"Let me introduce her formally, she is Anna, the one who has contributed to my change the most and the person I hope to witness everything about me right now and in the future." Noel extended her hand after pulling Leysha to Anna.
Anna blushed a bit. Although she had seen Leysha two times, it was still embarrassing to have Noel actually introduce her this way.
"I am Anna Stargaze. I'd like to apologize for my bad behavior toward Noel and the Ardagan family in the past. And I hope that you can give me your blessing to marry Noel."
Leysha smiled. "Of course. Luke has also given his blessing, even though he can't meet you both. Please take care of Noel from now on."
"Yes."
Noel added while taking out the invitation, "Well, we have been considered husband and wife in the paper, but the ceremony will be held soon."
"This…" Leysha rubbed her cheek. Although she was happy to get this invitation, it didn't seem like she would be able to attend it.
"I know that you can't attend the ceremony, but I'm planning to make a parade before the ceremony. If you think you can watch us from afar, then please attend. I want you to witness the greatest decision I've ever made in my life."
Leysha thought for a moment and nodded her head. "I'll do my best to persuade your father. It should be possible to only attend the parade."
"Mhmm." Noel was satisfied with the answer. However, there was still one problem. "By the way, I don't know how I should inform you about this, but I've become a Marquis, and the kingdom has rewarded me with this demon's territory."
Leysha's expression changed as she couldn't help but ask, "So, you're planning to expand here?"
"Yes. It's going to happen soon."
"Don't worry about us. We know what to do. I'll also inform your father about this matter and adjust our position. Though, you might not know our next position…"
"I can find you in one way or another."
Leysha nodded with a smile.
Noel then politely bowed to her. "In that case, it's better if I don't disturb you any further. Please tell Father to take care of himself."
"I will." Leysha hugged Noel once again, knowing that it would be a while before they could meet again.
Noel closed his eyes, savoring this feeling. After a minute, Leysha took a step back and patted Noel's shoulders. "No matter what you do, just remember that I and your father will always love and be proud of you."
"Yes, Mother." Noel nodded before saying playfully, "By the way, I told Silvester earlier that I would punch your face because he didn't allow me to meet you. If you wanted to blame someone for that slap, you could blame Silvester."
"What? Young Master…" Silvester coughed a few times, not believing that Noel would just say it bluntly.
Anna and Leysha chuckled, knowing that it was just a joke.
"Bye, Mother. I hope we can meet again soon." Noel turned around while waving his hand. "You too, Silvester… or not!"
"…" Silvester was completely speechless.
Leysha waved her hand until Noel and Anna couldn't be seen anymore.
"So, what am I going to do with you, Silvester?" Leysha glanced at Silvester playfully.
"This…" Silvester didn't know what to say because he didn't expect that Noel would be this shameless.
"Hahaha. Do you think I don't know that he is just teasing you?" Leysha turned around. "We, too, should go back."
"…" Silvester still remembered the playful smile on Leysha's face as though she was trying to do something with that information. Silvester sighed, knowing that they were indeed related by blood.
…
"So, this is how you drive it." Noel muttered while testing a few things that came into his mind.
"I told you the driving part was easy. However, it will be different for the masses. First of all, we will have to ensure safety, especially since a wealthier family can actually harm people before running away fast."
"I know. There are a few solutions like early education, laws, or safety runes. But early education is not cheap, and it's not like it's popular yet. I mean, I have to make the land prosper first. How can I force them to learn in school if they still need to farm on the field just to fill their bellies?
"The laws are also problems, considering this is a new technology. We can deal with it somehow, but sooner or later, the law will deteriorate. As for the safety rune, it will become an expensive option, which people won't buy since they don't have money.
"Hence, we don't really have a solution right now. And it doesn't seem like the car will enter the common market soon, so we will just wait and see for now."
Noel explained.
"I see. In that case, don't you think bringing merchants to this territory will become a good thing?"
Noel nodded. "Yeah, but the problem is that they are thinking that they could do anything because they have money. Before the Runegard company becomes a successful company, I don't think I will invite the merchants. Besides, I want them to focus on the other cities instead of the main city."
"If that's the case, we have to expand to the north first, expelling all those demons." Anna's expression turned serious.
"Yep. Damian and probably my parents have cleared up the area, but there are still a lot of demons around and we have to set up a perimeter as well. And the biggest problem will be…" Noel paused.
"The lords of the new cities, huh? We can probably install mayors in those cities for the time being, but sooner or later, you are allowed to raise a noble of your own."
"Yes. To facilitate rapid expansion, the kingdom allows the indirect appointment of a noble by nobles with higher ranks. Still, finding a noble is easier said than done." Noel sighed. "I don't know if there are people talented enough to take on that position."
"How about this? We will just let them become barons first, and if they keep racking up achievements, it will be good to let them raise their rank."
"Still, what kind of achievement do you expect me to evaluate? If I solely think about their achievement on the battlefield against the demons, they might be too crude for such a task. Then again, I can't really raise the mayors' ranks unless necessary." Noel shook his head, explaining his concern.
"Isn't there a good idea?" Anna pointed at the front. "How about using the expansion?"
"Expansion?"
"Yes. But it also means that we might not be able to play a huge role in the expansion… or more like we won't be able to fight as much."
"Are you thinking about creating a small competition so that they will showcase their talents and we'll use it to measure them? The battle prowess can be one of the parameters, but because of the competition, we will allow them to speak up to see their intellect and decision making." Noel asked for confirmation.
Anna scratched the back of her head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Actually, I only thought that the new cities could be used to allow them to contribute. But I guess the competition is a much better option."
"No. We can combine them together. We can just set up a hundred people or more to maintain the city. We'll see who manages the city the best to become a baron. Of course, we'll also have to send enough workers for them to utilize."
"Something like that. You have to consider the rule and other things properly though."
Noel carefully considered their options. "I'll discuss it with others later."
They had enough proof that the competition would be successful for people who had big ambitions. After all, they were the ones who competed the most.
There would be a problem when their ambition became a bit too big. It might become similar to the relationship between him and the royal family.
However, the difference between them was that Noel kept improving at a fast rate, so he could still maintain his control over them.
And these people, filled with ambition, would definitely make their own territory prosperous.
He also thought that it would cause problems for his child in the future if the latter lackedfor ambition. But that would be Noel and Anna's fault, considering they were the ones responsible in teaching their kid.
Now that both of them had agreed to make a competition, all they needed to do was discuss with the pillars the suitable path for the development.
…
After returning to the main city, the first person he met was actually Douglas. Since he was the one in charge of the development project, it would be good to ask him about the city.
And that was when he got an answer that he didn't expect.
"If you wish to do it, I have a rather interesting plan. It's called a growth city. Basically, it's a concept where you can first build a village, upgrade it to a small city, and develop it further to a large city. I have never tried this before since you need to make multiple walls to fend off the demons, but I believe this kind of development suits your needs. After all, we won't have to worry about funds soon and the train can bring a lot of materials to them. What do you think?"
