Chapter 116
fXwvQIWith the death of Norvek, the house of Count Calix was completely extinguished.7LyRs3
GmKHowever, the fall of Calix did not mean rest for Lucian. On the contrary, from that moment on, the busiest period truly began.UQJM
aX2O“Summon all the administrators who worked under House Calix. Administrators, tax collectors, protocol masters, heralds, scribes—not a single one should be missing.”YUq
C7tHU6V“And what will we do about the administrative vacuum in a territory left without officials?”29D
mWbsE“If they have any sense, they should have at least trained someone capable of taking over in an emergency. And if there’s no substitute, leave it. They’re not even worth calling.”1JOF
ALNjgkLucian gave the order to Hugo and had the territory’s officials gathered.mGyNU
SVi3YThe administrators gathered at the White Palace shrugged and pressed their foreheads to the floor.vZSIJL
zOo4“The supreme lord of the north and rightful master of the White Palace…”v0LH
uHsll“Spare me the useless flattery. I didn’t summon you to execute you.”TlkWy
fp1At the cold voice, the officials trembled but let out a sigh of relief.CdxH0k
THEGThey had feared it was retribution for having served under Calix, but that didn’t seem to be the case.icea
KWBIMmAfter observing them for a moment, Lucian got straight to the point.kgFEAUJ
TVg4EM“I want to select from among you those who will work in Asagrim. That is, I want to take the most competent.”EFjN0
oxKVSp“…!”l7H
FRY“The salary will be triple what you earned before. If you wish, I will also provide free housing within the inner grounds. But if you do not have the appropriate ability, I will fire you on the spot and throw you out.”KKDmvBq
KgY3FThe officials’ eyes sparkled. They had thought they were about to lose their heads, and suddenly they were offered an unmissable opportunity.OMS
QjJThe salary was tempting enough, but also a house in Asagrim, and right next to the White Palace at that. Just selling that property in a few years would be enough to live off for life.w22bohP
d9W0ovLStill, one doubt remained.uB790ah
Nyqm“How should we demonstrate our ability?”bJYd
kwxOxGOne of the heralds asked cautiously. He thought there would be some kind of formal competition, but Lucian’s response was unexpected.bgxEX
40Y0l“Tell me yourselves.”h0phdup
FHEb7Wu“Pardon?”Plp
Qiki“Explain yourselves. Say what you’re good at, how you’re different from the others, how valuable you are. If it sounds convincing to me, I’ll accept you.”IOgQW
Ns9uyAT“…”naGgFIy
e8yGIThe officials’ faces filled with confusion. Basically, they had to brag about themselves with their own mouths.7p3grD1
CqCWWhen the silence stretched, an old man stepped forward and raised his voice.tom
2Rib“It is a truly excellent test. I’ve heard much about Your Highness’s wisdom, but now I see that all those rumors fell short.”6ox
m6aylBLucian showed interest despite the flattering tone.Mkbdq4
EHgU“Excellent? Why do you say that?”Gj6fpaB
wtgH8r“Those who can clearly explain their own abilities know both their strengths and weaknesses well. They will offer themselves confidently for what they can do and admit without issue what they cannot. That way, there’s no risk of assigning them tasks they cannot fulfill.”NQfzQ
wqULRh“You could also end up choosing a smooth-talking incompetent.”e5oqWt
rFJhuO“If someone details their skills and then fails to deliver, it would be the same as deceiving and mocking Your Highness. The moment their incompetence is revealed, their head will hang on the wall. Who would dare do such a thing?”AqHk
NJuPDSwThe old man bowed his head.kDL9Pu
kwYF“Furthermore, anyone who proudly presents themselves despite knowing all that is someone confident in their ability and willing to work actively. That is the kind of talent best suited to lay the foundation of a territory.”JzsXa
u25Y“Hmm.”3qf
