NOVPUB"Please spare us!"
"We’ll be useful in stabilizing the territory!"
"You can’t do this!"
The retainers of Count Cabaldi wailed, but Ghislain didn’t so much as blink.
Gillian and the knights of Fenris were used to scenes like this by now, having already gone through a large-scale purge when they took over the County of Degald.
"Ahhh! Please, spare me!"
"I’m a noble, you know! Let me go! I said let me go, right now!"
"You ignorant thug!"
The retainers were dragged out, screaming. As Gillian and the knights exited, Belinda approached Ghislain cautiously.
"Young Master, are you sure about this? This territory is far larger than Fenris. Our administrative manpower is going to be quite limited."
"It doesn’t matter. Keeping them around would only cause more trouble down the line."
If Claude and the other administrators of Fenris were present, they would have been horrified and urged Ghislain to reconsider. As Belinda pointed out, managing the county would require more hands than they currently had. But Ghislain had no intention of sparing them.
Every retainer here was essentially allied with Count Desmond. Keeping them around would only guarantee betrayal at the first chance. It was better to take them out decisively, even if it was difficult now.
"First, Belinda, take the people and seize all the retainers' assets. Once Claude arrives, he’ll take care of the rest. Also, remind the soldiers not to harass the residents of the territory."
"Understood."
The residents of Cabaldi's territory were gripped with fear and anxiety. Their lives would depend on what sort of ruler this new invader would prove to be.
After suffering under Count Cabaldi’s rule, their wariness was only natural. However, the Fenris occupying forces seemed unfazed by the residents, going about their business quietly. They simply cleared the battlefield, secured the possessions of Count Cabaldi and his retainers, and held their ground.
After a few days in this state, Claude finally arrived, bringing a small team of administrators with him.
"Hey, Claude, welcome."
"Haha! We won! We really won! It’s incredible!"
Claude, who had been worrying every day, broke into ecstatic glee as soon as he saw Ghislain.
Ghislain chuckled at the sight.
"Feeling good?"
"Oh, absolutely! We took over a county! And not just any county—the largest iron ore source in the north is now ours!"
"But you opposed it at first, didn’t you?"
"Well, that was because I was afraid we’d lose. Plus, there was always the worry about how the Duke’s family would respond afterward."
"And now you’re not afraid?"
"To be honest, I’m still scared. But what can we do? What’s done is done. I’ll worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow."
Claude answered with a carefree smile. After all, Ghislain had been at odds with the Duke’s family even before he joined him. Repairing relations at this point was impossible, so he decided to simply revel in the spoils.
The expanded territory, the resources, and the population—any lord would be overjoyed.
Ghislain, amused by Claude’s light-hearted banter, continued.
"So, do you trust my skills now?"
"Yes, yes. Two wins out of two, a perfect record. You can do whatever you want, my lord."
Ghislain clicked his tongue. It sounded like a mockery, but given the joyous day, he decided to let it slide.
"Good. Start by assessing the current state of the territory. We need to begin stabilizing and developing it as quickly as possible. Belinda should have already secured Count Cabaldi and his retainers’ assets."
"Leave it to me! I’ll get started right away!"
Claude replied enthusiastically and immediately led the administrators to begin surveying the territory.
Upon checking Count Cabaldi’s personal wealth, Claude’s jaw dropped.
"A-amazing! This is crazy!"
Gold coins and artwork filled the storage to the point of overflowing. The wealth amassed from monopolizing northern iron ore was truly beyond imagination.
Claude couldn’t help but stuff his pockets with gold, muttering to himself.
"I’m... I’m rich now! No, our territory is... Gah! What am I doing?"
Startled, he turned around to see Wendy and other administrators staring at him with contempt.
"It's... it's not what it looks like! Don’t look at me like that. I just... I haven’t seen this much wealth before, and I... I couldn’t help myself...."
Under their reproachful gazes, Claude dejectedly returned the coins to their original place.
"Get an exact account of the assets. If anyone is caught skimming, there will be no forgiveness."
"...Understood."
Some junior administrators began documenting Count Cabaldi’s wealth. Claude also checked the seized assets of the retainers.
"Hah, these people are unbelievable."
The retainers had amassed a considerable amount of hidden wealth as well.
To accumulate so much, how much had they exploited the residents and taken in bribes?
Claude, having lived his life as a servant without accepting a single bribe... found himself almost envious.
So, this was why people chose the corrupt path.
"Right, make sure you go through all this and report it. If I end up needing them, I’ll give those fools some serious re-education."
Though he wanted to leave them rotting in prison, the situation was desperate. With a severe shortage of administrative manpower, even the help of a ‘cat’s paw’ would be invaluable, to say the least.
