I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 79

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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 079

79. I Give You Ospal

“Could this place really have changed this much?”

Count Platice looked around with an expression of disbelief.

Even when looking at this place from across the river, he had been greatly surprised. Ospal had changed a lot from what he knew.

‘I heard about it from Sir Keren, but I didn’t think it would be to this extent…’

He had already received reports about Ospal’s changes.

The changes that occurred when Cliff’s Elimis Merchant Guild came. To be precise, it was the change created by the products of Elimis Domain and Tom’s Shop.

Through the collaboration of those two forces, more people came to visit Ospal. Also, many merchants attempted to use Ospal as their base of operations.

“Have you arrived, my lord?”

When he arrived at Ospal, Keren and the family’s soldiers who came to greet him bowed their heads.

“Yes. While I was away… it seems the domain has changed quite a bit?”

“Everything is as I reported. I apologize for handling some matters on my own initiative, my lord.”

“No. They were all correct judgments. If you gave special privileges to local merchants to make them come here instead of Serpal, then it was successful.”

After finishing his words, Count Platice examined Ospal’s market.

Since a noble, and moreover the great lord of this region, had appeared, things became somewhat tense. But even the shops that should have been empty were overflowing, and there were many people.

“You accomplished something that neither I nor Father could succeed in.”

His deceased father.

Mentioning the previous Count Platice, Count Platice patted Keren’s shoulder.

“You really did well.”

“I did nothing. If there is any credit, it would all go to… Baron Ellemis.”

And the moment he heard Keren’s words, Count Platice’s eyes gleamed with interest.

-When those children have offspring, and those offspring inherit the next generation, today’s game results might be overturned. Do you know why?

-Because the Platice Family could embrace a child that the main house could not.

-Congratulations. Through him, the Platice Family will fiercely pursue the main house in the next generation. Without my sons even noticing.

The words the Duke had said to Count Platice that day.

‘At that time, I just thought… it was something he said to prevent me from treating him poorly when handing over the illegitimate son.’

He had thought of it somewhat lightly.

But looking at it now, that wasn’t the case.

Cliff was truly raising the limits of the Platice Barony beyond what they were now.

Though it wasn’t yet enough to surpass the Duke’s house, which was still the greatest family, it seemed they could at least definitively leave behind Serpal, which had been holding them back.

“Hehe.”

Count Platice let out a laugh while watching this scene.

A satisfied expression appeared on his face. At the same time, he also found aspects that Keren had missed.

‘Exempting all taxes? All the income from the auction house became his.’

The more this Ospal grew, the more the Elimis Merchant Guild would grow into an entity that couldn’t be ignored.

Count Platice made a peculiar expression.

“…Sir Keren.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I’m thinking about… proceeding again with that conversation we had before.”

Keren’s pupils shook slightly.

The conversation they had before.

Since Keren was called Count Platice’s right hand, they had many conversations. Among them, Keren deduced what Count Platice was referring to.

And he bowed his head.

“I have the same thoughts.”

“Though we are cousins, we’re too distant. Especially when it comes to our children’s generation.”

“…”

“To complete that plan we both made, it would be better for us to become in-laws rather than just simple cousins.”

Keren did not object to Count Platice’s words.

However, he wore a worried expression and reported to Count Platice. Very unpleasant news he had heard recently.

“Then it would be good to hurry.”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

“Serpal… has approached Baron Ellemis.”

Thud.

Count Platice’s expression hardened.

“Where did those bastards who deserve to be chewed up and spat out go?”

“To Elimis Domain. Under the pretext of executing one of their blood relatives and apologizing to the Elimis Family.”

“Ospal has grown this much because of the Elimis Merchant Guild. Since they lost that Elimis Merchant Guild, they must be scared shitless too?”

“And it also means that the power possessed by the Elimis Family, whom they’re trying to manipulate, is not to be underestimated.”

Count Platice wore an absurd expression and snorted.

“What ridiculous fools.”

Count Platice criticized Serpal.

But unlike his words, Count Platice’s face became urgent. If Cliff were to become close with Serpal here…

‘Even though he’s my adopted son, he’s only a nominal adopted son. He’s not an heir and lacks experience, so I don’t know what judgment he’ll make!’

The Serpal Family were very cunning people. They would certainly present compensation that would be difficult for Cliff to refuse.

‘He absolutely must not be lost! No matter what happens…!’

Separating from Cliff like this could never be good for Count Platice.

He found his beloved horse. And after securing even a spare horse, he headed straight south with his knights.

And meeting Cliff.

He asked him.

“You’re not thinking of joining hands with those Serpal bastards, are you?”

He deliberately asked in a stern tone.

As if he wouldn’t stand for it if Cliff chose Serpal here. But Count Platice’s heart burned with anxiety as he spoke.

‘Please…’

Cliff’s defection here could be too painful.

Just by him trading not only with Ospal but also with Serpal, Ospal, whose foundation was not yet complete, could be in danger.

Cliff opened his mouth.

‘As expected, you came.’

To be honest, Cliff had anticipated that the Count would come looking for him. Serpal had left too strong a scent. It would have been strange if the Platice Family, their sworn enemies, hadn’t reacted.

‘Well. The Count coming personally is unexpected though.’

He thought Keren would come to sound out his intentions. Cliff opened his mouth.

“I am the head of the Elimis Family.”

Count Platice frowned.

“…I know that.”

“I will only do what benefits the Elimis Family most.”

“Tsk. You asked to be adopted and called us family… but you’ll make choices based on profit?”

Count Platice reproached him as if displeased.

However, Count Platice’s face had relaxed a bit. At least it meant there was still a chance for the Platice Family too.

