In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 141

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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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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 141

“Hmm. I’d like to hear what this good idea of my granddaughter’s is first.”

Grandfather said to me.

At least the reaction wasn’t bad.

Honestly, I had been feeling anxious, so I swallowed a sigh of relief.

Using the authority of the direct lineage to get involved in Lombardi affairs was completely different from making suggestions to Grandfather about what happened in the north.

I subtly caught my breath and then carefully began to speak.

“Actually, Master Cleribane sometimes asks me for my opinion on trading company matters.”

“Cleribane does?”

Grandfather said with wide eyes, as if surprised.

Cleribane was one of the few people that Grandfather acknowledged.

But for such a Cleribane to discuss work matters with me.

I felt Grandfather’s gaze toward me change slightly as I continued speaking.

“Yes, and this morning was one of those times. About the landslide in the north.”

“Mm. Yes, you heard about it too, Tia.”

“It’s truly a tragic situation.”

Grandfather nodded as he looked at my somber face.

“So during our discussion, several ideas came up that could be good opportunities for both Pellet Trading Company and Lombardi.”

Grandfather said nothing and stared at me intently for a moment.

This was quite different from Grandfather’s usual demeanor of grinning whenever he saw me and bursting into hearty laughter with an “Ahaha!”

His eyes were unusually serious and deep.

“Before that, I have something to ask you, Tia.”

Grandfather said to me in a quiet voice.

“What do you think should be our Lombardi’s attitude regarding this northern landslide?”

“We should help the north. They suffered tremendous damage from the landslide.”

Fortunately, the Aivan lord had accepted Violet’s words, so there wasn’t the devastating loss of life like in my previous life.

Still, many people had lost their homes and livelihoods.

“I think we can’t turn a blind eye to a crisis in a region that bears responsibility for one pillar of the Empire.”

“Why is that? It’s a distant place and has nothing to do with us.”

“The Empire is divided into east, west, south, north, and center, but it’s also never truly divided.”

Whether we like it or not, all the various families are entangled through all kinds of connections and dealings.

We can’t just stand by with our arms crossed because it’s something happening in the distant north.

“Just looking at the mines alone, the north needs to normalize quickly for our Lombardi’s mining business to normalize again too. We should roll up our sleeves and step forward to help. However.”

“However?”

“However, I think there’s definitely a way for our Lombardi to gain benefits in the process of helping the north.”

Grandfather made a “hmm” sound and nodded, then asked.

“Then what should be prioritized most in helping the north?”

“Reconstruction.”

I answered immediately without hesitation.

“Helping with reconstruction so the northern people can stand up again with their own strength should be the top priority. And if there’s one more thing… it would be holding people accountable.”

“Accountability.”

Grandfather said in a low voice while stroking his short beard.

“Yes, the Aivan family greatly increased their logging operations. As the great lords, their responsibility is significant.”

“I think there’s one more family besides Aivan that should share responsibility for the landslide.”

I looked at Grandfather with eyes that held no trace of laughter.

“What do you think, Grandfather?”

“…To think my granddaughter and I think so alike, it’s reassuring and wonderful.”

Grandfather, who had paused briefly, smiled with a subtle upturn of his lips.

I also spoke in a much brighter voice.

“Of course, helping the north rebuild safely comes first!”

“Of course, of course!”

“And in that process, our Lombardi should also make ourselves look good!”

“What kind of good impression do you mean?”

Grandfather asked, interlacing his fingers on the armrest of his chair.

This was one of Grandfather’s habits when he was concentrating.

“Pellet Trading Company has a lot of Triva timber, Grandfather. Master Cleribane wants to return that timber back to the north.”

“So Cleribane was thinking that way. How unlike him, yet admirable.”

Grandfather said this with a smile.

“Right? If we sold to Angenas now, they’d pay whatever price we asked.”

If it had been Cleribane’s usual character, he probably would have handed over the timber to Angenas without a moment’s hesitation.

For an enormous sum of money.

Now that even the supply of Triva trees from the north had become uncertain, Angenas would come running with their eyes blazing, so we could definitely make a solid profit.

But I held the final decision-making authority for Pellet Trading Company.

And the Triva timber had been collected from the beginning in preparation for this landslide.

The ‘money we could have earned’ wasn’t regrettable at all.

Because there was a bigger purpose than earning money from Angenas.

“Master Cleribane plans to resell the Triva wood that Pellet Trading Company has to the northern families, including the Aivan family, so it can be used for reconstruction. At a price that doesn’t even cover transportation costs. And I’d like Lombardi to join in this effort too.”

“This isn’t just about Lombardi also buying timber to send north.”

“Don’t you think the presence of skilled technicians is just as necessary at disaster sites as sturdy materials, Grandfather?”

