Chapter 20
Rian returned to the territory he was touring just before breakfast.
Fortunately, it seemed that no one had noticed his absence. As Rian entered the dining hall, everyone greeted him as usual.
“Did you sleep well, my lord?”
Alman bowed politely and pulled out the chair at the seat of honor for Rian.
“Thank you, Alman.”
The moment he stepped into the dining hall, the savory aroma stirred Rian’s appetite. Smiling warmly at Alman, he took his seat.
There was a specific reason Rian had brought Alman along on this inspection tour. Having only recently become a lord and only just begun proper study, Rian was still inexperienced when it came to reading account books.
Surveying the living conditions of the people could be roughly grasped after a single day of observation, but ledgers were another matter entirely.
Just by looking at records filled with letters and numbers, a lord had to infer many things. Since administrators often secretly manipulated accounts for personal gain, careful scrutiny was essential.
However, Rian’s lack of experience meant it took him too long to uncover such irregularities, and even then, he was prone to mistakes. That was precisely why he had deliberately brought Alman with him.
Having managed the castle’s vast finances for many years, reviewing the administrators’ ledgers was nothing more than routine work for Alman.
Perhaps because the officials had become cautious after the recent incident involving Flynn, no corruption was uncovered this time. Even so, with Alman’s help, Rian handled every matter thoroughly and meticulously.
“The soup is especially delicious today.”
They said hunger was the best seasoning, and Rian ate the soup with a deeply satisfied expression.
“Considering your health, my lord, I gave special instructions to the chef. I’m relieved to hear it suits your taste.”
Pigens, who had already been seated, seized the opportunity and spoke in an exaggerated tone, clearly hoping his efforts would be recognized.
He was the administrator in charge of the territory where Rian was currently staying, and he seemed desperate to win Rian’s favor—so much so that it was almost pitiable, as if he wanted to claim the position left vacant by the late Flynn.
“Is that so? Oswald, since it’s good for the body, make sure you eat plenty. You too, Scott.”
Whether he noticed Pigens’s expression twisting or not, Rian set down his spoon and picked up some bread.
For this inspection tour, Rian had brought not only Alman but also Oswald and Scott.
As Rian’s appointed bodyguard knight, Oswald’s presence was only natural. Scott, having become Oswald’s disciple, had followed his master along.
In recognition of Scott’s contribution in saving Alman, Rian had given him the opportunity to become a knight—allowing him to train under Oswald.
Oswald had initially refused, claiming he was too old, but at Rian’s request, he had no choice but to accept Scott as his apprentice.
Scott, who had always dreamed of becoming a knight, did not merely express gratitude. Instead, he swore lifelong loyalty to Rian and became Oswald’s disciple.
With that, Rian now had three reliable people he could truly trust.
Normally, Rian ate alone at the long dining table, but during these inspection tours, he insisted everyone eat together. That was why they had been dining like this for some time now.
“Yes, my lord. I’m eating well, so please eat too.”
Still unfamiliar at first and cautious even about picking up food, Scott now focused wholeheartedly on his meal, flashing his usual bright grin.
Pigens watched Scott with evident displeasure, then subtly tried to strike up another conversation with Rian.
“My lord… do you happen to enjoy hunting?”
“Hunting?”
“Yes. Around this time of year, herds of roe deer often appear near Fisher Forest. If you enjoy hunting, I would be honored to guide you…”
“Hunting, huh…”
Tearing off a piece of bread and putting it into his mouth, Rian searched his memories. He had accompanied his former master a few times, but he had never personally taken part in a hunt.
Since his former master had little interest in hunting, Rian himself had never had much opportunity to become familiar with it.
However, he recalled that Oswald and Scott both greatly enjoyed hunting.
Whenever Oswald went hunting with the previous lord, he always returned with a large catch.
Scott, on the other hand, had never had the chance. Hunting was a privilege reserved exclusively for nobles. If a commoner or slave was caught hunting in a hunting ground, the punishment was immediate execution.
Of course, hunters were an exception.
Hunters were individuals granted official permission to hunt. Each year, they were required to offer a fixed amount of game as tax, and rare animal parts—such as bear gallbladders or deer antlers—had to be submitted as a special levy.
Even licensed hunters were only allowed to hunt in approved areas, and if a lord set out on a hunt, hunting in that area was temporarily forbidden.
Hunting was, in every sense, a pastime reserved for the nobility.
Perhaps because of his longing for what he could not have, Scott always harbored a special fascination with hunting. Just as he dreamed of becoming a knight, he also dreamed of someday succeeding in a hunt with dashing flair in front of a beautiful woman.
Even now, Scott had forgotten to eat, staring at Pigens with his mouth agape. Oswald didn’t show it openly, but the moment hunting was mentioned, his body twitched ever so slightly.
Pretending to think it over, Rian finally spoke.
“Our work here is nearly finished. Why don’t we go out for a bit before returning to the castle?”
“Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”
Alman interjected with concern, but Pigens shook his head vigorously.
“Dangerous? Not at all. Especially since I’ll personally escort you. There’s no need to worry.”
“Come on, Alman. Fisher Forest isn’t a dangerous area. Don’t worry so much. Since it’s come up, how about we go right after breakfast?”
