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 19: The New Project and the Best Companions

Episode 19: The New Project and the Best Companions

News of my appointment as Count of Grindle spread through the royal capital in an instant.

At the Valenstein family’s townhouse, the situation had completely changed from just a day before. Countless nobles and merchants now flooded in. Their faces were full of blatant flattery. They requested an audience.

However, I left all that noise to Isabella and shut myself away in my room.

Before me lay a massive sheet of parchment.

On the incomplete map granted by His Majesty, I began marking down the detailed information revealed by my [Territory Design] skill.

I was creating an extremely precise map of the far northern land known as the Alma Wasteland. It was a place I had yet to set foot in.

(…I see. The surface is barren permafrost. But the underground water veins are unexpectedly rich. The problem will be securing water during the winter.)

(The main monster habitats are concentrated in the eastern forests. The optimal route for the highway would be through the western plains.)

(…Hm? This layer’s response… it’s not iron. The mana conductivity is abnormally high. Could it be mithril—or perhaps something even rarer?)

Challenges—and immense potential.

This new project was more than enough to ignite my intellectual curiosity.

◇

To make this massive project succeed, the manpower in Grindle alone wouldn’t be enough.

First, I went to recruit the best engineer I knew—the dwarf master Gran.

“Master, could you leave your shop in the capital to your trusted apprentices, and come with me to the far north?”

“The far north, huh? What’re you planning this time, milord?”

“Nation-building. We’ll create a town from nothing in the frozen land. Your skills will be our lifeline. With the finest steel and your craftsmanship, we can develop even the harshest terrain. What do you say?”

Gran grinned. The corners of his mouth curled up.

“Ha! Now that’s something to get a dwarf’s bl00d pumping! Fine, I’m in. If there’s top-quality metal to work with, then the top blacksmith has to be there too!”

Next, I met with Duke Valenstein to request an introduction to a particular individual.

“Your Grace. For the Alma Wasteland development project, securing the supply lines (logistics) will be the most critical factor. Do you know anyone most capable of managing transport between the royal capital and the frontier?”

“Ho… a sharp observation. Very well—there’s one man who’s perfect for the job.”

The man the Duke introduced me to was Gilbert. He was a great merchant known for operating his own independent trade routes. So he was unaffiliated with any continental merchant guild.

He had the eyes of a shrewd fox. But his business sense was genuine.

“Well, well, the famous young Count himself. What sort of profitable venture do you have in mind for me?”

“A profitable venture, is it? Fair enough. I’ll be direct—

I want you to be the exclusive transport contractor for my national project.”

“Oh? A state enterprise carries big risks. What’s in it for me?”

“Two things. First, I’ll provide your caravan guards with weapons made from Grindle steel—at priority and at cost. Second, I’ll grant you exclusive trading rights for any resources produced in the Alma Wasteland.”

Gilbert’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“…Interesting! Very interesting! Count, I’ll gladly take the deal!”

The best engineer and the strongest transport network—

The project’s framework was now complete.

◇

Since the royal audience, the Silford family had maintained an eerie silence.

But there was no way my father and brother would quietly watch my success.

“They are surely plotting sabotage against the Alma Wasteland development behind the scenes,” 

Isabella warned.

I nodded.

“Yes. Which is exactly why I’ll make sure they can’t.”

Through Duke Valenstein, I submitted a petition to His Majesty:

‘The development of the Alma Wasteland is a national project under the royal name. Anyone who interferes with it should be deemed a traitor to the crown.’

The King understood my intent and issued an official proclamation to that effect.

With that, House Silford could no longer act openly.

Risk management—complete.

◇

Then came the morning of our departure.

Before the mansion stood my new companions and the elite guards summoned from Grindle. They were all ready to move out.

“I’m coming with you too,”

Isabella said. Her eyes were filled with resolve.

But I quietly shook my head.

“No. I need you to stay here in the capital—for something far more important.”

“…Something important?”

“You will be my command center in the royal capital. While I’m away, you’ll monitor House Silford’s movements, maintain close coordination with Gilbert’s company, and preserve our political connections with His Majesty and the Chancellor. No one but you can do this.”

I met her eyes as I spoke.

“I’ll handle the fieldwork. You’ll protect my back—and our entire enterprise—from here in the capital.”

Isabella received my words of absolute trust head-on.

She smiled—hiding her loneliness. Yet she was filled with pride.

“…Understood. Leave it to me, my dear contractor.”

And so, together with my new allies,

I took a strong, determined step toward the far northern frontier—

To the untamed land of the Alma Wasteland.