The Mad Dog of the Dukes House - Chapter 62



Only Krnovel

Episode 62 18. Confinement (2)

3.

Two years have already passed since Caron entered the military.

One day, near the end of summer.

A young nobleman visited the train station in Cheonghae-seong.

“Welcome to Cheonghae Castle, Baron Rohan Belus.”

Rohan Belus, the master of the Baron Belus, smiled as he looked at the old butler greeting him.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Butler Heinrich.”

“His Majesty the Third Prince asked me to convey his apologies for not being able to greet you in person.”

“I can completely understand that you are so busy. It was my fault for not making an appointment earlier.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Then, I will take you to Cheonghae Castle. I have prepared a car in advance.”

Heinrich guided Rohan to the car parked outside the train station.

Automobiles are a popular mode of transportation in the capital.

Woohoo

The car’s powerful engine vibrated gently, and soon the vehicle began to move.

Rohan looked out the window at the scenery of Cheonghae Castle.

A residential area nestled behind high walls.

Although it was originally a place with a large population, it has also been experiencing rapid changes in recent years.

Compared to two years ago, when the atmosphere was somewhat closed off, Cheonghae Castle has changed dramatically.

There was construction going on everywhere, and many people were moving around busily.

‘It’s really changing so quickly.’

All these changes began two years ago, shortly after Grand Duke Halo visited the capital.

The Duke of Reston, who had not projected power abroad for nearly 50 years.

After the shocking incident of the appearance of the dream horse in the palace, the Duke of Reston began to fully demonstrate his power.

Their first move was to strengthen relations with the territories surrounding the dukedom.

Unlike the territories located in the eastern and southern parts of the empire, the western and northern territories were located in relatively harsh environments.

The Duke of Reston willingly extended a hand to them, and at the same time bound them into one economic bloc.

At the same time, he quickly expanded his distribution network by conducting various business with the Theban Autonomy, and actively dispatched the Knights of the Sea to various parts of the empire to expand his influence.

It was an unstoppable move.

Through these actions, the Duke of Reston grew rapidly in size, and in just two years, they became the most powerful family in the capital.

It was a speed that made the past years of not interfering in the internal affairs of the empire pale in comparison.

Rohan knew that the one who had masterminded all of this was none other than Halo’s third son, Pale Reston.

‘They say there is no child under a rich man… There was a reason why the son was so great. His father was no ordinary man… ‘

He also remembered the face of Charon, son of Pale, who had saved the territory.

Caron Reston, who had been burning the capital for a long time.

For some reason, I haven’t heard any stories of him leaving Cheonghae Castle in two years.

However, the boy named Caron Reston that Rohan encountered was definitely a monster beyond words.

The current Baron Belus Territory is enjoying the greatest heyday in its history due to its magic stone mines.

In fact, if you think about it, all the luck started after that little boy’s visit.

‘I was lucky.’

Rohan nodded with a smile.

It’s already been a year since I inherited the title from my father.

Since handing over the title of baron last year, my father has been spending his old age at the castle, enjoying sports.

Because of that, I had to take on all kinds of annoying tasks, but I had no complaints.

As I watched the land develop day by day, I felt full even without eating.

The reason he came to Cheonghae Castle today was also related to Yeongji’s business.

This is because, in addition to selling magic stones, we were preparing a business to process magic stones ourselves.

“Im here.”

Before he knew it, the carriage he was riding had passed through the area where the people’s residences and living facilities were concentrated, and had arrived inside the inner castle where the Knights of Haerang and the members of the Duke of Reston resided.

Rohan got out of the carriage with a bright expression.

“thank you.”

He thanked the old butler for guiding him here and looked around with an exclamation of admiration.

Blue wolf-patterned flags hanging everywhere, buildings with a soft blue glow.

And the Knights of Haerang, who are guarding the inner castle without moving an inch.

It was a landscape that felt oppressive whenever I saw it.

Heinrich bowed respectfully to Rohan, who was looking around Cheonghae Castle.

