Chapter 61

Chapter 61

**Episode 61**

Everything is going well, I see.

Yes.

Responding to his fathers contented smile, Logan answered with a confident expression.

Good. How about the soldiers training?

Excluding those drafted for public order, we are continuing with high-intensity training. Additionally, we have identified about 300 soldiers with special talents and are training them intensely, without deployment.

Are we to understand that theres enough potential among these 300 to become knights?

Yes. At least, thats what I believe.

Dwayne, who had little interest in knight training, simply clapped his hands with a slightly surprised expression, but Heinckel couldnt hide a look of incredulity as he listened to the conversation between father and son.

Under the assumption that the soldiers were faithfully following their training, even if one scoured through the military for ten years like a madman, only about one in a hundred would awaken to their Force and qualify as a knight.

Simple calculations implied that among 1,500 soldiers, only about fifteen were likely to become knights.

Yet Logan spoke nonchalantly of a number twenty times greater, which was absurd to Heinckel.

However, his lord nodded in response with a smile, despite the implausibility of such an answer.

If you say so, it must be so.

No matter how well the family fared, it seemed almost delusional to Heinckel.

While he had much to say, he could not bring himself to speak and instead repeatedly opened and closed his mouth in silence.

But the heir apparent did not stop there.

We will maintain our current training system and plan to reinforce our soldiers annually. We will also bolster our cavalry and arms every year.Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

Your Highness! Thats

No, why?! I am strictly against such a waste of money in these peaceful times!

Before Heinckel could object, Dwayne, who had been smiling, suddenly flared up.

Mithril. Its a repeat of the Mithril case. Overspending is a habit. It must be stopped!

While Heinckel looked on bewilderedly, fortunately, this time even the lord furrowed his brow.

Are you planning for war?

Sometimes we must do things we do not wish to, like war. Thats what I have learned.

But I never taught you that.

Padric forcefully swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.

Instead, he pointed out the harsh reality with an icy voice.

Our family is in a period of growth. Excessive military expansion could be seen as provocation by neighboring families.

Thats correct. Wise words, my lord.

Heinckel nodded at those words, and Dwayne gave Logan thumbs up as if to show agreement.

Yet,

Whether we provoke them or not, were bound to be provoked.

Logans bizarre statement bewildered everyone.

What?

McClain Town has begun operating in earnest and the wasteland has been turned into plains. Sylvan and Pereta, both regions with excessive taxation, have many farmers deserting. Will those greedy wretches sit by idly?

Do you think they will attack?

Yes.

Logans confident response was immediately met with rebuttal.

Whether Sylvan or Pereta, they do not take us lightly! With our current military strength alone, we can easily handle one of their domains.

Your Highness, if you are not informed, those scoundrels are too busy keeping each other in check. They cannot attack without a proper cause!

Heinckel and Dwayne had points of their own.

Already committed to a plan, Logan could not retreat.

Are you saying that if the two domains combine their power, they can easily defeat us?

No, no, thats how it used to be. We have those weapons now

They dont know that. And we have more than enough causes already.

What?

As Logan mentioned a cause, which can be crucial in a war among nobles, everyones gaze turned towards him.

Weve taken in quite a lot of refugees. How many of them do you think come from Pereta or Sylvan? If I were them, it seems like a good excuse.

The rooms atmosphere chilled swiftly as everyone suddenly became aware of the fact they had overlooked in the development of their domain.

If you anticipated such a thing, you shouldve blocked it!

Despite Dwayne shouting, Logan remained cool.

Why block it? Especially when were short on labor anyway.

But that could be a pretext for war Your Highness, dont tell me?

You wanted war from the start?

As Dwaynes face paled, Padric asked sternly.

We will eventually have to confront our adversaries. If they arrogantly give us an excuse, it would be convenient.

Logan, with his eyes cast deeply down, did not deny it.

Your Highness!!

How could this

Haah

The atmosphere in the office grew icy as they looked at Logan as if he were a madman.

Yet, the knights face showed no signs of softening despite Reiharts smooth words.

What brings the two viscountcies

A missive has already been sent. We must speak to the baron for details

A lowly knight dares to block an envoy! Will you be responsible for any consequences?

Tch.

Reihart, hoping to glean some insights through gentle persuasion, clicked his tongue at Hamills hasty outburst.

There was no basis for him to intervene.

With a slight grimace, the knight stepped back.

Follow me, I shall guide you.

Hamills arrogance, seeking defiance, met Reiharts gaze, but there was no need to incite trouble. They followed without protest.

Passing the humble gate, they entered a scene unfamiliar to Reihart.

Houses and novel establishments, evenly spaced along massive crossroads, captivated their attention despite a slight odor.

While not as elegant as renowned cities, it had a unique, raw charm.

Most notably,

Kahaha, try and catch me!

Darn it! Youre it this time!

Ive been it twice already, your turn!

Kids, these are high-ranking guests. Stay away from there!

The peoples brightly lit faces lacked any shadowy corners.

The vibrancy uncommon in Sylvan Viscountcy captivated Reihart.

It was as though they seemed unusually clean.

Marvelous.

Some sights did jar the eye.

Residents ducking away at the sight of their banners were likely runaways from their domains.

Yet their choice made sense; this place seemed genuinely better.

Its certainly worth seizing.

Reihart swallowed a laugh as he probed the leading knight discreetly.

An impressive place, Knight Digrum. It seems superior to many castles.

Oh? Ah Indeed.

Different from Hamills brusque manner, Digrum offered a faint smile at Reiharts courtly approach.

Whoever conceived such an idea, its a splendid endeavor.

Intending to buoy his mood with praise, Reihart received an unexpected response.

All credit to our Young Lord.

What?

Our Young Lord conceived the town and managed the wastelands transformation.

Huh

McClains Young Lord, barely in his twenties, surely?

Shocked, he asked more questions, receiving similar replies.

Our Young Lord is brilliant, valorous, leading the regions progress

Enough. This flattery

Annoyed by the endless praise, Reihart had had his fill.

The sycophants vigor matched his own experience under a tyrant; yet Reihart refrained from such obsequious conduct out of sight.

He resigned himself to silently observing, seeking more accurate information.

Meanwhile, Hamills arrogance interrupted the tour.

That smell! Whats with these ditches? Why endure such

They crossed paths with a narrow channel carrying wastewater while exploring.

Dissonant within the tidy village, but not to Reihart.

Sewer system?!

Recognizing its purpose was a moment of clarity.

Ah, you know of it. Yes, its also our Young Lords initiative.

While Hamill feigned interest, the knights tone brimmed with pride.

Reihart heard it differently, though.

Truly exceptional.

Yes, indeed. The Young Lord is exceptional.

No, you boastfulget ahead in life Tsk tsk.

The Young Lord couldnt have devised such a thing.

Reihart had never engaged in such bootlicking, not even out of his lords sight.

He lamented the knights fervent allegiance but accepted the excellence of the towns systems.

Most Granadia Kingdom castles were ancient establishments, complicating the retrofit of sewer systems from the empires major cities over the past century.

Even the aware nobility, reluctant to spend wealth, shunned these advancements.

Hence, many strongholds were filthy and reeked.

Acquainted with administrative studies from the academy, Reihart longed to integrate a wastewater management system above all else.

Unfortunat