Chương 116: Chapter 100. Home In Paradise

John Ericsson's Point of View Well, it's nice that Ruby has come around to me. Now that I get a good look at everyone else in the room, I realize the old man isn't here. I decide to ask Ruby some questions." So, Ruby, where'd the old man go?"" I don't know, Lord Drake. I simply instructed some of my men to tend to the hole in the wall and the gator's carcass. The Iceskin Family are more focused on scholarly pursuits. This is in contrast to the Flameskin Family's focus on manual labor and Martial Arts."" I see.

I guess my first order of business will be to look for the old man. I'd imagine he's kept records on most of the things I need to know in order to start Governing."" We shall set out at once, Lord Drake! Garlo! Simmon! We shall escort Lord Drake and his wives to old man Rodrick's home immediately!"" Yes, Big Sis!" Ruby seemed to be in a High-Ranking Position in the Flameskin Family. I decided to ask her to know what her position in the Family was." Ruby, they listened to you without any hassle.

Are you the Leader of the Flameskin Family?"" Yes and no, Lord Drake. My Father is the actual Leader. However, as he and my Mother are currently serving in the Army, I act as the current Family Head for here in Paradise."" Ah, I see. Then is the old man... Rodrick, you said. Is Rodrick the Leader of the Iceskin Family?"" Yes, he's too old and frail to serve, so he decided to stay and pass his Wisdom and Advice onto the younger generation."" I see. Well, let's see what he's got to say I guess?"

With that as the end of the conversation, all of the occupants of the room started to walk out of the hole that was in the wall. Sarah had placed herself on the right side of me and Anna was to my left. We left to the hole to find a surprise. Rodrick had seemed to gather the town's population to help with the gator carcass." Ah! Marquess Drake! Good of you to join us! After you killed the gator, I thought it best to gather everyone to help move the burnt remains.

Also, this acts as a good moment to introduce yourself to everyone!" With Rodrick's idea, I was able to introduce myself as the new Lord. There were similar reactions as Ruby had. But Ruby and Garlo were able to convince them I was legitimate. All in all, the town hosted around 30 people before Sarah, Anna and I arrived. After we had moved the carcass of the gator out of the town, we made a bonfire with magic from the Flameskin Family's magic.

Ruby explained to us that the Flameskins were unmatched when it came to Fire Magic Prowess in Paradise. Once the gator was burning well, I turned to Rodrick." Rodrick, I have a question for you."" What is it, Lord Drake?"" Do you have detailed records for this territory?" Rodrick looked at me with a complicated expression on his face. I waited for him to respond." Yes, I do, but I fear they won't be useful to you, Lord Drake."" Why do you say that?""

Well, the information I was given access to was only what the current Lord at the time told me."" Ah, and because they were all guilty of fraud the numbers on the pages are useless to someone who actually wants to Govern."" That is correct, Lord Drake." Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. I was disappointed by what Rodrick had to say. I also wondered why I didn't think of that outcome myself. Regardless, I still had some hope."

What about the recent records? You've been Self-Governing since 2 years ago when the last Lord was found guilty of fraud right?"" Yes, that would be correct, however, as the Rose Swamps is a place on the outskirts of the Country, our markets haven't been making any kind of profit. We've only been taking in supplies that the Government has given us since 2 years ago. I suspect that they will deliver a settlement in gold now that we have a Lord who can make permanent decisions.""

I'll check on that with King Warrick once we get settled here in Paradise."" That sounds like a great plan, My Lord." Now that I had somewhat of a plan for the money aspect of Paradise down. This still left me with other questions." Ruby, Rodrick, do either of you know where it is that I will be staying? We also have to collect our luggage that we left inside the guard tower before going after the gator."" Allow me to show you, Lord Drake! I'll have my brothers grab the luggage!"

Ruby responded energetically to my question." Yes, we'll need to watch her somewhat. She's only slightly older than us after all." My Wives were speaking to themselves about something? I don't know when Sarah was able to bring Anna into the fold of scheming with her.... No, wait, it's been like that since the beginning, hasn't it? They mentioned how they had already stuck a deal when we returned after our date didn't they?

I thought it best not to focus on my Wives conspiring with each other as we arrived at a mansion. I turned to Ruby and began to ask the obvious." Ruby, is this the Lord's house? Isn't it a bit big for a Lord?"" Well, those bastards used the money they syphoned from us, to live in luxury here. Paradise could still have enough food to last a decade if we were to sell this crap! But, since Merchants never come here, we're stuck with this.

At the very least, it should fit well as your living quarters, seeing as how Lord Drake is a Marquess!"" I mean... You're not wrong, I guess..." The reason for this conversation was because this mansion was so damn excessive! Golden finished doors with platinum gargoyles watching the front door. Lavish designs on said door and even the windows have crazy golden etchings on them. Who the hell would okay this? Even Sarah was surprised by the greed on display and couldn't help but comment."

I get why they were so distrusting of outsiders now. This is just distasteful on so many levels!" We entered the house and began to take a look around. It was worse inside. I was starting to get a headache. Wooden furniture with silver, gold and platinum finishes, exceedingly soft-looking cushions. A giant golden chandelier with ruby and diamonds carved into it. Paintings of barely humanoid shapes in bizarre and complicated positions..." Well, worst-case scenario.

We can skim the metal and gems and sell it for the Treasury. I kind of just want to burn the artwork, if I'm being honest."" I think we may be cheered if we do that, Darling."" Yes, you might be looked at as a Hero, Lord Drake!" Ruby laughed heartedly at a plan I really wanted to come to fruition. After having our luggage delivered, Ruby began to speak." I suppose I should send a girl or 2 from our Families to act as Maids.""

That won't be needed, Lady Ruby, I will work as the only Maid in my Husband's home for now."" You can just call me "Ruby", Lady Anna. By chance, are you a Maid by trade? If not, you may need to swallow your pride and have some Servants. We may not be many, but our people are strong!"" I've been Darling's Exclusive Maid since he arrived in this Country. I won't let my spot be taken without good reason. Besides, this size of house is small compared to the Royal Palace. I will be fine, Ruby!

Please call me "Anna" when we're in private like now. Originally, I wasn't a Noble anyways."" You mean a commoner married a Marquess? What a tale it must be!"" Perhaps we can chat about it soon. Would you like to know more about how to make such a thing happen, Ruby?"" Princess Sarah!"" Now, now, you can call me "Sarah" in private as well!" While the girls were busy speaking to themselves, I thanked the crew that brought our luggage to the mansion.

Once the girls were done speaking amongst themselves, Ruby and her crew left the mansion to us. I turned to Sarah and Anna and began to speak." So, what do you want to do first? Put our things away? Clean? Just make something quick to eat and sleep the lethargy from the carriage ride away? I'm open to anything!"" I think first, you should explain what that incident from earlier was from, John." Sarah looked at me with an intense gaze as she spoke, Anna was also staring. I guess I scared them more than I thought."

Well, I Evolved my Paladin Job."" What!?" They both yelled in unison. They always look cute when their surprised." John. Is that even possible!? I've never heard of that happening before!"" Yeah, I think the Paladins of the past either kept it a secret or only a few ever reached it and just never told anyone. Along with that, I found out if you're not given the Paladin Job from a God or Goddess, you can only get a Job called "False Paladin" seems Promethia's propaganda extends to the Church as well as the Hero.""

But why did you faint?"" Good question, Sarah. I didn't actually faint on my own. I was forcibly made to sleep. The Archangel who granted me Her Favor, wanted to meet me since I finally became a High Paladin." Both girls looked at me confused. I guess this explanation will take a while?