Ch.144144. A Troublemaker Is Indeed a Troublemaker.

“How’s the defense barrier restoration going?”

“Most of it has been restored except for the southern barrier, which suffered the most damage.”

The morning after returning to Lake Territory from Parseche Territory.

I opened my eyes wide like a startled rabbit at Padericks’ report.

“That quickly?”

“It’s the result of everyone in the territory rolling up their sleeves and working together.”

“They helped without compensation?”

“Yes, I tried to dissuade them, but they insisted they wanted to help young master this way…”

“That’s quite touching, isn’t it?”

“If anyone should be touched, it’s the territory residents who are grateful to you. When you were building the defense barriers, many questioned whether it was excessive, but in the end, didn’t those barriers save everyone’s lives?”

In a way, I had built those defense barriers to save my own life.

Of course, the territory residents were saved as a result, but I couldn’t help feeling a pang of conscience.

“…Is that how it works?”

Padericks blinked twice.

“What do you mean? Anyway, we’ll restore the southern barrier as quickly as possible, so please don’t worry.”

“Right, I’ll stop concerning myself with the barrier construction now.”

“Is it alright to start bringing in people from other territories to Lake Territory?”

“Yes, since the barrier construction is practically complete anyway.”

Then, Padericks looked around cautiously even though no one was listening and continued.

“By the way, did you really go to Parseche Territory?”

“Yes, I went and returned safely.”

“The entire eastern continent is buzzing. They say House Parseche won the war against House Cardrian.”

“I imagine so, since no one would have predicted House Parseche’s victory in the first place.”

Padericks clenched his fist with sparkling eyes.

“House Parseche’s victory must be thanks to you, young master, right?”

“How could you think one person alone could determine the outcome of a war?”

“Come on, for you, that’s entirely possible.”

“Now you’re putting too much faith in me, and it’s becoming burdensome.”

“Haha, if it burdens you, I’ll restrain myself.”

I skimmed through the reports piled on the desk and turned my gaze back to Padericks.

“Did Castleton come by?”

“Yes, he left a large quantity of ‘monster blood’ the day before yesterday and departed immediately.”

“And the monster blood?”

“As you ordered, it’s all stored in the underground storage room.”

“Did he say anything before leaving?”

“Well, nothing specific to relay… Oh! It seems he didn’t spend as much money as expected.”

I tilted my head at Padericks’ words.

“He didn’t spend much money?”

“Yes, it appears he acquired most of the monster blood without paying a single coin.”

It’s true that monster blood currently has no established price.

However, even if something is considered garbage to be thrown away, human nature is to object when someone else takes it.

I looked at Padericks with curiosity.

“How did Castleton acquire the monster blood for free?”

“He personally visited monster processing facilities established in each territory. They were already spending quite a bit on disposing of monster blood annually, so they actually welcomed him.”

“Still, some people must have been suspicious?”

“There was once a rumor that monster blood was good for male virility, wasn’t there? Of course, it was proven false.”

“…Was there such a thing?”

Seeing my surprise, Padericks cleared his throat awkwardly.

“You might not know since you’re still young, but it was quite the rumor among middle-aged nobles.”

“Anyway, so what happened?”

“Castleton pretended to be an ignorant country bumpkin and requested large quantities of monster blood.”

“Ah… so he tricked people by posing as someone who still believed the false rumor about monster blood enhancing virility?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

If ‘monster blood’ is disposed of improperly, it can cause environmental pollution, so processing costs are mandatory.

The people at the processing facilities would want to solve their disposal cost problem by giving the monster blood to a country bumpkin.

They were probably all desperate to give Castleton the monster blood after hearing the rumor.

A method where the would-be scammer gets scammed instead.

Very clean.

Even if the price of ‘monster blood’ rises in the future, no one would have the nerve to demand money for it.

I looked at Padericks with a satisfied expression.

“Castleton is doing an excellent job.”

“All the people you’ve selected have your discerning eye behind them. Of course they do well.”

“That’s enough reporting for now. Ask Rio to come in.”

“Understood.”

After Padericks left, Rio entered with a knock shortly after.

