I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

They had waited long enough, yet three Barons did not show up to this meeting. Liam remained quiet, not making a big deal of it.

The absence of Barons in monthly gatherings was a normal thing, but Gideon's presence made Liam pleased.

"Attention, everyone," said Liam.

All eyes turned to the side, watching Liam rise from his seat in his noble purple robes, a color that had always been his mark.

"Thank you for coming as I requested. I gathered you not only to talk about the progress of your lands, but also to discuss something related to the tension of the war in the North and West," Liam continued.

"Are they asking for more troops again?" asked Dickon, his eyes sharp on Liam.

"No."

"But they expect contributions from us that can help them."

The Barons stayed silent, unsure what kind of contribution they could make. The war had dragged on for a long time and had already taken many lives.

Several cities were destroyed and captured, and the Marquises could not hold back the enemy raids forever.

Gideon glanced over, narrowing his eyes at Liam. He did not know what kind of contribution would match for the southern nobles, but Gideon could already guess what Liam thought.

"Food," answered Liam.

"I plan to send food to the north."

"HA! That's all? Well then, I have no objection at all," Dickon said, laughing loudly.

"What about you all?" Dickon asked the other Barons loyal to him.

"If Lord Dickon thinks so, then we also have no objection."

"Nor do we."

"We will send plenty of food to the north," said another Baron from Dickon's side.

Liam nodded, surprised that their response was so accepting of his proposal. He had actually been worried about the other Barons who had not spoken yet. Gideon and the others had not spoken their thoughts.

"What about the rest of you? I will decide after I hear a definite answer," said Liam.

Helena sighed, raising her hand to ask for permission to speak. Liam noticed and gladly allowed her to. Now all attention turned to the woman in her golden dress.

"I am not rejecting your proposal, but please reconsider. There are other things we can send besides food. Food supplies after winter are low. If we send food, I fear the Barons will be left eating grass and dirt," Helena said.

"There is plenty of food in the city, and we can also buy food from outside. Why are you so worried?" asked Dickon arrogantly.

"That is true, but we are still concerned."

"Keep your vague worries to yourself. Soldiers need food. With full stomachs, they can fight well!" Dickon barked.

"V-Very well," Helena whispered, intimidated by Dickon's influence.

Dickon stood tall with his round belly, glaring at Liam. "It's settled. We will send food. There is no need to ask the other Barons."

Liam nodded, though his eyes moved across the room once again, making sure where the others stood, whether in agreement or not. His gaze stopped on Gideon, who still sat in silence.

"Baron Gideon of the Southern Border. Do you have anything to say?" asked Liam.

Gideon remained silent, not saying a word even after Liam gave him the chance to speak. Lena also kept still, standing behind Gideon with her eyes fixed on him, curious what he was thinking.

Not only Liam, but every Baron turned their eyes the same way, including Dickon and Helena.

"Nothing. I will follow the general decision."

"HAHA! I knew it. You don't understand anything about governance and politics," mocked Dickon.

"Excuse me?" asked Gideon.

"I don't know what made Viscount Duncan raise a fool like you to be a Baron. But among all the Barons here, you are the least important," Dickon spat.

"If you say that, then do you also believe Viscount Duncan is just as much a fool as me for granting me this title?" Gideon asked.

The meeting hall fell silent, tense, and shocked. Helena smiled faintly. Her opinion of Gideon was not wrong. With that one question, he had cornered Dickon.

"I-I didn't—"

"I'm joking. Why are you so stiff, Baron Dickon?" Gideon teased.

"YOU?!" Dickon roared, his face turning red, veins bulging on his neck and hands, furious at being humiliated by Gideon.

"Very well. I will speak," Gideon said as he rose from his seat, turning his eyes to Liam and the other Barons.

"Sending food to the north is a foolish act!" Gideon declared.

"WHAT?!" Dickon shouted.

The room broke into chaos, filled with noise and debate. Gideon's words had landed like a clear punchline in the middle of the meeting.

Liam smiled wide, leaning his head on his hand as he sat back.

He wanted to see the ability of the man trusted by Earl Ashfield and Queen Anastasya. Liam knew Gideon was a military and war expert, but politics and economics were different matters.

Not many nobles mastered all four fields at once, unless they were a god envoy.

"What do you mean, Baron Gideon?" Helena asked, prompting him.

"We all know food supplies are low after winter. The fields have been covered in snow, so no new harvest has come. That makes the food in the markets limited."

"If we all send even half of the city's food, the people will starve."

"Prices will skyrocket. A single piece of bread could cost a gold coin if we send everything, because of food rarerity."

Lena smiled, crossing her arms with her head raised proudly. Gideon was her captain. No one here could handle politics and governance better than him.

"What's the problem? Only the people will starve. That's not hard to handle!" Dickon insisted.

"True, but empty stomachs always spark anger. I fear, in the middle of starvation, someone will rise as a savior, feeding them bread in exchange for rebellion."

"That will never happen. You're just a coward, scared of shadows!" Dickon barked.

"This is a preventive action. Identify the root of potential problems and stop them quickly. If rebellion comes, the Barons will not be able to protect themselves."

"So, what do you propose?" Liam asked, curious.

Gideon looked sideways, staring at Liam who still sat in his chair. Sending food would trigger inflation, raise food prices, and make the people suffer. On top of that, the high taxes already weighed on them. The gates of rebellion will swing wide open if that happens.

"The south is relatively safe. The threat of mythic races is not that great. Sending extra troops could be an effective way."

"If not, send war equipment such as armor, swords, spears, arrows, shields, and so on," Gideon explained.

Helena nodded, smiling wide as she raised her hand, agreeing that Gideon's idea was more effective. Several Barons not tied to Dickon followed.

Seeing many Barons supporting Gideon's idea only made Dickon angrier. He glanced back and gave a nod to his guard, ordering him to attack Gideon right now.

The guard obeyed. The meeting turned chaotic as Dickon's rage spilled over, his man leaping forward from behind him, aiming at Gideon.

The Barons were shocked, moving to alert. Dickon had crossed the line in such an important meeting. Their guards also moved to protect their masters.

As for Gideon? He could defend himself just fine. He leapt across the table, catching the muscular guard mid-air.

Gideon slammed a punch into his face and stomach, forcing him to drop his short sword and groan in pain.

SLAM!

Gideon hurled the man down onto the floor, pressing his boot firmly on his chest, leaving the Barons stunned by his overwhelming skill in combat.

The Viscount's soldiers rushed in, arresting the guard and dragging him out of the chamber. The tension slowly eased, the other guards lowering their stance.

But many were left puzzled. Gideon had acted to defeat the attacker, not the female guard who had come with him.

Helena smiled, stepping into the center with her eyes fixed on Liam. Dickon's guard attacking Gideon had left a bad mark on the other nobles. Those who were uncertain now leaned toward Gideon's side.

"I think all Barons here have agreed to send equipment or troops to the north," Helena said.

"Is that true?" Liam asked.

The Barons nodded. Those in support stood and declared their position. The final decision was clear: nine Barons in favor, six against.

"Very well. Since the majority has agreed, we will send equipment and additional troops to the north."

"You have five days to prepare. Gather at my manor."

"Yes, Viscount Duncan."