The Lord Just Wants to Have Fun

Philip gathered his retainers and informed them of the agreement he had reached with the village chiefs. He explained what the issue was and why his approach was the right course of action.

“If we increase the land that the farmers actively cultivate, overall production will rise. Even though the lord’s fields will shrink, we’ll be able to collect more in taxes.”

“But, my lord, it’s not that no one has tried this before simply because they were ignorant,” one retainer countered.

“If a drought strikes, yields could be cut in half, and the territory’s finances might become unstable.”

“Not to mention, the serfs might start demanding lower rents in the future…”

A few conservative retainers voiced their opposition.

Their concerns were valid.

After all, if tax revenues declined, so would their salaries, or fiefs, so it was only natural that they were wary.

However, Philip had already accounted for this.

“We have the ten million Dalants we received from Callisto Trading Company. There’s no need to worry about finances for the time being.”

“But, my lord…”

“If the experiment doesn’t yield good results, we can revert to the old system. And as for your fiefs—if anything, I will increase them, not reduce them. So, you have nothing to worry about.”

With their lord personally guaranteeing their incomes, even the most skeptical retainers could no longer protest.

At that moment, Treasurer Buchini raised his hand and spoke.

“If we are to redistribute land and implement a new tax rate, it would be wise to appoint an administrator to oversee the process. Whom do you intend to appoint, my lord?”

His face practically screamed, ‘Please don’t pick me.’

Given how much the territory had developed recently, the existing administrative workload was already overwhelming.

The other retainers shared the same sentiment and subtly avoided eye contact, fearing they might be chosen.

Seeing this, Philip chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I already have the perfect candidate.”

After dismissing the retainers, Philip summoned Jude Blanc.

Upon his arrival, Philip promoted him to First-Class Secretary and briefed him on the negotiations with the village chiefs and the retainers’ meeting.

“…This is the plan we’ve decided on. I want you to oversee its implementation.”

“So, we’re testing the system first?”

“Exactly. If the results are positive and we see an influx of migrants, I intend to convert all the remaining lord’s fields into serf-owned lands.”

“In that case, the system will closely resemble the way demons manage their territories.”

If there were no lord’s fields, all farmers would reap what they sowed.

Naturally, they would be incentivized to maximize their harvests.

Additionally, newly arriving migrants would receive farmland, allowing them to settle and stabilize their lives.

This meant higher productivity and improved public morale.

‘I had hoped for this, but I didn’t expect the lord to accept it so quickly—let alone implement it so boldly.’

Jude couldn’t hide his surprise.

There was a reason no noble had ever adopted the demon lords’ land system before.

Aside from taxation concerns, most nobles believed that surrendering land to their peasants would weaken their authority.

Jude had anticipated two to three years of gradual persuasion to get Philip to consider it.

Yet, here Philip was, already putting the plan into motion.

‘My lord truly is extraordinary.’

He had built wealth by producing industrial goods, expanded his military, and welcomed a massive influx of settlers.

And now, he had reformed the land system in one decisive stroke to boost agricultural productivity.

His abilities and ambition were undeniable.

‘Heh. This is an opportunity for me as well. If I become my lord’s right hand, my name will be etched into history.’

Jude knelt on one knee before Philip and declared with determination.

“I will carry out your orders to the best of my ability!”

“Good. I’ll be counting on you.”

As Jude exited, Philip scratched his head.

Jude, usually relaxed and full of sly remarks, had suddenly become so serious.

‘Huh? I thought he’d ask for some time off now that the housing project is finished…’

Oh well.

Since Jude was so eager, Philip would make sure to work him hard.

Work, slave number one!

Smirking to himself, Philip stretched and raised his arms.

“Now, that takes care of all the urgent matters.”

With the influx of migrants and funds, Philip had been able to grant all the requests his retainers had made.

With the recent influx of migrants and funds, Philip reinforced his workforce by recruiting additional workers for the mines and workshops. He also expanded the territorial army to protect the growing population and farmland.

At the same time, he instructed Chief Blacksmith Hans to begin constructing a second blacksmith and steelworks facility along the Amire River. This new site would house a blast furnace five times larger than the one in the lord’s castle, ensuring they could meet the ever-growing demand for iron.

Now that all the major administrative tasks were settled, Philip could finally take a break from the endless headaches of governance.

‘Hehehe. Now I can finally enjoy my long-delayed hobbies!’

It was time to fully embrace his inner enthusiast.

The first thing Philip wanted to do was build a sailing ship.

His new ship design was finally complete after countless sketches and refinements.

‘The model test in the water tank went well, too.’

Watching rich kids sailing luxury yachts on YTube had always filled him with envy.

Now, it was his turn to conquer the seas.

Without hesitation, Philip prepared to visit the fishing village, where timber for shipbuilding had been drying and shipbuilding sites had already been prepared.

But, as they say—good fortune never comes alone.

Bang!

The door to the office burst open as Carpenter, the head of the workshops, rushed in, his face pale with urgency.

‘That’s odd. He’s usually calm, even in emergencies.’

Seeing his serious expression, Philip knew something major had happened.

“What’s going on? Did monsters invade from the Prill Mountain Range? Or has another necromancer appeared?”

“No, my lord, it’s not that…”

“Then what?”

Carpenter, still catching his breath, took a deep gulp before delivering the shocking news.

“A royal messenger has just arrived from the capital… His Majesty the King has passed away!”