“From here on out, someone else, not me, will be guiding you. Oh, you’re just around the corner.”

“hmm?”

Rohan turned his head in the direction Heinrich was looking.

A boy was walking from afar.

Blonde hair that sparkles in the sunlight.

A height that easily exceeds 170 cm and long arms and legs.

The boy with the flashy appearance that seemed to catch the eye waved his arms at Rohan.

“Baron, you are my lord!”

Rohan could easily recognize who the boy was.

“Lord Caron!”

He smiled and waved along to the boy.

After a while, the boy who arrived in front of him grabbed Rohan’s hand and shook it vigorously.

“How long has it been since this happened?”

“Haha… … It’s been two years since I last saw you when you came back from the capital. Every time I came, Lord Karon was in the training room, so I couldn’t see you. How have you been?”

“As you can see, I’ve grown a lot, haven’t I?”

“I almost didn’t recognize you when I saw you from afar.”

“You’re good at lying now.”

“Haha! I’m serious. If I had a daughter, I would tell Caron right away… … .”

The moment he uttered those words, Rohan couldn’t help but stop talking.

Anyone can see that Caron is growing up well. It’s not just his handsome appearance. His demeanor is different from when I saw him two years ago.

Just encountering it makes you feel naturally overwhelmed.

But Rohan knew Charon’s true identity.

No matter how much the outside has changed, has the essence changed?

“That’s right, Rohan. What I asked you to do was… … .”

Before visiting Cheonghae Castle, there was one thing that Caron had asked for through the communication port.

Rohan glanced around, then handed something wrapped in old-fashioned paper to Caron.

“This is the 21st year of Veron that you requested.”

“Wow, this is it. As expected, the Baron is the best.”

Caron quickly put it in his bosom, as if he was afraid someone would see it. Then he said with a sly smile.

“Yes, how is the former Baron?”

“of course.”

“That’s good. Please tell him that I’ll come and visit him once my probation period is over. The Barondom of Belus is my precious treasury… … no, my precious friend.”

“… … Yes. That’s right.”

After all, human nature does not change easily.

Rohan smiled faintly as he looked at the sly Charon.

Even after two years, he’s still the same crazy guy he remembered.

Caron smiled brightly at Rohan.

“Okay, let’s go. I’ll take you to my father as quickly as possible. Just know that this isn’t a service I can provide to just anyone.”

Two years later, Caron was still the same.

4.

Pale’s new office in Cheonghae Castle.

With a mountain of paperwork piled on his desk, Pale stood up from his seat and greeted his guest.

“I apologize for not being able to greet you in person, Baron Belus. As you can see, I have been very busy with my work, and I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me.”

“No, it’s okay since Lord Caron will guide you personally. Don’t worry about it.”

“… … Did Caron do anything rude?”

“Hey, Father. What do you think of me?”

“Son.”

“yes.”

“Sometimes… … I regret bringing you to Cheonghae Castle… … No. Forget what I said just now. Baron Belus? Please sit here.”

Pale offered Rohan a chair.

Then Rohan sat down with a weak smile.

Tsk tsk.

As soon as he sat down, Pale poured tea into his cup himself.

“Yes, I have already confirmed the letter the Baron sent me last time. He said he is preparing to start processing magic stones.”

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t think we can rely on the magic stone mines forever.”

“It should be enough to mine for at least 30 years.”

“Shouldn’t we also think about the future 30 years from now?”

At Rohan’s words, Pale slowly nodded while taking a sip of tea.

“That’s a wise decision.”

“There are many precedents where territories that relied solely on resources fell into ruin overnight. I do not want to repeat that mistake.”

The business of processing magic stones to create various artifacts is a lucrative one.

To start that business, you need two things:

First, a stable supply of magic stones.

The magic stones mined in the Baronial Domain of Belus are of sufficient quality to craft artifacts, so supply is not a problem.

The real problem comes next.

“Where do you get the processing technicians, including the magic engineers… … .”

Technicians with magic stone processing technology.

These so-called professionals among professionals were not easy to find.

