"Gyaaah!"
Claude let out a strange scream as he flew backward.
"Hey! Why'd you hit me?! Wendy, aren't you supposed to be my guard?"
Still sprawled on the floor, Claude yelled out, but Wendy, supposedly his guard, didn't move an inch when Belinda attacked him.
Ignoring his protests, Belinda pointed a finger at him and shouted angrily.
"How dare you try to build such a vulgar establishment on our young master's land!"
This was the first estate that Ghislain, whom she had cared for like precious gold, had ever been given.
A casino? Absolutely unacceptable for Ghislain's former tutor.
"See that? His head is completely filled with gambling nonsense! He becomes head butler and the first thing he wants to do is build a casino!"
"No, no! Just listen to me! I'm not saying I want to gamble! I've quit already!"
"Quit? And the first thing out of your mouth is to build a casino? A dog's more likely to quit chasing bones!"
Belinda's words made even the vassals look doubtful.
Claude flailed his hands in protest.
"That's not it! Hear me out. We'd turn this place into an entertainment city like Auston. With some good publicity, nobles would come flocking here and spend tons of money!"
"…."
While still suspicious, even Belinda had to pause at that.
It was true that Auston drew many visiting nobles, and Baron Auston had made a fortune because of it.
Seeing the others' interest piqued, Claude quickly continued, eager to seize the moment.
"We could frame it as a cultural city, a tourist spot. The townsfolk would also earn money from hosting visitors."
"Not entirely unreasonable…"
Belinda stroked her chin, nodding slowly.
It did seem possible that they could rake in money if they did it right.
Still, calling gambling a cultural activity was a stretch.
"I've looked into it, and there's no city like that in the kingdom of Lutania. We could design it to be larger and more luxurious from the start. Auston, after all, grew naturally, and there's a bit of roughness to it."
Auston, too, had once been a barren place like Fenris, without resources or specialties. Over time, it developed into a place where gamblers and shady figures naturally gathered and grew.
A city that became a symbol of decadence, without any formal policies or planning.
That was the pleasure city of Auston.
"Even nobles, no matter how much they pretend to be respectable, are always looking for entertainment. And not just nobles—mercenaries and adventurers will come too. The more people coming and going, the more money will flow in, and more people will settle."
Claude spoke confidently.
The vassals, who had initially looked shocked, started to nod thoughtfully.
Gaining their support, Claude turned to Ghislain.
"So, what do you think? Once the city's set up, we'll be making money just by sitting back and watching. Money duplicating itself? Now, who can resist that?"
Ghislain, who had been silently listening, chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
"Well, it's an interesting idea. I might consider a small town for something like that one day."
"One day? Then, what about now?"
"Isn't it obvious? We stick to the original plan."
"No, my lord! I'm saying we shouldn't waste money like this!"
Any other lord might have been tempted by the proposal.
With enough Rune Stones, they could make a city as grand as Auston.
But Ghislain, who knew he'd someday face the kingdom's strongest ducal house, didn't see it as a good choice.
"I'm well aware of the estate's issues. Among them, what's the most urgent?"
"Well, they're all problems, but… I'd say the most urgent is food. We're currently buying it because there isn't enough. We can't keep doing that. When the money runs out, everyone will starve."
"Food, huh… Actually, I already have a plan for that. Good timing. I'll take care of the food, so just secure some land for cultivation."
"Oh, for crying out loud…"
Claude looked at Ghislain with an exasperated expression.
He'd just explained that the land was barren, incapable of producing sufficient yield! Had the lord even been listening?
"My lord, I've been telling you this land isn't suitable for crops. No one could revive it. Not unless the god of agriculture himself intervenes… Even the goddess might turn her nose up at it."
"It'll be fine. I'll handle it."
Claude's expression grew more incredulous.
"…My lord, have you ever farmed before? Know much about farming methods?"
"No, not really."
Having spent his life fighting, he obviously hadn't.
"…Are you secretly the god of agriculture? Born with a hidden divine gift?"
"Not in the least."
"Then what kind of miracle are you going to pull off to increase food production? Do you think other lords don't do it because they're lazy? They don't because they can't! Which is why we should start by raking in cash!"
When Claude persisted with his argument, Ghislain smirked.
"Well then, if I solve this problem, what will you do?"
"What?"
"How about a wager? Let's see if I can increase food production or not."
"Ha, and how would you do that?"
"You don't need to know that. How about it? If I win, you'll shut up and do as you're told from now on."
Claude snorted.
A wager with a gambling expert like him? And one with such obvious odds?
"What kind of wager doesn't involve money?"
"You don't have any money. Ah, but if I win, you'll work as an unpaid servant for ten years. I'll give you food and shelter, but you'll have to do anything I say, without complaint."
Claude did have a debt of 2,500 gold to Ghislain, but he was still paid a salary.
