"I was appointed as the acting head of the family. From this moment on, the Guardian Knights will only protect my father."
Cedric met Kane's eyes.
His eyes shone with a purple light.
They did not waver in the slightest.
In the face of such a resolute gaze, Cedric could only nod slightly.
"I trust you, Sir Cedric."
Kane passed by Cedric and disappeared.
Fabi, who had been watching from behind, spoke up.
"Is that really the same gentle Young Master?"
"I almost wet myself. He speaks so fiercely."
Everyone had something to say as they watched Kane's retreating figure.
The drastic change in the Young Master was hard to get used to.
"Captain, what do you plan to do?"
Cedric fell into deep thought.
'Even if I leave Fabi by His Grace's side and head to the frontlines, I'll still be worried. But if I don't go, the territory will be in danger.'
It was a situation where he couldn't do anything.
It was time to make a decision, and Fabi made a good suggestion.
"Why don't we take this opportunity to follow the Young Master's orders and weed out the traitors among us?"
The other knights chimed in.
"That's a good idea."
"I've always thought the same as the Young Master. How long do we have to suffer like this? What have they ever done for us?"
"Exactly. They even charge us exorbitant repair fees for fixing worn-out weapons!"
"I don't believe it's worth risking our lives to protect the territory's people anymore."
As everyone shared their opinions, Cedric's mind began to lean towards agreement.
Fabi's voice rang out again.
"It might not be a bad idea to stay in the territory and learn more about the Young Master. Aren't you curious too, Captain?"
Kane Rehinar, who had supposedly transformed after his experience in the demon forest.
Exquisite Swordsmanship, two types of mana breathing techniques.
And magic.
Was his ultimate goal here to become a Blood Knight?
Was he really walking on the same path as that legendary being?
Cedric was also very curious about the Young Master.
"Fabi, you're right."
"Then we'll stay in the territory for a while?"
"We will follow Young Master's orders."
"I knew you would."
Moreover, Cedric's loyalty was immense.
He was someone who would protect the Rehinar family till his last breath.
That was the principle of Cedric Harca.
No matter how young or inexperienced the Young Master may be.
In the absence of the Duke, the commands of the eldest son took precedence.
"The Guardian Knights will guard His Grace's residence with impenetrable security."
At Cedric's command, the faces of the knights brightened.
"Not even an ant should get close."
* * *
Kane was on his way to meet Sara.
'It looks like she's planning to sell the Mana Stones.'
He left a bundle of 1-star Mana Stones with her.
They were quite valuable items.
'If Sara is dealing with someone, it could only be that old man.'
The man who had helped Sara resist Hatzfeld to the very end.
The owner of the Blue Merchant Group and former chief administrator of Rehinar.
No one else would help Rehinar so completely.
At the Territory's front gate, Sara was waiting with Camilla for Kane.
"You're planning to sell the Mana Stones?"
"What about Father?"
"He's asleep."
Kane explained the Duke's condition to Sara in detail.
After hearing the situation, Sara spoke nonchalantly.
"It's a relief that the poison was treated."
"You're not surprised?"
"I'm actually very surprised."
Sara blinked her large eyes.
"Never mind that. Are you planning to sell the Mana Stones to pay off the family's debt?"
"Yes. We need to pay off as much as we can while we have the money."
Kane opened the Territory management system.
This time he examined it more closely.
– Rehinar Territory –
Administrator: Acting Head Kane Rehinar
Residents: 1,100,341↓
Capital: -5,000,000,000G
*Time until bankruptcy: 3 months
Personal Assets: 780,000G
[Agriculture (Lv.1) – (21/100)]
[Commerce (Lv.1) – (10/100)]
[Barracks (Lv.1) – (7/100)]
[Security (Lv.1) – (38/100)]
[Castle Gates (Lv.1) – (7/100)]
[Guild (Lv.1) – (14/100)]
The debt amounted to a staggering 5 billion gold.
It was a debt that would remain even after bankruptcy.
"This debt is all Dyer's doing, isn't it?"
"Yes…"
"From now on, leave the family affairs to me."
"To you?"
Sara looked at him with a doubtful expression, her eyes filled with skepticism.
"What's with that look? You don't trust me?"
"How can I trust you?"
"Haven't you seen how I handle things?"
"That's exactly why. Ever since your personality changed, you've been a ticking time bomb."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It's not a freaking compliment!"
"Anyway, I'll be handling the family affairs from now on."
Though she might have felt upset about losing the right to manage the family, Sara actually looked relieved.
"Can you really do it all by yourself?"
"I can do this better than you."
When he was Ray Hatzfeld, conquering and managing foreign lands was entirely his responsibility.
So, managing Rehinar would be a piece of cake for him.
"You focus on training and prepare to enter the military academy."
"Why would I go to the Royal Military Academy?"
The Royal Military Academy was an elite institution.
It was a mandatory course for noble children, offering connections, command experience, and advanced education.
"Who said anything about the Royal Military Academy?"
"There's only one military academy in the Fresia Empire."
"There will be another soon."
"Where?"
"Here, in Rehinar."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Despite Sara's reprimand, Kane's smile only deepened.
