Chapter 515

Gervas originally had no intention of dealing with this fellow, but since he’d come over, he reluctantly said, “So you’re Count Carteri—what a coincidence indeed!”

Gervas’s dismissive reply naturally annoyed Carteri.

Just a country bumpkin.

Even if he’s a count, he’s still a country bumpkin.

Yet his face remained smiling, “Count Gervas, you’re also waiting for your grant decree, aren’t you?”

“Do you know where your granted land is located, Count Gervas?”

“Count Carteri, the decree hasn’t arrived yet—how could I possibly know? By the way, do you know, Count Carteri?”

Carteri’s lips curled into a smug smile. “Count Gervas, I can’t guarantee accuracy, but I did hear your granted territory is unusually large—far exceeding a normal count’s domain. How enviable!”

A flash of cold light passed through Gervas’s eyes—he knew this was tied to these people.

Yet his voice feigned curiosity: “Really? Then you must truly know? Could you be more specific—perhaps the boundaries and location of my land?”

Seeing he’d stirred Gervas’s curiosity, Carteri immediately shook his head. “Count Gervas, I was just joking a moment ago—don’t take it seriously!”

With that, Carteri ignored Gervas entirely and walked off toward the sofa on the other side of the hall.

He knew perfectly well which regions comprised Gervas’s new territory.

This land had been secretly arranged by the Second Prince and the Shatterstone Clan, who bribed several ministers in the Cabinet.

They’d expected resistance when submitting it to His Majesty the King.

Even the Second Prince and the Shatterstone Clan had prepared excuses—that it was meant to spur the young Count Gervas to greater ambition, to prevent him from growing complacent, and so on.

Yet to their surprise, His Majesty the King raised no objection—he approved it outright.

So Gervas’s land was indeed vast—but utterly useless.

And the reason Carteri had said all that to Gervas was simply to assert his superiority.

Beyond that, he wanted to toy with Gervas.

Stir up his curiosity, then refuse to answer—make him feel manipulated.

Yet when he sat down on the sofa and glanced playfully at Gervas,

he saw that Gervas was unnervingly calm.

“What’s going on? Doesn’t this fellow feel any anger?” Carteri’s eyes flickered with confusion.

“The Viceroy has arrived!”

At that moment, a shout echoed from outside the hall.

Soon, a group poured through the doors, led by a middle-aged man in his fifties.

The man wore lavish attire and carried an air of distinction.

Though he’d never met the Viceroy of the Southern Region in person, there was no doubt—he was the one.

Rumor had it the Viceroy of the Southern Region was the younger brother of King Henryk VII, the ninth son of the previous monarch.

Because he’d been close to King Henryk since childhood, he enjoyed the King’s deep trust.

Though he held no fief, he had long served at King Henryk’s side.

Only a few years ago was he appointed Viceroy of the Southern Region.

“Count Gervas! Count Carteri! This is the Viceroy!”

“Your Excellency, upon hearing of your arrival, we came specifically to greet you!”

“Your Excellency, this is Count Gervas, and this is Count Carteri!”

The official who had gone to announce them quickly made the introductions.

“Your Excellency!”

Upon hearing this, Gervas and Carteri both bowed respectfully in greeting.

Even Carteri, scion of a duke’s family, lowered his gaze and submitted.

For this man was one of King Henryk’s most trusted confidants.

To speak bluntly, even the current Crown Prince likely wasn’t as trusted in the King’s heart.

“Truly, young heroes!” The Viceroy of the Southern Region studied Gervas and Carteri for a moment, then nodded in praise.

Yet his praise was vague—as if addressing both of them simultaneously.

“Count Gervas, Count Carteri! Normally, I wouldn’t need to come in person for this!”

“But you two will soon be among the few great nobles of the Southern Region, so I felt it necessary to come and see you myself.”

“I shall now have your grant decrees delivered to you immediately!”

As he spoke, the Viceroy gestured to his attendant.

Soon, seven or eight attendants entered the hall, each holding a scroll.

“Count Gervas, this is your grant decree!”

“Count Carteri, this is your grant decree!”

“Viscount Mil, this is your grant decree…”

The decrees were handed to Gervas and the others by officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau.

As soon as they received their decrees, Mil and the others immediately broke the wax seals and began reading.

Only Gervas and Carteri remained unhurried, as if they had no interest in the contents of their decrees.

Especially Carteri—his eyes kept flickering toward Gervas, clearly eager to see his reaction upon reading the decree.

“Why is this fellow moving so slowly? Doesn’t he care? I already know my own land’s location—that’s why I’m calm. What’s his excuse?” Watching Gervas’s sluggishness, Carteri couldn’t help cursing inwardly.

Fortunately, Gervas seemed to hear his thoughts—he finally broke the wax seal and slowly unrolled the scroll.

And then…

There was no then!

“What’s going on? This fellow—his expression hasn’t changed at all!”

“Could his land be different from what I know? Impossible—I left the capital only after His Majesty approved the proposal…”

Carteri stared at Gervas for a long time, watching his face remain utterly expressionless after reading the decree—leaving Carteri both disappointed and puzzled.

Yet he could not act now—he forced himself to look away and pretended to examine his own decree.

“Gentlemen, the grant decrees have now been distributed. I hope they are all to your liking. I shall not detain you further!”

“But before I leave, I wish to remind you all: develop your lands well, and contribute to the stability of the Southern Region.”

“Especially you, Count Gervas and Count Carteri—your lands border the frontier. If you develop them well, the Southern Region will be secure.”

“Enough! I take my leave!”

With that, the Viceroy of the Southern Region walked out directly.

He had come quickly—and left just as swiftly.

“Count Gervas! Where exactly is your new territory located?”

“I heard your former land was in Stormhold. My land lies not far east of Stormhold—we might even become neighbors!”

No sooner had the Viceroy left than Carteri couldn’t resist asking Gervas.

And Gervas knew exactly what his motive was.

He’d noticed every glance, every subtle movement Carteri had made toward him.

“Count Carteri, you’re right—His Majesty was generous! My land is unusually vast!”

“By area alone, my territory is at least half the size of a viscount’s domain!”