Ghislain finally snapped back to reality at his father's question and straightened his posture as he answered.
"It was nothing serious. I just had a few things to discuss with Amelia."
"I see," Zwalter replied, his eyes flashing with interest.
In the past, Ghislain had always avoided and dodged him. Far from initiating a visit, he'd usually hide away, making excuses even when Zwalter sought him out.
The only times father and son would meet were when Ghislain had caused some trouble and been brought in.
And here was Ghislain now, coming to see him on his own accord. Not only that, but his words and actions had a sense of confidence. This unfamiliar demeanor made Zwalter wonder if this really was the same Ghislain he knew.
When people act out of character, it's natural to be suspicious.
'What's up with him? Is he sick or something?'
Zwalter narrowed his eyes, studying Ghislain as if scrutinizing every detail.
'Hmm, definitely strange.'
As Zwalter remained silent, the atmosphere began to grow heavy.
Ghislain decided to break the tension with a polite greeting.
"Thank you for your hard work. I heard you held the line successfully again."
"No, I should have pushed them back completely, but estate matters prevented me. Still, we inflicted significant damage, so they won't dare make a move for a while. Once we've rested and re-equipped, I plan to set out again."
Ghislain gazed quietly at his father's face.
Though it wasn't his intention, he'd already heard outside how difficult things were for the estate.
But Zwalter, despite the harsh conditions, showed no sign of strain before his son and only spoke about the tasks ahead.
'You're the same as ever.'
Even though he was seeing his son for the first time in ages, Zwalter's expression remained stoic.
To others, he might seem emotionless—just a dull, humorless man.
As a child, Ghislain had felt the same way, hating his father's rigidity and strictness.
But now, he understood what lay behind that expression: weariness, exhaustion, and a relentless sense of responsibility that he couldn't abandon.
'Everyone's survival relies on that sense of duty.'
The peace everyone took for granted was, in fact, built on Zwalter's sacrifices.
As a child, Ghislain had believed his father was merely a fight-loving, indifferent man who ignored his family.
He'd envied other noble children who lived comfortably and lavishly, never understanding why only his family lived in such poverty and hardship.
But now that he understood the weight of responsibility, he could imagine what his father must feel—and how hard it must be to live that way.
Ghislain was lost in thought when Zwalter finally asked the question he'd been curious about.
"I heard you personally dealt with Jamal and Phillip. Is that true?"
'Hmm, how should I answer this?'
Rumors about that incident had already spread, causing him enough irritation.
As Ghislain hesitated, Randolph, the knight commander, craned his neck forward.
"Yes, there's been quite a bit of talk lately. Why not tell us the truth? Did you really kill them yourself?"
"I didn't kill all of them myself."
The vassals exchanged knowing glances, nodding as if to say, "Of course."
From the start, they hadn't believed that Ghislain could have killed two knights on his own.
Randolph nodded and asked again,
"So, did they end up fighting each other?"
"Yes, they fought among themselves," Ghislain replied.
Frank had indeed killed Jamal and Philip, so it wasn't untrue.
"So, you just handled the cleanup, then?"
"Well, that's how it turned out in the end."
After all, with Frank and the rest eliminated, it was indeed a fitting description.
Randolph looked satisfied with the straightforward answer.
The truth was, he was not only upset about the betrayal in the estate, but it also baffled him that his own knights had been bested by this troublemaker.
"Consider yourself lucky. Even handling a knight must not have been easy. Well done," Zwalter said to Ghislain with a faintly pleased smile.
To him, the son who had been nothing but a disappointment, was impressive for even managing this much.
The Ghislain he knew was someone who'd have abandoned his sister and run away without hesitation.
At least, seeing that Ghislain had stayed to protect his sister showed he hadn't hit rock bottom yet.
"I also heard you won your sparring match with Kane. Keep up with your training."
"Yes, I will," Ghislain replied.
Randolph didn't challenge the victory over Kane—he'd already heard the report from a knight who witnessed it, and, after all, it was just a minor fight among hotheaded youths in his mind.
The rumors about Ghislain's performance in the orc subjugation had also simmered down to "Ghislain actively assisted Skovan."
Even though the controversies had quieted down, Randolph still looked at Ghislain with suspicion.
'If he weren't the lord's son, I'd have twisted him in half ages ago.'
Next, Homerne stepped forward.
"Young lord, you must always conduct yourself properly. Always remember that you are the heir of Perdium. Never lose your honor, and always… remember your duties… Your grandfather, Count Dante Perdium…"
Homerne's lecture went on without end.
To him, Ghislain was not only the troublemaker of the estate but also a disgrace unworthy of his title as heir.
So, every time he saw him, he couldn't help but lecture him, feeling utterly disappointed.
In truth, Homerne's relentless scolding was one reason Ghislain had developed such a rebellious streak in his past life, though Homerne had no idea.
"Yes, understood. I won't let you down," Ghislain replied, cutting the lecture short.
'Oh, look at him cutting me off because he's tired of hearing it. No matter how many times I say it, it's no use.'
