Chapter 83
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Father's Gifts and the Emperor's Decree
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Staying in the territory had a whole different flavor compared to life in the capital. It was like night and day between city and countryside.
You couldn't enjoy the perks of infrastructure or convenience—that was a huge downside—but in return, you could savor a laid-back pace that the capital could never offer.
Just look at this. No noisy street clamor from morning till night.
-Mooo...
Instead, you got the gentle lowing of oxen plowing the fields.
Always a heartwarming sound.
It felt just like crashing at Grandma's house for the night—cozy and comforting.
"Good morning, my lord. I trust you slept well?"
"Yeah. Good morning to you too, Wilson."
"Shall I prepare breakfast?"
"Nah, I'm good. Skipping it today. Just a glass of water."
He substituted breakfast with a glass of ice-cold water chilled using ice magic, then headed out to the terrace for a sweeping view of the territory.
One thought kept coming to mind as he gazed out.
'So much needs fixing.'
Not just one or two things—it was so overwhelming it felt downright vague.
Poor finances, dismal military strength... plenty of issues, but what Ian considered top priority right now was something else entirely.
The complete lack of basic infrastructure.
Money could be earned, military power bolstered in various ways, but infrastructure? You had to build it from scratch.
Compared to the capital, where magic engineering had perfected everything from sewers to water systems, this place was a flat-out zero.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Streets piled with shit, stench everywhere. People dumping waste anywhere, turning the water quality into a nightmare.
Damn this urban-rural divide.
Even in a superpower like the Empire, it was like this. How bad must it be elsewhere?
'Pretty bad, yeah. Undeveloped spots are basically medieval wastelands.'
He hadn't noticed much while traveling on missions, but now that it was his own turf, it hit different.
'First things first, gotta deal with this shit smell.'
A noble lord enlightening these ignorant rural imperial bumpkins about hygiene?
Not even close.
Ian just plain hated the sight of it.
Couldn't stomach looking at it with eyes wide open.
Yesterday alone, he'd stepped in shit five times while inspecting the villages.
Talk about a mood-killer.
'Start with sprucing up the streets, then.'
Sweep away all the filth, build toilets, set up a sewer system, purify the water. That should do it.
Then educate the locals not to dump shit anywhere.
'Next up... pave some roads.'
Need roads for merchant caravans to come smoothly.
Not even a single-lane road here—carriages couldn't even enter properly. Absurd for a territory.
'Then straight to building a lab? Maybe a small mana power plant... Nah, food first. Gotta feed 'em well to get real work out of 'em. Already hearing too many farmers skip meals daily. Throw those guys on a work site, and they'll drop like flies. Headache waiting to happen.'
Ian scratched his head. The more he thought, the more endless it seemed. Like going for a cheap compact car and somehow crashing a luxury import.
Solve one thing, another pops up; fix that, and something else shows...
Started with hating the shit smell, and now he's pondering food security?
Ah, the greed of man.
'Whatever. Good is good.'
Ian shook his head to clear his thoughts. What did it matter? Prosperity was the goal.
"My lord."
A voice called. It was head butler Wilson.
"What's up?"
"We have guests."
"Guests?"
"Uh, merchants, but... you should see them yourself. They seem like big shots..."
"Merchants?"
"Yes. Bellic Trading Company. I'm sure you've heard of them, my lord. One of the Empire's top trading houses."
"I know them. The head is my father. Came quicker than expected."
"Yes. The head himself is here, so you should—... Pardon?"
Wilson's jaw dropped.
"Your... your father? The lord's father...?"
"That's right."
"Good heavens... Our lord is..."
Ah, he didn't know.
Made sense. His father never bragged about his son to others.
"My lord."
"Yeah?"
"You're incredible..."
What was with that admiring gaze?
'So I wasn't before?'
Then again, he hadn't done squat since taking over as lord.
"Take them to the reception room. I'll be right there."
"Yes, sir!"
Ian headed straight for the reception room.
With Bellic Trading Company here, it was time to kick off serious mana stone mine development.
The Bellic Trading Company's convoy arriving at Landerte County was massive: fifteen large supply wagons, lightweight and enchanted with expansion magic—magic wagons, no less.
Hardly the scale for a rundown rural territory without even a handful of trained knights.
The whole domain was in an uproar.
Word was, locals had flocked from their farms to gawk.
Makes sense. Strangers rarely visited this backwater, let alone one of the Empire's elite trading houses.
"Father, why'd you bring all this stuff?"
"Housewarming gifts."
"Pardon?"
"Can't show up empty-handed when my son's moved into a fine new home. Here's a little something. Take it."
Ian stared blankly at the wagons before him.
Fifteen house-sized supply wagons piled high.
'This... is the housewarming gift?'
Ian scratched his head. First time seeing someone hand over dozens of tons as a present.
