Chapter 7

Chapter 3. Our Lord Has Changed! - Part 2

'What on earth is going on?'

'It’s unbelievable that he’s presiding over the council meeting first, and he’s even reading the submitted documents?'

'He used to not care whether he came out after drinking or womanizing?'

The councilors all had wide eyes and looked shocked as they stared at Jared.

He had changed overnight.

And not just a little, but completely, 180 degrees.

The first thing he showed the councilors was a scathing rebuke, something unprecedented.

"Glagas, do you think the task of maintaining the lordship’s security is so easy? And you come to the council meeting drunk? Are you in your right mind?"

"Y-Your Lordship, that’s not it. It’s just that... hic."

Glagas, who was in charge of the lordship’s security, was slurring his words, almost incoherent from being so drunk.

"Are you unaware of how serious it is to neglect the important duties entrusted to you as a councilor?"

"I-I’m sorry, but I really got my hands on a rare drink, and I just had one! Just one! Hic, Your Lordship, how about one for you?"

"Ha!"

"Don’t refuse! Didn’t you have a bowl with me before?"

"Damn it."

His true feelings burst out without any filter. He didn’t even think about holding back.

Discipline was in shambles.

"Hic, ah, ah, I’m getting drunk."

Glagas staggered, moving back and forth in front of Jared several times.

The way he was acting so openly showed that this wasn’t the first time it had happened.

"I can’t let this go."

Whoosh!

Jared created a grayish-white magic sphere in his right hand.

The councilors, including Glagas, had no idea what kind of magic it was.

Jared had rarely used magic in front of the councilors, to the point where they had almost forgotten he was a mage.

'Paralyze.'

But Jared knew. This was the 4th-class paralysis spell, Paralyze.

It numbed the body like it was frozen, leaving the mind fully conscious but unable to move.

The only thing possible was blinking.

That’s why it was a spell that torturers often used during interrogations.

Snap!

Jared flicked his finger.

In that instant, the Paralyze magic sphere enveloped Glagas’s entire body.

Despite being the head of the security force, Glagas was a large man.

But in the next moment!

"Gurk…!"

Glagas let out a final scream and fell forward, as if he had turned to stone.

Boom!

His face hit the ground first, and he couldn’t even scream properly.

More shockingly, he didn’t even try to break his fall, hitting the ground face-first.

"So, did you enjoy wielding power as the head of security, cutting off the hands and feet of merchants, and embezzling the money you took from them?"

Jared looked down at Glagas with a furious expression.

But Glagas, now paralyzed, couldn’t move a muscle and could only blink his eyes frantically.

"Because of your greed, many of the lordship’s people have suffered. They no longer trust the lord, and they’ve had their hard-earned wealth stolen!"

Rrrr.

This time, Jared cast a 3rd-class spell, Fireball, which consumed 20 of his 40 magic points.

He brought it close to Glagas’s face.

If he moved his hand just a little closer, it would burn Glagas’s face to a crisp.

"Glagas, you should be grateful that I’ve decided to follow the proper procedures to enforce the law. Otherwise, this Fireball would have burned your face off."

Crack!

"…!"

Jared thrust the Fireball directly into Glagas’s back.

Whoosh!

A flame shot up.

At the same time, Glagas’s clothes burned away instantly, and his entire back was scorched, leaving a grotesque sight.

"…"

The office fell silent.

No one dared to speak. They were all shocked by Jared’s transformation.

All the councilors were surprised.

This wasn’t the Jared they were used to seeing.

He used to sign documents without even looking at them, with a vacant expression, and would stagger out of the office first.

But today, he was different, mercilessly punishing Glagas.

Though the other councilors didn’t say it out loud, they had all been very worried about Glagas’s negligence.

Especially his corruption.

He had been involved with criminal organizations and embezzled wealth through illegal means while managing the lordship’s security.

"Urk…!"

Glagas tried to say something but couldn’t utter a word.

"Your Lordship!"

"Please forgive our negligence! Punish us severely!"

Without hesitation, everyone knelt and bowed.

They had underestimated the lord, thinking he was easy to handle, but now they were shaken to their core.

Jared cast a 1st-class spell, Magic Missile, which consumed 1 magic point.

