The western territory of Rehinar was rapidly changing.
"Where did Rehinar get the money to build those new structures?"
"I heard Daniel sold some magic stones at a high price."
"No, they found a great treasure while on a trading expedition."
Everyone was talking about the buildings that had sprung up in the western territory.
"Hey, what's the big deal? The important thing is that many buildings have been constructed in the western territory. The land, which used to be dirt cheap, has skyrocketed in value in just a few days."
"How much?"
"About ten times."
"Wow!"
"Has it increased that much? If only I had the money, I would have bought some land. Tsk."
A middle-aged man clicked his tongue.
His clothes and the jewelry on his hands showed he had a lot of money.
"Speak quietly! The entire western territory belongs to the Rehinar family. Do you want to be branded as a traitor and exiled?"
Another middle-aged man hushed him, covering his mouth with a finger.
These people had accumulated wealth under the protection of Rehinar for generations.
However, when Rehinar fell, they turned to Dyer without a moment's hesitation, becoming traitors.
"Even if we get exiled, we've already prepared homes in Philaec, haven't we? Everyone gathered here has secured at least one house there, just like I have."
"I'm still considering it. It's hard to abandon the foundation I've built here."
Though they were aligned with Dyer, some were still wavering.
What good would it do to move to Philaec?
It would take a long time to settle there.
Moreover, would the nobles of Philaec just stand by?
They would surely face all kinds of discrimination and harassment.
"What's there to gain from staying in this backwater territory? I've made up my mind to leave."
At that moment, an old man passing by stopped.
"Have you served in the military?"
"Yes, we have."
"Then it's unlikely you'll be able to move to another territory. The migration procedures are complicated."
The middle-aged man frowned at the old man's words.
"Who's going to stop me if I want to leave?"
"If you retired from Rehinar, you must have learned their techniques. It won't be easy to get away."
"Explain it so I can understand."
The old man kindly explained.
"Every noble house has their skills and techniques"
"Moving to Philaec with Rehinar's techniques is like transferring to another noble house."
"So what?"
"It means you'll be a traitor."
The expressions of those listening hardened.
Regardless, the old man continued.
"Lord Kane is not someone to be underestimated. The traitors who were exiled before were just examples."
The traitors who were exiled through the western gate all became monster food.
Moneylenders.
Farm owners.
The Blue Wolf Mercenary Corps.
All of them died.
The demon forest is the land of abysmal monsters.
Especially the western demon-infested region.
It was a void that most could not return from.
"I understand that Daniel, the merchant lord, paid the debt you owe. And he conveyed another message, didn't he?"
"You mean to sell the land back?"
"It can't really be considered yours. You haven't paid taxes up to now. The family head has generously overlooked it, but tax evasion is a serious crime that can lead to confiscation of all your assets. They're already being lenient, so sell it at a fair price while you can."
"What is this crazy old man babbling about? Am I insane? Why would I sell this golden plot of land?"
The middle-aged man, who had been quietly listening, burst out in anger.
His land was in the southern territory of Rehinar, an area rich in water and wood and free from mutated monster attacks.
A prime location coveted by nobles or wealthy residents of the territory.
It was absurd to suggest he sell such a place.
"It's not a command. If you don't want to sell, then don't. But just remember this."
Despite their anger, the middle-aged men were now focused on the old man's words.
"Lord Kane is not like Duke Carl, who values righteousness. He's not someone who would sacrifice for your sake. I realized this during the last trade expedition."
With those words, the old man disappeared.
"He's a fool to be living as a beggar at that age. He should know his place before giving advice!"
The middle-aged man only understood much later.
The cruel nature of the Young Duke, and what the old man's warning truly meant!
He didn't realize it until he was about to lose his life.
* * *
Hano, the second-in-command of the Black Crow exchange, was observing the changing atmosphere in Rehinar.
"Is this really the same Rehinar that was falling apart?"
It seemed the air of decline had completely vanished.
Some residents of the territory still viewed Rehinar negatively.
But!
To Hano, it looked like Rehinar was on the rise again.
"If our boss saw the atmosphere here, he'd be astonished."
Just after entering Rehinar.
The Black Crows, who had dispersed to gather information, reassembled.
"Second brother! I have incredible news."
"What is it?"
"Kane Rehinar isn't a swordsman but a mage!"
"Really!?"
Another subordinate jumped in.
"What are you talking about? I heard he used the "Void of Water" that Duke Carl used."
"You mean that formidable technique of Duke Carl?"
"I overheard it directly while drinking."
Even this was already astonishing.
But the story wasn't over.
Another subordinate added to this unbelievable tale.
"I heard that Kane Rehinar also used instant construction magic."
"What the hell. You mean that high-level construction magic that only those above 5th class mages can use? Who told you that?"
"An old man from the Blue Merchant Group told me. If you don't believe it, go check it out yourself, second brother."
The old man from the Blue Merchant Group.
He had worked in Rehinar's headquarters.
This meant the information was reliable.
Hano's mind was racing.
"On top of proficient magic and dual swordsmanship, he can use high-level construction magic too. Who is he really?"
"As our boss suspected, Duke Carl might have deceived the world."
"If he fooled even us, then it was a perfect disguise."
"What about Rehinar's fall?"
At a subordinate's question, Hano replied quietly.
"Perhaps… that too was a lie."
