Chapter 152: Grandfather and Grandmother

Over the next few days, Vallin followed his cousin and witnessed a different side of the Gutt Territory.

From another perspective, he saw the fruits of his uncle's governance over fifty to nearly sixty years.

The Gutt Territory spanned thirty-five hundred square kilometers. For a baron, such a domain was vast, but for a viscount, it appeared somewhat confined.

However, all such issues could find solutions within the kingdom's laws.

With no arable land left to reclaim around the Gutt Territory, the only option was territorial exchange.

Orcot could reclaim a barony along the border and compensate minor nobles in other ways, swapping their lands to the frontier to achieve a disguised expansion of his territory.

As for whether the other party would agree, it depended on whether the nobles wishing to make the exchange had enough muscle and deep enough backgrounds.

Through conversations with his cousin over the past few days, Vallin learned that Uncle Orcot wanted to exchange territories with the seven barons bordering the Gutt Territory.

The combined area of these seven baronies reached fifty-five hundred square kilometers, a task that would take fifteen to twenty years to complete.

Vallin did not have to worry about such troubles.

With a vast expanse of ownerless land surrounding him and no pioneers expected to venture to the western frontier for the next decade, he could enclose land however he pleased.

Still, this served as a reminder: within this precious timeframe, he should enclose and develop as much land as possible. Backed by the family, as long as he didn't seize fifty or one hundred thousand square kilometers, carving out an area of twenty to thirty thousand square kilometers would pose no problem.

Once his peerage was subsequently elevated, no one would dare raise objections.

After the brief sightseeing tour concluded, the date for the banquet arrived as they returned to the estate.

Compared to three days ago, nobles were gradually gathering here, and many noble retainers were accommodated outside the main camp.

Entering the outer circle of the estate, one found a lawn surrounding the manor that covered over a hundred acres. A multitude of young noble scions sat directly on the grass, engaging in lively exchanges.

Numerous servants shuttled through the crowd, offering tea and pastries with conscientious and dedicated service.

Passing through the grass and entering the central zone, the atmosphere among the nobles here was much more solemn. Some conversed with their wives and close friends, others brought their eldest sons to pay respects to influential and prestigious nobles, and groups of noble matrons gathered to chat in hushed tones.

In the left corner, Vallin spotted his cousin Bryan and Edgar's eldest son Alik, surrounded by a group of nobles and exchanging assessments with one another.

"Vallin, come with me."

A servant whispered into Kowel's ear, then took Vallin by the hand and led him toward the heart of the estate.

Seeing this, Vallin had to abandon the thought of seeking out his cousins.

Passing through a gate guarded by knights, Vallin entered the core area of the estate.

Inside a spacious room, Orcot and Edgar, who should have been the hosts, were seated in the lower positions instead. Yet they felt not the slightest dissatisfaction toward the person occupying the seat of honor, but rather considered it a profound honor.

Seated at the head was a middle-aged man, closely accompanied by a young woman. She occasionally sensed the entire estate, watching the people she cared about slowly approach, and could not help but reveal a smile.

Upon entering the room and laying eyes on the middle-aged man and the young woman directly opposite him, Vallin's expression instantly froze.

"Little Vallin, long time no see."

The next moment, the veiled woman appeared before Vallin, gently stroking his somewhat disheveled hair.

"Uh, Grandma, why are you and Grandpa here?" Vallin asked in utter astonishment as he looked at the young and beautiful woman before him.

"To see you, of course. Do you doubt it?"

Pinching her grandson's cheeks, Clotilde was in a wonderful mood.

Shortly after, Vallin followed his grandmother to the side of his grandfather, Ignatius.

"My Vallin, it has been six years since we last met. We deeply regret not being able to attend the day you came of age," Ignatius said with paternal warmth.

"Grandpa, how did you end up here?" Vallin generously accepted his grandfather's apology before asking his question.

"Orcot and Edgar have been promoted to viscounts. Your father is with your maternal grandfather and cannot return for the time being. Since we recently returned to the Ilia Kingdom, I am attending this banquet in your father's place," Ignatius explained calmly.

"Are you happy, my dear Vallin?"

His grandmother Clotilde's smile remained as healing as ever, leaving Vallin temporarily at a loss for words.

"All right, Clotilde, take Vallin outside. I have some matters to discuss with Orcot and Edgar," Ignatius waved his hand and said with a smile to Clotilde.

"I know."

No sooner had Clotilde spoken than she vanished from the room, taking Vallin with her.

Watching his wife and grandson depart, Ignatius continued speaking: "According to the rules established by the family, now that you have become viscounts, certain family secrets will be opened to you."

"Starting from your generation, the direct descendants of your branch may choose to pursue advanced studies under the command of various counts. Afterward, whether you choose to pioneer new lands or join the kingdom's military, seventy percent of the corresponding resources will be provided by the family."

"At the same time, as viscounts, you must also fulfill your obligations: discovering and contributing talent to the family, and maintaining the replenishment of personnel for the main legions under the family's counts."

"Finally, both of your houses may choose a renewable resource from the family holdings to serve as your pillar industry, using this as a foundation to enter the upper-level trading market in advance and strengthen your own households."

"My son Angus will subsequently coordinate with you on this. It will take time."

"Lord Ignatius, we understand," Orcot and Edgar replied respectfully, though their eyes failed to conceal their excitement and ambition.

"Next, I will tell you about the kingdom's upper-level market, providing you with some useful information as reference, as well as foreign commercial channels, including those families in neighboring kingdoms who maintain close relations with us."

As the backbone of the Alex family, viscounts were qualified to learn certain family secrets.

As for Kowel, after escorting Vallin to his room, he took his leave.

...

In an open garden, the figures of Vallin and Clotilde appeared among the flower beds.

"Little Vallin, how have these years been? Did you miss me?"

Clotilde's tone sounded somewhat like she was teasing a child, prompting Vallin to rub his forehead in speechlessness and say helplessly, "Grandma, I've grown up."

"Fine, you were cuter when you were little. Grown-ups are no fun at all," Clotilde said, covering her face with her hand and pretending to be heartbroken.