Chapter 262: The Thriving Arend Island

Arend Island, Leon leaned on his cane and stood atop the embankment on the eastern side of the island, looking down. Beside him was Adele, wearing a dress with a shawl draped over her shoulders. The two looked just like a viscount and his wife out for a stroll while inspecting their territory along the way.

Leon looked down from the embankment. Nearly two hundred workers were bustling back and forth constructing the new port, while ships transporting materials were neatly lined up along the shore.

“I’ve already smoothed out the necessary connections for you. Once a port of this scale is completed, we’ll be able to apply for import and export qualifications. Whether it’s sugar, alcohol, or spices, we can mix your goods in with them and ship them to the southern countries and the colonies in the New World.” Adele explained the situation to Leon.

Leon nodded. Johnny had already informed him about this. As long as they had a legitimate reason to export goods, Johnny had channels through which he could sell the surplus Magic Potions to countries surrounding the Empire. At the very least, they could ensure they would not suffer losses from purchasing Magic Essence from the Witches’ Assembly. Once they opened up markets in those places and expanded the business across the continent, even if they could not develop the market in the western part of the Empire, they would still be capable of continuously absorbing both the Magic Potions they produced themselves and those made from the Magic Essence purchased from the Witches’ Assembly, earning enormous profits.

“You’ve recruited quite a lot of people.” Leon said as he looked at the crowded construction site.

“I only had to raise the wages a little and offer jobs to poach this many workers from nearby ports. Quite a few of them are actually locals from Arend Island.” Adele replied.

“There were still young people on Arend Island?”

Leon looked over the workers in the distance, all of whom were in the prime of their lives and at most only middle-aged. In his impression, the fishing villages on Arend Island had basically been filled entirely with the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. Every time he passed through, the place had felt lifeless, as though once the remaining population died off, the lord here would be left guarding nothing but a deserted island.

“There were no livelihoods on the island that could earn money, so the young people went to larger towns and cities to work. But now we’re building a port, constructing roads and bridges, and establishing self-operated farms and workshops, providing plenty of jobs, with wages even higher than outside, so naturally the young labor force has started returning. Then, within the authority of the lord, we implemented a temporary tax exemption. Now many people from outside have begun moving here as well, and it isn’t just young people, they’ve brought their children too.”

Adele pointed toward the tidal flats in the distance. There really were more than a dozen children of different ages playing in the mud and catching crabs nearby. They were probably the children of the port workers. In the past, it would have been difficult to imagine so many children gathering together to play. Living conditions in the fishing villages of Arend Island had been so poor that there had not even been many children left behind. Most parents who went elsewhere to work would take their children with them directly and try to settle in Southport County or River Valley County.

Because the residents here had previously shared a common understanding: there was no future in remaining on this island.

This was an island gradually dying away, with a Labyrinth disaster that could erupt at some unknown time, a lord burdened by debt and unable to develop the territory, and land with hardly any industries that could be developed…… And so people had scrambled to leave, leaving only the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled behind to wait for death together with the island.

But now, as the vast sums Leon had earned were invested into this island, the island had begun to come back to life.

“After the population started returning, I had the villages conduct a rough census. As of last week, the total population had already exceeded six hundred and was still increasing. There are also many people who go back home every day after finishing work. As the population increases, consumption and demand will increase as well. People have already started spontaneously building taverns and inns near the construction site. I also secured some investment from merchant associations my grandfather knew. We’re planning to build a marketplace here centered around the new port. With more people, our facilities also need to keep up, the Security Office, a clinic……” Adele said.

“A school.” Leon suddenly interjected.

“What did you say?” Adele looked at Leon in surprise.

“If there’s a need, set up a private school. We can hire someone ourselves. At the very least, there should be a place where children can learn to read and write.” Leon replied.

Adele looked at Leon for a moment, then nodded: “Mm, we do need one.”

“Then, can we deploy a regular army now?” Leon asked.

“As for an army, it would be better to wait until the population increases somewhat before applying. But for now, you can station armed personnel on the island by forming a security guard force. You can organize around a hundred people, but weapons can’t be manufactured on the island.” Adele reminded him.

“You’ve done well, Adele. You’ve proven your ability.” Looking at the people in the distance, Leon offered his heartfelt assessment.

Adele was indeed extremely capable. After the territory had been entrusted to her management, the island’s development had progressed remarkably quickly, and she had also kept costs under excellent control.

Back when they had been burdened with debt, even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice, but as long as she had enough money, this viscount’s granddaughter could manage things exceptionally well.

Adele lowered her gaze and thought for a moment before speaking: “No, I actually only did the basic work. I have to admit, the person who truly brought this island back to life was you, Leon.”

“I only provided the money. Besides, it’s not like I’m doing charity. I spent the money developing this territory for my own sake.” Leon said.

“That alone was crucial enough. My grandfather once said something, money can make people happy. I always thought that was merely his way of displaying his ambition to make money, but now that I’ve personally transformed this island from abandonment back into what it is today, I can truly feel that money really can bring people happiness.” Adele said.

She had once been wary of Leon’s activities on this island, believing that his criminal activities would bring enormous risks to the land her grandfather had obtained with such difficulty.

But in the end, Leon had stabilized the situation and even used the money earned from the Labyrinth to revitalize the island, allowing hundreds upon hundreds of people who had once left their homes to return to the island, obtain well-paying jobs, and live and work in peace and contentment in flourishing villages and towns.

Leon now had quite a good reputation as the new lord. Having accompanied Leon all the way here, she could sense the sincerely respectful gazes cast toward him by the people of the territory.

She had no choice but to admit that the person who had truly saved Arend Island was not her, who had spent the past constantly running around in vain, but Leon. ℯℯ𝑙.

“What use is having money if you manage it poorly? You used the money where it needed to be used. That’s your ability and your achievement. Sorry, Adele, I always thought you were just a decorative vase who liked putting on airs……” Leon said, glancing at Adele.

“That’s going a little too far.” Adele protested.

Seeing Adele frown in displeasure, Leon smiled and continued: “Now I have to admit that I misjudged you. The effort you’ve put in has changed my opinion of you.”

“Thank you.” Adele’s heart stirred when she heard this. She lowered her head slightly, secretly glanced at Leon, and replied in a very quiet voice, “Me too……”

“What?” Leon had not heard her clearly and asked.

“Nothing at all!” Adele swiftly turned her face away.