The conditions at Birch Castle were quite modest, but the host and guests enjoyed themselves. Derek chose a traditional northern noble bonfire party.
Sir Cesar approached quietly and, somewhat awkwardly, requested, "Viscount Derek, I have a son who is about to begin his knight training. I hope you will accept him."
In a short time, the gap in their social statuses had widened significantly. Although Cesar had many opportunities by the earl's side, he could not bridge the class divide.
Cesar adjusted his mindset and didn't think their past acquaintance could outweigh their current disparity. Derek, while aspiring to higher positions, was not motivated by lowly displays of grandeur. He understood how to treat people according to their status.
For example, Sir Cesar, a trusted confidant of the old earl who had previously helped Derek, deserved respect. Acting grandly in front of him could seem boastful and affect Derek's reputation. Conversely, ignoring class distinctions could provoke discontent among others.
So Derek downed his mug of ale with a show of drunkenness and then pulled Sir Cesar closer. "Cesar, my friend, it's a small matter. Hand over your son, and I'll make sure he grows into a fine young man."
By focusing on friendship and ignoring status, Derek fostered a camaraderie that couldn't be replicated at a high-society banquet. The atmosphere of the bonfire party was something that the pomp of a banquet could not offer. Even though Derek's gesture had a deliberate element, Cesar was deeply moved. A touch of kindness from someone in Derek's position had a profound emotional impact. Derek's ability to remain sincere at such a high status made Cesar feel it was worth it.
The two drank several toasts, seeming to enjoy themselves just as before. Derek, with a tipsy smile, continued to drink with another noble. It was clear that in the future, Cesar would likely support Derek when issues arose, having been touched by such small acts of kindness.
The party ended quickly, with Earl Pereira arriving and leaving in haste. The Saint-Milian Province was a tangled mess, with everyone entangled in their own problems, making it impossible for him to stay longer.
Derek also bid farewell to the nobles who had come to support him. Although the war had ended, their goodwill could not be forgotten.
Then, it was time to address the matters at hand. In the face of war, many issues had been handled roughly, without much attention to detail. Now, with a brief period of peace, he could focus on tidying things up.
The next day, a heavy snowfall arrived. On the twentieth day after the winter solstice, the first snow fell.
Derek led his cavalry to inspect the border outposts, ensuring there were no oversights before leaving Birch Castle and returning to his territory. Due to the barbarians' 'goodwill,' Augusta's population had surged. Fortunately, construction had continued even during the war, preventing people from freezing in the snow.
The barony was essentially a patchwork of former Holy Cross Kingdom territories. The original intention was for Derek to be on the front lines, so the nobles of the capital had created a substantial barony for him.
Originally structured as a town with four villages, it had now expanded into a city, eight towns, and several villages, thanks to a tenfold increase in population.
This large population brought challenges, starting with pressure on arable land and resource scarcity. Fortunately, Derek had preemptively secured many resources from the Saint-Milian Province, so these issues were manageable for now.
Derek arrived at the central city under construction in his territory. With a large population gathering, it was becoming a relatively complete settlement. The new city now consisted of about one-fifth of the planned new district.
Despite the city's advance planning, it was still prone to chaos and dirt. Adrian had been waiting for Derek during his time at Birch Castle. As Derek arrived, Adrian swiftly came from a roadside pavilion and took his horse's reins. Derek dismounted, and Adrian helped him remove the snow from his cloak.
"Your Excellency, according to your plan, everyone has been settled before the snowfall. The next step is to build the inner city at the center, to castle specifications, and gradually complete the city to establish a new center for Augusta."
Building a new city from scratch and making it the new center of the Saint-Milian Province was a monumental task. If successful, the Augusta family would leave a lasting mark in the province.
Derek removed his gloves, handed them to a servant, and entered the pavilion. It was enclosed with burlap on all sides, with a crackling fire in the center.
"Everyone, sit closer; it's too cold out here."
Derek gestured for everyone to form a circle. Familiar faces from his northern journey were present, so everyone sat down comfortably.
"This winter is crucial. We need to accomplish two things. First, create a unique character for the new city. This reflects Augusta's will and our authority in the Saint-Milian Province. Second, reorganize the army. I need a knightly order, even if it's small, and also bring in some noble youths."
The wind and snow outside intensified. After stabilizing their position, Derek had to consider more.
"Our forging technology is unrivaled in the north. We can bring Master Tru and his team to provide complete yet affordable weapons and armor to attract many merchants," Adrian had clearly considered this.
"While weapons and armor can become a pillar industry, it's still not enough. We need to recruit a batch of artisans. Since Augusta has limited resources per capita, we need an alternative approach."
Derek listed some high-value industries, suggesting that rapid development could only be achieved through more subtle forms of exploitation than brute force.
