Chapter Four: The Illegitimate Child

Inside the wooden box, some gunpowder was carefully portioned into delicate small pouches. Hughes took one pouch and poured its contents into the barrel of the gun, then shoved a lead bullet into the muzzle, pressing it firmly with a wooden stick. Afterwards, he sealed the barrel with some white wax from the box to prevent the contents from falling out.

This gun seemed to have its own story, but Hughes had no interest in delving into it now. What he truly wished for was to inspect his domain.

Having crossed into the role of a lord, albeit over a modest island, the sky was high and the Empress far away. Here, he need not be so restrained, which was, in fact, a blessing.

Ah, yes—he still had to inquire about the Church. Hughes had grown quite wary of them, especially ever since that priest who was more machine than man had left an indelible impression.

Armed and ready, he approached the door. The maid presented him with a box of food prepared for his journey, but the steward had not yet brought the horse. Hughes’s gaze drifted beyond the nearby manor’s outer wall to the hurried villagers passing along the path outside.

They moved in haste; something seemed amiss.

Many wore expressions mixed with fear and curiosity, all streaming toward the same direction.

“A monster, like a monster...”

“Yes, all over its body... disgusting...”

“Let’s go see…”

Snippets of conversation were carried by the wind into his ears. Hughes frowned slightly. What did they mean? A monster discovered?

He had heard right—they were discussing a monster?

Could it be... a supernatural being?

After so many arrivals without ever encountering the supernatural world, now it suddenly slapped him in the face?

Excitement and fear surged within him, soon blending into anticipation.

Whether good or ill, he had to see it for himself. There would be many chances to restart, but this was his first opportunity to come into contact with the extraordinary.

Moreover...

His hand instinctively pressed against the cold metal pistol at his waist, which granted him a measure of security.

Monster or bullet—which was stronger? He was very curious.

Catching the two maids exchanging glances nearby, Hughes turned to ask, “You know something, don’t you? What’s going on?”

Their faces stiffened, and they quickly lowered their heads, exchanging hesitant looks before cautiously replying:

“Master, we’ve heard that a monster was hauled out of the sea, right at the harbor…”

“They say that monster is terrifying, its body looks like…”

“Ahem!”

Their words were cut short by a loud cough. The steward, holding the reins of the horse, shot them a sharp glance before stepping up to Hughes.

“There’s no monster. It’s just a strange fish. These people lack experience, so they fear such creatures. In the deep sea, strange fish are often caught. When I was young, I went to sea with ships. Such things are common in the lightless depths.”

Hughes looked at the steward with interest. “You’ve already seen this strange... fish?”

“Not yet, but from their descriptions, it’s probably a species I’ve encountered before.”

“Then let’s go have a look together.” Hughes sized up the horse before him, rummaged through his memories, then stepped onto a footstool set down by the maid and mounted the saddle.

The horse was steadier than he had imagined, with a soft lining beneath the saddle.

Taking the riding crop from the steward, he gave the reins a tentative shake.

The brown horse flicked its tail obediently and trotted forward briskly.

The steward gave Hughes a meaningful look, then turned to give the maids some instructions, mounted his own horse, and left the manor.

There were no well-maintained roads on the island. Near the manor, a few stone slabs paved a path, but it soon gave way to muddy ground.

Fortunately, horseback riding was not much affected, though their pace slowed somewhat.

Hughes slipped the riding crop into a buckle beside the saddle and let the horse walk leisurely. He shifted slightly to look at the steward.

“Connor, how are things looking for us recently?”

Connor considered before answering, “Not very good, Master Hughes. We don’t have much money left. Since you took office in the domain, our contacts with the Duke have dwindled.”

Hughes naturally knew which duke he meant—his biological father, Duke Cohen.

Though Hughes was an illegitimate son, Duke Cohen had treated him fairly well.

From birth, he had been raised in a suburban manor by the duke. The servants and steward, Watson, had served him for many years. Duke Cohen even hired tutors for him and arranged for him to become a border count.

Though all this could not compare to the duke’s legitimate heirs, as an illegitimate son, Hughes had been treated generously according to noble customs.

It seemed he could not rely on his biological father for now.

Hughes cleared his throat lightly.

“Connor, I’ve been thinking a lot since last night. We have many troubles now. Perhaps it’s time to change our way of life.”

To be honest, living as Master Hughes had before was difficult to adjust to. Though it seemed leisurely every day, from afternoon tea etiquette to dining manners, everything was rigidly prescribed. Recalling those memories gave him a sense of suffocation.

So many rules, if he followed each one strictly, he’d be exposed sooner or later.

Connor’s eyes flickered, uncertain what he was thinking.

“You are now Count, Master. The decisions are all yours.”

He hesitated a moment more, then spoke softly, “Master, the merchants from the east want to talk with us. This has always been handled by your chief secretary…”

Hughes sifted through his memory, his face twitching.

Merchants? There were no merchants—only pirates in the Storm Ocean!

The so-called talk was just pirates coming to collect protection money.

Indeed, the previous owner of this body had been paying pirates for peace.

No wonder Hughes had wondered why the pirates had been so quiet before.

“When?”

“The day after tomorrow at noon.”

“Understood. I will meet with them.”

He had to find a way to deal with the pirates. Continuing to pay them would only drag the domain down.

As for how to handle it—shipping costs were low, perfect for developing industry. Soon, he would give these pirates a shock powered by industrialization.

…

The island was small. From the manor, the scent of the sea breeze was already present, and soon Hughes heard the sound of waves crashing.

“Master, the harbor is just ahead.”

“Hm.”

Hughes pulled the reins, and the horse slowed, glancing ahead.

This was less a harbor and more a small pier on the island’s northern side—a natural deepwater port. With a few wooden platforms, it could accommodate cargo ships traveling north and south.

Of course, for now, only fishermen used it to go out to sea.

At present, a handful of small boats were moored at the pier. Not far from the shore, a crowd had gathered. Hughes spotted several soldiers carrying weapons, their leather armor freshly emblazoned with the royal crest.

Strictly speaking, as a border count, he was a vassal of the Empress. His coat of arms combined the royal crest and that of Duke Cohen, but as an illegitimate son…

Shaking his head to clear these trivial thoughts, Hughes glanced at the steward.

Connor nodded slightly and moved toward the crowd.