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Although the originally promised three-month vacation was reduced to two months, the lieutenant had no complaints. Fulfilling one’s duty against the backdrop of the impending Black Disaster is an honorable thing. Moreover, as His Majesty’s eyes and ears and the heir to the Carpe family, he must accomplish something to prove that his success does not rely on his noble birth.

But even someone as upright as Lieutenant Frayzer had to admit that his smooth military career was indeed largely due to his surname.

The Carpe family was a prestigious family in the Anju region even during the Silan Kingdom era!

Relying on Frayzer’s grandfather’s precise bet in middle age, they became a powerful force in the royalist party. When the reform of the Silan Kingdom began, they had already built factories in the country. His father also hitched a ride on King Louis’ carriage and monopolized the supply of the Royal Guard’s logistics for a period of time.

After the establishment of the Goldflower Kingdom, King Louis’ generous rewards made the already powerful Carpe family even more of a “pillar of the nation”.

An ancient heritage, an open-minded education, plus a constant influx of money, Lieutenant Frayzer was born into such a family background.

But fate played a joke on the Carpe family. Among the children born in his generation, whether in the main branch or important side branches, he was the only boy. Being such a “sole seedling” meant he was undoubtedly confirmed as the family heir from infancy.

The affluent and noble life once suffocated Frayzer.

This was not Versailles.

If you knew the lieutenant’s schedule at the age of eight, you would know that this pressure was literally suffocating.

Someone with his family background simply had no freedom of choice. None of the Carpe family would allow a weak good-for-nothing to take over the family. What they wanted most at this time was to take another step forward. Even an excellent conservative successor could not satisfy them.

From the moment of his birth, Lieutenant Frayzer had to be outstanding, far surpassing his peers.

Excellent?

That was just his obligation as the Carpe family heir and was not worth a bit of praise.

Under these circumstances, the lieutenant had only felt free during two periods in his 30 years of life so far. One was the two years he spent studying after entering Shaldor Engineering Academy at the age of 17.

The second was his military service immediately following his student career.

While everyone else was complaining about General Loren’s strict military discipline, only Lieutenant Frayzer was enjoying this “relaxed and free” good life. However, there are some things he must face.

The lieutenant’s journey home was very different from the other officers on leave with him. He did not need to take a carriage to the steam rail station being extended to East Prussia, nor did he need to ride back with companions. He only needed to carry his luggage from the barracks to the dispatch station at Pioneer Fortress.

Less than 2,500 steps away, the three high-level Spirit Mages from the family specifically responsible for pick-up and drop-off were already waiting there.

They would use a relatively safe large-scale teleportation spell to send the lieutenant directly to the vicinity of the family headquarters’ manor. The fact that such a show of force could be mobilized fully indicated that his father wanted to see his son urgently.

Perhaps there were also some important matters to be entrusted to Frayzer.

This once again made the lieutenant, who was unfazed even when facing vampires, feel pressured.

In his view, dealing with his father and elders was much more difficult than dealing with Marshal Loren. This was normal. Politicians have always been much more difficult to deal with than soldiers.

“Young Master, if you are ready, we will start the teleportation immediately. You don’t have to worry about teleportation going out of control. In addition to myself, there are three colleagues at the Master level in teleportation spells maintaining the ritual at the family manor. Even if something really goes wrong, they will bring you back from the Astral Realm at the first opportunity.

Of course, you still need to wear this evil protection amulet to ensure your absolute safety.”

A plump, elegantly dressed female Spirit Mage in Carpe family ceremonial attire handed a shiny, impressive-looking amulet to the lieutenant and softly said a sentence.

Lieutenant Frayzer took it, put it on, and nodded with a smile at the dazzling lady.

He knew this lady was one of his father’s mistresses and his father’s most trusted subordinate. She graduated from the Manipulation School of Circle Tower with high scores when she was young and had the opportunity to enter the national Spirit Mage organization, but was recruited by his father with a large sum of money.

To put it bluntly, this lady’s body and soul belonged to his father, and they were bought by his father at a clearly marked price. But for the lady in front of him, this was not a humiliation.

