LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 667
“Is it time to start learning some magic?”
“This place is my hometown. Since I’ve worked for the merchant group for a long time, most of the territory residents know me. I also know many of them.”
Rio traveled around the territory leading the merchant group. Especially dealing mostly with daily necessities, it was impossible for people not to know Rio.
“I know very well how they live. Most of them live in poverty.”
Baron Magrell was a greedy lord, imposing excessive taxes and trying to snatch anything he could from others.
Of course, the people under such a lord wouldn’t be living well. They were all struggling under the heavy tax burden.
“I might not have a lot of goods, but I have considerable experience as a merchant. I’ve seen the problems in the territory firsthand.”
Once the floodgates opened, Rio gained more confidence and continued talking.
“Baron Magrell has hoarded plenty of gold and food in the warehouse. We need to distribute that first to support the weary territory residents. They need to regain their strength before they can do anything.”
“And?”
“I plan to lower the tax rates and offer loans at low interest to invigorate the market. That way, consumption will gradually increase.”
Rio gestured around the map as he spoke.
“I also know what each area needs and what’s lacking. I’m thinking of repairing the damaged facilities in each city and town and building what’s missing.”
Rio seemed excited, his eyes sparkling at the thought of developing the territory.
“Public order isn’t great either. I’ll enhance it so that the merchant group and territory residents can move freely. I plan to recruit knights and soldiers as well.”
“Recruiting knights won’t be easy, will it?”
“For now, I’ll invite retired knights and freelance knights. We can’t spare any expense to protect the territory.”
This experience made Rio realize he needed power to protect what was his.
And to gain such power, money was necessary. But with a gold mine, he was confident he could handle the financial aspect.
That’s why Baron Magrell was trying to swallow the House of Rax before it grew bigger.
After that, Rio discussed various policies and plans, all aimed at rapidly developing the territory.
With a smile, he shared his thoughts with Ghislaine.
“Although it will cost a lot at first, if people’s lives stabilize, it will ultimately return as greater tax revenue. When territory residents thrive, the territory will naturally prosper.”
Upon hearing Rio’s words, Yulien, Deneb, and Kyle couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
They had thought he was just a simpleton, but he seemed like a changed person in just a few days.
Only then did the three realize why Ghislaine had said Rio suited being a lord more than a merchant.
Ghislaine nodded at Rio’s words.
“Right. The difference between a merchant and a lord is determined by how they earn and spend money. Don’t forget that mindset.”
Rio’s plans were flawless. It seemed all that was needed was to solidify the currently shaky power.
The process of investigating the territory’s management and assigning tasks took several days, during which Rio carefully selected the appropriate personnel, well-versed in the territory’s situations.
He also captured all the traitors from the merchant group. Among those remaining, Rio utilized the capable ones as close associates.
Afterward, the wealth that Baron Magrell had stacked away in the warehouse was plentifully distributed across the territory. The residents were overjoyed and praised their new lord.
“Hmm, this is going well. Now I just need to solidify the foundation a bit more.”
Ghislaine focused on instilling discipline within the army. If Rio controlled the army, managing the territory would be much smoother.
First, he appointed capable new leaders, changing the leadership structure. The newly appointed commanders had no choice but to pledge loyalty to Rio.
Yulien and Deneb couldn’t contain their admiration as they witnessed the rapidly changing territory.
“So it really can change this much….”
“So it turns out that if a powerful person sets their mind to it, everything can transform quickly.”
With Ghislaine backing him, Rio executed various policies. There was no one opposing him.
Whenever Rio spoke, money was dispensed and policies were implemented that very day. Thus, the lives of the territory residents transformed day by day.
After observing this for several days, the two gradually began to understand what Ghislaine had mentioned.
“I never imagined so many lives could change like this.”
“This really is the power to change the world.”
They eliminated the evil known as Baron Magrell. In his place, a good-hearted Rio took a seat.
Just that alone triggered drastic changes in the territory, impacting many lives.
The two helped with many tasks while staying in the territory, but ultimately it was Rio’s new policies and systems that transformed everything.
As Yulien gazed at the happy faces of the people, he unconsciously muttered.
“If only we could rid the world of the demon realm…”
Then, if people like Rio could seize power and govern, surely they could change the world.
They could eliminate evil like Ghislaine and provide strength to the good. It was what the two of them did best.
So, alongside Ghislaine, Yulien and Deneb gradually solidified their own beliefs.
Ghislaine stayed in the territory for a full two months, helping Rio solidify his power.
Once things seemed stable, Ghislaine approached Rio and said,
“I guess it’s time we settle up?”
The initial agreement of 30% of the gold mine’s profits was changed to 30% of the revenues generated by the House of Rax.
However, the House of Rax had now taken control of the entire territory. This meant that 30% of the income from the Rax fief was also going to the Yulien Mercenary Group.
Rio swallowed hard and asked,
“Could it be you were aiming for this from the beginning?”
“Of course. It’s a territory with a gold mine, after all.”
Rio chuckled awkwardly, looking at Ghislaine. The guy was truly impressive. To plan something so bold and make it a reality was a feat!
If he had heard a detailed plan from the start, he might have opposed it or not believed it. Even now, he sometimes questioned if the reality was true.
