The Kingdom of Pallas, also known as the Pallasian Territory, was under the jurisdiction of the Olphean House. Nestled in the eastern part of the Human's realm, my mansion stood at the heart of this territory. Though I had been here for only two days, my previous visits were confined to leaving in a car without exploring my surroundings. Today, being my day off, I decided to seize the opportunity to venture around.
Mother had a significant meeting to attend, and Christina was occupied with her own responsibilities, leaving me to explore independently. Well, not entirely alone, as Francis accompanied me, accompanied by two guards.
The roads, the houses, and even the people, everything seemed to be thriving. Neat and pristine houses lined the streets, while farther away, towering structures housed various businesses, their screens displaying the latest updates.
"It's impressively well-managed..." I mused in awe.
Francis responded with a smile. "Our Queen Alea played a vital role in developing the country to its current state. After her, Lord Connor took on her responsibilities, but... after his passing, both Queen Alea and Lady Christina have continued the management of Pallas."
"It must be quite demanding, especially since they also have responsibilities at the Academy," I murmured.
"Indeed, Milord. But both your mother and sister possess exceptional talents," Francis assured me.
"Good morning, Milord!"
"Have a wonderful day, Milord!"
As I strolled along, friendly greetings from the people around me reached my ears. It seemed that Mother had ensured my 'presence' was well-known here.
"People seem pleased to see me," I remarked, a bit puzzled.
"Absolutely, Milord. In the past, it was often Lord Connor who, along with Queen Alea and Lady Christina, occasionally visited. These visits were greatly cherished by our people. It made them feel more connected to you, a Great Noble, an almost revered figure in Sancta Vedelia. Moreover... after Lord Connor's passing, the last male heir of the family, the atmosphere here grew somber. Fortunately, your arrival and the subsequent revival of Lady Alea and Christina's spirits uplifted not only them but our people as well. They feel safer when their Lords are present, and the appearance of another male heir has significantly contributed to your favorability."
"Good morning, Milord!" A father accompanied by his shy daughter offered me a warm smile as they passed by.
"I'll take that teddy bear," I informed a vendor who was running his own stand, selling an assortment of toys. I handed him a 50 Eden coin without hesitation which was the equivalent of 50 dollars.
"Milord?!" The man seemed taken aback, likely surprised that I was willing to pay such a sum for a teddy bear. Ignoring his reaction, I collected the toy and knelt down in front of the girl.
The girl peeked out from behind her father timidly.
"Here's my first gift for my people," I beamed, handing her the teddy bear.
The father smiled warmly and quietly encouraged his daughter. "Take it, dear."
With a nod, the girl cautiously extended her hands and embraced the teddy bear. "T-Thank you, Milord."
"You're welcome." I gently patted her head before resuming my walk. I couldn't help but notice the affectionate gazes and hushed whispers around me. It was my first visit, so I wanted to make a positive impression on them.
"You're as kind-hearted as your older brother, Milord," Francis remarked beside me.
"Of course, they're my people."
'Around two percent.'
"By the way, there doesn't seem to be poverty here. It's quite remarkable," I observed, genuinely impressed.
Francis wore a proud smile as he explained, "Lady Alea and Lord Kleines have ensured that every person in need has found employment. The work may be demanding, but they're generously compensated since they are the ones who provide for us."
"And what about criminals?" I inquired with curiosity.
"They are placed in our detention center and undergo rehabilitation by our knights," Francis answered. "Even minor crimes are met with rehabilitation. Lady Alea was steadfast in this decision. She aimed for our kingdom to be vibrant and joyful."
"I assume each kingdom has its own distinct rules," I mused.
Francis nodded, though his expression was somewhat uneasy. I understood why.
Pallas, our territory, might be a haven for its inhabitants, but that was largely due to Mother's compassion and selflessness. Other House Heads likely had their own unique approaches to ruling their kingdoms.
"If you're looking for the finest goods, Milord, Central Vedelia is the place to go. It's a renowned commercial district where you can find products from all realms," Francis suggested, shifting the topic.
I was familiar with that place.
Central Vedelia, located at the heart of the Human Realm, served as a neutral hub offering entertainment and a wide variety of stores. It was practically a city in its own right, and you can well imagine the bustling atmosphere.
"That does sound intriguing, but I'd like to visit the Olphean army's training center first."
Francis was surprised at my words. "If you wish, Milord but there are several-"
"Then get me to the closer one," I replied.
The Olphean Army's Training Center had a distinctly futuristic vibe, featuring automated gates and floating cameras dispersed throughout the vicinity. Knights were diligently engaged in various training activities, some inside the massive rectangular building and others practicing outdoors.
As I moved through the area, I received respectful greetings from the knights, although they quickly resumed their training routines. However, I couldn't help but notice a concerning aspect: the training seemed overly friendly and lacking the necessary intensity. While there was a hint of seriousness, it wasn't sufficient. The knights weren't training with the required level of dedication for the present time.
"Francis, gather everyone here," I instructed, positioning myself within the spacious training ground that was about three times the size of a football field. "And can we broadcast this to the other training centers?"
"Then let's proceed," I affirmed.
After about twenty minutes, Francis managed to assemble all the knights around me. The floating spheres activated, projecting my image to all the training centers throughout the Kingdom.
"Who is the strongest among you?" I inquired, surveying the faces before me.
My question seemed to bewilder them initially, but their collective gaze eventually settled on a bald man who appeared to be in his fifties.
"What's your name?" I addressed him.
The bald man stepped forward with a respectful bow. "Jake, Milord."
"Very well, Jake," I declared, retrieving a training sword from a nearby bucket and tossing it to him. I also selected one for myself and raised it. "Would you do me the honor of being my sparring partner?"
Jake's eyes widened, and he hesitated. "Milord, I can't—"
Before he could finish his sentence, I swiftly closed the distance between us, materializing in front of him with my sword poised for a strike.
The clash of our swords resounded, followed by astonished gasps from the onlookers.
"I barely saw him moving and only saw the flash of his sword…"
Jake, who had managed to parry my blow, stared at me in sheer disbelief.