episode_0039

39.

Haze Mansion.

As Count Hayes assured, he had prepared a lot.

The table was filled with all kinds of delicacies.

“This is a steak made by marinating beef in wine, and this is foie gras made from goose liver. The roe and fins of sturgeon caught in the eastern sea are also a delicacy.”

Count Hayes proudly introduced each dish.

“The chef in our mansion is a craftsman who used to work in the palace. He instructed him to prepare something special for today.”

The chef took off his chef’s hat and bowed to Chris.

“I hope it suits your taste.”

The meal has begun.

Count Hayes sat at the north end of the long table, with his guest Chris sitting on his right.

Countess Hayes and Riel sat on the left.

“I heard that the Delun Territory was once ruled by the famous Grand Summoner Jude Delun. You recently took up the summoner’s mantle again, right?”

“Yes.”

“How is Delun Estate these days?”

Count Hayes asked testingly.

“I guess the energy is low. There are repeated crop failures and strange phenomena such as an increase in the number of monsters around.”

“During the famine, monster outbreaks are happening all over the kingdom. So, how do you think you should govern your territory?”

Chris took a moment to compose himself and continued speaking slowly.

“First, we should increase the number of knights and train them to improve public security so that the people of the territory can live safely. After that, we should promote commerce to increase economic power. Even if there is a short-term famine in our territory, if we have money, wouldn’t we be able to buy food from neighboring territories?”

Count Hayes nodded after hearing Chris’s words.

“That’s right. It won’t be easy, but it’s the right direction.”

“What should we do to revive the country’s economy?”

“To put it simply, we need to free the merchants.”

“Freely?”

What does it mean?

Chris tilted his head.

“Since ancient times, the world has looked down on merchants. They say they are people who don’t even farm and only think about making money by chance. But our territory is different. We treat merchants well. We encourage them to make money, charge the lowest taxes, and even support investment funds in the territory. The territory’s knights even protect the merchants’ business.”

Chris read the Count’s words one by one with a serious expression on his face, as if trying to remember everything he had said.

“Some people even accused me of only filling the merchants’ stomachs. They said that I was using the estate’s taxes to benefit a few rich merchants. Ten years have passed since then. Our estate has become the richest in the kingdom.”

Count Hayes looked at Chris with deep eyes.

“Take heed to my words, they are teachings worth 2 million gold.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Chris bowed his head.

“Can I come and visit you often and ask for your teachings?”

“I’m busy. But you are a benefactor to our family. I’ll let you know when I have time through Riel. Come to the mansion then.”

For Chris, it was a huge accomplishment.

It was an opportunity to deepen my friendship and receive teachings through an exclusive meeting with Count Hayes, a big shot in central politics.

“You’re in the same class as Riel?”

“Yes. We are taking classes together.”

“Take good care of your daughter. She’s so pretty that she’s been attracting a lot of strange bugs, which is a problem.”

“Oh, Father. Please don’t say that!”

Riel glanced at the laughing Count.

Chris couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

One of the people who had been stalking Riel until recently was none other than Chris himself.

“I think you have a lot of potential among young people. What do you think of my daughter?”

Riel’s face turned red at the count’s words.

“Ah, Father! What are you talking about… ”

But the count continued speaking, paying no attention to Riel’s warning.

“Isn’t it impossible for an academy cadet to throw away his homework and save a fellow cadet? Did he do that because he cares about my daughter?”

“Chris Young-shik just saved me out of kindness! Isn’t that too rude of a question!”

The usually quiet Riel raised her voice.

Chris found himself in an awkward situation.

I had no feelings for Riel Youngae.

However, it is rude to a young woman to tell her in front of her that you don’t like her.

“It is true that Liel Yeongae is beautiful. However, I did not help her with impure intentions. It was just that when Liel Yeongae was in trouble, I had the power to help her easily. ”

Chris’s words were not a lie.

He is a naturally kind person.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been in the political world where trickery is rampant for a long time, so I’ve gotten used to judging everything based on gains and losses. Please understand. I apologize. ”

Count Hayes bowed his head slightly.

“It’s okay.”