O2uILucian smiled. Asagrim was just laying its foundations, and there was far too much to do. He couldn’t handle every detail personally.HjqLNW
n9NHe needed people capable of acting with their own judgment and reporting only what truly mattered.zjr9UO
iwdxlhThis old man had perfectly understood his intentions.p1M7s2q
4mJ“Who are you?”ehs
bIf28XD“I am Fritz, the diplomatic envoy.”LqaXn
Jgi3XK“Diplomatic envoy?”GuJfYS
MJa5sDLucian blinked. That title was usually used only by nobility of count rank or higher to send representatives for important negotiations.lcV
KfuhZ93However, almost no lord actually made use of one.8ULLo
EWebb‘Normally, they delegate diplomacy to their close confidants.’koPiru
tuq15yCDiplomatic envoys were still just officials. In terms of trust, they couldn’t compare to a companion willing to lay down their life.ysV14
yu7CBgThat’s why diplomatic matters usually fell to the closest circle.9bt
2bZoTA‘They usually hire one only when their confidants are terrible at diplomacy.’lZh4BOo
EM4ZLGTLucian calmly examined Fritz. Despite the sudden silence, he didn’t seem the least bit uneasy.HAV6FeA
SVl“Have we met before?”MBWzbU7
Ex7CAXa“I haven’t served as a diplomatic envoy in ten years.”r7zuHXm
8p6fWQHe had been hired merely for appearances and almost never used. For some, that would have been lucky—getting paid for doing nothing—but Fritz’s voice held only resignation.Zrr
yh4Lucian reflected.hI46
fE5‘A diplomatic envoy…’SEvEZc
3MUeHe didn’t need one right away, but eventually it would be essential. In turbulent times, it was common for lords to send inept confidants and only their heads would return. Even those proud of their rhetoric often failed.Whb4Q6
mpC0Diplomacy in chaotic times was like dancing among lions without stepping on their tails. Not just anyone could do it.TY4v449
VqmOTDAnd in Lucian’s eyes, Fritz had that ability.NhuYsz
biZs“Fritz, I appoint you as diplomatic envoy of Asagrim. There won’t be much work for now, but soon you’ll have to move around a lot. Be ready.”fY7I
Yugwt0“It is an honor, Your Highness!”KSb
6QqWJ4SFritz responded with force and pressed his forehead to the floor again.LsQ
sHdMSeeing that, the other officials, surprised but encouraged, began stepping forward. If he had been chosen, they could try too.lm8
BvrrGP4The second to step up bowed deeply.iaO
KN46“I am Marco, tax collector for the territory of Sengel. Each territory has its own tax system, but the current one has flaws, and I…”MGNUVe
PKzSh***K5tZHDA
cUVaMZsThe result was quite satisfactory. If they were administrators that Norvek had selected after careful examination, it was no surprise that most of them passed with flying colors.FNzT
R9GWPFMoreover, Lucian had chosen only those overflowing with confidence in their own abilities and with a proactive attitude, so there didn’t seem to be any reason to worry about internal administration.zf6gCJ
13r6ViWith the issue of the administrators resolved, Lucian moved on to the next stage.PAJ84Vx
I4tnJsd“What the hell is this? I expected sincerity from you, and you bring me such a miserable sum. Are you insulting me?”OiFn
7hzLR“Y-Your Highness… please, calm down! There must have been some mistake in the process!”xdb
1vx“What kind of mistake could there be if there were no thieves on the road or monster attacks?”IlDy
r0usJDThe nobles who had been allies of Calix rushed to show their “sincerity” to Lucian. However, even among offerings, the differences in amounts were obvious.i9I7xf
hCrLucian personally summoned only those who had delivered the lowest sums and scolded them without restraint.n8RZ
5xSJVThe summoned nobles broke out in cold sweat as they stammered out excuses, but it was clear at a glance that they had tried to test the waters with a minimal amount.Ie8C
Pao2VrE“No, it seems the mistake was mine. Are your territories in such poor shape lately? If you can’t even contribute more than nobles with smaller domains, it must be because you’re facing serious difficulties.”eEm
