With a light chuckle, Nora said, “My lord, as long as you have a plan, that’s fine.
I just worry that after all your strenuous efforts, it might all end up being fruitless.”
Howard explained, “There’s a saying that rings quite true: if you harbor desires, you’ll inevitably face disappointment. But without desires, disappointment can’t find you. Regarding this task assigned by Mibo, I harbor no urgent cravings.”
“If it succeeds, so be it; if not, then so be it. I’m not in a rush to eliminate Hof, but if Hof were to vanish from my sight, I wouldn’t be sorrowful. Effortlessly earning Mibo’s favor seems like a profitable deal to me.”
Nora smiled and changed the subject, no longer discussing this matter.
Instead, she began to talk about other things.
Howard listened, showing no signs of impatience or irritability.
He patiently addressed Nora’s queries and directed her in her subsequent tasks.
The construction and management of a fiefdom is not an overnight achievement.
It requires long-term thought, philosophy, and execution to maintain.
The merchants, with their keen eyes, know where good business opportunities lie.
Their extensive information networks keep them well-informed.
If a fiefdom has a strong commercial reputation and positive public opinion, more and more merchants will be drawn to it, enhancing its economic prosperity.
Conversely, if its efforts are inconsistent and sporadic, the merchants will take note and remember.
These financial matters are typically overseen by the Minister of Finance, Vettel.
However, recently Vettel has been preoccupied with developing new specialties and hasn’t had the time to spare.
Consequently, some reports and follow-up matters have been delegated to Nora.
While Nora may not be the most exceptional in capability, her temperament aligns well with Howard’s preferences.
Howard suddenly remembered a letter he had received from Catherine.
He fetched the letter and unfolded it.
In the letter, Catherine expressed her joy at Howard’s recent rise in status, but still, it wasn’t enough to satisfy her.
Catherine, Julian’s childhood friend and now nominally Howard’s lover, wrote about her father’s efforts to find her a suitable match.
Many nobles had already visited her father’s castle to meet her.
Catherine’s letter conveyed her anxiety about time.
The intent of Count Terni, her father, was clear: his daughter must marry a noble of at least the rank of an earl.
A baron, or even a noble with multiple baronies, wouldn’t qualify to marry Catherine.
Although Howard didn’t care for Catherine, he couldn’t neglect the matter for Julian’s sake, especially since he might return to his own body at any moment.
Nora advised Howard to give up: “My lord, I must remind you, the interactions between nobles don’t happen at your pace.”
She added, “The ascension and exchange of titles among the nobility often require the efforts of several generations. Even families blessed with good fortune and ascending ranks don’t progress as quickly as you have. Your rapid rise is bound to incite the envy of other nobles. You must be wary of being undermined.”
Nora continued, “My lord, I must say what shouldn’t be said, but Catherine is the daughter of an earl. Her father will never allow her to marry a baron or even a viscount. She is destined to marry an earl.
“Currently, you are but a baron, not even close to the status of a powerful baron or viscount, let alone an earl. You cannot catch up, my lord.”
Howard chuckled and said, “Nora, are you trying to prod me to hasten my quest for a new title? Is that why you say these things?”
Nora did not smile in return.
“My lord, I harbor no such thoughts. I am merely fulfilling my duties as a secretary,” she stated. .
Upon Howard and his party’s return to Fernsouth, near the border, they encountered Knight Kaido and his men engaged in a hunt.
The season was autumn, with golden leaves scattered on the ground, creating a picturesque scene.
Knight Kaido, leading a dozen light cavalry, galloped freely across the land, an impressive sight indeed.
Knight Kaido and his men did not notice Howard’s party.
They sped past from the right to the left of Howard’s line of sight and soon vanished from view.
Howard remarked appreciatively, “Kaido is a capable knight.
Even though he himself is but a heavy cavalry, he has managed his fiefdom well and now commands several light cavalry.
This is truly an eye-opener for me.”
Nora inquired, “Did Kaido bring these light cavalry with him during the siege?”
Howard answered truthfully, “No, he didn’t.”