“You’re talking about the civil engineers from Lombardi Construction.”

As expected of Grandfather.

He immediately grasped my thinking.

“Of course, they might be busy with the Angenas development project…”

I muttered quietly while watching Grandfather’s reaction.

Sure enough.

When the Angenas development project came up, Grandfather’s face hardened slightly.

Not only had Biejie made that ridiculous contract to receive payment later, but now with problems in timber supply, the construction itself had become uncertain.

Grandfather must be deeply troubled too.

But that was only momentary.

Grandfather soon spoke in a calm voice.

“As it happens, it’s time for several technicians to depart for the west as a follow-up team. There won’t be any major disruption if they stay in the north for a while.”

“Then…?”

“Yes, I’ll send a letter to Cleribane myself.”

Perfect.

With this, the north, especially the Aivan family, would owe a great debt of gratitude to both Lombardi and Pellet Trading Company.

“Ah, how impressive it will be.”

“Impressive? What will be?”

“At the council meeting in a few days. When Grandfather declares ‘This is how Lombardi will help the north!’ it will be so impressive!”

A completely different level of impressiveness from other nobles who are trembling in fear of being squeezed for even a penny in the name of relief!

That’s what Lombardi is all about!

“Hehe, this girl.”

Grandfather also seemed to like my words as he chuckled.

I took the opportunity to suggest.

“Before the council meeting, how about Grandfather personally calls the Aivan deputy lord to tell him? Good news should always be delivered face to face!”

I don’t know if such a saying actually exists, but it’s true anyway!

At my words, Grandfather thought for a moment then said.

“Then would you like to try it?”

“…Pardon?”

“Would you like to try telling the Aivan deputy lord directly yourself, is what I mean.”

This time I was truly shocked.

While not the Aivan Patriarch himself, this was someone who officially held the title of ‘Deputy Lord.’

To have a direct conversation with such a person.

This was an enormous matter.

I looked at Grandfather, who was waiting patiently without rushing me.

What kind of answer did Grandfather think I would give?

What expectations might he harbor behind that still gentle face?

I answered.

“If you entrust it to me, I’ll make sure to show off properly, Grandfather.”

At that moment, a bright smile spread across Grandfather’s entire face.

“Yes, I’ll entrust it to you once, Tia.”

Grandfather said, patting my shoulder.

* * *

Deputy Lord Aivan, Ronchent Aivan, sat in the drawing room of the Empress’ Quarters with a stern expression.

After receiving the tragic news at yesterday’s council meeting, he had been so overwhelmed that he didn’t know how time had passed.

After returning from the palace to the manor, Ronchent was able to receive a more detailed letter from his father, the Aivan Patriarch.

Fortunately, considering the scale of the landslide, there weren’t that many casualties.

This was thanks to someone from Pellet Trading Company giving advance warning.

The bridges connecting the trade routes were severed, and the walls of some important fortresses in the northern region collapsed.

However, such things could be restored as long as the people of the territory were safe.

In that regard, this landslide could be called heaven’s blessing.

But separate from that, Ronchent’s heart was heavy.

While the unprecedented heavy rainfall was heaven’s will, the reckless cutting of trees from the mountains was human doing.

It was a decision made by the Aivan Family.

They had even dragged other families into providing timber to Angenas.

Not satisfied with the Aivan Family’s land alone, they had cut down Triva trees from mountains owned by other families as well.

“Sigh…”

Due to this landslide, the members of the Aivan Family were keenly feeling their responsibility.

The same was true for Ronchent Aivan.

Just recently, Ronchent had even sent a letter saying they needed to increase logging to meet Angenas’s demands.

But he hadn’t come to the Empress’ Quarters to blame Angenas.

Early this morning, there had been a letter that arrived from Aivan.

As soon as he received it, Ronchent Aivan had rushed to the Empress’ Quarters.

But it was only now, after several hours had passed, that he actually got to meet the Empress.

This was because the Empress had only gotten up near noon.

As if this was a common occurrence, the servants who attended to Ronchent’s refreshments while he waited were completely nonchalant.

Unaware of Ronchent’s burning anxiety inside.

However, he couldn’t presume to wake the Empress.

Letting her sleep with even a slightly more comfortable mind was perhaps his minimal consideration for the Empress.

After all, even if time passed, nothing would change.

“Her Majesty the Empress is coming.”

Finally, Empress Lavinia appeared.

“What brings you here so early, Deputy Lord Aivan?”

“The thing is…”

Ronchent Aivan hesitated about how to begin speaking.

And after moving his lips several times, he finally managed to spit out those words.

That heavy news that had flown from the Aivan Estate.

“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. The Angenas Patriarch was caught up in an accident caused by this landslide and has passed away.”

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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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