“…What!?”

*****

The lord’s manor conference room was filled with murmuring as the retainers, summoned once again, gathered in haste.

Seated at the head of the table, Philip wore a puzzled expression.

“Carpenter, didn’t you say His Majesty was in good health?”

Carpenter nodded gravely.

“Yes, he was advanced in age, but he had no known health issues.”

“And now, suddenly, he’s dead? What was the cause?”

“The messenger said it appeared to be a sudden heart attack.”

According to the royal physician, the High Priest, and the court mage, there were no signs of poison or magical interference.

Additionally, the royal guards had been standing watch over his chamber all night, leaving no opportunity for an assassin to sneak in.

“The king had gone hunting just before his death, so perhaps the exhaustion took a toll on him. Fatigue is especially dangerous for the elderly.”

‘Hmm… Well, given his age, it’s not completely unreasonable.’

Philip mulled it over. Even on Earth, perfectly healthy people could die suddenly from heart attacks.

Besides, in this world, external injuries could be healed easily with magic or divine power, but internal medicine and disease prevention were far less advanced.

For an untrained person to live nearly 80 years in this world was already a long lifespan.

“Let us offer our prayers,” Philip said solemnly.

The retainers bowed their heads in respect, praying for the late king’s soul.

However, a grim realization soon dawned on Philip.

“They’ll hold the funeral in the capital, won’t they?”

“Yes, my lord. You should begin preparations for the journey immediately.”

‘…So I really have to go, huh?’

Philip had absolutely no desire to attend.

Not only had he never met the king in person, but the journey to the capital would also be a grueling ten-day trek—complete with camping out in the wild.

While he had enjoyed his trip to Campania, that was much closer.

The thought of enduring such a journey again made him sigh deeply.

‘Can’t I just teleport there with some magic?’

< Might as well ask for a space battleship while you’re at it. >

Mau snarked at his childish grumbling.

< There are less than five mages on the entire Laterranian continent capable of high-tier long-distance teleportation. >

‘Tch. What kind of fantasy world is this?’

Grumbling inwardly, Philip turned to his retainers and began to play up his reluctance.

“Cough! Cough! I have to go, but I’m feeling under the weather… Maybe I’ve been overworking myself?”

“Even if you’re sick, you must go, my lord.”

Philip’s retainers, led by Carpenter, narrowed their eyes and began lecturing him.

“If you don’t go, it’ll be a disaster!”

“Exactly. At best, you’ll be blacklisted by the royal court and the House of Lords. At worst, you could be charged with treason.”

In this feudal society, the king and his lords were bound by the vassalage contract—a mutual agreement.

Just as the king had responsibilities to his lords, the lords had obligations to the king.

Failing to fulfill those obligations?

That would be tantamount to rebellion.

“The funeral will take some time, but you must depart as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be seen as a lack of sincerity.”

Even Jude joined in pushing him forward.

At this point, Philip had no way out.

With a bitter expression, he turned to Carpenter.

“Fine. Make sure everything is ready for an early departure tomorrow.”

“Consider it done.”

With a determined nod, Carpenter left to arrange security and attendants for the journey.

Philip, meanwhile, headed to his room to pack his belongings.

Since he would be traveling such a long distance, he might as well take care of some business while in the capital.

******

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Philip climbed into his carriage.

Before departing, he issued a final series of instructions to his retainers.

“While I’m gone, make sure the farmers manage their newly assigned fields properly. Oversee the training of the new recruits and the construction of fortifications. Also, keep an eye on the mines and workshops—”

“My lord, we know what to do. Just go already.”

The retainers hastily shooed him off before he could give them any more tasks.

Meanwhile, Carpenter turned to his son, Terry, glaring at him.

“Do not get distracted. Your sole focus is the lord’s safety. Is that clear?”

“If you’re that worried, why don’t you go instead?”

Terry, much like Philip, had no desire to go.

He was part of the escort team, which included four knights, fifty soldiers, and three secretaries.

Unfortunately for him, both Helen and Siria were also part of the entourage.

“Darling, don’t you want to go on a trip with me? I was looking forward to sightseeing in the capital together~”

“Sir Terry, I’m only going because I’m the lord’s personal secretary. But I do appreciate your concern.”

Siria openly flirted, while Helen, despite her shy demeanor, still made her feelings clear.

Terry, who had already suffered plenty at their hands, sighed inwardly.

“Whistle~ Sir Terry won’t be bored on this long trip, that’s for sure.”

“Shut up, Andy. Did you check the supplies?”

“Yes. There’s a lot more than I expected, though.”

Andy, one of the knights, tapped a large wooden crate loaded onto the supply wagon and turned to Philip.

“My lord, why are we bringing so much cargo? Are you planning to bribe someone?”

“Do I look like someone who hands out bribes?”

Philip snorted.

“I’m using this trip to market our products in the capital.”

He had already secured a distribution network through Callisto Trading Company, but a network alone wasn’t enough.

The products needed proper advertisement.

And with the funeral drawing nobles from all across the kingdom to the capital, this was the perfect opportunity.

The crates were filled with:

Crystal glassware

Soap

Zippo lighters

Handheld fans

Newly developed Dutch coffee and various food ingredients

‘I need to make this trip worth my while!’

Philip grinned.

This would be his first step toward expanding his market beyond the western territories and into the entire kingdom.