“As you said, almost three hundred people have already gathered here. So, can we collect enough taxes from those few hundred to secure revenue to establish a tax office?”

“…”

His observation was not wrong.

About 300 people. Moreover, people who have just come to settle, without anything that could be called property.

Taxing these penniless people would not immediately generate enough income to solve all problems.

“Besides, we can’t keep extorting money solely based on the protection of the guardian barrier.”

According to Dietrich, the heretic would be caught within a month or two. It might even be handled earlier than expected.

Once the threat of the heretic disappears, people will no longer have a reason to live in Paradel.

Those accustomed to living without paying taxes will once again try to break away from the system that binds them.

If there are many defectors, the reconstruction of Ideana will once again become a bubble.

“This place with nothing needs scale first.”

At Sched’s words, Eclas, who had been quietly observing from the side, burst into laughter.

‘I was worried he had become a complete fool because of Louise Ideana, but it seems that’s not the case.’

It was fortunate that his judgment still seemed good when it came to work.

Whether you’re trying to do business or build something, things only work when there are a certain number of people.

‘Besides, saying there’s not enough money, what nonsense.’

The victories he gained as the undefeated hero were not just empty glory.

Victory is always followed by material rewards.

Rewards for meritorious service, spoils of war, and rights obtained through negotiations and deals.

After Sched joined the Lester family, the family’s finances doubled from before.

Even the proud vassals of the Lester family, who had kept their mouths shut when he, a Lupus, became the head of the family, did so because he was good at making money.

Dare I say, except for the Bitel family and the imperial family, no family could match the wealth of the Lester family.

With the wealth he possessed, he could build up Ideana this year without any strain.

“Fortunately, the Lester family is not so poor as to beg for the few pennies of the poor,” Sched said indifferently.

Then, a vassal who had been listening to his words spoke up.

“Then, do you intend to use all of the family’s finances here?”

This, of course, was the problem.

Sched Lester is a bit behind on trends and insensitive to social rumors and gossip.

So if urgent, instead of buying a diamond necklace, he could repair the castle walls, instead of tailoring a jacket with opal buttons, he could build a stone bridge, and with the money for expensive leather shoes, he could construct a well.

But other nobles thought differently.

Even if it wasn’t their own property, Sched was the lord of the Lester domain who paid salaries to his vassals.

They couldn’t just stand by and watch their future salaries being wasted frivolously.

“We left our families in Munich and came all this way where heretics are running rampant. Please remember our loyalty and effort.”

“Of course. You are truly loyal talents who will save the empire, aren’t you?”

Sched nodded at the subtle pressure from his vassals.

But somehow, his voice carried a cynical tone.

“Don’t worry. I’ve earned enough money to fatten up the empire’s talents. And it’s not like the Lester family will be responsible for all the business entirely.”

He cast his purple gaze towards Eclas.

The sharp merchant smiled brightly.

“We at the Bitel family plan to help with the port and road maintenance. Basic supplies arrived yesterday as well.”

He specifically introduced the collaboration that the Bitel family and the Lester family would achieve.

Eclas was at least willing to actively help him with this work.

As much as he invests in this land now, he has gained the exclusive distribution rights for timber and stone needed to reorganize this vast city.

He will also be the first to obtain financial business rights.

“Of course, there won’t be any tax revenue for the first year. But as people come thinking of tax exemption benefits, the warehouse will be much fuller next year.”

Sched was a person who could see far ahead.

To receive settlement support funds, people would have to register their households, making population assessment easier. Population assessment meant accurately identifying those who could pay taxes.

Therefore, rather than immediately squeezing the little backbone of the poor, Sched’s plan was to collect generously from those who settled next year.

The vassals and knights who had been dissatisfied with this closed their mouths.

“Let’s end this conversation here.”

Sched casually glanced out the window as he wrapped up the meeting.

His eyes stopped at one place.

A woman with dark brown hair was crossing the garden.

Very slowly, her footsteps were heading towards the lake on the east side of the mansion.

Didn’t Dietrich say he had finished purifying the groundwater recently?

“Then, Your Excellency, about revising the city plan…”

“Let’s end the meeting here and talk in detail tomorrow after preparations are made.”

