"Hm? What brings you here, Sir Knight Commander?"
Feigning ignorance, Ghislain asked with an innocent tone, even though he'd already seen the list of morning gifts, including one from Randolph.
It was obvious that Randolph couldn't wait for a thank-you and was anxious to come himself.
Randolph looked at Ghislain, who was clearly playing coy, and swallowed nervously.
'Yesterday, I saw just how merciless this guy could be. How could he intend to keep everything to himself like a greedy tyrant?'
Though he cursed Ghislain internally, he maintained a bright smile outwardly.
"Seeing the young lord's commanding presence yesterday, I am convinced that the future of our estate is bright. But, young lord, do you think the estate will thrive if you only seek personal gain?"
Ghislain tilted his head slightly and responded.
"Personal gain? I clearly said I would support the estate in place of what Rayfold used to provide."
Randolph shook his head.
"No, young lord, there are some things that money alone cannot solve—like the knights."
In truth, the position of Knight Commander in Perdium was practically a thankless job.
The knights constantly had to battle in the northern borders, and the pay was abysmal. The lack of resources meant there were always too few knights, and recently there had even been defectors.
The one most outraged when Jamal and Phillip defected was Randolph, but he also understood them the best.
'Honestly, who would want to work as a knight here?'
Knights were valuable assets. Becoming a knight required both talent and years of training. In other regions, knights received high pay, and some lords even granted them small estates from which they could collect taxes.
The knights who remained in Perdium fell into two categories: those who still had some loyalty left and those who were slightly unhinged and wanted to fight barbarians in the north.
But even loyalty fades on an empty stomach.
Randolph adopted a sorrowful expression.
"To sustain the knighthood… a small donation from you, young lord, would be necessary. Perhaps a… development fund?"
In essence, he was asking for money specifically for the knight order, outside of taxes or standard support.
Ghislain looked as though he didn't understand the request.
The term "development fund" was one Ghislain liked to say to others, but didn't particularly enjoy hearing directed at him. It was the phrase he used when demanding money from Amelia, after all.
"I don't have any money, though," he replied without batting an eye, looking particularly smug.
Randolph clenched his fist, barely managing to restrain himself as he pretended to scratch his head.
'Stay calm. I have to get that money somehow.'
"Haha, saying you're out of money is like a bandit saying he won't steal. Haha."
His analogy was quite pointed.
Ghislain laughed inwardly but outwardly mirrored Randolph's laugh.
"I already have plans for everything I own. So technically, it's already spent. Haha."
Randolph massaged his forehead, taking deep breaths to keep his anger in check.
'Patience. There's nowhere else for the money to come from.'
Even if he went to Albert, the answer was always the same: no funds available. Even when funds appeared, they were immediately allocated elsewhere, leaving the knight order to languish.
With Ghislain's offer to support the estate in place of Rayfold, things were still the same. It would just cover what they usually received, meaning there would be no increased budget for the knights.
Randolph wasn't going to let this opportunity slip.
"Are you really going to spend all that money on yourself? You should be investing in the estate!"
Ghislain nodded, feigning amazement.
He parroted Randolph's words back to him like an echo.
"Yes, investing in the estate. Of course, I plan to spend it all on the estate."
"For the estate… how?"
"I have a plan."
Randolph asked cautiously, "Does that plan include support for the knights?"
Ghislain widened his eyes.
"Nope. Not at all."
Randolph lowered his head, taking deep breaths to calm his rising frustration.
'He really is planning to keep it all to himself. Should I resort to threats?'
While he was contemplating extreme measures, the treasurer, Albert, appeared.
"Ahem, I see someone else got here first. Young lord, how is your health?"
Seeing Albert's arrival, Randolph tensed and blocked his path.
"Ah, Treasurer! What brings you here? Shouldn't you be at work? I was already in discussion with the young lord, so perhaps you could come back later."
Randolph tried to usher him away, but Albert firmly held his ground.
He clicked his tongue and spoke in a lecturing tone.
"Knight Commander, shouldn't you be focusing on training instead of lingering here? Every drop of sweat in training saves a drop of blood in war."
"Hah! As if someone who's never touched a sword would know. I've got it covered, so go back to counting your money."
"You have to actually have money to count it."
The two men smiled at each other, yet their eyes conveyed hostility.
Ghislain shook his head at the sight.
It didn't look like these two would leave his room anytime soon.
In the end, Ghislain addressed Albert.
"So, Treasurer, are you here for a… donation or development fund as well?"
At the direct question, Albert coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem, young lord, you are so astute. Naturally, someone with your intelligence would bring home such a treasure as the Rune Stone. Truly remarkable!"
Though Albert was doing his best to flatter him, it was as weak as Randolph's attempts.
Ghislain chuckled to himself as Albert gazed at him with admiration.
"Ahem, I'm grateful you're offering support in place of Rayfold, but… we do need a bit of money for some urgent matters."
Ghislain nodded.
"If it's that urgent, you must be talking about the debt, then."
