Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Marianna shook her head and said,
"Are you crazy? There are so many people in this world. How could you possibly record every single person's life story?"
Paul countered,
"Please don't exaggerate my words. I'm only planning to establish records for the people under my rule."
Marianna replied, "You don't even know how many people are in your territory!"
Paul smiled, "You're mistaken. As of last December, Alden has a population of 536,873, of which the males are..."
He went on to explain the population distribution in Alden, breaking it down into various categories, and Marianna widened her eyes in surprise.
"You... have you really recorded everyone?"
The precise population numbers, down to the individual, genuinely shocked Marianna.
"Yes, we've done a thorough survey, and it's all been documented."
Paul answered proudly.
The survey and census of the people had been a key task of the previously established Statistics and Research Committee. Now, this responsibility had been handed over to the Ministry of Civil Affairs under the Administrative Court.
He was confident that no other lord in the world had such detailed knowledge of his subjects as he did.
Marianna, however, couldn't understand why Paul would go to such lengths. Did her son have an almost obsessive desire for control?
She sighed.
"No one has ever done this before. There are bound to be many errors."
Paul replied resolutely,
"Any system is imperfect at the start. Someone has to take the first step."
It was then that Chief Judge Thomas, who had been silent, spoke up.
"My lord, creating a file for everyone is a massive undertaking. It will surely increase administrative costs."
"Why not?" Paul looked at him. "Isn't that a good thing? Our schools have trained so many literate people, and we've recruited so many officials through exams. They need something to do."
"Also, I think, compared to the families of traitors, those with knowledge but no work to match it are even more dangerous."
Thomas couldn't find a rebuttal, so he said,
"I will revise the execution list according to your instructions. I hope your choice is the right one, my lord."
"Paul!" Marianna's tone rose slightly. "Do you know? I came to find you to say goodbye."
"Oh? So, you're finally abandoning me?" Paul said with a joking tone.
But Marianna furrowed her brow. "No, I've changed my mind. I need to stay here a bit longer and observe whether you're fit to be a lord!"
"It's for your safety, and the safety of the Grayman family! Your father is gone, and I think I have a duty to watch over you!"
"If necessary, I will use special measures to correct you. I swear, I will do it!"
Her tone was harsh, like that of a mother scolding her child, even though Paul had never once been this stern about the family's Arcane Order affairs.
Paul shook his head, troubled, glancing between Marianna and Thomas.
"You two seem to be worried I'm a soft-hearted fool, honestly, I don't understand why you think that. Fine, I see now, it's my fault for not explaining myself clearly."
"Guards!"
Paul called for his chief secretary and instructed him to hang a map on the wall.
"This is?"
Marianna and Thomas showed surprise when they saw the map.
Paul introduced it to them. "Here, to the north is the great mountain range, and beyond that, the vast region."
"I'm only talking about the coastal area. From south to north, there's the Grasslands, the Lucky Forest, and the Blackwater Pass."
Paul pointed to the map and named each place.
"This land is so vast it could rival one-third of the Aldor Kingdom, yet it's an unfamiliar area—virgin territory."
Thomas asked, "So, what's your plan?"
"Yes!" Paul slapped the map with enthusiasm, "I will follow the ancient traditions of border lords and expand the Grayman family's territory into this vast region. We will develop it, manage it, and turn it into a land as prosperous as the Northwest Bay."
"That's certainly an exciting prospect!" Chief Judge Thomas commented.
"Of course, it will require a lot of manpower, and the population of Northwest Bay, especially in Alden, isn't very large, so executing so many people who weren't directly involved in the rebellion would be a huge waste!"
"I understand now!" Thomas nodded. "You want to exile those who should have been executed to that region to serve as labor."
"Exactly, Thomas, you're right!" Paul said with a cruel smile, looking a bit sinister.
"Exiling people who've lived in a civilized society to these wild lands is a harsh punishment. It may be a little lighter than the death penalty, but the value they create will make up for the difference."
His expression made him seem like a ruthless lord who would work his prisoners to death, but experienced Marianna saw through his deliberate display of cruelty. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"This vast land has huge potential! I've heard that there are vast stretches of black soil, which can even be squeezed to extract oil. It should be perfect for growing crops."
"My plan is to turn it into an agricultural base, a major grain-producing region that develops entirely with the large farm model!"
When he spoke of this, Paul's face brightened, and he became excited.
"I'm confident that, if fully developed, this land could produce enough food to support the entire Aldor Kingdom, and still have plenty left over."
He eagerly discussed his plans with the others.
"Further to the east, there are the orc plains. If those arrogant barbarians dare to invade Aldor, this region will serve as a bridgehead into their territory!"
"We are located in Northwest Bay, so we don't need to take the long detour through the Neron Corridor. Our army can be transported by sea to this region and use the food produced here as supplies for an expedition to the orc plains."
...
Marianna was taken aback by Paul's words.
Her son was already planning for a counterattack?
But the orcs hadn't even started their assault yet!
Just as she was having this thought, Bernard entered the room again, looking panicked.
Paul looked at him. "It seems you have urgent news?"
"Yes, Lord Grayman, something major has happened!"
Bernard handed Paul a piece of paper.
"The Watcher Fortress has fallen. The orc army has already entered the northeastern part of the kingdom."
"And Princess Catherine's army is retreating west!"
(End of the Chapter)
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