Chapter 46: Return to Lakeheart Town
TL: Etude
Paul Graymans stay in Port Fran ended up being longer than initially planned.
During this time, he met with the towns merchants, both big and small, to share his vision of initiating oceanic trade. He planned to establish a trading companya concept yet unknown in this worldand invited the local merchants to invest in it.
In front of the lord, the merchants were all obsequious. In this world, except for the trading-centric Horn Bay Alliance, merchants in other countries held little political status and were often exploited by those in power.
When Paul revealed his vision, leveraging his lordly status, it was met with universal acclaim. However, the merchants secretly thought that the lord was merely trying to raise funds, using a common tactic among nobility to extract money under some pretext.
Paul noticed the merchants insincerity but wasnt angered. Changing peoples mindsets takes time, and his current aim was merely to inform the merchants, not to immediately start fundraising.
The seas were still plagued by remaining pirates, and the construction of full-sail ocean-going ships had not yet commenced. It was too early to start promising big dreams.
He also met with the former town elder, Peter, who had regained consciousness under the careful care of his granddaughter, Susan. When he learned about the events that transpired in the church, he was so frightened that he immediately got out of bed, despite his weak health, and apologized to Paul, pleading for forgiveness for his granddaughters offense.
Paul reassured him kindly, convincing the old man that there would be no retribution.
Upon learning that he had been relieved of his mayorship and appointed as an advisor to the new mayor, Peter felt a sense of loss. Despite the hardships of the position, he had served in it for most of his life and found it hard to adjust to the change. However, he committed to assisting the new mayor in every possible way.
Peter was moved and grateful to Paul for eliminating the pirates and promising eternal protection to the town, praying to the Lord of Light for the lords long life.
The navys recruitment efforts were also in full swing. Following the establishment of enlistment standards, over 300 new soldiers were recruited.
Austin, who had been promoted to acting Major and commanded the Northwest Bay Fleet, as well as the first squadron of the first detachment, was exceedingly busy with almost no time for rest.
Rubins shipyard worked overtime to build two ram-equipped galleys and modified four fishing boats for naval training.
The new mayor and deputy mayor, selected by steward Ford, arrived in Port Fran shortly after the public trial and quickly began their administrative duties.
They were instructed by Paul to replicate Lakeheart Towns initiatives in Port Fran, such as public toilets, bathhouses, garbage bins, and water stations, and were also tasked by the count to conduct a census.
Paul also instructed them to respect and seek advice from elder Peter, ensuring their cooperation.
Additionally, the central church in town was ordered to be converted into a government building for administrative use, with plans for a new church to be built in a more secluded location, as hinted by the count.
In July, Paul decided to return to Lakeheart Town. Before departing, he inspected the nascent naval forces, declaring boldly, Our journey leads to the stars and the sea.
Although the words to the stars puzzled many, this did not deter the troops from being excited and eager to eradicate the remaining pirates.
With the second infantry battalion left in Port Fran to support the still-forming navy, the count led the first infantry battalion towards Lakeheart Town.
In July, the heat was intense, especially around noon when the sun mercilessly scorched the earth.
This place is much cooler than the south, Queller Foster, from the Horn Bay Alliance, commented happily.
Foster, the young master, was accompanying Paul to Lakeheart Town to see the novel items Paul intended to sell. An aspiring adventurer, Foster was intrigued by anything unfamiliar.
However, his dream faced some setbacks. Meru, the leader of the Lichman Adventure Team, still hadnt agreed to let him join, and was quite displeased with Fosters decision to stay in the Northwest Bay for a while.
With Queller staying there, the group had to follow suit. If they left him behind, they would lose their mission commission and their completion rate in the guild would suffer. Naturally, the Lichman Adventure Team had to accompany Queller to Lakeheart Town to ensure his safety.
Along the way, Paul chatted intermittently with him.
Is that so? I still find it very hot, said Paul, who had grown up in the north and never experienced the intense heat of the south, making Queller realize that he was indeed in a more fortunate situation.
But look at that girl, Ladi. Its so hot and yet shes all bundled up. Strange, isnt it? Paul whispered to Queller.
Now that you mention it, yes. And she doesnt even seem to be sweating? Queller noticed the peculiarity too.
Even though Queller and the members of the Lichman Adventure Team, being from the south, were more heat-resistant, they still dressed as lightly as possible in this weather, sweating profusely nonetheless.
Only Miss Ladi, the scholar, remained wrapped in thick, secure clothing, wearing a scholars cap that looked oddly paired with the bow and arrows on her back. While everyone else was drenched in sweat from the journey, not a single drop was visible on her.
Realizing that Paul was observing her, she quickly pulled the brim of her hat lower to cover her face.
Heh, youve made her shy, Queller joked.
Not at all, I think its you who scared her! Paul denied outright.
As noon approached, the count ordered a halt to the march. The troops dispersed into the shade of the trees lining the road for a rest and to address their hunger.
After setting up a guard, the soldiers entered the roadside forest and began eating the dry food they carried with them.
Paul, Queller, and others also sat down to eat, each with their own food. Everyone noticed that the young count was eating the same black bread as the soldiers.
Kai, a maverick sitting next to Dean, whispered, I thought the lord would treat us to a feast.
Dean rolled his eyes at him: Wishful thinking. Even if there was a treat, it would be for the young master.
Just then, Miss Ladi, the scholar, twitched her ears slightly.
She looked up and said, It seems like someone is calling for help!
Instantly, everyone tensed up.
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