Chapter 73: Plans for the Future Territory

"Yay, we can finally go back! When we return, I'm definitely going to take a nice hot bath and then lie on my warm, comfortable bed while reading my fantasy novel," Tyles said, his expression dreamy as he imagined the scene in his mind, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Oh, and I'll be lying on this blanket too!" Tyles glanced at the fiery red woolen blanket tucked under his arm, which warmed half of his body. He smiled contentedly.

"That's fine, but you can't stay up all night reading, Tyles! It will affect your training the next day," Rhett reminded him. "I'll have the butler keep an eye on you! If you don't behave, I'll give that blanket to Reilly."

"Oh, that would be wonderful," Reilly chimed in, playing along with an exaggerated tone of delight. He then looked at Tyles and added, "Dear brother, after we return, I'll definitely stay up all night reading with you. The story you mentioned last time about the knight being betrayed by a mage sounds... intriguing."

"Oh no, Reilly, it was the knight who was betrayed by his mentor, not a mage!" Tyles rolled his eyes and corrected him.

"But I remember... didn't the protagonist get turned into a potion? If it wasn't a mage, then could it have been a knight with alchemy knowledge?" Reilly's retort left Tyles speechless for a moment, and he pouted. "Hmph, whatever it is, I'm not letting you stay up all night reading with me! Or rather, I won't stay up all night reading at all. This woolen blanket is mine!"

Reilly smiled inwardly. He had no real interest in the blanket; like his father, he was simply trying to encourage Tyles to stick to his training routine.

Shrugging, Reilly said, "That's for the best. After all, I'll be keeping an eye on you with the butler..."

"Hmph!" Tyles huffed, clutching the woolen blanket tightly and turning his head away.

...

On the way back, they didn't encounter any incidents.

Rhett kept an eye on the terrain, trying to identify any potential resource points along the way. But as they hurried back in a straight line with limited visibility, he didn't find anything particularly noteworthy.

He was doing this because he was estimating where his territory would extend after it expanded threefold, doubling in size.

Previously, the Sun Lake marked the western boundary of his domain. Falcon Town was roughly in the center of his current territory.

As he traveled, Rhett pondered the future. When he was promoted to viscount, his land would expand threefold, but he doubted he could exchange his territory for a different one. Subduing the evil alchemy organization was already a significant accomplishment; being promoted to viscount was reward enough.

King Kelun was willing to grant land on the southwestern frontier to strengthen the border. No one in the upper echelons would want the hard-won territory to remain empty.

So, even if Rhett requested a territory change, it would likely be denied. Worse, it could harm his standing with the upper ranks, making the whole effort counterproductive.

Thus, Rhett wasn't aiming for anything too ambitious. Managing his own land well was enough.

"Expanding threefold would extend the radius to about thirty kilometers," Rhett calculated. This was the simplest way to divide up the territory.

But it didn't mean adjustments couldn't be made. For example, he could give up expanding eastward or northward and instead push further west or south.

If viewed as a circle, it would be like shifting the geographical center of his territory westward or southward.

So, Rhett's goal was to use his foresight and explore the area within dozens of kilometers of Falcon Town before receiving his expanded territory when promoted to viscount.

He wanted to select the best land to maximize his territory's potential.

"Ah, we're almost home!" Tuck suddenly shouted with joy, seeing the distant Sun Lake appear on the horizon.

Reilly and Tyles were more composed, but they too smiled as they saw the lake.

Looking at the vast Sun Lake, Rhett thought, "The water industry here needs to be adjusted."

His thoughts were simple. The Sun Lake, with its one-kilometer radius, had only been partially developed, far from what he envisioned.

"Considering it's a large lake, only raising common fish, shrimp, and crabs seems like such a waste," Rhett shook his head.

With his extensive knowledge, he knew how to develop the Sun Lake's water industry more effectively.

In the coastal region of East Blue, there were more delicious and precious marine species and plants. Some were valuable in their own right, while others served as excellent food for aquatic magical beasts.

What Rhett planned to do was buy a batch of rare and valuable fish species from East Blue to enrich the Sun Lake's biodiversity.

Ideally, he could even acquire gentle and easy-to-raise aquatic magical beasts.

Of course, Rhett didn't intend to go to East Blue himself—the journey was too long. Instead, he would arrange for someone to purchase the stock or connect with well-resourced merchants to achieve his goal.

After crossing the Sun Lake, it wasn't long before Falcon Town came into view.

"Lord Rhett, welcome back! May Falcon soar under your leadership!" Two knights at the town's entrance shouted in unison.

"Ah, it's Lawrence and Miguel. Well done, both of you! You're Falcon's prized feathers!" Rhett said, giving Lawrence a firm pat on the shoulder.

At the manor's gate, Sveta stood by the gray stone road, basking in the sunlight and breathing in the spring breeze.

The clattering of hooves caught his attention.

"Oh, Lord Rhett has returned."

When he saw Rhett's figure, Sveta quickened his pace to greet him.

"Master, welcome home. I've missed you since the day you left," Sveta said with a respectful bow after setting down the watering can.

"Sveta, I'm glad to hear that. The clothes you're wearing suit the weather perfectly," Rhett replied with a smile as he dismounted his horse.

"I remember your advice, Master: dress appropriately for the season," Sveta responded with a smile.

"Mr. Sveta, is there any apple juice in the castle right now?" Reilly smacked his lips, longing for the taste of apple juice.

"Well... I just collected two barrels of apple juice from the townsfolk last week, but it might not be very pure," Sveta admitted with some regret, then asked cautiously, "Would you prefer blueberry juice or orange juice instead?"

"In that case, I'll have one glass of apple juice and one glass of orange juice delivered to my room," Reilly decided. If the apple juice tasted off, he'd just switch to the orange juice.

"Mr. Sveta, I'd like an extra meal as well. Please have a steak sent to my room, and... let Chef Maru prepare the rest. She knows my tastes," Tuck added, patting his stomach.