Chapter 358 - 356: Ideological Conflict
After Lloyd’s wedding concluded, Duane began his journey home.
For this return journey, since Natalia would be living on Black Forest Island, Count Kais had arranged for a passenger ship and two warships to accompany them.
Although these ships belonged to Natalia, Duane was able to use them.
It was just like the warrior squad led by Knight Trent. Though they were nominally there to protect Natalia, they were actually there to help Duane train his Navy.
Aside from Eleanor, who was required to stay by Natalia’s side, the rest of the men were at Duane’s disposal.
This meant Duane now had an Earth Tier Peak Warrior and a thirty-man warrior squad under his command.
In addition, they were accompanied by three warships, two cargo ships, and over six hundred Slaves.
Most of these Slaves were skilled, including doctors, Blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, Captains, Tailors, sailors, and more. Their overall value was considerable.
These five ships and the Slaves were part of Viscount Ugo’s war reparations, worth over ten thousand Gold Coins in total.
There were still over eighty thousand Gold Coins to be paid, and around ten thousand Slaves were in the process of being transferred.
With the addition of these people, the development of Black Forest Island would accelerate even further.
The booming population brought a greater demand for food. Fortunately, of the fifty thousand people promised as a "dowry" by the Count, only ten thousand had been relocated for now.
If they had all come at once, even if Duane took out all the grain stored in his granaries, it wouldn’t be enough to feed them.
Therefore, the Black Soil Purification Array had to be implemented as soon as possible.
Fortunately, he had obtained enough Mithril from Lady Delilah. If he had a one hundred percent success rate, he could theoretically create three Magic Arrays.
「Seven days later, in the morning.」
Natalia stood at the bow of the *Long Journey*, gazing at a dark shadow on the horizon that looked like a low-hanging cloud where the sea met the sky.
As the *Long Journey* drew closer, the dark shadow grew larger, and the island’s silhouette began to take shape.
"So this is Black Forest Island? It’s bigger than I imagined!"
Duane stood beside her and said with a smile, "Although Black Forest Island isn’t as large as the Silent Shore, it’s at least two-thirds of its size. However, it’s mostly hilly here. Many areas are uncultivated wild mountains and forests, and the soil isn’t as fertile as the Silent Shore’s."
The Silent Shore is located in the plains, while Black Forest Island is in a mountainous region.
"It’s actually that big!"
Natalia exclaimed, "I can’t believe His Majesty actually gave you such a large piece of land!"
"Well, everyone thought this was a land of exile and didn’t want to come, so I ended up getting a bargain. I bet even His Majesty Eric regrets his original decision when he thinks about it, right?"
"No, no, no!"
Natalia shook her head repeatedly. "If any other noble had come here, it would still be a land of exile. It’s precisely because you became its master that Black Forest Island has come to life."
Duane couldn’t help but raise his hand and gently rub her head. "I love hearing you say that. You should say it more often."
Natalia couldn’t help but smile, her eyes curving into crescents.
Soon, the ships approached the port.
After nearly a year of construction, Black Forest Port had expanded considerably. Many laborers could be seen bustling about, continuing the work of expansion and reinforcement.
Two merchant ships were moored at the port, apparently from other regions to do business.
Black Forest Island was no longer what it used to be. It now had both production and consumption, so merchant ships often docked here.
"This place used to only be able to dock two ships at a time, but now it can handle three, and it’s much easier to get in and out."
Duane explained, helping Natalia familiarize herself with the environment here as quickly as possible.
"Over there is Dawn Town. Although it’s still under construction, the inns, taverns, and courtyards for receiving honored guests have already been built. It will be a bustling place in the future."
Dawn Town’s function was to be a place for passing travelers to rest, so naturally, it wouldn’t lack for lively establishments.
Duane then pointed toward Thorn Valley. "I’ve named the new castle ’Brocade Castle.’ It’s in that direction and also still under construction. I’m hoping we can move in by the time we’re married."
Natalia mentally calculated. They probably had two or three years until their wedding, which should be about enough time to build a castle.
"Lord, you’ve returned!" Evans greeted him enthusiastically.
He glanced at Duane’s hand. Heck, Kaelon, and the others had returned earlier with news that the Lord was injured, and now he could see it was true.
However, this didn’t affect Duane’s authority.
Duane made the introduction, "This is Evans. He’s currently in charge of the port’s defense. Though he’s a Basic-level Warrior, he followed me from Lakefront Manor, so he’s one of the old guard."
Evans chimed in, "Lord, I’ve already had a breakthrough! I’m a Middle Level Warrior now!"
"Oh?"
Duane smiled. "Not bad. Keep up the good work!"
Natalia nodded in greeting. "Hello, I’m Natalia. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
Evans had previously followed Simone to Sea Cliff Castle and had seen Natalia before, but she had no impression of him.
Facing the future Countess, Evans’s expression turned serious as he pounded his chest in a salute. "Greetings, My Lady. Welcome!"
Natalia was taken aback, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. It was the first time she had ever been addressed that way.
’Then again, I don’t mind being called that. It’s quite nice.’
Duane rolled his eyes at Evans. "Go help move the supplies. The Slaves we brought are all skilled people. Have Julian and Ralph get them settled in."