She was really expensive!

She took pride in it.

“I can leave at any time, Lady Lina.”

The lieutenant replied in a gentle tone.

But just as the three Spirit Mages were casting the spell, the lieutenant’s spirit bead suddenly vibrated. This made the lieutenant look down in surprise. After seeing the uniquely marked spirit symbol, his expression changed slightly.

“Wait a moment, I have an important call to answer.”

He put his luggage on the sofa in the dispatch hall, then slowly walked out of the ritual hall, found a hidden spot, and connected the communication. In the next instant, the voice of the vampire lord Murphy rang out.

“Hello there, little young master of the Carpe family and brave Lieutenant Frayzer.”

Murphy’s voice was a bit distorted, with interference and noise.

This was normal in the absence of a communication enhancement matrix. Even with the boost from the Computation Bead’s communication enhancement accessory, having a conversation over such a long distance was a matter of luck.

“Hello, Lord Murphy.”

Lieutenant Frayzer politely asked,

“What can I do for you? You got this private communication frequency from Miss Miriam, right? Please tell my junior! I’m very unhappy about her unauthorized disclosure of my personal contact information!

It’s too improper.”

“Miriam was just being loyal to her duties. Don’t have any negative feelings towards her because of this. After all, this conversation is not a waste of time on personal matters, but official business.”

Murphy casually explained, then got down to business:

“I just finished an unpleasant meeting with Marshal Loren, but at least we achieved some results. However, one of the matters concerns you, or more precisely, your family. Do you remember the battle two years ago when the Pioneer Army destroyed the city of Seicob?”

“Of course I remember. I personally participated in that battle as a front-line commander,” Lieutenant Frayzer said softly.

“The fearless Seicob Winged Cavalry left a shadow that still haunts my midnight dreams. But in that battle, we successfully captured the Prime Minister of the Portia Federation and his entire governing body. After that battle, the Portia Federation entered a chaotic state of infighting.

That battle was a turning point in the latter half of the Ten-Year War.

But I guess you’re not here to discuss history with me, let alone spend valuable time condemning us for using spirit plague weapons to achieve victory.

Please speak directly, Lord Murphy.

State your needs.”

“Seicob was not only the capital of the Portia Federation but also the industrial center of the Transia and Saxony regions. After you defeated that city, you dismantled and removed all the production lines.

From a soldier’s perspective, I can understand the necessity of such actions. But now that Transia has reached an agreement with the Goldflower Kingdom on preparations for the Black Disaster war, I need you to return those stolen production lines to help Transia quickly restore its basic weapon manufacturing and repair capabilities.”

Murphy said gravely,

“Marshal Loren told me that the production lines from Seicob all fell into the hands of the Carpe family. Among all the people this marginal vampire knows, the only one who has some connection with the Carpe family is you. Therefore, I want to ask you to help us get back those production lines!

The sooner, the better.

An excellent soldier well-versed in history like you should know the significance of those things in defending against the Black Disaster. If Transia falls, then your family’s Anju region cannot possibly remain safe and sound.

Helping us is helping yourselves.”

“Oh?”

Lieutenant Frayzer raised his eyebrows.

Then he said,

“I never interfere with the family’s business activities. Perhaps I can help, but I want to clarify one thing in advance. That is, what is Transia willing to pay to get back those spoils of war that already have new owners?

Before you answer this question, I ask you to think carefully.

Please.

Don’t insult my family with money.”

“Well, that’s the key point I want to discuss with you,” Murphy said, his tone becoming somewhat casual.

“Of course, I’m not naive enough to think you’ll donate for free. How could capitalists be so kind-hearted? I can allow the Carpe family to establish factories derived from those production lines in any region of Transia.

You choose the address, we’ll be responsible for land planning, providing manpower, operations, and investment in construction. The Carpe family can appoint a financial officer to monitor this process.

60% of the profits from these factories in the first three years will go to you, and after three years, they will be owned by the Transia Governorate.”

