My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 68

§ 68. Return

『[Territory Quest] – ‘This is my world! The world I created!’

▶You’ve developed Ruben with countless investments and amazing ingenuity!

You’ve defeated the demons dwelling in the Dark Forest!

You’ve secured a certain number of territory residents!

You’re ready to earn a lot of money through the upcoming commerce!

There are no more Necropolis territories!

Now, only a path of brilliant light will fill Ruben!!

······ Or so you thought for a moment.

Uh oh?

W, what should we do!!

A new threat has emerged in Ruben!

And it’s none other than you!

Let’s skip the tedious explanations!

In half a year, you’ll be kicked out of your position as the lord of Ruben!

Oh my, oh my!

How much money have you poured into Ruben all this time, only to be kicked out!

Of course, a rational person wouldn’t consider sunk costs!

They would only think about opportunity costs!

But you’re not that rational, are you?

If you were rational, you wouldn’t have spent so much money!

Heh heh!

So, you’re not planning to just sit still, are you?

Of course, you shouldn’t just sit still!

Remove the threat looming over Ruben.

And proudly proclaim to the world who the master of Ruben is!』

-Reward: Territory Growth Package unlocked + Mileage System unlocked.

-However, if you fail, your qualification as the lord of Ruben will be revoked, and your authority as a mobile lord will be limited.

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“I and Ruben will build overwhelming justification,” Sian said to Conrad.

Conrad tilted his head, “Overwhelming justification?”

“That’s right.”

In fact, Sian abandoning the name of Elandur alone wasn’t that much of a problem. As Conrad said, he could just grant Sian a title.

Then Sian could establish his own family and become independent from Elandur.

Of course, receiving a title was by no means an easy task. It was the ultimate dream of almost everyone – a life reversal from commoner to noble.

Receiving a title meant that, which is why it wasn’t easily given; it couldn’t be given carelessly.

But Conrad was the Crown Prince of the Empire. A title was something Conrad could arrange as he wished, or more precisely, under the guise of fulfilling a ‘wish’.

However, if Ruben was involved, the situation changed drastically. Giving Sian a title also meant granting Ruben as his territory.

Ruben was currently Elandur’s territory. No matter how influential the Crown Prince was—no, even the Emperor couldn’t simply seize Elandur’s land.

But, “It’s not that there is no justification at all.” It wasn’t entirely impossible.

“There is no justification?” Conrad asked.

Sian nodded. “You may not know, Your Highness, but Ruben has been neglected for decades.”

Basically, all territories of the Empire belonged to the Imperial Family, and each noble was dividing and ruling those territories. Think of it as the Imperial Family leasing land to the nobles.

The nobles were responsible for managing and enriching the land they received. This was the basic feudal system of the Charlotte Empire.

Therefore, each noble had the ‘duty’ to manage and enrich the land granted by the Imperial Family. That was the duty a noble should uphold. To neglect that land meant abandoning their duty.

Rights arise when one fulfills one’s proper duties, and all territories of the Empire ultimately belonged to the Imperial Family. So,

“I have justification to reclaim Ruben,” Sian stated. The Imperial Family had justification to reclaim it.

“That’s right.” Sian nodded.

However, this was still only a matter of justification. So, going a step further, Sian would make a significant contribution to the Empire with Ruben – a contribution that couldn’t be ignored, a justification that couldn’t be overlooked.

Then Sian could argue: *You Elandur have neglected this land and failed to fulfill your duty. Can you now claim rights to the territory I have built?*

He would gain the power to say this.

Of course, even if he did, Elandur might ignore it. Elandur was Elandur, and justification was only justification.

But what if the Crown Prince, Conrad, supported that voice? What if Conrad lent strength to that argument?

“······ It might be possible.” Elandur could never ignore that. No matter how powerful Elandur was, Conrad was a member of the Imperial Family, the second-in-command and the future Emperor.

Durac of Elandur could never ignore this.

In other words, there was justification for granting Ruben, which Elandur had neglected, to Sian. Justification upon justification.

