The tax collector, Gaspard, began reporting on the details of the Jean Baronetcy one by one.
The Jean Baronetcy comprises a baronial castle and town, a horse farm, a vineyard, and five villages. The Shinon River, flowing down from the mountains, divides the barony in two. There are mines in the mountains and some workshops along the river.
The barony can yield an annual income of about 700-800 gold crowns to the baron, in addition to the vineyard's revenue and a small income from the mines, totaling around 1,000 gold crowns. However, about 300 of these gold crowns are used for various expenses and maintaining daily military expenditures. Then, as a Grail Knight, Ryan also has to tithe to the Lady of the Lake, but he is exempt from paying the 5% "King's Tax" to the king.
Thus, his real annual income is about 500-600 gold crowns.
However, the high and mighty lords wouldn't just leave the poor serfs and citizens alone. War taxes, tolls, various special taxes, business permit taxes, and even poll taxes could be levied at the lord's whim. The income from these is not fixed; some lords even impose a "birthday tax" on all serfs on their birthdays.
Meaning, if he disregards the consequences, it's possible for him to achieve a net annual income of 1,000 gold crowns.
When the Duke of Winfort issues a call to arms, Ryan must dispatch at least two knights, five cavalrymen, and fifty infantrymen to report, or pay a military exemption tax equivalent to the recruitment cost of these troops.
Gaspard was surprised by the Grail Knight's handling of the barony's affairs.
Brittany's knight lords usually don't focus on these detailed matters and are insensitive to the jumble of numbers. They typically set a rough figure and leave the specifics to the tax collectors, focusing instead on serving their lady and demonstrating their valor.
This leaves room for many tax collectors and stewards to gradually divert a portion of the noble's money to themselves over years, then find a way to break free from servitude.
As a tax collector sent by the Lady of the Lake, Gaspard wouldn't embezzle funds. However, seeing a Grail Knight who could grasp all the accounts at a glance and estimate the income range was a first for him. This insight made Gaspard more attentive, understanding why this man was chosen by the Lady of the Lake.
"How many standing soldiers do we have in the territory?" Ryan casually asked.
"There are twenty-five infantrymen and four sergeants," Gaspard promptly replied.
"Why so few?" Ryan frowned.
In ancient times, the feudal system's limit was one soldier per ten people. Considering the Jean Baronetcy's productivity, land fertility, and the serfs' potential for war, having one soldier per twenty-five people is a normal amount of standing army.
Even so, with a population of around six to eight thousand, Jean Baronetcy should have more than this number of soldiers.
"I disbanded most of the standing army, keeping only the best young men. I believe the army should be personally selected by Sir Ryan," Gaspard explained without pressure. "Serving under a Grail Knight like Sir Ryan is an honor. We can't let just anyone join Sir Ryan's team. You must have your standards for selection."
Ryan was impressed by the tax collector's insight, as he had planned to disband and reselect the army himself. However, he didn't want to play the villain; that Gaspard thought this through was commendable.
Gaspard went on to detail how he had prepared the castle for Ryan's arrival, including cleaning and furnishing the living quarters with funds provided by the lake witch Morgiana, indicating the Lady of the Lake's favor towards Ryan.
Gaspard was meticulous in his preparations, informing the serfs of the new lord's arrival, encouraging them to till the land diligently, and borrowing cavalry from the Duke of Winfort to patrol the borders of the Charlon Forest, ensuring a swift militia response to any beastmen invasions.
"Is your assignment here temporary, Mr. Gaspard? Do you have an original post?" Ryan asked, to which Gaspard, sensing something, eagerly replied, "No, Sir Ryan."
"That's good. You'll serve as my tax collector for now. If you perform well, I'll consider making it official... but not just yet," Ryan stated, motioning for Gaspard to leave.
"Yes!" Gaspard bowed and exited.
Alone on the balcony, Ryan pondered many things. In this medieval world, a lord's authority over his domain was absolute, yet limited in scope. Beyond taxation and conscription, the lord's life was largely separate from that of the commoners.
He needed to build his own team.
With two kingdom knights and five ranger knights under a baron, Lops was assured a ranger knight position. The kingdom knight positions weren't urgent; many ranger knights within the kingdom sought opportunities to stand out, and Ryan believed these vacancies would attract attention.
Ranger knights had both real and honorary titles. In Brittany, every noble upon reaching adulthood received the title of ranger knight, but that was honorary. Ryan's five ranger knight titles were real, with positions and income.
