Investment Value

Gawain was beginning to find Viscount Andrew an interesting fellow.

He acted more like a merchant than a nobleman.

But at the same time, he wasn't a very skilled merchant—at least, not in Gawain's opinion.

A skilled merchant wouldn't openly discuss deals, bargaining chips, or debts at a time like this. A nobleman, on the other hand, wouldn't deign to mention such matters at all. Viscount Andrew's best course of action would be to continue providing assistance to the Cecil Family discreetly, while simultaneously infiltrating his influence among the protected Knights and soldiers. Furthermore, he should leverage his noble status to legally solidify his "claim" against the Cecil Family and ideally bring it before the King. Then... Rebecca's willingness to repay the debt would no longer be of consequence.

The country's laws and the rules of the noble system would help him complete this transaction.

Of course, Gawain felt he could understand Viscount Andrew's feelings. After all, the decline of the Cecil Family was common knowledge, especially now that their core territory had been completely destroyed. Rebecca's "ability to repay" was indeed uncertain.

"The Cecil Family doesn't owe anyone anything," Rebecca's words sounded somewhat unconvincing. "Don't worry, we have the means to repay. Although we've lost our most prosperous region, some of the forests on the outskirts of Cecil Territory remain. And as long as I, the heir, am still alive, there will always be a loan from the Mithril Treasury waiting for the Cecil Family. At worst..."

Gawain cleared his throat twice, interrupting Rebecca.

He felt he had seen enough of the show, had a general understanding of the current situation, and had largely organized the memories in his mind. He then stood up. "Rebecca, don't be impatient. Viscount Andrew, you need to think with a longer-term perspective."

Andrew glanced at Gawain. This man, who was "suspected to be an ancient hero," had ultimately exerted a certain deterrence on him. Regardless of whether the other party was real or not, the Viscount restrained himself. "Apologies, I do have a bit of... greed."

He actually admitted the word "greed" so frankly, which surprised Gawain slightly. He raised an eyebrow. "You're quite honest, but that's fine too—there's nothing shameful about pursuing profit. We just need to understand the current situation: a Viscount's territory has been destroyed, a Dragon has appeared within the kingdom, and monsters from the Magic Tide era have resurfaced. In the face of these events, discussing business is inappropriate."

Without waiting for Andrew to speak, Gawain continued. "Of course, after saying all that noble rhetoric, we still need to consider practical matters. You're worried that your aid to the Cecil Family will accumulate endlessly, ultimately leaving you with nothing. So, let me be clear: the Cecil Family not only has the ability to clear any debt, but if you seize the opportunity, we can also bring you unlimited benefits."

Viscount Andrew looked into Gawain's eyes. "Please continue."

"Myself," Gawain pointed at himself, "I myself am your greatest investment."

Andrew's expression froze for a few seconds, then he forced a somewhat awkward smile. "Your Grace... my Lord, I will believe that you are indeed that Duke, but I must remind you that you have been dead for seven hundred years. Ansu is already in its second dynasty. Your titles and assets have been enfeoffed, inherited, consumed, or... reclaimed by the royal family. Of course, I personally revere you, as does every Ansu citizen. But I am not just an individual; I am also a lord. I must consider my territory and my people..."

Gawain shrugged. "Broaden your perspective, Viscount. Is it only gold and silver, and tangible territories that hold investment value?"

Andrew: "You mean..."

"I possess the right of perpetual pioneering," Gawain raised the sword in his hand. "When Gawain Cecil wields the Pioneer's Sword, he has the right to pioneer any unclaimed land, including but not limited to undeveloped areas within Ansu, savage regions outside the borders of various countries, and the Gondor Wasteland, or any area without legal dispute. As long as a certain degree of control can be maintained after pioneering these areas, wherever the Pioneer's Sword reaches, it shall become the territory of the Cecil Family, and the Ansu royal family will acknowledge and ensure Gawain Cecil's lordly rights at all times."

As Gawain spoke, he watched Viscount Andrew's eyes widen, then deliberately slowed his speech. "The aforementioned pioneering rights were signed by the founding monarch of Ansu, Charles I. Simultaneously, they are recognized by the western Ogre Tribes Nation, the eastern Typhon Empire, the southern Kingdom of High Peaks, the Elven Silver Empire, and the northern city-states. Their validity is perpetual—as long as the authorized pioneer, meaning myself, is alive, it remains in effect permanently.

"Actually, this decree was not just for me. All the pioneering leaders at the time had corresponding authorizations. It's just that by today... I am the only one who can exercise this right."