If there was valid justification on both sides, it would become a power struggle – a question of whose voice was louder.

Turning Elandur into an enemy was a problem for later. However, it was certain that Durac couldn’t proceed unilaterally.

“I think I have to ask Your Highness for a difficult favor…” That’s why Sian came to Conrad.

Conrad didn’t answer immediately, because it was indeed a difficult request. In some ways, it was an act of Conrad turning against Elandur.

Of course, there was no way Elandur would revolt against the Imperial Family… still, it was unsettling.

Conrad was silent for a moment.

“I really… want to blame my past indiscretion,” Conrad finally said. “But the words have already been spoken, and I promised to grant your wish, even risking the name of the Imperial Family.”

Conrad looked at Sian. “It will be a difficult fight, but… I will help you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Sian bowed deeply. To be honest, he had expected Conrad to refuse. No matter how much he promised to grant his wish, Sian’s request was truly difficult.

Nevertheless, Conrad was willing to bear the burden.

“It’s too early to be thankful. In the end, it depends on what you do now. So, am I just supposed to… deliver the final blow?” Conrad laughed loudly, and he wasn’t wrong.

This plan ultimately required Sian to build overwhelming justification. Without it, coercion would be the only option. From now on, it was Sian’s responsibility. The name of Ruben had to become widely known across the continent.

“However, I can’t just deliver the final blow while helping. It’s a good thing.” Conrad took a neatly rolled parchment from his arms and handed it to Sian.

“What is this?”

“It’s one of your justifications, and it’s also what’s been giving me a headache these days.” Sian tilted his head.

“Take a look.”

Sian unfolded the parchment and examined its contents.

“Are you saying that monsters are rampant in the western region?”

“That’s right.” Conrad frowned slightly. “It’s not unprecedented, but this time it’s excessive. For some reason, more monsters are appearing than before, causing severe damage to the people of the west.”

“Even with the western nobles’ troops deployed?”

“It’s still not enough. The 7th Royal Knights were dispatched, but… they still can’t suppress it.”

Sian seemed surprised. The Royal Knights, like the White Wolf Knights, were considered the Empire’s best, composed entirely of experts and above. If even they couldn’t suppress it, the situation was dire.

“So, I think it would be good if you could handle this.”

Just then, an alarm sounded from his smartphone.

『[Territory Linked Quest] – ‘Huh···? Maybe we’re a little strong···?’

▶The west is suffering from a sudden outbreak of monsters!

They’re somehow barely holding on, but there are too many of them!

You!

What are you hesitating for?!?!

Now is the perfect chance to build your reputation!

Ruben’s soldiers engage in life-and-death battles with magical beasts every day.

They are the elite of the elite who have even defeated the demons of sloth and the creatures of chaos!

What’s the big deal about those monsters?

Smash them in one blow! Pow! Boom!

Huh···? Maybe we’re a little strong···?

You, who have been crouching in Ruben and building strength!

Now is the time to proudly show off that power!

Crush the monsters rampant in the west with Ruben’s soldiers!』

-Reward: Fame Points and Fame Point Shop unlocked.

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“And who knows? If you handle this well, His Majesty may like you and see you differently. Then I’ll look for an opportunity to push for a marriage between my sister and you. Hahaha.” Conrad gave a mischievous smile.

Conrad had one sister, Elena von Charlotte, who was nine years younger and about Sian’s age – a princess.

“Wait. Now that I think about it, things will be much easier. What do you think? Are you really not interested?” Conrad changed his expression and asked.

If Sian and Elena married, Sian would become a member of the Imperial Family, eliminating the need for justification. But that was absurd. Could a princess be offered in marriage simply for handling this one task?

Sian had no intention from the start. Getting entangled with the Imperial Family would bring too many complications. He was content as the lord of Ruben. Above all, Conrad wasn’t serious.

“Your jokes are too much.”

“Hahahahat.” As expected, Conrad laughed lightly. “But it’s not just a joke. I think you’re good enough.”

“Yes?”

“Well, my sister’s opinion is more important than mine, though.” Conrad smiled again.

