🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 5
Rian took out another sheet of paper and wrote the word “Power” in large letters.
How could he increase his strength?
Studying alone wouldn’t be enough.
Even though he knew nothing, he didn’t think he could succeed with just studying. He couldn’t do it alone. He needed reliable aides who could act as his hands and feet.
Yes, he needed talented people.
Not only teachers to guide him but also skilled individuals in various fields. Physical training was essential too. Without stamina, he might have to give up even before accomplishing what he aimed for.
Building military strength was also important. It was an era when territorial wars were frequent. To protect his lands and subjects, he had to focus on increasing his knights and soldiers.
“In the end… it comes down to money.”
Few people didn’t realize that cultivating talent and raising troops would cost a lot of money.
Rian recalled the past carefully. The territory’s finances had been terrible before he died, but now it was 15 years earlier. From what he remembered, the finances began to deteriorate after the death of the steward, Alman.
A stranger had been appointed steward based on the recommendation of the other administrators, and he colluded with them to start siphoning off funds in earnest.
By the time the naive master and Lady Regina discovered this, the schemers had already taken what they wanted and fled.
The Calista family, not a top-tier noble house but still possessing considerable land and wealth, would have remained solid while Alman was alive.
That brought him a sense of relief. Unlike before, he no longer had to be frustrated by his social status, and he wouldn’t need to live a pitiful life because of money.
“First, I’ll pay my respects to Mother today.”
After roughly organizing his thoughts, Rian decided to visit his mother in the morning. No longer “lady,” but mother.
Thinking of the gentle face of the former lady brought a natural smile to his lips. As Rian turned the doorknob, the small click of the lock opening reached his ears.
But then… something caused him to pause.
As he was about to step outside, his body froze, and he stepped back, closing the door again. His gaze fell on a painting in the exact center of the door.
A dragon—the strongest monster on earth—spreading threatening wings and breathing flames hotter than lava.
Rian murmured absentmindedly as he stared at the picture:
“…Rare.”
Why hadn’t he thought of it until now?
It was because of the rare dragon that he had died in the war and started a new life.
The rare had been discovered 15 years later. That meant it still existed, and Rian was the only one who knew of its existence.
His heart began to race uncontrollably. He forgot about visiting his mother, lost in thoughts while clutching his pounding chest.
Two of the empire’s most prominent duke families had gone to war over the rare. It was said that just one rare could buy an entire small kingdom, so it was a natural decision.
Not only that, but it would also bring priceless magical tomes, expensive jewels, and various rare treasures.
And there was more.
Because dragons loved shiny things, the area around their rare was overflowing with natural resources and minerals. Selling just those would secure wealth for generations.
For such immense fortune to fall into his hands!
Rian couldn’t calm his racing heart for a while, feeling as if he were living a miracle.
“Can I pinpoint the exact location of the rare?”
He had a general idea, but the entrance was so securely hidden that even the master didn’t know it.
Rumor said that one couldn’t enter without risking their life, but Rian had no way of knowing if it was true.
Out of habit, he took out another sheet of paper and wrote:
Rare…
The neat, well-formed letters seemed to shine unusually brightly on the page.
Meanwhile, Rian’s expression was more serious than ever.
If he were truly just a fifteen-year-old boy, he would have rushed to find the rare in excitement, but he was already a thirty-year-old adult. He vividly remembered the events the rare had caused in the empire.
He must never act recklessly. Even if he managed to find the entrance and obtain the treasures, it had to remain a secret.
The empire was a brutal survival-of-the-fittest world.
Seizing the rare required strength: strength to prevent others from taking it, strength to protect what was his, and strength to use what he obtained confidently.
Until he possessed all that, he alone had to know about it. Fortunately, for at least the next 15 years, no one else would know about the rare.
He had bought time. During that time, he needed to grow his power.
The strength to fully possess the rare.
Just as a lord needs power to rule a territory, so did Rian.
“So the finances should be enough now.”
Although he hadn’t seen it, he was already confident that incredible treasures awaited in the rare. If the empire’s still-healthy finances were supplemented with the wealth from the rare, he wouldn’t need to worry about money for the time being.
“Still, I’ll need to maintain it carefully.”
Even successful noble families could easily collapse from one or two mistakes. Securing the rare didn’t mean he could relax; he still had to remain vigilant.
Even after obtaining something great, he had to keep his guard up and keep moving forward. For that, reliable aides were essential.