Homerne closed his mouth with a dissatisfied expression.
In the past, he'd lectured him in hopes he'd grow up right; now, he lectured him out of fear he'd get into trouble.
As soon as Homerne fell silent, Albert seized the moment to speak up.
"We're reducing your allowance."
'Even a crumb of bread would be a waste.'
With the estate's finances in dire straits, they naturally planned to cut costs by reducing the young lord's maintenance funds first.
Unexpectedly, Ghislain replied in a fresh, agreeable tone,
"By all means."
'Hmm? Why is he agreeing so easily?'
Albert gave Ghislain a suspicious look. Normally, Ghislain would have thrown a fit, demanding money with a string of curses.
'This is strange.'
Albert had always kept his interactions with Ghislain to a minimum, only speaking to him about finances when necessary.
'I'll just keep an eye on him for now.'
Albert considered further slashing Ghislain's allocated budget if need be and closed his mouth.
The three of them hadn't disliked Ghislain from the start. When he was young, they'd treated him with genuine fondness, like family.
But once his behavior went beyond what could be dismissed as youthful folly, they had each given up on him in turn.
Now, even looking at him felt like seeing an enemy.
Other vassals also came forward to offer greetings to Ghislain, though their expressions were rather stiff.
Zwalter chuckled internally at the sight of his vassals bracing themselves around Ghislain. It was exhausting just watching it, yet it also reminded him that his son did have a powerful presence.
'He's truly an unusual character, even if he is my son.'
Clicking his tongue, Zwalter spoke in a slightly tired voice.
"So, I doubt you've come just to greet me. What is it you wish to say?"
Ghislain nodded with a serious expression.
This was the truly important part.
"There's something I want to do, and I'd like your permission to do it."
"You… want to do something?"
"Yes, there's something I need to accomplish."
"I don't know what it is, but would you consider just doing nothing?"
Ghislain responded with a determined look.
"It's something essential."
"…Very well, what is it?"
Zwalter asked, trying to keep his nervousness in check.
Though he'd faced countless battles in the north, he couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety whenever he faced his son. They say children are punishment for past lives—he must have racked up quite a karma debt.
Noticing his father's tense expression, Ghislain clicked his tongue internally.
'Really, a father this anxious around his son.'
Not only his father but even the vassals seemed as tense as if they were facing a barbarian.
Despite the cold reception, Ghislain didn't feel offended; if anything, he found it a bit amusing.
After all, he was meeting people for the first time in decades, so he felt nothing but happiness. Seeing how everyone reacted to his unfamiliar demeanor was almost laughable.
To them, he was still the troublesome figure he'd been just a while ago, so it was natural for them to be on guard.
'Well, considering everything, this isn't so bad.'
Having been cursed plenty in his past life while tearing through kingdoms, the reaction of these vassals barely phased him.
Given how grim things were in the estate, he could only imagine how much they'd suffered from his reckless behavior.
But now things would be different. Ghislain had the knowledge and skills to tackle the estate's dire situation.
'It'll be beneficial for the estate in any case.'
Steeling himself, Ghislain made his declaration.
"I'm going to develop the Forest of Demonic Beasts."
Zwalter's eyebrow twitched, and the vassals looked utterly shocked.
The atmosphere grew instantly heavy, so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
After a stunned pause, Homerne looked at Ghislain in disbelief and asked,
"Young lord, did you just say you're going to develop the Forest of Demonic Beasts?"
"That's right. I'll handle everything. I just need permission to establish an outpost near the forest and gather troops."
The Forest of Demonic Beasts was known by many ominous names, like the Forest of Darkness or the Forest of Silence. They all carried the same connotation of dread.
That forest, which stretched wide to the north of Perdium, was teeming with powerful monsters. No one had ever succeeded in exploring it.
Even Perdium only guarded against the monsters that occasionally emerged from the forest, never daring to venture within.
Homerne chuckled as if trying to explain something to Ghislain.
"Young lord, do you understand what the Forest of Demonic Beasts is?"
Ghislain nodded with a slight smile.
"Of course, I know. It's a dangerous forest full of monsters."
The murmurs among the vassals grew louder.
There were things one could do and things one couldn't. What Ghislain was suggesting was, to them, one of the latter.
Though they didn't know why he was suddenly bringing it up, it was an absurd request. They could only think the young lord was acting out again.
Homerne, his face stiff, replied,
"Not only is it impossible to develop, but as the young lord, you have no authority to gather troops or build an outpost within the estate."
"Yes, which is why I've come to request my father's permission."
Ghislain's calm response only served to further irritate Homerne.
It seemed Ghislain, now that he was older, was about to cause trouble on a whole new scale.
'In front of the lord, no less,' Homerne thought, trying to hold himself back.
But as memories of all the disasters Ghislain had caused flashed through his mind, seeing the culprit's smug face was the last straw.
Before Zwalter could even say a word, Homerne finally exploded, spitting out his words furiously.
"You crazy bastard, why are you doing that!"
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]