Nora commented, “Kaido still hasn’t fully opened up to you, my lord. Otherwise, those light cavalry would have been present outside the encampment on the day of the siege.”
Howard remained silent, noting this matter as they continued their journey.
Approaching the lands of Anna, they encountered the villagers of Yami Village.
The residents recognized Howard and came forward to greet him, showing their familiarity and respect.
A male villager, dressed in linen, approached Howard and said, “My lord, it has been a while.”
Howard nodded and asked, “How have things been for you lately?”
The villager replied, “Quite well. The new lord, Anna, has cleared out the small river channel near our village. It’s now much easier for us to irrigate our fields.”
“Hmm, that’s good to hear,” Howard said.
“So, do you think Anna is a good lord?”
“Yes, my lord. Anna is a lord who truly cares about the people,” the villager responded.
Just then, the village head of Yami Village and his entourage, who had been out enjoying the scenery, encountered Howard and his group.
The village head of Yami Village was an old acquaintance of Howard’s, the first person Howard had met before knowing Anna, Margaret, and Resarite.
Howard asked the village head, “Old village head, are you out enjoying the scenery?”
“Yes,” the village head replied.
“Although we villagers are extremely familiar with our surroundings, it’s important to set aside our preconceptions and fully enjoy this beautiful landscape from time to time.”
Howard dismounted and sat next to the old village head, asking, “Old village head, has Yami Village faced any troubles recently?”
The village head shook his head, indicating there were none, and mentioned that Anna managed things well and Yami Village was thriving.
After chatting with the village head for a while, Howard felt it was time to leave.
At that moment, the old village head introduced Howard to someone in his entourage.
This person had been quietly listening to the conversation between Howard and the village head.
She was a young woman with long, brown hair tied in a ponytail that nearly reached her waist.
Her face was dotted with freckles, yet she wore a radiant, innocent smile, embodying the carefree spirit of youth.
The village head told Howard that the young woman was his daughter, Boshni, and he hoped she could join Howard’s court and work for him.
Howard, without any hesitation, readily agreed.
After his agreement, Howard took a good look at Boshni and found her to be a comely and unpretentious woman. 𝘪.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Unlike the other women around, she seemed like an unblemished azalea, untouched by the mundane world, charming in her simplicity.
Afterward, Howard, taking Boshni with him, bid farewell to the old village head.
The village head gave Boshni a few words of advice, instructing her to serve Lord Howard well.
At this, Boshni started to cry, seemingly reluctant to leave.
Howard, touching his nose, realized she was a pure and natural young girl.
He reassured her, “Boshni, even when you work in my court, you can still visit your family.”
Nodding, Boshni followed Howard and his party.
Following this, Howard visited Margaret’s village and happened upon Margaret leading her people in an assault on a bandit hideout.
Seeing the situation, Howard felt compelled to assist and led his men to help eradicate the bandits from their stronghold.
Margaret, who was also present, initially brightened up upon seeing Howard but then appeared somewhat displeased upon noticing Nora and Boshni.
Nora introduced herself and Boshni to Margaret with proper etiquette.
A hint of resentment flickered in Margaret’s eyes as she addressed Howard, “Lord Howard, it’s only been a few days and you’ve already found someone new! Have you forgotten about me?”
Howard chuckled awkwardly and replied, “That’s not it at all. I maintain a professional distance with all of you. There’s no question of new favorites or old. If anything, each of you is an invaluable assistant to me!”
At this, Margaret’s eyes lit up and her face broke into a smile.
She hugged Howard, laughing, “Ha-ha, I knew Lord Howard was the best!”
One of Margaret’s subordinates then reported that they had found 70 silver coins in the bandit hideout and asked how to distribute them.
Margaret suggested giving half to Howard, but he refused, saying, “Keep the money for yourself. After all, this hideout was in your territory, and the coins were plundered from your land. I cannot accept it.”
Nora echoed this sentiment.
Margaret, speaking softly to Howard, said, “Alright then, I’ll keep it. But if you ever need money, Lord Howard, just let me know. I’ll support you wholeheartedly!”
.