U2Z7Y“Y-Yes, that’s right. No matter how I try, the expenses are enormous…”snxN6
Ecq“Tsk, how pathetic. A territory must be prosperous so its next owner can also rejoice.”t1I
mQcw5“H-Huh? Your Highness!”aBxQea6
TtTp“Then go. Develop your territories properly. To avoid unnecessary hassle, disband your armies and leave only the riches behind. Isn’t it said that even the place a beautiful person leaves behind remains beautiful?”Wqa
PZGQ“Your Highness, please, grant us mercy just this once! Have pity!”ma3
GPdFaced with Lucian’s ultimatum, the nobles turned pale and prostrated themselves on the floor. Up to now, Lucian had never made empty threats. If they left that place, their houses would surely be wiped out and they beheaded.aav8rN
0iR3After staring at them coldly, Lucian spoke with an icy voice.nqYR8
WZ5k4“I plan to publish, within half a year, a list of the traitorous houses that collaborated with Calix. The list is already complete, so I could make it public just as it is.”rbzb7u
y52gY“…!”M5Ks
BF5u7Fx“However, I’m human too. It’s possible I made a mistake during the process. Perhaps I’ll realize that error and decide to correct the list before publishing it.”Q9K7jEk
H0n4u5“Th-Thank you! The Eight Gods will praise Your Highness’s mercy!”a0C
6eGmIt was a clear warning if they didn’t show proper sincerity before the six-month mark, they would be declared traitors without hesitation.QWdEH
PYRkThe nobles, relieved by the opportunity they had barely managed to secure, didn’t stop praising Lucian’s clemency.BxaenFX
0hBbIn the end, those who had tried to test the waters had to offer sums far greater than the others to prove their sincerity.pKf6
0iCAnd since the first amount sent was treated as nonexistent, they ended up losing several times more for trying to be clever.sQ8pyA
VV0qfEB“Use the funds received to help with relocating the residents. Organize the residential zones of the inner and outer city and prepare them so people can move in at any moment.”cJWl6M
qbyBQ“And what should we do about food?”YqE
2R7FN“There are no suitable fields, so there’s no choice but to use a rationing system. However, buy the food from outside. Don’t touch the supplies sent by the imperial family.”g53z
lMIThe north was already a region where obtaining food was difficult, and even so, the available products weren’t of great quality.90G
VJgCmvFor the Blue Rose Order, who came from Tibron, and for the imperial elite troops, it was only natural that northern food wouldn’t be satisfactory.vPdq3Vf
liCqmx9Unless the supplies sent were completely depleted, if Lucian hid them and substituted rough food, complaints would be inevitable.Ke35
7nzae‘Maybe I won’t be able to give the impression that I did absolutely everything, but I can’t show that I’m just trying to line my own pockets either.’kH8a2W
c2yIn a situation where the imperial family had practically abandoned them, if Lucian took care of them as best he could, their hearts would naturally turn to him. As long as they weren’t driven into a corner with no escape, he intended to treat them as well as possible.UBNH
Wl1It was then, in the midst of that frenzy of work to organize the great relocation of residents, that—OueU
l0vSsPQ“Your Highness.”ILU9g
IFX6fT“Ah, Sir Lothier. You arrived just in time.”O0Fun8
1gUn4HLucian smiled at the sight of Lothier, former commander of the Asagrim garrison. He was just thinking of suggesting that he depart soon.ZQHMh
G9lkz0Until now, since it was an empty territory, he had turned a blind eye, but once the inhabitants began to arrive, he could no longer allow the presence of an external armed force.W9w
8WHov9QHowever, before Lucian could get to the point, Lothier knelt first and raised his voice.MIgE
jRd“Lothier Terman and the entire Asagrim garrison wish to swear loyalty to Your Highness. Please, accept us.”hGgI8
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