Chapter 154: Return to the Royal Capital
For the next two days, under Natalia’s guidance, Duane searched for a suitable location to build the clothing factory with Zelina, Derek, and Sharp.
With the help of officials from Silent Shore, they quickly found a spot near a water source and a main road. The transportation access was excellent in every respect.
During this process, Zelina and the others also reported the situation to their respective families.
Their fathers were somewhat skeptical about the investment; after all, the group was still young and lacked experience.
However, after they privately consulted Count Kais and received his assessment that it "could make some money," they agreed to it and promised to provide financial or material support.
And so, Kennedy’s Time Closet officially began construction. Preparations for the factory building, staff recruitment, and material procurement were all set in motion.
Although Duane’s responsibility was design, he didn’t stay idle. From the factory’s overall layout down to the material for a dress’s lace, he offered many suggestions.
This made his four partners truly recognize Duane’s outstanding abilities in various areas, and they became more than willing to proactively consult him on many matters.
「Three days later」
Count Kais, his preparations complete, boarded a cruise ship with his personal guards and set off up the Great Michaelson River toward Michaelson Port.
Standing on the deck, Duane once again marveled at the Kennedy Clan’s power.
For this trip, besides the luxurious main cruise ship they were on, they were also escorted by two smaller cruise ships and four standard warships.
The seven large vessels sailed majestically up the great river. Any ships they encountered would proactively change course, steering clear from a great distance.
’With such an imposing procession, no wonder the Count has to report to the Royal Capital in advance of his travels.’
The fleet deliberately slowed its pace, taking two days to reach Michaelson Port.
As they were docking, Count Kais emerged from his luxury suite and came out onto the deck.
"You don’t have a manor in the Royal Capital, do you?"
Duane felt like a pauper in front of Count Kais.
"My father was only a Knight for a short time, so he didn’t have the funds to acquire a new manor. After Lakefront Manor was repossessed, I no longer have any property in the Royal Capital."
"Then you can stay at my manor for the time being. It’ll be more convenient."
Count Kais said, "Have your men bring Garrot along. We need to prepare to hand him over to His Majesty’s people."
"Yes!"
When the ship docked, Lloyd was already waiting at the pier with the Kennedy Clan’s retainers from the Royal Capital.
"It’s been a long time, Father!"
Kais clapped his son on the arm. "Good. You’ve gotten much sturdier!"
The exchange between father and son was brief, and Lloyd then turned to give Duane a Knight’s salute.
"It’s been a while, Baron Duane!"
"It has been a while!"
Duane replied with a smile. His impression of the Kennedy Clan members had been quite good so far.
"I never thought that by our next meeting, you would have accomplished something so astonishing. It’s not just me; even His Majesty has spoken highly of you!"
Duane gave a slight nod. ’From that sentence, I can tell His Majesty doesn’t see this as a problem.’
"Capturing the Gale Corps involved some unexpected events and a bit of luck. As for the trouble that follows, I can only rely on His Majesty and the Count to back me up."
"Don’t worry, His Majesty will definitely handle this matter. He has already..."
Count Kais coughed lightly, cutting Lloyd off.
"What are you saying? His Majesty hasn’t made a decision or a statement yet."
At this moment, Kais took on a fatherly authority he rarely showed when interacting with Natalia.
"I’ve warned you many times. The Royal Capital isn’t Silent Shore. Watch your mouth!"
"Yes, sir!"
Lloyd ducked his head. He had only said a little extra because he knew Duane had a good relationship with his family.
If Duane were still the same person he was when he left the Royal Capital, Lloyd certainly wouldn’t have said so much.
"When is His Majesty planning to summon me?"
"His Majesty said for you to rest first. You can head to Cyan Snake Fortress tomorrow morning."
Kais nodded. "Then let’s go."
The Count went straight to his luxurious carriage, while Duane, accompanied by Lloyd, boarded the second one.
The convoy moved majestically toward the Kennedy manor in the Royal Capital.
This manor was different from a Knight’s fief. It had no industries or subjects. It served as both the Count’s exclusive lodging in the Royal Capital and a liaison point for the Kennedy Clan’s dealings with the Royal Family and other nobility.
"Duane, can you tell me what happened on Black Forest Island?"
As soon as they were in the carriage, Lloyd asked with great curiosity, "The letter was too brief. I’m sure there are many details I don’t know. I really want to know, how on earth did you manage it?"
He knew Duane’s strength; after all, he was the one who had personally handed those thirty soldiers over to him.
’Just those few soldiers, plus the two Warriors, Kaelon and Raymond, were enough to take down Viscount Freddy’s Gale Corps?’
"Of course!"
Duane recounted the events on the island, just as he had told Natalia before.
Lloyd listened with rapt attention, frequently observing the young Baron before him, who was slightly younger than himself.
’In the half-year since he left the Royal Capital, his growth has been too rapid—so rapid that he’s like a completely different person.’
’No wonder his father mentioned Duane’s exceptional qualities in the letter. Looking at him now, it’s clear it wasn’t an exaggeration.’
"Your experience is truly the stuff of legends!"
Lloyd commented, "If we found a poet, your story could definitely be written into a legendary epic!"
"You’re too kind."
Duane said humbly, while also asking a question that he was rather curious about.
"How is Lakefront Manor now? Is the development of the Secret Realm going smoothly?"
"Smoothly."
Lloyd said, "There were a few hidden packs of Demon Beasts, but they were dealt with easily. The main resource in this Secret Realm is Fertile Soil. Mining it and applying it to the fields can significantly increase grain yields."
’Fertile Soil... it’s practically a mineral resource.’
"By how much?" Duane asked, a little curious.
After the Power of Elements appeared, crop yields had seen a significant increase. For example, the rice on Black Forest Island could yield 350 pounds per mu.
That would have been almost impossible in the past.
"It depends on how much is used."
Lloyd thought for a moment. "Based on how other nobles, both here and abroad, use Fertile Soil, the wheat yield per mu can be boosted to seven or eight hundred pounds!"
Duane’s expression changed slightly. "That’s incredibly high!"
At the same time, he made a comparison in his mind. ’The effect of Fertile Soil is already on par with chemical fertilizer.’
’With such a high yield, if it could be widely implemented, the amount of grain produced by even a small Baron’s Territory would be immeasurable!’
"I know what you’re thinking, and I advise you not to do it."
Lloyd warned, "The Lakefront Secret Realm has already been claimed by Earl Orlando and a few others. The Royal Family also has a share. If you were to raise an objection, it would likely be very difficult to handle."
He was worried that Duane would use this new merit to bring up the matter of Lakefront Manor and clearing his father’s name again.
Although capturing Viscount Freddy was beneficial to the Kingdom, that was a separate issue.
Lloyd offered the reminder mainly because the two sides were now partners; a more cautious Duane would better protect the interests of the Kennedy family.
"Thank you for the warning."
Duane smiled. "I’m not planning anything."
He then changed the subject. "What about Lakefront Manor? Is it still in the hands of the Royal Family?"
’If there’s a chance, I could try to get it back. The scenery there is nice, after all.’
’I would only need the castle and a small surrounding area. A request like that shouldn’t be a problem.’
"The King has already granted it to someone else."
Lloyd’s words instantly dashed all of Duane’s hopes.
"So quickly?"
He quickly asked, "Who was it granted to?"
"It’s someone you’ve probably never heard of: a Grand Mage from the Fidun Kingdom named Clement Polin."