System vs Rebirth

"I see. I will take care of the market in the city to avoid further conflicts. In addition, we can also use the three great merchants to make it easier. Instead of this city, I believe that most merchants are aiming for the next city."

"Fair enough." Noel nodded. "For the time being, I want you to keep an eye on all that matters. And just make sure that you maintain the strict background check when they want to stay here."

"Understood." Balott nodded. "There's one thing that I'd like to know, sir. About the upper-class residential district, what are you planning to do with it?"

"Are you asking about which nobles will be allowed to stay?"

"Yes."

"First come, first served. Everyone can buy it as long as they follow the regulations. However, the regulations will be much stricter. I don't mind if it's bought by an enemy's faction, but just ensure that not all the top mansions are bought by them."

"About that… I believe that the other kingdoms will be interested in it, especially the Greenwood Kingdom. They definitely love to buy it for Princess Livia, don't they?"

"Yeah. If they use it as her house, it'll be much easier for them to come here. But just make sure that you leave one mansion free."

"Is there someone you'd like to give it to?"

Noel pointed at Balott. "That's exactly what I want."

"So you're planning to use the mansion to make people think that there is someone important enough for you to reserve a mansion for them. This way, there will be some rumors about their wildest imagination to guess that person. But actually, it remains empty because you just want it to be empty."

"Yeah." Noel nodded. If they realized it, he could simply say that the mansion was to honor his parents. The people didn't know that his parents hadn't died after all.

Noel contemplated for a moment. "By the way, do you have a connection to someone who is good at managing internal security? I want to separate the soldiers from the new division that is tasked with managing the security of the city."

"A new division?" Balott understood why Noel asked him this question. In the end, a new division meant a new budget, so it was only right for Noel to ask his opinion first. Unfortunately, Balott could only shake his head. "Unfortunately, I don't have any connection to such a person. For such an important role, he not only has to be capable but also powerful.

If possible, the former captain of the Ardagan family's army is very suitable.

"Unlike Howard, who is good at training soldiers, the former captain is good at managing tasks. The reason there was no riot when your father just took over the family was because of his skillfully operating the soldiers."

"The former captain, huh?" Noel knew that the Ardagan family was in a bad state during his grandfather's era. It changed when his father took over, but he never really thought about it deeply. It seemed that he needed to find the former captain. 'I guess visiting them should be fine. I should have time during the trip.'

"Yes. Currently, we have an abundant fund, so we can always create a new division. However, once we reach certain progress, we need to think of a way to make profits."

"I know that. But this fast expansion should be able to last for another five years, right?" Noel asked for confirmation. The only reason he was this aggressive was due to the incoming demon king. If he didn't develop his territory fast enough, the demon king would definitely devour it.

"It's possible. Besides, Old Jade has confirmed the mine to have a big silver vein. Probably the second or third biggest vein among the four kingdoms. Instead of exporting it, we should find craftsmen to process it."

"Well, we can also make the silver for beautiful things or combine it with the rune technologies. Nobles love to have shiny things, right?"

"Certainly." Balott raised a finger. "As for the last matter, I'd like to talk about the food issue."

"Jasmine?"

"Yes. She is asking for an exorbitant amount of money right now."

"How much?"

Balott raised five fingers.

"Fifty thousand? I don't think that's a problem." Noel tilted his head in confusion. However, when he noticed Balott's worried expression, it seemed he was wrong. "Five hundred thousand?"

He finally understood why Balott told him it was an exorbitant amount. However, Balott had yet to give him a reply, which meant what she wanted was actually much higher.

"Don't tell me… Five million?"

Balott smiled wryly. "Yes. She is asking for five million gold coins."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. She told me it was just for the first phase."

"What?" Noel frowned. "Why would she ask for that kind of money? Even if we sell all the available housing in our city, we could probably only make a few million, right?"

"About 2–3 million to be exact, but yes." Balott sighed. "The problem started after she sneaked into the expedition team."

"Expedition team? Dimitri or Howard?"

"Dimitri. She followed him to check on the condition of the land. According to her, there is fertile land spanning about 20% of our total territory. All of them are still considered demon territory, but if we expand there, we might be able to become one of the top wheat producers. And not far from there, there is a mountain that is suitable for the best quality tea production."

"…" Noel couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. "What's the location?"

Balott took out the map and pointed it at the northwest. It wasn't that far from the previous territory of the ancestral land.

When Noel saw this, he hurriedly wrote a letter and handed it to Balott. "Once Incetta comes, give her this letter. If she says yes, give any money that Jasmine wants. Other than that will have to wait for me."Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Understood."

Balott didn't know that the letter was actually addressed to Vivi. She should know about the ancestral land and their specialty, so he needed to ask them.

"Is that all?" Noel asked.

"Well, if I can be a bit bold, I'd like to ask a question."

"Ask away."

"Have you prepared the name for this city? We're about to open it, so it'll be better to have a name beforehand." Balott asked.

"Yes." Noel nodded. "Well, considering you are going to play a major role after the grand opening, I guess it's fine to let you know in advance. While you're at it, tell Roel to make the plaque for the name."

"Thank you very much." Balott politely nodded.

Noel wrote it down and handed the piece of paper to Balott. "What do you think?"

Balott looked at the name carefully before smiling. "I think it's fantastic. Simple, but it suits us the most."

Noel smiled.

…

Two days later.

After the hellish two days where he couldn't get a wink of sleep due to the insane amount of work he had to settle for the next one month, Noel finally escaped from his office.

Anna and Andreas had been waiting outside the mansion with Dimitri.

"Sorry, Dimitri. It seems that I have to use this sword for a bit longer." Noel smiled wryly. Although he managed to acquire the sword he wanted from the auction, he ended up giving it to Incetta. If not for Vivi, he would have used that weapon.

"No problem." Dimitri politely nodded. "Please take care of yourself, Master. Even if you have become strong, we don't know a lot about the demon territory and the beast kingdom."

"I know. Please take care of the city while I'm away."

"Understood."

"Then I'm off." Noel waved his hand.