Claude shook off his disappointment and headed off to check the military warehouses.
"This... is unbelievable...."
The overflowing riches were astonishing, but the iron ore and steel ingots stacked in countless warehouses exceeded even that.
It wasn’t without reason this area was known as the largest iron ore source in the north. Likely, even the other lords had no idea Count Cabaldi had hoarded so much.
Despite possessing such resources, they had been starving due to drought. Truly, one could never predict how life might unfold.
Claude, caught up in awe, soon laughed aloud in delight.
"With all this armor, we won’t have to dress our soldiers like beggars anymore! Haha!"
They had enough to fully equip the entire military with heavy infantry armor.
Quickly surveying the other warehouses, Claude proceeded to an improvised office to review the administrative documents of Cabaldi County.
"Wow, there’s more than I expected!"
With advanced metallurgy, there were far more blacksmiths and skilled workers here than in other territories.
Count Cabaldi, understanding the importance of iron ore, had meticulously managed miners and blacksmiths.
"Bring me the other documents as well!"
As he went through the growing pile of documents, Claude couldn’t stop marveling.
Despite the harshness of the northern land, the county was still a county. The population of Cabaldi County was vast, dwarfing that of a small barony.
The expanded territory was valuable, but the larger population was an even greater asset. This would address labor shortages and increase potential military strength.
"Damn! Bring Desmond and the Duke’s family! Let them come!"
Claude’s bravado swelled with confidence.
With more resources and population, he felt emboldened.
If it came down to an actual fight, they’d be crushed, but for now, his excitement drowned out any sense of caution.
As soon as he finished his assessment, Claude ran straight to Ghislain.
"My lord! Our brilliant lord! We’ll begin stabilizing the territory immediately!"
"Oh? So, what do you think?"
"It’s incredible! With these resources, we can strengthen the territory’s defenses much faster! The land has expanded, so we can build plenty of new facilities! I’ll start by improving conditions for the miners and residents, and we’ll focus on boosting production."
"Good. You know time is always short, right? Let’s move quickly."
"Understood! Ah, by the way, where did you imprison the retainers? Those guys have taken so much! I’ll make sure they get a proper re-education, even if it means turning them into slaves!"
"And why the retainers?"
"Well, they’re familiar with the state of the territory. I’d like to use them under my command. With Fenris’s current administrative capacity, handling this county is impossible alone."
"...Fine. The junior administrators are in prison. It doesn’t seem like there are any spies, so I’ll let them go. Use them as you see fit."
"And what about the main retainers? People like the overseer, treasurer, or military officials—are they there as well?"
"..."
"My lord?"
"They’re dead."
"...Excuse me, but was it a situation, or did you kill them?"
"I killed them."
At Ghislain's blunt answer, Claude asked cautiously.
"...Why?"
"Because they were all in Desmond’s pocket. It’s no wonder they were so well-off."
"...Damn."
Claude scratched his head, then hung his head low.
If they were in Desmond’s pocket, killing them was the right move. But with Fenris’s administrators already stretched thin, managing the new county would be no easy feat.
"We’re screwed... really screwed...."
Claude muttered, his face pale.
There was already more than enough work keeping them from getting any rest; how would they ever manage such a vast county?
His joy vanished, replaced by the heavy weight of reality.
As Claude twisted his body in frustration, Ghislain spoke.
"Let’s handle what’s urgent first. This isn’t the time for worrying, is it?"
"...Understood. I’ll distribute food and try to calm the residents."
Claude, holding back tears, retreated.
It was ironic to hear such words from the man who’d killed the retainers, but Ghislain’s point was valid. Time was of the essence, and worrying alone wouldn’t solve anything.
For now, there was nothing to do but work tirelessly.
Claude walked on, shaking his head at the sight of the emaciated miners standing before him.
Despite the stores of wealth piled high in the warehouse, the residents of Cabaldi County were all on the brink of starvation.
The miners stared at Claude with a mix of fear and resentment, although they were actually more focused on the carts behind him.
Food... that’s food...
Did they seize it from somewhere else?
We don’t even have anything left to be taken...
Despite being somewhat better treated than other residents, the miners were still struggling. Their work extracting iron ore was essential to the county’s wealth, but as the drought worsened and war broke out, even the minimal support they once received had been cut off. Everything they had was requisitioned by the military.
Bastards...
If you hadn’t invaded...
Filthy invaders!
Despite their cautious glances, the miners secretly ground their teeth in anger.
In reality, they should have been cursing Count Cabaldi, their corrupt lord, as they had before. But the invasion had worsened their plight, so the resentment naturally turned to the newcomers. They didn’t expect these soldiers to share any food. Given the severe drought, they were certain even the nobility was in dire straits.
