1. The land is barren wilderness.
It’s unsuitable for farming.
2. The land is dangerous.
While it might be fine for the next few years, monster attacks will become frequent.
3. There’s a lack of soldiers to station there.
If a settlement is established, it will need a defensive force to protect it, but given Schrantz’s current situation, increasing the number of soldiers is a burden.
In fact, even now, the number of soldiers is excessive for the size of the territory.
4. Financial constraints.
“Thanks to your efforts, we were able to minimize the damage, but the reconstruction costs alone are no small matter.”
While the large number of Greenskins defeated could be sold to cover some of the costs, the fact remains that they’ll have to tighten their belts for the foreseeable future.
But Ian knew better.
In fact, this was precisely why they had to develop the uncharted lands.
It was a project they needed to undertake, even if it meant going into debt.
‘Because there are countless resources buried there!’
The uncharted lands, dismissed as barren wilderness, were rich in underground resources.
‘The wilderness near Vilcen definitely has large deposits of iron ore and even small amounts of mithril, right?’
He even knew that these resources were relatively close to the surface.
Originally, his plan was to fend off raids from hostile families, slowly build up the military, and then develop the uncharted lands to advance the territory.
‘But now, with the monster threat significantly reduced, this is the perfect time!’
This was the moment when the cost would be the lowest.
If they waited, the cost would only increase.
So he couldn’t give up.
“Father, I’m not suggesting this just to expand our territory for the sake of it.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s about resources.”
“Resources?”
“Gems, gold, silver, iron ore. Who knows what might be there?”
If there were resources buried there, his suggestion would make sense, but such resources aren’t easily found.
“Still, it’s commendable that you’re thinking about the territory.”
Hugo’s love for his son flared up again.
But this wasn’t the response Ian wanted.
It was clear Hugo had no intention of seriously considering Ian’s proposal.
‘No, there really are resources there!’
Frustration welled up inside Ian, making him feel stifled.
He knew there were resources there.
With those resources, Schrantz’s finances could multiply tenfold, becoming wealthy in an instant.
‘We need even a little more financial flexibility to better fend off future raids on Schrantz.’
But he couldn’t just blurt out his inner thoughts.
If they asked how he knew, he wouldn’t have a convincing answer.
As he pondered how to respond,
“Come to think of it, the young master’s suggestion doesn’t seem entirely wrong.”
Jurdan, who had been quietly assisting with work, suddenly spoke up in Ian’s defense.
Ian looked at him with a puzzled expression, surprised by the unexpected support.
“This is unexpected. You, defending Ian?”
Hugo had a similar reaction.
Though he hadn’t said it in front of Ian, Jurdan had previously argued that Ian should be expelled from the family before he caused more trouble.
While Hugo understood that Jurdan’s concerns were genuine and for the family’s future,
no matter how much of a troublemaker Ian was, he was still Hugo’s son.
Hearing such things never sat well with him.
“The young master accomplished something everyone thought was impossible. I didn’t believe in him last time, but this time, I’m willing to trust him.”
Jurdan glanced at Ian and continued.
“I’ve also heard that some territories near the uncharted lands in other kingdoms have abundant resources. Perhaps the young master heard similar stories and brought it up to you, my lord. There’s also a reason to give it a try this time.”
“Hmm…”
Hugo stroked his well-groomed beard, lost in thought.
After a moment, he spoke.
“Then let’s send a small exploration team. How many people do you think would be appropriate?”
“What about ten? That shouldn’t be too much of a burden.”
“If you agree, then let’s proceed within the limits of our finances.”
“Yes, my lord. How long should the exploration period be?”
“Let’s give them six months.”
“Understood. I’ll start looking for suitable people.”
Hugo’s gaze returned to Ian.
“We’ll proceed with the exploration as you suggested, but if it’s proven to be useless land, we’ll stop immediately. If that happens, don’t harbour any more ambitions for the uncharted lands.”
Since even Jurdan thought it was worth a try, Hugo proposed a compromise.
“Understood.”
Thanks to Jurdan, the proposal was approved, much to Ian’s relief.
He gave Jurdan a grateful look, but Jurdan had already turned his gaze away.
‘He’s avoiding eye contact. He must still dislike me.’
If this had been before, Jurdan would have dismissed it as nonsense and opposed it, saying it was a waste of money.
But one thing was clear: change was happening.
Even Jurdan, who had despised Ian the most, was showing signs of change, and the shift in the family’s attitude would soon become more apparent.
After leaving the office, Ian headed to where Sera was working.
“Young master. I heard you just returned. What brings you here?”
Contrary to her expectation that he’d be resting, Sera was still awake and couldn’t hide her surprise at seeing Ian.
Ian, with his hands behind his back, looked around the room.
The interior had changed significantly compared to a month ago.
On one side were ingredients for potion-making, and on the other were discarded remnants of used materials.
‘And this musty smell is still hard to get used to.’
