Chapter 14: Heh heh heh. Yes, it looks expensive even at a glance (3)
Chapter 14: Heh heh heh. Yes, it looks expensive even at a glance (3)
Patrick spoke to his father with a serious expression.
"Father, even if we set aside the monster attacks, the problems plaguing the residents of our territory are far from few."
"Well, there might be some issues, but surely they aren't that severe?"
"Every time winter passes, the people of this land have to risk their lives because of the food shortage."
"Umm, that is..."
"There is also a severe lack of daily necessities, leading to a very low quality of life."
"That is true. However—"
"The soldiers' weapons are so worn out that it's dangerous to use them in actual combat, and there are no doctors or priests to treat the people when they fall ill."
"..."
Faced with Patrick's biting criticism, Baron Schneider couldn't find a single word to retort.
Every word was the truth.
Sigh, I have nothing to say.
How could Baron Schneider not know that his territory was underdeveloped and that his people's lives were difficult?
But most nobles in this region faced the same reality.
The vast forest situated in the Eastern Region was a remote wilderness that rejected humanity—a paradise for monsters. It was common sense that a territory bordering such a place could not maintain the same standard of living as those elsewhere.
"Do you know what is needed to solve all of these problems?"
"Are you saying it's money?"
"Yes. Most of the problems I just mentioned can be solved if we have the funds."
"..."
Patrick's words were an undeniable fact.
Baron Schneider might have been a pushover by nature, but he wasn't so foolish that he didn't understand reality. How could he not know the various problems scattered across his land? And he knew that most of those issues could be resolved if only the budget were plentiful.
He knew, but...
"Even so, does that mean you have to go as far as hunting dangerous monsters to earn that money? You are the heir to this barony."
A father's heart worrying for his son.
Well, that was fine. It was truly moving. It was moving, but...
To put it bluntly, right now, it's just a hindrance.
Patrick let out a sigh and looked at his father.
"Father, do you see that?"
Patrick pointed toward the Saber Tiger's hide. Looking at the skin of the large demonic beast, which had been taken down cleanly without a single blade mark, Patrick spoke.
"I took that down by myself."
"Mmm..."
"How many things more dangerous than that could there possibly be around our territory?"
"..."
"Rest easy. Your son is strong."
"Phew... Still, you are far too young."
Jin Su-han smiled bitterly as he watched his father, who couldn't be reassured even by logical persuasion.
Normally, if a son brought home such a massive amount of money, wouldn't a parent say, 'Right, keep up the good work,' and cheer him on? Yet, Baron Schneider's eyes were still filled with worry and concern for his son.
It was frustrating. Truly frustrating. And yet...
He's just like Master.
As if to prove they were both pushovers, their behavior was remarkably similar.
Back when Jin Su-han was making a name for himself as a peerless gambler of fate. Back when he was recklessly handing out martial arts challenges to the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families alike to spread the name of the Twin Dragon Sect.
[You brat! Who told you to recklessly duel an elder of the Mount Hua Sect?]
[Challenging the Wudang Sect Leader? Withdraw it this instant. Cancel it!]
[Challenging Shaolin’s 108 Arhat Formation? You've finally lost your mind! You've gone completely mad!]
His Master had worried, scolded, and tried to stop him with an expression that looked as if his heart were melting with anxiety. Every time Jin Su-han emerged victorious, the reputation of the Twin Dragon Sect soared to the heavens and shook the martial world, but his Master cared more for his disciple's safety than any of that.
In fact, persuading his Master to give permission had been harder than the actual duels.
Still, I know how to persuade people like this.
Patrick spoke to his father in a soft voice.
"Father, you said it yourself. That... what was it? Noblesse Homage?"
"It's Noblesse Oblige."
"Ah, right. That. Didn't you say a noble has noble duties?"
"Umm..."
"Is it not the mark of a true noble to do one's best to protect the safety of the people and stabilize their lives?"
"That is..."
"Isn't that how you taught me? From your own mouth, Father."
"..."
The cheeky brat.
Since Patrick was using his father's own words against him, the Baron couldn't say a thing.
Just then, a soft, white hand grabbed Baron Schneider's wrist.
"Dear, please respect our son's wishes for now."
"Madam, even you..."
"You're the one who taught him that way, aren't you? Are you going to tell him now that it was just an empty ideal?"
"..."
"The man I fell in love with isn't that kind of person, is he?"
With his beloved wife joining his son, the Baron could no longer resist.
"I will let Lawrence know. If there is anything you need, just say the word."
"Are you trusting me with this?"
"Yes. In exchange, you must never overextend yourself."
"Yes. I understand, Father."
Patrick had succeeded in persuading his father.
Now that I've gotten formal permission, shall I start moving on a grander scale?
From the next day, Patrick began hunting monsters in earnest. Whenever he discovered a Goblin village or a pack of Kobolds near the territory, he wiped them out. Furthermore, if he found large-type monsters that were worth money, like Trolls, Owlbears, or Wild Boars...
"Hand over everything that's worth money!"
He charged at them with bloodshot eyes.
As Patrick began hunting monsters like a man possessed, something amazing happened. The frequency of monster attacks decreased to a point where the residents could actually feel the difference.
"The monster attacks have decreased significantly lately."
