Chapter 113. Count Cadmus (2)
“Blanc Cadmus…… Count.”
BANG-!
Count Lacie slammed the desk, unable to quell his resentment.
“In the end, that brat has crawled up to my shoulder level.”
Count Lacie had become the head of the Southern Union, but because of that, there wasn’t just one or two things he had to worry about.
It was because the south of the Kingdom of Felix was noisy due to the defeated soldiers and refugees generated by the Prince’s Rebellion that had begun in earnest, and the mercenaries running wild in the vicinity.
While Count Lacie was held back sorting those things out, Blanc occupied the three barons’ territories and his title rose to Count, so it was understandable that Count Lacie would burst with frustration.
“This must be all his doing.”
Count Lacie realized the Royal Family’s intention upon seeing Blanc receive the countship at the same time he ascended to the position of head of the Southern Union.
“If he thinks I will be done in that easily, he is mistaken.”
Count Lacie ordered the scribe shrinking beside him.
“Slowly block the merchant groups and flow of civilians heading to Norington.”
Count Lacie blocked the flow of logistics heading to Norington.
“Ensure that not a single grain flows into Norington. I also prohibit brokerage activities.”
He tried to make wheat scarce in Norington and make prices skyrocket by blocking grain sales from Bigrove.
“Slowly tighten the noose and pressure Norington.”
A giant snake coiled its body and bared its fangs.
“But Count…… He is the Vanguard of the Holy War and…….”
“The Holy War is over.”
Count Lacie cleared away the liquor cups beside him and looked at the map.
“From now on, Count Blanc is just a lord of a territory.”
Count Lacie had always treated lords with a flushed face, but no smell of alcohol came from his body right now.
“Let’s see if he bows his head before me.”
Count Lacie possessed clearer and colder eyes than anyone else.
***
“Through this Holy War, I saw everyone’s courage and faithfulness. I dare say that the Goddesses must have been pleased seeing that appearance as well.”
About a hundred knights and soldiers listened intently to Blanc’s voice as he spoke from the podium.
They were soldiers sent by southern lords to respond to the Holy War.
Since each lord sent about ten men, they amounted to less than a hundred even if all gathered, but rather than their number, they were like proof supporting the Holy War and Blanc.
“Since you entrusted honorable flags to me when you arrived at Norington, I will ensure you carry shining gold on those flags when you leave!”
At Blanc’s final words, the gathered men raised their hands high and praised Blanc.
There was the fact that they were taking a lot of money compared to the effort they put in, but more than that, being able to participate in the Holy War enriched their hearts.
It was a short period, but the presence of the lord named Blanc Cadmus had dug deep into their hearts and captivated them.
“Blanc Cadmus! The name of an honorable lord!”
Although they served different lords and masters, the name Blanc was embedded in their hearts.
The profit Blanc gained from this Holy War wasn’t just the three barons’ territories.
“Good work.”
The advisor Nicholas, treasurer Bonas, and scribe Jesman approached Blanc as he came down from the podium.
“Seeing you all approach, I feel fearful.”
Blanc feigned exaggeration as a joke.
“We have almost completed the trade route heading to Baywood. Now it is time to inform merchants of its existence and attract them.”
“I leave it to you. Nicholas.”
It was a trade route opened at the right time, just as the flow of logistics was being blocked by Count Lacie recently.
It would take time, but since Blanc was protected by the Goddess Order, the flow of merchants would flow here from Baywood a little.
Because the name value of Blanc, a legitimate lord and rising star, would be more trustworthy than Baywood full of scammers.
Furthermore, although they wouldn’t see big profits right now due to the chaotic situation in the south, the territory of Norington had become a strategic point connecting Gartaria, the Kingdom of Anton, and the Kingdom of Felix.
It meant it was a place with infinite potential for development.
However.
“Norington’s wheat reserves are at a dangerous level.”
There were things interfering with Blanc and Norington spreading their wings wide.
“Not only because of Count Lacie’s inspection, but also because wheat production in this region has dropped sharply due to the war. For now, we can get by with the wheat Treasurer Bonas purchased, but…”
It was the Cadmus Barony full of war scars.
Fortunately, Blanc, foreseeing this situation, had Bonas buy wheat, but that was merely a temporary measure.
“We must restore the lands ruined by war and increase farmlands so we do not collapse under Count Lacie’s check.”
“That is a valid point. I have something in mind regarding that, so please do what you can for now.”
Jesman didn’t know what countermeasure Blanc would come up with, but the faithful scribe simply carried out the lord’s words.
“And you?”
Bonas was standing with a slightly grumpy expression.
He had just been protesting that the remuneration given to the soldiers participating in the Holy War was too much, but his opinion was ignored by the speech just now.
“How many words would I, the treasurer, have to say?”
There was a valid reason why he offered such an opinion.
“We are out of money.”
The money Ulrich had prepared had run out before they knew it.
“Hmm…….”
It was the problem both the speaker and the listener hated talking about the most.
Before anyone noticed, Nicholas and Jesman quickly stepped away and were walking their separate ways.
Jesman’s limping steps looked quick just for today.
“There must be assets recovered from the three barons…….”
There were assets recovered from the lords of Langketa, Vicious, and Kamora.
