This young master truly has the ambition of a hero.

"Your analogy is apt, but please don't use it again next time."

Dick smiled noncommittally. To be honest, tonight's party made him see the Third Prince's true colors. This man was not cut out for great things.

He now seriously suspects that the Southern Group chose to support this guy purely because he is stupid and easy to control. If he were to actually take the throne, he would probably be turned into a puppet emperor by the powerful ministers below him in just a few years.

In comparison, Prince Heinz seemed more shrewd and calculating.

At this moment, Xiao Ai, who was sitting opposite Dick, timidly raised one hand, as if she had something to say. Dick looked at her and gestured for her to speak.

"Ask whatever you want. You must be feeling lost since you just arrived here. But don't worry, I won't mess with my own people."

"Transmigrated...transmigrated? Is this another world?"

After a short while, Dick gave a concise explanation of the situation and then asked the two about their experiences before they traveled through time.

Xiao Ai was on her way to school and rushing to catch the subway when she was falling down the stairs. She lost her balance and was about to hit a passerby below when, just before they made contact, she fell into a white light.

Dick briefly recalled the plot of the comic; it seemed to be the accident at the very beginning of the story, when Xiao Ai and the overworked older brother first met. It seemed that thanks to Dick's summons, the overworked older brother luckily avoided the "tragic" fate of being crashed into the hospital by a busty high school girl, and no longer had to worry about not being able to work overtime.

In a sense, this is something to celebrate.

As for Honoka, unfortunately, the world she came from turned out to be a certain terrible fanfiction. Honoka, a high school idol, was tricked by her agency into filming a promotional video for a fan appreciation event, and on her way to the film set, she was transported to this world.

Dick's summons saved her from disaster.

Soon, the group returned to their hotel, where they found that Hongye and Lucoa, who had been sent out by Dick to carry out other missions, had already returned.

When the two saw the new companion Dick brought back, Momiji immediately recognized Honoka.

These two don't interact much in the main works, but they often appear together in fan works.

However, knowing that she had more important business to attend to, Momiji did not exchange many pleasantries with Honoka and whispered in Dick's ear.

"My lord, as you instructed, Lucoa and I, posing as members of the Dead Tree Party, sent out the assassination order. They expect to begin their operation as early as three days from now."

"Well done, thank you for your hard work."

Upon hearing Hongye's report, Dick nodded in satisfaction.

When Dick returned to the capital, he observed things in secret and found that the death of the old crown prince had indeed caused political turmoil. There were undercurrents beneath the surface, but things remained calm on the surface. All the forces were busy reshuffling the deck, but generally maintained the necessary restraint.

It can only be said that although the old aristocracy was corrupt and decadent, the faction leaders who were in charge of the overall situation were all people who were used to restraint and composure, and would not use force unless absolutely necessary.

But Dick knew that while the old guys were patient, the younger generation might not be.

What Dick needed to do was to add fuel to the fire in this turbulent situation and accelerate the process.

When Dick killed Hammuradi, he obtained Hammuradi's spatial ring, which contained more than two hundred of Hammuradi's diaries.

Because of their long lifespan, elves generally have the habit of keeping diaries to prevent forgetting.

Dick spent a long time reading these diaries to learn about Hammuradi and the Dead Tree Party he had built. In addition, intelligence obtained from interrogating other prisoners allowed Dick to learn the contact methods of Dead Tree Party members in various places.

So Dick had Red Leaf and Lucoa impersonate the spirits of the Dead Tree Party and leave a signal in their own way, under the guise of the organization's elders, to issue an assassination list containing the main figures of various factions in the capital.

But that wasn't all. After issuing the assassination order to the Dry Tree Party, Hongye went to send a letter of warning to the people on the list, telling them to be careful of possible assassinations against them in the near future.

This series of actions serves two purposes: first, it muddies the waters and accelerates political instability in the capital; second, it weakens the power of the "Withered Tree Party," making them the target of public criticism.

You have to understand that Dick killed Hammuradi, who was known as the "King of Assassins," wiped out the pirate fleet of the Sea Tiger Gang, and severely damaged the slave trade of the Dead Tree Party, cutting off their most important source of revenue. The elders of the Dead Tree Party probably wished they could skin him alive.

These guys' revenge is bound to come sooner or later, so Dick might as well strike first!

The methods used were certainly not honorable, but as long as they were effective, that was fine.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the womanizing Duke Rune did not go home that night, but instead went to the home of one of his mistresses in the capital, seemingly oblivious to everyone else.

It was no secret that the Duke kept mistresses; his family knew, but none of his wives said much. As long as no illegitimate children were born, they pretended not to see it.

However, upon arriving at his mistress's house, Rune did not engage in sexual relations with his "canary" kept in the mansion. Instead, he went straight to the inner chamber of the mansion and met Prince Heinz, who had just come from the Academy of Hennessy.