“With all due respect, sir, we cannot possibly accept these terms,” the lieutenant, though not a businessman, immediately sensed the harshness in Murphy’s conditions after ten years as an intelligence officer. He shook his head and said,

“My father would even think you’re making a joke that’s not funny.”

“Don’t be in a rush, young man. I’m not finished yet,” Murphy laughed, then emphasized,

“From the date the factories start production, your family will monopolize 40% of the logistics supplies for the Black Disaster war in the entire Transia region. Until the Black Disaster is completely over, we won’t look for other merchants and will only purchase from you.

I learned about the Carpe family’s rise to prominence from Professor Malcolm and heard from Tris about your grandfather’s hardships when he ran the wool business in the Cato region in his youth.

He did Tris a small favor, so Tris told him about an ancient treasure buried somewhere in the Anju region. Your grandfather found it and used that money to monopolize the wool and textile business in the Cato region.

That was also the turning point for the Carpe family, which had fallen into decline. To this day, the few textile factories there are still important industries for the Carpe family.

Of course, I’m not asking you to repay this favor.

I just want to say that monopoly was the secret to your grandfather’s generation being able to operate the Carpe family with great success. I once told another noble that war is always the most profitable business, and the Carpe family is the absolute leader in this field.

If you can’t understand this, then…”

“No, I fully understand what you mean and the enormous profits you’re talking about,” Lieutenant Frayzer’s mind raced, then he said,

“But if you want to win over my father, perhaps you’ll have to bleed a little more. After all, you don’t deny that Transia is at risk of annihilation in the Black Disaster war. You need to add an extra ‘insurance’ for this risk.

For example, using tax revenue as collateral…”

“Ever considered becoming a vampire and working for me, Lieutenant Frayzer? You’re really well-suited for our line of work. I even feel that our physical methods of sucking marrow from bones seem too affectionate and gentle compared to you hereditary old-money capitalists,” Murphy replied, very displeased.

He said,

“30% exemption on various taxes for the first three years!”

“50%!”

The lieutenant shouted a flat price. The sound of a table being pounded came from the other side, making him grin. He knew Lord Murphy would eventually agree.

“For the first year, I’ll give you a 60% tax exemption, then 30% for the next two years,” Murphy said gravely after a few seconds.

“But the factories I want must break ground within a month and a half! Neither of us has that much time to waste, Lieutenant. You and I both know this. No matter how much you earn, you need to be alive to spend it!”

“Then, I will convey your terms to my father and do my utmost to persuade him,” the lieutenant replied politely, then said to Murphy,

“Now please transfer the communication to my junior Miriam. I have some personal matters to discuss with her.”

In the office at the Blood Vulture Halls, Murphy glanced at the somewhat apprehensive Crimson Regent with a startled look, then transferred the communication frequency over.

Miriam returned to the office with a shameful expression after several minutes.

It was obvious that Lieutenant Frayzer, as her senior, had given her a harsh scolding for casually disclosing his personal contact information. He had given his contact information to Miriam out of trust and friendship. Someone of his status values personal privacy the most.

“I want to remind you, Miriam,” Murphy popped open a bottle of champagne to celebrate reaching a basic understanding agreement with the Goldflower Kingdom. While pouring drinks for several important members who were coming to the office to celebrate, the vampire said quietly to his Crimson Regent,

“You should be careful with these rich young masters. They are the best at deceiving girls, especially cute young and naive ones like you. If you’re not careful, they’ll devour you until not even your bones are left. I don’t want to see you coming to me in a few months, pregnant and crying about being deceived by a scumbag.

You’d better not do that, because I will mercilessly mock you.

But now that you’re a baroness, why not choose a surname for yourself?”

“That’s right, I’m already a baroness. Why do I still need a surname?” Miriam rolled her eyes and touched the signet ring on her finger. She said,

“Now they all call me Miriam Morland. I think that’s good enough.”

“But a name isn’t just for marking your identity. It’s also used to commemorate family and lineage. Didn’t you admire your mother the most?” Murphy poured a glass of wine for his capable subordinate and persuaded,

“Add her name to it as well. It will sound even better.”

