Chapter 25: Pre-Departure Conversation

"By the way, I have one more question." Just as Ethan was about to leave, he turned back and asked, "I remember you mentioned that we must reach the territory before the winter sets in. I've always wondered, since it's already winter and the territory is not accessible by ship, what's the point of being there for the winter? It can't be just to torment me, right? And it's impossible to expect me to build up the territory during winter."

Sophia smiled, motioning for Ethan to sit back down. "You finally asked about the specific situation of the territory. I was beginning to worry you were too overconfident. You've only been concerned about the territory's function, its role, and your own interests. But you never bothered to learn about its actual condition."

Ethan felt a bit embarrassed as he realized it was true. He closed the door gently and sat back down beside Sophia. "You're right. Those big-picture views are useless to me. Yet, I've been so focused on them that I neglected to learn about the actual state of the territory, which is what I should have cared about most."

"I'm glad to see you grounding yourself in reality," Sophia said with a smile. "I had planned for our family members to brief you during your voyage. But since you've asked now and we have the time, I'll personally explain the situation to you. After all, I'm the one most familiar with it."

For some reason, Ethan felt a deep sense of guilt. He had been so absorbed in other matters, relying only on vague ideas and imagination to fill the gaps. In contrast, Sophia, although cold and ruthless, was thorough and meticulous in both her strategic view and attention to detail.

Clearing his throat, Ethan said, "Please, go ahead."

Sophia didn't rush to speak. Instead, she gestured, and a rolled-up map floated over from the desk. She spread it out slowly, pointing to a small spot on the coastline below the Darkmoon Plains.

"The specific location of the territory is here. It extends inland from the coastline in a sharp triangular shape, covering an area of 11 square kilometers. Legally, that's its size. In reality, because there are no inhabitants around, all the surrounding land and resources are ours. This includes the vast forests at the foot of the Anji Mountains and the potential mineral resources within the mountains. We only claimed 11 square kilometers because that's the minimum legal territory size, which minimizes the lord's tax."

Sophia paused and asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

Ethan realized Sophia was thirsty and said, "Anything is fine."

Sophia nodded, and without any visible action from her, a maid entered with a pot of tea, placing it on the small table in front of them and pouring two cups.

Ethan was surprised by the dark liquid and its aroma, as well as the sugar cubes placed nearby. "Coffee?"

Sophia looked equally surprised. "You recognize it? Aside from me, hardly anyone here drinks this black tea. Because it's new, few people know about it. How do you know it?"

"Uh," Ethan stumbled, not sure how to explain. "Hardly anyone doesn't mean no one at all, right?" He said, placing a sugar cube on the rim of Sophia's cup and looking at her to ask how many she wanted.

"Thank you," Sophia waved her hand gently and picked up the cup. "I don't need sugar. I prefer the bitterness; it helps me think more clearly."

"I admire you for that," Ethan said genuinely. "I wouldn't even look at it without sugar."

Sophia took a graceful sip and said, "Let's leave the side topics aside and get back to the main issue. As you can see on the map, our territory borders the orc lands, but there's actually a 20-30 kilometer gap. We left this narrow strip because the law mandates that territories bordering another nation must have at least fifteen knights ready for defense. Besides defending the land, they must be ready to support the nearest border lord in times of war. We're just there for business, and it's not worth the cost."

Ethan laughed, "Sophia, are you punishing me? You used to be straightforward, but now you're speaking in circles like me. You could have just said there are no armed forces there. I can handle it. I just want to know what I'll have when I get there."

Sophia covered her mouth as she laughed. "After talking with you, I found your roundabout way of speaking quite good. It makes difficulties easier to accept. But if you prefer, I can be direct. For example, when you get to the territory, you'll find nothing."

"Nothing?" Ethan's eyes widened. "What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Sophia said with a bitter smile. "You might think we've been developing the territory for years, so there should be some basic facilities. But the truth is, due to multiple attacks, everything except the road to the border fortress has been destroyed. If it weren't for the fact that it's a natural port, with deep water just a meter from the beach allowing us to easily build a pier for unloading, even I would have abandoned that cursed place."

Ethan felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. "So, this cold winter, I'll be living in the wilderness? Lacking food and shelter, with no place to store winter supplies, leaving them out in the open? And I'll be facing threats from orcs and internal forces wanting me dead. Why am I going there? You can't possibly be so cruel as to just want to see me suffer!"

"Why would I want to see you suffer? I'd love for all Lawson family members to live comfortably at home," Sophia said with a wry smile. "The reason for stationing you there, as I mentioned before, is because imperial law states that if a territory lacks family members for a certain period, it will be reclaimed."

Ethan laughed dismissively. "The Empire can't possibly send people to check, especially not in winter. How would they even know the situation? What's the point of this law? What's the harm in ignoring it?"