C14 The Unexpected Harvests after the Appointment

The Bloomfield Region, nestled in the Middle Continent, lies to the south of the Sudimant Continent, with its sole port being the city of Magel. Separated by sea from the South Continent, one of the Human Clan's four major landmasses, it initially fell under the dominion of the South Continent's lords.

Not long ago, Emperor Augustus VIII of the Oberiske Empire, the foremost power of the West Continent, led his Empire Army to a resounding victory on the Maryland Plains, an event that went down in history as the "Maryland Victory." This triumph saw the Empire Expeditionary Force crush the South Continent's coalition forces, compelling the nations there to negotiate peace, thereby allowing the Western lords to extend their reach into these lands.

However, this was not a lasting peace but merely a ceasefire, as the underlying conflicts of interest remained unresolved. It was inevitable that the South and West Continents would engage in large-scale warfare again in the future.

Currently, both parties are covertly building their strength, biding their time for the next opportunity to weaken their adversary. This ongoing tension has little bearing on Prince Ostar. As it stands, the Bloomfield Domain appears to lack any lucrative spoils for the taking.

Ostar is convinced that when war eventually breaks out in the southwest, no military leader would foolishly target this strategically insignificant region. At most, they would capture the strategic port city of Magel. A key consideration is the fierce nature of the local populace; even the high-spirited Oberiske Empire Expeditionary Force, despite their sacrifices numbering in the tens of thousands, failed to subjugate the area—a fact well-known to both the West and South Continents, deterring any foolhardy attempts at conquest.

Ostar glanced at the manila map in his hands. The Bloomfield Region's vast expanse is, without a doubt, the largest fiefdom parceled out since Emperor Augustus VIII's reign began.

Among the nine imperial family members, Ostar's lands are the most expansive. Yet, the start has been challenging, with a populous that largely defies governance. Without effective control over such a broad territory, a lord is nothing more than a figurehead in name only.

Emperor Augustus VIII had initially intended to bestow the vast Bloomfield Territory upon his chosen successor, Eldest Prince Oswald. However, the territory proved too unwieldy to manage.

Left with no alternative, Emperor Augustus VIII feared that the Eldest Prince might not be able to handle the territory on his own, potentially tarnishing the heir's reputation. In a last-minute decision, the Emperor opted to pass the territory to Prince Ostar, effectively making the Third Prince the scapegoat, tasked with handling this proverbial hot potato.

"Lord Ostar, there's a small cabin over there that appears to be your Lord's Mansion. Would you like to check it out?" someone suggested.

"Lord Ostar, there's someone inside the cabin, but it's no cause for concern. They're likely one of our own," another voice added.

"Alright, I'll take a look! A cabin is better than nothing, after all," Ostar replied.

Guided by his maids, Chris and Yulia, Ostar eventually came upon a modestly constructed wooden house on the outskirts of the Bloomfield Territory. The cabin was unassuming, and if not for the Oberiske Empire's flag fluttering nearby, no one would guess it served as the Lord's Mansion.

The situation was far from ideal. After a crushing defeat, the Empire Army was unable to subdue the local inhabitants, making it impossible to establish the Lord's Mansion at the heart of the territory. The fact that the cabin was built on the border's periphery was already a significant concession from the locals.

Having a cabin for a Lord's Mansion was satisfactory under the circumstances—certainly better than being homeless or resorting to a cave for shelter. Yet, Emperor Augustus VIII's frugality was evident; despite being his son, Ostar found himself without a single person to oversee the territory.

In other princes' territories, a Lord's Mansion would typically be staffed with personnel awaiting the new lord's arrival. Only after the official handover would the new lord decide whether to retain or dismiss these staff members.

In stark contrast, the temporary Lord's Mansion of the Third Prince lacked any personnel to facilitate the transition, leaving Ostar to wonder if he had been singled out by Emperor Augustus VIII. His unique circumstances stood out among the nine princes who had received new fiefdoms and lordships, marked by an excess of targeted characteristics.

"Are you... the new Lord arriving in the Bloomfield Territory?"

"Yes, lovely miss, may I inquire as to who you are? Have we previously made each other's acquaintance? Could you share your name with me?"

"As time goes by, we'll get to know each other well. I'm Gonias, a part-time maid here. I assist the Lord with various tasks within my capabilities and engage in magical research and crafts during my spare moments."

Upon encountering the individual inside the cabin, Ostar's face underwent a dramatic shift, the shadows in his heart vanishing in a flash. The young woman, known as the Lord's maid, was undeniably eye-catching, though not possessing the devastating beauty of Chris and her two companions. Nevertheless, in the wider world, she would certainly be considered dangerously enchanting. Her voice perpetually carried a fragile quality, acting as a catalyst for temptation.

Gonias introduced herself as a maid, but that was merely the role she claimed. Her true identity and responsibilities extended beyond that. This lovely girl stood at about 166CM, just a touch shorter than Chris and her two impeccably beautiful fellow maids. However, her bust size was on par with theirs, all around a C-cup.

