Greji sat at his desk, staring at his scattered notes about the third plan. His grand ideas to transform the state were coming along nicely, but now he needed something unique to attract nobles and commoners alike.
"Festivals are nice," he muttered to himself. "Once a year, they'll bring in crowds. But what about the rest of the year? Hmm…"
That's when it hit him—candy. Sweet, sugary candy. A childhood favorite of his back on Earth. He remembered the simple joy of unwrapping a colorful piece of sweetness, the artificial flavors hitting his taste buds like pure happiness.
"I'll call it... Greji's Sweet!" he announced to the empty room, pointing dramatically at the air. "Candy with my face on the wrapper. Genius!"
Just as he was envisioning his empire of sugar-coated domination, he felt it again—that prickling sensation on the back of his neck. He slowly turned, scanning the room.
"Rose," he called out, his voice wary, "are you in here?"
From the shadows, his little sister emerged, daggers in hand, twirling them like toys. "Big brother," she said sweetly, which only made him more nervous. "I'm bored. Let's play."
Greji sighed, knowing full well there was no escaping. "Fine, fine. What do you want to play?"
Rose's eyes sparkled with excitement as she ran to her closet and pulled out… a pink dress. Not just any pink dress—it was pretty with lace, and suspiciously in Greji's size.
"Wait a minute," Greji began, holding up a hand. "Why do you even have a dress in my size?"
Rose's sweet smile turned into a devilish smirk. "Coincidence."
Greji gulped. "Right. Coincidence. Let's not overthink this."
Defeated, he donned the dress, which fit disturbingly well. "Well, how do I look?" he asked, spinning awkwardly.
"Perfect!" Rose clapped her hands, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Now, you'll be the princess, and my dolls will be your loyal subjects."
"I don't like where this is going," Greji muttered, but he went along with it. After all, he valued his life.
Just as Greji was being crowned Princess of the Playroom by a stuffed bear, the door creaked open. Blake stood in the doorway, balancing a tray of snacks. His usual stoic expression cracked as he took in the scene: Greji in a pink dress, surrounded by dolls, while Rose wore her trademark sinister grin.
"I… uh… brought refreshments?" Blake said, trying and failing to suppress a laugh.
Greji's face turned beet red. "Not. A. Word. Balake."
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Blake replied, setting the tray down.
But Greji wasn't about to let this slide. "You think this is funny, huh? Rose!"
"Yes, big brother?" she asked innocently, though she already knew what was coming.
"Find something for Balake to wear. I think he should join us!"
Rose's eyes lit up as she rummaged through her closet, pulling out a tiny black dress that was clearly her size. "This should do nicely!"
Blake's composure cracked. "Wait, no. My lord, this is unnecessary—"
"Nonsense!" Greji interrupted, grinning. "You wanted to laugh at me? Now it's your turn."
Minutes later, Blake was crammed into the ill-fitting black dress, his arms sticking out awkwardly, and the fabric stretched to its absolute limit.
"Well, well," Greji said, smirking as he admired his handiwork. "Look who's the belle of the ball now, Balake!"
Rose doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach. "You look like a stuffed sausage!"
Blake sighed, his dignity in tatters. "I suppose this is payback."
"Oh, absolutely," Greji said, adjusting his tiara. "Now, fetch me some tea, my loyal subject!"
The impromptu dress-up session devolved into a chaotic mix of laughter, bickering, and Greji dramatically fainting onto a pile of stuffed animals when Rose declared she wanted him to wear heels next time.
By the end of the day, Greji and Rose were rolling on the floor, laughing at Blake's attempts to wiggle out of the too-tight dress.
"Fine," Blake huffed, finally freeing himself. "But next time, I'm bringing a mana recording device to document your humiliation, my lord."
Greji froze, his smirk vanishing. "A mana recording device?"
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you know, the one who records every move you've done? I could capture every embarrassing moment in perfect clarity."
"That's just cruel, Balake," Greji said, crossing his arms. "Besides, we don't even have money for such luxuries. And you think I'm the villain?"
