Chapter 351 - 351: Toward the Former Valstine Territory

The royal bloodline had ended and the banner for those plotting revival to raise had vanished.

In reality Rigel had devised a plan and secretly kept them alive, but those who knew that fact were very few.

At least on the surface the Kingdom of Valstine had completely perished.

Now all of the territory was placed under the rule of the Kingdom of Wistaria.

Originally it would not have been strange for Rigel to rule the former Valstine territory as reward for that merit.

Given a new title and protecting the border as frontier count.

Rigel had accomplished work enough for that.

However one year ago he had something largely lacking.

Knowledge regarding rule.

He could kill enemies.

He could crush armies and take castles.

But regarding methods of collecting tax, moving officials, arranging law, and maintaining the people's lives he knew nothing.

No matter how excellent martial power one had one could not rule a territory with that alone.

Therefore Rigel was not immediately appointed as lord but attended the Royal Academy.

"One year since then."

The one year spent at the Royal Academy.

He was by no means a model student.

He let uninteresting classes go in one ear and out the other, and there were also days he spent the whole day fishing for women.

On a whim he belonged to the Health Committee and kendo club and while suitably hiding his power enjoyed pleasant rape.

Even so he had done the minimum study.

He had acquired the minimum knowledge of territory management, finance, law, diplomacy, military administration.

It was not a state of understanding nothing like one year ago.

He had also set his sights on several people who looked usable as subordinates in the future.

Obedient ones.

Sharp-headed ones.

Valiant ones.

Ones who as bad friends would create a pleasant unique rape environment.

Even as a cheat skill holder there was a limit to what Rigel could do alone.

There was no need to handle everything himself.

Selecting appropriate people and placing them in appropriate places.

That too was power necessary for a ruler.

And now it was spring break.

This visit was not mere inspection.

It had meaning as field practice of testing knowledge gained at the academy in actual government affairs.

If he could prove he could be used besides fighting it would not be strange for talk of moving graduation forward to come out.

There was also the possibility of being formally conferred title as frontier count ruling the former Valstine territory just like that.

"Frontier count, huh."

Rigel smiled thinly.

Father Balzac was still well and inheriting the Gousel marquis title would still be ahead.

He did not know how many years or decades he would be made to wait until then.

Then obtaining his own title on land he himself won was not bad.

"I destroyed that country. Me ruling it is most natural… thinking that is natural, right."

—-

The carriage advanced along the highway and eventually entered the former Valstine territory.

The instant they passed the weathered stone pillar showing the territorial border the sound of wheels treading dry earth felt slightly heavier.

It was not that the state of the road had actually changed.

Even so the fact that from here on it had once been an enemy country cast a dark shadow on every landscape reflected in the eyes.

Outside the window remnants of war remained here and there.

Collapsed stone walls, a fort that had burned down, a bridge mid-repair.

Even now one year after the fires of war vanished scars remained on this land.

On the other hand in the fields along the highway new sprouts lined up.

Farmers silently tilled the soil and wagons loaded with goods also came and went.

Lives that had once stopped due to war were probably beginning to move little by little.

"More decent a state than I thought."

Rigel muttered while looking outside the window.

It was a mutter close to talking to himself but the attendant sitting opposite immediately reacted.

"I hear Count Blade-kakka is pouring effort into reconstruction."

"Hmuun."

Currently the one bearing provisional rule of the former Valstine territory was the Blade count house.

Comparing titles alone they were lower ranked than the Gousel marquis house.

But the Blade house was known as a family line excelling in martial power for generations.

To rule land immediately after occupation knowledge of law and finance alone was not enough.

Capturing those who would not obey, confiscating weapons, and if necessary executing.

Those who ruled occupied territory were also required to have cold-bloodedness that did not hesitate at bloody decisions and certain martial power.

In that point Count Blade was suitable.

One year ago after Rigel and the others returned to the Kingdom of Wistaria Count Blade remained on site leading the army.

Disarmament of the former army.

Maintenance of public order.

Check against the Heidegger Federation and Ahmad Holy Nation.

The result of arranging the order necessary for occupied territory was probably the present landscape.

Even so now some kind of problem seemed to be occurring inside the territory.

Rigel had not yet received a detailed report.

There was a hint that both the king and Father had intentionally not conveyed the details.

Go to the site and confirm the situation with your own eyes.

It was probably that.

Rigel exhaled small and leaned his body on the seat.

It was a pain.

But exactly because he had been told nothing a feeling of looking forward to it also welled somewhat.

"If older sister came first most things seem likely to have been settled."

"I hear Lady Mesterica is an extremely excellent person."

"Aa. Excellent enough to be too much."

Mesterica was capable.

She could handle both sword and magic and could also take command of the army.

She was also well-versed in government affairs and finished most things alone.

If there was a problem it was that exactly because she could do it herself she did not try to rely on others.

Rather than wait for someone slow at work she tried to finish everything herself.

She had no mercy toward incompetent opponents and was not the personality to kindly comfort those who failed either.

None other than Rigel himself before awakening to the cheat skill [Rape] had often been bullied by Mesterica.

"It would be good if she's getting along with the Blade count house."

"Is there some concern?"

"With the count himself there should be no problem."

In Rigel's mind the face of another person floated.

Cynthia von Blade.