As an awkward silence takes over the room. A knock was heard from the door.
"My Lord, it's me Ecish." Prewell's savior had arrived.
Prewell, embarrassed at his blunder. Awkwardly avoids Madeline's sight as Ecish voice came from the door.
"Ahem, come in." Clearing his throat, in a way to clear up his embarrassment. He told Ecish to enter the room.
Our resident butler just missed one of the scenes that he had been looking for (Seeing Prewell's embarrassed expression).
Entered the room, bringing along with him a ledger filled with notes and letters clipped inside the ledgers pages.
Approaching Prewell on the sofa, he bowed and handed him the ledger.
"My lord, this ledger contains the names and information of the family members of the slain member of your entourage. According to your will, a set number of coins and food is reserved for them. They can claim it by going through their respective village centers."
Prewell nodded as he reads the contents of the ledger.
Every end of the month, each family will receive a third of a sack of wheat, fifty bronze coins, and a basket of smoked fish.
House Ih Leviathan will also sponsor the orphans and children of the fallen warriors, if they wish to enter an apprenticeship.
May it be blacksmithing, carpentry, or weaving, the Lord will provide a fund for food, clothing, and other necessities. Considering the number of children that may choose to take this path. Prewell will also provide the person teaching the children, a sizeable amount of pay. Although not much, it'll be of help to the orphans and families left behind by his slain warriors.
Closing the ledger after taking a look, he stroked its outer cover.
"You've done a good job. For now, we will follow the way you have created in distributing pensions and benefits to the family members of our fallen soldiers. In the future, a better system needs to be developed, I hope that you will personally look into the creation of such a system.
The goblin incursion will sadly result in more deaths of our people, but their deaths will be necessary for the peace of Zalsac."
Looking down at the ledger, thinking that in the future, this ledger will not be enough to list the names of the men who perished in defending Zalsac. "Keep this ledger in a clean location. The people listed here are relatives of the valiant warriors of Zalsac."
Ecish nodded, this time feeling a change from his Lord. 'Hmmm, what is it? Maybe maturity, no, no, Lord is already matured enough before this trip to Waldr… no… perhaps .. not as naive and innocent as before.'
Watching Prewell as he calmly stroked the ledger in his hands, seemingly in deep thought.
Ecish felt conflicted, his soft-hearted, cold and rigid master was beginning to grew up once again in front of him. Possibly, a sense of gratification mixed with sadness is what Ecish is feeling at the moment.
He is gratified at his Lord's growth, yet saddened that the young lord he watched grew up is once again becoming more and more like a proper lord.
A good lord, but also a lonely one. Although he doesn't know of Prewell's rebirth and the additional memory of his past life. He could feel it, his Lord some time ago became more withdrawn. The number of words he had spoken lessened, only through his constant jibber jabbers did his lord start to once again open himself to the people around him.
With the addition of Captain Wiegraf, Mage Lucius, and Ser Lancel. They were able to make the lord open up to their small circle of people.
______________________________________
Madeline observed as the master and servant communicate with one another.
From Prewell deep thoughts as he stares at the ledger in his hands, to Ecish conflicted eyes as he stares at his master.
Everything she had seen so far, surpasses her original memory of the two. Although the two were inseparable before because of their ties as a master and servant.
This time it's more of because of an elder watching his junior.
Shaking her head as she removes such thoughts in her head. 'It doesn't matter what changed in him, what's important is that he's not as lonely as before.'
_____________________________________
Prewell thought returned to the present. Placing the book on the small table between him and Madeline. He began to inquire about the recent situation of the territory. "While I was away, did anything happen? Were there any news of goblin sightings?"
Ecish, awakened by his Lord's questions. Began to recount the things that happened since his Lords trip to Waldr. "My lord, a letter from 'Hatr' informing us that they have sealed all the entrances of the entire village. Weird noises are heard in the direction of the Great Forest, a scout once sighted a goblin band numbering in the thousands."
"Another letter this time from Reztel. The animals around the village began to show signs of restlessness, according to the letter, the locals in the area reported that all animals in the northern side of the village were frightened by noises heading north.
They suspected it might be goblins, but no confirmation was yet to be made."
"Lawnberg, sent news that it has repulsed a small band of fifty goblins. There were only minor casualties in the battle. So far, there were no deaths reported."
"The Captain sent word that the 500 volunteers you requested were gathered in Waldr. At this time, they were being taught basic formation by the local garrison.
As for the villages, they are finding it challenging to gather enough volunteers because of the fear of a goblin attack in their settlements.
The men fear that if they left their villages, it will be prone to goblin attacks. Each village only has a limited number of men. Such caution is understandable, my lord." Ecish gave his Lord the run-down of all the events that happened while he away.
Prewell nodded, the goblins are indeed on the move. Preparation must hasten even if Lancel is away. He must be prepared at all times to lead the castle reserves and the Black Halberds to lend support to his settlements.
The usual finger tapping echoed through the room. "Send Waldr a message, hasten his preparation for his next trip to Delberg. This time I want him to hire mercenaries and adventurers, as much as he can. If necessary, rent another ship to transport those mercenaries and adventurers.
I want him to make it as loud as possible. The Order and the other nobles, must learn that Zalsac is facing an imminent goblin invasion.
We need them to know that we're too preoccupied to involve ourselves in their politicking."
As Ecish was busy jotting down his command on another ledger, Prewell turned to Madeline.
"Madeline, mobilize our connection in the church. Let them know that we'll need to increase our soldiers and armaments because of the Goblin invasion.
Have the church in Waldr vouch for us. If necessary, let them leave the settlement and survey the land. Also mobilize your subordinates, have them start a rumor in Waldr. Exaggerate the news Ecish shared just now." Prewell's eyes turned icy as his thought turned towards his father's former head guard and the local church.
'Chaos breeds opportunity, I'll give you the opportunity whether you'll take is up to you…'
"I'll have additional men to increase the garrison in Waldr, it's time to clear all unstable factors in the territory. We begin with the goblins, then Derick and finally the Order's Small Church." Prewell, eyes deep as said these words.
For the first time since he remembered his past life's memories, this is the only moment when Prewell felt truly whole.
No mismatching ideology, no conflicted morality, he feels serene at this very moment. Perhaps too focused on the subject matter, he didn't see a transparent bar slowly being filled in the corner of his eyes.
_____________________________________
Madeline, memorized all the words that just Prewell said.
This was the first time that she saw him in such a manner. Sitting with his legs wide open, both his elbow by the chair's arm as his hands were supporting his chin.
Seriousness written all over his face, as his eyes mask whatever emotion is hidden underneath. His voice spoke in clarity with undeniable authority.
Her closest friend, Prewell, two months away from his 18th birthday. Acting as the Lord of his dominion, his character may be flawed, but his ability is not.
'If those people who once avoided him like a Plague. Learns of his current situation, will they regret not choosing him as their match?
Well… anyway they don't matter anymore. After all, I have already occupied his home.'
Madeline, blinked and her neck and cheeks began to redden. She began to be embarrassed by her own bold statement.
'What am I even thinking about…' Shaking her head, her dainty fingers playing with strands of her hair.
She stares at Prewell's profile as he commands both her and Ecish with concealed radiance buried in her eyes.