"Exactly. I believe repaying our debt should be the top priority. Ultimately, the estate's debt will be passed on to you, young lord. The estate's debt is yours, and your money belongs to the estate, does it not?"
Albert smiled warmly, but Ghislain looked at him as if he'd just heard the most absurd thing.
"No, it doesn't."
"Pardon?"
"My money is my money."
This man really thought he could pull one over on him?
With a tone as sharp as a blade, Ghislain shut down Albert's argument. Albert's expression faltered for a moment.
'Wow, this kid… a real money fiend.'
Albert cursed inwardly but managed to keep his outward expression civil.
"Ahem, regardless of whose money it is, isn't it unreasonable to ignore the estate's struggles, young lord? If we could just settle the debt, the estate's finances would improve rapidly. This is all for the estate."
Ghislain hadn't realized Albert's face could be so expressive. Normally, he maintained an icy demeanor, but now his face kept shifting between irritation and a forced smile.
Ignoring Albert's words, Ghislain was instead fascinated by the various emotions crossing his face. Finally, he tilted his head and responded.
"Well, I don't have any money, though."
At those words, Albert's face twisted, just as Randolph's had earlier. Struggling to keep his composure, he slowly asked each word with effort.
"Why… don't you have any?"
"As I told the Knight Commander, it's all accounted for already. So, I don't have any."
Unable to comprehend, Albert began pleading.
"Where could you possibly spend such a large sum? Shouldn't you at least consult us?"
"Why would I consult you about my own money? I'll handle it, so don't worry about it."
"Don't worry about it? How could we not worry!"
Albert protested, but Ghislain was growing tired of dealing with the two of them.
"I'll be using it for the estate, so you don't need to be concerned."
Of course, neither of them believed him.
Considering Ghislain's past behavior, they were sure he'd squander it on his own pleasures.
They protested desperately.
"But young lord, what could be more urgent than paying off the estate's debts? Don't you care about the wasted interest?"
"What are you saying? Supporting the knight order is more important than the debt! Look at other estates. Even if they're in debt, they keep their knights in top shape. The knights are the strength of the estate! Strength!"
"Ah, such ignorance! If we don't pay the interest, that money could be used in so many places. Forget the knights!"
"You've lost touch with reality, sitting in an office all day. If we don't have strength, we'll lose everything, debt or no debt."
"Tsk, tsk. That's thuggery, not knighthood. There's an order to things."
"The order is to support the knights first!"
At some point, they stopped talking to Ghislain altogether and began arguing with each other.
Unable to get any money from him, they were venting their frustrations on each other.
"What's there to discuss? We pay off the debt first! Our estate has no credit!"
"If we bolster the knights, I'll handle the debt collectors! A sword trumps debt!"
"..."
Ghislain sighed, about to forcibly remove them when a knight entered the room.
"Young lord, the lord urgently requests your presence."
"Oh, really? Then I must go at once."
Seizing the chance to escape, Ghislain got up to leave, but Randolph and Albert tried to follow.
The knight, however, stopped them with a firm expression.
"The lord specifically requested that the young lord come alone."
Under the lord's strict order, the two men could only watch from behind, shouting as he left.
"We need to pay off the debt! Don't take him away!"
"Support the knight order! If you don't, I'll block every penny you spend! I'll destroy it all!"
Leaving the two bickering behind, Ghislain made his way to his father's office.
Honestly, if he'd stayed any longer, all three of them might've lost their minds.
The guards outside the office opened the door slowly as Ghislain approached.
Creeeak.
A chill filled the air, sending a shiver through his chest.
The room was thick with tension, like the calm before a storm.
With his back turned to the door, Zwalter stood, gazing out the window.
Sensing the gravity of the atmosphere, Ghislain spoke cautiously.
"You called for me?"
"Yes, how is your health?"
"It seems my injuries weren't severe. I've recovered faster than expected."
"That's good. Be careful to avoid further harm as you undertake important tasks."
"Yes, I'll remember that."
Despite his response, Ghislain couldn't help but feel puzzled.
He'd had worse injuries before, yet his father had never shown such concern.
Still gazing out the window, Zwalter continued.
"The weather is pleasant today. So, have you thought about how you'll use the funds from the Rune Stone sale?"
"Yes, as I mentioned before, I'll make up for the lost support from Rayfold and use the rest for my own plans."
After a moment's silence, Zwalter replied.
"Very well. Do as you see fit. I trust that whatever you decide will be for the benefit of the estate."
"Yes."
"You've caused quite a bit of trouble since you were young, you know. You brought plenty of losses to the estate."
"…Yes."
"When the vassals wanted you confined on multiple occasions, I always forgave you. Because, after all, you're my son. That's a father's heart."
"Yes, well…"
Ghislain tilted his head again, even more confused. He couldn't follow the direction of the conversation.
Had his father called him here out of concern for his injuries or to reproach him for past mistakes?
Then, Zwalter repeated the words he'd said earlier.
"I trust that whatever you decide, it will be for the benefit of the estate."
"…."
Ghislain's eyes narrowed, his suspicions growing.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]