Upon seeing the other party, the Duke, whose usually stern and unsmiling face showed an unusually gentle smile, spoke in a soft and relaxed tone.

"Is talent even meaningful?"

"It's alright, I saw him."

Rune naturally knew who the "he" Heinz was referring to was. He sat down opposite Heinz, glanced at the pendant the other was playing with in his hand, and then began to speak to himself.

"Our plans are basically complete. Now we just need to wait and see. At this stage, it's a matter of who loses their temper first. The Third Prince is a good one to stick his neck out. When the old crown prince was still alive, he didn't dare to have any ambitions for the throne. Now that he's suddenly been hit by a windfall, he's gotten so cocky that he's forgotten his own name."

"Indeed, he is eager to prove his abilities to the outside world, but he doesn't realize that the more he does, the faster his true level will be exposed. However, his situation can be considered a result of the old emperor's deliberate actions."

"Let him make a scene. The bigger the commotion, the better. Cannon fodder should act like cannon fodder. As for Dick, we've only met once, so let's not get too close for now."

"Yes, Father."

Chapter 106: A Dream on the Edge

The next morning, Dick dressed up as an adult and went to attend his investiture ceremony.

The ceremony was held in the council hall of the Imperial Palace. It was not just Dick who participated, but several newly promoted nobles. The emperor himself personally conferred titles upon the new nobles.

It is worth mentioning that at the beginning of the empire, it was not only the royal family that had the power to confer new noble titles. Nobles of the three ranks of duke, marquis, and earl could also confer new noble titles on their own. However, the highest title they could confer could only be three ranks lower than their own.

In other words, a count could bestow the title of viscount, a marquis the title of baron, and a count the title of knight. These nobles, appointed by the higher-ranking nobles themselves, became known as the "lower-ranking nobles."

But this leads to the classic problem for the royal family: my vassal's vassal is not my vassal.

Later, during the reign of Hesse III, the empire attempted to further centralize power and strengthen the court's ability to manage local areas. As a result, the power of investiture was taken back from the upper nobility and changed to only be able to invest knights, with a limit on the number of investitures depending on the rank of the knight.

The royal family's original intention was to ensure that all nobles within the empire would be loyal only to the emperor, the supreme commander. However, in reality, the royal family's reforms were purely wishful thinking.

The entire ceremony was tedious and long in Dick's eyes. The royal band's accompaniment did sound grand and impressive at first, but by the third time it was played, it sounded to Dick like a damn funeral dirge.

Dick met Hesse VII, the king who reigned for an exceptionally long time and outlived his eldest son, in the main hall.

Thanks to his very thin dragon bloodline from the Dragonsleep Valley family, Black Forest VII looks slightly younger than his actual age. At first glance, he looks like a "young man in his early sixties," sitting on a high golden throne, looking down at the masses below with a detached expression.

In addition, the empire's youngest fifth prince also arrived, standing next to King Hessen VII. He was even given a small silver chair, and King Hessen VII would occasionally turn his head to look at his youngest son, showing him great affection.

However, for some reason, Dick felt that there was something wrong with the way Hesse VII looked at him.

It wasn't the look a father gives his son, nor was it some kind of bad habit; rather, it was a feeling that was hard to describe in a short time.

After the investiture ceremony, Dick officially became Earl of Lagug, effectively establishing his own household. From then on, he no longer needed to regularly report on the progress of his territory to the head of the family.

However, after becoming a lord from a governor, while gaining independence, the increase in power also meant an increase in obligations and burdens.

It is worth mentioning that after Dick received his investiture, before he even left the main hall, he was stopped by an unfamiliar official who arrogantly handed him a document.

"The cabinet has decided that, starting in the second half of this year, cold iron production must be increased by 50%."

"Fifty percent!?"

"No matter what method you use, this target must be met."

After the official finished speaking, he turned and left without giving Dick any chance to speak.

Lagug has no shortage of cold iron ore, a byproduct of the winter god Ajax's underground slumber. As long as the winter god exists, this ore, generated from the overflow of divine power, will be inexhaustible. However, mining cold iron ore is very difficult, and increasing production means investing more manpower.

Dick pondered to himself that this sudden surge in production was either a deliberate attempt by someone in the Empire's upper echelons to make things difficult for him, or something else entirely.

The empire is planning to use force abroad; it's time to start building up its military and preparing for war!

After leaving the palace, Dick returned to the Duke's mansion and received "congratulations" from his relatives at a family dinner. After the meal, he was summoned to the Duke's study, as if he had some private words to say.

Dick thought that his adoptive father was going to give him a warning, reminding him not to forget the family's nurturing and kindness, so that he could continue to remotely control Lagug in the future.

