I Picked Up the Fallen Earth

Chapter 39 A Shift in Status

Jeron’s party traveled south for four days to arrive at the outskirts of Count Hanes’ territory. Throughout their journey, the weather was extremely hot, reaching its peak yesterday.

Even with the carriage door open, sweat dripped profusely, and some of the food supplies, despite being dried, became moldy. It was so hot that Jeron found himself thinking that Farrow’s territory was somewhat more livable during the midsummer.

However, as they neared the Count Hanes’ territory, the air changed slightly. Though minor, the temperature had dropped a bit, likely due to the proximity to the river.

The humidity increased, but with the cool breeze blowing in the mornings and evenings, it felt somewhat survivable. Jeron’s party took a short rest on a hill overlooking Count Hanes’ territory.

“What a magnificent view.”

“Indeed, milord. Even though my profession brings me here often, I am astonished every time.”

The rivers stretched out crisply in a cross, lively with activity. At the Hanes harbor, ships continuously arrived, loaded goods, and set sail again. This was the heart of the northern kingdom.

Not only did the river flow from east to west, but it also stretched from north to south, bringing together goods and people, ensuring there wasn’t a quiet day.

“Sir Becken, can you see the flow of money?”

“I do, milord.”

“The movement of wealth in this era begins with transportation. When transportation is well-developed, goods accumulate, and money flows accordingly. My role is to create those flows of wealth.”

“…!”

Sir Becken and Seria, listening quietly to Jeron’s story, were astonished. Jeron’s perspective, having the insight of a modern person, was beyond imagination.

“Could it be, milord, are you planning to build roads in the territory now?”

“To create the foundation for those flows. After that, we must clear the surrounding areas to ensure safe trade routes. Can you guess what the ultimate evolution of our territory might be?”

“I cannot venture to guess, milord.”

“To dig a canal.”

“A canal, milord?”

“In the central empire controlling the continent, they dug canals.”

“Such a monumental endeavor couldn’t be undertaken with just any wealth and power.”

“Fortunately, our territory has Lake Baitan. If we succeed in developing parts of it into a canal, connecting it straight to the territory of Viscount Revion, and filling in a few gaps, we can gain a thoroughfare right to the heart of the kingdom.”

“That’s an incredibly ambitious idea.”

“Our territory has a lot of potential. It’s just been too impoverished to consider starting anything until now.”

Jeron was confident. The Farrow household owned a territory larger than many barons, and beyond the barrier, there were multitude of resources.

Moreover, if they succeeded in developing part of Lake Baitan into a canal, immense wealth would flow. Although it seemed like an impossible idea now, as the territory developed steadily, there might come a day when they could start work on the canal.

“Milord!”

While Jeron and Sir Becken were envisioning the future blueprint, looking down at Count Hanes’ territory, Dame Leila rushed over with a report.

“What’s the matter?”

“While scouting the area, we discovered a spy. They seemed to be a well-trained elite ranger. Forgive my incompetence, but we failed to track them.”

“Hmm, it must be Viscount Revion.”

“Does that not spell trouble, milord?”

Leila’s brows furrowed slightly. The spying by Viscount Revion. As Jeron had suspected from their first meeting, the man was incredibly greedy.

“What’s the harm in a little spying? Right now, Viscount Revion is just testing the waters. He’s watching how I act, the state of our territory, the condition of our troops, preparing an excuse to invade someday.”

“That damned scoundrel…”

Although Leila was infuriated, Jeron calmed her down. There was no need to get angry.

“Let it be. Aren’t we spying on him as well?”

“Hmm… That’s true, but if he’s plotting something…”

“Whether it’s a scheme or not, a territorial dispute is bound to erupt. Ease your mind.”

Jeron considered it no big deal. In this era, nobles placed a tremendous emphasis on just cause. Without it, they would not rashly instigate war. A rash charge leading an army to attack or killing a lord who suddenly went on an excursion – such madness would brand the entire kingdom as public enemies and lead to the extinction of the entire family.

In this world where everything moved slowly, would a territorial war suddenly conclude in haste? A territorial dispute would require the court’s approval, which wouldn’t happen overnight.

“If everyone’s rested, let’s depart.”

“Yes! We will maintain strict vigilance!” While Dame Leila was unusually flustered, Jeron did not expressly stop her. This was because such actions were expressions of loyalty.

The silhouette of Count Hanes’ main castle became visible. From here on, the soldiers fell into step. The knights too straightened their backs and moved with as much intimidation as they could muster.

Thud, thud, thud!

It seemed there was still 1km to go before reaching the main castle, but from a distance, a group of riders stirred up dust clouds as they hurried over. It was the insignia of the Count Hanes’ order of knights.

An entire order of knights had come out to greet him, which Jeron had not anticipated. The soldiers and knights felt the same.Sir Erok, the captain of the first knight order of Hanes’ territory, dismounted and saluted.