"Before the nobles of the Fresia Empire attended the Royal Military Academy, where did they go?"
"…They went to the Belmore Military Academy, but it's gone now."
"I plan to reestablish that institution."
"You're insane. Absolutely insane."
When Rehinar was strong, there was a military academy in their Region.
The nobles of Fresia called it the Sanctuary of Despair.
The survival rate for graduates was only 30%, but those who did graduate gained wealth and honor.
They received titles, command authority in wartime, and many other significant benefits.
It was recognized as the best military academy on the continent by the Empire.
The most famous graduate from there was none other than the captain of the Guardian Knights, Cedric Harca.
"Our family is on the brink of collapse, and all you have are empty dreams."
"I have a plan, so just focus on your training."
"That's what makes me even more worried."
Sara's tone was firm, without a hint of hesitation
* * *
Kane brought Camilla to stroll the territory.
He muttered to himself as he looked at the villagers on the streets.
"I can't believe Father gave away the family's privileges just to keep these trash from starving… He's too soft. That's why he got defeated by Hatzfeld."
There wasn't a single villager who didn't recognize his face.
Yet, no one greeted him.
Instead, they were busy whispering among themselves.
"Look over there!"
"The Dulllard Grand Prince?"
"What's gotten into him lately? He's been showing up in the territory often."
"How long has it been since he survived in the demon forest, tsk."
"He doesn't even realize that the healer treated him for free because he's too kind-hearted."
"He's so clueless, no wonder the family is falling apart."
The villagers spoke with hostility.
They blamed Kane for the decline of Rehinar.
If only the Grand Prince wasn't incompetent.
Even if he was just ordinary, they believed Rehinar wouldn't have fallen this far.
This too was the result of Hatzfeld sowing discord.
"It would be better if the Dyer family ran this Territory."
"Shh! Be quiet. Even if the Grand Prince is weak, he still has ears."
"Am I wrong though? The family is falling apart, so naturally the territory is getting poorer too."
When Kane turned to look at the villagers,
"Ahem."
"I have work to do."
"I should go back to my business."
"Let's have a drink in the evening."
They avoided his gaze and dispersed.
'Hatzfeld has done a good job of using Dyer to spice things up.'
Kane briefly thought of someone.
Who was playing his role now?
[A/N: His role as Ray Hatzfeld.]
'I'll meet him someday. I wonder what that'll be like.'
Would they be able to perform the loyal dog role better than he did last time?
He was curious.
"There it is."
Kane's eyes caught a worn-out sign.
[Blue Merchant Guild]
A crowd had gathered below it.
As he quietly approached,
Thud-
An old man fell from a kick.
"Old man. Didn't I tell you to deliver the goods properly? I paid you a lot for the transportation fees, and now you're saying bandits stole them?!"
"…Give me a little more time. I promise to recover the stolen goods."
"Because of you, my losses are substantial."
"Please, just give me one more chance for the sake of our past dealings."
The old man pleaded with the middle-aged man.
Everyone around them had sympathetic looks on their faces.
The old man was once a person who shared in the glory of Rehinar.
His name was Daniel Lindemann.
Now he was running a failing merchant guild.
"If not for our past dealings, I would have taken your head already."
"I am grateful. So, please…"
"You need collateral before you can recover the goods."
"What money do I have?"
"Sell this decrepit guild if you have to, get my damn money back."
"No! I can't do that! I can't sell this guild!"
"Then pay the compensation. You let bandits steal my goods and don't even compensate me? You're no better than a thief!"
The middle-aged man shouted deliberately.
He was trying to attract more attention from the surrounding crowd.
["Blue Merchant Guild" has been activated.]
Seeing this, Kane smirked.
'A quest should appear about now.'
Sure enough,
Ding-
A notification accompanied the appearance of a quest.
Main Quest – [Eliminate All the Traitors!]
Grade: D+
Description: The Rehinar Territory is overrun with traitors. If they continue to roam freely, the future of Rehinar will be bleak. Eliminate the traitors for the sake of Rehinar.
Success Reward: Access to the Blue Merchant Guild, Increased favorability with Daniel Lindemann
Failure Penalty: -2,000,000G, Overall decrease in favorability with the villagers
'It's not about eliminating all the traitors, but a certain number to complete the quest.'
He had anticipated this ever since he arrived.
Territory Activation Event.
It was a quest essential for Kane Rehinar's growth.
'Judging by how they're pressuring Daniel Lindemann… it seems Dyer took over the guild around this time.'
The middle-aged man pressuring Daniel Lindemann was a traitor.
A turncoat who had sided with the Dyer family.
Not only that, he had also contributed to the downfall of Rehinar.
There were quite a few traitors besides the middle-aged man.
'I'll kill all of these scoundrels.'
This was his primary goal.
They had lived peaceful lives under Rehinar's protection their entire lives.
And that's not all; they also enjoyed various benefits.
Yet!
As soon as Rehinar began to fall, they immediately sought refuge with another family.
They even went as far as to help the rival family.
'As long as traitors exist, reclaiming past glory is impossible.'
To exact his revenge, he had to start by removing them.
Kane pushed through the crowd.