Uninvited Guests in Rendal Territory
Uninvited guests had already arrived in Rendal Territory.
The road leading to Rendal Territory stretched alongside a long coastline. Shura couldn't tear herself away from the carriage window, mesmerized by the sea she'd never seen before, while Sister Armida tediously explained just how vast the ocean was for her sake.
I eyed Count Rendal, whose face was etched with worry. He seemed deeply troubled by the commission fee I'd proposed. Ten thousand gold rif—far too massive a sum for a rural territory like this to handle.
"Count Rendal. Don't sweat the commission fee. Rendal Territory can afford it just fine."
"But... I don't have that kind of money. My vassals will surely blame me for recklessly stirring up trouble."
"How many times do I have to say it? If you couldn't pay, I wouldn't even be here."
"How can you say that?"
I gazed out at Rendal Territory's farmlands. This place boasted exceptionally high grain production relative to its population. The warm climate allowed for double cropping, and the fertile soil boosted yields. The only issues were poor transportation and the fact that neighboring territories also overflowed with agricultural produce, leaving no easy way to offload the surplus.
So most of it just rotted in homes or got tossed.
"Hand over your excess grain to me first. I'll sell it for you."
"How do you plan to transport the grain?"
"By ship."
"But we don't even have proper port facilities."
"I'll invest in building a port. But there are conditions."
Count Rendal eyed me cautiously.
"What conditions?"
"Give me a share of the port's revenues, and allocate some coastal land near the port for large-scale grain storage facilities."
When the age of ruin hit, food would be the scarcest resource of all. The memory of starving back then still made my stomach turn.
Yet Rendal Territory and the surrounding areas not only had food in abundance but were also the safest zone from monster hordes. My plan was to stockpile massive quantities here.
"Of course, I'd be fine with that, but my vassals will object fiercely."
"Then boot out every last one who objects."
Count Rendal's eyes widened in shock.
"Pardon? But they've been loyal to our family since my grandfather's and father's days."
"Count. If we build port facilities now, Rendal Territory will become one of the world's trade hubs. And your vassals object to that? It means they've been leeching off your lands all this time—useless parasites. Fire them on the spot and replace them with competent, capable retainers."
"But..."
"Stop overthinking it and do as I say. You want to leave this place as some backwater forever? Step up and turn House Rendal into a prestigious name. If you sit idle here, someone will snatch this territory away sooner or later."
Count Rendal looked even more stunned.
"Why would anyone take our territory?"
"The maritime era just opened up, turning this into prime real estate. If you don't get stronger, it'll get taken. Lay down port and commercial facilities, and money will pour in. Everyone's eyeing it."
"Really...?"
"I'm telling you. You got lucky, Count Rendal. If monsters hadn't driven you to me, this territory would've been done for soon. Oh, and have you married yet?"
Count Rendal shook his head vigorously.
"No."
"I'll introduce you to a daughter from a prominent Yosrahim Empire house soon. Don't argue—just marry her."
For Count Rendal, this was shock after shock. Prominent houses in the Yosrahim Empire wielded massive influence across the continent. The idea of marrying into one was unbelievable for a mere count.
"Is that even possible?"
"How many times do I have to repeat myself? Follow my lead, and House Rendal becomes a world-renowned powerhouse. This land's location is perfect—it's the corner linking Prosia Continent's west and south coasts. Trade ships heading west hit ports here almost every time. Anyway, get your act together. House Rendal's fate—extinction or glory—hangs by a thread."
"Ah, yes."
"Also, build up your military strength. Pave those winding roads straight, even if it strains you. And leave space for railroads on key routes, just in case."
Count Rendal's face fell.
"But the territory's funds..."
"Don't worry about money. Ask me if you need it. How much?"
Counting on his fingers, Count Rendal stared at me blankly.
"Baekmyeon?"
"Yeah."
"Why are you being so good to me?"
I patted the anxious count's back.
"You remind me of a little brother. So trust me. I'll make House Rendal a world-class powerhouse."
