Chapter 516: Absurd Territory Borders!

A marquisate can hold roughly five earldoms.

So Gervas's is at least the equivalent of two and a half earldoms — that area really is large.

Of course, although the area is large, the padding within it is also enormous.

Because most of Gervas's newly added territory is in the ocean and the Chaotic Wastes, and even the Death Mountains have been included.

If we're talking about a genuinely decent region, it would only be Lord Pa Ke's viscountcy.

Previously, after Lord Pa Ke died, his viscountcy was reclaimed by the kingdom.

But now, it has been bestowed directly upon him.

And apart from this Lord Pa Ke viscountcy, the rest of Gervas's new territory is all uninhabited… no, uninhabited isn't quite right — there might still be fugitives and foreign races.

But overall, it's all land outside the kingdom.

So, granting such land to Gervas is nothing short of playing the rogue.

"Oh? Earl Gervas actually has two and a half earldoms' worth — how very fortunate for you. I just wonder where exactly the borders of this territory lie?" Katni, who had been suspicious until now, felt his heart settle at once, and could not help but secretly rejoice.

Because the territorial area Gervas mentioned perfectly overlapped with what he already knew.

So the situation should not have changed — this Gervas should still have received that most worthless piece of land.

"The borders? Ten kilometres north of Storm Territory, east… three hundred kilometres, south one hundred kilometres, and west… all the way to the border of Lord Pa Ke's viscountcy… ah, a riverbank called the Falling Leaf River!"

Gervas stated the borders of his new territory outright.

And upon hearing Gervas's answer, the smile on Katni's face was almost impossible to suppress.

After holding it back several times, he forced a look of astonishment: "Three hundred leagues east? Earl Gervas, isn't Storm Territory right on the coast? Three hundred leagues east would be the ocean, wouldn't it?"

"What could there possibly be in the ocean? Are you expecting fish-men and sea-beasts to be your subjects?"

"Besides, isn't the south side of Storm Territory the Death Mountains and the Chaotic Wastes?

"The Death Mountains are indeed rich in resources, but Earl Gervas, you can only look at them, not take them, can you?"

"And the Chaotic Wastes… are you expecting Earl Gervas to go rule fugitives and foreign races?"

"Tsk tsk tsk! Which minister proposed this ennoblement decree? My territory may only be the standard size of an earldom, but at least the land is all proper, and entirely within the kingdom."

"But yours, Earl Gervas, is simply absurd. And even if the ministers proposed something absurd, His Majesty the King should still have reviewed and confirmed it — how could it possibly… ah, I dare not say more, for what follows would carry the implication of slighting His Majesty the King."

"Perhaps His Majesty the King did not notice and was deceived by someone, but overall, Earl Gervas, you must not be too upset — at least the territory from Storm Territory west to the Falling Leaf River is still quite decent!"

"Moreover, my territory is also on the other side of the Falling Leaf River, so Viscount Gervas, from now on we shall be neighbours!"

Having finished, Katni could no longer hold back his laughter.

In his view, this was already the most forceful mockery and derision he could level at Gervas.

And a glance at the few little hangers-on around Gervas confirmed this.

Several viscounts had their brows deeply furrowed, their faces showing indignation and disbelief.

Clearly they were immensely incensed by Gervas's plight.

But as for Gervas himself — why did he still look completely unruffled?

He even wore a slight smile. "Heh heh, Earl Katni, your suggestion sounds quite good!"

"It seems I really must consider how to bring fish-men and fugitives into my subjects!"

"Also, I should really thank that minister who proposed carving out such a large piece of territory for me — after all, this is the area of two and a half earldoms!"

"I am probably now the earl with the largest territorial area in the entire kingdom!"

"Uh…"

He's faking it!

This guy must be faking it!

That's right, this guy is actually furious inside, but unwilling to let me mock him, so he's faking it!

Upon hearing Gervas's words, Katni felt thoroughly unsettled.

Because Gervas's reaction was completely outside his expectations.

So he felt Gervas must surely be faking it.

But even if it was an act, his earlier smugness instantly evaporated.

And Gervas, seeing the smile gradually fading from Katni's face, smiled all the more brightly.

"Earl Katni, now that I have the ennoblement decree in hand, I'll be off! Thank you very much for your earlier blessings today — they truly helped me obtain such a large territory!"

Having said this, Gervas did not linger, and with Katni's face turning ashen, called Mil and the others to take their leave directly.

……

"Gervas…"

"There are too many people here, don't speak yet!"

They had only just stepped out of the great hall when Mil and the others could no longer hold back and began to speak.

Gervas naturally knew what they wanted to say, and cut them off directly.

Only after returning to the manor, packing up their luggage, and the great army setting out and leaving Eagle City did Gervas once again discuss the topic of the fief with them.

"Mil, Ian, how are your territories? Did any of you receive extra rewards?"

Hearing this, Mil and the others immediately deflated. "Gervas, not at all — our territories did not receive any extra rewards."

At this point, Mil paused, then said: "But… but Gervas, our territories are normal — how could yours be like that?"

"That's right, Gervas, was what you said in the Civil Affairs Hall true? Is your territory really mostly in the sea and the Chaotic Wastes? Were you deliberately deceiving Katni?"

Ian quickly echoed the question, and one by one they waited for Gervas's answer.

Gervas naturally denied that he had been deceiving Katni.

"I did not deceive Katni — my territory really does have those borders!"

"But… Gervas, you are the great hero of this campaign against the beast-men! How could His Majesty the King treat you like this?"

"Exactly, apart from the northern part of Storm Territory and Lord Pa Ke's original lands, can the rest of the ocean and the Chaotic Wastes really be counted as territory?"

"That's not even territory within our kingdom's borders, so this is simply too unfair!"

"Exactly, even that guy Katni who relies on his family's shadow can be rewarded with proper land — why can't you, Gervas?"

Hearing Gervas confirm the bizarre reward of his territory, Mil and the others immediately exploded into an uproar.

After all, Gervas's contributions were plain for all to see — not only did he save the expeditionary army.

He also prevented the kingdom's northern border from falling and being occupied by beastmen for the long term.

But what did this bring in return?

Such a territorial reward might as well not have been given at all!

"Gervas, why don't you immediately write a letter to the capital and lodge a protest with His Majesty the King!"

"Exactly, perhaps those ministers have been hoodwinking His Majesty the King! Once the king learns of it, he'll surely make a change!"

Listening to everyone's suggestions, Gervas felt a warm glow in his heart.

But he simply shook his head. "Everyone, no need — actually, I think these territories are pretty good too!"

"But…" Mil and the others were taken aback.

"Everyone, I'm not lying to you — think about it. Although the Chaotic Wastes are chaotic, the resources are still quite abundant."

"Especially since my territory lies along the edge of the Forest of Death."

"And given the strength of the troops under my command, do you think I have the ability to control these lands?"

"Even if I can't fully control them in the short term, I can advance little by little, right!"

"Once I've fully brought these lands under my banner, my Storm Territory will be richer than any other Earl's territory!" Seeing that Mil and the others didn't believe him, Gervas naturally continued to explain!