Chapter 212: I Knew This Would Happen (1)
Chapter 212: I Knew This Would Happen (1)
The eastern edge of the Atronia Kingdom.
A small countryside fiefdom bordering the Great Forest.
That was the Schneider Territory.
At least, it had been until a few years ago.
"Mmm... Yes. This is it. All that money I've been pouring in was worth it."
Patrick was immensely satisfied as he looked upon his hometown for the first time in a long while.
The first impression alone was completely different.
The wooden palisades made of fixed logs were gone, replaced by high outer walls built of solid stone.
Atop those walls, soldiers stood guard, holding sharply gleaming weapons with an air of gravity—
Wait, did that guy just yawn?
Who was that? Looked like Trend.
You’re dead later.
Regardless, the transformation of his hometown was enough to leave Patrick feeling elated.
As Patrick reached the gate of the outer wall...
"Halt! Who goes there?"
The guards on duty pointed their spears at Patrick, their eyes wary.
Patrick gave a satisfied smile at their disciplined response.
"Yo, look who it is... Wait, who was it again?"
He tried to act friendly, but he couldn't remember their names.
April spoke up from beside him.
"It is Dylan and Tamillan."
"Ah, right. Those were the names. Long time no see, boys."
"Who are you? Huh? April?"
"What? Did you say April?"
The soldiers recognized April before they recognized Patrick.
She had cut her long hair short and was wearing a neat butler’s uniform instead of a maid’s dress, making her hard to recognize at first, but there couldn't possibly be another peerless beauty like her besides the Baroness.
And the person April called 'Young Master' was...
"...Could it be?"
"Young Master Patrick?"
At the soldiers' words, Patrick replied, "Of course it's me. Have you lot gone soft? You don't even recognize my face?"
"No, it's not that..."
"You've grown so tall!"
The reason the soldiers hadn't recognized him was due to his physical changes.
The Patrick of the past had still carried the air of a young boy, but he had returned as a man who could easily pass for a full-grown adult.
Patrick scoffed as if the comment was absurd.
"Of course I grew, you idiots! Did you think I’d shrink?"
Ah, that temper.
It was definitely the Young Master.
The soldiers snapped into a stiff salute.
"We are glad you have returned, Young Master."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm heading inside. That's fine, right?"
"Yes. Ah, but who are the people with you?"
Patrick introduced the group behind him.
"This is my fiancée and the Princess of the Kingdom, Her Highness Isabella Black Atronia."
"Gasp... Cough... It is... an honor to meet you!"
"An honor!"
The two soldiers quickly knelt and paid their respects upon seeing the princess of the realm. And then...
"This is Matthew. This is Riman."
"..."
"..."
Matthew and Riman wore disgruntled expressions at the relatively brief introduction. Patrick, however, ignored them with a look that said, 'What are you going to do about it?'
In the end, the two sighed and introduced themselves.
"I am Matthew, a fourth-year student at the Academy and the heir to the Elvador Merchant Group."
"I am Riman Sierra, a magic swordsman belonging to the Tower of Truth."
The soldiers were utterly bewildered by the consecutive appearance of such influential figures.
Patrick spoke to the two, who were fumbling, unsure of what to do.
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to let us through?"
"Ah. Yes, of course!"
"You may pass!"
"Tsk. Do better, boys."
Patrick patted the two soldiers on the shoulder as he passed through the gate.
It seemed the soldiers' discipline had slipped quite a bit during his absence.
I'll have to tighten things up again.
As Patrick’s group passed, Dylan spoke hurriedly.
"Send a messenger. We have to spread the word to the entire territory immediately."
"Ah, right. We should. What's the message?"
Dylan spoke in an incredibly solemn tone.
"That day has finally come."
* * *
Originally, the Schneider Territory was a rural area consisting of several small villages with a total population of less than 3,000.
But that was in the past; things were different now.
"Mmm, money really is the best. It's exhilarating."
Patrick was extremely pleased to see the drastically changed territory.
The small dirt paths, where puddles would form whenever it rained and wagon wheels would constantly get stuck, had been transformed into paved roads wide enough for four carriages to pass side-by-side.
The modest country houses built with old, crumbling mud walls had been replaced by sturdy three-story brick buildings lining the main road.
The clothes of the residents, which used to be tattered and patched together, were now clean and neat, and the cheeks of the children on the street were plump with health.
"Money really is the best. It's magnificent."
Every bit of money he earned, he sent home.
He told them to use it to develop the territory.
During the liberal arts classes at the Academy, they had spouted nonsense about how to be a good lord: one must study hard to accumulate knowledge, care for the residents with wisdom and mercy, be loyal to the state, and maintain the dignity of a noble...
"What makes a good noble? If I feed and clothe my people well, that's a good noble."
