With the death of Norvek, the house of Count Calix was completely extinguished.
However, the fall of Calix did not mean rest for Lucian. On the contrary, from that moment on, the busiest period truly began.
“Summon all the administrators who worked under House Calix. Administrators, tax collectors, protocol masters, heralds, scribes—not a single one should be missing.”
“And what will we do about the administrative vacuum in a territory left without officials?”
“If they have any sense, they should have at least trained someone capable of taking over in an emergency. And if there’s no substitute, leave it. They’re not even worth calling.”
Lucian gave the order to Hugo and had the territory’s officials gathered.
The administrators gathered at the White Palace shrugged and pressed their foreheads to the floor.
“The supreme lord of the north and rightful master of the White Palace…”
“Spare me the useless flattery. I didn’t summon you to execute you.”
At the cold voice, the officials trembled but let out a sigh of relief.
They had feared it was retribution for having served under Calix, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
After observing them for a moment, Lucian got straight to the point.
“I want to select from among you those who will work in Asagrim. That is, I want to take the most competent.”
“…!”
“The salary will be triple what you earned before. If you wish, I will also provide free housing within the inner grounds. But if you do not have the appropriate ability, I will fire you on the spot and throw you out.”
The officials’ eyes sparkled. They had thought they were about to lose their heads, and suddenly they were offered an unmissable opportunity.
The salary was tempting enough, but also a house in Asagrim, and right next to the White Palace at that. Just selling that property in a few years would be enough to live off for life.
Still, one doubt remained.
“How should we demonstrate our ability?”
One of the heralds asked cautiously. He thought there would be some kind of formal competition, but Lucian’s response was unexpected.
“Tell me yourselves.”
“Pardon?”
“Explain yourselves. Say what you’re good at, how you’re different from the others, how valuable you are. If it sounds convincing to me, I’ll accept you.”
“…”
The officials’ faces filled with confusion. Basically, they had to brag about themselves with their own mouths.
When the silence stretched, an old man stepped forward and raised his voice.
“It is a truly excellent test. I’ve heard much about Your Highness’s wisdom, but now I see that all those rumors fell short.”
Lucian showed interest despite the flattering tone.
“Excellent? Why do you say that?”
“Those who can clearly explain their own abilities know both their strengths and weaknesses well. They will offer themselves confidently for what they can do and admit without issue what they cannot. That way, there’s no risk of assigning them tasks they cannot fulfill.”
“You could also end up choosing a smooth-talking incompetent.”
“If someone details their skills and then fails to deliver, it would be the same as deceiving and mocking Your Highness. The moment their incompetence is revealed, their head will hang on the wall. Who would dare do such a thing?”
The old man bowed his head.
“Furthermore, anyone who proudly presents themselves despite knowing all that is someone confident in their ability and willing to work actively. That is the kind of talent best suited to lay the foundation of a territory.”
“Hmm.”
Lucian smiled. Asagrim was just laying its foundations, and there was far too much to do. He couldn’t handle every detail personally.
He needed people capable of acting with their own judgment and reporting only what truly mattered.
This old man had perfectly understood his intentions.
“Who are you?”
“I am Fritz, the diplomatic envoy.”
“Diplomatic envoy?”
Lucian blinked. That title was usually used only by nobility of count rank or higher to send representatives for important negotiations.
However, almost no lord actually made use of one.
‘Normally, they delegate diplomacy to their close confidants.’
Diplomatic envoys were still just officials. In terms of trust, they couldn’t compare to a companion willing to lay down their life.
That’s why diplomatic matters usually fell to the closest circle.
‘They usually hire one only when their confidants are terrible at diplomacy.’
Lucian calmly examined Fritz. Despite the sudden silence, he didn’t seem the least bit uneasy.
“Have we met before?”
“I haven’t served as a diplomatic envoy in ten years.”
He had been hired merely for appearances and almost never used. For some, that would have been lucky—getting paid for doing nothing—but Fritz’s voice held only resignation.
Lucian reflected.
‘A diplomatic envoy…’
He didn’t need one right away, but eventually it would be essential. In turbulent times, it was common for lords to send inept confidants and only their heads would return. Even those proud of their rhetoric often failed.
Diplomacy in chaotic times was like dancing among lions without stepping on their tails. Not just anyone could do it.
And in Lucian’s eyes, Fritz had that ability.
“Fritz, I appoint you as diplomatic envoy of Asagrim. There won’t be much work for now, but soon you’ll have to move around a lot. Be ready.”