He then kicked Glagas, who was lying on the ground, to make him lie flat.

He continued in a cold, stern voice.

"Glagas, as of today, I am stripping you of your position and will thoroughly investigate all your corruption. Is there anyone outside?"

"Yes, Your Lordship!"

At Jared’s call, a guard entered the office.

"Lock Glagas in the dungeon. I will personally investigate and punish him for his negligence and corruption. I’ll make sure he can’t even think of escaping."

Whoosh!

As soon as Jared finished speaking, a Magic Missile flew from his hand.

Crack! Thud! Crack!

The Magic Missile hit Glagas’s knees, easily breaking them.

Even in the midst of the pain, Glagas, paralyzed, couldn’t scream.

Jared looked down at Glagas with a contemptuous gaze and ordered the soldiers.

"Take him away."

"Yes, Your Lordship!"

Glagas gave a pained look, but Jared didn’t even glance at him.

Everyone was stunned by Jared’s authority and bowed their heads even lower.

The councilors who had looked down on or ignored Jared, thinking like Glagas, had a change of heart.

Jared’s actions, punishing one to warn a hundred, were not ordinary.

Right then.

Jared called out another name.

"Rakis."

"Yes, Your Lordship."

Rakis, who had been standing alone at the back of the councilors, responded to Jared’s call.

Jared activated his Insight skill to assess Rakis’s condition.

He wanted to confirm if his initial judgment from the councilor’s documents matched the reality.

'Just as I expected, he’s at a C-level armed. This means he’s not suitable for a position higher than the head of security. He’s good for small-scale conflicts, but commanding a large-scale war is beyond his capabilities.'

Jared looked disappointed.

From the documents, Rakis seemed to be a veteran soldier with considerable martial talent, but his stats showed many shortcomings.

With such stats, he would easily be killed by a named armed in a large lordship.

'However, with his special traits of order and justice, he’s perfect for the head of security. It’s almost a 100%, no, 1000% perfect fit!'

He might not be a major talent, but he would be effective for the current lordship’s internal affairs.

And if he could guide Rakis’s first awakening as the system message suggested, his usefulness would increase.

Leading Rakis to his limit was entirely up to him.

* * *

At the same time, in the same place.

'Maybe he’s going to hold me responsible for neglecting the management of weapons? Did I miss something?'

Rakis was tense, fearing Jared’s reprimand.

Despite being a seasoned soldier, the magic Jared had just displayed was beyond imagination.

Glagas, who had considerable martial skills, had been helpless against it.

'What does he want to do to me?'

When Jared called him to the council meeting, Rakis was confused.

His position didn’t warrant attendance at the council meeting, so he thought he might be called for a reprimand like Glagas.

But what he heard was unexpected.

"I appoint you as the head of security for the Crevia lordship. You will take over all of Glagas’s duties and responsibilities, and you will be in charge of security."

"…What?"

Rakis was shocked.

This was not just a promotion; it was a shocking one.

Of course, he was confident in his martial skills and ability to distinguish between public and private matters, which were essential for the head of security.

He had been a veteran soldier in the lordship’s army for over 15 years and was one of the most trusted figures among the soldiers.

But five years ago, after he had advised Jared to take better care of the lordship, he had fallen out of favor and was relegated to a minor position.

Still, Rakis didn’t resent Jared.

He believed he was sent to manage weapons because his skills were needed there.

So even when others criticized Jared, Rakis defended him.

He was that loyal.

But the old Jared had been harsh to such a loyal man.

Not anymore.

He had completely changed.

"Your Lordship, how can I…?"

"It’s the lord’s command. Do you need more words?"

Rakis felt a shiver run through his body.

It was as if he was seeing the authority of the late lord, Baron Barrett, before Jared ascended to the position.

'The shock of the late lord’s sudden passing made Jared wander, but… his essence hasn’t disappeared. Why didn’t I remember that he was a wise man who judged by merit, regardless of rank?'

With deep respect, Rakis knelt.

That’s right. The lord’s command needed no further words.

Absolute obedience was the rule.

"I will follow your command, Your Lordship."

Right then.

A new message appeared on Jared’s lordship information window, bringing the good news he had been waiting for.