Patrick had detested such armchair theories since his previous life.
Original sin? Original goodness?
Legalism? Confucianism? Taoism?
By Patrick's standards, those were just nonsense spouted by people with full bellies and too much time on their hands.
What was so special about people?
If your pockets are full, you have the leeway to help the unfortunate and naturally become a good person. If you have no money and are hungry, anyone is bound to do bad things.
If you feed someone nothing but water for ten days and let them starve, nine out of ten will turn to thievery. That is human nature.
So what was all this talk about the essence of humanity or the virtues of a monarch?
Bullshit. Those people would only snap out of it if they lived as beggars themselves. Idiots.
Feeding and clothing people well must always come first. Just look at the expressions of the residents.
Weren't their facial expressions completely different?
That kind of vitality and those smiles were nowhere to be seen in the residents of the past.
Even though Baron Schneider had governed with such benevolence.
"Ho, a market has opened over there too?"
"Was there not one before?"
"Do you think there was? Business only happens when money is moving. Who does business in a countryside where everyone is self-sufficient for all their daily necessities?"
"..."
Hearing Patrick's grumbling, Matthew marveled inwardly.
That means all these changes happened in less than ten years... Is that even possible?
Though he was walking the path of a knight, Matthew was still the heir to the kingdom's greatest merchant group.
The Schneider Territory he saw now had developed to the point where it could pass for a typical County.
Yet, he was saying it used to be such a remote backwater that there weren't even proper walls or a market for trade...
Looking at April’s expression as she walked beside them, it didn't seem like he was lying.
He really is an incredible guy.
He knew Patrick had been steadily sending money home through the Elvador Merchant Group.
However, he hadn't known what kind of results had been achieved with that money.
He had simply thought of it as an investment needed for silk production.
But to develop the territory itself to this extent...
This guy actually has the talent to be a surprisingly good lord.
Feeling Matthew's gaze, Patrick’s mouth curled into a wide grin as he thought to himself:
Hehe. Just how much tax can I collect from here now?
A good lord, my foot.
* * *
Passing through the wide circular plaza via the main road of the Schneider Territory and walking straight ahead...
"As they say, there's no place like home, no matter where you go in the world."
Patrick smiled, thinking of his home that would soon come into view.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation after seeing the developed territory.
Aside from the funds for the territory's development, he had also sent separate funds for the family.
This was because, while living in the capital, he had realized just how poor the environment of the mansion he grew up in actually was.
Surely they've fixed up that old mansion by now? They probably brought in some magic tools for daily necessities, too. I hope Mother is finally wearing proper dresses and some jewelry...
It was money sent for the purpose of maintaining the family's dignity, and it was by no means a small amount.
The mansion would probably look completely different at first glance... first glance...
"What the...?"
The mansion of the Baron Schneider family.
The two-story mansion, steeped in 200 years of history and tradition, stood before him.
'History' and 'tradition' sounded nice, but in reality, it just meant it had been 200 years since it was built.
In short, it was filthy old.
He hadn't realized it as a child, but after living in the capital, he knew.
The mansion he grew up in was so old that if it were put on the real estate market, rumors of it being haunted would surely spread.
That very mansion was right there before his eyes. No...
Does it look even older than before?
Creeeeeak!
Just then, the mansion door opened, and a familiar face emerged.
"O-Oh... Young Master. You've returned."
"Butler Lawrence!"
The loyal vassal of the Baron Schneider family.
Butler Lawrence, who had looked after Patrick since he was a child, stood there.
"O-Oh... Young Master. This isn't a dream, is it?"
"Now, now, Butler, calm down. Haha..."
Lawrence was moved to tears at the sight of Patrick after so long.
Patrick approached Lawrence and took the butler's hand with a smile.
As he did, something caught his eye.
He's using a cane now.
It felt bittersweet.
In Patrick's memory, Lawrence was originally a knight and had been healthy and energetic for his age.
But even Lawrence couldn't defeat time, as he now held an elegant cane in one hand.
Perhaps he felt Patrick's gaze?
"Hohoho. How is it? I prepared this to capture the charm of an elderly gentleman."
Lawrence actually smiled and showed off his cane. Patrick, understanding Lawrence's heart, smiled and replied.
"It suits you. While you're at it, why didn't you get a monocle or a pocket watch too?"
"Haha. I'll consider it if you raise my salary."
"Ah, right. Speaking of salary..."
Patrick spoke, a vein popping on his forehead.
"The state of the house isn't much different from before. Why is that?"
"Ahem, that is..."
Just as Lawrence was about to say something...
"Mr. Lawrence, who are these people?"
A beautiful noblewoman with black hair appeared before Patrick.
The noblewoman, who looked stunning in a pale purple dress, was a woman of considerable beauty.
