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Chapter : 33. The Lord’s Duty and Responsibility (1)
A translucent message appeared:
[Administrator Mode] has been unlocked.
No sooner had the question formed in my mind than more related messages began appearing rapidly before my eyes.
[Administrator Mode] serves as a guide that allows the [Player] to manage and review information related to their domain.
Once [Administrator Mode] is unlocked, the [Player] can utilize the following features:
-
The [Player] can acquire “Territory Experience” to increase the “Territory Level.”
As the territory level rises, the player can research various activities and apply beneficial effects across the territory. -
The [Player] can review the financial status, material resources, and human resources of their owned territory.
-
The [Player] can detect the presence of hidden resources within their territory.
In addition, the [Player] can check ongoing research, production, commerce, and dispatch statuses.
For more detailed information, please refer to the [Administrator Mode] help guide.
The explanation was concise and clear, making it easy to understand.
And just as I expected, I quickly realized this was Iahn’s power.
‘Is this how Iahn was able to command the Allied Forces so perfectly?’
The Allied Forces — where everyone from the continent had gathered.
Iahn had led them not just competently, but flawlessly, as both the continent’s hero and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces.
There might have been some discord, but never any real disputes. It must have been possible thanks to this kind of ability.
And then—
◆Error: No territory currently owned by the player.
It was a power I couldn’t use at the moment.
Just as it said, I didn’t “own” any territory.
True, I held the position of the acting lord as the direct heir of the Whitewolf Count family. But that didn’t mean I actually owned the county.
My father hadn’t left me any inheritance.
Currently, it was my younger sister, Seraphia, who legally owned the County of Whitewolf.
Well, Seraphia had signed a written statement promising to hand the position over to me someday, but…
‘There’s really no need for that.’
To be exact, I had no attachment to the County.
That ability could just as well be used later, with the Allied Forces.
Since [Administrator Mode] only required me to own some “domain” to activate, it wasn’t like I’d lose the ability just because I didn’t use it now.
Gaining quest experience and leveling up alone was enough of a reward for now.
And then, suddenly—
◆A Territory Quest has arrived.
Another territory-related quest.
Before I even had a chance to question it, the quest content began unfolding before my eyes.
You went ahead and created a merchant guild, and even hit the jackpot on your first trade run!
Your shoulders? Sky-high. Your nose? In the clouds.
You strutted around like a victorious general returning from war!
But wait, what’s this? What do you mean… you’re not the lord?
A puppet lord! A figurehead! A mascot! A marionette!
You’re practically the definition of a fake lord!
You think these words are harsh?
Well, maybe you forgot how you’ve treated your people.
You hit them for no reason!
You hit them when annoyed!
You shook them down for drinking money!
You stole from them for gambling money!
Compared to that, being called a fake lord is nothing!!
You’re a terrible person! An awful human being!
Do you even know what your people think when they see you?
“Drop dead”… is too harsh.
“Go to hell”… is too cruel.
How about: “Ascend to heaven”?
Perfect! Please ascend to heaven, they pray every day!
Yes, that’s how far your reputation as a lord has sunk — right into the abyss!
But don’t worry!
There’s a way to pull your lordly authority back from the depths!
How?
Authority means nothing unless accompanied by duty and responsibility.
You’re smart, right? So you know what to do.
Take responsibility. Fulfill your duties.
That’s how you reclaim the authority of a true lord!
== [A Lord’s Authority Comes From Duty and Responsibility] ==
[Objective] — Within 90 days, raise the affection level of your people to [Trust].
[Reward] — <Lord> Authority
[If Declined] — Loss of [Administrator Mode] functionality.
“…”
I was at a loss for words.
The mockery in the quest was one thing, but the penalty for refusal? It was basically blackmail.
Affection levels progressed like this:
Hatred < Disgust < Anger < Conflict < Indifference < Closeness < Friendly < Trust < Affection
◆FYI, your current affection level with your people is [Disgust]!
◆[Disgust] means the people dislike and resent you.
◆[Disgust] does not entail direct hostility, but rather passive rejection — they simply don’t want to be near you.
…So that’s how it is.
[Disgust] was Kai’s affection level.
The [Trust] I needed to reach was equivalent to Seraphia’s level.
In other words, I needed to turn Kai… into Seraphia.
Weird phrasing, but whatever.
Otherwise, I’d lose access to [Administrator Mode].
And I had only 90 days.
It really was blackmail.
Still, I couldn’t say it was all bad.
‘I’ll gain EXP from it, after all.’
Quest EXP gave way better returns than hunting monsters.
Just from one quest, I gained three whole levels.
Given the growing EXP requirements, I’d have to rely more on quests than monster hunts going forward.
But quests weren’t something I could just accept at will.
I wasn’t sure what the mechanism was, but it seemed they were only issued under certain circumstances.
In other words, when a quest came, I had to accept it. And I had to clear it while I still could.
Same thing applied here.
No need to think it over — I accepted.
◆Territory Quest [A Lord’s Authority Comes From Duty and Responsibility] has begun.
“Ways to raise affection…”
It was a tricky task, but not too difficult.
The hint was in the quest title itself.
The authority of a lord comes from fulfilling duties and responsibilities — in other words, I just needed to act as a proper lord.
And what does that mean?
“Stock up supplies for the coming winter.”
Feed the people. Keep them warm.
Fortunately, I was in Freche — a free city specialized in commerce.
With so many goods gathered from across the continent, winter supplies were in abundance.
The only issue was—
Money.
But that wasn’t a problem either.