“It is an honor, Your Highness!”
Fritz responded with force and pressed his forehead to the floor again.
Seeing that, the other officials, surprised but encouraged, began stepping forward. If he had been chosen, they could try too.
The second to step up bowed deeply.
“I am Marco, tax collector for the territory of Sengel. Each territory has its own tax system, but the current one has flaws, and I…”
***
The result was quite satisfactory. If they were administrators that Norvek had selected after careful examination, it was no surprise that most of them passed with flying colors.
Moreover, Lucian had chosen only those overflowing with confidence in their own abilities and with a proactive attitude, so there didn’t seem to be any reason to worry about internal administration.
With the issue of the administrators resolved, Lucian moved on to the next stage.
“What the hell is this? I expected sincerity from you, and you bring me such a miserable sum. Are you insulting me?”
“Y-Your Highness… please, calm down! There must have been some mistake in the process!”
“What kind of mistake could there be if there were no thieves on the road or monster attacks?”
The nobles who had been allies of Calix rushed to show their “sincerity” to Lucian. However, even among offerings, the differences in amounts were obvious.
Lucian personally summoned only those who had delivered the lowest sums and scolded them without restraint.
The summoned nobles broke out in cold sweat as they stammered out excuses, but it was clear at a glance that they had tried to test the waters with a minimal amount.
“No, it seems the mistake was mine. Are your territories in such poor shape lately? If you can’t even contribute more than nobles with smaller domains, it must be because you’re facing serious difficulties.”
“Y-Yes, that’s right. No matter how I try, the expenses are enormous…”
“Tsk, how pathetic. A territory must be prosperous so its next owner can also rejoice.”
“H-Huh? Your Highness!”
“Then go. Develop your territories properly. To avoid unnecessary hassle, disband your armies and leave only the riches behind. Isn’t it said that even the place a beautiful person leaves behind remains beautiful?”
“Your Highness, please, grant us mercy just this once! Have pity!”
Faced with Lucian’s ultimatum, the nobles turned pale and prostrated themselves on the floor. Up to now, Lucian had never made empty threats. If they left that place, their houses would surely be wiped out and they beheaded.
After staring at them coldly, Lucian spoke with an icy voice.
“I plan to publish, within half a year, a list of the traitorous houses that collaborated with Calix. The list is already complete, so I could make it public just as it is.”
“…!”
“However, I’m human too. It’s possible I made a mistake during the process. Perhaps I’ll realize that error and decide to correct the list before publishing it.”
“Th-Thank you! The Eight Gods will praise Your Highness’s mercy!”
It was a clear warning if they didn’t show proper sincerity before the six-month mark, they would be declared traitors without hesitation.
The nobles, relieved by the opportunity they had barely managed to secure, didn’t stop praising Lucian’s clemency.
In the end, those who had tried to test the waters had to offer sums far greater than the others to prove their sincerity.
And since the first amount sent was treated as nonexistent, they ended up losing several times more for trying to be clever.
“Use the funds received to help with relocating the residents. Organize the residential zones of the inner and outer city and prepare them so people can move in at any moment.”
“And what should we do about food?”
“There are no suitable fields, so there’s no choice but to use a rationing system. However, buy the food from outside. Don’t touch the supplies sent by the imperial family.”
The north was already a region where obtaining food was difficult, and even so, the available products weren’t of great quality.
For the Blue Rose Order, who came from Tibron, and for the imperial elite troops, it was only natural that northern food wouldn’t be satisfactory.
Unless the supplies sent were completely depleted, if Lucian hid them and substituted rough food, complaints would be inevitable.
‘Maybe I won’t be able to give the impression that I did absolutely everything, but I can’t show that I’m just trying to line my own pockets either.’
In a situation where the imperial family had practically abandoned them, if Lucian took care of them as best he could, their hearts would naturally turn to him. As long as they weren’t driven into a corner with no escape, he intended to treat them as well as possible.
It was then, in the midst of that frenzy of work to organize the great relocation of residents, that—
“Your Highness.”
“Ah, Sir Lothier. You arrived just in time.”
Lucian smiled at the sight of Lothier, former commander of the Asagrim garrison. He was just thinking of suggesting that he depart soon.
Until now, since it was an empty territory, he had turned a blind eye, but once the inhabitants began to arrive, he could no longer allow the presence of an external armed force.
However, before Lucian could get to the point, Lothier knelt first and raised his voice.
“Lothier Terman and the entire Asagrim garrison wish to swear loyalty to Your Highness. Please, accept us.”
____
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