Returning to Lakeheart Town

Paul Greiman stayed in Franklin Harbor longer than he had initially expected.

During that time, he met with merchants of all sizes from the town and expressed his vision of launching ocean trade. He planned to establish a trading company—this world did not yet have such an organizational structure—and have the merchants in his territory invest in it.

Before a lord, merchants were all obsequious. In this world, aside from the Horn Bay Alliance, which had established a nation through commerce, merchants in other countries had little political standing and were often treated as fat sheep by various powerful figures, who fleeced them mercilessly.

The moment Paul voiced his vision, his status as a lord naturally earned him a chorus of approval from everyone present. However, they still assumed that their lord's coffers had run dry and that he had casually invented an excuse to ask them for money, following the nobles' usual methods.

Paul saw that the merchants' words did not come from the heart, but he was not angry. Changing people's minds took time. For now, he was merely informing the merchants of his plans and had no intention of raising funds immediately.

There were still pirates left to eliminate at sea, and the all-sail ships needed for ocean voyages had not yet been built. It was still too early to start drawing up grand promises.

He also met with Peter, the former town elder. Under the meticulous care of his granddaughter Susan, the old man had regained consciousness. After waking, someone told him what had happened in the church that day. Terrified, he immediately crawled out of bed and, despite not having fully recovered, went before Paul to plead guilty and ask him to forgive his granddaughter's offense.

Paul comforted him kindly and had to put in considerable effort before the old man believed that he would not settle accounts later.

After learning that the lord had removed him from the position of town head and appointed him as an adviser to the new town head, Old Peter felt lost. Although he had often suffered from both sides in that position, like a rat trapped in a bellows, he had nonetheless held it for most of his life. He was somewhat unable to adjust to being suddenly removed from it.

However, he said that he would certainly devote himself to assisting the new town head and completing all the necessary work.

After learning that the new lord had wiped out the pirates and promised to protect the town forever, Old Peter was overcome with excitement and gratitude toward Paul. He repeatedly prayed to the Lord of Light to bless his lordship with a long life.

The various preparations for establishing the navy were also proceeding in full swing. After the recruitment standards were established, more than three hundred recruits were enlisted one after another.

Austin, the Northwest Bay Fleet's Navy Commander, who had been temporarily promoted to Major and concurrently served as commander of the First Squadron of the First Battalion of the Northwest Bay Fleet, was so busy these past few days that he had almost no time to rest.

Rubin's shipyard worked overtime to complete two ram-equipped galleys and modify four fishing boats for naval training.

The new town head and deputy town head selected by Chief Steward Ford arrived in Franklin Harbor not long after the Public Trial and quickly began their administrative work.

Following Paul's orders, they would transplant the systems used in Lakeheart Town to Franklin Harbor, such as public toilets, public bathhouses, trash cans, and boiled water shops. The earl had also ordered them to undertake work such as conducting a census.

Paul also instructed them to respect Adviser Old Peter, consult him humbly, and cooperate with him properly.

In addition, the church in the center of town was ordered to be converted into a building called the "Government Building," which would serve as the workplace for administrative personnel. A new church was to be built elsewhere, and the new town head was given the subtle hint that it should be constructed in a remote location.

After July began, Paul decided to return to Lakeheart Town. Before departing, he inspected the navy, which was beginning to take shape, and declared grandly, "Our journey is toward the stars and the sea."

Although the two words "the stars" left everyone puzzled, that did not stop them from stirring the young men in the ranks into a fever of excitement. They howled that they would feed the remaining pirates to the fish.

The Second Infantry Battalion was left in Franklin Harbor to help the navy, which had not yet developed any combat strength, defend against the pirates. After bidding farewell to everyone, the earl led the First Infantry Battalion toward Lakeheart Town.

July was already hot, and as noon approached, the sun scorched the earth with even greater heat.

"It's already much cooler here than in the south," Quiller Foster from the Horn Bay Alliance said cheerfully.

Young Master Foster would follow Paul to Lakeheart Town to see the "novel things" he intended to sell. Having once dreamed of becoming an adventurer, he was interested in anything unfamiliar.

However, his ideal had encountered a slight setback. Meilu, the commander of the Lichman Adventurer Group, still had not agreed to let him join. She was also quite displeased with Young Master Foster's decision to remain in the Northwest Bay for a while.

Since Queller was staying here, they had to follow him as well. If they left without him, they would not receive the reward for the commissioned task, and the guild's task-completion rate would drop. Naturally, the Lichman Adventurer Group had to accompany Queller to Lakeheart Town to ensure his safety.

Along the way, Paul chatted with him sporadically.

"Really? I still think it's hot." Paul had grown up in the north and had never experienced the southern heat, so his words made Queller feel that he did not know how fortunate he was.

"But look at that girl named Laddie. It's so hot, yet she's bundled up so tightly. Isn't that strange?" Paul whispered into Queller's ear.

"Now that you mention it, it really is. And she doesn't even have any sweat on her face?" Queller also noticed the strange detail.

Even though Queller and the other members of the Lichman Adventurer Group came from the south and were more resistant to heat, they were still wearing as little as possible. Even so, sweat kept seeping across their faces.

Only Scholar Laddie remained wrapped in thick, tightly fastened clothing and wore a scholar's hat. Combined with the bow and arrows on her back, she looked rather odd. Everyone was drenched in sweat from the journey, yet Scholar Laddie did not seem to have shed a single drop.

When she noticed Paul studying her, she immediately raised a hand and pulled the brim of her hat lower, covering her face.

"Heh heh, you made her shy," Queller teased.

"Not at all. I think you scared her!" Paul denied flatly.

Seeing that noon was approaching, the earl ordered the march to stop. The troops dispersed into the shade on both sides of the road to rest and take care of their hunger.

After setting up a watch, the soldiers entered the woods beside the road one after another and took out the dry rations they carried with them.

Paul, Queller, and the others also sat directly on the ground and ate their own food. Everyone noticed that the young earl was eating the same black bread as the soldiers.

The Scene Kid named Kai quietly said to Dean, who was sitting beside him, "I thought this lord would treat us to a lavish meal."

Dean rolled his eyes at him. Dream on. Even if he invited anyone, it would be that young master.

Just then, Scholar Laddie's ears twitched slightly.

She raised her head and said, "It seems someone is calling for help!"

Everyone immediately tensed up.