Leonard Lockwood, the lord who had expelled Sibyl, was leisurely enjoying a glass of wine.
(Hail successfully acquired the Sword Saint skill. House Lockwood’s honor will now be preserved.)
But Leonard’s peaceful hour was ruined by his subordinates.
“Lord Leonard, regarding this agricultural project…”
“Lord Leonard! Excavation at Mount Dragla has fallen behind schedule…”
“We lack the budget for our military preparations!”
An enormous number of petitions and documents had piled up before Leonard. He had left everything to Sibyl for the last several years, so looking at the paperwork told him nothing.
His one saving grace was that Sibyl had already repaid the vast debts the territory once carried.
(Still, we were conducting this many different projects throughout my territory? If he had time to spread himself so thin, he should have spent at least some of it improving his swordsmanship.)
Leonard cursed Sibyl in his heart.
“Lord Sibyl made all the major decisions. How do you wish to proceed?”
Sebas, the family steward, spoke with a faint edge in his voice.
Well, if even a useless fool like him could do it, then I certainly can, Leonard thought as he tossed the document he had been reading onto his desk.
“There is no need for an agricultural project. Cancel it and divert all its funding to the military. Farming is something the people should handle for themselves. We nobles need not assist them. Do not coddle them.”
Hearing that, the civil official responsible for the agricultural project raised his voice.
“Please reconsider, Lord Leonard! The agricultural project Lord Sibyl established is finally about to bear fruit. Once it takes shape, our harvests will surpass anything we have seen—”
“Enough! A project run by that coward? If we followed the word of a coward like him, we would end up with no soldiers at all!”
The civil official reluctantly backed down.
“A wise decision, Lord Leonard! This will allow the Lockwood army to reach still greater heights!”
The man responsible for military preparations showered Leonard with praise.
“We have earned His Majesty’s trust through martial prowess. Strengthen our forces further. As for the excavation, no more of the budget can be allocated there. Make do with what you have.”
(That Sibyl. He did nothing but chase profits while skimping on the military. I can manage both the army and the territory successfully.)
(From now on, Hail will be the next head of the family. He will lead House Lockwood as a strong and valiant lord. I must teach him how to govern the territory. Even Sebas has fallen silent, evidently unable to find fault with my splendid decision.)
Leonard smirked inwardly.
With the discussion concluded, he dismissed everyone from the room and returned to savoring his wine.
“Delicious.”
Little by little, dark clouds began to gather over the Lockwood territory.