After all, he had his own life, and everyone needs some spending money now and then.
If he lost, it would mean giving all that up, living with absolutely nothing.
Claude's face of disbelief turned into a sly smile.
"And the timeframe? Don't make it too long."
"I'll give you a generous three months."
"…I'm sorry, what?"
Claude's jaw dropped.
Not three years, but three months to see results?
It was the dead of winter. Even if he planted something now, it would be a miracle if it even sprouted.
Suppressing a laugh, Claude confirmed the wager.
"Alright, but if I win?"
"What do you want?"
His heart racing, Claude put on a serious face, hiding his excitement.
"Well… It's a bit awkward to say, given my debt to you, but you know what I mean."
"Alright. If you win, I'll give you 5,000 gold. How about going back to Anna?"
The mention of 5,000 gold shocked everyone around them.
That was enough for Claude to live in luxury for the rest of his life.
"Stop it! Don't do this!"
"My lord, this wager is absurd."
Belinda and Gillian stepped forward, trying to dissuade him.
Ghislain might have his reasons, but three months?
Even he couldn't make barren land fertile in that time.
The vassals couldn't allow the lord to make such a reckless wager.
"Oh, what's this? Are you all interfering with the lord's grand plans? Step aside and let him be," Claude said with exaggerated seriousness.
His slimy smirk made Belinda snap at the others.
"What are you all doing? Stop him!"
Pressured by her, the vassals stepped forward, one by one.
"My lord, this is too much. Please reconsider."
"Claude is right. This land is mostly rock, and even where there is soil, it's too poor and dry for crops to grow properly."
As everyone tried to dissuade him, Kaor stood back, grinning, clearly enjoying the situation, no matter the outcome.
Belinda glared at him, but Kaor merely shrugged, as if to say, "Would he even listen?"
Ignoring them, Ghislain looked at Claude and asked again.
"Are you in or out? If you're scared, feel free to back down."
"Hah!"
Claude didn't answer immediately, letting out a hollow laugh.
'Why's he so confident? There's clearly no way to make it work.'
He had no doubt he'd win.
But Ghislain's assured attitude made him feel uneasy.
Having spent years in gambling dens, Claude could tell Ghislain wasn't bluffing to hide his nerves.
He genuinely believed he'd win.
'What could he be planning? Is there any crop that can grow in three months?'
Claude racked his brain, recalling his old academy lessons.
Nothing came to mind that could grow in three months, especially not in winter… but he couldn't be too sure.
"What crop are you planning to grow? Wheat, right? You can't just grow something inedible and make us eat it."
"Of course, wheat's the best."
Claude clenched his fist.
'Perfect. There's absolutely no way. Wheat can't grow in three months.'
He barely restrained the grin threatening to break out.
Whatever Ghislain was planning, this was an easy win.
'Did I overestimate my lord? He doesn't even know how to grow wheat. Did he expect me to throw the game to save his pride? How long have we known each other?'
Claude gave Ghislain a sly smile.
"I mean… I've quit gambling, but… I'm in."
"Good. The wager's set. Everyone here is a witness. If I win, you'll work for free for ten years. If I lose, you get 5,000 gold and can return home."
Claude nodded, grinning, but the others wore troubled expressions.
What on earth was the lord thinking, making such a reckless bet?
Belinda, unable to stop Ghislain, signaled Wendy with a hand gesture, drawing her finger across her neck.
It meant to take care of Claude quietly later.
Wendy nodded, her face serious.
But Claude hadn't missed it.
With a mocking tone, he addressed Ghislain.
"My lord… What's the point of the wager if I can't even leave with my winnings? Wouldn't mean much if I couldn't go anywhere with my prize, would it?"
Ghislain laughed.
"As the estate's head butler, everyone here is responsible for Claude's safety. If anything happens to him, you'll all answer to me."
At that, Wendy glanced at Belinda and shrugged.
Belinda stamped her foot in frustration.
"Argh! This is infuriating!"
Gillian, who had also been planning to step in if things got out of hand, wore a similarly irritated expression.
With the lord's direct order, he was now unable to act.
Calling off the wager now would only make Ghislain look foolish.
Claude's face lit up with joy.
"Hahaha! Well, I'll go get that land ready, then. Plenty of empty spots, so this'll be quick."
As Claude happily turned to leave, Ghislain called out in a low voice.
"But if I see you slacking off or simply waiting for the three months to pass, I'll count that as my victory. So don't think you can just coast through this."
"Oh, of course. I'm not that petty. No need to worry. Hahaha!"
Nearly dancing, Claude left the room, with Wendy sighing and following behind.
The remaining people stared at Ghislain, bewildered.
None of them could understand what the lord was planning.
Unfazed, Ghislain rose leisurely from his seat.
"Well, I suppose it's time for me to start moving as well."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]