Chapter 19

A dim light can be seen lit up in a luxurious room. Paul and Fabius were sitting on a grand couch, with branded wine on a table in front of them.

Crash- 

Shatter-

"Damn it!!" Paul cursed out loudly, after crashing a wine glass on the floor.

"Calm down, Paul," said Fabius with a straight face, devoid of any emotions.

Hearing him speak, Paul barked out loud. "How can I calm down Fabius!? That little brat had the guts to insult us like that!"

Fabius narrowed his eyes at Paul and said in a dead voice. "Just shut up for the moment." 

Looking at Fabius's eyes Paul was caught off guard. "Wh-what!? How can you be silent after what he did?"

"Haaa~" Fabius sighed. "I know Paul, you are mad. And I can totally understand your feelings." 

He stopped for a moment before continuing in a serious tone. "But....did you forget what we saw there?" 

Hearing Fabius, Paul became serious. "Yes…..He awakened an element. But….how?"

Both of them are aware that how important the people who can awaken elemental magic are. Only high-class nobles can do that because of their strong bloodline affinity. And it's almost impossible for commoners to awaken an element. 

Gavril's household didn't have anyone who can use magic. So it was really surprising for them how Aldrich could awaken his element.

Fabius poured some more wine into his glass and took a sip. "Did you notice how he used his aura to freeze the place he was sitting?"

Paul's eyes widened. "Yes!! How did he freeze the chair without using a chant!? Is that even possible!?"

Though they were neither nobles nor know anyone who can use magic, they do have the knowledge to know that it is impossible to use magic without using chants. 

Even if someone awakens an element, they cannot use magic instantly. They have to learn specific chants involving the elements. Whether they are elemental mages or elemental magic swordsmen, this rule applies to all.

Fabius took another sip and nodded his head. "True it's really strange but it doesn't matter."

"What should we do now Fabius!? If we give all the reports regarding the taxes, our deeds will become obvious," said Paul in a worried tone.

"Haaaa~ don't worry. Lord has never studied anything about finance. He is only sixteen, there is no way he can understand how to run a territory. From what I have understood, somebody tried to change him. Maybe it's the butler Joseph or the other people living in the mansion who tried to coax him. We can just give some false report about the taxes, he will not be able to understand anything."

"B-but….. He can use magic now!! If he uses that on us….."

Hearing Paul, Fabius let out a laugh. "Huhuhu, What do you think?…. The Lord is just a newly awakened. There is no way he can master spells strong enough to hurt us. What we have seen in the mansion should be the limit of his capabilities."

"So….you are saying that….."

Fabius stood up from the couch and walked over to the window, with the glass of wine in his hand. He neared the window and looked outside. There were more than two hundred people training there in the snowy weather. 

Fabius took a sip from his glass. He turned around to look at Paul and gave a smirk.

"We were caught off guard back in the mansion and thus panicked. If we think properly, The lord just used his newfound powers to intimate us. I don't know how our foolish lord became so sharp. And his strategy worked. But...He is still childishly naive." Saying so he looked back at the men training outside the window. Paul followed him and looked outside.

Without waiting Fabius continued. "He is naive to think that we are so easy. Our men are already ready. Even if the lord has magic powers now, it will be in vain. We just have to quicken our plans now…."

"S-so you will do it now!? But the plan was that we will do it several months from now, after the wedding," said Paul.

Fabius nodded. "Yes, the initial plan was supposed to take place a few months from now."

"T-then…"

"It's true that if we follow the initial plan and use the Aldocrat family's daughter, it would be much easier. We needn't use any physical force." Fabius paused for a second, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "But, the lord is not easy to manipulate now. We have to use our soldiers and finish all this before the Duke's daughter reaches the barony."

*Gulp* Hearing Fabius, Paul gulped. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, It's too dangerous to use the Duke's daughter for the plan now. We have to finish up everything as soon as possible."

"But….what if some problem arises later on?"

Fabius was going to take another sip but saw the glass was empty. He walked back to the table and refilled the glass.

"Hmmm….We have to figure out something later to cover up the incident. Just like the incident with the previous lord. But if we don't act now, all our years of hard work will fail."

*MC POV*

"Haaa~ So tiresome."

I am currently lying down on my sofa in the room with Snow on my lap. I named this cutie creature Snow because of its fur. Quite generic, I know….But, I like it. Snow was snuggling and purring in my lap, while I was patting it.

After meeting the two tax collectors cum advisers, I understood that they are no good. Keeping them will only bring many disasters to the barony. So I suspended them without giving any reason.

But…..Now, what should I do?

I am no finance or economy expert so there is no way I can actually govern the whole barony by myself. I will need help. 

Joseph and the others, though loyal, they are not suitable for the task.

'What should I do?.....'

'!!!'

While I was contemplating, Something came to my mind.

"Of course!! He is an excellent choice! And maybe he is still uncorrupted. I have to find him!" 

This person can without a doubt help me in the governance of the barony. But….I have to first find him out.

"According to the game, he may be still in Derek. And from what I know, Derek is the last city before the Sparta region, where Gavril territory is located. So it shouldn't be very far from here. " I stood up, put Snow on the couch, and walked out of the room.

I called out for Joseph, who arrived at once. 

"Joseph, do you know about Derek?"

"Derek? Of course, I know. It's the last big city before the Sparta region starts. Why?"

"How much time does it take to reach there?"

Joseph thought for a moment. "In a carriage, it would take four days. But there is snow everywhere, so it's not possible to go by carriage at this time."

"Hmmm…..And if we go on horseback?"

"On horseback? Well….then we can reach there within a day."

Hearing him, my face lit up.

"Great! Joseph, prepare a horse I will leave for Derek tomorrow."

"WHAT!!? No way!! You cannot go by yourself again. And most importantly you don't even know how to ride a horse." said Joseph in a loud voice.

'Well maybe Aldrich cannot but I sure can.'

"Ah. Don't worry-" But before I can finish, Joseph interrupted.

"No way, no way, If you want then you have to take guards with you. And you cannot even ride a horse, So you have to ride alongside another person."

'Well, that hurts when you say I can't ride. But, anyway…"

"Alright…" I relented.

"But young lord, Why do you suddenly want to go to Derek?"

'To find a man?.... Should I say him?'

Before I could say he continued. "Well, I will not infer your plans, young lord. I can see you became very mature now. So you don't have to tell me...Alright, I will go and inform the people who will go with you to Derek."

Saying so he walked away, giving me a bow.

'Well….the old man is sweet sometimes. huhuhu*'  Seeing him leave, I chuckled by myself.