Chapter 8

Section 3. Our Lord Has Changed! – Part 3

'As expected, the combination of the Chief of Security and a well-organized nature is perfect! This is great!'

Although Jared did not outwardly express his joy to maintain his dignity, he was inwardly elated.

This was a moment when his seasoned experience in assigning roles based on the traits he discerned through his Insight ability was fully revealed!

* * *

As time passed,

Jared could read a strange sense of reverence in the expressions of the vassals who were looking at him.

Certainly, when they entered the vassal meeting, their gazes had been full of disdain or neglect towards him, but now those looks were gone.

One of them was even on the verge of tears, and Jared immediately recognized his name.

"Abila."

Responsible for the estate's agriculture, Abila had come straight from the fields, his clothes covered in dirt.

Jared approached Abila.

Abila, slightly startled, tried to step back, but then bowed his head and wiped away his tears.

"Yes, my lord. I apologize. I foolishly shed tears..."

"You have worked hard. I feel sorry for assigning you a role that did not suit you. Especially seeing your clothes covered in dirt makes me feel even more so. Now, stand still."

Jared cast a Clean spell of the 3rd class.

Swoosh.

The dirt-covered clothes became clean, looking like new.

However, Jared, still unsatisfied, slightly frowned and knelt down.

Abila, surprised, looked down and noticed his shoelaces were untied.

Jared was tying them for him.

"Aah, my lord!"

"Vassals are the face of the estate... I have made you all suffer by being an incompetent lord."

"My lord, what do you mean by that!"

"This is my direct expression of apology, respect, and gratitude to you. It is also a pledge not to repeat the same mistake."

Jared's apology was sincere.

Since the mistakes of the former Jared were ultimately his own, he believed it was his responsibility to apologize.

He did not regret it, as he thought it was right to address past errors clearly.

After tying Abila's shoelaces, Abila was at a loss and tears streamed down his face.

It was the tears of a loyal vassal of the estate.

Eventually, Jared stood up.

He took a deep breath—his obesity made kneeling and bending difficult—and used his Insight to check Abila's status.

'Abila, at best, is a D-rank vassal. He is a talent with no place to use except in commercial administration. It's a pity, but there's nothing I can do. For now, I have to solve the problems with the vassals in the estate.'

Jared sighed inwardly.

To be honest, Abila seemed to be capable of improving the commercial administration and developing and managing special products, but that was his limit.

If he were to manage the estate's trading company or handle large-scale transactions with other estates, he would likely cause significant losses.

That was something that must be avoided at all costs.

Therefore, he decided to clearly limit Abila's role and set up a platform for him to focus on developing special products.

He could do that much.

Jared immediately gave the order.

"Abila, from today, you will be in charge of the estate's commercial sector. Do you remember the proposal you submitted to me earlier, about the estate's direct trading company and the promotion of special products?"

"Of course, my lord. How could I forget? My thoughts on the Crivia marble are still valid."

"Indeed, my expectations were correct."

"However, I thought it was presumptuous to voice my opinions while being responsible for the estate's agriculture..."

"That's why you held back. I understand that, of course. I will support the estate's finances, so please proceed with the promotion of special products."

"Really?"

"This will be the first project you will take on after your new assignment. I expect great things from you."

"Then who will take over the agricultural sector?"

"Sir Aubren will. He hasn't arrived yet, but I will talk to him directly when he does, so don't worry."

"Sir Aubren is a reliable person! I heard he has continued to focus on agricultural development even after retiring."

"An excellent choice, my lord!"

"I fully agree, my lord!"

The opinions quickly aligned.

Jared quickly resolved the matter.

The only person whose position was removed today was Glagath, who had been negligent in his duties and engaged in corruption, along with his faction.

The rest were reassigned to positions Jared deemed appropriate.

No one complained.

Most bowed their heads in gratitude, saying they were finally assigned to tasks they had wanted to do!

Not only that.

Jared, seeing the continuous messages, could not help but smile at the vassals' reactions.

His expression brightened even more.