"Ah, yes."
I fixed Count Rendal with a menacing glare, like I was threatening him.
"But loyalty—loyalty. Got it? Betray me, and you're dead. I hate traitors."
"Yes. I swear my loyalty."
Terrified, Count Rendal bobbed his head frantically.
Good. Now, as long as I didn't do anything stupid when the age of ruin came, I'd outlast everyone. I could just hole up in Rendal Territory.
Plus, it'd serve as my ultimate fallback granary. I probably wouldn't starve.
Rendal Castle was as shabby and rundown as I'd remembered from my past life. Recalling how I'd left amid cheering villagers on my way to death soured my mood a bit, but the overall pastoral scenery felt oddly relaxing.
Strangely, there was a festive air too. Passersby bustled about with bright faces, as if something good had happened, and temples we passed were packed with crowds like festivals were underway.
I narrowed my eyes at a finely dressed swordsman passing by. I knew him.
Wait, isn't that Milton?
Milton was my junior at the Imperial Noble Academy, chosen last spring by the 2nd-grade Divine Relic, Ice God's Cold Blood Sword Eida, becoming a Guardian. He should've been on his pilgrimage of hardship or back home by now—odd to see him in this remote backwater.
I glanced at Count Rendal beside me.
"Any Guardians visiting lately?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Yes. What's going on?"
"Saw someone I know. Never mind."
I pushed aside my unease and kept riding. Soon, we reached the lord's mansion and headed to an annex under Count Rendal's guidance.
The annex buzzed with activity. Servants rushed in and out repeatedly, while knights and soldiers patrolled on guard.
As our carriage pulled up, an elderly man approached with a beaming smile.
"My lord Count. Rejoice!"
Count Rendal, stepping out first, tilted his head.
"Chief Steward Hamel. What is it?"
"The Great Saintesses' party has graced our territory."
"Great Saintesses?"
"Lady Katrinah and Princess Ignes's group. Hearing they were on pilgrimage nearby, I hurried to them with tales of our territory's plight, and to our honor, they came here themselves."
I'd just dismounted, and I rubbed my face in disbelief. Those women being here was utterly ridiculous.
I shot Count Rendal a glare.
"Hey, Count Rendal. What's this? You didn't tell me and double-commissioned?"
"No."
"Then what's the situation?"
"Beats me."
As Count Rendal looked flustered, Chief Steward Hamel bowed politely and explained.
"The count knows nothing of this."
"Why?"
"Right after you left for Kara, rumors spread that Great Saintess Katrinah was coming to Kokt Kingdom. I didn't have time to contact you, so I..."
Before Hamel could finish, I grabbed his throat. I'd guessed Count Rendal was a figurehead from our talks, but not to this extent.
"What? So you just did whatever you pleased? Are you insane?"
"Guhk. Kkh."
As Hamel writhed in pain, Count Rendal urgently intervened.
"Baekmyeon? Chief Steward Hamel has served our house for three generations..."
"Count Rendal. You should be the furious one here. How dare a mere vassal sabotage something so critical you'd travel far yourself? Didn't he consider how pissed I'd be at a double commission? Or do I look that easy to you?"
"That's..."
"If I'd been any angrier, this territory would've been toast. This is how grave his solo act was. Don't forgive it."
Then a shrill shout rang from the annex entrance.
"Baekmyeon! What the hell are you doing?!"
I glanced slyly at the voice's owner. My broken fiancée—Princess Sierra.
"Mind your own business."
Princess Sierra approached, fondling her beloved Vermon.
"I have to. Looks like a man's life is at stake."
"Your nosiness hasn't changed. But tough luck—this is Count Rendal's internal matter. His call on punishment. Not your place."
"Then why are you stepping in?"
"I'm the victim. Came all the way from Kara and got screwed—not grabbing his collar would be weirder."
"Don't we count as victims too?"
"If you're that mad, grab his collar yourself. Otherwise, beat it."
