Radiant Dragon’s Otherworldly Reincarnation

Chapter 212. I Knew This Would Happen (2)

The guests were guided to the guest rooms.

Isabella, who had much to talk about with her mother whom she hadn’t seen in years, went out with her.

Thus, only the Schneider family remained in the drawing-room.

Butler Lawrence personally poured tea and excused himself, sending the servants away as well.

Once the family was alone, Baron Schneider was the first to speak.

“You have suffered much, Patrick.”

“What’s there to call suffering?”

Baron Schneider first praised his son.

He was a son who made him reach for his blood pressure medicine as soon as he arrived, but thinking objectively….

‘He is a son I don’t deserve.’

Without being given anything, he succeeded on his own and made a name for himself across the entire continent.

Where else could one find a son like this?

Baron Schneider looked at his son with an affectionate expression and said.

“I had so much to say when you came. But now that I see you, I don’t know where to start.”

The merits Patrick had established were not just one or two.

Winning Arcana or achieving 7-star status at the youngest age were needless to say.

He earned a huge amount of money, sent it to the fief to develop it, and raised the family’s title by one rank.

On top of that, the unconventional path he showed on his recent knight’s training journey, though reckless and dangerous, was a meritorious deed that made the Schneider family name known throughout the continent.

He couldn’t describe how pleased he was every time he saw the children of the fief swinging two sticks in the street and running around shouting, ‘I am the Double Dragon.’

To such a son, Baron Schneider spoke with sincerity.

“If you wish, I will pass the title to you. What do you say?”

At that, Patrick thought for a moment and then said.

“Not right now. It’s not like being the heir is inconvenient for me or anything….”

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to have the title?”

“That’s true, but I’m still a student.”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, his son was still a fourth-year.

And according to the kingdom’s law, it was impossible for a student enrolled in the Academy to inherit a title.

He would have to receive the title after graduation, or drop out right now.

“Don’t worry. Even without a title, I went around smacking down Counts and Marquises.”

The fact that this was the truth was even more frightening.

Baron Schneider nodded and said.

“Understood. Then I will hold the position a little longer until you graduate.”

Saying so, Baron Schneider stroked the signet ring on his hand.

He had planned to pass this to his son today, but it seemed it would have to stay on his hand a little longer.

‘It’s fine.’

There was no need to be hasty yet.

If it was his son, he would do a much better job than him whenever he inherited it.

Wasn’t he a son to be proud of anywhere in the world?

Perhaps burdened by his father’s affectionate gaze, Patrick deliberately changed the subject.

“I saw on my way here that the fief has developed a lot.”

“Mm, that it has.”

“It was a good decision to build the outer castle wall. The most necessary thing for a fief adjacent to the Great Forest is a sturdy wall.”

“I think so too.”

If a national disaster-level monster were to invade, even a wall like that would collapse.

But it was a thousand times better than a flimsy wooden palisade.

Just by installing ballistas on the wall and stationing soldiers, they could easily defend the fief against large monsters like ogres or trolls.

“Thanks to you sending ample funds, it wasn’t difficult.”

“That’s a relief. How is the scale of the fief? It seemed like the population has increased a bit.”

“It surpassed 50,000 not long ago.”

“50,000? It’s grown by more than ten times, hasn’t it?”

Patrick was quite surprised.

He could tell at a glance that the population had increased, but he didn’t know it had grown this much.

For the population to grow to this extent, it was impossible through natural growth alone.

There must have been a large-scale influx from outside.

Baron Schneider nodded and said.

“There has been a poor harvest in the east recently, creating many refugees. Taking them in, it became like this.”

“Refugees…”

Then that made sense.

“A sudden large-scale increase in population must have caused various problems. Is everything alright?”

“Sir Kainel led the soldiers and firmly established public order. On top of that, as the fief developed, jobs became plentiful, so we were able to settle them in without much trouble.”

“That’s a relief.”

Population is the lifeblood of a fief.

Both overall productivity and consumption increase, and reinforcing troops becomes easier.

Normally, they would have had no choice but to create an environment for steady growth, but the influx of large-scale refugees suddenly solved this problem.

The poor harvest in the east had become a boon for the Barony of Schneider.

Yes. So far, so good.

Since everything is good, let’s move on to the main topic.

“You have worked hard to develop the fief.”

“What have I done…”

“But you know.”

“……”

Patrick pointed to the mansion, which was more dilapidated than before he left, and said.

“Why is the house in this state?”

‘Hohoho. This kid….’

His son’s face was smiling.

It would be perfect if it weren’t for that one vein popping on his forehead.

* * *

Baron Schneider had always been famous for being a good person.

No matter how poor a fief was, if a noble decided to exploit it, it wasn’t difficult for him to live a life of luxury.

But Baron Schneider had always lived a frugal life, eating the same things as his people.

