122 – Where to return
Ninar Castle itself was well managed. Hired servants and maids cleaned every day and made up for the lack of clothing and food ingredients. They seemed to be afraid of the new lord Evan.
They hanged the manager, Cha Don, for not being able to answer questions.
Of course, it was a necessary process.
Evan held up the tax ledger and frowned.
‘The ledgers were manipulated. Just by looking at this, you will think that taxes were collected fairly.’
It is not shown in the ledger which merchant the money was stolen from and how much tax it was stolen.
The gold coins that Cha Don hid and that came out of the ground are estimated at over 10 billion points. Considering the entire wealth of Lord Ninar, it is not a lot of money. This is because the previous lord died childless and donated most of his wealth to society. There is also a case where Cha Don stole money.
Evan threw his ledger onto the office floor. The ledger entered in Cha Don’s hand is useless.
“Nari, are you going to return the money Cha Don expropriated to the merchants? I don’t think there’s any need to return it. “There are so many feudal lords.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“I’ll think about it later.”
“Um… “What are you planning to do?”
“I will start anew. Currently in the lord’s castle are butlers, servants, and maids. And it’s just the guards. We will hire more people. “There are no security officers or managers.”
We need someone to act as a manager and security officer.
Evan had a lot of involvement with nobles in his past life, so he knew roughly how to manage territory.
…… There were many people who gave Evan in his previous life a noble title.
Cornelia said worriedly as she picked up her ledger on the floor.
“Benefactor, if you wish, I will send down someone skilled in administration.”
“I will do it. “If it doesn’t work out, then ask for it.”
With that said, Evan gathered the people of the Yeongju castle. Butlers, maids, servants, and guards gathered.
“What happens to the current furnishings of Yeongju Castle and those imprisoned?”
“Nothing is organized separately…” “I have a receipt. Would you like to see it?”
“Okay. And, butler, from now on, you must organize the supplies and consumables of the castle in a presentable manner. “By writing on paper.”
“…… All right.”
A deacon with a nervous look. The butler was not happy about having more work to do. It seems like the new lord wants something new.
“This is the year I took office, so this year I will give you 20% more of your salary.”
Evan gave her both a stick and a carrot.
If you do this, the finances of the lord castle will become stronger. The butler will fill out the consumables status. The number of people evading taxes will decrease.
Now that the salary has been raised, employee loyalty will increase. As Evan expected, the servants and maids’ complexions bloomed. The Ninar estate had a thriving horse-drawn carriage market, and maids and servants often spent money at the market. The more money you have, the more you can enjoy in the market.
“I’ll try to make it good.”
The deacon’s unpleasant feelings also decreased. It’s okay. After all, more money increases the satisfaction of office workers.
Then, Evan looked at those imprisoned in prison and freed those who needed to be released. There were people who were unfairly imprisoned because of car money.
Cha Don arbitrarily threw merchants who rebelled against him into prison. They were merchants who directly opposed the expropriation of manager Cha Don. Cha Don confiscated his family assets as punishment for them.
Because of this, the merchants in prison did not have a single penny.
“I will lend you the basic funds. “Try starting your business again.”
“Thank you!”
“Oh my gosh, I can’t tell you how fortunate I am that a new lord has arrived.”
Even though they didn’t return the family fortune, the merchants were grateful just for that.
The merchants complained that they thought they would be in prison for the rest of their lives if they made a mistake, and that the guy who made the money was very evil.
-Something is difficult!
Maya could not keep up with Evan’s work. Maya was talented in many fields, but he did not have even the slightest knowledge of estate management. Maya just stared at Evan with her arms crossed on his desk and her head resting on his back.
“Maya, there is no need for you to know.”
Maya doesn’t have enough time just to learn swordsmanship.
Isn’t she making a fuss recently about educating her fiancé? There is no need for her to increase her useless studies here.
-Boo.
Maya puffed out her cheeks. Looks like he’s dissatisfied. Evan blinked at her a few times, then lifted one of his fingers and poked Maya’s swollen cheek.
-Pushuuk.
The sound of wind falling comes from Maya’s mouth. Maya laughed as if she was tickled.
“Benefactor, have you ever managed a fiefdom?”
Cornelia asked Evan as if she was surprised.
The way Evan handled things was very skillful. From document verification to verification of permanent residence employees. It wasn’t something she had done once or twice.
“…… “She just made eye contact.”
Evan changed his mind. It happened in a past life. He has never told anyone about his past life.
Probably only the Witch King and the witches know Evan’s past life.
Evan felt uncomfortable when he thought of the witches.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Eunin. “Did I say something useless?”
Cornelia is startled by Evan’s uncomfortable expression. Evan shook his head, shrugging off his emotions. She doesn’t show her emotions for nothing.
“It’s not because of you.”
Cornelia was relieved by Evan’s words. Fortunately, Cornelia did not make a mistake.
Cornelia placed her hand on her own chest and spoke carefully.
“If there is anything I can help with, please tell me, benefactor.”
“…… Okay.”
Evan was grateful for Cornelia’s words, but she did not touch him.
If the Witch King spreads this time, Evan will step in and defeat it. Evan had no intention of letting witches rule the empire in his past life.
The next day.
Evan walked through the horse road market with his butler. This time, he is on his way out as a lord. I was on my way to inform the merchants at the carriage road market that the lord was Evan.
Public opinion among merchants was good.
“New lord!”
“He freed Mr. Haigus, who was unjustly imprisoned, right? They also lend basic funds. Hey, you seem young, but you have a deep understanding.”
“He is the new lord! “You’re very handsome!”
