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—-
That was enough.
"Ah!"
"The heavens have not forsaken us!"
"The light of the Houston army has come to our aid!"
Just in time, a message came to mind.
[A quest will take place!]
[Repair the Devastation of War!]
(Medicine Quest)
[Prerequisite: Middle Physician
Difficulty: Medium
Quest Description: The castle is in terrible condition due to the devastation of the war. There will be more patients than you can handle. Repair the devastation as a healer!
Conditions: Repair War Damage
Reward: Bonus level up x2, 60 Skill Points
Perks: Impress the People, Support]
Raymond was quick to issue his first order.
"We'll set aside formalities for now and commence with the urgent restoration, Elmud."
"Yes, my lord!"
The skill he had acquired upon advancing to the rank of Peacekeeper, Disaster Command, promptly came into play.
Raymond was able to issue directives that suited the circumstances perfectly.
"Elmud, I want you to collaborate with the castle's strong men to repair the collapsed infrastructure. Rao, please assess the castle's supply shortages. As for Hanson, Lyndon, and the other healers..."
Raymond bestowed his most vital instruction upon the healers who accompanied him.
"Tend to the ill and injured. If you encounter anyone critically unwell and beyond your capacity to heal, bring them directly to me."
Raymond regarded his grim-faced constituents.
Sanitation and nutrition were in a dire state, a recipe for a potential epidemic.
No, maybe the plague was already here.
They had to act fast.
"In the future."
Raymond said to the people watching him.
"I will not let anyone die in vain. Follow me."
"...!"
The people's eyes widened at the warm, trusting words.
And so Raymond began to work for the people.
***
He couldn't tell how much time had passed.
Raymond was busy treating patients and directing recovery efforts.
'The castle was involved in several battles and suffered heavy damage.'
Luin Castle was sieged several times during the war.
It was captured and re-captured three times, causing a lot of damage and leaving many areas in need of repair.
'What's even more serious is the condition of the patients. There are too many who haven't received proper treatment'
With all the proper healers fleeing to the safety of the rear, many patients wounded in the war were left untreated.
Many had languished and died, and those who had managed to survive were in serious condition.
To add insult to injury, poor sanitation had led to a waterborne epidemic.
"Hanson, I need a rapid infusion of fluids on that patient!"
"Lyndon, I need you to work with the newer healers on the milder cases!"
"I'll take care of this one. Prepare him for emergency surgery!"
While Raymond was in charge of the recovery site, he also worked on the patients whenever he had time.
It was a whirlwind of activity, and he didn't even get a chance to eat a proper meal.
'If I hadn't boosted my health stats beforehand, I wouldn't have survived.'
Raymond let out a weary sigh.
Despite his impressive stamina of 74, factoring in all the bonuses, there were limits to what even he could accomplish.
His days were consumed with spearheading recovery operations, his nights dedicated to tending to patients, and his short naps taken right beside them.
At last, Raymond sighed deeply.
'Ugh. This is exhausting.'
He even had thoughts of giving up due to the extreme fatigue.
But he had a reason to cheer up.
If he could stabilize the Rafaldes, he was promised that sweet spot.
He couldn't give up.
'I just need a bit more strength. Difficulties are temporary. Once I secure my position, things will vastly improve.'
Raymond clenched his fists.
'When I become a feudal lord, I'm going to live the high life! I'll enjoy the best of both worlds as a healer and a feudal lord!'
And there was another source of encouragement.
The people of the territory, who gazed at him with trust.
"T-thank you, Healer."
"Thanks to you, my daughter survived. Sniff, I-I'm so grateful."
It's worth noting that they initially referred to Raymond as the Commissioner before settling on healer because, in their eyes, he was a healer dedicated to them.
The people who were helped burst into tears and expressed their gratitude.
Even though Raymond was a snob, he couldn't help but feel rewarded.
'Alright, let's hang in there. Once this is over, I'll indulge in the finest beef every day and savor my dream food—lobster.'
Lost in thoughts of a brighter future, Raymond drifted off to sleep.
After only three hours of rest, he was abruptly awakened by a deteriorating patient's condition.
From that point onward, it was a repetition of the same day all over again.
Observing Raymond's tireless dedication to their well-being, the residents of Luin Castle were deeply moved.
"How kind of him to stand up for us."
"Where else can you find such a man?"
"And he's going to be our lord?"
Rumors had circulated, and they had heard that Raymond would one day become their lord.
Such a lofty individual in such a humble place.
He stooped lower than anyone else to serve them.
The people of Luin Castle were overflowing with gratitude, tears filling their eyes.
They had never encountered someone of such high stature before.
"So different from the previous worthless lord."
"The previous lord was only thinking of extorting taxes any way he could."
"The rumors weren't false."
"He really is the light."
Light.
The word resonated deeply with the people of Luin Castle.
During the war, Raymond had earned the nickname "the Light of the Houston Kingdom Army."
But for the people of Luin Castle, Raymond represented the "Light" that had come to bring warmth in the midst of the cold chaos of war.
"We won't stand idly by!"
"Let's rally behind our lord and fight together!"
"...But he's not officially our lord yet, right?"
"I don't know! But if it's true he'll soon become our lord, then from now on, he's our lord!"
"Yes, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!"
Everyone began to refer to him as "lord," as if they couldn't bear the thought of him leaving.
Thanks to Raymond's efforts, Luin Castle began to flourish after the war.
But as Raymond repaired the damage to Luin Castle, he encountered an unexpected challenge.