The reason for his sudden rise was purely due to his son.

With the monstrous achievements of Patrick Schneider, the position of the Schneider fief changed completely.

The title was elevated, and money began to circulate due to business cooperation with the Elbador Merchant Guild, and the population also increased significantly.

Then, a poor harvest continued in the east for several years, and the food situation worsened greatly.

The east had always had a poor food self-sufficiency rate, but as it worsened, people began to die of starvation in each fief.

However, amidst all this, the people of the Schneider fief still ate and lived well.

The Elbador Merchant Guild consistently supplied food and daily necessities at stable prices, and the abundant finances were more than enough to support the increased population.

Everyone else is struggling to death, but I alone am eating and living well?

Usually, in such situations, it was the nature of local nobles to start a territorial war, even by fabricating grievances.

But….

‘A territorial war with the Schneider fief….’

‘No. It’s impossible.’

‘No chance of winning. No chance at all.’

They couldn’t even dream of it.

The Schneider fief had hundreds of heavily armed soldiers who used aura, and the Orcs of the Red Rock Tribe were also staying in the Schneider fief.

In terms of simple military power, they were no match.

On top of that, most decisively….

[What? A territorial war?]

The moment they declared a territorial war, it was obvious that the Double Dragon would come running from the Academy in the capital with twin swords in both hands.

The winner of Arcana, the youngest 7-star swordsman.

How could they possibly handle that?

In the end, at their wit’s end, one of the eastern nobles visited Baron Schneider and said.

“Baron. Our fief’s situation is dire, and our people are starving to death every day. If you could lend us food and money, we will never forget it and will surely repay you.”

In truth, he didn’t have high hopes.

He just tried it with an “all or nothing” attitude.

Since they were doomed to fail if things continued as they were, wasn’t doing something better than doing nothing?

That was his state of mind.

But….

“If the people’s situation is so difficult, then of course I must help.”

Huh?

Really?

“I will gladly lend you the money.”

At Baron Schneider’s reaction, the other party was rather bewildered.

‘What? What is this man up to?’

With all the other eastern nobles going through a difficult time, Baron Schneider’s position, with his solid funds and distribution network, was exceedingly advantageous.

If he were in Baron Schneider’s position, he would demand a huge price in return for lending food.

Something along the lines of taking the fief as collateral, charging high interest, and if they couldn’t repay, swallowing the fief whole.

Having come prepared to even offer his young daughter as Baron Schneider’s concubine, he succeeded in borrowing money and food without any fuss.

And as he was leaving, Baron Schneider took his hand and said.

“It is a difficult time for everyone, but let us work hard and overcome it. If Yupinel watches over us, this ordeal will surely come to an end someday.”

“Ah…. Yes….”

“Then, travel safely. If you need more help, please let me know then as well.”

“Yes. I understand.”

And on his way back, he thought.

He had been wary until the end, but the other party had lent him money and food without any conditions attached.

And they even came out personally to see him off politely on his way back.

So, a person like this is usually called….

“A pushover?”

The rumor that Baron Schneider was a pushover thus spread throughout the entire east.

And the predictable began to happen.

“Baron Schneider. I beg you.”

“Please help us. The children of our fief have nothing to eat….”

“If you help us this time, I will never forget this grace.”

“You have no idea how much I have respected you, Baron. I…”

It was like ants swarming over spilled sugar.

Upon hearing that Baron Schneider lent money and food without any conditions, numerous nobles from the east came to ask for a hand.

And Baron Schneider….

“Hohoho…. What can I do when the children of the fief are starving to death? Saving people comes first.”

“Haaah… haaah… haaah….”

“Son.”

“Haaah… haaah… haaah….”

“Is it really necessary to go that far?”

Patrick was hyperventilating from his father’s suffocating level of being a pushover, holding a paper bag to his mouth and gasping for breath on one side.

And with eyes full of resentment, he glared at his father and said.

“I… I…. Ughhh….”

He’s going to stop breathing, this kid.

Baron Schneider, feeling a little guilty nonetheless, deliberately turned his head and ignored his son.

A moment later.

“Are you feeling a bit better now?”

Ava handed a glass of water to her son, who had composed his breathing, and asked.

The son then spoke with a world-weary expression, rubbing his dry face.

“So, the conclusion is that you squandered all the money I sent for the family to help the neighboring fiefdoms.”

“Ahem, squandered? How can you call helping those who are struggling and in difficulty squandering?”

Baron Schneider sternly reprimanded his son.

At that….

“I… I can’t believe I’m hearing those words again…. Again….”

Patrick clutched the back of his neck and trembled.

Memories of the past overlapped on their own.

His Master, who had donated a chunk of the sect’s assets to help people who had lost their homes in a flood while he was briefly away.