Gonias boasted long, golden hair that cascaded down past her slender waist, shining with a unique golden sheen under the light. Her cheeks were tinged with a hint of pink, her features charming, and her deep blue eyes sparkled against her ivory complexion. Her brows were slightly knit, as if she were attempting to convey a sense of seriousness.

Yet, with her inherently cute and alluring nature, Gonias couldn't quite muster a genuinely stern demeanor. On either side of her head, she sported a small, symmetrical ponytail, reminiscent of a miniature version of twin tails, which only added to her endearing charm.

Adorned with a maid's headdress in a classic black and white motif, Gonias was clad in a full set of Japanese-style maid attire. The ensemble's primary color was black, complemented by a white collar and a pair of petite black ties. The design of her uniform featured a white front, with an open style that subtly revealed her curves and the enticing cleavage that lay beneath.

The lower portion of the Maidservant Uniform was adorned with a white pleated skirt and lace, encircled by a row of white cross patterns. Ostar's gaze drifted lower, revealing the enticing expanse of white legs between the skirt and socks. The ivory-white skin stood out in stark contrast against the black and white of the uniform, the brightness amplified by the visual contrast.

Ostar's attention was particularly captured by the socks Gonias wore, a staple of the lolita-style beauty—a pair of striped stockings composed of alternating shades of black, paired with special long shoes. Despite Gonias not fitting the typical lolita height, her black Maidservant Uniform created a similar effect.

Ostar now felt his investment had paid off handsomely; the mere presence of this servant girl was worth it. Gonias was understating her role; her identity as a maid was merely a convenient explanation due to her attire. The uniform itself exuded a magical essence, a rare piece of magical equipment, and Gonias, adept in magic, had crafted the clothes herself.

Though Gonias' overall combat prowess didn't reach the terrifying heights of Chris and the others, she was a formidable force capable of holding her own across any continent. Since Gonias had spent her life in the Middle Continent, she remained an enigma to outsiders.

Her Maidservant Uniform, brimming with avant-garde elements, nearly led Prince Ostar to believe that the captivating young woman before him, like himself, might be a Transmigrator.

"What are you looking at, Lord Ostar? Given the materials, I can create a variety of attractive and practical garments. And for the three beautiful ladies accompanying you, I can craft any stunning attire they desire."

"Cough, cough, legs... I wasn't looking at anything, Gonias. You were the local representative who negotiated with the Empire Army, correct?"

"Yes, it was me who negotiated with your country's forces. Initially, your emperor seemed intent on passing this region to his eldest son, but then he had a change of heart. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, he used a magic doll for the negotiations."

Gonias was forthright, informing Ostar that she had indeed represented the local residents in peace talks with the invading forces of the Oberiske Empire. At that time, she had utilized a magic puppet to engage with the Empire Army's upper echelons, with her voice altered and her true appearance concealed.

Emperor Augustus VIII initially believed that an elderly witch was the mastermind controlling the magic puppets from behind the scenes. Consequently, he chose not to grant the Bloomfield Region to his eldest son, Oswald. However, it turned out to be a stroke of luck for Ostar, who inadvertently gained a stunningly beautiful assistant with exceptional abilities.

The Bloomfield Region is home to many diverse tribes, each speaking their own arcane and challenging languages. Gonias, who moonlights as a translator for the local lord, has an impressive command of all the languages and scripts across the Middle Continent. She's also proficient in the languages of the Human Clan Continent and the Alien Clan Continent, making her a once-in-a-millennium linguistic prodigy.

Gonias herself admits that she's lost count of the number of languages and scripts she knows. To date, there hasn't been a language or script she couldn't translate.

Gonias is discerning when it comes to whom she assists. Had any other prince arrived today, she would have sent a magical puppet in her stead. However, she chose to meet with Ostar in person, swayed by the formidable and mysterious combat prowess of his entourage—Chris and her two fellow maidservants. It was an exception she was willing to make.

A lord is essential for the Bloomfield Region due to various intrinsic factors. A fundamental requirement for anyone aspiring to rule here is the power to command respect and maintain order. While Prince Ostar himself lacked this, his three maidservants possessed the necessary strength, paving the way for this momentous encounter.

"Gonias, you must be well-acquainted with the local situation. Are the natives difficult to communicate with?" asked Lord Ostar.

"Lord Ostar, there's definitely been a misunderstanding. Everyone here is quite approachable. It's just that there are some acute conflicts that will require your skills and authority to resolve. If I may be so bold, your interests... they lean towards beautiful girls, don't they?" Gonias inquired.

"Yes, I have a fondness for ladies. Surely you don't think I'd prefer men?" Ostar replied with a hint of humor.

"Then there's no issue. If you have some time now, I'll guide you and the ladies to acquaint yourselves with the intricacies of the territory."