Saying this, Gawain grinned happily. "Those old fellows who signed these documents back then definitely didn't expect me to rise from my coffin one day."

Before the dumbfounded Viscount Andrew could speak, Rebecca beside him couldn't help but exclaim, "An... Ancestor! Is this... is this real?!"

"Who is responsible for her history lessons?" Gawain couldn't help but cover his forehead and glance sideways at Heti. "Or has this decree been abolished? If it has, then this is a bit awkward for me—I mean, surely the heads of state wouldn't be so bored as to gather for a representative conference after several centuries and announce the cancellation of a pioneering bill that has long been rendered useless?"

"Rebecca's history lessons... were actually taught by me, but her grades have always been poor," Heti explained with a flushed face, then quickly answered Gawain's question. "Furthermore, the decree you mentioned has certainly not been abolished. While the Expansion Knights were still alive, no one dared to abolish it. And after the last pioneer passed away, this decree became a part of honor, representing humanity's belief in reshaping civilization, so even fewer people would abolish it."

Viscount Andrew picked up the latter half of the sentence. "Not only has it not been abolished, but those historians and scholars will write extensively about it..."

Gawain shrugged. "So my sudden reanimation will be both a surprise and an unexpected joy for them—this seven-hundred-year-old law finally has a practical application."

Viscount Andrew stared at Gawain, paying particular attention to the Pioneer's Sword in his hand. "I admit, this is indeed... a line of thought I never considered... If the right of perpetual pioneering is indeed recognized by the royal family, then you do have the possibility of revitalizing the Cecil Family. But forgive my frankness—this will be a very long-term undertaking. Do you know how much unclaimed land there is on the kingdom's borders that can be pioneered?"

"I have some idea; my descendants on the road have told me," Gawain glanced at Heti and Rebecca beside him. "Basically, any land suitable for habitation has been enfeoffed. The unclaimed lands are all dense forests, poisonous swamps, or border the Gondor Wasteland."

"So, what do you plan to do?" Viscount Andrew spread his hands. "Where do you intend to revive your family?"

"That's what I need to consider," Gawain smiled, but in his mind appeared a depiction of the earth viewed from high above—a satellite map with a level of detail and breadth that would be utterly inconceivable to the people of this era. It was deeply stored in Gawain's memory. Although it might be an outdated record from several years or even a decade ago (after all, Gawain had lost contact with that aerial perspective), it was enough to point him toward the future. "You just need to carefully consider... how much investment value a founding Grand Duke who participated in the Second Expansion and still holds the right of perpetual pioneering possesses."

Andrew lowered his head, considering the matter seriously for the first time.

After a long pause, he broke the silence. "If your right of perpetual pioneering is truly recognized by the royal family, then I, a humble Viscount, will be happy to provide any assistance within my capabilities."

A standard, smooth noble statement—leaving no loopholes, violating no rules, and displaying a degree of deference.

Rebecca's eyes widened. "Could it be that the current King would not recognize the perpetual pioneering right acknowledged by the founding monarch and our ancestors from various nations?!"

Gawain smiled and looked at this immature junior. "Of course, he wouldn't want to acknowledge it. In fact, there's a high probability he won't even acknowledge my identity. Even if Charles I were to appear and prove I'm real, the King and his advisors would likely still sincerely pray for my immediate death and for me to be reburied in the ancient tombs of the southern kingdom."

"Why?!" Rebecca felt her worldview was being challenged. "You are a founding Grand Duke! A figure enshrined in the temples! The King and nobles commemorate you every year. Don't they wish for you to return and help the kingdom again?"

Just as Gawain was about to explain, he heard Amber exclaim from across the table, "Because they're losing three days of holiday!"

As she shouted, the half-elf girl deliberately winked at Gawain, drawing an annoyed glare from Heti.

"Don't listen to her nonsense; that was a joke I played on her," Gawain waved his hand. "The real reason... Heti and Mr. Andrew have probably figured it out, right?"

Heti sighed. "The King commemorates heroes because their image and prestige can be used to consolidate his rule. But he would never wish for that hero to return. Once the hero returns, that image and prestige will no longer be something he can control..."

Because Andrew was present, Heti held back some even more treasonous words, especially considering that the current King originated from an illegitimate son and his claim was inherently questionable.

"So, the problem we need to consider is clear," Gawain looked down at the Pioneer's Sword at his waist. "That is... simply to make my right of perpetual pioneering effective."