Chapter 144 : Chapter 144

Chapter 144. That Came On a Bit Strong (5)

The Schneider fiefdom, where Patrick Schneider was absent.

Even without Patrick, the seeds he had sown were growing vigorously.

The regular inflow of external goods through the Red Merchant Guild.

The cooperation with the soldiers and the Red Rock Tribe to fend off the monsters emerging from the Great Forest.

Among them, the cooperation with the Orcs was a truly important matter.

Due to the nature of the fiefdom, strong power was essential for survival.

And today, too, valiant warriors were tempering themselves, sweating profusely in the fiefdom’s training grounds.

“Uwoooooooh!”

“Dieeeee!”

The stone sword of a green, muscular Orc swung as if to crush its opponent.

The soldier facing him countered by swinging two swords like a madman.

Clang!

Claaang!

Clang clang clang!

The way both of them clashed, with aura enveloping their weapons, was not ordinary.

The two, who had been fighting as if to kill each other, exchanged a powerful attack and then separated.

And as the distance grew, the soldier sheathed his twin swords and said.

“You’ve improved quite a bit, you bastard Tutan.”

“You too are quite something, Soldier A. At first, you were just a punching bag.”

“When was that! And I told you my name is Oliver!”

“Don’t lie. The big brother said your name is Soldier A. Everyone else called you that too.”

“That’s…”

“I heard your mom calling you that too.”

“…Die! You green-green bastard!”

“Die! You human with a weird name!”

Kwaaaang!

The two clashed violently again.

Watching the two fight as if to demolish the training grounds, a soldier spoke to the person in charge.

“Captain Sanson, is it alright to leave them like that?”

“Training should be like a real battle.”

Sanson, who had become a knight, nodded as he watched the fierce sparring between Oliver and Tutan.

Those two, perhaps because their personalities didn’t match, would fight to the bitter end once they started.

To others, it might seem like they were going too far, but the effect was certain.

As a result of the violent sparring that was reminiscent of a real battle, the skills of both were improving day by day.

A faint smile formed on Sanson’s lips as he watched.

‘We must become stronger to protect the fiefdom while the Young Master is away.’

Sanson felt a sense of responsibility.

Right now, at this very moment, Patrick was at the Academy in the capital, sweating hard and devoting himself to training…

‘…He’s probably not doing that.’

Right.

That was unlikely.

But, anyway, whatever the case may be, the soldiers had to be trained strictly.

In this training ground right now were not only the soldiers of the Schneider fiefdom but also the Orcs of the Red Rock Tribe.

They too were neighbors who shared a life in the fiefdom and comrades who shed blood and fought together, so they were together.

In fact, the effect was good.

A sense of rivalry was born between them, and in the process of rolling around together, covered in sweat and blood, a sense of camaraderie was also born.

At first, Sanson had asked for the Red Rock Tribe’s cooperation simply to push the soldiers to their limits in Patrick’s absence, but…

‘If the result is good, then all is good.’

He smiled faintly and said.

“Break’s over. Today, we’ll start the group mock battle. The condition is set to 1 versus 10. 10 sets of 10 minutes each. Start the rotation!”

At that, the expressions of both the humans and the Orcs crumpled at once.

Rotation.

It was a training method created by Sanson, who had been entrusted with the training by Patrick.

What it meant was to endure being ganged up on 10 against 1.

The soldiers cried out at the command to do that for 10 sets of 10 minutes each.

“Captain, are you crazy?”

“Grandfather was right. Humans are evil.”

“Captain, you can go to the capital too!”

“This is Orc abuse!”

Despite voicing all sorts of complaints, the soldiers and Orcs formed teams and created formations together.

“Let’s decide the order first.”

“Aigoo, here we go again, dying.”

“I want to go back to the forest.”

Thus the training began, and the sounds of soldiers and Orcs screaming echoed.

In the midst of it, a man in a butler’s uniform approached Sanson and spoke.

“Sir Kainel.”

“Chandler? We’re in the middle of training, what is it?”

Chandler, the apprentice butler of the barony, greeted politely and said.

“The Baron is looking for you.”

“Hmm, do you know what it’s about?”

