Ch.220220. He’s a fool, yet a clever one.

“Stop hunting the monsters?”

When I moved to the reception room, Leonard burst through the door, raising his voice.

I showed him my palm, urging him to calm down.

“Please calm down and have a seat first.”

“C-calm down? How can I? We’re almost at the end, and suddenly you tell me to stop. Does that make any sense?”

I understand why Leonard is furious.

Soon, Baron Byron will also visit Lake Territory for my coming-of-age ceremony.

He probably wanted to personally show off his achievements here.

However.

If the monster subjugation in the Forest of Death ends inconclusively, it would be neither here nor there.

To gain an advantage in the succession race, achievements are quite important, so it’s natural for Leonard to be angry.

I spoke with a faint smile to Leonard, who sat down on the sofa, still fuming.

“There’s an undeveloped area in the north among the lands granted by the Imperial family.”

“Undeveloped area?”

“I plan to develop it for future territory residents to live in, and I’ll tell Father that you provided the idea.”

Leonard’s face, which had been red with anger, momentarily shifts to a subtle expression.

Then, trying hard to pretend he’s not flustered, he clears his throat.

“Ahem!! Even so, completely subjugating the Forest of Death would be a better achievement.”

“It’s practically complete subjugation. We no longer plan to eradicate all the monsters there.”

“…What did you say?”

There were several reasons for not completely subjugating the Forest of Death.

First, it’s a forest that was inaccessible for decades and even experienced monster waves.

Wouldn’t it become a hunting ground of romance for hunters?

As a result, hunters will visit Lake Territory to try hunting in the Forest of Death, and they would essentially be tourists.

Additionally.

The second reason is that while Evarin doesn’t need to absorb life energy separately, the other succubi need to periodically absorb the life energy of monsters.

In that respect, the Forest of Death would be like paradise for succubi.

It’s a win-win situation, so I didn’t feel the need for complete subjugation.

I sat comfortably on the sofa and picked up a teacup.

“We’ll rebuild the current temporary defense line to be stronger and more solid.”

“So you’re saying you’ll only develop the areas we’ve already cleared as tourist spots?”

“Yes, that area is plenty large enough to make into a tourist destination.”

“I see…”

“So, as a token of my gratitude, I’d like to offer you the achievement of developing the northern part of Lake Territory. What do you think?”

Leonard strokes his chin, deep in thought.

Perhaps his throat is dry from using his brain, which he rarely does; he gulps down a glass of water before speaking.

“Why the sudden change of heart? Surely Father will question why the subjugation wasn’t completed?”

I answered confidently, having anticipated this question.

“Despite the monsters you’ve hunted, there are still many monsters inhabiting the Forest of Death.”

“Yes, counting those that fled deeper to escape me, the numbers would be substantial.”

“But consider this: if we completely subjugate them, where will our knights and mercenaries gain combat experience?”

That’s right.

There’s a saying that a thousand practice swings with a wooden sword can’t match one real battle experience.

If all the monsters in the Forest of Death are subjugated, what then?

Currently, the knights and mercenaries who repelled the monster wave don’t need to worry about experience, but future recruits would lose a place to gain it.

‘In the end, they’d have to go through the trouble of traveling to other territories for experience.’

Is there any need for that?

When there’s an inexhaustible spring right in front of us?

Therefore.

There was a high possibility that my father, Baron Byron, would understand if I explained the situation.

It might be a convenient surface reason for me, but to others, it would appear as a choice for the development of House Alphonse.

Leonard nods as if seeing the logic.

“That’s true. There’s no better place than the Forest of Death for knights and mercenaries to gain experience.”

“If the knights you lead also need experience, you’re welcome to use the Forest of Death anytime.”

Leonard stares at me intently.

“You speak as if Lake Territory is yours? Isn’t it just a place of exile for you?”

“It can’t even be called a place of exile anymore. Father originally ordered me to return to the family, but I refused, saying I had things to do here.”

“Well, even so, I don’t need your permission to enter the Forest of Death, do I?”

I smiled calmly at Leonard’s confrontational tone.

“It seems it’s been quite a while since you last sparred with me. I see you’re trying to climb up slowly.”

Leonard flinches at my words.

Then he fiddles with the water glass he emptied earlier.

“N-no! I’m just saying… if I become the head of House Alphonse, you can have Lake Territory! Right?”

“Hah… anyway, you can rest until the coming-of-age ceremony. The knights you lead must be tired from hunting monsters all this time.”

“Hmm, with the ceremony approaching, I don’t think I can just sit still.”

“Isn’t it better than moving around and causing trouble? Father will be here soon.”

As I gently placed my teacup on the table, Leonard’s eyes lit up.

“That’s exactly why I can’t sit still. I need to prepare to report to Father what I’ve been doing.”

“…Couldn’t you just take him to the Forest of Death and show him the construction site?”

“No, I need to go to the northern undeveloped area right now.”

“…Pardon?”

“I should go there first and plan how to proceed with the construction.”

What’s with this guy?

I just said I’d give him the idea for developing the undeveloped area, but is he planning to oversee the construction himself?

‘Hmm.’

This might actually be for the best.

Developing the undeveloped area was Padericks’ job, but as you know, he’s currently busy with the construction to transform the Forest of Death into Miracle Square.

This could be like picking my nose without using my hands.

Of course, given who we’re dealing with, it’s still concerning.

“We’ll be building houses there for territory residents to live in.”

“Anything else?”

“Hmm, I’ll need to discuss that separately with Padericks.”

Leonard crosses his arms heavily and smirks.

“Isn’t Padericks quite busy these days? He’s overseeing construction and preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“That’s why it would be much easier if you took charge of the northern undeveloped area’s construction.”

Leonard, who had been nodding, suddenly perks up as if remembering something.

“Ah! And! I’ll cover all the construction costs.”

“…Pardon?”

“If I’m going to do it, I’ll do it properly. That way, Father will believe I did it.”

This guy…

Smart yet foolish.

Foolish yet smart.

Either way, I’ll be the one benefiting.

I swallowed the laughter that was about to escape.

“Ahem, very well. If you cover all the construction costs, Father will certainly believe you.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Father already favors Brother Evander over me, so I need to earn his affection whenever I can.”

“…As expected of you, Brother. You know how to handle things decisively.”

“And don’t you change your story! When Father arrives, don’t forget to subtly mention that I’m handling both the monster subjugation in the Forest of Death and the northern undeveloped area construction.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure to convey that clearly.”

Leonard rises with a satisfied expression.

“This is no time to be sitting around. I need to go to the northern undeveloped area right away and estimate how much it will cost.”

“C-couldn’t you do that tomorrow?”

“Why? The sooner the better, right?”

“We haven’t exactly decided with Padericks what kind of house structures to build yet.”

“Hmm, then I’ll just go and survey the area.”

“Yes, well… that should be fine.”

Leonard hurriedly puts on his coat that was draped over the sofa and leaves the reception room.

Then, as if he had been waiting, Padericks enters.

“Young master…?”

“Huh?”

Padericks continues, looking as if he’s seen something he shouldn’t have.

“Why are you smiling like that? It’s unsettling…”

I wiped my face with my palm and immediately corrected my posture.

“Padericks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“About the academy establishment you mentioned before.”

“Ah… it’s currently on hold due to our busy schedule. Why do you ask?”

“I think it would be best to build the academy in the northern undeveloped area.”

“The northern undeveloped area isn’t a bad location, but why suddenly…?”

As laughter continued to escape, I raised my voice to Padericks, curling up the corners of my mouth.

“I’ve found a sucker investor. Tell them to look for the most expensive materials.”