Sched said, closing the documents.

Riana was thinking of going for a slightly longer walk.

She recalled the lake on the east side of the mansion.

Lake Anteros was the farthest place young Louise Ideana could go to play on her own, and it was the source of life that became Paradel’s water source.

A small path stretched out on the way to the lake.

In the past, the entrance to this path was surrounded by a wisteria arch with light purple flowers blooming.

But now the withered wisteria stems could not produce a single leaf and hung gray and limp.

Riana walked along the weed-filled path, feeling the desolate passage of time.

Following along that bleak path, a small iron gate would appear.

From there, after walking through the forest path for about 30 minutes, one would reach the lakeside.

When she pushed the rusty iron gate with its lock gone, a high-pitched friction sound was heard.

At that moment.

“Riana.”

Startled by the voice calling her name, she turned around.

“Y-Your Excellency.”

“Coming out here alone.”

“I, I wasn’t trying to run away or anything…”

“I know.”

Sched grabbed the old iron gate she had opened.

Once again, a familiar scent came from him as he drew closer.

“Are you planning to keep blocking the gate?”

“Ah… well.”

Sched leaned in slightly, as if to push her gently.

Riana, caught off guard, moved towards the lakeside.

Sched passed by her and walked ahead.

Although Riana had come here first, now she found herself following behind him.

Was it alright to follow him like this?

Riana hesitated, looking at Sched’s back, before taking a step.

She didn’t want to change her plans just because he had come.

The two remained silent as they walked along the forest path where light and shadow danced.

But the soft sound of the wind, the sweet chirping of birds, and the distant voices of people were enough.

Every time they stepped on the grassy path, the rustling sound of grass could be heard.

Sched walked three or four steps ahead of her, and Riana followed behind.

The two walked together as if going to completely different places, even though they knew they had the same destination.

Riana felt a strong sense of déjà vu from his back.

The memories of the past gradually came into light.

The forest path ended in a shorter distance than she remembered.

It had felt quite far when she was young, but perhaps she had grown a bit since then.

As soon as they left the forest path, the wide-open lake spread out before them.

Riana unconsciously stopped at the sight of the clear emerald color that dazzled her eyes.

The sunlight sparkled on the water like gold dust.

A cool breeze blew over the vast lake.

The clear wind rushing into her lungs felt like it was clearing her airways.

A small rowing boat, seemingly used for purification, was moored at the water’s edge.

Riana stopped, looking at the small boat.

Sched’s feet also halted in front of the blue lakeshore, and he turned to look at her.

For a moment, their gazes intertwined in the clear air.

Both of them recalled the same memory at the same time.

As a child, Louise Ideana loved this lake.

The frail girl rarely went out, and the lake near the mansion was the only place she could visit alone when she felt better.

Boating on the lake was a special outing for her.

That’s why Sched liked this place too.

Being able to come out here together meant that Louise’s health had improved, and also that he had safely returned from battle.

On days when they went to the lake, Louise would pack a small picnic basket like a child playing house, and bring along one or two of her favorite books.

Sched slowly followed behind, watching the back of the girl excited about the boat ride.

When she took light steps, the ribbon tying her shimmering golden hair fluttered.

As her white dress swayed gently, it was as if flowers from the lemon tree were falling and scattering.

“Sched, hurry up!”

Louise, who was walking ahead, urged him, waving her small hand.

It wasn’t even a fast pace, but her hand urging him as if he was slow was quite adorable.

When they reached the lakeshore, a hum would flow from her.

Then, as always, Sched would hold her hand as she boarded the boat, and the two would settle into the small skiff.

As the boy rowed, the girl would touch the ripples made by the small boat.

When her fingertips touched the mirror-like surface, a clear and cold sensation pleasantly awakened her.

That’s how the two loved the blue Lake Anteros.

Beyond that memory, Sched Lester met Riana’s eyes.

He stepped onto the bow of the boat with great familiarity to secure it.

Even though he had grown much taller since then, his body remembered the habits of the boy.

For a moment, Riana’s heart raced as if she had returned to her childhood.

Sched carelessly extended his hand towards her.