But the Duke's first words completely surprised Dick.

"Dick, from now on, try not to have any contact with your family."

“Father, I… I don’t understand what you mean.”

"What I mean is that you should avoid suspicion and stay away from the cannibalistic vortex of the capital. You're not ready to get involved in the struggles here yet. I want you to develop well in Laguge. You have at least three years to accumulate strength. Don't worry about the population issue; someone will take care of that for you."

While patiently instructing Dick on how to manage the territory, the Duke strolled to the bookshelf, opened a hidden compartment, took out a black box, and handed it to Dick.

"Here's a small gift to congratulate you on becoming a count. Keep it safe and open it when you return to Lagug."

Dick took the box with both hands, and suddenly felt a little unfamiliar with the old duke in front of him. The old duke wanted to reach out, as if he wanted to pat Dick's head, but his hand hovered in mid-air, and he finally withdrew it in a huff.

“My child, I know you harbor resentment towards me. For the past eighteen years, you have walked on thin ice in this family. I have never given you any overt care. But in my heart, I acknowledge you. You are my son, Rune Best, and you will become a remarkable nobleman!”

"I have never resented my father."

Hearing Dick's words, the Duke smiled wistfully. He was well aware of how unappealing his image was in Dick's eyes, but some things were not yet ready to be said.

After a brief silence, the Duke waved to Dick.

"It's getting late, you should go back now. It would be best to set off first thing tomorrow morning and return to your territory as soon as possible."

"I will leave the capital as soon as possible. Please take care, Father."

"Go."

After storing the black box given to him by the Duke into his spatial bracelet, Dick immediately left the study. He had just turned the corner when he encountered the First Lady approaching. Dick nodded slightly in acknowledgment, but she merely snorted coldly, showing no sign of giving him a friendly look, just as before.

Dick was already used to this, so he didn't care much.

But just as Dick was about to leave, his second sister Nora suddenly found him and asked with a grin.

"Hey bro, I heard you participated in the Talent Show yesterday and summoned two super pretty Earth girls. Is that true?"

Dick understood Nora's intention almost instantly, but still pretended to be clueless and asked in return.

"Second sister, why are you asking this?"

"We siblings have a pretty good relationship, haven't we? I even helped you when your second brother and the others bullied you. So, since you got two beauties for free, why don't you share one with your older sister?"

"Hehe, Second Sister, you're dreaming!"

Chapter 107: Xiao Ai's Path to Growth

At the end of September, even though the capital city is in a temperate zone, the temperature was already a bit chilly.

Dick packed his bags and prepared to return to Laguge with some gifts. Who knows when he will be able to come back again?

"Brother, farewell, take care."

"Have a safe journey, Fifth Brother."

On the main road outside the capital city gates, the eldest son, Reinhardt, saw Dick off on behalf of the busy Duke.

Reinhardt glanced behind Dick and saw that he had only brought a mere thirty men with him, plus a woman who looked like she couldn't even kill a chicken. He frowned deeply. He tried to say something several times, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.

Under his complicated gaze, Dick boarded the carriage and headed towards the canal docks in the suburbs.

"Do you think we'll encounter an ambush on our way back, just like last year?"

"I think if nothing unexpected happens, then something unexpected is definitely going to happen."

"Uh... what ambush? What are you talking about?"

As the only ordinary person in the carriage without any fighting ability, Xiao Ai felt a little uneasy listening to Dick and Rita's conversation. Sui Xiang, on the other hand, confidently clenched her fists, indicating that she would protect everyone if they encountered bad guys.

Dick smiled and took out a bunch of magic charms from his spatial bracelet and handed them to the two of them.

"These are magical amulets; they can save your life in critical moments, so be sure to wear them close to your body."

Taking the amulet from Dick, Xiao Ai immediately put it around her neck. Then, feeling a little uneasy, she tucked the pendant into her collar before patting her ample chest in relief and thanking Dick.

"Thank you, Dick-kun... Ah! Should I... should I call you Master-sama?"

"Call me that when there are outsiders around, but just call me Dick in private."

"Okay, Mr. Dick."

As a Japanese person, Ai's acceptance of being transported to another world is quite high. Although she has only been here for less than three days, she has already regained her composure. She also has a good impression of Dick, who summoned her here. Although he occasionally shows a mischievous smile, he doesn't seem like an evil person.

In stark contrast to his youthful appearance, Dick is a complete adult at heart. Especially when he is deep in thought, his cool and slightly melancholic demeanor, combined with his handsome mixed-race elven face, is quite captivating to girls of almost all ages.

Xiao Ai thought she liked older, mature men, but now that she's met Dick, who is young on the outside but mature on the inside, she finds herself more attracted to this type!

The relationship between master and maid... does that mean there will be nighttime service...? Ahhh!