The same thoughts kept repeating.
Thinking carefully was good, but if it remained just thought, it would be useless. Carefulness was important, but he had to act.
“First, find the rare.”
He had a long 15-year window, but whether he searched in one year or five was uncertain. He only knew its existence and rough location.
If it were concealed by magic, the trouble would be even greater. So he needed to start investing time now to locate it.
Could he do it alone?
The Compton Mountains, spanning the east and west of the empire, were notorious for their treacherous terrain. Entering alone could mean facing dangerous animals. What could a fifteen-year-old body protect?
“Still, I have to do it.”
Rian wasn’t a coward who would turn away from such a huge prize.
He had already died once. While he wasn’t fearless, he didn’t want to avoid this challenge.
It would take two to three days from his territory to the Compton Mountains. The mountains marked the borders of two duke families and also bordered Rian’s lands.
In reality, the rare was closer to his territory than theirs.
But, as always, the world favored the strong. When the empire’s two mightiest families charged forward, there would be no chance for the master to act.
Even a foolish master had enough sense to follow the other nobles and choose a side.
Now, however, the situation was entirely different. The duke families didn’t even know the rare existed. Rian had to find it and claim it before anyone else.
“Hoo…”
Rian exhaled sharply and poured himself a cup of water. Perhaps due to the continuous tension, his throat had been dry since yesterday.
He drank one cup and then another. Soon, the familiar sound of knocking came. Looking outside, the sun was already high.
The maid was probably announcing that breakfast was ready. The master always started the day with a late meal.
“Lord, it’s time to eat.”
“Understood.”
Before getting up, Rian lit the candle and burned the paper. It wasn’t a secret worth much, but he didn’t want anyone to see it.
Despite the black ashes covering the table, Rian meticulously ensured every scrap was burned.
“I’ve arrived.”
After breakfast, Rian went to his mother’s room. Partly because of yesterday’s promise with Regina, but mostly because he genuinely wanted to see her.
“Mother, how are you feeling today?”
It was the first time he had called her mother. Despite his concern about sounding awkward, the words came out naturally, surprising even him.
“Rian?”
The Countess Owen von Calista, only thirty-five, turned her head from looking out the window. She looked surprisingly youthful for a woman who had borne a child.
Though her pale skin and lifeless eyes revealed her illness, her overall beauty remained.
Seeing her again after so long, Rian felt a sudden warmth in his chest.
“Yes, Mother. It’s me.”
“Have you eaten?”
She had always worried that she hadn’t taken good care of her master due to her illness. Rian answered brightly.
“Of course. I just ate. How about you, Mother?”
“I ate too.”
“Liar.”
Regina, helping Owen sit up, pouted in protest.
“I know you only took a single spoonful before stopping.”
Though flustered, Regina’s eyes showed genuine concern for her mother.
“Why didn’t you eat properly? You have to take care of your body.”
“More importantly, tell me why you’ve been so busy lately.”
Owen, smiling gently, changed the topic to Rian.
“That’s true. It’s been hard to see my brother’s face these days,” Regina added curiously.
But as their son and brother, Rian didn’t have a ready answer.
He knew exactly what his master had been preoccupied with at that age.
During adolescence, as his interest in the opposite sex grew, he was focused on the maids inside and courtesans outside, leaving little attention for his mother or sister.
The maids kept things quiet, so Owen didn’t learn until much later.
Rian thought that shock might have contributed to her early death.
How worried she must have been.
Rian spoke to ease their worries:
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. I’ve just been thinking a lot lately. I’m not a child anymore. Consider it time spent figuring out how to rule the territory as lord.”
“Brother…?”
Had he been too serious all of a sudden?
Regina blinked in surprise, and Rian felt a little guilty.
Though he didn’t dislike his mother or sister, moments like this had always felt burdensome to him. Being playful by nature, serious occasions were a strain.
Seeing his mother always worry about the master and the territory had kept them distant.
But Rian didn’t want that life.
As lord, he wanted to be a good one, and he wanted to cherish his newly-found family. In that regard, it was fortunate that people he liked had become his family.
“My son has grown up so quickly.”
The boy who had once worried daily about escaping this responsibility was now answering in a way that reassured her.
Owen, bedridden, had spent her days worrying whether he could be a good lord.
Seeing her son now, even if still young, she felt boundless trust and relief.
After just a few days apart, her son had changed remarkably, and she was sincerely happy.