Although looted to some extent, bulky items or things hidden in various places were safe.
Moreover, since the accounts they kept in the Iron Bank were also recovered, some of that would have to be offered to the Goddess Order, but there would definitely be Blanc’s share too.
“We seem to have recovered quite a lot of Baron Kamora’s assets.”
Whether he trusted Count Cohen or not, Baron Kamora hadn't particularly embezzled his assets.
Therefore, although they couldn't catch Baron Kamora and his family, they were able to recover most of the assets he possessed.
Plus, since they were holding Count Cohen as a hostage, they would be able to receive quite a large amount just for his ransom.
“Those are things not yet liquidated. We have no money to spend right now.”
Bonas spoke looking at Blanc with bloodshot eyes.
“…….”
Predicting how much heavy work he must have gone through from his red eyes, Blanc had no choice but to listen to Bonas' words.
“Baron…… Count, you fought two wars in succession and took three territories. Since those territories are panting from the wounds of war, money will go into just stabilizing them right now, and even the businesses you intend to start are large-scale, so the gold coins that need to be laid down are not just a penny or two.”
Blanc humbly listened to Bonas' words, which he spat out as if he had been waiting.
This too would be one of the attitudes a ruler must have.
“I think I can bring money.”
Blanc spoke assuming the money that would come from Ulrich’s second account to calm Bonas down, but.
“Count.”
Bonas remonstrated in a serious tone.
“Now the Lord is a person who possesses a territory, and a person who must take firm root there. You cannot operate the territory with looting and money of unknown origin forever.”
Bonas was telling Blanc.
That now, steady income generated within Norington was needed.
“We should.”
Blanc also thought he should start a business that could create revenue within Norington, but he had no time to pay attention because he had run so busily until now.
“Then what business should we start? Do you have anything in mind?”
Blanc looked at Bonas with an expectant heart, but.
“Regarding that part, Lady Ciella says she has something in mind, so how about listening to her opinion?”
“Ciella?”
Blanc tilted his head as an unexpected person’s name popped out during the conversation, but.
“Understood.”
He nodded and agreed.
Because he knew well that his wife Ciella was also a capable person.
Blanc, who finished the Holy War and expanded his territory.
He had to proceed with the work of reviving Norington simultaneously with the task of being granted the countship.
As he grew larger and higher to respond to the Void, the things he had to shoulder were also increasing.
***
“Mint.”
Ciella was busy experimenting in the alchemy workshop Blanc had provided.
“……I did not hear you clearly, my wife.”
Blanc frowned upon hearing the ominous word brushing past his ears.
“A trend for mint candy is spreading among noble women these days. You might not have known.”
Green liquid was flowing through a transparent glass tube.
“Is this also mint?”
“That’s right. I’m trying to liquefy it.”
Ciella was watching them with serious eyes.
“……Why?”
Blanc hadn’t known such a terrible experiment was being committed within his mansion.
If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have equipped the alchemy equipment for Ciella.
“Imagine.”
Ciella spoke while shaking the green liquid coming down into a transparent beaker.
“Not just mint candy, but mint tea, mint bread, mint perfume, mint chocolate…….”
Blanc’s complexion was turning pale.
“Plus, the trend is starting centering on women right now, but eventually, noble trends spread from women to men.”
Ciella’s analysis was valid.
Since it was true that noble culture and trends were created by noble women who were the center of balls and social circles.
Because of that, merchants selling luxury goods tried hard to capture the hearts of noble ladies somehow.
“Soon the trend for mint will spread to men too. So, I thought about it after seeing Sir Antonio last time.”
Ciella picked up something like a squishy green jelly and her eyes shone.
“What do you think about mint cigarettes?”
Blanc was barely holding onto his mind that was becoming faint.
‘It is my fault for not organizing the inside while roaming outside.’
Because he couldn't pay attention, he couldn't stop Ciella from taking an interest in things like mint.
All of this was his fault.
However, seeing Ciella blooming her ability with sparkling eyes for the first time in a long while, he couldn't bear to tell her to stop.
“I feel that the trend for mint won't die down easily. I heard Baron Tigor, who is already selling mint candy, is sitting on a pile of money.”
Ciella started the experiment again as if enjoying it.
“How about asking Lady Iselin too? Mint chocolate that even the Saintess likes! If we promote it like this, the repercussions will surely be huge!”
Ciella’s beauty was blooming brightly as she chattered incessantly about mint.
“……I hope so too.”
Blanc forced his stiff expression to relax and cheered for her.
“If there is anything I can help with, please tell me anytime.”
Blanc spoke as if running away and came out of Ciella’s workshop.
“…….”
In front of Blanc’s eyes who came out of the room, a pink young bird was seen sitting sullenly in the corridor.
The phoenix that helped Blanc when he cut down the Void Tree in Norington.
The young bird hadn’t left the side of Ciella who had embraced it for a moment, but.
“PEEP-.”
Because the scent of mint wafted from her, it was sitting in the corridor unable to get close.
“……Let’s go.”
Blanc put the phoenix that lost its place on his shoulder and headed to his office.
“Let’s go with me.”
A man who lost his place and a young bird were walking down the corridor.
The place they would head to was Baltimere, the capital of the Kingdom of Felix.