The office of Bindeln Castle. A middle-aged man with a twisty look was going through the papers. A man whose beard resembles a goat’s, but his eyes are closer to those of a bird of prey.
He was Willem Bindeln, the current head of the Viscount House of Bindeln.
“How is the situation in the estate?”
“Not good.”
The administrator wiped away a cold sweat at Viscount Willem’s question. It wasn’t because he was afraid of Willem, the lord he served. This is because it caused a huge amount of damage.
“The territories who expanded their business with debt reached their limit, and outsiders stopped visiting due to rumors that additional supplies were not coming in. This is about the current damage estimate alone.”
“Hmm.”
Willem frowned as he read the paperwork handed out by the administrator. I expected it, but when I saw the specific figures, my stomach hurt.
How much profit would have been returned if the amount was properly distributed to the manor.
“It’s a loss that will be recovered later anyway.”
However, Willem struggled with one belief and turned his eyes away from the number of documents. Yes, all of this damage was repairable.
If that son of the Winslow family is kicked out of the role of count, and the Vindeln family takes over as the successor, the gains will come back several fold.
“Continue to store the goods entering the territory in a secret warehouse. They will be used later to make up for this loss.”
“Master, wouldn’t it be better to release a little on the market? Everyone is limited.”
“noisy. If you’re going to do it so clumsily, why are you going through all this trouble?”
“But the situation is very bad. If we go on like this… … .”
“Tell me to hold on a little longer. It won’t last more than four months at the most.”
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At the sound, the administrator bowed his head. It has been three months since we blocked the quantity that was scheduled to be released on the market. This sh*t happened in only three months, but wait longer?
‘It’s crazy. It’s obvious that the economy of the territory will collapse.’
The magistrate barely swallowed the words that rose to his throat. Because he has served his lord for a long time, he knows his personality better than anyone else.
No matter how logically he explained it here, he was someone who would never change his mind. It was fortunate that I didn’t listen to his disapproval, asking if he dared to go against my will.
At the same time as the slumped-shouldered administrative officer left the office, another person entered the office.
“father!”
“Tsk, lower your voice.”
Walter Bindeln. The only heir and eldest son of Viscount Willem. However, the viscount’s gaze at Walter was full of disapproval.
“It seems like only yesterday that the one-week probation was handed down, but time flies so fast.”
“Father, please stop.”
“Shut up. Do you want to be stuck in your room for a month this time?”
“Even if I’m locked up for a year, I still have to say something.”
Walter met Viscount Willem’s eyes with a stiff face. Even in his eyes as sharp as a hawk, Walter’s gaze did not budge.
“Stop this nonsense right now and release the stock to the market. If you persist like this, you will definitely regret it.”
Viscount Willem’s eyebrows twitched at the blatant accusation. The authority of the head of the household is absolute, no matter how much he is a natural son or heir. But how dare you speak like that?
“You’ve changed a lot since you went to the Herning family, son.”
“Yes, seeing and experiencing many things in front of my eyes has made me grow remarkably.”
“growth? It seems to me that he has gone a little crazy.”
In the past, Walter was worried that he would be offended by his father. However, after winning the rights to the elven trade from the Herning family, he became quite arrogant.
Since he had made a big contribution, he was willing to pass on even a bit of arrogance to the viscount. But even that has a limit.
“Be fortunate that you are an only son. If there were other children, they would have immediately deprived him of the successor position and erased them from the family register.”
“Then consider yourself fortunate to have me as your son. You are driving your family into the abyss of ruin, and you are diligently stopping them like this.”
“dare!”
The Viscount’s eyes contained life. If you are a weak person, you will be able to take a look at the power of the back. But Walter still didn’t blink an eye.
“You must listen to me.”
“Shut up! There is already no going back!”
“You just have to let go of that stubbornness.”
“Now, the notoriety about the count’s deputy has finally begun to spread. If I was going to stop here, I wouldn’t have started in the first place.”
“This is something I shouldn’t have started!”
A scream erupted from Walter’s mouth. How can you be so stupid?
“This is a crude plan from the start! No matter how much the Count has ill feelings towards the current count, would he be fooled so easily?”
“That’s what you’re saying because you don’t know.”
Viscount Willem looked at Walter and said. It was as if he was teaching a fool.
“In the first place, why did a little boy named Leone take on the role of acting count? Because there is no one else who can be trusted. He has no one to trust, so he just appointed someone who is in debt to him.”
The Viscount was half convinced. According to the investigation, the family relationship was the worst, and there was a story that the confrontation between Leone and Ray was quite severe.
And yet, you appointed Leone as the count’s deputy? He must have planned to use his fear to put on a leash and get revenge at the same time.
It is a relationship without trust, let alone affection between family members. The count’s ill feelings towards Leone would not have gone away in the slightest.
“Actually, the Count probably wants to replace him right away. We just give him a little push on the back. Authenticity doesn’t matter as long as an excuse is given.”
“That is my father’s idea. No matter how ill-willed you may be, who would like it if you openly show an intention to take advantage of it?”
“You are saying something that is not even funny. What does the present count know? He is the son of a concubine who has lived as if he were dead for decades. Have you learned anything about politics?”
To hear it, didn’t they say that at most swordsmanship was all they learned? No matter how good your senses are, you’ll only be able to notice them.
