I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 121

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Inheriting a Beautiful Wife and Estate Episode 121

121. A Problem Even Cliff Can’t Solve

I returned home.

My family and the old man welcomed me back.

“Finally, this land can not only be self-sufficient but also maintain comfortable reserves. It’s a bountiful harvest, Your Highness.”

On the way, I could see the farmhouses of the estate.

During the time I spent at sea, in Ratniya, and in Duke Serniu’s domain, this year’s harvest had already been completed.

Though the fields were empty, the straw bundles piled there showed traces of farming.

Did he notice my gaze turning to those fields? Those were Nigel’s words of report.

I shook my head at his words.

“Tsk tsk. Old man. That’s only true for this capital, isn’t it? Once you leave the capital, aren’t there still plenty of estates where people are starving?”

“That is true, but…”

“Then it’s not a good year but a bad year.”

Nigel seemed a bit flustered by my words.

But he was still Nigel.

He immediately accepted what I had said.

“…Your Highness is correct.”

It wasn’t an expression of reluctant agreement.

Seeing this, Cliff felt regret.

‘His mindset is good.’

My territory had expanded.

Accordingly, my perspective needed to broaden, and my heart needed to expand as well.

Nigel was capable of this. However, the more this was true, the more regrettable something became.

‘…It would have been nice if he were just a bit younger.’

This was the most regrettable part for Cliff.

Being able to change at this age, setting aside past rigidity and following my will was already remarkable. But Nigel was old.

The time he could physically work was short.

I hadn’t expected it, but Cliff came to understand someone he had respected in his previous life.

‘Now I understand why our Great King kept refusing resignations.’

Hwanghi, Jomal-saeng, and others.

Among them, Hwanghi’s anecdotes were famous. The same went for Jomal-saeng. He was actually someone who had committed crimes deserving death, yet the king kept him alive until the end and repeatedly rejected his resignations.

That person was King Sejong the Great, called the greatest sage king of the Joseon Dynasty. Someone no Korean could help but show infinite respect for.

What I mean is.

‘I have no choice but to follow the Great King’s example.’

It meant I couldn’t let go of someone like Nigel either.

Nigel would have to work a bit longer. At least until a new person who could replace him grew up.

“When do you think we can end the famine?”

Cliff muttered.

Of course, disparities could exist between estates. There could be poor estates and wealthy estates.

However, the estates of Elimis Duchy were generally poor.

Looking at the entire duchy, the Elimis estate that Nigel mentioned, my direct domain, was very small.

“There’s no need to view things only pessimistically.”

This statement came from Bellgimov Elder.

Unlike Nigel, he didn’t specifically base his words on Elimis estate.

“Farmhouses across the entire nation produced over 30% more yield compared to last year.”

I had anticipated that part.

‘It would be strange if yields didn’t increase in the first place.’

Until now, they couldn’t receive the effects of my status window. But from now on, all estates would receive help from the status window.

So this part was perfectly normal. And one more thing.

“Also, starting from this farming season, we plan to cultivate winter wheat extensively across the entire nation. The wheat production will likely increase significantly from next year.”

“What about rice?”

“We’re thinking of cultivating the Tiramill that Your Grace mentioned on a trial basis. When produced here… it seems securing quantity is important.”

Hearing those words, Cliff nodded.

The climate and soil of Elimis estate didn’t represent the entire Yusta Peninsula.

Elimis estate originally had harsh conditions even within that region.

‘Especially for wheat.’

It was more optimized for rice than wheat.

But other places were different. Growing wheat would probably be better than rice there.

However, there was another problem.

“The problem is that each estate lacks sufficient labor.”

“Tsk.”

Cliff clicked his tongue.

This was all due to the existing environment.

‘Food was scarce, and because of this, people sold their families…’

That reduced the population.

Hadn’t my adoptive father, the previous Count Platice, criticized the Serpal Family for this reason?

‘Actually, rather than this reason, it seemed like he just hated the Serpal Family… but anyway, as he pointed out, the land is vast, but there are always insufficient people to cultivate it.’

At times like this, I sometimes envied monsters.

They quickly bore offspring, and those offspring also grew to adulthood quickly.

Of course, this was also a relative factor. From the perspective of Dark Elves like Bellgimov, who was currently reporting to Cliff, humans weren’t different either.

Anyway, if the situation had come to this…

“I’ll have to summon the nobles?”

“Once Your Grace’s castle is completed, you should summon them.”

Bellgimov’s advice made me smile bitterly.

“That’s too late.”

It was a major construction project.

This duchy already lacked manpower. It would be difficult to advance the construction deadline.

“Then it would be best to time it with the birthdays of Your Highness and your family members.”

This advice came not from Bellgimov but from Nigel. At his words, Cliff looked at a woman who was still standing apart.

‘Come to think of it…’

I sometimes forget.

The coming of winter means it’s her birthday. The winter festival held here also ultimately derives from her birthday.

Since I could guess why Nigel brought this up, the corners of Cliff’s mouth rose.

“You’ve changed a lot too, old man.”

“Hehe.”

Nigel burst into hearty laughter.

He felt that his thoughts had been seen through in Cliff’s words.

-You’ve changed a lot too, old man

Those were his words.

It was exactly as he said.

