The Matter of How Only a Political Rival Duke, Not My Own Family, Recognized My Worth After I Was Disowned ~When I Turned a Remote Frontier Territory Into the World’s Greatest City, the Noble Lady Assigned to Supervise Me Became the Best Fiancée~ - Episode 1: The Useless Skill and the Declaration of Disownment

Episode 1: The Useless Skill and the Declaration of Disownment

The coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen.

For the children of nobles, it was the day of judgment — the day their worth would be determined by divine revelation.

Amid the solemn hymns echoing through the Grand Temple of the royal capital.

I, Noah von Silford, waited quietly behind my elder brothers for my turn.

The Silford Ducal House — a family renowned for its martial honor. Beside my father, the head of the house, stood my two brothers. Their faces were openly brimming with pride.

“To Lord Alphonse, eldest son of House Silford, the skill [Holy Sword Arts]!”

When the high priest proclaimed this, voices of admiration rose from the assembled nobles. It was the highest-tier combat skill. It was the one said to be connected to the royal family’s ancestral blessings.

“To the second son, Lord Bertrand, the skill [Flame Spear]!”

Another powerful combat magic skill. My second brother’s lips curved into a smug grin of triumph.

As my father nodded in deep satisfaction, I held my breath.

My magic was ordinary. And I had no talent for the sword. I knew painfully well that no one expected anything from me, the third son. All I wished for was a skill decent enough not to disgrace the family name. That was all.

“Third son of House Silford, Lord Noah — step forward.”

Hearing my name, I stepped toward the altar. I could feel the mixed stares of contempt and pity from the surrounding nobles stabbing into my back.

Placing my hand on the ceremonial crystal, a soft light filled it — and then, letters slowly surfaced.

The high priest frowned slightly and read them aloud in a puzzled tone.

“…Skill: [Territory Design (World Edit)]?”

At that moment, the hall froze.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. What is that skill? Never heard of it. Design? Is he going to do civil engineering or something?

My brothers’ mocking laughter — drawn up from the depths of their throats — rang out all too clearly.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at my father’s face. But from the icy aura of disappointment and anger radiating from his back, even the heat of the ceremony felt frozen over.

This was my worth.

The failure of House Silford — the verdict had been handed down.

◇

“No more words are necessary.”

In the mansion’s study, my father, Duke Ludwick von Silford, spoke in a voice cold and heavy as winter stone.

“There is no place in the Silford family for a failure like you. A skill useless in battle, with no apparent purpose… you are a disgrace to our bloodline.”

“Father, but—”

“Silence!”

My words were shattered by the thunderous slam of his desk. His eyes no longer looked at me as a son — but as a stain upon the family’s name.

“I hereby disown you. However, out of my mercy, I will grant you a nominal barony and a parcel of land.”

“…A territory?”

“Yes. Grindle. A barren land between the demon frontier and the wetlands — a cursed land forced upon our house by the late king. It’s little more than a burden.”

Grindle. At the mention of that name, my brothers sneered wickedly. The tax revenue was almost zero. Those who had tried to develop it had either been eaten by monsters or died of mysterious illnesses. In truth, it was a sentence of exile.

“Rot there, or get eaten by beasts — do as you please. You are forbidden from ever crossing the Silford threshold again.”

Those were the last words I received from my father.

◇

With only the barest belongings, I climbed into a carriage — cast out from the mansion’s back gate — accompanied only by Duncan. He was the old butler who had served me for years.

Through a distant window, I could see my brothers looking down on me. They were laughing mockingly.

Farewell, House Silford.

As the carriage slowly rolled away and left the estate grounds behind, Duncan glanced at me anxiously. But I had no strength to respond.

Quietly, I removed the mask of “Noah, third son of House Silford.”

I switched my thinking — to that of Naoki, a former general contractor site supervisor from my previous life. I had pulled off countless impossible projects.

Before my eyes, the window of my newly acquired skill, [Territory Design], unfolded.

Data of the Grindle territory — where I was headed — streamed into view like translucent layers of blueprints.

[Geology: Acidic soil with some heavy metal contamination. Unidentified iron and magic crystal veins detected in the deeper layers.]

[Waterways: Underground water supply abundant, but marsh water heavily polluted. Optimal flood control routes calculable.]

[Vegetation: Mostly barren wasteland. With soil improvement (pH adjustment, nutrient enrichment), convertible into land suitable for wheat cultivation.]

[Disaster Management: Predicted monster invasion routes from the northern demon frontier. Able to propose optimal defense facility layouts.]

The corner of my mouth couldn’t help but rise.

(You’ve got to be kidding me…)

Safety management, process control, material procurement, risk analysis…

This was the ultimate CAD data — from the perspective of a god.

Father. Brothers.

You threw away a mountain of treasure into the gutter.

Grindle…

What a perfect project site.

My new life was about to begin — quietly, but surely.