"I know, right? Before, monsters used to come and cause a ruckus at least once or twice a week."
"There was only one attack this whole month, wasn't there?"
"It's all thanks to the Young Master."
"He's truly remarkable. To enter the monster-infested forest every single day for our sake at such a young age..."
"He is a true noble."
Patrick entered the forest every day to hunt monsters simply to find the ones that were worth money. However, as a result, the people of the territory were deeply moved. The monster attacks, the greatest threat to the Schneider Barony, had significantly diminished.
No matter how much of a genius he was, Patrick was still a young boy. Seeing him enter the forest daily to slay monsters and look after their safety, how could they not be moved? Patrick's reputation and the people's trust in him skyrocketed.
And it wasn't just the commoners who were seeing Patrick in a new light.
"Aaaaagh!"
"Die! Young Master!"
"Take thiiiis!"
The eyes of the soldiers being trained by Patrick had also changed drastically.
After enduring four hours of the Horse Stance while carrying a boulder the size of their own torsos on their heads, they moved into practical combat training with Patrick. In truth, until recently, the only results of this training were the soldiers' increased physical resilience and Patrick's stress relief.
However, a short while ago, the soldiers' attitude had shifted. Their attacks still couldn't touch a single hair on Patrick's head, but they now showed a fierce tenacity, desperately trying to land even a glancing blow.
Their gaze has become a liiiiittle bit useful, at least.
The soldiers' dedication to their training was so fervent that even Patrick had such thoughts. This change in attitude was because the soldiers had learned of Patrick's recent activities.
The Young Master, whom they had thought was merely a wicked devil with a foul personality who took pleasure in tormenting people, was actually dealing with the monsters around the territory without them knowing. And he was doing it all alone.
Brian had been with him, but that fact was cleanly ignored.
When they learned of this, the soldiers' faces were a mix of deep moved emotion and shock. Their lord, Baron Schneider, was a benevolent and wonderful master, but he wasn't the type of noble who valiantly defeated enemies and boosted morale at the front lines.
In contrast, what about his son, Patrick?
He was only ten years old, yet he was already standing at the forefront, fighting and shedding blood in dangerous places. Well, he hadn't actually shed a single drop of his own blood, but they just let that slide.
To the soldiers, Patrick was the most ideal form of a noble. A brave, strong noble who stood before them in battle—the kind of hero found in old legends.
In the midst of this, Samson gathered the soldiers and spoke.
"As you all know... the Young Master is currently dealing with the monsters around the territory in our stead."
"We know, brother."
"As expected of the Young Master..."
"We knew he was strong, but still."
Watching his admiring comrades, Samson nodded and said, "We all know the Young Master is monstrously strong. But I am ashamed."
"Of what?"
"Why do you think the Young Master is punishing the monsters alone?"
"That's because..."
The soldier who was speaking faltered. Samson nodded as if to say 'look at that' and continued.
"It is because we are weak."
"..."
"Because we are of no help, he doesn't take us with him. He only takes that fellow Brian and fights alone. Because we are weak!"
At Samson's firm words, the soldiers squeezed their eyes shut. They had been so moved by Patrick's heroic deeds that they hadn't considered this. The bitter reality that they, who should have been standing behind that hero, were unable to be there.
Samson spoke resolutely.
"I know the training the Young Master orders is difficult. But let us all follow it, even if it means risking our lives. We must become strong."
"Yes, sir!"
And so, the soldiers' attitude toward training completely transformed. The zeal to follow Patrick, the anger at their own weakness, and...
"Uwoooooh!"
"Take a hit for once, you devil!"
"Kill him! Kill hiiiim!"
Well, let's just interpret that as improved fighting spirit.
"Foolish lot..."
Patrick spoke as he watched the soldiers charging at him with burning fighting spirit.
"If fighting spirit and grit could bridge the gap in skill, why would anyone need skill in the first place?"
At that moment, Patrick's body vanished. Simultaneously...
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
"Aaaagh!"
"Argh!"
"Gah..."
It was impossible to see when or how he had struck. The moment Patrick's body vanished and reappeared, over a dozen soldiers were already collapsing to the ground, groaning as they were struck evenly across their bodies. It was a movement like a flash of lightning.
"Ugh..."
"Uuu... uuuu..."
"Oh, I'm dying. I'm dying..."
Once all the soldiers had collapsed, Patrick spoke with a refreshed expression.
"Alright, that's it for the morning training. Now, everyone, get back to your duties until the afternoon."
As Patrick turned to go hunt more monsters, one soldier stepped forward.
"Yo... Young Master. Wait a moment."
"You are... Soldier A."
"It's Oliver."
"Right. Speak, A."
"..."
Oliver looked like he had swallowed something bitter for a moment, but he quickly composed himself and spoke.
"Young Master. This is absolutely not a complaint about your training, but a pure question to resolve a doubt we have at our current stage."
"Stop beating around the bush and just say it."
"You are so fast that we can't do anything about it."
"Well, that's only natural. That's just how it is."
"..."
Even in his past life, there had been no human faster than Patrick.
"Doubt resolved? Then I'm off."
"Wa-wait a moment, Young Master."
"Ugh, what now?"
Patrick spoke curtly to Oliver, who was pestering him again. To which Oliver replied...