The officials who were supposed to take care of the details of the territory refused to follow him!
As a result, Raymond is faced with a mountain of paperwork.
All due to the machinations of Remerton.
***
In the royal palace of the Houston Kingdom, there was someone biting their lips upon hearing news of Raymond through a crystal orb.
It was Prince Remerton, the third prince.
Raymond was undoubtedly displaying exceptional abilities.
'But even you have your limits.'
Now Remerton didn't ignore Raymond.
He acknowledged that Raymond was capable in his own right.
But with a keen eye, he saw Raymond's weakness.
'You're a healer. You don't know anything about administrative work, and you don't have anyone under you to do it.'
Raymond's weakness, in Remerton's eyes, was his background as a healer.
While this background offered significant advantages in certain aspects, it posed challenges in the realm of administration.
Postwar recovery involved more than just treating patients and leading in the field; it required proficiency in administrative matters, a domain where Raymond lacked expertise.
This was something Raymond was not well versed in.
'Administrative work is something you can never master unless you study it, and even then, not even you can do it.'
Raymond's lack of expertise in administrative tasks was not an isolated flaw; it was a common issue among many lords.
Administrative duties required specialized knowledge and training, and not all lords dedicated themselves to such studies.
As a result, a significant number of lords lacked proficiency in administrative matters.
They relied on subordinates to handle the paperwork and bureaucratic aspects of governance.
'But what happens if you don't have any officials to work for you?'
Remerton lifted the corner of his mouth. He turned on his crystal ball.
-Greetings, Your Highness.
"So, have you done everything I told you to do?"
-Yes, we have successfully secured the services of all available officials in Luin Castle. We invested a considerable sum to ensure their loyalty, so they will not work for that illegitimate child.
"Did anyone refuse?"
-No, the offer was too big to refuse.
Then the other person in the crystal ball revealed his true colors and said.
-Furthermore, the officials are aware that they will be dismissed six months from now. So, they all willingly accepted the proposal.
Unbeknownst to Raymond, the newly appointed officials in the Rafalde Province had formed a covert alliance.
They had collectively decided to defy Raymond's leadership.
Without the support of these subordinate officials, Raymond's attempts to restore the damage in Rafalde Province would be in vain.
It was clear to them that the so-called "bastard child" would fail in his endeavor to gain the king's favor.
Remerton wore a self-satisfied expression, confident in his scheme.
'He's bound to fail if I let him, but I'd better make sure of it.'
This trick, thought Remerton, will tie him up in knots.
'He'll have to deal with administration without the help of any officials, and he won't be able to repair the damage in Rafalde, let alone manage the affairs of Luin Castle.'
In a new province, it was essential to have the help of existing officials.
By effectively severing his support system, Raymond would be immobilized, unable to achieve anything.
And that has one consequence.
Raymond would be an incompetent bastard, unable to manage the castle of Luin, let alone the province of Rafalde.
It was a simple but deadly ploy.
'This is going to cost me a lot of money, but it's worth it.'
Remerton thought.
He had resorted to using his personal funds, as public money could not be employed for bribing officials.
While it was a substantial sum, even for a prince, Remerton believed it was a price worth paying for the humiliation that would befall Raymond.
'The throne isn't meant for lowly individuals like you. You're better suited for tending to filthy patients. The throne is meant for someone like me.'
With that thought in mind, Remerton opened a book with a content smile, a rare sight for him.
It was a book on imperial studies.
***
"All the existing officials have submitted their resignations?"
"Yes, sir."
Raymond frowned.
'Oh, no. What am I going to do?'
A mountain of paperwork came into view.
It was more than he could handle.
No, he didn't know how to handle the administrative side of things.
He hadn't studied for it.
'This isn't something I should be dealing with. There should be officials below me'
He was a commissioner, a temporary lord.
It wasn't up to him to do the menial administrative work.
'If I get bogged down in paperwork, I won't be able to do more important things.'
Then Rao spoke up, cautiously.
"There is talk of His Highness Prince Remerton's involvement in this."
"...!"
"I learned this information by overhearing a group of officials talking in private."
Raymond's frown deepened.
He knew Remerton was starting to get on his case.
But this kind of underhanded tactic?
"Anyway, let's talk to the existing officials again, because it's impossible to run an territory without their help."
Raymond shook his head as Rao started to rise from his seat.
"No. Leave them alone."
"Brother?"
"I'd rather hire new officials."
Since arriving at the castle, Raymond has spent a lot of time with the lords and ladies. This allowed him to talk to them a lot.
'They told me that all the old officials were wicked spotted ducks.'
The previous lord of Luin Castle had been a corrupt and treacherous figure who had aligned himself with Grand Duke Berard.
Consequently, all the officials working under him had gained a notorious reputation as unscrupulous opportunists, much to the dismay of the local lords.
'At this point, it's better to get rid of all the prying ducks and pick new officials.'
In retrospect, it was probably for the best.
He was worried about what to do with the existing officials, but they've taken care of themselves.
'Of course, there might be some initial challenges. Hiring new officials won't be easy either'
Still, it was better to cut out the rotten side than to go through the pain.
'In a way, he's actually helping me.'
And that wasn't the only help he received.
Now that the corrupt officials have resigned, he can investigate them with impunity!
'I should investigate and confiscate the money.'
Raymond secretly licked his lips as he thought to himself.
'I should also confiscate the money that the corrupt managers received from His Highness Remerton.'
For some reason, it seemed like there could be a substantial amount of money that could be confiscated.