Chapter 156: I Will Solve This (2)
The Chief Officer of Perdium, Baron Homern, was enjoying an elegant tea time after quite a while.
“How peaceful.”
Currently, Perdium was experiencing the most peaceful period in its history.
Zvalter and Randolf had set out to the northern fortress. If left unattended for too long, barbarians could take advantage of the gap and invade.
Setting out to the northern fortress was a trial for both the soldiers and the commanders leading them. Due to the impoverished territory, those who fought bravely against the barbarians returned without proper food or rest.
The faces of those returning to the fortress empty-handed without any proper supplies were always dark and lifeless.
But this time, the expedition was different.
With an ample supply of everything from food to equipment, those heading to the fortress had bright expressions.
“It’s really great to be receiving such support every year.”
How long had it been since Ghislaine gifted him the runestone to finally catch his breath and even receive support from the royal family?
Although they only received half of the support funds in Perdium, it was still a blessing in a situation that always struggled with poverty.
The Treasurer, Albert, was so engrossed in calculating money that he didn’t even come out of his office.
“Who would’ve thought the Grand Duke would accomplish this? I think I’ve hated him too much.”
Baron Homern reminisced about Ghislaine’s childhood with a touch of nostalgia.
Ghislaine was not only the son of his blood brother with whom he had vowed to spend a lifetime but also the heir to the territory. He was more like a nephew than a true nephew.
That’s why he had showered Ghislaine with affection since he was young.
However, as Ghislaine acted recklessly, completely unlike an heir, all the fondness he had evaporated.
At some point, he found himself horrifically disliking and resenting the child he had cherished.
“Yes, it was probably because he was so extraordinary. We just didn’t understand him. If we had known how big his heart was for the territory and how exceptional his abilities were, who would have hated him? He might be a bit greedy, but isn’t that just because he’s still young?”
The hatred filling Baron Homern’s heart began to melt away like snow under the spring sun.
He still didn’t fully approve of Ghislaine. Everything he did was too dangerous and precarious.
But looking solely at the results, things were turning out well.
Only after obtaining the runestone and royal support did they finally reach a level somewhat similar to other territories, but nevertheless, Perdium was getting better and better.
“Yes, I can teach and guide him in the lacking areas. That’s the role of an adult, right? He must just be overflowing with youthful energy.”
“He must be doing it deliberately.”
Baron Homern chuckled kindly to himself, nodding his head.
Old memories began to resurface.
The days spent training Ghislaine to become an excellent heir and lord.
From now on, he just had to guide him that way again.
If he could just fix that damn personality, he would make a fine lord.
“After all, he is the one who will inherit the Perdium Territory. Let’s try to get along well again, Ghislaine.”
As hatred faded away, his heart felt utterly peaceful.
“Why have I lived not knowing how peaceful it could be? Hatred only hurts my heart.”
Having gained realization, Homern stood up, carrying expectations and affection for Ghislaine in his heart.
It was time to inspect the territory.
“I’ll start by checking the eastern village today.”
At Homern’s command, the knights and soldiers quickly prepared.
The lord’s deputy bears a heavy responsibility. With the lord out of the position, they need to take extra care of the territory.
But was there really anything to worry about in Perdium right now? It was only natural for him to feel at ease.
Even while riding, Homern burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, how peaceful it is! A clear sky without a cloud, dazzling sunlight, chirping birds, a forest where the trees have all disappeared… Wait, what’s that? Why is that like that? Where have all the trees gone?”
On the way to the eastern village, there was definitely a small forest.
But now looking closer, all the trees had been cut down, leaving just stumps.
With a trembling voice, Homern exclaimed, “W-What is happening? Why has the forest become like this? I’m not seeing things, am I? L-Let’s hurry over!”
The closer he got, the more it was clear that it wasn’t an illusion, but an actual situation. The forest had truly been devastatingly ravaged.
“Forest keeper! Where are you, forest keeper? What is going on? What is happening?!”
As Homern shouted loudly, the one managing the forest quickly appeared.
“C-Chief Officer, you have arrived.”
“What is the meaning of this? Who dares to cut down like this? Can’t you report it immediately?!”
In any territory, recklessly damaging the forest is treated as a serious crime.
Especially in barren regions like the North, where people tend to rely heavily on the resources of the forest and mountains, it is monitored more sensitively.
Otherwise, it could greatly impact the already scarce finances of the territory.
In Perdium, there were people specifically assigned to manage the forest and keep others out.
But who had the audacity to pull such a stunt!?
The forest keeper belly-flopped onto the ground and immediately revealed the culprit.
“The Grand Duke came and cleared it all out!”
“What? The Grand Duke? Why would he come to cut down trees from another territory when he has his own?!”
“He said he was running low on timber in his territory and wanted to borrow some…”
“Ugh, ugh!”
Homern suddenly felt his blood pressure rise as he clutched the back of his neck, staggering.
“That guy is definitely not normal.”
No matter how much it’s his father’s territory, to raid another territory just because he’s short on timber is outrageous!
He needed to seize him and give him a piece of his mind.
“W-Where is that madman? Where is he?!”
The forest keeper timidly stood up and pointed with his finger.
“Over there, running away like crazy.”
Indeed, in the distance, he could see a group of wagons heavily loaded with timber.
Despite running away, they flaunted the Penris flag like it was nothing.
“Get him… Capture that guy right now!”
“Catch that guy!”
With that, Baron Homern passed out, bleeding from his nose.
His blood pressure shot up, and his body couldn’t handle it.
As he lost consciousness, Homern thought,
‘Trying to play it cool is just bull…’
I hate him, I absolutely hate him!
