Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 4 Lion's Tooth Territory

boom!
These words struck Kruse like a thunderbolt!

He finally understood!

Now I understand why the people on this barren land can struggle to survive year after year with such meager output!

He understood the immense burden his father, Reyes, bore behind the title "Lion's Fang," a burden far heavier than he had ever imagined!
It turns out that her father, who fought bloody battles on the battlefield and whom she regarded as a cold, unyielding support, not only gave his life to obtain a fiefdom, but also used his military pay, spoils of war, and perhaps even rations to continuously support this "home" that was almost unable to support itself!
Kruze's lips twitched slightly involuntarily. It wasn't anger, but a physiological reaction caused by a mixture of shock, shame, and a heavy realization.

The next moment, he suddenly slammed the riding whip he was holding onto the ground with a sharp "crack," startling the steward, Baffie, who trembled all over.

"Enough!" Kruze's voice was firm and resolute, his gaze fixed on Buffel once more. "This life of being dependent on others, relying on my father's meager rations saved at the front, must end!"

He pointed to the distant, still largely uncultivated wasteland, his tone like a military order:
"The summer planting season isn't over yet! Immediately gather all the able-bodied serfs! I need you to organize the manpower and, right now, cultivate another twenty acres of new land!"

Buffel was stunned by the sudden order and instinctively wanted to object: "Young Master! This...this time is too tight, we don't have enough manpower, and it's about clearing land..."

"No 'moreover'!" Kruse interrupted him rudely, his eyes sharp as lightning. "I don't care what methods you use! Whether it's working day and night shifts or using every ounce of strength you have, I want to see twenty acres of new land ready before the autumn planting!"

He paused, his voice low but containing an unwavering determination:
“My goal is simple and clear—starting next year, Lion Fang Territory must be self-sufficient in food! Not a single grain of wheat should be saved by Father from the front lines! This is an order, not a discussion! Do you understand, Steward Buffet?!”

These resounding words not only announced Kruse's strong intervention in territorial affairs, but also showed this land and everyone that he, Kruse, would never again be the "burden" that needed his father's blood and sweat to feed him!
He wanted to make Lion Fang Territory truly stand up through his own will and methods!
Such swift and decisive methods terrified Rezal, who had never seen his elder brother like this before.

When did that timid older brother, who always walked with his head down, become so assertive?

The dull and oppressive farm inspection finally came to an end. Kruze and Rezal walked side by side on the stone path back to the main house of the castle. Although the atmosphere was subtle, the two were very tacit and did not exchange any cold words.

Butler Buffet followed closely behind, his forehead still damp with cold sweat.

As the drab stone "castle" came into view, a petite figure leaned against the heavy oak door frame, tiptoeing and looking out like a restless rattle.

"Big brother! Second brother!" A clear, bell-like cheer instantly broke through the dull air.

Upon seeing Kruse and Rezael, the twelve or thirteen-year-old girl—Elena the Lion—jumped up from the door frame like a joyful fawn, jumping excitedly twice on the spot.

She wore a faded but clean linen dress, her soft chestnut hair was simply tied back, and a few unruly strands playfully fell beside her cheeks, making her bright, emerald eyes even more lively.

She was the youngest jewel of the Lion Fang family, the most vibrant color in this barren land, and the undisputed little princess cherished by everyone. Almost simultaneously, the frost on Kruze's face, hardened by the predicament of the territory, and the lingering gloom and arrogance between Rezal's brows, melted away like snow melting in the sun, replaced by a pure, warm smile that radiated from the depths of his heart.

That doting affection for his younger sister was an instinct ingrained in his bones, requiring no pretense.

Even the usually apprehensive and calculating butler, Buffet, quickly put on his well-trained and impeccable "proper" smile, bowed slightly, and spoke with just the right amount of respect and kindness:

"Young Miss! Why are you waiting at the door? Be careful not to catch a cold." But the smile didn't really reach the depths of his cloudy eyes.

Elena paid no heed to any of this. She ran down the steps like a gust of wind and cheerfully greeted her two brothers, as if all the gloom that had just shrouded the castle had never existed.

Her smile was the only bright light in Lion Fang Territory at that moment.

Elena, with one in each hand, cheerfully led Kruse and Rezal into the castle's somewhat dimly lit dining room.

The table was filled with the enticing aroma of meat—thanks to the two hares Rezal had hunted that afternoon.

For the Lion Tooth Leader's table, which usually consists of bland soup and plenty of black bread, this meal, with its thick pea soup with rabbit stew and a few thin slices of roasted rabbit, is a rare feast.

A satisfied smile spread across Elena's face, making even the dimly lit candle on the table seem brighter.

The atmosphere at dinner was unusually relaxed amidst Elena's chattering, childlike chatter. However, the moment Elena swallowed a mouthful of meaty soup and her bright, emerald-green eyes looked expectantly at Kruze, the relaxed atmosphere instantly froze.

"Big brother!" Her voice was clear and bright, filled with unwavering trust and hope. "You've finally become a trainee knight since you came back this time, just like Father!"

Rezal, who was sitting opposite him, was forking a piece of rabbit meat when he heard this. His movements suddenly froze, and a mocking smile crept onto his lips. He was about to utter some harsh words.

At that moment, Kruse calmly put down the wooden wine glass in his hand.

The bottom of the glass made a soft "thud" as it touched the rough wooden tabletop, a sound that was unusually clear in the suddenly quiet restaurant. He met his sister's innocent gaze, his face bearing an almost serene certainty, his voice steady and without a trace of emotion:
"It'll be soon. In the next few days."

Those seven simple words were like a silent bomb dropped on the dining table!

"Really?! That's wonderful!" Elena burst into immense joy, jumping up from her chair like a happy little bird, clapping her hands and cheering, her face flushed with excitement. She was completely absorbed in her anticipation of her older brother "soon" becoming a knight, and didn't notice the sudden change in expression on the other end of the table.

(End of this chapter)