I Regressed to My Ruined Family – 83

 #I returned, and my family was ruined (84)

Count Marek.

After completing his coming-of-age ceremony, he returned to the House of Laysian with the three princes, Teron. As soon as he returned, he headed for the duke’s office.

He had reported once through the crystal ball, but that was only a brief report.

“You’re here.”

Duke Gerond.

The head of the Laysian Duke’s family and the de facto leader of the Seven Families of the kingdom.

Despite being over fifty years old, he looked as young as a man in his thirties.

Such was the realm of the Transcendent.

They possessed the power to reverse the aging of their bodies.

He spoke to Marek as he looked at him.

“The plan has gone awry.”

“…I’m sorry, my lord.”

“No. The Grand Prince’s power was beyond our expectations, so it couldn’t be helped. Tell me more about the Grand Prince.”

“He was like… it was as if I was seeing you, my lord.”

At those words, Geron’s eyes lit up.

“Is he that talented?”

“Not only did he lose his mana, but he was also in a coma for ten years. And yet, in just half a year, he has become stronger than a 7th-rank knight. I don’t think it makes sense to speculate about his talent.”

The duke nodded.

The Ardan family.

It was as if a seed had sprouted between the fallen trees.

A seed with such outstanding qualities that it was certain to become a giant tree in the future.

“I’ve heard about Baek Yeom. He has the power of purification?”

“Yes. Even the negative emotions of the Three Princes faded in an instant.”

“…Ardan.”

The Seven Families of the Kingdom of Haidern were considered the most prestigious families in the kingdom.

However, compared to the Ardan family, their reputation was nothing but a hollow shell.

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The first family of the kingdom.

That family was treated so differently from all other families.

Ardan.

Because of them, the reputation of the Reysian family was always overshadowed.

Even though they were both known as master swordsmen, the difference in their skill was obvious.

This was especially true when they went outside the kingdom.

Over the past fifteen years.

The reason why the Kingdom of Haidern is considered to have fallen far behind the other six kingdoms is because the direct descendants of the Ardan family closed their eyes.

Even though the other six royal families are still intact, they are not even considered.

A fierce sense of inferiority boiled up inside him.

This was a feeling shared by all members of the family bearing the name Leysian.

The seven royal families.

Their feelings toward the Ardan family were childish jealousy and hatred.

But they were also mixed with love.

It was a family that seemed impossible to surpass.

“I thought I had finally surpassed them…”

Black flames of corruption created from negative emotions.

He understood the principle behind them, thoroughly investigated them, and combined them with the secrets of the Seven Families to create a new black flame.

He thought that even if the Grand Prince could produce black flames, it would be impossible to defeat the Three Princes.

But what does this result mean?

Ardan had always surpassed them as if it were nothing.

This time was no different.

“White flame.”

His eyes lit up.

It was a legendary technique said to have been created by the first head of the Duke’s family.

Now that he had achieved it, there was no need to mention the Grand Duke’s talent.

Duke Gerond quietly clenched his fist.

But only for a moment.

He looked at Count Marek.

“Are you hurt?”

“…I’m sorry. I’ve brought shame upon the Duke’s family.”

“No, no one could have imagined that the Grand Duke had such skills.”

“…

“Still, you’ve thoroughly investigated him, right?”

“…Yes. I have one question about him.”

Count Marek quietly whispered something in the duke’s ear, and Geron’s eyes lit up when he heard it.

“…I think we need to summon all seven families.”

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“I will pass on the message.”

“You should come too. You’re the only one who has crossed swords with him.”

“Yes.”

The news spread to the six houses except for the House of Reysian in no time.

The seven heads of the houses.

They were gathered in one place.

* *

After taking control of the entire ducal territory.

Work began pouring in like crazy.

From the reconstruction plan for Londinium to internal reorganization and assigning personnel to vacant branch families, the workload was murderous.

“No matter how much we do, there’s no end in sight.”

Ethan stuck out his tongue.

The Duchy was already a vast territory to rule over.

On top of that, the territories of the collateral branches had been incorporated separately, and the sudden disappearance of their noble families had caused the workload to skyrocket.

The only silver lining was that, having inherited the title of duke, the officials who had been driven out by the collateral branches were now knocking on the doors of the ducal domain once again.

In just two days, more than 50 former officials were appointed, showing how many former officials had flocked to the duke’s domain.

“Ten collateral branches.”

At the moment, he was so busy with the work of the duke’s domain, excluding this place, that he couldn’t think straight.

He needed someone who could govern this place in his place.

“I think we need a chief administrator.”

There was just one problem.

Anyone capable of managing the entire territory of the 10 collateral branches would need to be at least a marquis.

“We can appoint a noble title.”

The title of duke.

Within the duke’s domain, a duke was like a king and could appoint his own heirs. Of course, the number was not unlimited.

Two earls.

Four viscounts.

Four barons.

There was a reason why there were ten branches. The number of titles that could be granted by the duke’s family was ten.

Usually, the personnel were decided in advance, and then a letter was sent to the king for approval.

The kings of the past usually granted permission.

However, there was one problem.

The “third son’s right to challenge.”

That was it.

He was confident that he would still be ruling here a year later, but the outside world would see things differently.

Appointing a noble to succeed him when the head of the family could change?

“The seven royal families will definitely oppose it.”

It was difficult to grant noble titles right away.

“Should I send an administrator separately?”

Just then,

Silvia knocked on the door and entered the office.

“Your Highness, I have a suggestion. Would you take a look at this?”

