Chapter 516

A marquisate can roughly accommodate five earldoms.

So, Gervas’s is at least equivalent to two and a half earldoms—this area is indeed large.

Of course, although the area is large, the water content is also extremely high.

Because most of Gervas’s newly acquired territory lies in the ocean and the Chaotic Wastelands, even encompassing the Death Mountains.

The only truly decent region would be the Viscount Park’s domain.

After Viscount Park died, his land was reclaimed by the kingdom.

But now, it has been directly granted to me.

Aside from Viscount Park’s domain, all of Gervas’s other new lands lie in uninhabited wastelands… no, not entirely uninhabited—there may still be refugees and alien races.

But overall, they are all lands outside the kingdom’s borders.

Therefore, granting such land to Gervas is pure cheating.

“Is that so? Earl Gervas, you have two and a half earldoms? You’re incredibly lucky—but I wonder where exactly your territory’s boundaries lie?” Carthney’s earlier suspicion vanished instantly, replaced by suppressed glee.

Because Gervas’s described territory matched exactly what he already knew.

So, the situation must not have changed—Gervas still received the worst possible land.

“Boundaries? Northward, extend ten kilometers; eastward, extend three hundred kilometers; southward, extend one hundred kilometers; westward… up to the border of Viscount Park’s domain—yes, along the bank of a river called Fallen Leaf River!”

Gervas stated his new territory’s boundaries outright.

Upon hearing Gervas’s answer, Carthney’s smile nearly burst free.

He forced himself to feign astonishment: “Three hundred kilometers east? Earl Gervas, Stormhold is right on the coast—three hundred kilometers east is just the ocean!”

“What’s there in the ocean? Are you going to make merfolk and sea beasts your subjects?”

“Besides, the southern side of Stormhold is the Death Mountains and the Chaotic Wastelands.”

“The Death Mountains are rich in resources, but Earl Gervas, you can only see them—you can’t claim them, can you?”

“And the Chaotic Wastelands… are you going to rule over refugees and alien races?”

“Tsk tsk tsk! Who proposed this grant? My own territory is merely a standard earldom, but at least the land is normal and entirely within the kingdom.”

“But yours, Earl Gervas, is sheer nonsense—even if ministers proposed it recklessly, His Majesty the King should have reviewed and confirmed it—how could he… ah, I dare not say more, since what follows would be disrespectful to His Majesty.”

“Perhaps His Majesty overlooked it, deceived by others—but overall, Earl Gervas, don’t be too heartbroken; at least the land from Stormhold west to the Fallen Leaf River is quite decent!”

“Moreover, my own territory lies on the other side of the Fallen Leaf River—so, Earl Gervas, we’ll be neighbors from now on!”

As he spoke, Carthney could no longer suppress his laughter.

In his view, this was the harshest mockery and ridicule he could deliver.

And the reactions of Gervas’s few followers confirmed it.

Several viscounts frowned deeply, their faces filled with indignation and disbelief.

Clearly, they were furious at Gervas’s fate.

Yet Gervas himself remained utterly expressionless?

He even smiled faintly: “Heh, Earl Carthney, your suggestion sounds quite good!”

“I should consider how to incorporate merfolk and refugees into my subjects!”

“Also, I must thank the minister who proposed granting me such a vast territory—after all, it’s two and a half earldoms!”

“I’m likely now the earl with the largest territory in the entire kingdom!”

“Uh…”

Faking it!

This guy is definitely faking it!

Yes, he’s furious inside, but he won’t let me mock him—so he’s pretending!

Hearing Gervas’s words, Carthney’s mood collapsed.

Because Gervas’s reaction was completely outside his expectations.

So he believed Gervas was definitely pretending.

But even if it was pretend, his own triumph vanished instantly.

And seeing Carthney’s smile fade, Gervas smiled even brighter.

“Earl Carthney, now that I have the grant, I’ll take my leave! Thank you for your earlier blessings—they truly brought me such a vast territory!”

With that, Gervas didn’t linger; he called to Mil and the others and departed as Carthney’s face turned ashen.

…

“Gervas…”

“Not here—there are too many people!”

No sooner had they stepped out of the hall than Mil and the others couldn’t hold back.

Gervas knew exactly what they wanted to say and cut them off immediately.

Only after returning to the manor, packing their luggage, and as the army departed from Eagle City did Gervas resume discussing the fiefdom with them.

“Mil, Ian, how about your territories? Did you receive any extra grants?”

Upon hearing this, Mil and the others sighed heavily: “Gervas, no—we didn’t get any extra land.”

Mil paused, then added: “But… Gervas, our lands are normal—yours, how could it be like that?”

“Exactly, Gervas—was what you said in the Civil Affairs Hall true? Is half your territory really in the ocean and the Chaotic Wastelands? Are you lying to Carthney?”

Ian quickly chimed in, and all waited for Gervas’s reply.

Gervas naturally denied deceiving Carthney.

“I didn’t deceive Carthney—my territory really does have those boundaries!”

“This… Gervas, you’re the hero who defeated the beasts—how could His Majesty treat you like this?”

“Right—aside from northern Stormhold and Viscount Park’s original land, how can the ocean and Chaotic Wastelands count as territory?”

“Those aren’t even kingdom land—this is utterly unfair!”

“Yes, even Carthney, who got his land through family connections, received normal territory—why not you, Gervas?”

Upon hearing Gervas confirm his bizarre grant, Mil and the others erupted.

After all, Gervas’s achievements were visible to all—he not only saved the expeditionary army.

He also prevented the northern border from falling and being permanently occupied by the beasts.

But what did he get in return?

This land grant is worse than no grant at all!

“Gervas, write to the capital immediately and protest to His Majesty!”

“Yes! Maybe the ministers deceived the King—he’ll change his mind once he finds out!”

Listening to their suggestions, Gervas felt warmth in his heart.

But he shook his head directly: “Friends, no need. Honestly—I think this land is quite good!”

“This…” Mil and the others froze.

“I’m not lying. Think about it—the Chaotic Wastelands may be chaotic, but their resources are rich.”

“Especially since my territory borders the Death Forest.”

“With the strength of my troops, do you think I can’t control this land?”

“Even if I can’t fully secure it right away, I can push forward gradually, right?”

“Once I fully bring these lands under my rule, my Stormhold will be richer than any other earldom!” Gervas continued explaining, seeing their disbelief.