With the release of merchants who had been unfairly imprisoned the day before, merchants’ support for Evan was high. The merchants gave free chicken skewers and strawberries in gratitude.
Evan looked down at the chicken skewers and strawberries.
“There is sugar in the sauce on the skewers. “I’ll only accept strawberries.”
“Is there any question?”
A merchant with a smile on his wrinkled face. Cornelia also felt good about the hospitality of the merchants. I feel like the benefactor is finally being treated appropriately for his position.
“That’s really good, my benefactor.”
Cornelia congratulated her Evan by declining the strawberries the merchants gave her.
“It’s not over yet.”
The money stolen by the merchants from Cha Don has not been returned.
There should be minimal compensation.
Evan looked around the carriage road market and shouted.
“I heard that the loss suffered by Cha Don is great! Now that I have taken office, all space taxes are exempted for 3 months! Of course, this only applies to merchants currently operating in the market.”
Evan did not return their money. I don’t know how much money Cha Don took from them. If merchants lie and exaggerate the amount of money they have taken, they must return the amount. Evan didn’t create this situation at all.
The merchants’ eyes widened. I thought the new lord would not compensate me for my losses. He said he was exempt from seat tax.
Compensation is insufficient compared to the damage they suffered, but there is something to be done.
The merchants cheered.
“Waaa!!!”
“Long live the new lord Ninar! Long live!”
“I feel better now!”
Evan’s name was chanted everywhere, and the merchants were in an uproar, offering to give each other something.
After being exploited by Cha Don, there were no angels when Evan offered reasonable compensation.
“How did you like Yeongji?”
Cornelia smiled slightly and asked Evan.
Actually, there is nothing major about the Ninar territory other than the carriage road market and the lord’s castle.
The hospitality of the people of the territory is a great reward for the lord.
“I don’t know.”
Evan lowered his gaze and blurted out his answer.
The merchants’ hospitality was due to Evan’s exemption from seat tax. I don’t know what will happen in the future.
But Cornelia was positive.
“Still, I think you took the first step very well.”
“I see.”
“Yes, I think the residents here will follow their benefactor well.”
If Evan lives as the lord of Ninar, the merchants will follow him well.
Evan is resourceful.
Evan recalled the word ‘place to return’ from Cornelia’s words. This is the house that Evan will return to after graduating from the academy, which Cornelia mentioned. How about making that place Ninar?
Climbing the castle hill, Cornelia turned towards Evan. A silver dress that matches her hair color.
Cornelia seems to sparkle in the sunlight.
“Wouldn’t it be okay to live in a place like this from now on? “If you’re bored, you can just decorate the Yeongju Castle.”
“…… “It must be a little sore.”
“Then you can practice swordsmanship in the backyard.”
‘……….’
Evan nodded his head wordlessly.
If you only get your physical abilities back from your previous life, there is no need to stay at the academy.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to use Ninar Territory as a base. At least if you live here, you will be able to live comfortably. Without worrying about money.
Evan had a strange feeling. Until now, she had never thought about what would happen after the sword was completed.
He began to seriously think about where to return.
“If this place is too tight, I will give you more territory. What kind of environment do you prefer for swordsmanship training? Do you like the wide plains?”
Cornelia spread her fingers and said good terms one by one.
Evan shook her head.
For now, it is enough to think about what the ‘place to return to’ is.
“I’ll think about it first.”
“Please think slowly.”
Because I can wait anytime.
Cornelia looked down at Evan with her sunny smile. Cornelia was dead in her previous life.
For some reason, Cornelia seems to be growing inside Evan. When she thinks of Cornelia dying… Her heart breaks. Evan does not know why Cornelia died.
Evan thought. She wants to help Cornelia if something dangerous happens.
‘…… The debt must be repaid.’
Evan’s turmoil is probably due to debt.
Evan struggled to understand.
Inside Yeongju Castle.
Even though it was time to go back, Evan was unable to recruit the right talent.
As a manager, you could select anyone from among the merchants, but as a magistrate, or guard captain, there was no suitable talent.
‘Should I leave it to the butler?’
At least he worked at Yeongju Castle for a long time.
Just as Evan’s worries were deepening, Michael, who had noticed, came forward.
“Nari, shall I do it?”
Michael suggested that he become the manager.
Evan was puzzled.
“Do I need more money?”
“Oh, it’s not like that. I just have time left over to educate my student. I think I can manage Ninar territory in my spare time.”
Evan felt that Michael’s suggestion was quite good. Michael is a skilled wizard and can catch criminals in Ninar territory. He is also a magician and is fast, so he will be able to manage the territory.
Michael alone can manage and secure the territory at the same time.
Evan was inclined to leave the work to Michael.
“Is there anything you wish for?”
“hahahaha, there is only one thing I wish for. Lily. Please continue to live with your student.”
Michael was with Maya right next to her.
Michael wished Maya the best with Evan.
Evan was surprised again this time. Michael did it for Maya rather than his own greed.
“Do you think of Maya as your daughter?”
“hahahaha! That could be possible.”
“…… Is it.”
Evan was new. Maya is a great future partner, and a child who Evan now feels like part of her family. I want to keep her around as much as possible.
Of course, if Maya wants, she can become independent for a while… Although she might want Maya to marry another man.
Now that she thinks about it, does Maya also need a place to return to?
Evan looked down at Maya. Maya is next to Michael, looking up at Evan.
Maya’s heart was filled with joy. As for Maya, she wanted to continue being with Master.
After much thought, Evan called the butler and drew up a contract.
The contract was that she would be with Maya as long as Evan was alive.