"You mean Rehinar has been pretending for over ten years?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"We need to find out."
Caw!
As soon as Hano finished speaking, the sound of a crow echoed.
When he looked up, a crow was descending.
"We have a message from our boss!"
Hano extended his arm.
The crow landed on it.
He retrieved a letter from the container hanging around its neck and began to read.
"What does the boss say?"
"He wants us to establish a good relationship with Kane Rehinar."
"Does he already know the situation here?"
"It doesn't seem like it…"
"Well, regardless, forming an alliance with Rehinar isn't a bad idea."
Hano nodded.
"I agree."
"Let's set up a base in Rehinar. How about that empty building?"
"It's perfect for us."
"But do you think they'll let us use it easily?"
"We should at least try to request a lease."
The Black Crow exchange had never targeted the falling Rehinar before.
The true ruler here was Duke Carl, one of the twelve strongest on the continent.
Even if the family was in decline, the Black Crow exchange couldn't handle such a powerful entity.
That's why they hadn't established a foothold here.
Now they intended to create one.
To build a good relationship with Rehinar.
* * *
Sunlight pierced through the window.
The brightness woke Kane, who sat up abruptly.
"Is it morning already? I slept like a log."
The sun was shining brightly outside.
He had been intensely focused on crafting, which seemed to have drained him mentally.
"From the messages, it seems all the buildings are completed. I should head out to the territory… but I need to wash first."
His body smelled foul.
On the surface, it appeared he had been crafting jewelry.
In reality, he had been refining his mana.
More efficiently and meticulously.
The waste expelled by mana had seeped through his skin, causing the odor.
Kane quickly washed up and changed his clothes.
Knock, knock.
– "Young Master, it's Camilla."
"Come in."
"Are you going out?"
"I plan to visit the territory. Has there been any word from old Daniel?"
"No."
Camilla's response made Kane's lips curl into a smile.
"It's been five days, and not a single person has brought me their land documents."
His eyes turned into crescent shapes with glee.
"Well then, I'll have to kill them all. Camilla, let's head to the territory."
Kane left the mansion and went straight to the Blue Merchant Group.
"Old Daniel!"
The doors of the Blue Merchant Group swung open.
"Young Master, you're here."
"Why the serious faces?"
Daniel and the elders bowed deeply.
They had mistaken the territory management system Kane showed them for high-level construction magic. Since then, they had treated him with utmost respect.
"We conveyed your message to the nobles, but they responded with defiance."
"Then we'll have to deal with them."
"Hmm…"
Daniel groaned.
This was the reaction he had expected.
Recently, Kane had been unstoppable, truly a force to be reckoned with. If someone challenged him, he would genuinely cut them down. This made Daniel anxious. He feared Kane might banish the territory's residents through the western gate again, as he had before.
Noticing this, Kane smirked.
"I'm not planning on banishing anyone."
"Then what measures will you take?"
"Didn't I say it before? I have no intention of protecting traitors."
"Understood…"
Daniel didn't argue and accepted Kane's decision.
"Is that all?"
"You are the acting head of the family, Young Master. What's the point of my objections?"
Daniel had resigned himself to the situation.
Unable to stop Kane, he didn't even try to oppose him anymore. Instead, he just changed the subject.
"We have gathered all the military supplies you requested, Young Master."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"Everything is ready then. Follow me."
Kane stepped outside and opened the door of a newly completed empty building.
[Inn (Lv.1)]
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Description: Are you a traveler? Then stay here for the night.
Effect: Fatigue -50%, Vitality +30%
[Tavern (Lv.1)]
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Description: A mug of ale at night brings simple happiness! Let's all become drinking buddies and have a chat.
Effect: Territory residents' happiness +100%
[Lumber Mill (Lv.1)]
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Description: No place to train your strength? Build your muscles by chopping wood. Who knows? The muscles you build here might come in handy in the army.
Effect: Wood resources +50%, Basic strength +20%
[Farmland (Lv.1)]
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Description: Thinking of experiencing farm life? No way! In Rehinar, farming is essential! If you want to become an elite farmer, start with farming.
Effect: Wheat and fruit production +100%
As the buildings were activated, information windows appeared one after another.
"We won't be heading out on any trading expeditions for a while, so each of you take charge of one place."
It wasn't that they always failed their trading missions due to traitor Peter's interference. The elders were seasoned veterans who had worked in the Rehinar main office for a long time. They were masters at managing organizations. Since the places would be without permanent owners for a while, each elder was assigned to oversee one temporarily.
"Us?"
"There's no one else I can trust but you elders. I can't leave it to those scoundrels, can I?"
Kane pointed to the people loitering nearby, observing why he had come down to the territory.
"It's only temporary. Just manage it until I find a proper owner. No objections."
Without waiting for the elders' responses, Kane moved on. He stopped at one place.
[Mill Activated]
[Mill (Lv.1)]
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Description: Thump! Thud, thud, thump! Don't just think of this mill as a place to grind grains. It's also a secret spot for disposing of illicit goods.
Effect: Increases the probability of obtaining 3★ or higher artifacts by 30%, Luck +20%
It wasn't just a place for making rice. It was a secret market, a place to trade covert artifacts.
"There is someone suited to manage this place."
"Who?"
Camilla, who had been silent, couldn't contain her curiosity and interjected.