Chapter 66

 

“This is Hanson.”

 

"Um, yes. The four of you here are now free citizens starting today. The same goes for your family members."

 

"Yes?"

 

"A decree has been issued to restore the rights to those who were unjustly deprived of their cultivation rights. Once the damage investigation is complete, compensation will be provided."

 

The soldier spoke indifferently while scribbling in his notebook.

 

The serfs, or rather, those who had become tenant farmers again, exchanged blank stares.

 

They tried to pinch their skin and adjust their posture, but all they felt in their reddened arms was pain.

 

“Isn’t this a dream?”

 

"Did I hear correctly?"

 

"Unbelievable! Noel, you've done something amazing! You clearly spoke in front of that nobleman, saying you harvested all fifteen fields of wheat! It's different from the records, so she must have sensed something strange!"

 

"That's right, it's true! I never thought such a day would come in my life!"

 

Overwhelmed by joy, they embraced each other.

 

After being unjustly deprived of their cultivation rights, their already difficult livelihoods had become even more impoverished.

 

Every time the count looked around the estate and went back, they cursed at him, saying that he was the same as the baron.

 

The man named Noel glanced around discreetly and asked.

 

"Shouldn't we at least express our gratitude?"

 

“Oh, she is not the kind of person who wants that. Instead, she sincerely apologized to all of you for the misunderstanding."

 

"Really?"

 

"To people like us?"

 

They didn't know they didn't do anything wrong. They were simply living in a world where they had to accept the mistakes of the high-ranking individuals as their own sins.

 

It was an unjust event, but as the baron's tyranny worsened, they had gradually become accustomed to such treatment.

 

Not only did the count's adopted daughters reveal their unjust stories, but she also did not overlook the mistakes made during the process.

 

The treatment was so different from before that people naturally looked back on what the baron had done to them.

 

"By the way, when you return to the village, please let the people around you know. It may take some time due to the many things the baron has done, but they plan to investigate extensively and restore everything to its original state. If others hear about this, they will feel relieved as well."

 

They nodded in agreement at the soldier's gentle persuasion.

 

Even if such a request had not been made, they would have spent the entire day, or even their entire lives, talking about what happened today with a heavy heart.

 

***

 

Not everyone was happy with the sudden expulsion of Baron Franz.

 

Unlike the tenants who were mainly persecuted, some of the aristocrats who had joined in the baron's intentions were secretly feeling uneasy about the situation.

 

Starting from the news that today's lunch had been canceled, they judged that they could no longer passively observe the situation.

 

They gathered among themselves and discussed whether they should bow their heads and visit Iona first or stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.

 

In the meantime, Viscount Daniel Klaus, who was invited to the permanent residence alone, had a visibly fearful expression.

 

Although there seemed to be something pricking at him, the truth was that within the Modrov estate, noble individuals as upright as him were rare. It was not because Daniel was an upright person, but rather because his stature was too small to commit any acts that would cause trouble if caught.

 

Daniel, with a timid and weak personality, was easily ignored even by the servant who attended to him.

 

'Why did Dame Iona call me... … . Ho, what if she thinks I did something bad by helping Baron Franz?'

 

Even at this moment, Daniel was tormenting himself with unnecessary worries.

 

He tried to calm his trembling heart, but as he regulated his breathing and stood up, this time his arms and legs felt stiff.

 

The servant who was leading the way glanced back at Daniel and spoke.

 

“We have arrived, Viscount.”

 

“That, yes. I am ready.”

 

After replying, Daniel swallowed his saliva.

 

As the servant knocked and announced Daniel's visit, permission to enter was granted.

 

Daniel took a deep breath and stepped into the study.

 

The woman who was working at the desk stood up when she saw him.

 

“You are here on time. Nice to meet you, Viscount Klaus.”

 

“Oh, hello. Dame Iona. It's an honor to meet you. My name is Daniel Klaus.”

 

As he greeted her, Daniel glanced briefly at the pin she was wearing. It was because the situation with Iona, who was Robert's aide, felt a little strange.

 

Of course, Daniel wasn't bold enough to point it out in front of those involved.

 

He needed great courage just to ask Iona about the reason she had summoned him.

 

“Yeah, but why did you suddenly find me…”

 

Due to excessive tension, he ended his sentence abruptly, cutting off the rest.

 

Daniel hesitated, wanting to say sorry, but Iona replied in a non-trivial tone.

 

"Oh, it's nothing special. I called you because I wanted the viscount to serve as acting lord instead of Baron Franz for the time being.”

 

“…Yes?"

 

As Daniel gradually recalled her surprising expression, he couldn't understand what he had just heard.

 

Becoming the acting lord himself... It was a position that didn't suit him at all.

 

Certainly, Daniel was the legitimate heir of the Klaus family, but the only reason he could inherit the title was that he was the illegitimate son of a prestigious household.

 

If his parents had the strength to have another child, no one would have cared about the principles of primogeniture.

 

He was a sharp contrast to Robert, who didn't hesitate to use any means necessary to seize titles and positions.

 

Daniel and Robert were of similar age, but until Iona arrived, they were in completely different positions that couldn't be compared.

 

Daniel hurriedly declined Iona's offer.

 

"T-That's impossible. How can I handle such a heavy responsibility... It would be better to find someone else."

 

"Are you rejecting it without even trying?"

 

"I understand my limitations, Dame Iona. If I were to assume the role of acting lord, Modrov Territory would become the most dreadful place in the world, I assure you."

 

"Viscount, you have a more grandiose ego than I expected. You believe that you can make this place even more terrible than the former acting lord who exploited the people and stole money."

 

Iona responded as if she were amazed.

 

Daniel was at a loss for words. Without giving him any room to breathe, Iona continued her questioning.

 

"Do you want to know why I appointed you as the temporary acting lord?"

 

Daniel couldn't understand the reason. Not a single good outcome came to mind when he thought about taking on the role of acting lord.

 

He quietly bit his lower lip, wondering if the other person was making fun of him.

 

Iona extended her arms towards him with a friendly attitude and spoke.

 

“Viscount, I was deeply impressed by you."

 

“…”

 

"Among the numerous nobles living in this vast territory, there is only one family that Baron Franz has not reached out to. Do you know where it is?”

 

"That…”

 

Daniel hesitated, his cheeks turning red. He hadn't made a noble decision with a lofty determination.

 

Daniel lacked the enthusiasm to flatter Robert and didn't have any suitable angles to approach him directly.

 

Iona was well aware of that fact, but she packaged Daniel's position in the most favorable way possible.

 

“While Baron Franz was disrupting the order of this land with all sorts of tricks, the last remaining conscience stood firm. It's truly a touching thing, isn't it, viscount?"

 

In this atmosphere, Daniel couldn't confess his own incompetence.

 

He was a man who always made important decisions in his life as if being pushed by others.

 

Daniel knew that Iona would be greatly disappointed in him, but he couldn't bring himself to speak up.

 

Softly, Iona tried to soothe him with her gentle voice.

 

"I would be extremely grateful if someone like you could be a source of strength during these difficult times."

 

"Well, I'm inexperienced in managing territories..."

 

“I don't expect to do well from the start on something you have never done before. But fortunately, the best expert is right here to help you quickly adapt.”

 

Saying that Iona grab Fin's shoulders and led him forward, pulling Daniel along.

 

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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