The heated exchange drew murmurs from the gathering crowd. They weren't shouting, but I could make out worries for Hamel and mutters that I was overdoing it.
As Princess Sierra advanced, Shura stepped up to block her.
"Earth Great Saintess, please stand back."
Princess Sierra glared sharply at Shura.
"Yin-Yang Great Saintess. Can't you see what's happening?"
"I see. But he mocked our master first."
"How did he mock you?"
"Double-commissioned without telling us."
"Probably didn't trust you lot. Who'd trust such a brute?"
"What did you say?"
Shura, fuming, reached for Dalrahan's hilt. Then a window on the second floor flew open, and a redheaded woman leaped out—Katrinah.
"What the hell's everyone doing?!"
Sister Armida jumped in too.
"Katrinah, stay out of it. We've got beef with this 'chief steward' guy."
Katrinah shot Sister a narrow look.
"Doesn't look like much to beef about to me."
"To me, it does. Like my brother said—long trip here, and boom, your face? Pisses me off."
"What?"
Katrinah raised her voice, and Sister Armida smirked coldly.
"See? You're pissed too."
I flung Hamel to the ground and pressed Count Rendal.
"See that? That's the mistake he made. If these people draw swords, it's world war. Can you handle that fallout?"
"N-no."
"Then fix it fast."
Sensing the gravity, Count Rendal nodded and ordered his knights and soldiers.
"Arrest Chief Steward Hamel and throw him in the dungeon. Punishment later."
But the knights and soldiers hesitated, unmoving. Some even helped Hamel up.
"Now!"
"..."
Even after repeated orders, the territory forces refused to budge.
I chuckled, scanning them all. They'd grown so complacent they couldn't tell shit from shine. The true lord was Count Rendal, yet they prioritized a vassal's welfare over his command.
"Heh. Looks like the real lord's someone else."
Count Rendal bowed frantically in apology.
"Baekmyeon. Forgive me."
"Forget it. Not your fault. They must have a backbone."
I patted Count Rendal's shoulder while eyeing Katrinah's group. Even if Hamel was the real power, flouting a command from Rendal—with me backing him—was bold.
They had to be the reason.
No matter how gutsy, local knights and soldiers wouldn't defy Rendal with me behind him forever.
But they would break eventually. I wouldn't let them slide.
Gripping Yojyo's hilt, I bellowed at all the assembled knights and soldiers.
"Hey! Who the hell's your lord? Count Rendal or Chief Steward Hamel?!"
A young knight stepped forward boldly.
"Count Rendal."
"Smart. What's your name?"
"Tis."
"Good. Tis—carry out the count's order."
"Yes."
Ignoring glares from fellow knights and soldiers, Tis approached Hamel. To them, he probably looked like an opportunist riding the wave for promotion.
Maybe he was. Didn't matter. Opportunists beat rebels any day.
Tis and his followers dragged Hamel away. I told Count Rendal,
"Every knight and soldier here disobeyed your order. Disarm them all and exile them from the territory."
Princess Sierra shoved past Shura.
"What right do you have to demand that?"
"It's not my right—it's what Count Rendal must do. Disobeying orders violates the lord-vassal contract gravely. Unless Kern Kingdom plays by different rules?"
"..."
Princess Sierra clamped her mouth shut, speechless. The rule I'd cited was universal among noble houses. No exception for her homeland, Kern Kingdom.
I pressed Count Rendal again.
"Your vassals see you as a kid and walk all over you. Let this slide, and it'll lead to rebellion. Don't regret it later—clean house while I'm here."
After agonizing, Count Rendal shouted at them all.
"All knights and soldiers here—your rights and duties are revoked. Disarm and leave my lands immediately."
"This is absurd. We've served House Rendal our whole lives."
A middle-aged knight protested incredulously, but Count Rendal roared,
"I said leave. Defy me further, and I'll rule with death."
"But..."
The knight backed off, spotting my half-drawn Yojyo.
Soon, they disarmed themselves and slunk away from the mansion.
End of "Uninvited guests had already arrived in Rendal Territory."