And when he questioned him, his words were exactly the same.

[Ahem, how can you call helping the pitiful and the needy a waste? And you call yourself the great disciple of the Twin Dragon Sect?]

Oh, my, my….

What sins did I commit in my past life….

I, who lived so virtuously in my past life to be called a Great Master, why can’t I escape this pushover hell even after being reborn?

Why?

Patrick stared at the ceiling with a world-weary expression.

And with a sliver of hope, he asked.

“What about the promissory notes?”

“……”

“You did get promissory notes, right? When money is exchanged, it’s only natural to leave an official document with both parties’ signatures, right? Right?”

My father does have that much common sense, right?

At his son’s gaze, Baron Schneider smiled brightly and said.

“Son.”

“What is it?”

It’s chilly.

It’s unnerving.

“You see, the trust between people is….”

“Kuaaaaargh!”

He didn’t want to hear any more.

“I, I… Ugh….”

Patrick was on the verge of collapsing, clutching the back of his neck.

The Double Dragon, who could not be brought down even by the regular army of the Kaisar Kingdom or the demonic practitioners lurking behind the Elves, was finally about to fall.

But….

“I got them.”

“Mother?”

“You did?”

Ava’s one phrase saved Patrick.

Receiving the gazes of her husband and son simultaneously, Ava said.

“I thought it would be good to at least keep a record, so I got them.”

“Mother….”

Ah, the light, the hope, a sip of water and a pinch of salt bestowed upon this barren world.

That name is my mom.

Patrick looked at Ava with his hands piously clasclasped together.

“You really have them?”

“Yes. I have organized them in a ledger.”

“Fufufu. So, it has been made into a ledger, you say?”

The corners of Patrick’s lips curled up.

And his shoulders began to shake.

The vitality that was dying out returned.

No. It was transmuted into madness and began to overflow from his body.

“Uwahahahahahahahaha!”

Right.

So they took advantage of my naive father in my absence and sucked my money dry, did they?

Patrick’s eyes flashed as he said.

“They’re all dead.”

The nobles of the east needed to know.

Who had returned to this land.

* * *

Sanson Kainel.

A knight of the Schneider fief and a master who had achieved the realm of 5-stars.

He had gathered the soldiers and was now speaking.

“As you all have heard…”

“……”

“He has returned.”

The impact of that one phrase was not small.

“Dammit!”

“Damn it all!”

“Fucking hell!”

The soldiers were greatly disheartened.

For the past four years, they had been happy.

Of course, their duties had increased to restore public order which was on the verge of collapse due to the suddenly increased population, and they had to triple the monster patrol range to ensure the safety of the construction workers while the castle walls were being built, but….

Still, they were happy.

They had to perform high-intensity duties and, in the midst of it all, continue intense combat training with the Orcs, but….

Still, they were happy.

Yes.

For just one reason.

[Still, it’s much better than when the Young Master was here, right?]

[Of course.]

[Is that even a question?]

[A place without the Young Master is heaven. A place with him is hell.]

That’s right.

The mere fact that Patrick Schneider was not there made them happy.

And they had hoped this happiness would last a little longer.

“Damn it, doesn’t he still have another year until graduation?”

“He might have graduated with honors.”

“The Academy doesn’t have early graduation, does it?”

“It’s the Young Master we’re talking about.”

“Ah…”

What couldn’t that monster do?

If he wanted to, he would probably grab the Academy’s chancellor by the collar and shake him until he got his diploma.

In any case, reality could not be denied.

Patrick Schneider had returned.

He had finally returned.

The soldiers stood at attention, and Sanson spoke to them.

“The training intensity will likely increase significantly now that the Young Master has returned. And after inspecting your achievements so far, he will probably work you like dogs. Goddammit….”

Sanson knew.

That he himself would be no exception among those who would be worked like dogs.

What did it matter if he was the only knight in the fief?

As long as that man had returned, a future where knights and soldiers were all equal would unfold….

Kwaang!

It was then.

A door on one side of the training ground shattered, and the devil… no, Patrick appeared.

Patrick, who seemed to be breathing smoke from his mouth, looked at the soldiers before him and said.

“Good, you’re all gathered. Sanson.”

“Yes, Young Master. I am here.”

“It’s been a while. You’ve made some progress, I hope?”

“…I have worked… hard.”

At Sanson’s words, Patrick said with a sullen look.

“Well, we can check that later. Let’s take care of the important things first. Sanson, no, Sir Kainel!”

“Yes. Please speak.”

Sanson’s body trembled.

Yes.

This was the first official command he would receive from the Young Master since becoming a knight.

To carry out the first command given to him by the Young Master, whose fame resounded even in this eastern countryside, was a great honor as a knight….

“Get your tools and get the men ready, now.”

“……”

Are you going to take over some back alley?