Rose, ever the opportunist, perked up. "Ooooh, if we had one of those, I could record all of big brother's antics and play them back whenever I want!" Her eyes gleamed with an unsettling excitement.
Greji quickly waved his hands. "Absolutely not! Do you know how dangerous it is for my reputation to have something like that around? We're poor, remember? Focus on that!"
Blake smirked. "You're just lucky we can't afford one right now, my lord. But one day…"
"Yeah, yeah," Greji muttered, glaring. "One day, I'll figure out how to keep you and Rose busy so I don't end up in situations like this. That's the real victory."
As the sun set, the three of them sat together, munching on the snacks Blake had brought. For a moment, the chaos subsided, replaced by an easy camaraderie that only a dysfunctional family could achieve.
Still, as Greji stared at the ceiling later that night, dressed once again in his normal clothes, one thought nagged at him.
"I really do need to find a way to keep Rose busy. Maybe I'll put her in charge of the candy store… and make sure we never get enough money for a mana recording device."
With that, he drifted off to sleep, visions of sugary empires and mischievous siblings dancing in his head—and the looming threat of magical blackmail always just one step behind.
Greji and Blake returned to the study room after Rose's playtime shenanigans, both still slightly rattled but determined. Greji's demeanor shifted immediately as he sat at the head of the table, motioning for Blake to summon the loyal subjects of the Wirth territory.
"It's time we talk about rebuilding this place," Greji said, his tone firm. "Without oppressing the commoners."
A few hours later, the key figures of the territory—both the loyal and the less savory—gathered in the manor's meeting hall. Greji, dressed sharply and seated at the head of the long table, exuded an air of authority that was still somewhat unusual for him, though undeniably effective. Blake stood dutifully to his right, subtly glaring at anyone who dared to underestimate his young lord.
When the room settled, Greji began, "I have come to tell you that the Wirth territory will undergo a transformation. Our land has suffered long enough under mismanagement and corruption."
The loyal subjects nodded solemnly, but several of the more corrupt members exchanged uneasy glances. One particularly rotund man, Baron Fatben, leaned forward, his fingers twitching nervously. "And what, precisely, do you mean by this… transformation, my lord?"
Greji smirked, leaning back in his chair. "First, we will teach commoners basic sword techniques so they can fend off wild monsters and bandits. This will strengthen our people and reduce unnecessary casualties. It's an investment in their safety and our territory's stability."
"Teach the commoners?" Fatben scoffed. "Why waste resources on those who cannot contribute?"
Greji's eyes narrowed but continued smoothly. "Second, we will build a school for all—nobles and commoners alike. And it will be free of tuition."
The murmurs grew louder, with one elder noblewoman gasping as if Greji had just suggested giving away the family heirlooms. Another noble, Lord Crandel, barked out, "A school for commoners? My lord, that is not only impractical but outright ludicrous! Such things are unnecessary for their kind."
Greji's parents, who were sitting nearby, glanced at each other uncertainly. His mother whispered, "Well, darling, they do have a point…"
"Yes, such a generous idea might be… expensive," his father added with a nervous chuckle.
Greji slammed his hand on the table, silencing the room. "Expensive? Let me explain the solution." He stood, pacing slightly as he outlined his plan.
"I will have the newly recruited knights slay monsters around the area and clear low-ranked gates. This serves a dual purpose: strengthening our forces and providing us with valuable mana stones. These stones will be sold in bulk orders to generate the funds necessary to construct and maintain the school. Donations and events will sustain it in the long term. I've already calculated this. It's efficient, and it works."
Baron Fatben raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And what of taxes? Surely the commoners must contribute more if we are to fund such ambitious projects."
Greji's eyes gleamed dangerously. "There will be no tax increase. This territory has already been bled dry by corruption." His voice grew cold as he turned to the baron and a few other fidgeting nobles. "Speaking of corruption…"
From his coat, Greji pulled out a bundle of documents and placed them on the table. The room collectively leaned forward as he slid them toward Fatben.
"Recognize these?" Greji asked, his voice dripping with mock sweetness.
The baron's face turned ashen as he scanned the papers. They detailed illicit deals, bribes, and embezzlements—all tied directly to him and a few others in the room.
