Chapter 62: Before the storm (1)

Chapter 62: Before the storm (1)

Leaves were beginning to dye in the colour of autumn. The autumn harvest was just around the corner. Likewise, the appearance of the Lords office began to change. Tapestries on the walls were replaced with banners with the family crest, and small furnishings were replaced with fancier equivalents.

Today, I was welcoming a visitor to such an extravagant office.

"Lord Tullius. Congratulations on your appointment as the head of the family and as a count."

"Welcome, Margrave Doldran. It's a pleasure to have you come all the way for your congratulations."

The guest could only force a smile as he listened to what was probably an indifferent reply from me, Tullius Shernan Oubeniel. Perhaps the listless expression on my face made it too obvious.

I'm sorry that he had to come all the way to Marlan, but my promotion was not that big of a deal. After all, brother, the previous head of the family, went insane and lost consciousness. Society must find the whole chain of events unsettling.

I, personally, am not happy about it at all. I would be most satisfied if I could spend all my time on alchemy research. Just being the lord of a small area like Marlan was enough trouble. There was enough work to do as it was. Fortunately, I've been told that a visit to the capital could wait since the harvest season is near. The reasoning was that the running of the territory should be stable before the end of the year.

"The new Count looks exhausted."Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

"Yeah, it's really unbearable."

As I was saying this, I was reminded of my duties the past few days.

Entertaining royal envoys who were here to grant me my official title. Gathering documents related to the administration of the entire province. Integration of my current vassalage with the direct vassals in the main family. And the list goes on.......

Handling the vassals was a particular headache. The old Oubeniel family vassals do not get along well with mine like Laubert, Victor, as well as Due, who was my headmost military officer. They must underestimate my vassals, assuming their main roles were to babysit the second son. There was also a sense of repulsion at the thought of having their properties and interests taken away. There was no way they could all get along.

Rubbing my temples in melancholy, I offered the Margrave a seat and took my own by the desk.

"Speaking of which, aren't you moving to Volden?"

"No way. I'm more comfortable at Marlan, and its troublesome."

There was no formal obligation that I have to move to Volden, the capital of this province, just because I was the count. I'm going to stay in Marlan. I've spent a lot of time and effort to build a land effective for my alchemy research. There was nothing beneficial in moving to Volden, blessed with its wines.

"Besides, it would be better for the reorganisation of the vassalage if Marlan is made the administrative center."

"Indeed. If everybody has to follow your instructions from Marlan, the men in Volden would eventually submit to you."

That's what I'm talking about. Without the approval of me, or the head of internal affairs, administrative matters could not proceed. I would set up a system to handle the administration like this. This way, the rebellious new vassals would have to bow to Marlan, no matter what they thought of this place. What if they act without my approval? That would be an intolerable act of defiance against the lord that could set the perfect stage for a purge. If some incompetent people tried to do something like that, Laubert would happily seize incriminating evidences and fire them. If they are competent or could be used, I could call them into Marlan using their rebuke worthy deeds as a pretext and then do the usual to force obedience on them.

If it were only my selfishness that kept me from moving the base, Laubert and the others would have shown more annoyance. In addition, Marlan was rapidly developing into a city for adventurers. This city would be impossible to handle for a random bureaucrat to take over in a moments notice. Laubert and Victor would have to take care of this city for a while. Judging from the growth the city is experiencing, it is very likely that there would be work in the future.

"The young people under Count Langogne are confused, but they seem to be generally on board. However, the rest of them seem to be reluctant."

"Hm......"

The Margrave put his hand on his chin and appeared to be thinking about something. At the same time, he lifted his glass to ask for a refill. ...Hey, hey, dont get carried away, mister.

He took a small sip of the second glass before saying.

"I don't understand. I can understand a hard-headed man like Count Mearbahn being unwilling, but a profit seeking man like Count Chambery too?"

"Count Chambery?"

As I recall, he was an aristocrat with a bad reputation, though not as bad as mine. He was notorious for being a bat who chased after small gains. It was somewhat surprising that the Margrave would mention this man.

As I thought, the Margrave gave a small laugh.

"You think he's an insignificant figure, don't you?"

"Am I wrong to think so?"

"......Not wrong. A man like Chambery is indeed insignificant."

"Hm?"

I couldnt fully understand the point he was trying to make then. So why are we focusing on an insignificant figure?

"He is like a weathervane. A weathervane can only move in the winds direction, but from its movements, we can tell where the wind is blowing."

"Oh, I see."

A small person who was just being carried along by the momentum was somehow going against the flow. That's why he found it unnatural.

"So you're saying that the wind is blowing from the opposite direction of Count Langogne?"

"I suppose so. No matter how infamous you are, an alliance is an opportunity for the Centralist faction to overwhelm the Decentralist faction. For Chambery to oppose it...it must be a rather strong headwind."

I pondered for a moment.

Count Lagogne was bending to our will. He might dislike Count Mearbahn, but I'm sure he did not resent him enough to prevent him from making politically rational decisions. Count Chambery did not have enough power to create a flow large enough to compete with Count Langogne on his own. So, who was the mastermind behind this?