NOVEL NEXT Chapter 426: Chapter 427: Weekly Edition
A few days after the rainy season, the weather finally started to warm up noticeably. The bright sunshine replaced the cold rain, shining down on Ryan's territory and spreading its warmth.
After detailed preparations and scheduling, Ryan managed to steal some leisure time from his busy administrative duties. He decided to spend a day at Angron's forest cabin with his wife Sulia and his personal maid Olica, planning to return to his territory the following day to continue handling affairs.
Sulia brought her maid Sylvia, two servants, and her butler Henderson, forming a small party. Fortunately, Angron's forest cabin had been expanded twice and now resembled a small mansion in the woods.
This forest mansion was a feared legend in Shallon Forest—not for humans, but for beastmen, greenskins, and bandits. Anyone or anything approaching the mansion vanished without a trace.
On the other hand, woodcutters or hunters liked to rest here because it was safe. There was even a small shop selling beer, bread, and tools crafted by Angron himself, such as axes and pickaxes. Occasionally, Angron sold "luxury" items like weapons, some luxury goods, venison, and beef—high-grade meats forbidden to commoners—and silverware.
Now that Ryan's territory was wealthy, serfs had some money to spare. Many yearned to elevate their status and experience a noble's life. They secretly came to the forest cabin to buy luxury goods and weapons, equipping themselves in anticipation of being summoned for conscription, keeping these visits a closely guarded secret.
The carriage wheels and axles rattled as Henderson drove. Inside, Ryan and Sulia enjoyed the view of the newly constructed roads through the forest. The fresh air and scent of grass lifted their spirits.
Ryan held Sulia close, feeling her soft curves and warmth. "The roads in the forest are finished, and people have started settling in the newly established villages. My territory now has thirty-eight villages, with twenty already granted as fiefs. The main fiefs are these forest villages."
Each kingdom knight needed at least one village. A village of two to three hundred people could support 2-3 kingdom knights. Ryan had already granted twenty villages, keeping eighteen directly under his control.
Ryan followed the old method: keeping the fertile villages near the town for himself and granting the outlying forest villages and those with military pressures to the kingdom knights, letting them handle the issues.
This method saved effort; in a world with poor roads and slow communication, he couldn't manage everything personally.
Ryan also planned to create a barony for one of his towns, Devon. Who would become Baron of Devon was still undecided.
None of his knights had enough military merit. The Grail Knight Armand had the merit and experience but didn't want a title, preferring to remain a banner bearer.
The other knights lacked sufficient merit. Ryan planned to bestow the title on whoever performed outstandingly in the upcoming assault on the Blackstone stronghold.
The Dark Elf Olica, still in her black-and-white maid outfit, sat beside Ryan, serving him. Sulia's maid Sylvia rarely wore a maid outfit. Today, she wore a formal Bretonnian noblewoman's dress and sat opposite Ryan and Sulia, her expression as stern as always. Ryan couldn't remember seeing her smile often.
"Emilia still keeps herself locked in her room and rarely comes out." Sulia enjoyed her married life and confided, "I talked to her. She doesn't want to leave you, but her family and responsibilities press her to choose. She originally planned to marry you."
"I suspected her identity wasn't simple when I took her in, but she wouldn't reveal it, and I didn't pry. And then we quickly became involved... I think it was after the Battle of the Couronne Plains." Ryan also felt helpless.
"Yes, in the windmill," Sulia fondly recalled their secret rendezvous. At the time, Ryan was recovering in the Grail Cathedral under Morgiana's "house arrest." Sulia had to ask her father, François, to persuade Morgiana to release Ryan.
In the windmill, Sulia had her first kiss. The memory of that time made the noble-born duchess blush. She had never been in a windmill before, and Ryan had taken the opportunity to win her heart.
"I think Emilia will eventually return to Nuln. That's her land, her title, and her responsibility. She can't escape it," Ryan gently stroked Sulia's back. He then smiled, "I wanted to invite Lady Morgiana, but I decided against it. If my brother's luxury dealings or fencing operations break any laws, I'd have to spend a lot of time explaining, even if she wouldn't punish immediately."
"Lady Morgiana stayed at the winery for two days and barely left your side," Sulia laughed, "One afternoon, I came to your office and found her sitting on your lap, working with you."
Ryan felt a bit embarrassed about this. Morgiana was indeed clingy. Fortunately, Sulia, a devoted follower of the Lady of the Lake, wasn't jealous; otherwise, it would have been troublesome.
Ryan was vaguely aware of the undercurrents in his household. Teresa and Veronica had temporarily allied to counter Sulia's influence. Emilia and Morgiana supported Sulia. Olica was neutral, only concerned with her personal desires.
"If Emilia decides to leave, I suggest Sylvia take on the role of head maid in the castle," Sulia said, pointing to Sylvia. "Don't be fooled by her being my maid. She's also a noblewoman and will manage everything well."
"Miss!" Sylvia was surprised by Sulia's words and, with her usual stern demeanor, stammered before lowering her head. "I will follow Miss's orders."
