The Healing Solaris Cleric

Chapter 251: Baron Basker (3)

When Kai logged into the game the next day, he realized his prediction had been correct.

Ding!

[You have fallen asleep on a cold floor and have been afflicted by the Muscle Cramp status effect.]

[You have fallen asleep on a hard floor and have been afflicted by the Stiff Neck status effect.]

[You have fallen asleep in an unheated area and have been afflicted by the Sick status effect.]

“Achoo.”

A sneeze escaped his lips.

With a single use of a healing skill, Kai wiped away the debuffs completely and headed downstairs to the first floor. Because the curtains that should have been hanging by the windows were all taken, the morning sunlight streamed in, greeting the floor directly.

“You’re up early, my lord.”

“... Prescott, you’re up early too.”

“The older one gets, the less sleep they need.” Prescott, who had pushed in a cart with old dishes and teacups, said, “Unfortunately, I couldn’t prepare a meal due to a lack of ingredients. But there is coffee.”

“One strong cup, please. My mind’s still a bit hazy.”

“Coming right up.” With skilled hands, Prescott brewed the coffee on the spot and poured it into an old teacup. “Apologies for the inadequate teacup.”

“Oh, that’s not even your fault. Don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of it today.”

“Pardon?”

Kai sipped from the teacup while looking at Prescott, who stared back in confusion.

“There will probably be a lot of changes in this land today.”

“I see...”

“And I should thank you. While everyone else left, you stayed until the very end.”

“No need for that. This place is my home as well.”

With a refined smile, Prescott silently polished the cups. The elderly gentleman, dressed in a tidy suit, diligently continued his work from the early morning.

After watching him for a moment, Kai suddenly asked, “Prescott, what do you think is the most necessary thing for this place right now?”

“That question is incorrect.”

“Pardon?”

“It would be faster to ask what we currently have in the Arkan than what it needs.”

Prescott, who always seemed kind, suddenly delivered a heavy truth. Of course, Kai wasn’t the type to be shaken or have his pride hurt by such remarks.

“That’s true. It seems I’ll have to start from scratch, step by step.”

Muttering quietly, Kai pulled up the map of Arkan. The holographic map displayed before him was undeniably empty.

Prescott’s right. It’s quicker to ask what we have rather than what we need.

The current Arkan territory didn’t have even a single decent facility. The territory had once been destroyed during a monster invasion event. Afterward, it became the site of numerous sieges as players and NPCs competed to claim the land. Naturally, the territory’s condition was no better than that of a ruin.

If this is the state of Arkan, I wonder if Haveros is in a similar condition.

The mere thought gave him a headache. This was precisely why he never wanted to take on such a burdensome position.

Letting out a faint sigh, Kai turned to Prescott and asked, “By the way, Prescott, what exactly does a butler usually do?”

Kai had often seen butlers in novels, comics, and movies. However, he wasn’t exactly sure what the job demanded.

“A butler is someone who takes care of household affairs.”

“For example?”

“Hmm.”

Prescott let out a brief sigh through his nose, his deep gaze sweeping over the mansion as if sketching something in his mind.

"The most basic task is household work. If there are subordinates under my command, I would manage them. However, in cases like the current Arkan territory... oh, my apologies. If the territory's finances are poor and staff cannot be employed, then the butler personally takes care of cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and even yard maintenance."

"Wow, does a butler need to be able to do all that?"

"Not to boast, but individuals like me are not common." Prescott shrugged, gently brushing his mustache. "That’s not all. A butler can also teach etiquette lessons to young masters and ladies. Moreover, until a dedicated tutor is hired or they enter an academy, the butler often handles basic educational responsibilities."

"You're remarkably versatile."

"As I mentioned earlier, individuals like me are rare."

The elderly gentleman seemed to hold a great sense of pride in his life's work.

A multi-talented individual, with loyalty on top of that...

Kai's ability to judge people was quite sharp. From his perspective, Prescott was far too talented to be merely cleaning a mansion like this.

After organizing his thoughts, Kai probed Prescott's intentions. "Have you ever thought about seeking other opportunities?"

As Prescott organized the dishes, his movements suddenly stopped.

After briefly licking his lips, he asked in a trembling voice, "Is this... a dismissal notice?"

"Huh? No, not at all." Kai waved his hands to dispel the misunderstanding and explained in detail.

Prescott’s eyes widened as he listened to Kai’s grand plan, and asked, "Are you talking about an academy for the children of those in power?"

"An academy... Indeed, the location here isn't bad."

Arkan territory was a rural area with nothing to see. In other words, it was an ideal place to focus on studies.

"But building an academy would..." Prescott hesitated for a moment.

The young adventurer lord before him always exuded confidence and pride.

Am I allowed to say something like this?

However, constructing an academy wasn’t simply a matter of making a building. The children of high-ranking noble families, wealthy millionaires, and even those of royal bloodlines who were known as Royal Blood would need to be impressed. The academy would have to be filled with buildings of artistic value capable of satisfying such expectations.

And that wasn’t all. To ensure that students experienced no discomfort in their school life, various facilities would need to be established.

At the foundation of all that lies money.

Not just a little money, either. Depending on the scale and quality of the facilities, it might even be cheaper to buy several territories instead.

Still, I must address this matter clearly.

Prescott believed that making Kai aware of this would be an act of consideration. After all, abandoning an unrealistic dream early would benefit Kai as well.

"Prescott, is there a problem?" Kai asked first, seeing the conflict written on Prescott's face.

