Despite the fact that not only Zwalter but also other vassals were present, Homerne couldn't hold back his loud outburst.
"There's nothing in the Forest of Demonic Beasts but monsters! Why bother going in there? It's a total loss! Why can't you just leave it alone?"
Harsh words spilled from Homerne's mouth, completely disregarding any decorum.
However, no one in that room was concerned about showing respect to the heir.
Albert's eyes gleamed as he calculated the pros and cons sharply.
"The place is useless—too many monsters. Even if we tried to develop it, the costs would outweigh any potential benefits."
"The young lord seems to be overestimating his abilities. Just because he defeated Lord Kane, he thinks he's actually strong? Hah, what a joke."
When Randolph also voiced his opposition, Ghislain clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had expected resistance, but the reaction was much harsher than anticipated.
'Geez, I knew it.'
With his father's three sworn brothers all opposing him, it was impossible to get approval.
Seeing Ghislain stay silent, Homerne, his face red, shouted even louder.
"Why are you so desperate to go stirring up trouble everywhere?"
"Big Brother, calm down," Randolph said, holding his collar quietly. But Homerne paid no heed.
"Have you forgotten all the things this brat has done? At the very least, as the heir, he shouldn't be causing trouble!"
His voice rose further.
"He secretly sold military provisions to gamble with the money! He was caught trying to set fire to the castle gates just because he was in a bad mood! He killed a warhorse just to eat meat, and melted down the knights' armor to forge a so-called legendary sword!"
The more Homerne went on, the stranger Ghislain's expression grew.
'Did I really do all that?'
It had been so long, he had nearly forgotten.
"How many other incidents has he caused? And now, what, the Forest of Demonic Beasts? Just how big a mess is he planning to make? Absolutely not!"
Ghislain looked away as if he didn't know anything.
'Well, I don't remember much.'
For them, these incidents were just a few years, or even a few months ago, but for him, they were distant memories.
Remembering that he had indeed caused a lot of trouble, he replied with sincerity.
"There won't be any more incidents like that from now on, so please don't worry too much. You trust me, right?"
He even added a slight smile to lighten the mood, but it had the opposite effect. Homerne clutched his neck, staggering.
"Urgh, this idiot… finds this funny…."
Watching the two argue, Zwalter sighed and asked,
"Are you trying to develop the Forest of Demonic Beasts for profit?"
"Yes. Currently, the only thing in our territory that might be profitable is the resources in that forest."
"Indeed, this has been considered since the previous generation. But we can't sacrifice soldiers when it's unclear if there are any worthwhile resources there. Even if there is information, we currently lack the resources."
"Yes, I understand. So this time, I plan to handle it without using the territory's resources."
Ghislain wasn't ignorant of the territory's circumstances either.
But he had a reason to develop that place, no matter what.
'That's the only way the territory can gain economic independence.'
In his previous life, the Perdium estate eventually collapsed due to poverty, always swayed by neighboring territories until the end.
Even now, if the enemy were to cut off their funds, it would undoubtedly destabilize them.
To prepare for the upcoming events, he needed to create a steady stream of income.
But this reason didn't resonate with Zwalter, who knew nothing of the future.
"What exactly are you planning to do without money or manpower?"
Ghislain glanced around at the vassals, then responded confidently.
"I'll arrange the funds and forces myself. I'm aware the territory has no money. I'm just asking for permission to establish a base and recruit soldiers within the territory."
At this, Albert, the Treasurer, quickly asked. He was curious about how the naïve young lord planned to raise funds on his own.
"What money does the young lord have? Developing land isn't something you can do with a few coins."
"I know. Regardless, I'll take care of the funding, so you don't need to worry."
"No, but where… hah."
Even Albert, who rarely showed emotion, let out a helpless laugh.
Listening to Ghislain's words, it was obvious he had no concept of money.
'Is he planning to rob someone? He's capable of it.'
Before Albert could add more, Homerne wailed in despair.
"Please, just stay still! How much more trouble are you going to cause us? Can't you just sit quietly for once? Please!"
The other vassals, nodding along, agreed with Homerne's desperate plea.
Ghislain crossed his arms and let out a long sigh.
'Ah, looks like getting permission is out of the question. Tsk.'
It was an instinctive response, but those watching frowned even more.
'That rude brat. It's disgraceful for an heir to behave like this.'
Ignoring their frowns, Ghislain pondered deeply.
'No matter how I think about it, it's something I must do.'
Their desire was clear. They wanted him to sit quietly and do nothing.
Of course, Ghislain also found leisure more appealing than work. But with the territory's future at stake, he couldn't just sit idly by.
After all, he was the only one who knew what was coming for Perdium.
'Hmm, their reaction is worse than expected.'
The vassals looked at him with cold eyes, one after another.
The idea of developing the Forest of Demonic Beasts was absurd enough, but it was coming from an heir with barely a sliver of credibility.
How could they possibly trust him?
And no matter how useless or loathsome they found him, they couldn't risk sending the heir into a monster-infested place.
Seeing their unexpectedly cold reaction, Ghislain realized persuasion was futile.
'In my past life, I would've just broken their backs.'
As the Mercenary King, he had dealt with opposition by making them all kneel.