Miriam was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

She raised her glass.

To the vampire lord before her, whom she had gone from loathing and fearing to trusting and following, she said,

“Then from today onward, my name is Miriam Cynthia Morland.”

“Yes, a truly memorable day!” Murphy also raised his glass in celebration.

The moment their glasses clinked, the office door opened. Tris, who had run over after smelling the aroma of fine wine, put her hands on her hips and scolded, very displeased,

“Well, well, you two! Drinking in secret without me, huh? Just you wait! I’ll curse you with a terrible spirit spell later.”

——

“Father, I’m back!”

Although his impression of his father had always remained at the level of a “psychological shadow” from childhood, when Lieutenant Frayzer returned to the long-absent family manor after years of war and saw his father personally coming to the door to welcome him, his eyes still reddened. He stepped forward and embraced his father, who had already grown white hair.

Don’t think coming to the manor entrance to welcome him was just a ceremonial reception. With the scale of the Carpe family manor, which encompassed an entire mountain as a scenic viewing platform, it took nearly 30 minutes to ride from the main residence to the front gate.

At Count Leon’s current age and physical condition, this was really a remarkable display of parental love.

This manor behind the father and son had always been called “Skanderbeg Castle” by outsiders.

“Skanderbeg” was the name of Lieutenant Frayzer’s grandfather and the first owner of this manor. He was the most outstanding head in the history of the Carpe family, a figure whom Frayzer’s father, Count Leon, and the lieutenant himself regarded as a role model and strived to pursue his achievements.

Oh, and that mountain valley at the center of this manor was where the ancient treasure Tris had told Skanderbeg about was buried.

“The eldest daughter of the Seville family head has been waiting for you at the manor for two days. That young lady named ‘Becky’ is outstanding in all aspects. Perhaps you should dance the first dance with her at tonight’s celebration banquet,” Count Leon said softly, leaning on his cane as he walked towards the carriage accompanied by his son.

The lieutenant did not object.

He knew objecting was meaningless.

In this manor, any sentence from his father without a question mark was an order.

Even if his tone was gentle, it was still the case.

As for the Seville family, they were one of the top three noble houses in the Anju province, famous for producing loyal, valiant, and powerful shock knights. Of course, this ranking excluded the behemoth Carpe family.

“I will do as you wish, Father. But there is one matter I need to discuss with you,” the lieutenant said as he boarded the carriage to the main residence, placing his luggage at his feet. He repeated the agreement he had just made with Lord Murphy to his father, who was watching him.

Count Leon did not interrupt. Only after his son finished speaking did he smile with satisfaction and say,

“My son has grown up, knowing how to fight for the family’s interests and possessing grand ambitions and vision. Your grandfather’s judgment was impeccable. In the last moments of his old age, he always said you would achieve even greater things than him.

I believe it now.

After all, I didn’t have your decisiveness and courage when I was thirty.

But my son, since you’ve determined Transia has potential and now faces the Black Disaster situation, rather than making a successful deal, it’s better to do a favor for that rising vampire lord. And since it’s a favor, might as well be more generous.

If a favor makes the other party hold a grudge, it’s not a good look. There’s no need for tax exemptions. We’re not short of that bit of money, but Transia is.

Hmm, let your fiancée handle this matter.”

“Huh?” The lieutenant widened his eyes in surprise. He said,

“But Miss Becky is a noble young lady. How can she…”

“In addition to being an elegant young lady, she also ranked third in the Seville family martial arts tournament and, like you, graduated from the History Department of Shaldor Engineering Academy. She now manages a portion of the Seville family’s foreign business.

You’re my son, Frayzer. Although our father-son relationship has been stiff since you were little, how could I not know your preferences?” Count Leon smiled mysteriously and said,

“Rather than devouring boring sheep, my son prefers to conquer a lioness of his own. Interacting with Miss Becky won’t bore you, son. But hopefully, you’ve prepared your beast taming whip.”