“Yes, yes! I’ll make the preparations immediately. Please wait just a moment!”
Pigens, worried that the day of the lord’s departure was approaching without him having done anything decisive, leapt up and rushed outside. If the hunt ended successfully, winning the lord’s favor would only be a matter of time.
“Oswald, it’s been a while—show us what you’ve got.”
“Oh my, don’t expect too much. This old body has long forgotten how to hunt.”
“You’re exaggerating again. Scott, this will be your first hunt, right?”
“Yes, my lord. But… is it really okay for me to come?”
Scott asked, his face glowing with anticipation. Rian briefly considered teasing him, but remembering Scott’s simple nature, he abandoned the idea.
“Of course. Take this chance to learn your master’s hunting techniques. They were acknowledged even by the previous lord.”
“Really?”
Scott’s eyes, filled with admiration, immediately turned to Oswald. Oswald, who had been firmly denying Rian’s words, couldn’t help but smile under Scott’s gaze.
Though he had taken in a disciple late in life at Rian’s request, Scott’s character—observed over time—was more than enough to move Oswald’s heart.
Scott wasn’t particularly clever, but he was honest and, above all, persistent.
Oswald himself had lived as a knight for many years without ever becoming renowned. What had allowed him to endure wasn’t talent, but perseverance.
Even now, he woke up at the same time every day and began his mornings at the training grounds. While all knights trained, Oswald had maintained this routine for decades.
Scott resembled Oswald in that regard. On top of that, he possessed a certain amount of talent. Lately, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Oswald was thoroughly enjoying raising his disciple.
Should I teach him archery first, or the spear?
Before he realized it, Oswald’s thoughts were already occupied with deciding which hunting skills to teach first.
* * *
“Alman.”
“Yes, my lord.”
At his master’s call, Alman turned his horse and rode closer to Rian.
Oswald, Scott, and most of the men were deeply engaged in the hunt.
Rian, who had never been particularly interested in hunting, wandered leisurely through the forest on horseback with Alman. At Rian’s command, the other attendants followed at a distance.
“Do you know who the richest person in the empire is?”
“…The richest?”
The unexpected question brought a puzzled expression to Alman’s face.
“Yes. The richest.”
Alman glanced at his master’s face, searching for any sign of jest, but finding none, he realized Rian was serious and answered quickly.
“Do you happen to know Sir Sullivan?”
“Sullivan?”
“Yes. Sir Sullivan, the founder of Sullivan Bank. I believe he is the wealthiest man in the empire.”
Banks were institutions that safeguarded customers’ money and lent it out in return for appropriate interest.
When banks first appeared during an era dominated by exorbitant usury, they caused a sensation across the continent.
Today, many large and small banks existed, but among them, the most prominent by far was Sullivan Bank—the pioneer of the system.
There was even a saying that no coin in the empire had failed to pass through Sullivan Bank. Great nobles and wealthy magnates alike entrusted their fortunes to it or borrowed from it.
For major clients depositing large sums, Sullivan Bank offered higher interest rates and even provided personal asset management. Its services were widely renowned.
Right. How did I not think of that?
Rian had asked Alman that question because he was finally ready to begin something.
To achieve his ambitions as a lord, he needed a great deal of money. Though he had gained substantial wealth through Rare, merely hoarding it was useless. It might allow him to live comfortably for life, but it was far from enough to realize his aspirations.
At first, he considered starting a merchant guild. But the moment he seriously thought about it, the sheer amount of preparation overwhelmed him.
A merchant guild involved buying and selling goods—deciding what to purchase, from whom, and at what price to sell. Just thinking about it made his head spin.
That was when the question of who the wealthiest person was came to mind.
Thanks to that, he found his answer. While still difficult, establishing a bank would be far easier than running a merchant guild.
Starting on a small scale, it would require far fewer people—just a handful of clerks and guards to protect the vault.
“Alman, how about we start our own bank?”
“…Pardon?”
Hunting was unfamiliar territory for Alman. He was far more comfortable indoors, poring over ledgers and managing servants. Yet it had been Rian who dragged him to the hunting grounds.
Now, on top of that, Rian kept asking strange questions, leaving Alman thoroughly perplexed.
“You said the owner of Sullivan Bank is the richest in the empire. I want to become rich too.”
“…You wish to become wealthy?”
“Yes. I need a lot of money to build the world I dream of.”
“The world you dream of?”
“A world where even those who aren’t nobles can live well.”
Vague as it was, that single sentence perfectly defined the world Rian envisioned. He murmured it almost as if talking to himself—a dream he had yet to share with anyone.
Unfortunately, due to a sudden commotion, Alman failed to hear Rian’s words.
In the distance, Oswald, Scott, and the soldiers were rushing in unison, having apparently spotted prey.
And at that moment, Rian sensed something foreign.
He turned his horse and approached the area. The intensity of the presence grew stronger, confirming it wasn’t his imagination.
What is it?
About ten meters to Rian’s side, there was a dense patch of undergrowth. From that exact spot, he could sense the presence of a living being.
At first, he thought it was an animal. But now that he was closer, Rian was certain—the presence belonged to a human.