"Alright." Ryan nodded, seeing Sulia's hopeful expression. He delegated many matters to her. With him handling external affairs and Sulia managing internal affairs, it made sense to let her handle the castle's internal matters. If Sulia deemed Sylvia suitable, that was fine with him.
Satisfied with the answer, the countess was delighted. She used such methods to gradually integrate into Ryan's power structure, making him accustomed to her presence. Over time, he wouldn't be able to do without her.
This was the Lady of the Lake's instruction to Sulia: to control Ryan through her role as his wife, binding this powerful warrior firmly to the Lady's cause through marital duty and responsibility.
It wasn't a conspiracy but an open strategy. Ryan understood the Lady's intent. He needed someone to help manage his territory and internal affairs, freeing him to focus on warfare and strategy.
It would be perfect if she could give him a son, thought the happy knight, nestled in her husband's arms.
...
The forest cabin had grown into a small estate, guarded by the Emperor's Guards. Angron enjoyed staying here but was absent today. Ryan was welcomed by "Shorty" of the Emperor's Guards.
Despite the nickname, "Shorty" stood close to three meters tall. He simply nodded at Ryan's arrival, indicating they could stay, without a word.
Ryan's party settled in a two-story villa, about three hundred square meters in total. Sulia's three servants stayed on the first floor, while Ryan and his party occupied the second floor.
After settling in and having lunch, Sulia and Sylvia took their customary nap. Ryan, always energetic, took Olica for a walk outside the villa.
"Shorty" of the Emperor's Guards was on duty as usual. His sharp eyes initially glared at the Dark Elf, then he seemed to reconsider and looked away. "Good afternoon, Lord Ryan."
"Master~" The Dark Elf clung weakly to Ryan's back, shivering from the terrifying pressure emanating from the Emperor's Guard. Olica clung tightly, barely peeking out.
"Any news, brother of the Guards?" Ryan reassured Olica, then addressed the guard.
"Here." The guard handed Ryan a newspaper.
"Hmm, a new issue of 'Legion Banner'." Ryan nodded, leading the Dark Elf to the open courtyard and sitting down to read. "Let's see what the military department is saying."
"Today's soldiers should read weekly."
"Congratulations, glorious soldiers of the Empire, we have an exciting story to share! (*Note: Any soldier who isn't excited after reading should report to the commissar immediately.)"
"Colonel Perkins received a personal audience with the Emperor for his brave and loyal actions!"
"Let's eagerly listen to his story!"
"Like you, great Colonel Perkins is a member of our Astra Militarum. In this glorious mission, he was assigned to the Armageddon battlefield to fight the greenskin invaders. During atmospheric entry, Private Perkins' regiment faced minor orbital attacks from the greenskin fleet. Despite slight damage, they successfully landed!"
"Afterwards, Sergeant Perkins' company landed on sacred Armageddon soil. There, they encountered a small greenskin squad. The brave soldiers launched a frontal assault and, with the help of the Imperial Navy's orbital bombardment, easily annihilated the greenskins! Well done, Lieutenant Perkins. The Emperor is proud of you!"
"Lieutenant Perkins' platoon (*Note: Actually a squad) continued advancing towards the greenskin hive. Crossing the Dust Wastes, they were attacked by greenskin vehicles. These filthy and vile machines posed little trouble for our brave Captain Perkins and the glorious human soldiers. With precise tactical shooting (*Note: shoot to kill), Perkins' squad eliminated the alien vehicles in one volley and pressed on."
"Upon reaching the destination, Major Perkins' holy and perfect Mechanicum vehicle briefly lost power due to uncontrollable factors (*Note: greenskin anti-tank weapons). Major Perkins and his team (*Note: Perkins and his commissar) decided to proceed on foot. Encountering a large horde of filthy, stinking greens
kin beasts, Major Perkins, armed with only a bayonet, repelled these low-intelligence beasts lacking morale and discipline (*Note: cause of commissar's death is unclear). The rescue mission was flawlessly completed. Soldiers, are your eyes filled with tears of pride? (*Note: Soldiers not moved to tears should report their recent thoughts to the nearest commissar.)"
"Perkins' story isn't over. With support from Primarch of the First Legion, our great Lion El'Jonson, the Astartes of the Dark Angels successfully eliminated the greenskins. Colonel Perkins' brave and loyal actions earned him the highest honor a soldier could receive—the opportunity to meet the Emperor on Holy Terra!"
"Due to regulations, we can't describe the Throne Room scene in detail. We can only tell you that the loyal soldier received an audience and encouragement, being gifted a personally signed copy of 'Imperial Creed 3.0' by the Emperor! (*Note: Concerned that Colonel Perkins might lose or damage this priceless gift, the Departmento Munitorum kindly replaced it with fifteen months' worth of Grox meat rations and Recaf coffee.)"
"Undoubtedly, this is another great victory! Soldiers, cheer once more! (*Note: Commissars should monitor soldiers who don't cheer and assign them to lead the next charge.)"
"Daily Thought: Loyalty is its own reward. Betrayal is its own punishment."
Putting down the newspaper, Ryan was unsure where to start critiquing the absurd report.
Just then, the sharp cry of a hippogriff sounded in the distance.
Angron had arrived.
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