Chapter 517: Catherine's Misunderstanding!

"But Gervas, apart from the Chaotic Wasteland, the other half of your territory is at sea…"

Although Mil and the others believed that, given Gervas's strength, there was hope he could subdue the Chaotic Wasteland territory.

But what about the ocean?

No matter how capable Gervas's subordinates were, they couldn't conquer the ocean, could they?

Moreover, there was nothing at all out at sea.

If lucky, there might be a few islands; beyond that, it was just useless seawater.

As for the good things at the bottom of the sea?

Were they afraid the fish-men and sea monsters wouldn't have enough to eat?

"The ocean… if it comes to it, I'll just give up the ocean. After all, it only takes up the area of one earldom!"

"And as long as I develop the land well, my earldom will already be larger than anyone else's!"

Gervas certainly couldn't explain that he had a cooperation with the fish-men.

So, in truth, the ocean could also be under his control.

However, secrecy was the key to success; he still needed to keep a low profile for now, and the fewer people who knew about this, the better.

"Alright! Everyone, in any case, I'm actually quite satisfied with this territory. Let's hurry on our way now! Once we reach Wolf City, I'll accompany you around the city for a couple of laps!"

"When the time comes, I won't skimp on gold coins for you at the most luxurious manor and finest cuisine in the East District!"

And so, although Mil and the others were still indignant, Gervas himself couldn't be bothered to keep discussing the matter.

They could only shut their mouths.

In truth, Gervas knew better than anyone that he had been schemed against.

After all, the morning's intelligence report had already given a complete account.

And as for this scheme, even if he wanted revenge, he could only wait for a suitable opportunity in the future.

Besides, he truly didn't find anything bad about his current territory.

After all, with his intelligence system, he really could develop it.

On the contrary, such a large area of territory gave Gervas an extra sense of satisfaction.

Perhaps this was the obsession Chinese people have with land.

……

The return journey was very smooth.

Originally, after leaving Eagle City, Gervas had planned to pay Catherine a visit.

After all, before setting out, he had instructed Old John not to tell Catherine about his campaign, lest she worry.

Presumably, having gone so long without corresponding with him, Catherine would think he was deliberately ignoring her.

Gervas still had quite a favorable impression of this aloof, beautiful countess.

Therefore, he had to go see her in person and explain the situation along the way.

However, when Gervas arrived at the Violet Earldom, he learned that Catherine was not in the castle.

Instead, she had gone to his Storm Territory.

"Lord Gervas, the Countess said some days ago that you hadn't replied for so long. When she asked the Storm Territory serfs transporting crystal ore, they only said you were quite busy!"

"So, she decided to go to Storm Territory to see just what you were busy with."

The steward of Violet Castle had a slightly odd look in his eyes.

After all, over these past two-plus months, his own countess had written several letters to the Viscount Gervas before her.

Yet they had all vanished like stones sinking into the sea, with no reply at all.

In his view, such a thing was simply inconceivable.

After all, ever since his own countess publicly revealed that she was the granddaughter of Duke Hernande, the noble young men who came seeking her name had been countless.

Just the number of visitors he had turned down on behalf of the countess was already in the hundreds.

Yet his own countess treated the Viscount Gervas before her with special regard alone.

But Viscount Gervas simply didn't cherish it!

And meeting the Violet steward's strange gaze, Gervas appeared somewhat awkward.

Had he been taken for a heartless scoundrel?

"Steward Malik, the truth of the matter is this: during this period, I didn't intentionally fail to reply to Catherine's letters, but I had gone away on business, heading to the Northern Border…"

Afterwards, Gervas explained how he had been framed by Minister Weilade, becoming a conscripted noble and heading to the Northern Border to fight.

"…So, I only instructed my subordinates not to tell Catherine, to avoid worrying her!"

"Th-this…" The Violet Castle steward stared wide-eyed in astonishment, momentarily at a loss for words.

However, he now noticed that Gervas had come from the north.

Moreover, there was actually an earl's banner among Gervas's party—which earl was that?

"Lord Gervas, I have wronged you before! Please forgive me!" Having heard Gervas's account, the Violet steward realized that both he and the countess had misunderstood Viscount Gervas, and immediately bowed deeply to Viscount Gervas,

Although he himself had not actually spoken ill of Gervas.

He still felt guilty in his heart for having previously misunderstood Viscount Gervas.

The Northern Border!

What a dangerous place that was!

And Gervas, to avoid worrying the countess, had actually not told her.

How much he must care about the countess!

Otherwise, anyone else with such a relationship with the countess would likely have come begging for help long ago.

After all, his own countess was the granddaughter of Duke Hernande.

At once, the Violet Castle steward's gaze toward Xiang Ge filled with boundless reverence.

Of course, what this Violet steward did not know was that Gervas actually did want to ask Catherine for help.

It was simply that there was no time.

The conscription order had been issued that very day, and he had to set off the next morning, otherwise he would be delayed in arriving at the Northern Region to report for duty.

So, since the person had already gone to the Northern Region, asking Catherine was already too late; better not trouble her.

Gervas naturally would not quibble with a mere steward. Confirming that Catherine was not in, he prepared to take his leave. "Steward Malik, since Catherine isn't here, I'll be going then!"

The Violet steward immediately tried to stop him. "Lord Gervas, how could we allow that? You must stay and take lunch before you leave!"

"Otherwise, when the Earl returns and learns that I failed to keep you for a meal, he will surely blame me!"

"Besides, isn't there an Earl and other Viscounts among your party? Guests must be entertained. If I don't host them and word gets out, it will damage the Earl's reputation!"

The Violet Castle steward spoke with great earnestness, but Gervas truly did not want to be delayed.

Moreover, Mil and the others were actually in even more of a hurry than he was.

After all, with the ennoblement decree already in hand, each of them was eager to return and confirm their new fief. "Steward Malik, I really must skip lunch. Also, everyone in my party is my ally; they certainly won't say anything, so you needn't worry!"

"That's right, Steward. We all know the relationship between Gervas and Earl Catherine, so we definitely won't gossip!"

"Besides, the Earl in our party is actually Gervas himself. Gervas has already become an Earl and lord of a domain!"

Mil and the others were standing a dozen or so meters away, but their hearing was sharp. Hearing the conversation, they immediately chimed in with smiles.

"What? Lord Gervas is already an Earl? This… this…"

Hearing Mil and the others' words, the Violet Castle steward was first stunned.

Once he recovered, he suddenly widened his eyes and stared at Gervas, his gaze full of disbelief.

Gervas smiled. "I performed a small meritorious service in the Northern Region, so I received the ennoblement from His Majesty the King. I am indeed now an Earl and lord of a domain.