“He said a guest will be arriving from the capital soon. They will probably bring news of the Young Master.”

“I understand. I will go now.”

Sanson, who would not normally leave his post during training, couldn't help it this time.

Sanson smiled naturally and said.

“I wonder what kind of news we’ll hear this time.”

* * *

“I wonder what kind of news we’ll hear this time.”

The same words.

But a different atmosphere.

Baron Schneider, his stomach churning just at the thought, gently rubbed his belly and muttered.

Lawrence, as if accustomed to it, brought him water and stomach medicine and said.

“My lord, are you alright?”

“Would you be alright if you were me?”

“Hohoho. I would be fine. It’s not my son’s matter, after all.”

“What a heartless friend you are.”

At the betrayal of his lifelong loyal servant, Baron Schneider sighed and took the medicine.

It was good at first.

In fact, he thought he would be a little gloomy after his son left for the Academy, but…

It wasn’t like that at all.

“Ah, so this was peace.”

The Baron realized anew.

Most of the numerous incidents and accidents that had occurred in the fiefdom so far had been caused by his son.

Of course, most of them produced good results, but the stress that felt like his insides were melting in the process was something that only those who had experienced it would know.

With such a son gone to study at the Academy, peace came to Baron Schneider’s daily life.

The strengthened soldiers and the Red Rock Orcs took care of the monsters around the fiefdom.

On top of that, the fiefdom’s budget also became very abundant.

The reward money from Count Parmas and the 2,000 gold to be paid in 10 yearly installments from the Viscount Landes family.

Never since ascending to the title of Baron had he managed the fiefdom with such a rich budget.

The Baron proceeded with the fiefdom projects that he had conceived in his head but had given up on because he didn't dare to.

He did his best to increase the yield of the fiefdom’s residents by reclaiming farmland and building waterways.

In addition, the Red Merchant Guild dispatched merchants regularly once a month, allowing the fiefdom’s residents to purchase daily necessities and farming tools at low prices.

The securing of safety and economic development.

The Schneider fiefdom was now developing as if it had reached its peak.

Everything was good.

That is, until the news of his son arrived from the capital.

* * *

“Baron. The Young Master has apparently beaten up the two sons of the Marquis Panola family at the Academy.”

“Pa… Marquis Panola family?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“The… the condition? Was it just a light scuffle? It was just a light scuffle, right?”

“The Marquis' son is said to have quit the Academy due to the shock and has become a shut-in.”

“Urk… ughhh….”

At the news that he had beaten the two sons of the captain of the royal palace’s royal guard knights to the point of being unable to recover, the Baron grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed.

He had thought he wouldn’t stay quiet, but he had never imagined he would cause such a huge incident.

But this was only the beginning.

* * *

“Baron. A person from the Elbador Merchant Guild has arrived with a letter from the Young Master.”

“The Elbador Merchant Guild? Why are they coming to us?”

“I am not sure of the reason, but they have brought a letter from the Young Master.”

“Give it to me.”

When the Baron hastily opened the letter, it said…

-To my father, who must be losing sleep at night worrying about his son…

He choked up.

He almost tore the letter.

Barely composing himself, Baron Schneider continued to read the letter well.

-This son is doing well. Living in the capital is not as bad as I thought.

It’s a good neighborhood for drinking.

And due to some circumstances, I became friends with the son of the Elbador Merchant Guild.

So we will be selling the fiefdom’s specialty products through the Elbador Merchant Guild.

As for what we’re selling…?

Well, you can just proceed with it.

It’s better for you not to know, Father.-

This child of mine…

-Regarding the products, I have asked Mother for something, so she will know what to do if you relay my words.

That is all for now.

From the world’s most filial son, Patrick Schneider-

He almost tore it up again at the very end.

Anyway, the Baron hurriedly prepared to receive the guest.

He would have to hear the details of the business when they came, but for a person from a huge merchant guild like the Elbador Merchant Guild to visit a rural fiefdom like this?

To at least avoid being laughed at, he had to be fully prepared to receive them.

And a few days later.

The person who appeared before Baron Schneider was…

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Baron. I am Aron of the Elbador Merchant Guild.”

“A… A… Aron?”

The head of the Elbador Merchant Guild himself had appeared.

