grace… but alas, within the County of Sericle, this is the best—”
“Oh, it’s fine. If the office were all glamorous, it would only tire my eyes. I actually like this simple vibe.”
I waved my hand dismissively at the hesitance emanating from Alfonso.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind at all if Alfonso indulged in some luxury. It’s human nature to want to enjoy life once you hold power or to splurge a little upon rising up in status. Besides, considering Alfonso suffered under the yoke of incompetent superiors in the Kingdom of Quoronos before gaining this title, it wouldn’t be strange for him to go a tad overboard.
After all, the Empire generally turns a blind eye to minor corruption as long as you’re capable. Given that he’s managing various territories on my behalf, a little luxury here and there is hardly a concern.
‘Still, if I could choose, I’d rather have a competent and honest person.’
Yet, it’s only natural for people to prefer better goods for the same price. If both options feature competency, it’s only common sense to lean towards the more virtuous one.
Of course, if one becomes miserly to the point of being pathetic, that would be a different predicament altogether.
‘It wouldn’t do to let them think I don’t pay a former exile the right amount.’
I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought.
Fortunately, Alfonso lives like a noble, but if I had seen him live on the level of a commoner due to being cautious, I would have unwittingly been muttering complaints. “How could that villainous head of the Information Department disrespect a noble just because he’s a former exile?”
“Viscount. The office doesn’t need to be extravagant, but at least make your mansion demonstrate some grandeur. If you live well, it’ll inspire others to strive for the same.”
“That is completely sound advice, Your Grace.”
At my suggestion, Alfonso bowed again.
I had a feeling I’d soon be hearing reports about the grand expansion of Alfonso’s mansion.
“And feel free to sit down too. Are you planning to stand there indefinitely?”
With that command, or perhaps it was more of a gentle nudge, Alfonso awkwardly took a seat.
Discussing territorial reports could easily stretch on, and making him stand the whole time would be brutal.
While I gifted the County of Sericle to my father-in-law and the Duchy to Erich, Alfonso still retained actual management responsibility for both.
After all, they were territories far outside the border, not just nearby ones. Initially, my father-in-law and Erich planned to send trusted representatives to oversee the areas, but the time and effort would have taken too long, so they decided to leave it all to Alfonso. All the income produced from those territories was sent directly to my father-in-law and Erich without fail.
As long as I received the money, who cared who the representative was? As long as the purse was filled, I wouldn’t even mind if it were a slave.
“It’s just a personal opinion, but I think you should invite your father-in-law and brother to visit the territory soon.”
In that atmosphere, Alfonso, the job duty chief, pushed for the visit by both loquacious nobles. My serene mood suddenly went turbulent.
“Did something happen?”
“Not at all. It’s just that from the perspective of the subjects, their lord has changed, and now even their nationality has flipped, but they haven’t seen their new lord even once. They might fear that the lord views them as insignificant or that the territory will be returned to Leon.”
Nodding along, I found his reasoning hard to dispute.
While I control the territories remotely, I had physically visited them when farming the lands. At least my subjects had met their new lord face to face. There was no reason for them to tremble in fear.
“Fortunately, as they know the lord is close to Your Grace, the subjects’ unrest isn’t too severe. So, if you could show your faces while their worries are still small, it might prevent bigger issues down the line.”
Initially, Alfonso had subtly expressed his opinion with “it seems so,” but he began speaking with conviction as he continued.
“…Of course, it’s merely a personal opinion. I leave the final judgment to Your Grace.”
He quickly summarized his comments and took a step back.
“Let’s go with that. The judgment of a viscount present at the scene will likely be more accurate than a distant lord’s.”
I nodded calmly.
The fact that Alfonso was seriously asserting the need for such a visit suggested a genuine necessity behind it. If he went through the trouble of making a suggestion as the head of the territory, disregarding it would invalidate the very purpose of coming all this way to conduct briefings.
Moreover, it was entirely logical and reasonable that the subjects of the land should wish to see their lord. Our triplets, too, would need to visit Serberte Duke’s territory once they grow a bit more…
…
“Your Grace?”
“Sorry, lost in thought for a moment.”
The thought of those little adorable kids leaving my arms almost made me tear up.
Although it would only be a brief period during the year, to be honest, I didn’t want to accept it at all. I only begrudgingly allowed it for the sake of their future and Serberte.
“…The sooner, the better, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
Suppressing my melancholic mood, I picked up the communication device. My son-in-law does tend to call his father-in-law for favors, but there’s definitely someone I can summon immediately.
After all, he’s likely lounging around post-moving into the commoner’s home.
– Hyung?
Seemingly without anything on his plate, as soon as I fiddled with the communication device, Erich’s face popped up.
“Got nothing to do, huh?”
– …There might be something coming up soon…
“Good intuition. Get over here and work.”
I unceremoniously snatched up Erich, who was trying to dodge.
What an audacious little brat. How dare he avoid his older brother’s summons?
*
After the unilateral notice was delivered, my older brother quickly disconnected.
‘What’s this?’
I sighed, feeling somewhat bitter as I stared at the communication device.
Honestly, I’d love to just ignore this. But since he’s sending a teleportation mage to the assembly hall, it’s impossible to disregard the call. If I refuse, he might come and drag me back personally.
‘What’s going on?’
So, I sluggishly got up but scrambled to recall recent memories in my head.
If he’s bringing in a teleportation mage, it must mean he’s outside the Capital. But just where outside should I expect work? Sure, council members wink and patrol sometimes, but that’s not something my brother should be calling about. That’s up to the assembly for direction.
‘…I guess I’ll go see.’
No matter how I thought about it, nothing stood out, so I trudged to the main gate.
“What place is this?”
“This is your domain, Your Grace the Marquis.”
Following the mage waiting at the front gate, I was met by my brother, who wore a smirk that seemed to taunt me.
Oh right. This is my territory.
That heavy burden I’d been thrust upon without so much as a word.
“What’s with the expression? It’s a marquisate that others want but can’t get.”
“Then is it okay to give it to others?”
“Think about it; if you give up the territory, that means your future child would lose their chance to become a marquis. If that happens, not just anyone could take that title, especially not the one who gave it up.”
I felt a chill at such a cowardly threat that he’d use my future children as leverage.
“Think carefully. If you abandon the territory now, the child who could have become a marquis would only become a baron. To do that, will you, the father, actually give up a marquis title for a mere baron?”
“Got it, so let’s just get to work. I’m out here on business and need to get back soon.”
I hurriedly shifted the conversation, fearing the growing specificity of his threats.
I don’t want to lay heavy responsibilities on my children. But who knows what will happen to my future child? He may resent me forever for having to settle for a baron title instead of a marquis.
“Just ride a horse around your territory once. Wave at the subjects a bit, hug a few too.”
“…Will that suffice?”
“I’m not expecting something excessive of you.”
That was kind of nice, but it also rubbed me the wrong way.
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