The Lord Just Wants to Have Fun

Jude stared at Philip, who had suddenly stopped him. Philip wasted no time in asking what had been on his mind.

“I heard you spent your time reading books and taking walks while the messengers conducted their investigation. Did you really just play around?”

“I did enjoy myself, but I also did some research.”

“Research?”

“Yes, though it wasn’t related to the census… I used my free time to examine the estate’s records in the library.”

Since this was the place where he would be working, Jude wanted to understand it in detail. So, he read through documents, toured various parts of the lord’s castle, visited facilities like the forge, and even gauged the public sentiment.

“As a result, I found that while there are still many shortcomings, this place has significant potential.”

“Significant potential?”

At Philip’s question, Jude nodded and elaborated.

“First of all, the military strength is formidable. The estate war against the Viscounty of Mirabeau was won decisively. From now on, aside from a few powerful lords, no one will dare covet this territory through conflict.”

“And?”

“In addition, various artifacts created by the lord, including the fire starter called a Zippo lighter, generate substantial income. This is even more valuable than the hot springs.”

Resources such as hot springs and mines would eventually be depleted. However, in Baron Brandel’s territory, Philip personally developed new products, and the artisans he employed continuously produced and improved them.

“In remote areas, people manufacture goods as a means of subsistence, whereas in cities where logistics converge, products are made for profit. The city-states of the Ordia Peninsula are famous for the latter.”

Nobles who owned land or mines were generally uninterested in fostering commerce and industry. Their current foundation was already sufficient, and even if they wanted to do something, external forces would try to suppress them.

“But the lord actively encourages it. He has also fended off external interference with his powerful military.”

“So, you’re saying this estate has high growth potential.”

“Yes. From what I can tell, the lord harbors grand ambitions.”

Jude smiled as he met Philip’s gaze.

Through his investigations, he had concluded that Philip was an exceptionally shrewd and ambitious man.

‘When he lacked strength, he played the role of a weak, foolish lord to lower the guards of neighboring nobles. Then, once his territory had grown stronger, he orchestrated an estate war with the Viscounty of Mirabeau, crushed them instantly, and revealed his true abilities.’

Based on this, Jude speculated that Philip intended to become the dominant power in the western region of the kingdom.

The reactions of Carpenter and several other vassals also supported his hypothesis.

“The lord undoubtedly has dreams he wants to achieve—ambitions unlike those of ordinary men. Don’t you agree?”

Jude subtly tested Philip, who merely responded with an amused smile.

‘Yeah, in a way, my ambition is unique. I just want to enjoy myself.’

Everything Philip had done so far had not been with the intention of developing his territory.

It had all started with indulging in his personal hobbies and then making money to fund them. One thing led to another, and before he knew it, he had arrived at this point.

‘You think I aspire to the throne? I have no interest in that whatsoever.’

But if he admitted the truth, he wouldn’t be able to win over Jude.

Hiding his true thoughts, Philip calmly asked,

“In your opinion, what should we do to further develop our territory? Ah, and don’t suggest expansion through military force—I won’t accept it.”

What was the point of endlessly waging wars, conquering lands, and becoming king?

That would only result in being buried under an ever-growing mountain of responsibilities and paperwork for the rest of his life.

“In times like these, when the world isn’t in complete chaos, wielding military power recklessly is foolish. Right now, we should focus on solidifying our internal structure. That means further developing commerce and industry and increasing exchanges with influential families and organizations.”

Even if they didn’t form formal alliances, it was better to have more friends than enemies. Philip agreed with that sentiment and nodded.

“Anything else?”

“Yes. We also need to reform inefficient tax policies and land systems. To do that…”

Jude, who had been speaking confidently, suddenly hesitated. Philip immediately asked,

“Is there a reason you’re hesitating?”

“Well… the method I’m thinking of comes from the demonic races occupying the Land of Paradise.”

“The demonic races? How do they handle taxes and land management?”

“The demonic races don’t care about land at all.”

“What?”

Philip and his vassals looked at Jude in disbelief. Seeing their reaction, Jude explained further.

“Those creatures consider themselves noble warriors, so they dedicate their lives to honing their combat skills and studying warfare tactics. To them, farming is the work of lowly slaves.”

“So they don’t even bother with minimal oversight or management?”

“Correct. During harvest season, they simply collect a fixed amount of tax. Other than that, all farming is left entirely to the slaves. Yet, the yield remains consistently high.”

The vassals grimaced at Jude’s words.

When the farming season approached, lords and their advisors would gather to discuss what crops would be most profitable, which lands should be cultivated, and which should be left as pastures. Even after careful planning and investment, there were still many years when the harvest was poor.

And yet, those damned demons—who put no thought into it—were feasting without a care in the world?

“That’s absurd! It must be some baseless rumor!”

“Well, the Land of Paradise has always been known as a fertile region, so it might be possible.”

The vassals remained skeptical, but Philip wasn’t so quick to dismiss the idea.

“If you don’t know something, sometimes it’s better to step aside rather than interfere.”

“You think so as well, my lord?”

Jude’s eyes glimmered with intrigue.

He seemed to believe that the demonic races’ method might actually be the correct approach.