“Serpal is far away.”

“I know.”

“Our Platice Domain is right next to you, and moreover, I’ve entrusted all of the southern part of our barony to you.”

“Weren’t you trying to dump the southern defense on me?”

“Hmph.”

The Platice Family had done enough for him so far.

He wanted to claim that, but he was at a loss for words at Cliff’s retort. Cliff added.

“The children I’m raising are actually fighting the goblins in southern Platice.”

The territorial dispute between goblins and Shadow Wolves.

Indeed, goblin corpses torn apart by wolves were found everywhere. Also, there were rumors of a bear that caused blizzards and blocked goblin waves.

There were no rumors of that bear or the Shadow Wolves harming people.

“I never thought… you’d have so many wolves with you.”

Cliff’s lips curved upward as he listened to Count Platice’s words.

Truly cunning.

Just like the people of Serpal. Though different from Serpal in its own way.

He didn’t dislike it.

Count Platice spoke.

“You have the qualifications. Speak. What is it that you want?”

“I’d like to receive more than what I have now. But I haven’t thought about it. That… shouldn’t you decide, Count?”

“I hate people who talk like you the most. Say what’s really on your mind!”

Count Platice pressed him.

Cliff looked at him and said a word.

“Those are the words I’d like to return to you. Haven’t you already come here with something in mind that you should give, Count?”

“Hah. This is why smart bastards are no good.”

It was like acknowledging Cliff’s words.

“I’ll give you Ospal.”

And he said something Cliff hadn’t expected.

He who had already handed over the southern region of Platice Domain to Cliff. This time he handed over the rapidly growing Ospal to Cliff.

Even Cliff was surprised by this.

“Won’t you regret it? You should be able to see how much Ospal will grow by now, Count…”

“It’s only flashy on the outside, but empty inside! What good does having so much do? You bastard made it so I can’t even collect proper taxes from Ospal!”

Cliff smiled slightly.

The Ospal merchants didn’t pay taxes on their profits. It was because of that benefit that many merchants made Ospal their base.

‘Still, if you saw it once, you might have gotten greedy…’

Count Platice was indeed a shrewd person.

Anyway, this achieved what Cliff had hoped for. Cliff had been wondering from the beginning if he could make Ospal his own manor.

‘Thanks to Serpal, I obtained it easily.’

Of course, his territory was south of the Platice family, and Ospal was at the northernmost tip of Platice Domain, so there were problems with traveling back and forth.

But it didn’t matter.

What he expected from Ospal was to share the skills he possessed.

‘Seeing that Kyuung could roam my manor in the southern part of Platice Domain… the skill effects extend to the manors I’ve acquired.’

Unfortunately, Kyuung couldn’t go to Ospal. But he and the others could go to Ospal anytime.

And if that place became his manor, the things he could do would increase accordingly.

The Platice family wouldn’t lose out either.

“Even doing it this way, we should receive something from the manor owner.”

As the lord, the Platice family who owned the manor would collect more taxes from him.

Also, there was no one else besides Cliff who could handle a place like Ospal.

‘If I get Ospal, I’ll definitely compete with Serpal.’

A win-win structure where both sides benefit in various ways.

He could use Cliff’s favorite word here too. Cliff bowed his head to him.

“You’ve worked so hard coming such a long way. Father.”

“Enough. This son of mine…”

He cursed at him with his eyes.

Even so, Cliff just smiled brightly.

“Since it seems this adopted son won’t inherit any property from Father anyway, shouldn’t I take care of myself?”

“You don’t lose a single word.”

While scolding him, Count Platice said nothing more.

Because those words were also true. Though he became an adopted son of the Platice family, the benefits Cliff gained were small.

Though it seemed like he received a lot on the surface, he was actually given the troublesome southern mountain region.

It was like being assigned goblin subjugation.

And when Cliff was having a war of nerves with the Serpal family, he was left alone.

‘I really have nothing to say.’

He asked Cliff.

“What do you plan to do about Serpal?”

“First, I told them to send 100 serf households. Then I’m thinking of ‘forgiving’ them.”

“Forgiving?”

“But we’re also short on goods to sell at our manor… I can’t sell crafts to Serpal.”

Even if Serpal got angry saying they were deceived, there was nothing they could do.

‘Originally, they planned to gently appease me first to drive a wedge between me and the Platice family, then properly tame me afterward.’

Even if they seemed to give everything now, it was because the Platice family was behind him.

So Cliff’s thoughts were like this.

Cliff said to Count Platice.

“So don’t announce it until then. Won’t the gift Serpal is giving me arrive soon?”

“You’re a devil.”

“I’m wise. Above all, don’t you want me to do that too, Father?”

Count Platice’s lips twitched.

Hooking Serpal and stealing their wealth?

“It does seem like it would be quite entertaining to watch.”

With those words, Count Platice also acknowledged his inner thoughts.

While adding a word.

“But you must be careful. I’ll pay attention too, but… they are bandits.”

“Ah, I know.”

Cliff nodded.

What he meant now was that bandits like during Reton’s time might appear to attack Ospal.

Cliff’s eyes gleamed.

“Rather, I’m hoping they’ll attack once like that.”

And some time later.

Finally, the awaited serfs from Serpal arrived. Cliff had them complete the autumn wheat sowing.

After more time passed, this time snow began to fall on the estate.

“…Then shall we start finding out who the spies are?”

【Hide and Seek, Your Hair is Showing】

Content: Spies have entered the estate.

Root out those spies.

Conditions

-Spy Detection (0/12)

Rewards

-Estate Experience 100

-Lord Experience 150

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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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