Anyway, “Why don’t you try handling this once?” Conrad suggested. To be honest, it wasn’t bad for Sian – it was the best.

He had half a year left and needed to build achievements quickly. This was a perfect opportunity, especially with the territory-linked quest.

But why?

“You build justification, and I can reduce troublesome things. Hahahahaha.” It seemed like it would also benefit Conrad.

Sian stared at Conrad, who looked relieved to have reduced his burdens. It seemed like he was using Sian…

Still, Conrad was helping him. Sian shook his head lightly and asked, “If I handle things well, will you give me a separate bonus?”

“Um…” Conrad paused, but only for a moment. “I’ll squeeze it out of the western nobles and give it to you.” Conrad nodded readily.

#

Elandur Manor, located in the Marquisate of Elandur, and Durac’s office within that mansion.

Knock knock.

“It’s Aaron.” Aaron knocked on the office door. Aaron was the leader of the White Wolf Knights, a master at the early stage [of mastering Aura]. Nevertheless, he couldn’t hide his nervousness.

-Come in.

A low voice came from inside. Aaron opened the door and faced Durac, the head of the Elandur family.

Aaron bowed slightly. “It has been confirmed that Master Sian is returning to Ruben.”

Durac said nothing, his gaze directed at the air, not Aaron.

Aaron continued, “However, immediately after leaving the mansion, Master headed to the capital, Darkhan, not Ruben. He is currently traveling from Darkhan to Ruben.”

Durac looked at Aaron, his expressionless.

“Shall I have the knights continue to monitor him?”

Durac turned his gaze again. “Leave it.”

Aaron nodded without objection. It didn’t matter anyway. He didn’t know why Sian went to Darkhan, or what he did in the Imperial Palace, but it was irrelevant.

The Durac before him was unshakeable. No matter what Sian did, he couldn’t defy Durac’s will. Durac’s words were absolute in Elandur, and across the empire and continent.

Only the Imperial Family, the heart of the Empire, might be able to challenge him, but they wouldn’t move so easily for one Sian, even if it meant breaking Elandur’s will.

“It’s only half a year anyway.” In the end, only half a year of meaningless time would pass.

Aaron quietly left Durac’s office.

#

Sian left the imperial capital, Darkhan, and arrived in Ruben. The Dark Forest, filled with dense trees, gave way to the scenery of Ruben in the distance.

“I hope nothing happened.” Sian felt both anticipation and worry, because something always seemed to happen whenever he left. This time, his absence was longer than expected, making him even more anxious.

And as expected, people were gathered in the distance. Sian sighed deeply. How could incidents never cease?

Sian moved closer and tilted his head. Something was strange.

The crowd was gathered around magical beasts, dismantling their carcasses.

“Lycanthrope?” Even a Lycanthrope [a powerful werewolf-like monster]. It was a higher-grade monster than a troll. And this was the Dark Forest, where monsters became magical beasts due to Overdrive [a phenomenon that enhances monsters’ power].

He was surprised to see a Lycanthrope, but magical beasts rushing into Ruben was a daily occurrence. The moat and ramparts were intact, and Leia was in the territory, so they seemed to have defended well without any damage.

Sian’s confusion wasn’t about the Lycanthrope itself. The soldiers’ swords had a slight black tint, and their armor looked unusual. It seemed they had received B-grade equipment from the Hot Forge Lv.2, thanks to Sian’s investment in [a territory upgrade].

And something rippled above the B-grade sword.

“······ Aura?” That was Aura [a manifestation of inner energy used to enhance abilities].

“Using Aura on weapons made by dwarves. The Lycanthrope leather is just like a veil?”

*Swoosh.*

“Dana in the cafeteria cut the cutting board while slicing tofu. Adding Aura makes it a masterpiece.”

*Crack.*

The soldiers of the territory were trimming the Lycanthrope carcasses with Aura!

“······” Sian was speechless. He had invested in the A-grade Aura training method in Darkhan, and the territory’s growth buff efficiency was enormous…

Something seemed to have happened while Sian was away.

“······ What is it?” In a slightly different sense.