"Yes, Lord!"
Duane turned to Eleanor, who was following behind him. After more than a month of rest and treatment, her injuries had healed.
"I’m going to take Natalia for a look around. Simone, you take Trent, Eleanor, and the others to Forest Castle."
"Oh, right. Have Logan notify the territory’s core personnel that we’ll be having dinner at Forest Castle tonight. It’ll be a good chance for me to introduce Natalia to everyone."
"Yes, Lord. I understand!"
Duane summoned his Arcane Warhorse and left the port with Natalia.
"I’m meeting your followers tonight. Should I prepare something?" Natalia asked, nestled in Duane’s embrace.
Duane could tell she was a little nervous. After all, this was her first time meeting his subordinates as the lady of the domain.
He chuckled. "We’re just having a meal and meeting everyone. Just be yourself."
The warhorse galloped swiftly as Duane took Natalia on a tour of the Territory, starting from Dawn Town and visiting Broken Wave City, Brocade Castle, Broken Wave Bay, Tea Garden Village, and more.
Although it was a tour to familiarize her with the area, Duane had another purpose: to have Natalia understand and accept his style of governance.
As the lady of the domain, she naturally had to be aligned with his style of governance.
Only then could she make decisions on crucial matters when he was away from the Territory.
This tour also gave Natalia a deeper understanding of Duane.
The two of them arrived at the Black Forest Island Academy. It was a school that had just recently begun construction, and fewer than twenty people were currently studying there.
When Duane walked in, he felt as if he had returned to the mountain elementary school of his childhood—
Back then, the entire school had only three to five teachers, yet they were responsible for the classes of a hundred students from first to fifth grade.
"Lord, what brings you here!"
The headmaster, Aleksey, was drying paper in the courtyard. When he saw Duane enter, he nervously trotted over.
"I just came to have a look."
He looked toward the classroom ahead, where Beatrice was teaching a class.
"Currently, this school only has two people, Aleksey and Beatrice. One teaches arithmetic, and the other teaches literacy, reading, and writing."
Natalia stepped forward to take a look. Sitting in the classroom was a group of shabbily dressed children, clearly from poor families.
Beatrice stopped the lesson and was about to come out to greet them, but Duane waved his hand, signaling for her to continue.
Only then did Natalia ask in surprise, "Your education here is open to commoners?"
"Yes. I hope everyone who can will learn to read."
"But that’s an incredibly laborious and expensive undertaking. Commoners probably can’t even afford Parchment, let alone books."
She glanced at the paper on the desks. ’This paper seems different?’
"I have a way to solve that."
Duane took her hand. "Aleksey, take us to your office."
In Aleksey’s office, Natalia saw the improved paper and books printed using movable type.
She sat in a chair, tracing the words on the page, and murmured, "Duane, these two things have completely shattered my understanding of the world!"
After speaking, she looked up, her eyes filled with shock. "And I’ve discovered that everything I’ve learned runs completely contrary to your philosophy."
Duane waved his hand, dismissing Aleksey to go about his business.
"What is it that you’ve learned?" he asked.
Natalia said, "How to extract more money from the subjects, how to make them work for you day and night, how to make them submit to your rule..."
Her gaze fell on another book on the desk.
She picked up the book and opened it. The title on the first page was "Home."
Its contents not only spoke of the small family of one’s parents and siblings but also intentionally and unintentionally emphasized the "big family" of Black Forest Island.
This was also something she had never read before.
Duane said with a smile, "I wrote that piece. What do you think of the prose?"
Natalia shook her head and said bitterly, "I’m sorry, Duane. I’ve never seen content with this kind of meaning before. Your policies on Black Forest Island are... completely the opposite of what I’ve learned!"
She had originally planned to use the knowledge she had acquired to help Duane govern the Territory, but now she felt it was completely useless. Her thoughts were suddenly in turmoil.
"Black Forest Island is isolated at sea with few channels of contact with the outside world. Therefore, I can build the world I envision without outside interference."
Duane began to explain what he wanted to do, which sent Natalia into a long, deep thought.
After a long moment, her brow furrowed slightly before she said, "Your philosophy runs completely contrary to the ruling philosophy of the traditional Nobility."
Natalia was no fool. On the contrary, she was very intelligent; otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to learn both Magic and general knowledge so quickly.
She understood what Duane meant and knew what he wanted to do.
However, she changed her tone and added, "But, compared to the political knowledge that discusses exploitation and keeping the people ignorant, I much prefer the world you’ve described."
Duane couldn’t help but smile.
"All this time, my subordinates have been following my orders, but some of them have rigid mindsets, and on certain matters, they have difficulty keeping up with my thinking. I need someone who shares my ideals, a fellow traveler on this path."
He came up behind Natalia and placed his hands on her shoulders. "And you, my fiancée, are intelligent, eager to learn, and receptive. You’re also the person who loves me most, so you are the most suitable person for this."
Natalia was filled with happiness from this string of praises and said in a low voice, "I’m afraid I won’t do a good job."
Duane said with a smile, "But I believe you can!"
Natalia smiled as well. "If you put it that way, what else can I say?"
She tilted her head up and gave Duane a light peck on the cheek. "No matter what you do, I will always support you!"