156

Homer, the governor of Ferdium, was enjoying an elegant tea time for the first time in a long while.

"It's peaceful."

Ferdium is currently experiencing the most peaceful period in its history.

Zwalter and Randolph went out to the northern fortress. If they left it empty for too long, the barbarians might take advantage of the gap and invade.

Going on a campaign to the northern fortress was a difficult task for both the soldiers and their commanders. Because the territory was poor, those who risked their lives fighting the barbarians were not able to eat or rest properly.

The faces of those who returned to the fortress empty-handed and without proper supplies always looked gloomy and dead.

But this expedition was different from the previous ones.

The people heading to the fortress also had bright complexions as they had sufficient food and equipment.

'It's really great that I can receive support like this every year.'

It had been a while since I had finally caught my breath with the runestone I received from Jiselle, and I had even received support from the royal family.

Although Ferdium only received half of the subsidy, it was still a blessing in disguise for those who were always struggling with poverty.

Albert, the treasurer, was so absorbed in counting money that he would not leave his office.

'Wow, I didn't know the Archduke could do something like this. I guess I just hated him too much.'

Homer was overcome with emotion as he recalled Giselle when she was young.

Jisel was the son of a sworn brother who had agreed to spend his life with him and was the successor to the estate. He was more like a nephew to him than a biological nephew.

That's why I didn't spare my love for Jiselle since she was little.

However, as Jiselle acted like a scoundrel, not befitting the successor of the estate, and kept causing trouble, my fondness for her completely disappeared.

At some point, I began to hate and loathe the child I had cared so much for.

'Yes, that must have been because he was such an extraordinary child. We just didn't understand. If we had known that he had such a great desire to protect the land and such outstanding ability, who would have hated him? He may be a bit greedy, but that's because he's still young.'

The hatred that filled Homer's heart began to melt away like snow in the spring sunlight.

I still don't like everything about Giselle. Everything she does is too risky and precarious.

But if you just look at the results, it worked out well.

Although it was only after obtaining the runestones and royal support that it was able to reach a similar level as other fiefdoms, Ferdium was gradually improving.

'Yes, it's a part that's lacking. I'll teach and guide him well in the future. Isn't that the role of an adult? He's still young and full of energy.'

Homer smiled kindly and nodded to himself.

Old memories began to come back vividly.

These are the days when I trained Jiselle to become a great successor and lord.

You can lead me like that again from now on.

If you could just fix that f*cking personality, you'd be a great lord.

'Since you are the one who will inherit the Ferdium territory anyway. Let's get along well again, Jisel.'

As the hatred gradually disappeared, my heart became more and more peaceful.

'How come I lived in such peace without knowing? When you hate me, my heart also hurts.'

Homer, who had come to his senses, got up from his seat with anticipation and longing for Giselle in his heart.

Because it was almost time to go out and inspect the territory.

"Today, we will start by looking around the eastern village."

At Homer's command, the knights and soldiers immediately prepared.

The position of a lord's deputy is a position of great responsibility. The more the lord is away, the more careful he must be in looking after the estate.

But is there anything to worry about in the current Ferdium? I couldn't help but feel at ease.

Homer laughed heartily as he rode along.

"Hahaha, it's so peaceful. The sky is clear without a single cloud, the dazzling sunshine, the birds are chirping, the forest has lost all the trees… … What is that? Why is it like that? Where did all the trees go?"

On the way to the eastern village, there was definitely a forest, albeit small.

But now that I look, all the trees have been cut down and only the stumps remain.

Homer spoke in a trembling voice.

"Hey, what's going on? Why is the forest like that? I'm not seeing things, am I? Hey, let's go quickly!"

The closer I got, the more certain it became that this was not an illusion, but reality. The forest was truly scorched to the core.

"Forest Keeper! Where is the Forest Keeper? What is happening? What is happening!"

As Homer screamed, the forest manager quickly appeared.

"Hey, is the general here?"

"What is this! Who dared to cut me like this! Can't you tell me right away!"

Any unauthorized destruction of the forest is considered a felony.

Especially in harsh regions like the North, where people tend to rely on the resources of forests and mountains, they tend to manage it more sensitively.

Otherwise, it would be a huge blow to the already insufficient finances of the territory.

In Perdium, people were assigned to manage the forest separately to prevent people from entering without permission.

But who could have committed such a heinous crime!

The forester knelt down on the ground and immediately identified the culprit.

"The Archduke came and swept everything away!"

"What? The Grand Duke? Why would he cut down a tree here, leaving his own territory?"

"Your Highness, there is a shortage of wood in your territory, so I would like to borrow some… … ."

"Ugh, uh-uh!"

Homer suddenly felt his blood pressure rise, so he grabbed the back of his neck and staggered.

'That kid is definitely not normal.'

Even though it is my father's territory, he raids other territories because he is short on wood!

I had to catch him right away and put him in jail.

"Where is this crazy guy! Where is he!"

Then the forester quietly got up and pointed to a place with his finger.

"They're running away so hard over there."

Sure enough, in the distance, a group of men could be seen pulling a huge number of wagons loaded with lumber.

What's so great about running away, with the flag of Fenris fluttering in the air?

"Okay, grab him… … . Catch him right now!"

With those words, Homer fainted, bleeding from his nose.

My blood pressure was so high that my body couldn't handle it.

Homer thought as he lost consciousness.

'Don't even try to do it again… … .'

I hate you, I hate you so much I could die!

In this way, one of the forests of Ferdium was completely plundered by Giselle.

* * *

"Wow, whoa. What is that?"

The people of Yeongji were amazed at the sight of the wagons coming in one after another.