Baron Schneider, who had thought someone from middle management would come, couldn't close his gaping mouth.

Who would have expected the head of the kingdom’s top merchant guild to appear in a small rural fiefdom at the edge of the East?

Aron spoke to Baron Schneider.

“My son is greatly indebted to Sir Patrick. To express my gratitude, I have brought a small gift.”

“No, what is this…”

“Bring it out.”

And at Aron’s command, the merchant guild’s employees took out the gifts from the carriage behind them.

No, they began to take them out.

Wine brewed by Elves.

Dwarven works of art.

Pearls made from the tears of a siren.

The latest magical tools made in the Tower of Truth.

Rare ancient books from the Holy Theocracy.

Dresses from the Venator Empire.

No matter how many they took out, the barrage of gifts seemed endless, and Baron Schneider’s jaw dropped.

And Aron said with a smile.

“I didn’t know what you would like, so I brought everything that seemed decent. Please accept them.”

-I didn’t know what you would like, so I brought everything-

As expected, the richest man in the kingdom was different in every way.

* * *

Merchant Guild Master Aron stayed in the fiefdom for three days and built a friendship with Baron and Baroness Schneider.

The conversation was mostly about their children, and as expected, there was no easier topic to get close with.

And once they became friendly, they started talking about business in earnest.

Regarding business, Ava and Aron mainly led the conversation, and whenever Baron Schneider tried to join in…

“Honey, please leave this to me. I can do it.”

Ava gently pushed her husband away with a soft smile.

A wife pushing her husband away to talk about business.

Aron was greatly surprised by this.

‘Oh, this is troublesome…’

He thought Baron Schneider would be greatly angered.

In a normal noble family, no, even among commoners, if a wife pushed her husband aside and tried to handle outside matters, the husband would get angry, thinking she was disrespecting him.

But…

“Hmm, if you say so, then I will.”

Baron Schneider, who had the attributes of a pushover + a doting husband, simply smiled and stepped back obediently.

Aron was rather taken aback by the Baron’s appearance.

‘Now that I see it, the father wasn’t normal either.’

For several days, conversations took place without Baron Schneider.

After his wife showed him some kind of sample, said she would show him the production facility, and led him somewhere, the two discussed the detailed conditions and wrote up a contract.

The only thing Baron Schneider did was to stamp his seal on that contract.

What a pushover…

Anyway, as a result.

Two things happened in his fiefdom.

One was…

“Madam, would you by any chance be interested in taking the position of branch manager of our merchant guild?”

Aron had made such a proposal to Ava.

Ava politely refused with a gentle smile, and Aron said that the door of opportunity was always open, so she should contact him if she changed her mind.

And the second was…

“Then, I will leave this as a down payment. The rest will be paid after receiving the goods.”

He said this and handed over a check.

“Well then. I will see you again next time, Baron.”

“Hmm, please travel safely, Guild Master.”

As Aron’s carriage moved away, Baron Schneider checked the amount on the check.

‘Just how much is it that he’s using a check instead of cash?’

He knew that business talks were going on, but still, an amount that required payment by check was…

“Huh?”

“What is it, my lord?”

“No, my eyes feel a bit strange.”

At Butler Lawrence’s question, Baron Schneider rubbed his eyes.

Had he been lacking sleep lately?

The number on the check seemed a bit strange.

He rubbed his eyes and checked the number again.

And then…

“Huuuk!”

Baron Schneider was horrified.

It seemed that the number written there had three more ‘0’s than the amount he had expected.

“What on earth is the matter… Huk!”

Butler Lawrence, who had checked the amount on the check from the side, also let out a gasp.

And beside them, Ava said with a bright smile.

“For a first transaction, it’s not bad, is it?”

“W… wife. What on earth are you planning to sell?”

Ava gave her stuttering husband a beautiful and enchanting smile.

And bringing a finger to her lips, she said softly.

“It’s a secret.”

“……”

The pushover did not ask about his wife’s secret.

* * *

Not long after Merchant Guild Master Aron left.

News of Patrick came from the capital again.

This time, it was good news.

“My lord. The Young Master is said to have achieved the top rank in the mid-term evaluation.”

