"Earl Greiman, I'm going back to Gabella soon. I'll bother you one more time before I leave."
Sitting in Reception Room was Scholar's Tower scholar Mond Landon who had been here a few days ago. Paul thought he would leave Northwest Bay directly after taking Kevin away from the prison, but he didn't expect him to come again.
The person who brought him to the Lord's Manor was Mond's "fellow countryman" from Gabella – Betty.
"Is there anything else Mr. Langdon can do? Which prisoner do you want to take away?"
"Oh no. This time it's just to say goodbye to you."
The scholar's answer made Paul very strange. The two of them only met on a casual basis, and there was no deep friendship. It was really strange that they came to tell him when they were leaving.
Even Irene, who was sitting aside, found it strange. After the two talked about old times at the Flying Dragon Pavilion last time, Mond took Kevin home. A few days later, he came to Lakeheart Town again and asked him to take him to see Paul again. Could it be that these two people got along so well that they became friends after just one conversation? I saw Mond Landon saying to Paul with admiration, "In the past few days, I have been traveling around your territory, and everything I see and hear shows that you are an extraordinary lord."
Visiting around? Damn, you're not spying on intelligence, are you?
Paul was startled, then relieved. Not to mention that Mond is an acquaintance of Betty, and no spy would make a special trip to him to surrender.
Haha, isn't this guy here just to flatter me?
"I saw the ships with heavy sails in the harbor, the prosperous trading activities in the market, the dazzling array of exquisite utensils in the shops and... Iron Products. There is a school for civilian children in the town. The farmers also told me about a Mechanical Monster that can harvest grains quickly. Oh... there are also public toilets and bathhouses. People say that these things are due to you."
"Haha, Mr. Langdon deserves the award."
Mond changed the topic. "My Lord Count, what are your chances of winning in the war with Northwest Duke?"
This guy's thinking is so out-of-the-box that I can't even keep up.
Paul shook his head and said seriously, "Mr. Langdon, first of all, I want to correct your statement. Maltz Kent is just a [usurper]. His title of duke is illegal. We have a personal letter from the previous duke and his brother to prove it."
Mond said apologetically, "I used the wrong words, please forgive me."
Paul then said, "As for the war with Maltz Kent, I am 100% confident that I can win. If it hadn't been for the riot, maybe my army would have fought Cent City."
Mond agreed, "Just because the people in your territory don't have a look of hunger on their faces, I think so too. I really don't know how you do it?"
Without waiting for Paul to reply, Irene said, "It's very simple. If we cancel those messy taxes and then crack down on the bad behavior of driving up food prices, won't the people have money to buy more food?"
Over the past year, Paul has successively asked Government Affairs Council to cancel a lot of taxes that are baffling to him as a time traveler, such as Livestock Tax, Poultry Tax, Dog Tax, Brewing Tax, Marriage Tax, etc... What genius invented these damn things.
Except for salt residents like Kevin due to their special circumstances, the "disposable income" of most residents has increased a lot, and the increase in residents' income has further promoted the development and prosperity of business.
Mond thought thoughtfully, "After defeating Kent Family, I believe that you, Earl, will become the dominant force of Northwest Bay."
He has carefully inquired about Battle of Biduo Fort's story, and Paul's army obviously played a decisive role in it.
Paul waved his hands quickly. "Don't dare, don't dare, how dare I expect to dominate Northwest Bay's situation. Besides, there is His Majesty the King, how can I dare to overstep it.
He didn't notice that when His Majesty the King was mentioned, the corners of Irene's mouth turned up in a nice arc.
"Earl Greiman! "Mond's expression and tone suddenly became serious, making both Paul and Irene tremble.
"Whether you like it or not, you will definitely have great power in your hands at that time. This power may come from your authority, your army, or just your prestige, but it is definitely a force that cannot be ignored. And this power can neither be abused nor shelved."
There was a preaching tone in Mond's mouth, which made Paul slightly unhappy. But he didn't show it, just looked at the other party with doubtful eyes.
The scholar continued, "Remember our previous conversation, I think - only a wise lord or... leader can have the qualifications and ability to use your power."
Oh, are you trying to persuade yourself to be a wise lord? Paul thinks so.
He picked up the water glass. "Haha, Mr. Langdon, in fact, our views are not completely opposite. Why do we have to separate heroes from the people? Don't you think heroes are also part of the people in many cases? Of course I will try my best to go in that direction..."
Mond interrupted him, "Exactly, but what I want to ask is... when this great hero appears at some time in the future, will you assist him, or go further - be loyal to him?"
"Poof! "It turns out you weren't talking about me. Paul spat out the water he just drank in his mouth, "What... what do you mean? What do you mean by this?"
Before the scholar could answer, Irene on the side reminded him with a look of concern, "Senior Mond, Earl Greiman is the vassal of the Auldo Kingdom, and he already has an object of allegiance - King Rodney XVII."
Mond Landon still maintained a serious expression on his face and said in a deep voice, "When the prophesied doomsday comes, no matter whether it is a kingdom or an empire, a principality, an alliance, etc., they will lose their meaning, and the old ties will only become burdens and obstacles. In the face of final justice - let our culture, ethics, and morality continue to exist - those are nothing."
These words made Paul and Irene stunned. What kind of predicted doomsday? What ultimate justice? Brother, this sounds so good.
But looking at Mond Landon's expression, he didn't look like he was joking at all.
"Even if it means sacrificing what we currently think is good—family, family ties, and friendship."
He turned to Irene with a hint of pity in his expression. "Betty, when everything you cherish is sacrificed for the ultimate justice, will you stand on the opposite side of justice?"
Irene replied in a daze, "I... I don't know... Senior, I don't even know what you are talking about?"
Paul asked with question marks on his face, "Can you explain it more clearly?"
Mond did not explain and continued, "You will understand when the situation develops further. Betty, Earl Greiman, you are all good people. I want to give you advice - do not resist the general trend of history, but obey it and integrate into it. Only by uniting as a whole under the leadership of Savior can we tide over the difficulties. With that said, I took my leave."
He bowed to Paul, glanced at Irene, turned and left Reception Room, leaving the two of them looking at each other.
"Betty, isn't your senior a member of a cult?"
"I... I have never heard him say such strange remarks. What happened in the past few years?"
Paul looked at the direction Mond Landon left with mixed feelings in his heart.
Savior? Allegiance?
Could it be that I, the time traveler, am not the protagonist?