Chapter 205
Chapter 205: ‘Family-like Territory’ (2)
Family.
Just hearing that word warms the heart.
No noble has ever recruited talent with such words until now. To them, a steward was someone disposable whenever they deemed necessary.
Unless one had sworn loyalty and spent a long time together, it was impossible to hear such words.
Yet, the Chief Officer of Penris brought up the word “family” even before starting the work. It felt as though he was extending a hand, inviting them to stay forever.
The students felt a heartwarming excitement at the thought of becoming a member of this “family-like territory.”
Malron also held the contract tightly in his hands, fighting back tears.
“Mom, Dad! I’ve finally got a chance to become a steward of a Great Territory! The hardships are over now! The pay is amazing, so I’ll treat you well!”
Of course, this couldn’t be decided immediately.
He needed to consult with his family and take some time to organize his thoughts.
Claude continued with a gentle smile.
“When you’ve made your decision, just come find me. I will be staying at the Seiron Academy for a while. For those with families in distant places, we will send soldiers to safely escort them to the territory if you just let us know.”
The students beamed with bright smiles.
For those living nearby, it wouldn’t be hard to move with their families. However, for those with families far away, relocating to another kingdom was no easy task.
But the fact that soldiers would be sent to ensure everything was safe was exceptional. Truly, it was a generous territory.
Malron, who was contemplating how to persuade his parents to relocate, finally let go of his last concern.
“This is amazing; the treatment here is incomparable to anywhere else. I can’t wait to get home… Wait? What’s this?”
Malron noticed a tiny line written in the corner of the contract.
“The period is… 20 years?”
At Malron’s mumble, the other students also began to look for the line.
“Why specify something like this?”
“Isn’t it natural to stay until retirement?”
Normally, becoming a steward is hard; retirement periods can be decided freely.
In cases where one doesn’t want to work but has to continue, it’s usually because they’re too terrified of the lord to resign or feel unable to refuse requests to keep working.
Betrayal or acting as a spy would surely cost one their life in any case. It’s quite rare to specify a duration like this, as it was more common in merchant agreements than in steward contracts.
Claude began to sweat coldly as he spoke.
“Aha, that means we ensure your employment during that time. Since we are to become family, it signifies that we will take responsibility until the end.”
Malron and the other students nodded in agreement immediately. The notion of being taken care of felt truly familial.
While not being able to move elsewhere could be a downside, in these times, that was not a consideration.
As the atmosphere completely shifted, Claude whispered to Wendy.
“Well? How was it?”
“…”
With the territory struggling due to a lack of manpower, they couldn’t hinder Claude’s actions.
But being next to a Bad Guy made it seem like everyone would end up worse off.
Ultimately, Wendy decided to remain silent.
“It’s not like they will be exploited without compassion, so it should be alright.”
Ghislaine’s principle was that those who worked must be compensated generously. Thus, the stewards of Penris received several times more pay than those in other territories.
The problem was that even if they didn’t want to, they had to accept it.
“After all, it’s not like they have any other options besides our territory.”
If they didn’t even come to Penris, most of the students wouldn’t find suitable work.
Better to come to Penris, even if the work was a bit tough, than starve.
“It’s surprisingly fitting.”
Had it not been for this timing, it would have been hard to gather so many people even using Claude’s connections.
He once again felt that the lord’s timing in such matters was remarkable.
*
A few days after the explanation concerning talent recruitment concluded, Malron, whose home was nearby, was the first to find Claude.
“My family has decided to relocate too. Thank you for your help, Chief Officer.”
“Oh, that’s a good decision. What do your parents do?”
“Yes! My father is a carpenter, and my mother makes dyes!”
At Malron’s answer, Claude swiftly turned his head and bit his lip.
So, they recruited one steward but ended up with two engineers?
Suppressing a laugh while managing his expression, Claude said,
“I will send soldiers to assist with the move, so don’t worry. And unlike here, there will be plenty of work, so as long as your parents are willing, they can earn quite a bit of money.”