'Unintentionally, I used the Great Awakening trick. Good. I will actively use this from now on. By finding vassals who are in the wrong positions, I will see dramatic results.'

The Great Awakening state refers to a character performing at 100% increased ability in their main field.

It was one of the tricks Jared often used in the past.

The method involved deliberately assigning a character to a role that did not match their traits to increase their dissatisfaction, and then transferring them to a desired position to induce the Great Awakening.

Of course, this required them to handle undesirable tasks for over a year, making it quite challenging.

Anyway, with Abila's special trait activated, he entered the Great Awakening state, which would have a significant synergistic effect.

For about a year, the expected income would likely increase by more than 30%, and the grade of the marble would occasionally rise by two levels.

'Good. The vassals' levels are not very high, but I can put out the immediate fire. I will observe for a month while implementing the diet and mana increase tricks, a two-track approach!'

Jared thought succinctly.

First, he needed to solve the problem of his bulky body and prepare a super-special method to recruit talents for the estate.

A month passed in the Crivia estate.

On the morning of February 1, 1414, in the Nas continent calendar.

* * *

"Wait, we've been living well until now, so why are you suddenly arresting us innocent people! What crime have we committed!"

"No crime? Did you not collect protection money from merchants and bribe Glagath with part of the money, colluding with him?"

"No, that was just an unwritten practice..."

"Practice? I, the lord, never allowed it. What kind of practice are you talking about? What are you doing? Arrest them all!"

"Yes!"

At my command, the soldiers of the security force arrested all the members of the criminal organization.

"Wow, hooray!"

"Long live the lord! Long live Chief Raxis of the security force!"

"It feels so refreshing! I've been waiting to get rid of those guys! Hahaha, finally!"

The estate residents, who watched the arrest of the criminals, all applauded.

The names they cheered always included mine and Chief Raxis's.

Raxis approached the estate residents and loudly declared,

"The lord has honestly acknowledged past mistakes and promised to prioritize the lives of the estate residents! The crackdown on criminals is just the beginning. Remember the lord's affection for you and always live with gratitude!"

"Wow! Long live the lord!"

"Thank you so much! Just by arresting and punishing those evil people, we are already very happy!"

"Hooray! Hooray!"

The cheers of the estate residents continued.

The system messages also chimed in, welcoming the changes.

Since appointing Raxis as the Chief of Security, the security in the Crivia estate has improved dramatically.

The criminal organization was thoroughly traced and completely dismantled, and all the colluding forces were subjected to strict legal punishment.

The estate residents, who had lived in fear due to Glagath's neglect and the tyranny of the criminal organization, rejoiced.

They also began to view me differently, as I had openly acknowledged my past mistakes.

By punishing the corrupt officials, the estate's discipline was visibly restored.

"Life is so much better, my lord."

"I am ashamed that I didn't realize how much you love the estate, my lord."

"I am proud to be a soldier in the estate."

The security force soldiers all praised me.

They all seemed to take great pride in being part of the estate and the security force.

Raxis, with a satisfied look, bowed to me and then turned to the soldiers, continuing,

"This is all thanks to the lord assigning me a role that suits my nature. Everyone should respect the wise lord who does not discriminate based on rank!"

Raxis's voice, filled with sincerity, was met with nods from the soldiers.

It was a happy moment.

Just by showing a little more interest and attention to the estate, such a dramatic change could occur.

Raxis then approached me, his eyes red and his voice trembling.

"My lord, I am truly grateful. It feels like I have finally found the right fit after a long time. I am so happy."

"If you are satisfied, I am satisfied. I hope you will continue to take responsibility for the estate's security."

I said calmly.

As a Chief of Security, Raxis is an excellent talent. Of course, a higher promotion might be difficult for now.

Given that he has no great ambition for higher office, I believe the possibility of him being dissatisfied is close to zero.

"My lord, I am truly grateful. I will maintain the Crivia estate in the best security state, even if it means burning myself out."

Raxis passionately declared his resolve. I patted his shoulder to encourage him.

Just then,

"My lord, I have a report!"

A soldier ran up, breathless, and urgently reported.