ocean-life Chapter 170
Chapter 170
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Lucky]
Chapter 170
“What brings you here, Ray Hatzfeld?”
The visitor was none other than Ray Hatzfeld.
“I had to come in person since you cut off contact.”
“Didn’t I tell you to wait?”
“You’re not the only one with pressing matters.” Ray stood his ground against Kane.
“What’s the issue?”
“I made a promise to Barbarian Lord. I said I’d settle them on fertile land, and the most suitable place happens to be within the Fresia Empire.”
Ray turned his head. Barbarian Lord stepped forward and greeted Kane warmly.
“It’s good to see you again, brother.”
Brother? Since when did an alliance formed in Medi Island turn into brotherhood?
“I didn’t think you’d still have lingering attachments.”
“He’s the only one who trusted me and stood by my side. I’d feel too guilty breaking my promise. So, I’m asking for your help.”
Kane looked at Barbarian Lord.
His goal was clear:
To integrate the so-called “barbarians” into the continent as recognized members.
One essential element for this was land. Without land, they couldn’t farm or live self-sufficiently, leading to peace instead of raiding others.
The reason Barbarian Lord’s tribe resorted to plundering was simple—they lived on barren land and lacked food.
It was a choice born out of survival. For them, it was the best option available.
“Why not just give them Hatzfeld’s land instead?”
“We don’t exactly have the luxury of time.”
“That’s true.” Kane nodded at Ray’s words.
“Still, we should have at least a month to figure it out.”
“Sure, we could forcibly seize the land and settle them there. But there’s no guarantee of safety afterward. Hatzfeld won’t just sit quietly. But with your influence, wouldn’t the Empire accept Barbarian Lord’s tribe more easily?”
After some thought, Kane turned to Barbarian Lord and spoke.
“To settle in Fresia, your tribe will need to be part of the Empire. An independent nation won’t be permitted.”
“As long as we’re not enslaved, that’s fine.”
“Who would dare enslave Barbarian Lord’s tribe?”
Barbarian Lord was one of the Twelve Star Lords—no one would dare to recklessly lay a hand on them.
“I’ll speak to the higher-ups. There happens to be unclaimed land that might suit your needs.”
Kane summoned a maid and instructed her to call someone.
Shortly after, Gillip entered the room.
“Did you call for me?”
Gillip had been leading a very busy life lately. He was working alongside Yoshua, the head priest, to change the negative perceptions surrounding vampires.
The first thing Gillip tackled was altering the mindset of the nobility. He sold jewels while promoting an admiration for vampires, painting them as beings of nobility and grace.
He emphasizing that vampires were originally high-ranking nobles unfairly cursed in the past.
Gillip’s smooth talk started to take effect, and the nobility began seeing vampires as extraordinary beings.
As nobles began to treat vampires with respect, the common people’s attitudes shifted as well.
All of this had happened just a few days ago. Despite that, Gillip never stopped his persuasive efforts, aiming to fulfill the mission Kane had given him.
It was amidst all this that he was summoned by Kane.
“There’s something I need your approval on.”
“What would that be?”
“I’m considering speaking to His Highness Isaac about allowing this gentleman to survey the northern lands of Tegelo. What are your thoughts?”
Gillip turned his head. Upon seeing the rugged, wild-looking man, he instinctively felt intimidated.
“And this gentleman is...?”
“Toland Orcas. He’s better known as Barbarian Lord.”
“Wha—! B-Barbarian Lord?!”
“One of the Twelve Star Lords.”
“My apologies for not recognizing you sooner! I am Gillip.”
Gillip, though not a blood relative of Tegelo, bowed as the leader of the Black Crow Exchange before Barbarian Lord.
“It’s a pleasure. But don’t grovel too much—I dislike those without a warrior’s pride.”
Charlotte readily agreed.
“Of course.”
Kane and Charlotte left the school together, heading somewhere.
The students continued to watch their backs as they walked away.
“Aren’t they heading toward the dormitories?” one of them murmured.
“Was that rumor true?”
“Sasha! Is it true that the Young Duke is dating the Second Princess, Charlotte?”
“You’re his sibling, so you’d know, wouldn’t you?”
Under the intense stares, Sasha shook his head vigorously.
“I don’t know! I’m just like all of you, stuck inside and unable to go out. I know nothing about my brother’s personal life!”
Sasha wasn’t the only one under fire.
His twin sister, Rose, faced the same barrage of questions.
The crowd bombarded both of them, eager for answers.
When neither could say anything, the instructors stepped in to restore order.
“Everyone, gather on the training grounds! Young Master Kane will be giving you invaluable advice shortly.”
“Hurry to the grounds and prepare yourselves with proper decorum to receive his wisdom!”
At that, the students dashed down the hallways, racing to secure spots in the front row for a closer look at Kane.
Once the students had cleared out, Sasha and Rose finally caught their breath.
“Thank you, Chief Instructor Joseph.”
“Think nothing of it,” Joseph replied.
Now alone with the twins, Joseph adopted a more respectful tone toward them.
He was part of the Rehinar household, and while he held the rank of Chief Instructor, Sasha and Rose were members of the very family he served.
Though he couldn’t show favoritism publicly, he paid them proper respect in private.
“You two should head over as well,” Joseph said.
“But is it really true? Is Brother in a relationship with Sister Charlotte?”
“Affairs between men and women are their business. Until they say something themselves, we can’t jump to conclusions.”
“What does it matter anyway? Let’s just go quietly.”
Rose, annoyed, tugged Sasha by the ear and marched toward the training grounds.
Her lips were slightly pouted for some reason.
* * *
Meanwhile, Kane had gone to Charlotte's dormitory room and immediately contacted Isaac.
Charlotte, who had been brimming with anticipation, now spoke in a curt tone.
“Should I just give you the communication device? So you won’t have to come to see me anymore?”
“Would that be okay?”
At Kane's question, Charlotte’s beautiful eyes narrowed. Her expression clearly conveyed annoyance.
She intended to make her displeasure obvious, but Isaac happened to answer the call unusually quickly.
- “It hasn’t even been that long, and you’re already calling? Can’t you wait a little?”
“How are things on your end?”
- “You really want an answer, huh? The underground of the floating city is piled high with gold. With this amount, we could revive the faltering empire.”
“That much?”
- “It’s staggering. No matter how much we dig, there’s no end in sight.”
“That’s good to hear.”
- “I need to finish up quickly and come see you, but there’s so much work to do.”
“That’s the nature of being in a high position—you’re always busy.”
- “You don’t seem busy.”
“I have competent people by my side to take care of things.”
By "competent people," Kane was referring to Daniel Lindemann.
Having entrusted the development of his territory to Daniel, Kane found that everything was taken care of seamlessly.
Daniel, whose talents had been too valuable to let retire, had returned to his duties and was utilizing his skills to their fullest.
- “If you have someone that talented, introduce them to me. Don’t hog all the good help for yourself.”
“That’s why I’ve recruited someone new.”
Kane got straight to the point.
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Lucky]