Chapter 426
“Undead cleansing is essential,” considering the difficulty of cleansing, I recommend hiring a Blazing Sun Mage. To save costs, we can promise them a forest from which they can continuously collect Demon Beast materials.”
“There’s no need to worry about the undead cleansing, we have a professional team.”
“I see, I had forgotten about your excellent relationship with the Church… Then that’s settled. As for road construction, I agree with the proposal to build roads, but I do have some doubts, namely why build them directly to the border of Romany Duchy. While it facilitates trade, it also seems somewhat risky…”
“It’s about the trade of Betel Territory and Castel’s next phase of planning. As for safety, Betel is easy to defend and difficult to attack, simply strengthen the fortifications.”
“I understand. Then regarding the sustainable management of the forest, I know several Elf Druids with whom I am on good terms…”
“That would be most advantageous, Baron, could you introduce them to me?”
“Certainly, I am happy to serve.”
“There’s also no need to worry about funding, Castel can cover it.”
“That couldn’t be better, Betel alone would certainly not be able to raise sufficient funds…”
…
Baron Betel and Charlotte talked more and more animatedly and in greater detail, and eventually, Charlotte even called her maid Sherry over. Each time the two finalized a measure, Sherry would immediately make the changes on the parchment scroll.
Time passed unnoticed in discussion, and by the time Baron Betel and Charlotte had thoroughly sorted out the development plan for the Baron Domain, it had turned dark.
Charlotte picked up the parchment scroll, reviewed it again, and was very satisfied.
She looked at Baron Betel and said with a smile,
“Indeed, such planning still needs the involved parties to make improvements to be more feasible. Baron, I thank you for your support.”
Baron Betel hastily gestured,
“Count, you’re too polite. This is all for the Baron Betel Territory. By comparison, I should be thanking you.”
At this point, Baron Betel hesitated slightly and looked somewhat puzzled,
“However, I do wonder, why are you so interested in Betel? Although Betel Territory is in a unique position, it is after all just a small Baron Domain, yet you’ve put in so much effort to design a development plan especially for it…”
Hearing Baron Betel’s words, Charlotte responded with a smile,
“The key lies in the unique situation of Betel Territory. It is a trade route yet has been in decline for many years due to historical reasons, making it very suitable as a pilot for revitalization and development…”
Baron Betel’s heart stirred,
“A pilot? You mean to say… Betel Territory is just a trial, and if things go well here, you plan to apply a similar planning model to other parts of your Domain?”
Charlotte nodded slightly,
“That’s correct. A small boat turns quickly; I see the Baron Betel Territory as the most suitable showcase due to its location and resources, and it’s easy to achieve results.”
With that, she sighed,
“Although Castel has a solid foundation, I have also found many problems during the more than one year I’ve served as the Lord: food production, urban construction, public security management, education, military supplies, wealth gaps… and so on. In reality, these all pose issues. Each noble acts independently, with fragmented territorial authority. Beyond the directly administered domain, a lord’s influence over their entire domain is quite limited.”
“However, the Castel Domain enjoys a major business thanks to its superior geographical location, which allows for trade development. A prosperous commerce has temporarily concealed some of these problems.”
“I hope to have a long-term plan for the future development of the entire domain, but it is very difficult to establish a development plan for the entire Count Territory and then implement it across the domains of various vassals, given the current noble system. Depending entirely on the Castel family’s finances isn’t realistic either.”
“Castel is not a centralized Count Territory. If we want the nobles to support a development plan and contribute to it, we must let them see the benefits in it…”
Upon hearing Charlotte’s words, Baron Betel realized:
“I see, I understand what you mean now. You want to use the Baron Betel Territory as a breakthrough point to establish a long-term development plan for the whole domain, and to significantly gain the nobles’ agreement, cooperation, and implementation.”
“If you think about it carefully, it’s not impossible to achieve. As long as the plan can bring considerable benefits to the nobles, and as long as their interests are tied to the development of Castel, they will most likely support it…”
Baron Betel stopped mid-sentence.
Because he suddenly realized a problem.
If the long-term planning of the Castel family were to gain approval from the nobles throughout the domain, if such long-term planning could be truly grounded and earnestly carried out, wouldn’t that mean the Castel family’s control over the entire domain would also steadily increase?
This was inevitable, because carrying out such comprehensive planning necessarily entailed meticulous management of the entire domain.
At first, Castel might need the nobles to execute the plans and garner their approval, but as time went on and as the plans were successfully implemented, Castel’s influence over the entire domain would naturally increase.
And once the nobles got used to this development model led by Castel, there was every possibility for Castel to step in and gradually replace the role played by the nobles in it, revamping the entire domain’s management model around this planning pattern, and even… completely marginalize the nobles!
This was not impossible. Or in other words, if the Castel family has the intention to strive in this direction, it could be possible.
Moreover, as long as it is done properly, as long as the nobles enjoy the benefits brought by the development plan under the lead of Castel, they might very well unwittingly fall into this sweet “trap”…
Far-seeing nobles are few and far between, and most are short-sighted. This, Baron Betel was very sure of.
Thinking to this point, Baron Betel had already understood the deeper implications behind the plan…
This is not simply a plan formulated for the development of Castel, but also for the future centralization of power within the Castel family!
Of course, to achieve Castel’s goals, the Castel family must have a Lord with high enough prestige to convincingly lead the nobles, as well as a long enough reign.
Does Castel have such a Lord?
Of course.
In Baron Betel’s view, the girl before him was exactly that.
A wise, powerful, and young Lord, perfectly fitting the bill.
The only deficiency might be the issue of an heir, but considering how young she is, the future is full of variables. Baron Betel does not consider this to be much of a problem, even though… she once made a vow of celibacy before a Divine Statue.
With these thoughts in mind, Baron Betel’s expression changed completely as he looked at Charlotte.
Facing Baron’s complex gaze, Charlotte smiled:
“Baron Betel, I’d like to know if you would be willing to assist me in taking this first step in the Baron Betel Territory?”