She handed him some documents.

Ethan nodded after looking at them. The documents Silvia handed him contained information about the nobles located in the central region.

Among them, the most important part was about the children of the nobles in the central region.

Below that was a plan.

“That’s fine.”

Noble families usually had more than one child.

This was because the eldest son, who had the right of succession, could meet with an accident.

If the eldest son grew up without any accidents and was able to take over the family, that would be a problem.

The second and third sons would have no place to take over.

Silvia was suggesting that they be employed as administrators of the domain.

This way, it would be easier to govern the ten collateral branches.

It would also allow them to maintain good relations with the noble families in the central region.

“Is there anyone you like?”

“Hmm.”

Ethan looked at the names written on the document. There were more familiar names than he expected.

“About five of these.”

“Then I will send official letters with separate notes to these five families.”

“Yes.”

Silvia left the office and immediately began contacting the information organization.

* *

Western midlands.

Letters arrived one after another at the noble families there.

The contents were simple.

Administrators will be elected to govern certain regions of the Duchy.

[Target regions]

Former County of Pernes.

Former County of Amelton.

Former County of Dequn.

Former County of Itun.

Former County of Leman.

Former County of Kesten.

Former County of Henaris.

Former County of Ailian.

Former Romenton Barony.

Administrators will be selected through interviews with the duke, and may be granted a noble title based on their performance after one year.

Eligibility: Descendants of central noble families without succession rights.

[P.S.]

Count Halaym. I hear that your third son, Gailen, is well-behaved and has a talent for administration. If possible, I would like to send him. ‘Hm.’

Count Halaym.

He was a nobleman who owned the manufacturing city of Greston and was one of the most powerful nobles in the central region. He was poring over the documents with a worried look on his face.

“Nine.”

It meant that they were accepting applicants from all regions except for the first territory they had conquered, the Viscount of Karagas.

“Well, I guess so.”

The Viscount of Karagas.

This region had a descendant of the viscount serving as a puppet.

He could guess why it had been excluded.

He had probably made a prior agreement regarding dominion.

“He wants the third son.”

Duke Ethan.

He was a hero who was shaking the western region. Since he had specifically requested the third son, he thought he should hear what the boy had to say.

The earl said to the butler.

“Call the third son.”

“Yes.”

Soon, the third son, Gailen, entered the office.

“You called?”

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Gailen sat down, the count handed him a document from the Duke’s office.

“This is…”

“Read it. It is a letter from the Ardan family.”

As Gailen read the contents, his eyes lit up.

“What do you think?”

“…It’s interesting. I think it’s a friendly gesture toward our central region.”

“I think so too. The target of their support is telling.”

The descendants of a noble family with no right to succession.

If they had no special abilities, they would usually gain independence with nothing more than financial support.

The count looked at Gailen.

“He’s a clever boy.”

He was even more so than his first and second sons.

However, the Count’s family was one of those that followed the principle of primogeniture.

That was why he had intended to appoint Ga-il-ron as the administrator of his domain in the future.

“…It would be better for him to spread his wings in a bigger pond.”

That would be the best path for the third son and for the count’s family.

“I’m surprised. I knew you were talented, but I didn’t know that even the duke had his eye on you.”

“…I think so too.”

“What do you want to do?”

“To be honest, I want to go. If I stay here, the highest position I can reach is an administrator.”

He was not on bad terms with his older brother, but they were not close enough to elevate a brother to a position above a noble.

After all, brothers tend to become threats to each other once they hold power.

Both the count and Gailen knew this.

“…I see.”

“It will also be beneficial to the Halayim family. We will be able to establish a more friendly relationship with the Duke’s family. Even if they are one of the seven families of the kingdom, they won’t persecute us this much.”

It wasn’t like they were being granted noble titles; at most, the second or third sons would be sent as administrators.

Even if they were one of the Seven Families, it was impossible for them to find fault with something like this.

“Moreover, if we establish ourselves first and show results, both the 7th House and the Gong family will continue to recognize our autonomy in that area. Even in the worst case, if the 7th House takes over that area… they’ll just raise taxes a little.”

The 7th House taking over that area.

That was no different from the Three Princes using their challenge rights to defeat the Grand Prince. At that point, they could either raise taxes significantly or sell the position to someone else for money.

The 7th family of the kingdom would make some kind of gesture.

If he secured his position first, he might be able to acquire the territory at a cheaper price than expected.

If he could gain a position above the nobility even if it meant paying money, it would ultimately be a profitable deal.

“I think we should accept this. It’s an offer that can only benefit us.”

Whether the Three Lords backed by the Seven Families won or the Grand Duke won,

it was an offer that would not harm them.

Of course, in his heart, he was rooting for the Grand Duke. “All right. Shall we depart now?”

“Yes. I must see the Duke as soon as possible. Not only me, but other noble families in the central region will also begin to move.”

“Very well. I will assign a carriage and guards.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“…No. Go and spread your wings wide. Your father will cheer you on.”

The count was a good father.

Gailen bowed his head and left the office.

“…This is my chance to become a nobleman.”

As the third son, it was something he had never even dreamed of. Gailen had no talent for martial arts.

However, he had administrative skills that he could proudly boast about.

He climbed onto the carriage.

The interview with the duke.

Depending on the outcome, the size of the territory he would manage could change, so he had to prepare thoroughly for the expected questions.

Three days passed.

“We’re here.”

All the noblemen’s sons who were to be interviewed had arrived. There were nearly twenty of them.