It seems that the blueprint I have delivered to the alchemist would take some time before the initial development. It's all fine and dandy, so long as it won't get leaked.
Speaking of leak, I have made a law that made leak of equipment manufacturers a lot stricter. Caught or proven to be performing said act will be executed with no due process.
It is regardless of any position, even if they are a direct subordinate of the duke, aka me. But then, such law only applies within my territory so I have to do something about that.
Since my father died, I have been surrounded by papers. Well, technically, since I came here, I have been surrounded by papers. I barely get a glimpse of the outside world except for the map etch at the wall of my office.
But thanks to my dedication, mostly, I managed to take care of the refugees. I had them set up camps outside and provide aids in exchange for labor. I gave them tents, foods, and beverages to sustain themselves until my plans start working.
Still, inefficient. Partly because the army itself is quite corrupt. Embezzlement run over the ranks and... bureaucracy, as much as I hate them back on Earth, they are worse here.
I stood up, contemplating on what should I do, head for the window and gaze around the yard, only to see soldiers bullying one another. I sigh then looked at the man who is my current butler.
My body's been trained. Honed for the long expeditions my father did. We were either at the field or at the battlefield.
So... with no provocation, I struck the man with the sword leaning from my desk and killed him.
He was a spy, to say the least, but he also embezzles money to neighboring nobles. They're a leech. As a duke, we produce great surplus of agricultural products due to large ownership of land. But those surplus, hell, even the main production supplies are being smuggled to them, so instead of having actual surplus, we have deficits.
The blood runs through the blade. It's trail all over the room. I hailed for the manor's maid, one came and her eyes never failed to surprise me.
Widen in shock and initial scream reverbrated the place. A decapitated body with bloods oozing from his neck. His corpse stiff.
"You done? Ask someone to clean this." With a commanding tone, I ordered.
She was still in shock, of course. But my order comes first. I had her proceed and I sat on my chair.
My gaze now filled with papers once more. Then a few minutes later, someone came. Soldiers, no, guards of the palace. With them is Helen Beaumont. Captain of my current knight order.
"My lord. What has happened?" She's in shock too. But her composure remains, impressive.
"Helen, Clean this... and I want you to round up these names. And execute them." I handed her a piece of paper.
"But... for what cause, my lord?" She was skeptical, naturally. It could be that her lord has gone mad, executing subordinates here and there.
"Helen, I want this ducal run with loyalty and honesty. That's the only way for efficient economic growth. We can't afford to remain behind productions, especially this time when refugee is high. They are an obstacle of that ideal, my knight. Proceed with my orders." My tone shifted a little empathetic, to which affected them.
"I see. Very well, my lord. Do you have any other orders?"
"None, but it seems I'll need you by my side from now on. Will that be a problem?"
Excitement visible in her eyes and I caught a sinister smile from her face. She seems to he trouble.
"No, my lord. We are most glad to be of use of you, actually. Well then, if you'll excuse us." Helen bowed as she holds the sheathed sword from her left waist. Her demeanor striking me with weird vibe. Elegant, yet dangerous.
"Alright. Go on."
Once again, I was left to my lonesome.
-----
Helen's POV
Young master changed. Certainly.
"Alright, is everyone here?" One of my knights asked.
"Alright, round them up." Leonard turned and speaks to me, "Captain?"
I sent my gaze towards him and gestured a nod. I unsheathed my weapon and moved in front of the accused.
"Under Lord Eraeus Von Eltz, you all have been convicted of a crime of High Treason, Embezzlement, and Corruption. And under his command, you all will be executed! However, per law, you will be given each time for your last words!" I breathe a sigh, knowing what would come next, "Remove the gags."
"Yes, captain." The gags are removed, and what came next is deafening.
"What the fuck are you doing?! Do you all know who the fuck am I??! Even the duke would be—" The speaker's last word was cut off when one of the knight decapitated him.
"Do not utter his lord's name with ill-intent." Wonderful warning. I'm proud.
The rest started to make changes of their tones afterwards. From orders to pleas, from arrogance to begging.
These people are, according to his lordship, scums, leeches who thrive by stealing from him. I would like another reports of their misconducts to my lord, not out of clarification nor evidence, but so that I could perhaps satiate my growing... anger.
Yes
It angers me... Johannes was supposed to provide for him, yet... It seems he was involved to such treasonous act. My lord has been good to him, even the past duke left him an order, to protect the young master at all cost. And yet.. and yet..!
I sneered at the corpses besides me. The execution has been finalized with the last words uttered. This may be within the law, but it will breed angers from neighboring neighbors.
But what surprise me is what comes next.
***
"I will be dismantling the Knight Order." His tone, normal. His eyes doesn't level with mine. Why?
"My lord... can I ask why?" I bit my lower lips, not out of anger to my lord, but to me. Have I been inadequate? Was my service not enough?
"I will establish a new form of branch in our army. That, where you will be assigned. You will be my General and of the knight members, they will be Colonels. From here and forth, you will command our entire army. The Colonels will help you manage the soldiers' organisations and logistics.
I heard you have quite the knowledge in army formations as well. Am I right?" I stare at my lord, who continue to write from the paper.
"Yes, my lord. I have received education from the capital's academy." I have received and even starred at the academy. I passed the Exit exam that landed me this Knighthood title, providing me sufficient role to stay away from my family's troublesome matters.
"Good. Then, you are more than enough for that role.
But there's a little... changes we are pursuing." I am already confused, but it seems my lord still have more to say. Still, I remain steadfast.
"There will be no swords. I will provide a new type of weapon, I will teach you how it works and I will provide basic martial skills honed to work with it.
For now, you will be provided this."
Lord Eraeus retrieved something from under his desk, and what he got is... similar to a sword, yet it's quite dull at the edges and doesn't have practical purposes that I can get a gist of.
"This is a gun... or a wooden gun. This is where you handle it." He gestured using the wooden "gun" by putting it between his chest, then stretches his hand to reach the other side of the gun.
He held under it, where a supposed blade should be. While his other hand holds the handle. He pointed it in front of him.
"This will be how it's handled. Do you understand?"
"Uh..."Truly confusing. I have a lot of questions, as to why would it needed to be handled like that, and what purpose does it serve. But it seems that his lord's face isn't quite in need of questions so I merely nodded.