“Let’s see how much I made…”
Before founding the Predator Guild, I had about 30,000 gold.
After purchasing wagons, labor, tolls, stall fees, tools, and more, I had spent about 9,800 gold — just under my estimated 10,000.
“Good thing meat costs were free.”
Since I hunted the monsters myself, I didn’t pay for materials.
Otherwise, 30,000 gold wouldn’t have been nearly enough.
So, total earnings amounted to…
142,450 gold.
That’s over 14 times my investment — more than enough to prepare for winter in the county. Way more.
In fact, I could’ve earned even more.
If I had raised the price of monster meat, I could’ve gotten 30x, even 100x returns.
But—
“The current price is perfect.”
I didn’t plan to raise it.
Monster meat shouldn’t become a luxury only for the elite.
That would only push it out of public interest, taking the Predator Guild with it.
And my goal wasn’t just to make money.
It was to become the greatest guild on the continent.
To spread the name of Predator Guild far and wide, I had to stay embedded in the public.
Not that I intended to give up profits.
“I’ll take the profits from nobles.”
Instead of gouging the public, I’d sell Rex meat to nobles at an insanely inflated price.
Originally, I thought of a 10x markup…
“No — let’s make it 1,000x.”
Ridiculous? Yes.
Did I care? Not in the slightest.
In fact, I was sure it would sell better.
Nobles love the words “exclusive” and “luxury.”
By charging a ridiculous premium, I’d cater to their vanity, and they’d happily open their wallets.
And really, what could they do?
“I have a monopoly on monster meat.”
I’m the only one who can produce and distribute Rex meat on the continent.
“Everyone, gather up!”
Having organized my thoughts, I summoned the guild members and soldiers.
“Take notes — I’m about to list everything we need for the county.”
I named every essential supply for the winter and handed out plenty of gold for the purchases.
“Once your lists are done, head to Freche’s guild market and buy what you need. Now go.”
“Yes, sir!”
With energetic replies, everyone mobilized in perfect unison.
Fast, efficient — Seraphia really had assigned excellent people.
“Well then, time for me to move too.”
Of course, I had my own tasks.
First priority: track Iahn’s whereabouts.
I couldn’t do that alone, so I planned to use the Merchant Guild.
The Merchant Guild didn’t just control Freche — it dominated every Free City.
With overwhelming capital, it wielded power equal to that of a lord.
If Iahn had passed through any Free City, their network would’ve caught wind of it.
Especially with Iahn’s personality — guaranteed to stir up… well, chaos.
That was one of the reasons I hadn’t distanced myself from the Merchant Guild. Instead, I brought them in as allies.
Now that I’d made a big profit, spending it to win favor would ensure they’d never refuse my requests.
That too was a form of investment.
But a merchant who only invests in short-term gains is a fool.
A merchant who only chases profit won’t last long.
To create the continent’s greatest guild—
“If I’m going to spend, might as well do it big.”
The Predator Guild would invest in people.
The season of bitter cold crept ever closer.
And though it wasn’t yet in full swing, the County of Whitewolf was already buried in snow.
Trade with the outside world had been completely cut off.
Roads were frozen over and blanketed in snow. Wagons couldn’t move. Supplies couldn’t come in or go out.
Seraphia listened to Bernard, the chief steward, with a darkened expression.
“We should prepare for long-term isolation.”
This winter would be one of the harshest in history.
The cold froze skin and halted all productivity. They had to survive on the supplies stockpiled in previous seasons.
But—
“Our food and firewood stores are gravely insufficient.”
They had barely anything.
This year’s unusual chill, coupled with the sudden death of the previous count, had led to this crisis.
“More and more people are falling ill…”
Cold might kill bacteria and viruses, but it didn’t mean illness didn’t exist.
Hypothermia, frostbite, respiratory infections—
Deadly cold-related conditions were spreading.
“We’re short on medical supplies, so many are left untreated.”
The County simply lacked the resources for care.
Most cold-related illnesses weren’t complicated to treat.
Keep them warm, give them hot food, let them sleep in heated shelters — that’s all it took.
But… they had none of that.
“Even the water is frozen. We can’t secure drinking water.”
Something so simple and essential — was out of reach.
“Many are collapsing from dehydration…”
It was a total disaster.
But worst of all—
“The people are terrified. Their fear has reached its peak.”
Losing hope — that was the most dangerous part.
As people suffered through the bitter cold, their will to live would fade.
That despair would spread like a plague, infecting the entire county.
“……”
Seraphia closed her eyes. Then slowly opened them, having made her decision.
“I’ll accept Baron Beneron’s offer.”
“You mustn’t!”
Kai shouted.
But Seraphia was firm.
“There’s no other way right now.”
Kai had no words.
“It’s the only way to protect the people.”
And he knew it was true.
There was no other solution to overcome this crisis — not unless they accepted Baron Beneron’s terms.
To shout “No!” now would be no better than childish refusal, without a single viable plan.
…It was devastating.
This powerlessness he felt.
What good were “genius talents,” if he couldn’t do anything?
He couldn’t protect Seraphia with talent alone.
And brute strength had its limits.
Kai clenched his fists tightly in despair and anger at his helplessness.
That was the only thing he could do.
And then—
“S-Something’s happened!!!”
A soldier burst into the room, flinging the door wide open.
No knocking. Incredibly rude.
Kai’s brow twitched.
“Hah… Hah…”
But seeing the soldier panting, pale and urgent, Kai set aside his anger and asked:
“What is it?”
“It’s Adrian…! Adrian has…!”
The soldier’s message was unexpected.
Why was Adrian being mentioned now?