For some reason, his shoulders seemed slumped.

“Rio, is something wrong?”

“No, nothing…”

“It clearly looks like something’s bothering you. Just speak freely.”

Rio hesitated before carefully opening his mouth.

“I heard you took Jawill Wilson and Lucien for training again.”

“…Huh?”

“I’m also eager for training, but you always assign me to oversee Luna and Rinadiel’s training… while Jawill Wilson always gets special training from you. I think it’s unfair.”

I had kept quiet about going to support the war in Parseche Territory because there was a possibility of information leaking.

And the secret that Lucien is a dragon.

Why hadn’t I told Rio when I had told Jawill Wilson?

It was simple.

Rio was destined to be the protagonist’s companion, so he shouldn’t know about the dragon’s existence.

In the future, if he needed a dragon’s help as the protagonist’s ally, there was a chance he might seek out Lucien.

Therefore.

It’s not that I don’t trust Rio, but I’m preparing for contingencies.

This way, when I’m living my sweet life, there won’t be any unfortunate incidents where the protagonist and his companions come looking for me again.

I shook my head and sighed.

“Have you been particularly jealous of Jawill Wilson lately?”

“It’s not jealousy, it’s eagerness for training.”

“Why are you so fixated on training?”

“I heard that Jawill Wilson performed admirably during the recent monster wave.”

“I think you performed even better than Jawill Wilson.”

Rio hesitated before carefully continuing.

“I feel like I’m being left behind. Even though I haven’t been neglecting my training.”

“Are you saying you don’t have enough time because you’re overseeing Luna and Rinadiel’s training?”

“No, that’s not it. I actually learn from them as well. I just want to train directly under you like Jawill Wilson does.”

I organized the documents Padericks had reported on, placed them in a drawer, and spoke.

“You know I haven’t paid much attention to you because you’ve been doing well on your own, right?”

“Yes, and you mentioned before that Jawill Wilson needed more guidance.”

“But you still want to learn from me?”

“I still believe I have much to learn from you, young master.”

In the original story, Rio was a quiet character but also very stubborn.

I’d eventually hand him over to the protagonist who would soon arrive at Lake Territory.

Until then, it seemed best to alleviate his disappointment a little.

I gave Rio a slight smile.

“Training with me will be quite difficult. Are you prepared?”

“O-Of course!”

“Good, I’ll oversee your training whenever I have time. You’d better be ready.”

At my words, Rio’s shoulders perked up slightly with excitement.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best to keep up with your training without becoming a hindrance.”

He truly is exceptional.

Jawill Wilson wails and begs for his life just from being taken to the Forest of Death, but this guy voluntarily pushes himself beyond his limits.

Is this why he’s the protagonist’s companion?

‘If only Jawill Wilson were half as good as this guy…’

I put aside my bitter expression and nodded at Rio.

“By the way, I heard Jawill Wilson handed over his duties to you while he was away?”

“Are you referring to the inn construction in Lake Territory?”

“Yes, how’s the inn coming along?”

“We’ve done some additional interior work and completed the construction perfectly. We covered all the construction costs.”

“What about the lodging fees?”

“I received confirmation from the innkeeper that they won’t raise prices for at least a year, so you needn’t worry.”

Keeping the lodging fees unchanged was necessary to maintain conditions similar to when the protagonist visited Lake Territory in the original story.

The storyline had already twisted in many ways, so it seemed important to preserve these small details.

“What about the other innkeepers?”

“I received the same confirmation from all of them. Even if Lake Territory becomes crowded, they won’t raise lodging fees for a year.”

“How was their reaction? The other inns weren’t badly damaged, so I imagine there must have been some complaints?”

Seeing my concerned look, Rio gave me a confident smile.

“There were no complaints once I said it was your order. When I told them to think long-term rather than short-term, they all responded with admiration.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Just then, Padericks, who had left earlier, burst through the study door without knocking.

His expression suggested something had happened, but from his excitement, it seemed to be good news.

I tilted my head curiously as he clenched his fist and exclaimed loudly.

“Young master, something amazing has happened!!”