Nonetheless, a contract was a contract. Feeling grateful, he had no regret at all.
After all, if Ghislaine hadn’t stepped in, he’d likely have lost everything, not just the territory.
“Understood. I will, of course, meet that obligation. I’ll give 30% of the annual tax revenue to the Yulien Mercenary Group.”
Ghislaine smiled at Rio’s cheerful words. The rest of the heroic group looked bewildered.
‘Whoa, whoa… we really just became rich.’
‘Ghislaine is incredible. To earn such a big sum so easily!’
‘Can we retire now? With a gold mine, we could live off this for life, right?’
The sad truth was they probably wouldn’t get a chance to spend that money joyfully anytime soon. Hellish training awaited them.
However, the issue of money hindering their training was likely a thing of the past. Ghislaine never skimped on training, regardless of the expenses.
Suddenly, curiosity sparked within Rio, and he tilted his head, asking,
“By the way… I heard you’re a mage, right?”
He had only seen Ghislaine striking with a staff, without actually using any magic, yet he insisted he was a mage.
Ghislaine nodded.
“That’s right. I’m a mage. Why?”
“Do you perhaps know which mage tower you come from? We’d like to contribute there as well.”
It was a suggestion stemming from gratitude. But Ghislaine blinked in confusion.
“Which mage tower… was it again?”
“Huh?”
“Wait a minute.”
Ghislaine immediately awakened Astion within his consciousness.
‘Hey, wake up.’
— Mmm… why?
Astion’s groggy voice came through. Ghislaine questioned immediately.
‘Did you learn magic from a mage tower? You said you were from a rural area, right? If you learned from a reincarnator, you wouldn’t be from a mage tower.’
— No, I didn’t learn from a mage tower. I learned magic from reincarnators.
‘Really? Hmm… Do you have any names for any mage towers in mind?’
— There wouldn’t be such a thing…
‘Then I’ll just name one for you. We’ll use that name later.’
— What are you talking about? Why are you naming a mage tower all of a sudden? I didn’t set up a mage tower, nor do I have the ability to do so.
‘Oh, just think of it that way. When you eventually set up a mage tower, you can use that name. I’m just creating a name in advance.’
— No! Why are you selfishly naming someone else’s mage tower!
Ghislaine smiled brightly. Astion was clearly the founder of the mage tower where Jerome was based. So using that name now wouldn’t be inappropriate.
No, it seemed he absolutely had to use that name. He couldn’t allow the past to affect the future.
Since the topic came up, Ghislaine decided to seal the deal. He proudly declared to Rio,
“I’m not from a mage tower. However, I do plan to establish a mage tower in the future.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m telling you because it’s you. The name of the mage tower I’m going to set up is….”
Ghislaine grinned as he said,
“It’s going to be ‘Tower of Radiance.’
Thus, the name of the mage tower that Jerome would inherit was decided right here.
* * *
Receiving a generous travel budget from the Yulien Mercenary Group, they secured strong horses. It was for comfort during their travels.
Ghislaine caressed his horse, muttering,
“I wonder if our Kong is doing well.”
He had spent quite a bit of time here. However, in reality, not much time had likely passed.
That meant the Black King was probably still eating and sleeping well.
Though everyone might be worried, Ghislaine felt relaxed about it.
“Well, he’s not really dead… they should be managing well. Times are different here.”
The Salvation Society had been exterminated, and the last dragon had also perished. There were no threats capable of menacing the continent right now.
Everyone was fully functional in their respective roles. They were among the best in the continent. Thus, there were no worries about managing kingdoms and territories.
The only thing weighing on his mind was the existence of a challenger. If that individual resurrected, the situation could swiftly change.
“Hmm… I wonder if they’ll wake up before that?”
Deneb surely had summoned Ghislaine to this place to impart knowledge. He had a strong feeling he would wake up before the challenger returned.
Even if he was inadvertently altering the past bit by bit.
“Well, how’s this? Have you had a comfortable time?”
During their travels, the training resumed. Ghislaine relentlessly trained the three whenever he found a gap.
Yet, unlike before, the three were now more receptive to his teachings.
‘I have to get strong like Ghislaine!’
‘That’s how I can save the world!’
‘I’ll earn a lot of money too!’
This experience taught them a lot. Particularly, the realization that they needed to grow stronger to achieve their aspirations was significant.
While they were training, Yulien asked with a slightly worried expression.
“Ghislaine… are you alright?”
“Umm… I’m fine.”
Ghislaine was bleeding from his nose. His complexion didn’t look great either.
He vaguely noticed the reason.
‘My body… can’t keep up.’
Since it wasn’t his real body, the balance between mind and body was gradually breaking down.
In this condition, he couldn’t remain in this body for much longer.
‘No way. I can’t leave this body yet.’
He needed to lay the groundwork for the three to stand on their own. And he had to uncover what events transpired in this era.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Who was Ghislaine? He was someone who realized the will of the world and could move it.
He began devising a way to stay in the body a little longer.
‘Maybe I should start learning some magic soon.’
Ghislaine always aimed for the best. Naturally, his goal was the 9th circle.
That much would be significantly helpful even when he returned to reality.