Being a Grail Knight and lord could greatly reduce the existing population's distrust of a new lord, but Ryan had many tasks ahead, to be addressed one at a time.
Gaspard had organized a five-person servant team for Ryan, who immediately appointed Emilia as the head maid, Olyrica as his personal maid, and included Miranda in the servant team.
That night, at the castle's dining hall, Ryan, Lops, Alfred, Gaspard, and others had dinner together. Due to their recent arrival, the castle had limited food, so they made do.
Emilia and the others didn't have the privilege to dine with Ryan; they ate their dinner in the kitchen after cleaning up.
As night fell over Jean Baronetcy without moonlight, only stars filled the sky. In early spring, the nights were still cold. Although Jean was a rich land, there wasn't enough money for magic lamps, making the territory dark at night.
Ryan had some magic lamps given by Theresa's mother, Aurora. He just needed to channel his psychic energy to activate them, and these lamps were now installed in key rooms.
From the castle's balcony, looking northward, the Charlon Forest loomed at the edge of his vision, its dark depths hiding unknown dangers.
To the east, mountains along the river led to roads to the Duchy of Winfort. If one crossed the snow-capped mountains, they could reach the duchy's capital, Helenshield, a renowned city in Brittany.
Then, footsteps approached from behind, "My baron, did you summon me?"
It was Gaspard.
"Yes, Gaspard, please sit," Ryan turned and gestured for his temporary tax collector to join him on the balcony.
Olyrica, the dark elf, brought a tray with butterbeer and mugs, along with a small bowl of water. She served them both and then stood silently behind Ryan.
Gaspard wondered how Ryan acquired such a dark elf maid but didn't dare ask, knowing the Lady hadn't admonished such. Ryan's next actions continued to surprise Gaspard.
Ryan conjured a ball of water from the bowl, freezing it in the air before dropping the ice into his mug, "Mr. Gaspard, would you like some?"
"No, thank you," Gaspard declined, feeling overwhelmed, "Please, my baron, speak plainly."
"Many parts of the castle are damaged, and the water tower needs repair. I plan to have the castle fully renovated. Do you have any suggestions?" Ryan asked calmly, "Money is not an issue."
"If money isn't a concern for the baron, then I suggest you visit Helenshield to hire a merchant for the task," Gaspard suggested, "There are craftsmen here, but their skills may not meet your standards, and..."
"And?" Ryan's expression was unreadable.
"And I think it's necessary for you to visit Duke Francois of Winfort and Marquis Connally of Ascot," Gaspard continued, "Jean is part of the Duchy of Winfort, the gateway to the duchy. I believe Duke Francois would be willing to help."
"Hmm," Ryan nodded, deciding to visit the marquis and duke once things settled here.
It was essential to establish good relations with his nominal superiors, even if only in name.
"By the way, I have a question, Mr. Gaspard. Can you explain why our king's name was 'The Lion' Denoir-Jean-Richard in previous records, but Miss Surya referred to him as Richard-le-Angron?"
"That's not contradictory. Our king's full name is Denoir-Jean-Richard-de-le-Angron," Gaspard explained.
Denoir was Richard's mother's name, Jean his father's, Richard his given name, "de" meaning "from," and le-Angron the name of his lordship.
"So Miss Surya's full name is Surya-Kumanie-Antrell-de-Winfort?" Ryan mused.
"Exactly, but please note, Sir Ryan, only hereditary nobles can use 'de' plus the name of their land," Gaspard reminded.
"Understood."
Gaspard then excused himself.
Left alone with Olyrica, Ryan suggested, "Let's also rest."
The dark elf nodded, following Ryan to the third floor, where the lord and his family resided. Ryan had a large room to himself, fully furnished with carpets, thick curtains, and a lit fireplace.
After bathing and changing, the baron and the dark elf lay in separate beds, enveloped in silence.
Then Olyrica spoke, "Master? May I make a suggestion?"
"Do you not know slaves have no right to make suggestions to their masters?" Ryan joked, pulling her closer to feel her softness.
After a brief resistance, the dark elf realized her strength was no match for the legendary human. As her hands were secured behind her, she failed again.
But this was expected. Olyrica knew she couldn't succeed; it wasn't about wanting to be held by this human but about finding an opportunity to start a conversation.
"I think I need to demonstrate my value to you. The weak do not deserve protection," Olyrica shook her head, her face a mix of self-mockery, "Currently, apart from serving as your servant, I can't show any value of my own. In Druzi, the only value of a slave like me is..."
Her face flushed as she averted her gaze.
"Emmm~ Let's hear it then."
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