“Thank you!”
After that, countless students came to see Claude over the next few days.
Most students resolved to follow Claude. With the drought, it was hard for everyone to make ends meet, and opportunities to work in a Great Territory were rare.
Staying here would mean only a handful of talents receiving good treatment.
“I’ll work hard! My family will be moving with me!”
“My family decided to stay. Is it truly as good as you say? Because I need to send money home every month.”
Claude greeted them with a bright smile and embraced each one as they arrived.
“Don’t worry at all. We will take care of everything in the territory. You also don’t need to worry at all about the livelihoods of families that remain behind.”
This time, it wasn’t a lie.
Those who became stewards in Penris would receive several times the usual pay.
Moreover, they would look after the livelihoods of both those wishing to relocate and those remaining behind.
However, everyone would have to make Penris their home.
“Sorry, juniors. I have no choice if I want to survive. Let’s truly stay like family for a long time. Just pay us well, okay?”
Tears glimmered at the corners of Claude’s eyes as he embraced the students.
*
Claude was extraordinarily busy.
He needed to meet not only the students but also the senior friends and acquaintances of his mentor.
Tracking down each person one by one was exceptionally inefficient.
“Gather as many from the list as possible and bring them here. If we provide food, they’ll come even if they don’t want to. If they resist, drag them here!”
With Claude increasingly resembling Ghislaine, the soldiers sprang into action.
They sent heartfelt letters and food to those who had returned home, but they could easily meet those who lived relatively close using food as bait.
Most were embroiled in the mentor’s rebellion and were either out of work or receiving terrible treatment.
Some glared at Claude with resentment, some greeted him with warmth, and some looked at him with a mix of envy and bewilderment.
Every time they arrived, Claude persuaded them to join him.
“Staying here will leave you with no hope, anyway.”
“That’s true, but… leaving home suddenly is a bit…”
“Or you’ll starve to death here? No one will hire you? What can you do right now?”
“Ugh…”
Leaving home wasn’t easy. But the abandoned ones had no other choices left.
The seniors and friends, unable to resist Claude’s persuasion, decided to go to Penris.
Staying here would mean they would have to live like beggars anyway.
One of the friends, Billy, representing those gathered, asked Claude.
“I appreciate you succeeding and finding us a position, but… why did you come looking for us instead of the Ruthania folks?”
Claude replied with a deliberately sorrowful expression.
“It’s not my fault, but it’s true that I was the trigger of this incident. Thinking about how you’ve struggled has made me very uncomfortable all this time.”
Billy and the friends exchanged somewhat suspicious glances.
“You… you’re not that kind of person, are you?”
‘This bastard?’
Since they had known him for a long time, they weren’t easily fooled. But Claude managed his expression as he continued.
“I’m not the same as I used to be. I’ve truly been gritting my teeth and working painfully hard. It’s been to the point where I wanted to die… But anyway, I’m the Chief Officer of a Great Territory now. Can you believe that it’s all for you?”
In that moment, Billy covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes trembling.
“Why would you go that far…?”
The Claude he knew wasn’t the type to do such things. While he was smart, he was more like an oddball.
Yet, to think he carried such deep friendship and guilt over the past within himself.
Claude gazed warmly at Billy and declared,
“We’re… friends, right?”
“Claude!”
Billy couldn’t contain his rising emotions and hugged Claude. Claude also misted his eyes as he embraced Billy tightly.
“I’m sorry… I am really sorry…”
“Don’t apologize, you jerk! It’s not your fault! It’s okay! We’re okay!”
Other friends watching nearby also teared up and surrounded the two. Everyone, regardless of gender, piled in.
“Don’t cry, Claude! You haven’t done anything wrong!”
“Isn’t it impressive that you still remember to check on us even now?”
“Never apologize again!”
Claude thought to himself as his friends reacted so intensely.
‘No, it’s not about being sorry… I’m apologizing for bringing you to our territory…’
After a heartfelt confession of friendship passed, a slightly embarrassed Billy cleared his throat and asked.