Even if you have doubts and visit this place, there is no problem. In fact, if you see the Yeonji situation right in front of you, you won’t be able to say that your words are false.
“If only a kid named Leone gets rid of the position of assistant manager, the rest will be fine. Other families have also said they will promote us as the next candidates, so don’t talk nonsense and just watch.”
Walter kept his mouth shut. It wasn’t because I was persuaded or because I didn’t have anything to say. It was because it was obvious that this father who was like a wall window would not listen to me no matter what I said.
‘Damn it, everyone only interprets it in their own good. Even though you’ve never seen His Excellency the Count or Sir Luke in person.’
I felt like I was about to burst out of frustration. I’ve already said the same thing over and over again. He said that he should stop being clumsy in politics and show sincerity and loyalty to earn trust.
If you act superficially, disaster will come to your family. Even so, Willem doesn’t even listen with the back of his ear.
‘It’s a big deal, but if the real Count returns… … .’
“Lord, Lord! It’s a big deal!”
At that time, a knight from outside jumped in. Speaking with an urgent face, Viscount Willem slightly frowned and nodded his head.
“Tell me.”
“Bar, there are people claiming to be inspectors outside! They say you come from the Herning family!”
“what? Inspectors?”
Are you an inspector? Anyway, isn’t this meddling in internal affairs? The angry viscount’s face contorted.
“Who dares to inspect!”
“I’m not sure, but I’m self-identifying as an ascetic knight… … .”
“An acolyte knight? Are you a trainee in the world these days? What nonsense is that?”
The Viscount snorted, as if he had heard an odd joke. However, upon hearing the knight’s words, Walter’s face turned pale.
‘It’s probably not, it’s not.’
Still, does it make sense that the Count and Luke would come here in person? They must be people who are busy moving. However, Walter’s expectations were undoubtedly missed.
“He said you would know if you said Luke Bernstein. If you don’t know, he said to ask Master Walter for details… … .”
dump.
Before he could finish his words, Walter sat down, his legs weak.
* * *
“Welcome, Sir Luke. welcome.”
Apart from Walter’s embarrassment, Viscount Willem calmly greeted the party. It’s not that this situation was completely unexpected.
At the polite response, Luke was about to bow his head as well.
“Nice to meet you… … .”
“And greetings to His Excellency the Count. It’s called Willem Vindeln. I should have personally posted my greetings, but please forgive me for not being able to.”
Intentional cessation of speech. It felt like the ambient temperature had dropped several degrees. Walter felt goosebumps rising.
‘Father, please… … !’
However, Walter’s prayers did not reach. Viscount Willem led the party with an expression that still did not notice anything.
“Come, come this way. I have reserved a place for you.”
“… … .”
Ray didn’t answer. Without saying a word, he just moved according to the Viscount’s guidance. Grasping the subtle air, Viscount Willem smiled.
‘It would be awkward. A knight who has risen to a higher position than his lord. It is inevitable that we cannot maintain the same relationship as before.’
No matter how strong your trust is, the reality in front of you is firm. If so, what will the lord and knight feel after seeing the reality?
The lord learns the jealousy of his vassal, and the knight learns the ruler’s vision. The moment that happens, the warlord can never return to the same relationship as before.
‘Only that Bernstein kid knows a little bit about politics here. Only he needs to be separated from the Count.’
The Viscount created a small crack by bringing reality right in front of his eyes. This rift will soon lead to the division of the two war gods.
They will definitely quarrel and doubt each other. The conflict will grow and soon turn your back. If that happens, the only thing left is one younger daughter who knows nothing about politics.
Now was the time to sow the seeds of conflict for that future.
“Come on, get to the top. Is it the right place for His Excellency the Count to sit down? I will sit downstairs.”
“… … .”
The Viscount’s utmost respect. However, Ray didn’t say anything and glanced back at Luke. No place was given to Luke.
Just like the other knights, it was just standing there. As if there was no place to recommend a single knight.
“Your Excellency, why are you hesitating? Any other reasons?”
“… … .”
“I understand how you care for the knights accompanying you, but please understand. This is a place where lords should have a conversation, so I can’t seat someone who isn’t the heir.”
“… … .”
“Heh heh, this is won. If you really want, we can arrange seats for the knights. So please stop worrying and take a seat.”
“… … .”
This, too, was the viscount’s intention. An appeal that the relationship between the two gods is completely different from before. Viscount Willem tried to patronize the place, but soon felt strange.
Ray hadn’t said a word until now. This was no hesitation. He hadn’t even listened to the Viscount’s story at all.
“Bae, Your Excellency Count?”
“Ray, sit down.”
“Yes, lord.”
When Viscount Willem asked shyly, Luke opened his mouth beside him. Ray quickly sat down as if he had never done that.
Seeing that, the viscount’s expression slightly changed. This isn’t it. It’s a completely different sight from what I expected.
“Kuhm! Now, in the longitude position… … .”
“I am done. How dare a single knight sit down?”
Viscount Willem shut his mouth at Luke’s cold smile. I wanted to recommend it again, but judging by his attitude, it seemed that he would never sit down.
“Then there is nothing you can do. Your Excellency Count, isn’t he a wonderful knight indeed? As a group, there is nothing better.”
“… … .”
“Ray, answer me.”
“yes.”
Rey nodded slightly at Luke’s words. As the conversation continued, Viscount Willem’s back became wet.
Something was going wrong at the root.