"Additionally, our horse farms must be strictly controlled. I want to establish a cavalry with absolute superiority. The knights' retainers from various families should not be overlooked; they will later serve as junior officers and local officials in the northern province and Saint-Milian Province. This is an excellent opportunity to exert influence."
Derek knew his subordinates might not fully realize this. Their backgrounds limited their perspective, and even with his previous life's knowledge, he hadn't initially grasped this until observing Earl Pereira's strategies.
Once the snowstorm had lessened somewhat, Derek mounted his horse and began to inspect his territory. Adrian had done an excellent job; he was a superb executor. The new city was marked with wooden stakes, which would serve as boundaries for future construction. Derek was confident that the final city would become a shining jewel of the era.
Currently, due to the snow, nearly all the common people stayed indoors. The horse's hooves made a soft crunch on the thick snow, and a few brave souls peeked through the cracks in their doors to watch the passing noblemen.
Derek completed his circuit of the city, gaining a good understanding of its current state. "I also need a tax collector. If my uncle is willing, he could be a good fit," Derek said as he dismounted.
Adrian hesitated. He knew his father's character and was aware of Derek's temperament. Their relationship was good but maintained a certain distance; bringing them together might not yield the best results.
Derek noticed Adrian's reluctance and looked back. "What's the matter? Do you think your father isn't up to the task? Don't underestimate him."
Derek was well aware of his uncle's flaws; after all, he had amassed considerable wealth within the family's domain over the years. However, he needed a tax collector who understood the local workings. His uncle, who had served as both sheriff and tax collector, was familiar with these duties. He didn't need to be exceptional, just competent enough to do the job correctly.
Corruption was a feature of this era, and finding a completely honest person was impossible. Instead, Derek preferred to have some family presence in every field, even if their skills were modest.
Adrian, realizing the point, conceded. "I'll send a letter to my father. I'm sure he'll be very willing."
While military operations required caution, civil administration allowed for more leeway. Derek, who was more daring, was also willing to give his subordinates opportunities. He inspected the city, then visited several towns, ending with the most crucial sites: the stables and the barracks.
At the stables, hundreds of workers were busy, including the most trusted soldiers and slaves. They were breeding a large number of northern horses and experimenting with the most efficient training methods. For others, improving quality through training might seem a dream, but for Derek, it was a powerful tool.
To maintain a low profile, Derek preferred to train young horses, ensuring they would mature into the right quality. He summoned Philip, the slave who bore Derek's noble brand and had been carefully selected. As a permanent slave of the Augusta family, Philip would not be granted freedom, but in return, he could own property and have descendants who would serve the Augusta family.
Philip had done an excellent job. "My lord, the warhorses you requested are nearly ready. In about six months, they'll be ready for use."
Derek's ambitions required these horses to support a small but formidable cavalry. The stable was guarded by tall watchtowers, and the barracks were nearby. New wooden stakes marked the area, indicating that the establishment was still in its early stages. In the distance, high crosses swayed in the wind.
"Have there been any recent issues?" Derek inquired.
"Yes, some disobedient individuals tried to escape, so I had them executed," Philip responded calmly, as if dealing with livestock.
In Philip's view, a warhorse was worth more than the escapees. Human lives did not match the value of a horse.
"Have you identified the mastermind behind this?"
"Not yet. The instigators were careful, only using money to bribe the traitors," Philip reported.
Derek wasn't surprised. While many nobles might appear foolish on the battlefield, they were adept at such schemes. The Augusta territory, despite its apparent success, was not free from espionage and plots. Derek's success merely obscured these dark undertones. However, if someone made a mistake, Derek wouldn't hesitate to act decisively.
"We need to increase our manpower. Our greatest advantage in the North is our cavalry, and I need more of them."
Derek issued the command, recognizing that leveraging this advantage was crucial.
He then visited the barracks, which were not part of the Saint Milian Legion but rather belonged to the private forces of Augusta. Numerous private soldiers, recruited from the serfs of the territory, were undergoing training. Derek provided them with land to farm, ensuring their families were well-fed and offered them opportunities for advancement. With the aid of the panel, a usable private army had been trained in just a few months.
This was the foundation of the Augusta family's position. Notably, Tru, the blacksmith, was also here. Despite the ongoing war, the forge remained busy, and blacksmiths could finally showcase their skills. Derek planned to select reliable blacksmiths for future improvements, valuing loyalty alongside capability.
As Derek approached, Tru, who had been the first to be trained, bowed deeply and reported humbly, "My lord, the armor you requested is ready. The crossbows are still under development, and progress is slow."
Derek's main goal during this visit wasn't the crossbows. As the stout blacksmiths presented a suit of heavy armor, the attendants' eyes gleamed with anticipation.