But this was different.
He gave up on convincing the vassals.
No matter what he said, or how he acted, it was pointless when they saw him with contempt.
He looked toward his father, his only possible ally.
Zwalter rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.
'He's my son, but I can't fathom what he's thinking.'
He had been slightly pleased when the boy, who usually avoided him, approached on his own. But that feeling hadn't even lasted a few minutes.
The boy's grand announcement amounted to asking for permission to cause a major disaster.
His boldness was typical of a northerner, but couldn't he have channeled it differently?
'If it were anyone else, I'd throw them in prison. This is what it means to be a parent, I suppose.'
Still, since Ghislain had asked for permission, he felt obligated to answer.
Zwalter sighed and stated firmly,
"I absolutely cannot allow it. Stirring up the forest could lead to monsters invading the territory."
"Well, there's no choice then. Understood."
"Hah! I said no… huh? You understood?"
"Yes, you're not allowing it."
"Right, indeed."
Zwalter was slightly taken aback by Ghislain's calm acceptance.
'Is he really just accepting it? Why?'
Ghislain was not one to take orders quietly.
If he had been, he wouldn't have been called a troublemaker and a scoundrel.
But here he was, nodding obediently without a care.
The vassals were just as bewildered as Zwalter.
"Then, I'll be going now. It was nice seeing everyone again. Hahaha."
Ghislain gave a bright smile and walked away without a hint of hesitation.
A nervous Homerne shouted after him,
"Young lord! If you cause trouble again, we'll lock you in the tower! This time, every vassal will agree!"
"Sure, sure. Do as you like."
Without turning around, Ghislain shrugged his shoulders and left.
Once he was a bit further from the lord's office, he looked at Gillian, who had followed him, and gave an embarrassed grin.
"The mood wasn't great, so I couldn't introduce you. I'm not very popular here."
Honestly, he wasn't popular anywhere.
As if that wasn't an issue, Gillian shook his head with a concerned expression.
"That's all right. Are you okay, though, young lord? It's only natural they didn't grant permission; the Forest of Demonic Beasts is too dangerous. Don't be disappointed."
"Why would I be disappointed?"
Ghislain's face looked genuinely unconcerned, as if he had already let the idea go.
But Gillian was shocked by what he said next.
"Getting permission was just a formality. Whether I got it or not, I was going to proceed regardless."
"Huh? Proceed anyway?"
"Yes. I only brought it up out of courtesy, just in case. Now that I didn't get permission, I'll just have to push forward."
"You can't! The lord directly forbade it!"
If he got caught defying the lord's orders, not even Ghislain would escape punishment.
Especially since he was recruiting private soldiers.
Despite Gillian's worried objections, Ghislain chuckled and replied,
"Don't worry. As long as I succeed, that's all that matters. The results will speak for themselves. I already know the outcome."
Stunned by Ghislain's brazen confidence, Gillian was at a loss for words.
What on earth was this reckless young lord thinking?
"How are you planning to do this? You have no money or manpower."
Ghislain smirked.
"Ah, you wouldn't know, Gillian. I actually have quite a bit of money. In fact, I might be the richest person in our territory."
"What?"
"My wealthy fiancée gave me a lot of money as a breakup gift. I'll use that to start the development. Of course, I'll have to be thrifty until we see some returns. Thinking back, she was a generous woman."
"A… breakup gift?"
Gillian stared in disbelief.
A broken engagement was a serious disgrace in noble society, yet Ghislain seemed downright proud of it.
'Is he easygoing… or just has a big heart?'
Judging by the reactions, it seemed the others in the territory didn't know about the broken engagement.
Since the official process wasn't completed, the matter hadn't yet been publicized, but it was only a matter of time.
And yet, Ghislain hadn't breathed a word about it.
Gillian gaped, too stunned to even speak.
"For the troops… I'll hire mercenaries."
"Mercenaries?"
"Since I can't get support for soldiers from the territory, I'll have to rely on mercenaries. I can't form an army on my own, after all."
"How many do you plan to hire?"
"Two hundred."
Ghislain answered without hesitation, as if he'd already planned it.
Gillian looked shocked. Two hundred was enough to fight a small territorial skirmish.
"Are you really going to go through with the development?"
"Yes. It doesn't matter if others object. What matters is that this is something I must do."
Ghislain's voice was resolute.
Gillian remained silent.
Now he began to understand why the vassals called him a troublemaker and scoundrel.
Worried as he was, Gillian knew Ghislain wouldn't listen to any objections.
Having pledged his lifelong loyalty, the best he could do was ensure Ghislain's safety.
"Understood. I'll protect you as best as I can."
"That's good to hear. Now, let's start by gathering mercenaries."
"Recruiting two hundred at once will inevitably include some riffraff."
Ghislain nodded.
"I know. But we need a certain number to take on that forest, so it can't be helped. We'll find the capable ones later."
"The capable ones…?"
"In the northern region, what's the most skilled small mercenary corps?"
After a moment of thought, Gillian's eyes widened.
"Surely, you don't mean those mad dogs?"
With a sly smile, Ghislain replied,
"Yes. The Cerberus Mercenary Corps. Let's put those mad dogs on a leash."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]