Alchemists’ labs always had an indescribably unpleasant smell, and this place was no exception.
Even with frequent ventilation, the smell lingered.
After a quick glance around the room, Ian replied.
“What brings me here? I came to check if you’ve been slacking off or studying hard while I was away.”
At Ian’s joke, Sera smiled.
“I’ve been working hard to live up to your expectations.”
“Really?”
“Of course, young master. Though it’s a bit embarrassing, I even made my first potion a week ago.”
‘…She’s already making potions?’
Ian’s expression turned to one of surprise.
He had told her to study potion-making before leaving for Vilcen, but he hadn’t expected her to start making potions so soon.
‘This is why talent is on another level.’
She truly was a prodigy destined to become a great mage and alchemist.
“Is it manageable?”
“It suits me better than I thought. And I’ve started to enjoy it.”
Ian smiled contentedly at her response.
‘Of course. The entire gaming community went wild when your existence was revealed.’
With so many players’ experiences to draw from, this outcome was only natural.
Ian decided to check how much she had grown.
[Skills]
―Herbalism (Beginner) Lv.3
―Alchemy (Beginner) Lv.1
―Potion Making (Beginner) Lv.1
―Magic Studies (Beginner) Lv.1
‘Wow. She really worked hard.’
Seeing her skills improve in just a month gave him an idea of how diligently she must have studied.
Considering she had to teach herself without a proper instructor, her efforts must have been immense.
She definitely wasn’t slacking off.
‘But Magic Studies?’
He had planned to have her learn magic after saving Hugo, but she had already started studying it?
This was unexpected.
The books he had bought for her didn’t include anything about magic.
“Are you learning magic?”
“H-how did you know?”
Her flustered expression was evident.
“I can tell just by looking.”
“You can tell just by looking?”
Of course, Magic Studies was just basic magical knowledge.
Simply knowing about it didn’t mean she could cast spells.
Unlike players, who could instantly learn skills by reading skill books, NPCs had to study and train extensively to master magic.
Self-teaching magic wasn’t impossible, but it was extremely difficult.
Ian made up an excuse.
“I just had a hunch.”
How? She might have wondered, but Sera seemed to accept it.
‘Since he knows about my father’s background, it’s natural he’d know about my mother’s too.’
When Ian had told her about her father, she had also shared her mother’s story.
Rimil, born as the child of a concubine.
Though her magical talent was recognized, becoming a court mage didn’t change how others viewed her.
Then she met Sera’s father, who was also an illegitimate child.
Understanding each other’s struggles, they grew close and eventually married.
After fleeing to the empire, she abandoned her path as a mage and lived as an herbalist.
“But who taught you?”
“Of course, my mother has been teaching me.”
“……Your mother?”
“Yes.”
Ian, unaware of the deeper details, blinked in surprise.
‘Wasn’t Rimil just an herbalist?’
When she joined as a retainer, her profession was listed as an herbalist.
Ian immediately checked Rimil’s skill window.
[Skills]
―Herbalism (Intermediate) Lv.2
―Magic Studies (Beginner) Lv.6
―Elemental Magic (Beginner) Lv.8
―Destruction Magic (Beginner) Lv.6
―Support Magic (Beginner) Lv.4
‘What the hell?!’
She wasn’t an exceptional mage, but she was more than capable of contributing in battle.
To put it simply, Elemental Magic involved creating fire, water, wind, earth, etc.
Destruction Magic included offensive spells like Fireball or Wind Cutter.
Support Magic covered spells like Haste, Bind, and Shield.
‘……We had a mage in our territory all along.’
And to think it was Rimil, who had come with Sera.
‘Well, her husband was an alchemist favoured by the king of a neighbouring country. It’s unlikely his wife was just an ordinary herbalist.’
Didn’t they escape together?
If they had fled from the empire and settled in this village, it made sense. But if they had escaped from the kingdom together, it was unlikely they were ordinary people.
‘Why didn’t I think of that?’
He should have checked her skill window when he first saw Sera’s.
If he had, he could have brought her along during the monster uprising to minimize casualties.
Ian regretted only checking Sera’s skill window.
‘But what’s done is done.’
It was already in the past.
“……”
Soon, Ian felt Sera’s gaze.
Seeing her staring intently at him, he was startled.
‘Oops!’
Realizing he couldn’t let her know he didn’t know the details, he quickly spoke.
“Ah, now that you mention it, I remember. I’ve been so busy lately, I completely forgot.”
Even to himself, it sounded like a lame excuse.
“Is that so?”
Fortunately, Sera seemed to accept it.
In truth, Ian was just overthinking.
She simply thought he had come to encourage her despite being tired.
“Oh, my mother said to thank you if I ever got the chance to meet you.”
With the family’s survival at stake.
Despite being in a desperate situation, Ian had considered her mother’s circumstances and only took her and the soldiers.
Sera felt genuine gratitude toward him for respecting not just her, but her mother as well.
‘……I just didn’t check the skill window.’