Seeing the miners’ expressions, Claude chuckled.
Ah, it’s always like this in the beginning.
The people of Fenris had looked equally defeated and full of animosity at first. It was to be expected of residents who had suffered under a tyrannical lord.
Breaking the tense silence, Claude gestured to the soldiers behind him.
“Distribute the food. Give them plenty. Oh, but we’re low on meat—it’s been hard to find lately.”
The miners looked stunned as sacks of flour and small provisions were handed out.
Food? At a time like this? They’d expected these invaders to take from them, not give.
Seeing them frozen in disbelief, Claude pressed on in his casual tone.
“What’s the matter? Not enough? Hey, give each person another bag. Just hand it all out; no point in hoarding until it goes bad.”
The miners inhaled sharply, shocked.
After distributing food, Claude moved to examine the mines and encountered the emaciated miners, their eyes a mix of fear and resentment as they glanced at Claude and, more precisely, at the carts behind him.
“Food... it’s food...”
“Did they steal it from somewhere else?”
“There’s nothing left for them to take from us...”
The miners were better off than most other residents, given their role in extracting the iron ore that supported the wealth of the territory. But drought and the war had cut off supplies to even them, with their remaining resources seized by the military.
“Those bastards...”
“If only you hadn’t invaded...”
“Filthy invaders!”
Despite the resentment in their eyes, the miners did not dare openly challenge the occupying soldiers. They had grown accustomed to directing their anger at the tyrannical Count Cabaldi, but with the new invading forces, their situation only seemed bleaker.
Seeing their expressions, Claude smirked knowingly.
“Well, it always starts like this.”
The people of Fenris had looked similarly hopeless and defiant when he’d first arrived. Those oppressed under a tyrant would naturally feel this way.
In the awkward silence, Claude gestured to the soldiers.
“Distribute the food. Make sure they each get plenty. Oh, but we’re short on meat—it’s been hard to come by lately.”
The miners gaped in shock as sacks of flour and small provisions were handed out.
During these hard times, giving away food? Weren’t they supposed to be taking everything?
Claude’s casual tone threw them off even more as they froze in place, clutching the bags.
“What’s wrong? Not enough? Give them another bag each. Let’s make sure they’re well-fed; we don’t want it going to waste.”
The miners could hardly believe it, but when the soldiers approached with even more sacks, they fell to their knees.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Sincere thanks rippled through the crowd. Claude clicked his tongue as he observed the downtrodden miners. How cruel had Count Cabaldi been to reduce them to this?
“Tsk, this is why northern nobles are seen as ruthless. Honestly, Count Feridium deserves praise. He lived humbly and never imposed excessive taxes.”
Count Cabaldi hadn’t made his people literal slaves, as that would have impacted tax revenues. Instead, he had them controlled through the military.
To give these people hope, Claude continued, “Under the new lord’s guidance, things will be different here. Focus on your work, and you’ll be compensated well.”
Despite Claude’s words, the miners remained skeptical, clutching their food bags tightly, casting wary glances at those around them, as though expecting someone might try to take their food.
Claude, who’d seen such behavior before, furrowed his brow and issued a stern warning.
“Anyone caught stealing another’s food will be executed on the spot. Don’t forget that.”
This was no time for leniency. Sometimes, harsh measures were necessary to maintain order.
The miners lowered their heads in obedience.
“Yes, we understand.”
They knew better than to provoke the occupying forces. Hungry or not, if fed, they would avoid confrontation—for now.
Similar scenes played out across the territory, with Claude and the administrators visiting even the smallest villages to distribute food.
The residents reacted just as the miners had, shocked by the idea that they might receive aid in such severe drought conditions.
“Sigh, it’ll take a while for things to settle.”
Distributing food had stabilized the populace, but complete reassurance would take time. Even in Fenris, it had taken months of successful harvests and food distribution to win over the residents.
After Claude’s report, Ghislain nodded in agreement.
“Considering they’ve only been exploited, it’s no wonder they don’t trust us easily. Once they see plenty of food and their lives improve, they’ll come around, just like the people of Fenris.”
“Yes, it’s a matter of time. We’ll continue supporting them steadily.”
“Alright. Now, shall we get started on the next step? We’ve acquired new resources and more people.”
“The first thing on our agenda?”
Ghislain nodded at Claude’s question.
“Of course. Cabaldi County may have had more than most, but it’s not enough. We need to multiply production several times over.”
Over time, they would expand residential areas, farmland, and public facilities, but with this territory under their control, their immediate priority was establishing facilities capable of mass-producing iron tools and weapons: a vast forge and workshop.