"How… how did you—" Fatben stammered.
"Oh, just a little gift from some friends," Greji said with a sly grin. He didn't mention that those "friends" were the very scammers these nobles had worked with, now brainwashed into supplying him with dirt.
"I could take these to the kingdom's courts," Greji said, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. "But I'm feeling generous. Instead of stripping you of your titles and assets, I'll let you keep your heads—provided you agree to my terms."
The room was dead silent.
Greji leaned forward, his grin never faltering. "The Wirth territory is going to change, whether you like it or not. You can either support this transformation and redeem yourselves, or I'll personally see to it that your legacy ends in disgrace."
The corrupt nobles exchanged panicked glances before bowing their heads in reluctant agreement.
As the meeting reached its conclusion, Greji stood once again, commanding the room's attention with his now-familiar aura of authority. He clasped his hands behind his back, surveying the gathered nobles, knights, and advisors, both loyal and reluctant.
"I want all of you to understand something very clearly," he began, his voice steady and sharp. "Once the Wirth territory has stabilized and stands on its own feet, I will be leaving."
The room erupted into murmurs of surprise, and a few of the more nervous nobles exchanged wary glances. His parents looked at him in confusion, but Greji raised a hand, silencing the crowd.
"This is not abandonment," Greji clarified. "It is a necessity. There is a larger world out there—a world of potential allies, resources, and threats. I will travel the kingdom and beyond, gathering formidable allies, forging connections with other territories, and securing a future that doesn't just protect the Wirth domain but elevates it. When I return, this land will not just survive—it will thrive."
"But, my lord," one of the loyal knights interjected, "how will we maintain the progress you've built here without your guidance?"
Greji smiled, tapping his temple. "I have eyes everywhere. Eyes that will ensure this territory remains under watchful protection. Don't think for a second that I'll leave this place unattended."
Blake raised a brow, his curiosity piqued. "Eyes everywhere, my lord?"
Greji smirked and gestured dramatically, as though revealing a masterstroke. "Indeed, Balake. I've planted measures—spies, informants, and trusted individuals—who will keep this territory secure and report to me directly. You, my dear assistant, will be the steward of this network while I am away. Consider it my gift to you. A little… 'extra workload.'"
"I was bluffing them" Greji whispered in Blake's ear.
Blake blinked in stunned silence before narrowing his eyes. "So, you're telling me that while you have a wide network around the kingdom, I'll be left babysitting your 'eyes'?"
"Precisely," Greji said, beaming. "Don't worry; you're almost as brilliant as I am. You'll manage."
Blake muttered under his breath, "This feels less like a gift and more like a punishment."
"Ah, but you'll look fantastic doing it," Greji said with a wink.
The nobles watched this exchange with a mix of amusement and awe, not quite sure if they were witnessing madness or genius—or both.
Greji turned back to the crowd, his expression serious once more. "This is your opportunity to prove yourselves. Don't mistake my absence as an invitation to return to your old ways. My 'eyes' will ensure that any treachery is brought to light." His gaze swept over the room, landing briefly on the more corrupt members, who shifted uncomfortably under his stare.
With that, he clapped his hands together. "Now then, let's get to work. Stabilizing the Wirth territory is only the beginning. Soon, we'll be the envy of the entire kingdom—and beyond."
As the meeting adjourned, Blake sighed deeply, already feeling the weight of the added responsibilities. Greji, ever the opportunist, patted him on the shoulder with mock sympathy.
"Don't look so glum, Balake. This is your chance to shine. You're my right-hand man, after all."
"And what exactly will you be doing while I'm drowning in work?" Blake asked.
"Oh, you know," Greji said with a sly grin, "making friends, slaying monsters, possibly saving the world. The usual."
As the meeting adjourned, Blake whispered, "That was impressive, my lord. But how did you manage to pull that off without faltering?"
Greji grinned, his mischievous spark returning. "Simple, Balake. They've never faced a man who could out-scheme them and look this good while doing it."
Blake groaned muttering something about finding a stronger coffee supply for the inevitable chaos Greji would leave behind. "Of course. And it's Blake, my lord."