"Is this even okay?"
"Who’s gonna complain about a father gifting his son?"
"Well, true, but..."
'Isn't it a bit much?'
He checked the contents.
Mostly food, with several wagons loaded with magic items.
Grain magnate overnight.
Maybe distribute some relief grain to the locals?
"We don't even have warehouses for all this. As you see, the territory's pretty shabby."
"Why warehouse it? Keep 'em in the wagons. Preservation magic means they last ages."
"Pardon?"
Ian froze. Store them as-is?
"Wait, Father. You mean..."
"Take the wagons too."
"Holy shit."
"Don't want 'em? Fine, I'll take 'em back then..."
"No! Love you, Dad!"
"Hey, let go. Why grab my pant leg?"
Ian didn't shed tears of joy... but felt them inside.
Ah, Father's love overflowing!
"By the way, the rear convoy's coming too. Take those as well."
"Huh?"
Rear convoy? What next?
"Anyway, let's check the mana stone vein first."
"Right now? Aren't you hungry? No lunch?"
"Lunch later. Guide me. Can't plan construction without seeing the site."
A father diving straight into work, no sentiment for his noble son's first domain—might seem cold.
But Ian was used to it.
'That's my dad.'
Always that endearing sight.
They say sudden changes kill people. Father's consistency meant he'd live long.
Guiding his father to the mana stone vein wrapped up Ian's territory tasks.
Bellic would handle development expertly.
Practical mining details weren't his job. What he had to do: report the vein's existence to the Imperial Family.
Ian left territory matters to Wilson and his father, rushing back to the capital to report.
"It's real? You found a mana stone vein?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Stumbled on it during inspection. Felt right to inform you first. Everything in the Empire belongs to you, after all."
"Indeed. Well done. Ha ha ha ha!"
The Emperor laughed heartily at Ian's report—a beaming grin Ian had never seen.
"Sir Ian is a true loyalist. A talent devoted solely to the Empire. Who else would rush to me without personal greed? Ministers, speak!"
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
The ministers bowed in agreement. But Ian disagreed.
'Isn't it obvious? Get caught mining without reporting, and you're done for.'
Mana stone mines were strategic assets, usually state-owned. Reporting was standard.
Yet the world often favored the abnormal over common sense. Plenty of lords tried hogging veins secretly.
Just recently, some eastern count nearly lost his head over an iron mine.
So the Emperor's delight made sense.
Common sense shone bright amid abnormality.
Though Ian didn't see it that way.
"And what fortune! Heaven's luck favors Count Landerte Ian. The gods aid him—and thus, I am blessed. Ha ha ha ha!"
"Your words ring true, Your Majesty!"
"We congratulate you, Your Majesty!"
"It shows His Majesty's virtue reaches every corner!"
Ministers flung flattery. Ian spotted greed in their eyes. Who wouldn't covet a mana stone mine?
'Whoa. Look at those venomous glares.'
Staring outright. That hungry for it?
"Talents deserve generous reward. I wish to commend Sir Ian greatly. Suggest ways, ministers."
The ministers pounced like sharks, eyes gleaming.
"Commending Count Landerte is fine, but managing the vein is paramount."
"Lord Huan is right. Swift action is needed."
"Your Majesty, all know Count Landerte's talents. But his lordship skills are unproven."
"True. Too vital a resource for an inexperienced new lord."
"Shall the Imperial Family manage it directly?"
"Dispatching special overseers for strict control is wise."
"Your Majesty, a joint management plan for balanced growth?"
They slithered in like snakes eyeing prey. Ian chuckled at the absurdity.
'Creepy as hell.'
That greed for scraps, that vicious intent to drag him down.
Chilling.
"Swift measures are best, Your Majesty. Landerte borders foreign lands. Enemy invasion over the mine would cost us dearly."
"Your Majesty, grant wise judgment..."
"Silence, all."
The Emperor's quiet command hushed the room. He scanned the ministers sternly.
"I've heard you all. Reasonable ideas. But none please me."
"..."
"I trust Count Landerte. He's never disappointed me. Astonishing feats before, joy now—I shall reward him duly."
"..."
"He is honest. Reported instantly, truthfully. Could've hidden it in that remote territory unnoticed. But he didn't. Such integrity! Where else such a servant?"
'Damn right.'
Emperor knew best.
This is why live right.
Skip gold and silver axes, beg for the iron one.
They'll be so moved, you get the set.
Brilliant economy.
"Consider: No one found that vein before. The Almighty Light aids him."
'Uh, probably not.'
Did he still buy that saint nonsense?
Nah.
"Thus, I decree: Count Landerte shall fully manage the mana stone vein in his county. Prove loyalty by faithfully paying Imperial taxes as per law."
'Nice.'
Your Majesty! Knew you had sense!