"Give me the letter."
Taking the sealed letter from the butler's hand, I took a look at the seal, unfortunately I didn't recognize it.
After skimming through the letter and reading the contents, I could summarize it pretty easily, essentially Knight Sylvester, also otherwise known by the title of 'Snake Knight' was coming to my estate to prepare me for my succession process and assist me with governing the vast Miradet territory.
Although it seemed like he was just a power hungry asshole, according to the letter, Sylvester had been close friends with my father ever since their Knight Academy days and had supported each other both through tough and easy times.
"Take the letter and burn it."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Alyssia, lead me to the study, please."
I asked Alyssia, who I assumed to be my personal maid, even though this body had no impression of her whatsoever, it seems like the 'me' in the past didn't care very much about his servants.
Following Alyssia, I made my way to the third floor of the manor and entered a medium sized room filled with books, a desk, a beautiful view of the Miradet territory, and... a pile of empty alcohol bottles all around.
"Haa..."
Sighing lightly, I lamented at the fact the study was in such a state.
My maid however seemed to have mistaken this for my displeasure at the room not being clean and organized. She hurriedly replied, stuttering, almost crying at one point.
"I-I apologize, m-my lord, you had t-told us to not enter this room no m-matter what."
"Huh? No, it's fine."
Wasn't she too scared? I mean, sure she was a maid and I was a noble but was that much fear rational?
'I have to investigate on what kind of person I am.'
I thought to myself.
"Please clean this mess up, Alyssia, you can enter this room from now on."
Nodding her head, the maid left for a bit before coming back and swiftly cleaning up the mess with efficiency.
Sitting behind the desk situated in the back of the room, close to the balcony, I decided it was time to investigate all about me, the estate and the people responsible for it.
Ordering one of the maids to call Thomas, the household butler, I waited until he arrived and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Greetings, Young Master, what have you called upon this humble servant for?"
"Thomas... What kind of person am I?"
Looking a bit befuddled at the question, Thomas swiftly replied.
"Your Lordship is of course a magnanimous person, your grace knows no bounds and you are a most competent ruler."
"No, you didn't understand me, I want the truth, Thomas, what kind of person am I? I want you to be honest, if you are not, then I will fire you right now."
"A-Ah... Yes, Young Master. Currently, your reputation is at an all-time low, master. Although you have been blessed with tremendous talent in Aura, the citizens and vassals complain that you waste those talents by drinking endlessly. Furthermore, you are now being referred to as the Tyrant of Miradet due to the fact that you have a history of abusing servants and the exorbitant taxes my Lord. Please forgive me for these disrespectful words!"
"I see..."
Shit.
Shit shit shit shit.
I'm suddenly reincarnated and now you tell me I'm a fucking spoiled 3rd generation bastard? This was bad. Real bad. Not to mention Thomas seemed to be leaving out a few details. If it was really that bad, then I risked getting my head chopped off in a revolution. The other territories surrounding me could easily influence the populace to rebel with a few well planted instigators.
"Haa.. Thomas, tell me about the current state of affairs of the territory, who's in charge of what?"
"Yes, Young Master. The man who manages the estate's finances and treasury is the Treasury Keeper, Yzol. The Guard Captain, in charge of the security of the entire territory is Garreth. Furthermore, the territory, infrastructrue and population is also managed by the General Advisor, Alexander. And finally, in charge of all servants, household affairs and inventory management of the Manor, is me, Thomas, the Head Butler."
"I understand. Thomas, right now I want you to call all of the people you mentioned to my study, I need to meet them face to face."
"Of course, Young Master, it will be done."
While staring at Thomas' back while he left, I realized I was in for a huge headache if I had to manage such a large territory under such circumstances, if the individuals in power were even slightly competent they could ease my troubles.
Soon after, Thomas came back with 3 other people in tow.
One of them was a short, chubby but not fat individual with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.
"My Lord, this is Yzol, the Treasury Keeper."
Thomas quickly introduced.
"I am pleased to have met you, Young Master."
Yzol replied curtly. I couldn't get a read on his expression but more than anything, he seemed exhausted to have walked up all those stairs.
I took my eyes off him and glanced at the person in the middle, a middle aged man with greying hair, a scarred face and battle hardened eyes, his stature was tall, albeit a bit shorter than me, and very well built. I assumed this man was the Guard Captain.
"It is an honour to stand audience before the soon-to-be Lord Miradet, I am Garreth, My Lord, at your service."
The man before me introduced himself without waiting for Thomas in a respectful manner, although a bit forced, I couldn't blame him.
"And I am Alexander, 'Young' Master, General Advisor of the Miradet Barony, at your service."
I could tell from the moment I saw him, this man, Alexander, was cunning. His eyes were sharp and cold, he resembled the same people that used to be in the Command Centre in my previous life, the same bastards that made all the war plans and decided combat deployment zones.
Although not much else was notable aside from his brown eyes, this man had a rather simple, unremarkable appearance that would make one forget it after a day or so.
Odd.
Staring at all three, I examined them and started speaking.
"I am very happy to see all of you here today, although as much as I would like to treat you to a hearty meal, work must be done. Now, I assume all four of you keep records of your work and general affairs of the Barony?"
"Of course, My Lord."
All four replied.
"Good, then, Yzol, your task is to provide me the treasury records, as well as the taxation records and monthly tax rates information as well. Do you understand?"
A bit perplexed, Yzol started sweating cold sweat.
"A-Ah, is that so? My Lord, I can assure you everything regarding finances is being well handled, why do you wis-"
Raising my hand I interrupted him.
"Enough, only bring what I asked within a few hours, talking will be done later."
"Garreth."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Provide me with a list of all the profiles of currently enlisted members in the Guard, as well as any personal recommendations for people with promising potential."
"Of course, My Lord."
Garreth was a not a man of many words, but he understood exactly what other people wanted.
"And… Alexander. I need you to provide me with an accurate number of the citizens and families in our territory, the level of infrastructure, hygiene, and… please bring me a map of our territory as well."
Squinting his eyes a little, Alexander nodded and replied.
Wait, how would the people in this world know of hygiene? Of course this was not a plot hole by the author, the hygiene of this world was taken care of by artifacts called Mana Tools, objects that could cast simple spells with a little Etherium transmitted into them by the user.
"Yes… My Lord."
"Everyone except Thomas may leave and fulfill your tasks."
They bowed slightly and left immediately, leaving me and Thomas inside the room.
"Thomas, you keep record of every servant working in the Manor, correct?"
"Of course, My Lord, may I ask why?"
"I'll answer that in a bit, do Yzol and Alexander have their own servants?"
"Ah… yes, they are assigned their own personal maid."
"Good, bring me information on all the personal servants of those three."
"As you wish, My Lord."
With that, Thomas took his leave as well, leaving me alone in the study.
Getting up, and going to the balcony, my eyes soon darted outside, to two graves side by side, surrounded by a beautiful garden. The graves of 'my' mother and father.
The mother had died during childbirth, according to the memories, and this body had never truly gotten past it.
"…I'll at least make sure this legacy does not crumble to dust." I muttered under my breath as I left the study.
It was time to receive an important guest, the man who goes by the title 'Snake Knight'.