Taking the courage, Prescott cautiously said, "Well, my lord. The plan is truly wonderful. However, there’s one critical obstacle."

"And what is that?"

"Funding. Constructing academy facilities would require astronomical sums of money."

"Oh, is that so?" Hearing Prescott's concern, Kai responded with a cheerful smile. "Well, that's not really a problem."

Kai was a man who carried more than a small nation’s annual budget in his wallet.

***

“Hm-hm-hmm.”

Baron Basker’s morning routine was simple. He got up, took a shower, dried his hair, and got dressed. Afterward, he headed to the dining room with a refreshed mind, ate breakfast, and enjoyed his post-meal coffee in his office. Morning reports were always delivered while he drank his coffee.

“... Lastly, the adventurer priest I reported on yesterday was seen leaving the lord’s mansion and taking a walk. It’s not a noteworthy event, but you seemed interested yesterday.”

“Hmm. Is that so?” Baron Basker smiled at the report that Kai appeared to be fine.

It seems Kakoon easily succeeded.

The reason for his smile was simple. He had absolute trust in Kakoon, the commander of the sixteenth assassination squad of the Church of Muldine.

Kakoon’s specialty is transforming into other forms.

His transformations were at such a remarkable level that he was often called a master of disguise. This skill was particularly exceptional when he imitated another person’s appearance.

Hehe. When Kakoon transforms into a fly, he gains speed like light.

He would approach his target and eliminate them, moving at a speed almost invisible to the human eye. This fearsome assassination method had quickly elevated Kakoon to the position of one of the assassination leaders in the Church of Muldine. Of course, the fact that Kakoon’s defensive power dropped to nearly nothing while in fly form was a secret even Baron Basker didn’t know.

Looks like I’ll have to gather the troops and make a move today.

Kakoon hated wasting time. The two had already worked together many times before, and Baron Basker wasn’t eager to receive another midnight visit from him.

If I take some troops and demand the territory’s surrender, Kakoon will handle the transfer.

“Bahaha.”

It was nothing short of a meticulously planned scam!

Baron Basker was overjoyed at the thought of acquiring another territory.

Though technically, it won’t be mine.

While he held the title of lord, the Church of Muldine always claimed the territories acquired through such schemes as their strongholds. So far, Baron Basker had handed over two territories in this manner.

Once I hand over Arkan territory, that will make three.

Though he clicked his tongue in regret, there was nothing he could do. If he defied the Church of Muldine, he would lose everything he had and meet his death.

One must learn to live contentedly.

With that humble thought, the baron emptied his cup of coffee and ordered Barton, “Gather the soldiers by this morning. We’re heading to attack Arkan territory.”

“Pardon? This suddenly?” Barton, startled by the baron’s sudden change in attitude from his cautious demeanor the day before, wore a surprised look.

“Hehe. Just prepare as I said.”

“Yes, sir...” Barton reluctantly nodded in response.

Oddly enough, the man before him had never lost a territorial battle once he started.

***

"What is all that?"

"... I'm a bit bewildered myself."

It was a conversation between two men standing on the crumbling castle wall.

Prescott, looking genuinely bewildered, stared at the army cutting through the plains toward them. He glanced at the flag carried by the army and let out a short gasp.

"Ah! The symbol on that flag belongs to Baron Basker. I didn’t expect them to arrive so soon."

"Baron Basker? The one said to covet Arkan territory?"

"Yes. There have been rumors for a few days, but since the source couldn’t be identified, I thought it was mere gossip..."

Prescott's face looked ten years older in that brief moment, as if he'd aged rapidly. He turned his head to look at Kai, who was watching the approaching army with an expression of curiosity.

It’s only been a day since I served the new master...

Prescott didn’t dislike Kai. In fact, if he had to choose, he rather liked him. Serving a young adventurer lord with apparent ambition seemed like it could lead to some interesting days.

But that dream didn’t even last a full day.

Prescott sighed deeply, only to feel Kai pat him on the shoulder.

"Don’t sigh. Why the long face?"

"Are you not worried, my lord?"

"Worried about what?"

"Well..."

Prescott found himself confused, staring at his lord, who showed not the slightest hint of concern. Kai was sipping tea straight from a cup Prescott had brewed for him, remarking how good it tasted. Despite the imminent threat of losing his territory to an enemy force, he appeared utterly carefree.

Oh, could it be...?

Recalling something, Prescott said, "I mean, look at that army from Baron Basker marching toward us. Meanwhile, we have no forces to defend against them. Oh, if you're thinking about what I said last night, that I’m the only soldier here... I’m sorry to say this, but I’ve never fought in my life. I won’t be much use in a battle. Of course, if you fight, I’ll stay by your side, but...”

Prescott's words tumbled out in a ramble.

After listening to him, Kai suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!"

"... Why are you laughing?"

When Prescott asked in a deeply serious tone, Kai wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes and replied, "Come to think of it, I’ve asked you all sorts of questions, but you haven’t asked me anything, Prescott."

"I simply follow the lord of the territory. Who he is doesn’t matter to me."

"Still, shouldn’t you at least know what kind of person I am or what I’ve done?" Kai gave a mischievous grin and continued, "Considering your age, you should be careful not to strain your heart. Oh, and hold this for me."

He handed Prescott the teacup he had been sipping from.

Prescott, still dazed, took the cup and stared at Kai.

"I’ll be back before that tea gets cold."

Leaving those words behind, Kai walked confidently toward the advancing enemy army.