“Ahem, about the contract… The pay is great, and the provisions for family and housing are excellent, but why is ours 30 years? I heard the juniors have 20 years?”
“Well… it’s because I want you all to be able to work without worry for as long as possible. Don’t worry about making ends meet anymore; just focus on showcasing your talents.”
‘The more you learn, the more you roll. Just die together with me there. Keep showcasing your abilities till you die.’
“Claude, you…”
Billy looked at Claude again with quivering eyes. Claude replied with warmth once more.
“We’re… friends, right?”
“Claude!”
A warm hug began anew, and Wendy, watching from the side, sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling.
Thus, Claude spent about two months at the Academy, reeling in many talented individuals. It was a remarkably successful venture.
Even among those who lived far away and communicated only through letters, several would undoubtedly come.
“Now, let’s head to Penris Territory!”
Behind Claude followed numerous people. Not just friends and students, but their families were moving along as well.
Having bribed the nearby local lords and nobles with food, there was little friction in the relocation.
Those unable to move this time would be assisted by additional troops from Penris.
Before leaving, Claude gazed at the Academy’s main gate for a long time.
“Anna, I hope you’re doing well.”
He hadn’t met Anna. She was currently dispatched to another academy for work related to compiling history books.
Having left a considerable amount of money and food with the headmaster, she would surely be surprised upon her return.
‘…’
Claude felt a twinge of regret, yet also a bit of relief as he turned away.
*
And finally, the large procession entered the borders of Penris.
Everyone looked a bit tired but appeared healthy. The sheer number of people slowed their pace slightly, but the journey had no major issues.
Ghislaine greeted the newcomers with a bright smile.
“Claude has truly reeled in… no, welcome all! I am Baron Penris, the lord of this land. I consider you all my family and will always give you the best treatment!”
“Wow!”
At that proclamation, the people erupted in enthusiasm. Ghislaine took the opportunity to add fervently,
“From now on, we are family and one body! We live together, and we die together!”
People were genuinely moved. They had never even heard a noble say such words to ordinary residents before.
With the lord declaring this a “family-like territory,” all worries they felt upon arriving in an unfamiliar place seemed to vanish.
They didn’t realize the sincerity behind the declaration of dying together.
Regardless, Ghislaine kept her promise and provided them with the best treatment. She freely distributed housing, land, and wages as upfront payments.
“It’s incredible to receive such treatment! It feels like a dream!”
“I’m glad I came! This place is a land of opportunity!”
“The lord seems like a genuinely good person! It’s a totally different vibe from other nobles!”
Everyone was overwhelmed with a feeling akin to floating on clouds every day.
Though a bit behind compared to what they imagined, seeing construction happening here and there made them feel reassured that they would soon flourish.
In fact, the families who had come with scholars were even happier to have endless job opportunities.
Living conditions improving immensely compared to the Seiron Kingdom, they had no choice but to feel satisfied.
The newly appointed stewards began adopting important administrative positions within the territory, taking charge of crucial tasks.
Billy, a friend of Claude, found himself handling duties and initially took it lightly.
“It looks like there’s a bit more work than expected… But I can manage. Seriously, if there was this much work, he should have asked for help sooner.”
Malron and other graduates were brimming with motivation.
“I must repay the lord’s kindness! I will become a steward worthy of this treatment!”
It was a grueling schedule to teach at Penris Academy during the day and handle administrative tasks in the evenings.
Naturally, they gained considerable power in the territory.
With high pay and power, they began with overflowing enthusiasm, bracing through any struggles.
However, their chores weren’t all they had to tackle.
As Billy managed his decently sized area, he began to feel something was off.
“What is… this? Is this a territory?”
The deeper he dug, the more evident it became that this wasn’t a typical territory. Penris was operating in a bizarre and alarmingly irregular manner.
“What the… insane…”
As he watched piles of documents stack up beside him in real-time, Billy’s face turned pale.
