Sigil Online: I became the duke's third son
Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Chapter 82

"Could you summon them once more? I’ve finished preparing the approach to the frontier fief." Luan stated, a confident look on his face.

The servants behind him looked rather exhausted, and he himself also had bags under his eyes, but he was still very confident in what he came up with.

Just like that, Eva and Liana summoned the black veil and the illusory table with the seven figures once more.

Alrec and Dren looked with raised eyebrows at Luan and the servants that stood behind him. This time they all were included, as the girls looked around with their mouths agape at the fantastical view.

Glancing at each other and at Kian, who signaled for them to be quiet, they held their tongues and stood there. While still glancing around, they tried their best to not make it too obvious.

"You realize that you still have half a day to prepare, right? Are you sure you want to show it already?" Alrec inquired.

Luan nodded. "Yes, I tried to do it as fast as possible to challenge myself," he confidently said.

"Now just sit down and enjoy the show," he exclaimed. "Of course, questions are always welcome. I know for sure that it’s not perfect because it was made so last minute, but I’m still very proud of mine and their work."

Luan explained with a smile on his face while pointing at the servants who stood behind him. With weary looks on their faces.

After hearing that, they all smiled slightly and nodded at Luan’s words. Everyone except Kian was surprised by his words. As most nobles would always try to steal credit from commoners and servants.

Kian, on the other hand, knew that what Luan was doing was not just out of the goodness of his heart. Mentioning it in front of the princess and the servants would make them have a better view of him.

Which in turn would make them more loyal and willing to do tasks they normally would resist or wouldn’t do.

Liana nodded, sharing similar thoughts with Kian. ’He is very shrewd,’ she thought, a smile on her face.

But that was for the better; a shrewd husband was much better, especially when you would get a fief you needed to build up and manage. And he will become a relative of the imperial family. To survive that, you need to be capable, or you’re just going to get swallowed whole.

"I made two different plans of action depending on the situation." Luan started, a bright smile on his face.

"Two?" Dren blurted out.

"Yes, two. One for if there is zero infrastructure and we just get a large plot of land and another for if there is infrastructure like an abandoned village or things like that. As they are very different starting points." Luan explained, then he grabbed one of the papers and handed it to Liana.

"On there is everything I’m going to explain. So you can read along, if you have questions, just ask," he stated.

Then, clearing his throat, he stood up from the chair, and Mara and Torg appeared next to him on either side.

"I’ll be using these two to help with visualizing some parts. And just to liven it up because otherwise it can be rather boring."

Dren and Alrec glanced at each other with satisfaction in their eyes. It seems this young man was very capable and would fit well with the lady.

Then a large plot of land appeared on the table, with here and there some puddles and a river running through it.

"Let’s first start with the frontier fief that has no infrastructure." Luan started as he walked around the table and created trees made from earth and water.

Monsters running around, animals, anything else he could think of that could appear like bandits, and some people that lived here for some reason.

Just like that, the large plot of land seemed to become a miniature territory.

Everyone was looking at it with their full attention. Impressed by Luan’s creativity to use his abilities for something like this.

Liana especially made sure Anna was noting things like this down for herself and to report to the Empress.

"A frontier fief isn’t just empty land." He started, his earlier nonchalance nowhere to be seen, replaced by a calm, commanding presence.

"It’s potential, untamed, chaotic. But full of opportunity. And the first step to tame that chaos is structure." As he said that, he gazed at Dren and Alrec.

The two nodded with pondering looks on their faces. Liana was paying close attention to every single one of Luan’s words as well.

"And for that structure, we have three very important goals. People, food, and safety. Everything else builds on those. So what I would start with is trying to build a rather small village where we can offer land to people with special privileges."

And like that, a small village appeared in the middle of the large plot of land right next to the river, with a couple of small houses surrounded by an earthen wall, and people appeared inside it, working the fields.

"The most important parts are security so people will want to move there. Food supply and defense, but with Liana coming with me, I’m hoping the imperial family will send some supporting troops; otherwise, it’s going to be tough."

Alrec nodded along, "You make a good point, Luan. This is a solid starting point. One question I have is how will you keep your finances afloat? Focusing only on those, it seems almost impossible without sufficient funding," he inquired.

"That’s right, but that’s where my connections come in. While I was abroad in the Xandrian Freeholds, I mentioned I started a business, right?" Luan mentioned.

Alrec nodded, staring at Luan and waiting patiently to see what he was getting at.

"Depending on when we will have to start developing the fief, the business might make some or a good amount of profit, so I will invest heavily into the territory, and I’ve made a connection with Avalin Vandar, one of the richest men on the planet." Luan confidently stated.

"And he will probably come here sometime with his daughter, so leveraging that, I’ll probably be able to have him help finance some of it as well. Which would enable me and Liana to hand out very juicy offers for people who take the risk of moving to our territory in its developing stages. Like reduced taxes and other things."