The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Chapter 24 Lena's Letter

Upon returning to his residence, Grand Duke Lars downed an entire bottle of wine before his hands finally stopped trembling.

But just as they calmed down, a commotion broke out outside the manor.

"We want peace, not war!"

"We want peace, not war!"

A group of students from the capital city were parading outside Lars's manor, carrying the magical scroll that Cordick had shown at the round table conference.

Enraged students were even throwing garbage at Grand Duke Lars's estate, shouting curses and demanding that the North compromise with the demons for the sake of its common people.

When Grand Duke Lars returned to the manor, the meeting had just ended. How could students from the Royal Academy have obtained this magical scroll so quickly and organized a parade so fast? Even Lena knew something was wrong when she arrived.

"Sir, should we send them away?"

The butler kindly stepped forward to inquire, but Grand Duke Lars simply waved his hand: "No need, that would only backfire."

At this moment, Grand Duke Lars felt a pang of resentment towards his extraordinary hearing, a trait often attributed to high-ranking professionals.

Was I really wrong? The North certainly needs to recuperate, but we absolutely cannot compromise with the demons!

Grand Duke Lars was somewhat helpless about this treaty. The Northern Territory had already been unable to withstand the demons' attack, and the retreat to Broken Snow Territory was only a more conservative retreat plan than the original one.

The annual Silver Leaf Coins were not unaffordable for the Lars family.

If the succession war goes smoothly for the next two years and a successor to the Lars family is quickly chosen to stabilize public sentiment, perhaps the lost lands can be reclaimed.

Although the nominal heirs were determined by their combined strength and military achievements, Grand Duke Lars actually had his own selfish motives.

Lena's younger brother, Sean Lars, is the best candidate in the eyes of Grand Duke Lars. Although young, he has inherited his father's composure and decisiveness.

The territory is also the richest valley region in the North, and it also boasts the largest slave market in the North. With countless capable ministers and generals under its command, it is a strong contender in this War of the Succession.

Of course, the main reason is that Sean is far too human compared to his two uncles who are in league with demons and royalty, his tyrannical brother, and his young sister.

As for Lena, Grand Duke Lars felt somewhat guilty. He had not only used Lena as a tool for a political marriage, but he also failed to save her in the power struggle with the royal family. In the end, it was only because the saintess of the church stopped pursuing her that Lena was able to be safely rescued and married to an unknown nobleman.

Thinking of this, Grand Duke Lars took out the letter Lena had written to him from his drawer. This letter was a rare comfort to him. Whenever he saw a letter from his beloved granddaughter, Grand Duke Lars would forget all his troubles and be as happy as an old man.

Aside from simple greetings, the letter mainly recounted some interesting things that happened among the gray and white-collar workers, such as how a minor nobleman named Lind invented a strange device called a bicycle, which could be propelled forward by simply stepping on a pedal.

Grand Duke Lars found it somewhat absurd; according to the blueprints drawn by Lena, how could such a device not fall over?

Furthermore, this type of bicycle requires a smooth surface and is not suitable for riding on rough roads. However, as a small toy, it is still quite fun.

Besides the bicycle, there was also a water-powered forging hammer that Lena invented herself, but when this letter was sent, the water-powered forging hammer of the gray-collar worker was not yet officially completed, so the letter only contained a rough sketch.

Grand Duke Lars took a closer look but didn't pay too much attention to it. After all, although the water-powered forging hammer could indeed improve the quality of equipment, Grand Duke Lars still believed that what truly determined the outcome on the battlefield was how many professionals each side had. This water-powered forging hammer was just a large toy.

Grand Duke Lars originally envisioned Lena living a carefree life. Seeing his grandson-in-law making toys for his granddaughter every day, he didn't think the man was wasting his time on frivolous pursuits. Instead, he affirmed Lind's work. As long as Lena was happy, that was more important than anything else.

Although a spy close to Lena reported that the minor nobleman named Linde had practically seized power in the territory, with all affairs being handled by Linde and his men, and even the head maid, Lila, had betrayed them.

But when he saw that Lind would pull Lena into his tent every night and tell her in detail what had happened on the territory that day and what policies were being implemented there, Grand Duke Lars was reassured.

Judging from the report, his granddaughter, who was still thinking of returning to the capital and asking the royal family to help her get justice, was definitely no match for that minor nobleman named Linde. But whatever the reason, the minor nobleman maintained his respect for Lena and was able to make Lena happy, which was enough and even exceeded Grand Duke Lars's expectations.

Grand Duke Lars was not afraid that Lind would completely take over the power of the territory. On the contrary, he was afraid that his grandson-in-law was too weak and would be led by the nose by Lena, which would eventually lead Lena to do something irrational.

If he really wanted Rena to manage the territory, Grand Duke Lars would have made it clear in the marriage certificate long ago.

As for the management and policies of the gray and white collars, Grand Duke Lars didn't care. It was just a small place, and Lind could do whatever he wanted with it. The Lars family could support this territory for life.

As he read the letter's ending, where Lena requested that he send more artisans and magic apprentices to the Grey and White Collar to make toys, and even offered to exchange some luxury goods for them, Grand Duke Lars gently tapped his desk with his fingers.

This was clearly written by Lena at the behest of that minor nobleman named Lind. The territory was just starting out and certainly needed artisans and magic apprentices more.

But from the beginning, Grand Duke Lars envisioned the Grey and White Collars as a paradise built for Lena. Did they really need so many craftsmen and magic apprentices?

However, upon seeing Lena's boast in the letter about the new toy Lind had made for her, Grand Duke Lars smiled easily. At least his granddaughter did indeed wish for more craftsmen and magic apprentices, and that was enough.

“Select a group of idle artisan apprentices, then recruit some unwanted magic apprentices in the capital, and send them to the Gray and White Collar.”

After Grand Duke Lars finished speaking, the steward who was standing by immediately left.

This wasn't because Grand Duke Lars was stingy and unwilling to support the gray-collar workers, but because making toys didn't require highly skilled craftsmen or magic apprentices. It was also a punishment for his grandson-in-law, who liked to play tricks, a warning not to think he could make demands of the Lars family just because he could please Lena.

At least that's what Grand Duke Lars thinks now.