Just like that, one of Perdium’s forests was completely looted by Ghislaine.
*
“Whoa, whoa! What’s all that?!”
Territory residents were stunned as they watched wagons streaming in.
They were already aware that the timber supply was running low and construction was delayed.
No matter how wealthy the Lord was, they thought this time would be tough, but somehow it was miraculously resolved.
Claude, who rushed over at the news of timber arriving, was also struck dumb by the sight.
‘The amount is insane! It’s like they’ve brought in an entire small forest, right? No way Perdium, in such bad shape, would willingly part with this much timber…’
It was clear that he had indeed boldly gone out and looted.
‘Wow, this guy is something else. If I keep hanging around him, I’ll be lucky to die of old age!’
Even if it was urgent and important, to go and do something so outlandish!
There would surely be trouble from Perdium later.
While Claude briefly worried about the future, he soon realized something and beamed.
‘But wait! Thanks to us, we’re getting support from the royal family, so this should be fine, right? Let’s help each other. Chief Officer Homern.’
Deciding to take it easy, Claude figured that worrying about what’s already done was pointless.
On the other hand, among the territory residents, ominous rumors began to circulate.
“I hear the Lord looted his father’s territory?”
“I heard Count Perdium has gone north to campaign. So he still doesn’t know about it.”
“Tsk, tsk, this will certainly lead to a big mess. Will there be war between father and son?”
They had often heard the rumors about the Lord being a notorious disgrace, but they never imagined he would go so far as to loot his father’s territory.
Everyone was anxious, hoping nothing else would happen.
Claude, noticing the grave faces of the territory residents, reassured them and resumed work.
“Alright, let’s resume the work that was halted. Gather the laborers again.”
Due to a shortage of resources, the construction had come to a halt, causing significant delays.
Even if they recruited laborers and resumed construction now, the lost time wouldn’t come back.
Besides, building houses wasn’t easy. Even if they tried to keep it simple, essential facilities like kitchens and bathrooms had to be included.
There was a limit to how much they could cut down on time.
After seriously observing the construction progress, Claude finally decided to talk to Ghislaine.
“There’s a problem.”
“Oh, what now! What’s your problem this time? Do you purposely come up with issues?”
“I’m not making it up.”
“Isn’t the real problem that you think everything’s a problem?”
“Huh, isn’t it a problem that the Lord always makes plans so distant from reality?”
Ghislaine clicked her tongue and asked, exasperated at Claude.
“What’s the problem? You got the timber, what’s lacking this time?”
“Time.”
“That was already lacking, what’s new about that?”
“This is different. I really don’t think we can keep the schedule for building the residences.”
“Why?”
“There are too many houses to build. We need to proceed simultaneously in several towns. I’ve tried to recruit as many laborers as possible, but we’re still short on manpower.”
“I gathered as many as I could, but we’re still short on manpower.”
At those words, Ghislaine tilted his head.
There were thousands of people gathered now. Even if you excluded the elderly and the sick, that was still quite a substantial number, so the idea of being short on manpower didn’t quite add up.
“Why are we short on manpower? There are tons of people!”
“We’re lacking properly skilled technicians and carpenters. Buildings don’t just magically appear by slapping bricks together, you know.”
“Hmm, so there are plenty of people to work, but not enough people to give them directions, right?”
“Yes, which means adding more laborers right now wouldn’t make any sense. One supervisor can’t manage dozens of houses on their own.”
But it wouldn’t do to just have laborers building without craftsmen. They would never rise above the haphazard standards of the poor.
Such houses would crumble at the slightest storm. It would only be a waste of materials.
“Hmm…”
Ghislaine crossed her arms and sank into thought.
No matter how many laborers were thrown into the mix, it was pointless if they didn’t know how to build.
A more efficient working method was needed, one that would allow the supervisor to manage more houses than before.
As Ghislaine pondered, she muttered to herself.
“Ah, there is a way…”
“Really?”
“Hmm, I didn’t plan on doing it this way, but perhaps that might be better…”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no choice. We need to stabilize the residences before we can do anything else. I will take care of the residence issue.”
With a determined expression, Ghislaine raised her head, and Claude asked.
“Lord… do you, by any chance, know how to build houses? When did you learn such a skill?”
“I used to be involved in construction back in the day. I’m better at demolishing than building, though.”
Claude thought the lord was just boasting again. With rumors flying around about the Perdium fool, just what kind of construction experience could she have?
“…Even if the Lord participates, that alone won’t suddenly increase the number of houses.”
“I have an idea that I want to try. I’ll designate a test village and handle it personally. Bring all the architects and carpenters. You come along too.”
Claude, with a frumpy expression, followed Ghislaine.
What ridiculous scheme would she come up with this time?
Once Ghislaine’s summons spread, the team in charge of supervising and managing construction in each district gathered.
Looking at the people, Ghislaine confidently shouted.
“I’ll show you a construction method that allows us to build faster by utilizing more laborers and can accommodate more people!”
“Oooo!”
They all looked at Ghislaine with eyes full of expectation.
Even if the method seemed a bit odd, the lord had always found solutions to problems.
Especially in agriculture and cosmetics, she had introduced completely new technologies, a remarkable achievement indeed.
So a new construction method from such a lord! It was impossible not to be excited.
Seeing the sparkling eyes of the people, Ghislaine confidently declared.
“Just build the houses really big!”
“……”
The faces of those gleaming with anticipation instantly turned blank. Staring at her with frozen expressions, Ghislaine quickly revised her statement.
“I’ll show you what kind of houses I mean. From now on, I’ll take charge of the work!”
With a triumphant smile, she envisioned the new concept of homes she had seen in her previous life.
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