75

Because of Baron Bralcom's lack of decorum and great disrespect towards both Count Jenson and Baron Asai, Jenson ordered the man to give the maid Annie to him. In good graces, as to assist one baron from another.

On the journey back, Asai later found out that the villages around Trichia used to belong to a baron that had one too many drinks and whores, suffering from an early death the deceased baron's territory was temporarily given to Baron Bralcom. The man clearly eager to double his territory, which would effectively double his local garrison of trained knights, an increase in his power and authority and prestige.

However, after lack lustre results and mostly relying on adventurers and local heroes to solve his problems, the nobles higher on the hierarchy decided Asai would be the perfect replacement. A man as young as Asai would definitely instigate the surrounding nobles into working harder and proving themselves.

Unknown to Asai was that Jenson had abused his connections. Duke Jeffrey De Lumix was actually his uncle, the local counts were entirely unaware of the happenings here, thus, Baron Bralcom wasn't afford the usual backing of his direct superior.

...

Asai, honestly didn't really care. He was entirely new to this game of nobles. And at the end of the day, it was thanks to Bralcom that he even ventured into Ahkma Cave's dungeon, and fought against the [Blood Tyrant] which lead to him receiving his new favourite weapons.

Dungeons we're under the control of the local noble house. The nobles would preach that they were extremely dangerous but in truth, dungeons were a two sided sword. Great resources to nobles who had the manpower to farm them, but to those who didn't, they were a disaster. When enough time passes after a dungeon was formed without being cleared or culled. Monster hordes would erupt and escape into the world. 

Baron Bralcom had sent scouts into Ahkma Cave, however they had reported the presence of zero crystals to farm. Hence, he willing promised and gave it away to Asai.

...

Annie, with full awareness that Asai lacked a nobles education deigned herself to train the next generation of maids for him. Whilst also operating as the head maid, she and Sister Mary would both effectively overtake and oversee the operations and administration of the territory.

As much as Asai was the official baron, he was entirely content on being the baron in name only. Only performing the absolute musts of the career, such as receiving guests and answering summons.

...

No one knew how and where but, Asai turned out to be insanely rich. He would receive a monthly stipend from the kingdom to manage the land, and then later pay in taxes but from his travels. From all the coins he had looted. Asai was loaded in every sense. He simply didn't know where to spend it, and he certainly didn't want to put a target on his back.

So, he instructed Annie and Mary to spend only when needed.

The two decisively began to build a garrison close by the orphanage where the next generation of knights would be trained. Any orphan not yet adopted and upon reaching adulthood would have the option of joining Asai's personal force.

...

Asai being Asai decided to focus on levelling up. He would only settle down once he hit level 99. Only when he was sure that he could protect those he cared about would he settle down and relax.