The Orchard

After hearing the Count Lagos's request, Turas made up his mind and joined the Count Lagos's camp.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Turas took his leave.

"That's true. You've been in Silver Maple City for almost half a month now. The Sixth Legion has already arrived at its base in West Strath County. You should go and prepare to reinforce the troops."

"Yes, Uncle, there are many things to do with the Legion. I will write to you after we arrive in Strath County."

Count Lagos nodded in satisfaction. "You've just recovered, so don't ride a horse. You can take a carriage back. There's no need to rush things."

If you encounter difficulties replenishing your troops, you can seek help from Count Sibeth. Our interests are currently aligned, and he will assist you.

"Yes, then I'll be leaving now!"

"I won't see you off. I have guests later. Remember to tell Audrey before you leave that the Grand Duke probably wants to see you too."

"Your previous thinking was correct; the Grand Duke is the master of the country, and standing by his side is the right thing to do. However, both my Inner Court and the War Department represented by Viscount Borey are one with the Grand Duke; there's no need to be so clear-cut."

Turas apologized, "I'm sorry, Uncle, I was indeed too eager to improve before!"

Lagos smiled and said, "Just do your job well from now on, and you'll get what you deserve. His Majesty the Grand Duke will never let you down."

The Count Lagos saw Turas out, summoned his steward to escort Turas away, and gave Turas his own carriage.

Before leaving in his carriage, Turas saw a young man arrive at the Count Lagos's mansion. He felt the young man looked familiar, but couldn't quite place him.

It wasn't until the Count Lagos's steward personally drove Turas home in a carriage that Turas remembered who the young man was.

"Pelei Red Maple, I remember he was Grand Duke Mora's childhood friend and always considered himself Mora's confidant. I never expected that such a person would actually visit Count Lagos."

But wasn't he serving as a governor outside? Why would he be back in Silver Maple City at this time?

Turas wasn't sure what connection Pelei had with the Count Lagos, but his appearance put Turas at ease.

He had initially had some reservations about joining the Count Lagos's camp, wondering if it would be disloyal to the Grand Duke. Now, however, he had no more reservations, and helping the Count Lagos was also helping the Grand Duke.

In the Count Lagos's study, Viscount Pele sat on the table and began to eat the food that Turas had not yet finished, wolfing it down like a starving ghost.

Count Lagos frowned. "I'll have someone prepare another serving. This is Legion Commander Turas just ate."

By this time, Viscount Pele had already devoured all the food on the table, and he wiped his mouth.

"Okay, Your Prime Minister, please have someone bring me another serving. I'm still hungry!"

You and Mora are really causing trouble. I just got back from Blackwater City and you guys have sent me to the mountains of Milan County.

I came back after finishing my business and didn't even have a bite to eat before I had to report to you. I was so tired and hungry. Mora has to give me a proper break.

"By the way, was that Mora's new brother-in-law? He looked quite respectable."

Count Lagos was speechless after hearing this. Pelei was someone he had watched grow up with Mora. He was very smart and had strong execution skills, but like Mora, he didn't respect him much.

The Count Lagos rang a bell to summon a servant, instructing him to prepare another meal and bring it over.

Pelei interjected, "I want my beef well-done, and a glass of mulled Grape too."

The servant hesitated for a moment, but Count Lagos said helplessly, "Prepare as he says, double the amount!"

"Grandpa, you're so generous. You've come to the right place. Let's go to Mora's for a meal. The portions are always too small, and we're never full."

Pelei slumped in his chair and said with a grin.

"You are already the youngest consul in the principality's political arena. You should behave more politely in public. How can you establish authority in front of your subordinates if you eat and sit like this with no manners?"

Pelei didn't care at all, "With you and Mora here, why should I care about those guys!"

Count Lagos shook his head in exasperation, "You! You!"

The Count Lagos immediately began to lecture Pelei, who simply responded with "okay, okay, okay" and "uh-huh," which only infuriated the Count Lagos.

After a while, a servant brought in new food, Pelei devoured it in no time, as if he hadn't eaten anything before.

Pelei rubbed his stomach and burped, "Burp, finally full. It was cold up in the mountains, and the food was awful. I don't know how Geis could stand it."

Seeing that Pelei had finished eating, Count Lagos went straight to the question he wanted to ask, "How is Old Bjorn, and what about the 'orchard'?"

"Old Master Bjorn is still the same, still in good health, but he's been looking worried lately, after all, the harvest from the 'orchard' is getting worse and worse!"

After hearing Pelei's words, Count Lagos frowned.

How is this year's production?

"It's not even 70% of last year's harvest; we only managed to collect a portion."

Count Lagos frowned, holding the leaf, muttering to himself, "Reduced production by nearly a third? And what about gold?"

"Not only that, this batch is in very poor condition, and I estimate its total value will not exceed gold."

After saying that Pelei took out a money pouch from his pocket and took out a Silver Maple Leaf from it.

Count Lagos reached out and took it, examining it closely. This leaf was significantly smaller than a normal Silver Maple Leaf; Count Lagos weighed it in his hand and estimated it to be less than 10 grams.

Count Lagos could no longer sit still. He stood up and paced back and forth in his study. "There isn't even any gold. The deficit is too huge."

Pelei comforted him, "At least there are still some left. I thought we'd lose half this year! Don't get upset, sir."

"How could I not be furious? Five years ago, the 'orchard' could produce a lot of fruit every year. The output value of the 'orchard' alone could meet most of the principality's military expenditure!"