“Let’s start eating. Before this delicious food gets cold.”

Count Hayes picked up the fork first.

#

After dinner, Count Hayes called Chris over.

“Do you smoke cigarettes?”

“Not yet learned.”

“I see. It’s better not to learn. Then, should I just get some fresh air for a bit?”

Chris followed Count Hayes out onto the balcony.

The night breeze was cool.

Count Hayes leaned against the railing and puffed on a cigarette.

“Your daughter treats you comfortably.”

“I see. I think they just treat you normally.”

Count Hayes shook his head.

“Riel was kidnapped by bandits when she was young. She had a scary experience being kidnapped by adult men at a young age. Since then, she has not been able to properly treat adult men.”

Who knew Riel had such a past?

Chris was surprised.

“Riel is usually a quiet kid. She never raised her voice at me. But when I asked you a mean question, she raised her voice at me. She is kind to you. ”

“Well, wouldn’t anyone stop their friend if their father asked them a mean question? I don’t think Riel Youngae would do me that favor.”

“That’s true. Riel is an honest girl, you know.”

Count Hayes blew out smoke from his cigarette.

“Still, I’m glad that Riel, who used to be afraid of men, is now comfortable with you, which seems like a good change for me. Please continue to be a good friend to my daughter.”

Count Hayes asked Chris with his father’s face.

Chris nodded.

#

When we returned to the living room, Riel was waiting.

“Father. You didn’t say anything strange to Chris Young-sik, did you? ”

“What am I going to say? I’m just a guy and I went out to get some fresh air.”

Riel approached Chris.

“You really didn’t say anything weird?”

“The Count told me some stories about Young-ae’s childhood.”

Riel’s expression darkened at Chris’s words.

“Aren’t you two the ones who saw my scars?”

Riel glared at her father.

“Nothing like that happened. He just asked me to continue to be on good terms with Liel Youngae.”

“Yeah, yeah, I didn’t say much.”

“If that’s the case, then good… Father, go in first. I’ll see Chris Youngsik off.”

The Count nodded and shook Chris’s hand in farewell.

“It was nice meeting you today, Chris. I’ll check my schedule next weekend and contact you. Then I’ll teach you about estate management.”

“Thank you, Count.”

Chris and Riel came out of the mansion.

“Thank you for coming today, Chris Youngsik. My father never listens to others once he makes a decision.”

“No. I was able to learn from Count Hayes. It helped me a lot.”

“Is that so… .”

Riel seemed to have a little bit of a burden lifted from her mind at Chris’s words.

“Take care, Chris Young-sik. I’ll see you at the Academy on Monday.”

“Yes. I had fun today.”

Chris took the carriage back to Delun Estate.

#

After spending the weekend at the Delun Estate, Chris returned to Midredin, where the Academy is located, on Monday.

That evening.

Chris’s dorm.

“Master. Did you get a package?”

Lily came carrying a small box.

“Parcel?”

“The deliveryman said it was a gift from the Royal Librarian.”

“The Director of the Royal Library?”

Now that I think about it, I remember Professor Berriol offering to accept a gift in return for sending the Yeti paper to the Royal Library.

When Chris opened the parcel, a metal ring with a soft glow appeared.

There was also an instruction manual inside.

Chris read the instructions.

[Ring of Frost]

– Reduces mana consumption of ice-type magic by 15%.

– Monsters can also wear it.

“Is that okay? I bet the Yeti would like it.”

Chris nodded, examining the ring.

The ring wasn’t very big, but it said it could magically transform into something elastic.

Chris went straight out to the empty lot outside the dormitory.

“Summon Yeti!”

The summoning staff flashed and created the body of a Yeti.

-Woohaha!

Yeti greeted Chris and his group, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, happily.

“Here, Yeti, here’s a gift for you. It’s a magic ring that increases your ice magic power!”

Chris gave the ring of frost to the Yeti.

The small ring glowed and transformed to fit the Yeti’s finger perfectly as he tried to put it on.

-Hahahaha!

The Yeti’s chest pounded with joy.

In this way, Chris became even more familiar with his summons.