Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 761: State of the Frontier March I

CH761 State of the Frontier March I

***

Regality, Dominion, Subjugation, Domination…

Unbeknownst to Alex, the overpowering concepts of his True Names were subtly leaking into his surroundings, causing a faint yet powerful pressure to pervade the entire room.

It was only after Milton entered the study and nearly buckled under that pressure—to kneel in fealty before him—that Alex realised what was happening and instinctively reined it in.

“Welcome, Vice-Magistrate. I trust your night was pleasant,” Alex said.

“Yes, thank you, Sir Count,” Milton answered absent-mindedly, still wondering what had just happened to him.

‘Did I just mistake Sir Count for the Emperor? Why?’ Milton pondered deeply. ‘Have I already chosen to swear fealty to him? No, that’s not right.’

“Please, take a seat.”

Alex’s voice sounded once more, breaking the old man out of his thoughts.

Acting as though nothing had happened, Alex calmly motioned towards the chair opposite him, inviting the old man—who had almost prostrated himself and was still recovering—to sit.

Only after taking his seat did Milton finally regain his composure, convincing himself that what he had experienced had merely been an illusion brought about by old age and the mystical events of the previous night.

He carefully observed Alex and noticed that the noble was still wearing the same clothes from the night before.

He also noticed that the stack of documents he and his assistants had left on the table had been moved to one side.

“Did you stay up all night going through the documents, Sir Count?” Milton asked in surprise.

“Yes.” Alex nodded. “If I’m going to get this domain on the right track, I need to understand its current state. Missing one night of sleep is nothing,” he added nonchalantly.

“Sir Count, my apologies. I didn’t think… I had planned to summarise—”

Milton hurriedly tried to explain himself, but Alex cut him off.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I was the one who asked for the documents, and you delivered them. If I wasn’t going to read the reports or was bothered by them, I wouldn’t have requested them,” Alex said with a reassuring smile.

“Huh…” Milton didn’t know how to react.

‘Just how badly did the nobles and magistrates sent here treat him for him to be this afraid of me working?’ Alex wondered.

Then his demeanour changed slightly.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table while supporting his chin with interlocked fingers. His ruby-red eyes fixed sternly upon Milton.

“We’ll break everything down when my wives arrive, but you should know this. My preliminary impression of the domain is not good.

“Or rather, I should say that I am not satisfied with the way the domain was managed before my arrival.”

Alex pushed a document towards Milton.

“This is my summary of the reports concerning the domain’s trade, taxes, and fixed expenditures. I had expected to find a significant number of workshops in the town—metalworking, lumber processing, pottery, and perhaps even textiles.

“But to my surprise, after reviewing the reports, I found that the only significant industry we possess is mining—primarily metal and gemstone mining. Sure, there is also a quarry, but that is still essentially a form of mining.

“There is no agriculture of any kind, nor any organised industry. Most businesses, even those that are complementary to one another, operate independently. As a result, they remain small-scale enterprises that generate only meagre earnings.”

Alex pushed another document across the table.

“The population data and settlement distribution are also highly irregular. Aside from Fonterra Bastide, we have two other towns, one of which grew around the territory’s primary mining site. We also have a number of smaller villages established to provide specialised services, such as the lumbering village mentioned here.

“In that case, why do we not possess proper population records for these settlements? Why does the Fonterra administration receive only meagre taxes, levies, and revenues from these locations? Because of this, the magistrate barely has enough funds in its coffers to cover its own administrative duties, never mind fund civic projects and public infrastructure.”

Alex looked pointedly at the old man.

“This represents an astounding level of neglect and a severe failure of the magistrate’s fiscal responsibilities,” he concluded.

Old Milton was stunned and afraid.

He didn’t know what to say.

Everything Alex had said was correct, and it was a constant problem he had struggled with for years. Unfortunately, none of the previous nobles and magistrates had been willing to put in the effort required to rectify these issues. Instead, they had allowed matters to continue unchecked while the problems worsened.

Could Milton say that to Alex?

Wouldn’t it simply sound as though he was shifting blame onto others? Onto nobles and imperial-appointed magistrates, no less?

Milton couldn’t find the words to defend himself.

Alex carefully observed the old man’s reaction. After noticing that he had cornered him sufficiently and achieved his objective, he leaned back slightly and offered a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry, Vice-Magistrate. I can tell from your reports that you are a meticulous person, and such gross oversights would not have occurred if things had been left entirely in your hands. “That means these failings most likely originated from the previous lords and magistrates who governed this domain. There was very little you could have done about it.

“I understand that, and I have no intention of holding you accountable for their mistakes,” Alex said benevolently.

Milton looked up at the youth in surprise. He saw the young lord looking back at him with genuine recognition in his eyes.

Milton’s eyes unknowingly moistened.

“Thank you, Sir Count,” old Milton said with sincere appreciation.

“It’s nothing.” Alex waved the matter aside nonchalantly. Then his eyes sharpened once more. “However, it is undeniable that these things happened under your watch, even if you lacked the authority to stop them. So, I expect you to give it your all as we work to rectify both the causes and the consequences. The people deserve at least that much given the amount of faith they have in you.”

“Please rest assured, Sir Count. I will do everything within my power to make up for this now that I finally have the opportunity. I won’t be able to face either you or the townsfolk if I don’t,” Milton vowed.

“Good. I’ll hold you to that.” Alex nodded.

Knock~

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Just in time…” Alex muttered.

“Come in,” he called aloud.

As Alex expected, Zora and Eleanore entered the office.

Zora instantly read the room, noting the postures and expressions of Alex and Milton.

A knowing look flashed through her eyes as she glanced at Alex.

Alex responded with a similarly subtle smile.

‘The Silver Tongue strikes again,’ Zora thought, shaking her head slightly.

“Looks like you’ve started without us,” she said.

“No, the Vice-Magistrate and I were merely exchanging a few slightly unrelated words,” Alex replied.

He gave Milton a meaningful look.

“Yes, indeed.” Milton nodded. “Worry not, Madams. Sir Count was merely exhorting me on the determination that I and the staff must uphold for the necessary growth and development of the magistrate.”

Upon hearing the old man’s answer, even Eleanore immediately sensed that something was off.

She looked at Alex and then at Zora, whose faintly teasing smile confirmed her suspicions.

Eleanore smiled wryly.

“Please, take a seat and let’s begin,” Alex invited.

The ladies took their seats, and the meeting began.

“I am certain we have all read the reports regarding the state of the administration and its coffers. I do not want us to dwell on that for now. Instead, I would like us to focus on solutions to the problems currently facing us.”

Alex glanced at the paper containing the agenda he had prepared for the meeting.

“Let’s start with the territory’s trade. Of particular importance is our food situation.”

***