“I greet you, Baron Farrow.”

“What brings you all this way?”

“His lordship instructed us to escort the baron with all due respect.”

“Is that so? I indeed sent a letter to his lordship, but I didn’t expect such a welcome.”

“Please, don’t say such things. Is the baron not a rising star?”

“A rising star, indeed.”

Networking was truly fearsome. Once Duke Langton began acting as Jeron’s guardian, from Count Hanes onward, goodwill was shown. Had Jeron not chosen Duke Langton as his guardian, such an event of the entire order of knights coming out to greet a mere baron would not have happened.

It was unthinkable to show such favor to a mere baron. This was the medieval times, and there was never a case of nobility showing favor without reason.

“Let’s go then.”

The order of knights divided on either side, starting their escort alongside our forces. Outlaws or brigands wouldn’t dare operate near the heart of Count Hanes’ territory unless they were out of their minds, but this act carried a strong implication of honor.

The same was true at the city gates. Merchants were visible, and many people were passing through, but Sir Erok himself stepped forward and shouted, parting the people to each side.

“Make way! Baron Farrow is passing through!”

Jeron’s carriage, despite being shabby, bore the emblem signifying a ruling noble. Although his family was on the decline, within the kingdom, the significance of a ruling noble was considerable. Nobles without territories were not truly treated as such.

The common people all knelt, showing respect, and knights saluted, displaying their reverence.

“Hail! We greet the baron!”

Jeron’s carriage passed through the city gates like a high-pass. The attention to detail even at the city gates must have been a special directive from the count.

By now, Jeron started to feel a bit burdened. He had several requests to make to the count, but with such special treatment being extended, it seemed it might not be easy to broach them. As they passed the port of the territory, Jeron gave an order to Seria.

“Go arrange for a fast ship and load it with supplies. I’ll assign 50 guards as an escort; complete the preparations and report back.”

“Yes, milord!”

Seria gave a small wink-like motion and then disappeared. Sir Becken frowned as he watched her go. Jeron looked out the window. Countless people were prostrate in the bustling streets.

Although they were nobles from another domain, it was an unavoidable circumstance. According to the Noble Law, showing respect to nobility was an absolute procedure established by the kingdom.

It was somewhat surprising, of course, that this extended sincerely to the knights as well. In front of the lord’s castle, a very awkward scene was unfolding. Count Hanes had come out to greet them in person.

‘Is the position of a duke’s guard this remarkable?’

At this point, even Jeron hastened down from the carriage and ran over.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Count.”

“Ha! You have you arrived? You’ve had quite the journey to get here.”

“Not at all. But for you to personally greet me, I hardly know how to react.”

“What? I simply wished to get closer to a promising young man like yourself, no need to feel burdened.”

“Ah, thank you.”

It had been a long time since Jeron had a direct encounter with Count Hanes. Jeron had been invited to a ball at the Count’s house in his childhood but had not been back since. As much time as had passed, white frost had settled upon the Count’s hair.

From his thin frame and somewhat pale face, it was evident that the Count wasn’t in the best of health. However, he smiled warmly as if meeting a very old friend, sufficiently charming even someone as experienced as Jeron.

‘So, the position of the dominator of the north was not won by gambling.’

Jeron snapped to his senses. In this realm, everyone had knives hidden behind kind faces. When the Count smiled a business-like smile, Jeron did the same. The overwhelming courtesies that followed were not necessarily bad, but Jeron worried they might substitute real benefits with mere formalities.

The lord’s castle was incomparable in size to the Farrow Baron’s estate. The Count was truly showcasing what it meant to be wealthy in this era. Several chandeliers, symbols of affluence, hung in the massive hall and even extended through the corridors.

Keeping this complex amalgamation of gems dust-free was another indicator of the Count’s wealth. The marble floors and occasional gilded decorations, the corridors filled with various paintings and gold-made armors.

Eventually, they reached a heavy door, which exuded the fresh scent of cypress as if it had recently been replaced. As the door smoothly opened, the Count’s study, roughly 30 square meters in size, became visible, adorned with various decorations, artifacts, and a carpet covering the entire floor, not to mention the rich scent of wood.

‘Such wasteful extravagance is unparalleled.’

Jeron was led to a comfortable sofa. On the table laid tea with a subtle fragrance, likely a luxury import from the empire.

“Ha! You can’t imagine how surprised I was to receive a letter from the duke.”

“A letter from the duke?”

“He wrote directly, telling me to take care of you. If you had the duke as your guardian, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

‘That’s news to me too.’

Jeron finally understood the whole situation. This was the level at which the duke was pressuring Jeron. Sending a letter even to the Count might as well have been a demand for the season’s wine to be delivered quickly. Duke Langton, upon closer observation, had his immature aspects.

‘I should send a few bottles of wine to the duke.’

The arrangements could be made through Seria. More importantly, it was crucial to make good use of the current situation.