“They say if you want to work with metal, ask a dwarf, and if you want to do business, ask an elf. Entrusting matters to experts is always the best course of action.”

And who were the true experts of agriculture?

The nobles who rarely set foot in the fields? Or the farmers who had been cultivating the land for generations?

Philip vividly recalled how Korean politicians had interfered in the economy and cultural industries, leaving behind nothing but damage.

Whenever an industry started to thrive, they meddled. Whenever problems arose, they hastily imposed regulations.

‘The gaming industry was the perfect example.’

Once at the top of the global market, Korea’s gaming industry had been stifled by excessive regulations. It had been treated as little more than gambling or narcotics.

“This is quite interesting. A very good suggestion indeed.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Jude left Philip’s office with a satisfied expression.

Once the vassals had also departed, Philip, now alone, muttered to himself as he reflected on their conversation.

“I thought he was just a loose cannon, but he’s more like Richelieu.”

Richelieu, the infamous villain from The Three Musketeers, was, in reality, one of France’s greatest statesmen.

He had modernized the outdated systems of his country and fostered commerce and industry.

Despite being a Catholic cardinal, he was pragmatic enough to consider alliances even with Muslim states when it served the national interest.

If Jude shared similar thoughts or ambitions, then he was certainly a remarkable talent.

“Regardless, the current tax and land systems… they definitely need reform.”

The nations of the Laterran Continent were still stuck in a medieval structure.

Taxes were collected haphazardly, and land was primarily managed under a feudal manor system that relied on serfs rather than independent farmers.

If these outdated institutions were reformed, it would not only increase the estate’s income but also ease the burden on the people, stabilizing public sentiment.

‘Until now, I avoided it because it was too much of a hassle…’

But now, he had someone who could handle it on his behalf.

So, it might be worth trying after all.

*****

The County of Palamos was located at the heart of the western region of the Arteria Kingdom.

Several major roads intersected there, including one extending from the royal capital and others connecting various western estates.

Due to its strategic location, the county had developed a thriving trade, lodging, and transportation industry, which had elevated Count Auguste de Palamos to one of the most prominent nobles in the west.

Owning a grand estate in the royal capital and enjoying renown in high society, Auguste had returned to his domain to review the ledgers as the harvest season approached.

“The toll fees and lodging taxes have increased significantly,” he noted.

His Chief Administrator promptly responded.

“Yes, my lord. The traffic of nobles and merchants has grown considerably compared to previous years.”

“…Because of Baron Brandel’s territory?”

Several months ago, Baron Brandel’s territory had suddenly begun producing fascinating new goods.

Merchants flocked to purchase these items, and noblewomen eagerly visited the hot springs there.

The hot springs in Silon Village had even become famous in the royal capital.

In fact, Count Auguste de Palamos’ wife and daughter had visited and couldn’t stop raving about its miraculous effects.

Seeing how much more radiant and beautiful they looked afterward filled Auguste with pride—but also with frustration.

‘Damn it! Why doesn’t my territory have hot springs like that?!’

If it did, his estate’s income would have skyrocketed.

Even though he was already wealthy, Auguste always needed more money—to fund his extravagant lifestyle and maintain his high-status social circles.

Thus, he had hired experts to search his Palamos territory for possible hot spring sites.

“Commercial Administrator, have the prospectors found anything? I heard they struck an underground water source in the eastern part of the estate a few days ago.”

“Well… it appears to be nothing more than lukewarm groundwater, my lord. It lacks the properties of a true hot spring.”

Disappointment twisted Auguste’s face like crumpled foil.

“Useless fools! They can’t even earn their keep!”

“My lord, instead of getting frustrated, why not make an offering to the temple? There’s a rumor that Baron Brandel’s hot springs were a gift from the gods.”

“What?! Are you suggesting that I’m a faithless, irreverent man?”

“Of c-course not, my lord!”

The Commercial Administrator broke into a cold sweat, realizing his suggestion had backfired.

Just then, a knight captain knocked and entered the office.

“What is it, Captain?”

“News has arrived from the royal capital, my lord. His Majesty the King has officially approved the resolution of the conflict between Baron Brandel and the Viscounty of Mirabeau.”

A minor estate war had taken place between two remote territories in the west—something Count Auguste wouldn’t normally care about.

But this time, he frowned.

There was a reason why he was displeased.

As one of the most powerful nobles in the western region, second only to Marquis Marteze, he did not welcome the rise of a potential rival challenging his authority.

‘As if Viscount Montsena wasn’t already a headache… now this upstart blacksmith lord wants to make a name for himself?’

Wealth and military strength naturally attracted attention.

Lesser nobles would bow and scrape for favors, while the newfound power of an emerging faction would make them arrogant.

‘Many nobles have already been frequenting his lands. They claim it’s for the hot springs, but who knows what else they’re up to?’

They were surely building connections, gossiping about high-ranking nobles, and forging new alliances behind his back.

Even Auguste’s wife had warned him that the lesser western nobles were acting strangely lately.

Sensing trouble, he had leveraged his connections in the royal capital to lobby for the king to invalidate the results of the estate war—to no avail.

“So why did His Majesty approve the results?”

Could it be that someone close to the king had forged ties with Baron Brandel through the hot spring connections?

As tension built in the room, the Knight Captain finally delivered his report.