Final Villain's Broken System: Geniuses Make Me Stronger!

"Young Lord, are you certain what you’ve done is correct?" An old man with slicked back white hair and formal attire spoke softly.

Alaric nodded. From the memories of the previous young lord, he knew this old man was the chamberlain of House Orlen’s mansion.

Unlike the steward who had an ambitious and greedy personality to the point of overstepping the boundaries of authority, the chamberlain was a down to earth honest old man who always stayed within the boundaries of his authority and did his work perfectly.

This old man also had very high seniority since he had been working as a chamberlain since the time when Alaric’s grandfather, Alastair Orlen, was the house head.

After Alastair, his grandfather went missing, his mother, who was still young at that time, took the helm.

It was this old man Ryu who massively helped his mother at that time to stabilize House Orlen and support her authority.

Naturally, Alaric didn’t take offense at his question. "I’m certain."

Alaric didn’t need to do anything now. He was waiting for the crown’s reaction.

Ryu nodded. "That is enough for me, Young Lord. I only asked because the consequences of yesterday’s speech have already reached the mansion."

He placed a thick stack of papers on the table. Alaric immediately felt a headache coming. "What are those?"

"Requests, reports and applications. Since this morning, the number of people trying to contact the mansion has increased several times."

Despite his old age, the chamberlain’s hands were still deft as they began separating the papers while explaining.

"Some merchants want assurances regarding the safety of the roads. Some village heads are asking whether they should increase night patrols. A number of people claim to have information regarding suspicious foreigners."

He paused and pushed another set of papers forward.

"Most importantly, many people have volunteered to help House Orlen."

Alaric picked up the first page. At the top was a number.

Huh???

Due to sheer disbelief he unconsciously spoke the number out loud.

"One thousand eight hundred and seventy six?!"

"Yes, Young Lord. That is the current number. It is still increasing."

Alaric leaned back in his chair.

What the fuck? That many people volunteered so quickly? I only gave that speech for political reasons, not this.

Nevertheless, Alaric was happy due to the unexpected windfall.

Hehe, I seem to have some talent in inciting the public. Should I rebel?

Alaric shook his head, removing the random ass stray thoughts which might get him in trouble.

His attention focused back on the number. It didn’t mean House Orlen had suddenly gained nearly two thousand soldiers. Most were ordinary farmers, craftsmen, hunters and merchants.

Giving all of them weapons would probably create shit ton of problems. Bad idea.

Still, their willingness to help meant something.

The rumors had originally made the people doubt whether House Orlen could protect them. His speech had redirected that fear toward Ulyt and the supposed traitors who had allowed them inside.

Like I planned, the public opinion is no longer against us after I threw that bomb into the entire kingdom.

Alaric looked through the papers and asked curiously. "What exactly are they volunteering for?"

"It differs. Some want to form village patrols. Some have offered horses and wagons. Hunters have offered to scout the roads and forests. A few retired soldiers have even requested permission to organize temporary militias."

Alaric thought for a while before answering.

"Don’t let anyone form militias yet. Register everyone first."

Ryu waited for him to continue.

"Separate the hunters, retired soldiers and anyone else with actual combat experience from the rest. Also record what the others are offering. Wagons, horses, food, whatever."

"Understood."

"If something really happens, we’ll know where to find useful people. There’s no point handing weapons to everyone just because they’re excited right now."

Alaric then picked up another paper.

Even if most reports about suspicious foreigners were nonsense, some might contain something useful. He could have the information department filter through them.

"Send all claims regarding suspicious people to the information department. Tell them to prioritize reports close to Moliken Forest and the southern roads."

Ryu nodded again and began collecting the papers.

Unlike Edwin, he didn’t act like Alaric needed to justify every decision to him. Alaric understood why his mother trusted this old man.

As the chamberlain was about to leave, Alaric suddenly thought of something.

"Wait."

Ryu stopped.

"The steward’s position is empty." Alaric sighed.

Killing Edwin had felt satisfying at the time, but the bastard had still been the steward of a marquisate.

Someone had to handle tax reports, merchants, villages, roads and countless other matters. Alaric certainly wasn’t going to personally spend every day reading grain reports.

"Can you handle it temporarily?"

Ryu shook his head without hesitation.

"I can ensure the steward’s office continues functioning for a short period, but I cannot replace the steward."

"Why?"

"Sorry to decline your request, Young Lord, but I am old. I could have done it when I was younger like when I supported your mother. But not anymore.

"I don’t practice any power system. My body isn’t what it used to be. If I increase my work load too much I might drop dead anytime soon."

His answer was simple. Ryu continued.

"On that note, old age must really be catching up to me, even my memory isn’t how it used to be. I had already prepared a list of suitable candidates but forgot to show you."

He placed three thinner files on the table and continued.

"All three currently work within House Orlen’s administration and are familiar with the steward’s responsibilities."

Alaric opened the first one.

The candidate was an older official who had managed several farming districts for more than ten years.

The second was younger, but had experience managing trade and taxes.

The third had worked directly under Edwin and therefore possessed the most familiarity with the steward’s current work.

Alaric didn’t immediately choose.

The third one sounds convenient, but if he worked directly under Edwin for years, I need to know whether he picked up Edwin’s habits as well.

He didn’t want to remove one person for overstepping his authority only to replace him with another person who would do the same thing after getting comfortable.

"Have the information department quietly check all three. I want to know their relationships, debts, recent transactions and whether any noble house has contacted them."

Ryu nodded.

"For now, let the steward’s office continue its routine duties. Any decision beyond normal administration comes to me."

"I’ll arrange it."

After the chamberlain left, someone knocked on the door to his study.

"Young Lord, we have a situation at hand."

"Enter."

A guard stepped inside and bowed.

"Young Lord, there is a young girl outside the mansion asking to meet you."

Alaric frowned.

"A young girl?"

"She has been waiting near the gates since morning. The guards tried sending her away several times, but she refuses to leave."

"What does she want?"

The guard hesitated before speaking. "She says she wants to become powerful."

Alaric stared at him in silence.

What in god’s fuck does it have to be with me?

"And why is she asking me?"

"That is the strange part, Young Lord."

The guard looked genuinely confused.

"She claims an invisible individual told her that the Young Lord of House Orlen could help her."

Alaric’s expression froze.

...Zephyr?

You little shit.

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