The previous rigid Nigel, who also applied strict standards due to the demands of the deceased Baron Elimis.

He had changed his thinking considerably now. He had become more relaxed and generous, and he also felt indebted to Priscilla.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He had become so flexible.

Now he could even make such retorts to Cliff’s words.

“Enough. There’s still plenty of work, but since I’ve finally returned, I think I’ve had enough conversation with old men. I’d like you to step aside now so young people can talk among themselves.”

Jaide.

Along with Nigel and Teobaldt, he was classified as one of Cliff’s closest associates in the duchy.

The manager of Elimis Trading Guild, classified as a meritorious retainer.

He felt tense or expectant as he was summoned by Cliff.

‘What is he trying to say today…’

From the first time they met in Serpal, Cliff had been special to Jaide.

First of all, the feeling above his head was intense. Because of that, there was some tension at first.

But that was all in the past.

Now he was a more excellent lord than anyone else.

“I heard you summoned me, Your Grace.”

He had been merely a baron ruling over a fallen small estate.

That was in the past.

Such a person had become the ruler of a duchy in just a few years. When bowing his head before him, Jaide recalled this again.

And he grew nervous.

‘What on earth could it be for someone like His Grace to have such an expression?’

Cliff’s complexion looked bad.

A dark hue.

He even sighed in that state.

“Huu.”

It was a very heavy sigh.

Because of that, the air in the study where only the two of them were present became heavy.

Jaide’s tension increased.

‘He’s someone who showed a cheerful attitude even in bad situations…’

His personality itself might be optimistic, or perhaps he deliberately wanted to make problems seem light.

Cliff rarely showed expressions like the one he had now.

But today was different.

He was looking at Jaide with a hardened expression.

“…Jaide.”

Finally Cliff’s mouth opened and called his name.

“Yes, Your Grace. I am here. Please command me anything.”

It was a face filled with worry.

Jaide deliberately answered Cliff in an exaggerated manner. It was the appearance he usually showed.

It was Jaide’s heart wanting to give him even a little courage.

Even so, Cliff made a long preamble instead of getting to the point.

“I think our relationship is very close. Teobaldt is the sword I can trust most, and if I entrusted my household to Nigel in my absence, then with you I discussed the future together.”

How grand indeed.

But hearing these words was extremely moving for Jaide.

Though they were similar in age, for someone he respected to speak of him this way.

‘Someone who discusses the future together.’

How wonderful was that?

Jaide swallowed his saliva and bowed his head in emotion.

“I merely did what was proper to do for Your Grace. If there is anything you wish to command this time as well, please order me anything.”

What he was saying now was not the main point.

Cliff’s serious expression.

He had not summoned Jaide to praise him. If he had said such pleasant words to hear, it meant that the task he was about to assign could be that difficult.

So Jaide added.

“Whatever it may be, I will resolve Your Grace’s worries.”

“Of course. Who else but Jaide could I discuss this important matter with?”

It was moving, truly moving.

This trust felt from Cliff’s words.

Receiving the trust of one’s lord was infinite glory as a retainer.

“I am someone very blessed by God. For I have a friend to share this heavy burden with.”

Cliff was being more excessive than usual today.

Gradually, suspicion began to bloom in Jaide as well.

‘Something feels strange…’

It felt off.

It was as if he had returned to his usual self. Everything from just moments ago felt like acting.

Cliff said.

“I believe. Our Jaide will surely keep the words he has spoken. Whatever task is assigned, he will resolve this heavy and great burden of mine… my greatest worry.”

He had been caught!

Gradually Jaide’s expression changed.

‘As expected, he’s someone I can never let my guard down around! As a merchant, I did something I should never do!’

-I merely did what was proper to do for Your Grace. If there is anything you wish to command this time as well, please order me anything.

-Whatever it may be, I will resolve Your Grace’s worries.

The words he had spoken flashed through his mind.

This was a blank check.

Making an unconditional promise to the other party was something that should never be said. Moreover, the other party was a lord.

“My heart was very heavy, but fortunately. Since our Jaide has volunteered to do anything for me, all my worries about whether I could ask for such a thing have disappeared.”

Saliva went down and cold sweat flowed.

‘How could you do this…!’

It was too late.

He had already put his head into the crocodile’s open mouth.

Now there was no way to escape.

“Surely Jaide wouldn’t have lied before the Grand Duke of the Great Elimis Duchy. Yes, of course not.”

“Th, that is…”

Jaide trailed off.

“Jaide.”

Cliff changed his expression to serious again.

With a very heavy expression, he said.

“In a few months, it will be Priscilla’s birthday.”

“That is…”

He already knew.

And Jaide could guess what Cliff was going to say.

“The problem of labor shortage in the duchy, raising food self-sufficiency rates – I think I can handle those somehow. However, there’s one area where even this country has no answer.”

Cliff raised the corners of his mouth.

“I just can’t choose a birthday present for my wife. It would be nice if my wife would tell me what she wants, but she doesn’t. She says anything is fine? My wife is different from other women – she’d really be happy even if I just got her a wildflower. But you see.”

Cliff said.

“My position doesn’t allow for that. It seems, Jaide, you’ll have to get me ‘anything.’ Can I trust only Jaide and entrust my future to him?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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