“Ooooh. Is that really true?”

“Yes.”

Yes.

It was good news.

Baron Schneider was genuinely happy at the good news brought by an employee of the Red Merchant Guild.

His son had taken the top spot at the Academy, where the most talented individuals from all over the kingdom were gathered.

Where in the world would there be a father who would not be happy about this?

This was truly good news.

“How did he do it? Tell me in detail.”

“He beat up all the Academy professors.”

“Keok…”

Only the beginning part was.

Baron Schneider, who grabbed the back of his neck and fainted, fainted once more after hearing the news that his son had been selected as the representative for Arcana.

* * *

And so, now.

“My lord, the welcoming preparations are complete.”

“Hmm, well done, Sir Kainel.”

Baron Schneider steeled his heart and prepared to welcome the guest arriving from the capital.

And Ava, who had approached him, said.

“I heard that a distinguished guest is coming. Who do you think it will be?”

“I don’t know who will come, but let’s brace ourselves. We don’t know what kind of trouble that fellow Patrick has caused.”

“Hoo hoo hoo. I’m looking forward to it.”

“……”

Although he loved his wife dearly, he couldn’t understand her.

Where did this unconditional tolerance and love for their troublemaker son come from?

Just then, a lavishly decorated four-horse carriage, with a flag raised high, appeared in the distance.

“It seems a very high-ranking person has come.”

“Indeed. Wait, is that…?”

Baron Schneider was startled.

As the procession approached, the crest on the flag became clearer, and it was a crest he had definitely seen somewhere before.

A crest that any noble in the kingdom would recognize.

Seven stars entwining the moon.

What that crest symbolized was undoubtedly…

“Royalty?”

And when the carriage arrived, the person at the front shouted loudly.

“Baron Jaycall Schneider, receive the royal decree!”

“Yes!? Yes!”

Baron Schneider hastily knelt.

And as the carriage door opened, someone descended with the escort of a knight.

And in a soft voice, they said.

“Please raise your head, Baron.”

It was a gentle and soft voice, one you wouldn’t expect from royalty.

When Baron Schneider raised his head, before him stood a noble lady with black hair, appearing to be in her late 30s, with a gentle smile on her face.

And she said…

“I am Rose Jaynova, who has brought the royal decree.”

“Jay… Ahem.”

Baron Schneider was terrified.

He had bitten his own tongue in his shock, and he hastily bowed his head again and said.

“I greet the 7th Queen.”

He had never imagined that a queen would visit his humble fiefdom.

Even to deliver a royal decree, a messenger would have sufficed, so why had the queen come?

Queen Jaynova slowly resolved Baron Schneider’s question.

“I will deliver the royal decree.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“First, as Sir Patrick Schneider has won Arcana and raised the honor of the kingdom…”

“Yes?”

“…I’m not finished yet?”

“My, my apologies.”

The Baron hastily bowed his head.

Even so, his mind was in a whirl.

Won Arcana?

Won?

My son?

At Arcana?

Won?

To him, who had reached the peak of confusion, Queen Jaynova continued to speak.

“Therefore, the royal family commends the achievements of the Baron Schneider family and promotes the rank of Baron to Viscount.”

“Thank you, Your Highness the Queen.”

“Furthermore, to commemorate the engagement of Patrick Schneider and the royal princess Isabella Black Atronia, ten treasures and a reward of 10,000 gold are bestowed.”

“Thank… what?”

“……?”

Baron Schneider hastily bowed his head.

“I apologize. But just now, that… unless I misheard…”

“Baron, no, the Viscount’s son and my daughter are engaged, you see.”

“……”

Viscount Schneider’s mouth fell open.

Engagement?

So, the engagement that is made between lovers who promise to marry each other?

Who?

My son and the princess?

“Ah…”

Baron Schneider was certain.

“This must be a dream. I should sleep more.”

And so, he fainted with a happy smile.

“My lord!”

“Honey!”

“Baron. No, Viscount!”

The people around him rushed over, and Queen Jaynova said in a flustered voice.

“I still haven’t mentioned the reward for his achievement of reaching the 7-star level and the fact that I’ll be recuperating here for a long time.”

And so, Baron Schneider became a Viscount.

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