Everyone already knew that the construction would be delayed because they were running out of wood.

I thought it would be difficult this time even though the lord had a lot of money, but this time too, he solved it in an amazing way.

Claude, who had come running in a hurry upon hearing the news that lumber was coming in, was also shocked at the sight.

'That's a huge amount of wood. It's almost like they've pushed aside a small forest. There's no way that Ferdium, which is in such poor shape, would readily give up this much wood… . . . '

He came out excitedly, saying he was going to steal something, but it was clear that he really was.

'Wow, he really is a worthless person. If I continue to hang out with that person, I'll be expelled too.'

No matter how urgent and important it is, why would you do something so out of the ordinary?

It was clear that they would later come to grips with it in Perdium.

Claude, who had been worried about the future for a moment, soon realized something and his expression brightened.

'No. Thanks to us, we are receiving support from the royal family, so this is okay. Let's help each other and live together. General Homer.'

Claude decided to just relax. There was no use worrying about what had already happened.

Meanwhile, ominous rumors were circulating among the people of Yeongji.

"I heard the lord raided my father's estate?"

"I heard that Count Ferdium has just gone on an expedition to the North. So I don't know about it yet."

"Tsk tsk, there's going to be a big problem later. I don't know if there'll even be a war between rich people."

I've heard a lot about Yeongju being a famous unfilial son in this neighborhood, but I really didn't know that he would raid his father's estate.

Everyone was anxious and just hoping that nothing would happen.

Claude resumed his work after comforting the dark-faced residents.

"Okay, let's resume the work that was stopped. Reassemble the workers."

The schedule was significantly delayed due to construction being halted due to a lack of resources.

Even if we recruit more workers and resume construction, the time that has already passed will not return.

Besides, how easy is it to build a house? Even if you build it as simply as possible, you still have to include all the facilities necessary for living, such as a kitchen and bathroom.

This means that there is a limit to how much time can be shortened.

Claude, who had been watching the construction progress seriously, eventually went to see Giselle.

"There is a problem."

"Oh, what's wrong with you this time! What's wrong with you all the time? Are you deliberately creating trouble for me?"

"I didn't make it."

"Isn't the real problem thinking that something that isn't a problem is a problem?"

"Ha, isn't it because Your Majesty always makes plans that are far from reality that problems arise?"

Giselle clicked her tongue and asked Claude, who was exploding with anger.

"What's the problem? I've already procured the wood, so what's missing now?"

"It's time."

"That was already lacking, so why is it a new problem?"

"That's a different matter. I don't think we'll be able to meet the schedule for building the residence."

"why?"

"There are too many houses to build. Construction has to be done in several villages at the same time. We have tried to recruit as many workers as possible, but we are still short of manpower."

At those words, Giselle tilted her head.

There are thousands of people who have gathered now. Even if you exclude the elderly and the sick, there must be quite a lot of people, so it was hard to understand why there was a shortage of manpower.

"Why are there so few people? There are so many people."

"There is a shortage of qualified craftsmen and carpenters. A house isn't built just by haphazardly putting together bricks."

"Well, so you're saying there are a lot of people willing to put in the effort, but there aren't enough people to tell them where to put their effort?"

"Yes, so there's no point in adding more workers right now. It's not possible for a single worker to handle dozens of houses."

However, it was not possible to build it without technicians and only with laborers. It would not have been possible to go beyond the level at which the poor people built and lived.

A house like that would collapse if even a little wind and rain blows. It would just be a waste of materials.

"hmm...."

Jiselle also folded her arms and looked lost in thought.

No matter how many workers you hire, it's useless if they don't know how to build a house.

We needed a more efficient way of working, one that would allow one person to handle more homes than they could now.

Jiselle, who had been thinking for a moment, muttered to herself.

"Oh, there is one way… … ."

"yes?"

"Hmm, I wasn't planning on doing that at home. Maybe that would be better… … ."

"Huh? What is it?"

"There's no other way. You have to stabilize your residence before you can do anything else. I will take care of the residence issue myself."

Claude asked Giselle, who raised her head with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty… … Do you even know how to build a house? When did you learn such skills?"

"I used to work in construction. But I'm better at destroying things than building them."

Claude thought the lord was bluffing again. Rumors of the Ferdium scoundrel were rife in the neighborhood, so what kind of work did he do in construction?

"… … Just because one lord participates in the work doesn't mean the number of houses will increase."

"I have an idea, so I'm going to try it out. I'm going to designate a model village and try it out myself. I'm going to call all the architects and carpenters. You come with me."

Claude followed Giselle, his face turning pale.

This time, I was worried about what kind of ridiculous thing he would do.

When Jiselle's summons was delivered, all the staff in charge of supervising and taking responsibility for the construction in each district gathered.

Looking around at the people, Giselle confidently shouted.

"I will teach you a construction method that will allow you to build faster by hiring more workers and accommodate more people!"

"Oh!"

Everyone looked at Giselle with eyes full of anticipation.

Even though the methods were a bit strange, Yeongju somehow managed to solve the problem.

In particular, farming and cosmetics were tremendous achievements that showcased technologies that had never existed before in the world.

What a new construction method the Lord was teaching me! I couldn't help but be excited.

Looking into the bright eyes of the people, Jiselle confidently shouted.

"Just build a really big house!"

"… … ."

The faces of the people who had been shining with anticipation suddenly became expressionless. Jiselle quickly corrected her words as she faced the cold, hard gazes.

"I'll show you what kind of house it is. I'll be directing the work from now on!"

He smiled with conversion as he recalled the new concept of a house he had seen in his past life.