She also possessed a sense of dignity and grace that matched her looks.
The moment he saw her, Patrick's mind raced, connecting the dots.
A beautiful noblewoman he’d never seen before.
The family's finances hadn't improved much.
And she was speaking casually to the butler?
Connecting these three keywords led to one conclusion...
"Father, how could you!"
Patrick burst out in anger.
"What is the matter, Young Master?"
When Lawrence hurriedly asked for the reason, Patrick shouted.
"How dare he take a concubine when he has an angelic wife like my mother!"
"...Pardon?"
"I knew this would happen! Argh, this is why the family's finances are still in the gutter. Where did he even find a vixen like this?"
"Wait a moment, Young Master."
"Where is Father? I'm going to be a real 'fire-attribute' unfilial son today!"
"Young Master, it's a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding or not, I asked where Father is—"
Tap, tap.
It was then.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
He whipped his head around to see Isabella, looking incredibly troubled.
She whispered to Patrick in a small voice.
"That's my mom."
"...Pardon?"
"I said, that's my mom."
"..."
Princess Isabella's mother.
So this person was...
"The... Queen?"
As Patrick slowly turned his head back, the beautiful middle-aged noblewoman gave him a smile.
"I am Rose Jenova Atronia, the 7th Queen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Schneider."
"Ah... Hello."
It was the worst first meeting with a mother-in-law in history.
* * *
Baron Schneider had been thinking.
That as soon as his son returned, he would formally hand over the title and retire.
It was only natural when he thought about it.
Winner of the Arcana.
The youngest 7-star swordsman.
A son so talented that the royal family had offered a princess just to keep him.
Furthermore, after leaving for his knight training recently, he had shown an unprecedented... yes, a truly stomach-turning, unprecedented track record.
Even though his actions were radical, Baron Schneider knew.
He and his son were people of entirely different calibers.
So, he had planned to hand over the territory when his son returned after graduating from the Academy and live a quiet life in retirement with his beloved wife. But...
"You've shattered that resolution in less than a single day, haven't you?"
"Hahaha. Isn't this just a son's deep filial piety, wanting his father to stay active for longer?"
"To Her Highness the 7th Queen, you dared to say what? Con... Concu... Gasp."
"My Lord!"
Lawrence, who was waiting behind him, quickly handed Baron Schneider his blood pressure medicine.
After swallowing the medicine with a glass of water, Baron Schneider sighed and spoke.
"How can a son who returned after four years cause such trouble in less than forty minutes!"
"How was I supposed to know..."
"You brat, still talking back?!"
Just then, the one person who could suppress Baron Schneider's anger entered.
"That's enough, dear."
"But Ava, he..."
"Mother!"
Patrick was delighted to see his mother after so long.
His mother, whom he hadn't seen in four years, had hardly changed.
She was still as beautiful and elegant as ever.
To an outsider, she could easily pass for his father's daughter rather than his wife.
Well, Mother originally had the Nine Yin Blocked Meridians.
Furthermore, if she had continued the Aura Blessing Patrick had taught her, Ava's internal energy would be at a first-class level.
She smiled at her son and spoke.
"I am so happy you've returned! My son, I've been hearing news about you constantly."
"I am glad to see you in good health, Mother."
Patrick greeted his mother quite maturely. Ava smiled and said, "Would you introduce the people behind you as well?"
"Yes. This is Matthew, the heir to the Elvador Merchant Group and my friend."
"I am Matthew. It is an honor to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Matthew."
"This is Riman Sierra. He is with the Tower of Truth."
"I am Riman Sierra, a magic swordsman of the Tower of Truth."
"A distinguished guest has arrived."
Ava greeted them with a smile.
However, even as she did, her eyes did not miss the black-haired young lady standing behind Patrick, looking visibly nervous.
"And this is..."
"I-am-Isabella-Black-Atronia-it-is-an-honor-to-meet-you-Baron-and-Baroness."
"Senior, remember to breathe while you talk."
"..."
Isabella's face turned bright red as she hung her head low.
Ava gazed at her intently.
I was worried because she's a princess, but...
She seemed fine.
She had settled things to some extent through conversations with Queen Rose, but there had been some lingering anxiety since she hadn't met the person herself.
But seeing her in person, she seemed alright.
Even though she was a princess, she didn't seem arrogant at all; she was like a cute child.
Mmm, pass.
After a brief but awkward silence, she spoke in a gentle voice.
"Welcome to our territory, Princess."
"...Please call me Isabella."
"Then I shall do so, Isabella."
"Ahem, dear, calling the Princess that is..."
Ava shot a brief, sharp glance at Baron Schneider, who was trying to offer a polite caution.
"I think it's a wonderful idea. It sounds very friendly."
And just like that, the hierarchy was instantly established.