Most of the technicians within the empire are nobles who run magic stone processing businesses or are employed by the magic tower.

First of all, they were high-level personnel that could not be obtained through Baron Belus’s connections.

The reason Rohan visited Cheonghae Castle was to find that method.

“There is no proper way to secure manpower. I tried asking the informants in Thebes, but they also expressed reluctance.”

“They are all highly regarded personnel… … so it’s only natural that they are hard to find.”

Just as Pale was about to lose himself in thought while stroking his chin, Caron, who had been quietly listening to the story, opened his mouth.

“Baron. Why do you insist on recruiting manpower from the Empire?”

It is usually rude to interrupt adults’ conversations.

But Pale listened quietly to Caron. Caron had the intelligence and qualifications to participate in this conversation.

“What does that mean?”

Rohan looked at Charon with sparkling eyes.

I thought that maybe Caron would come up with something novel.

“There are already many established magic stone processing companies within the empire, right? In such a situation, it is not easy to steal high-level personnel. Of course, if you wish, Baron… … there is also the option of using force.”

“By force? In what way… … .”

“We should go to an existing processing company and threaten them with a knife to demand that they hand over their workers. It might be controversial, but would they be able to refuse if we said we would take them?”

“This is too drastic a method. If that is the only way to do business, I would rather think of a different business. I do not want the Duke of Reston to be in trouble because of our greed.”

“Hey, Baron Belus is our duke’s solid money… … .”

Caron was about to speak with a smile when his eyes met Pale’s. Then he coughed a few times.

“Keuh-hem. Anyway, this isn’t something I’m doing just to make money alone. It’s something we’re all doing to make money together, so what could be wrong with it?”

“No matter what, suppressing it by force… … .”

“There is another way for pacifists.”

As he spoke, Caron spread out a map on the table.

A map showing the geography of the continent.

The Empire was located in the north of the map. Charon pointed to the bottom of the Empire with his finger.

“If it’s difficult to find workers domestically, then we can find them overseas, right?”

“… …Are you talking about the Southern Kingdoms?”

“Yes. Their skills may be inferior to those of the Empire’s technicians, but we can provide them with separate training to that extent.”

Several kingdoms located in the southern part of the empire.

As was the case two years ago, the war between the kingdoms is not over yet.

This resulted in a continued influx of refugees into the southern part of the empire.

In other words, the situation in the southern kingdoms was still close to the worst.

“Send people to recruit the magic stone processing technicians of the Southern Kingdoms. Guarantee their safety and promise them better treatment, and that should be enough.”

“The magic stone processing technology is also a core technology. Even the Southern Kingdom would hand them over so easily?”

“Hey, of course we have to move secretly. It’s going to be easy to sneak in since we’re at war anyway.”

Rohan once again expressed his discomfort at Charon’s words.

“It won’t be easy to persuade.”

“So, we should send one of our direct blood relatives. If they are a direct blood relative of the Halo Grand Duke, they will trust us.”

“Caron. Just in case, I’m telling you this, you’re still a resident. Don’t even think about leaving Cheonghae Castle.”

“Father, I never said I was going out. Why did I bother going all the way south?”

Caron answered with his eyes wide open.

Pale looked at his son’s face and sighed deeply.

What on earth is my son thinking?

“Why, there’s a cousin of mine in Cheonghae-seong who only eats rice. Send him to pay for the food.”

“I can’t believe that your cousin is the one who only eats rice… … .”

“Of course, Brother Leo. Brother Leo is soon to turn eighteen, and it is time for him to do something for the family. Brother Leo also has some shares in the Barondom of Belus… … . Wouldn’t he carry out his mission with a sense of ownership?”

“Caron, you really… … .”

“The trouble is for Leo, but we all benefit! It’s a plan that makes everyone happy except for Leo!”

Rohan smiled bitterly as he listened to the conversation between the two rich men.

‘… … Still a crazy guy.’

Even after two years, Caron was still Caron.

There’s a mad dog living in the duke’s house