Lowell shook his head furiously and asked back.
"Y-You're saying to keep printing money?"
"Yeah! Just keep releasing it and adjust as needed! That way, it can go on forever! There's no way the current money supply can keep up with the ever-increasing production anyway! We need something to replace gold coins!"
"You're talking crazy just to pay off your debt, and yet you're being so serious about it…."
Lowell, who was about to curse, suddenly paused.
What if that plan actually worked?
'We could grip and control the continent's economy in our hands!'
Looking at the current situation, it seemed inevitable that Lutania's currency would be used across the continent. At first, because Lutania would guarantee its value and it would also be highly portable.
Though it was an economic system created due to debt, it was an astonishingly bold method.
If the kingdom kept printing money, its debt would grow endlessly. Once it started, it would become an unstoppable cart.
'C-Could that really work? But it actually might? Maybe it could even run the nation more effectively….'
Unlike gold and silver currency, money could now be printed infinitely.
And that meant the state could artificially control the issuance of currency.
If they secured the lead, other kingdoms would become economically dependent on the Lutania Kingdom.
'T-This doesn't seem entirely impossible?'
If it succeeded, it would transform from a real economy to a credit-based economy.
And that credit would be backed by Lutania's military strength and production power.
But how would they settle this new system? Would people really believe that pieces of paper were money?
As Lowell was lost in thought, Claude grabbed him by both shoulders and shook him while shouting.
"I'm telling you it's possible! I've thought it through over and over! So let's just take out some money first! Or get lost!"
"D-Do you really think that'll work?!"
"Make them believe! If people believe it, then it becomes money!"
"Y-You're insane…."
While the two were arguing, a soldier rushed in and shouted.
"Y-Your Grace, the Grand Duke has arrived!"
"Huh?"
Claude, who looked like a beggar, flinched and snapped his head around. The last person he wanted to see right now had shown up.
Sure enough, Ghislain was approaching with his knights.
Ghislain clicked his tongue when he saw Claude grabbing Lowell by the collar.
"What's this? What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be out hunting bandits?"
"Uh, uh, w-well… that is…."
Caught red-handed, Claude froze at the sight of Ghislain. But his mouth soon moved smoothly.
"The newly annexed region's people were severely exploited and couldn't settle down properly. So I hurried to secure funds from Limhal to provide support…"
His tongue had already reached a masterful level. Lowell looked at Claude with an exasperated expression.
Ghislain smirked. It was obvious why Claude was here.
But he didn't let it show. That way, Claude would work even harder.
Instead, he turned to Lowell and asked.
"Inspecting the area?"
"Yes! That's right. But the head butler here is currently…"
Lowell decided to tattle. He could think about the new currency later.
However, Ghislain got to the point first.
"There's a lot of money here, right?"
"Uh? Yes, a lot. This is probably where the most cash is stockpiled in the kingdom."
"Leave only the minimum operating costs, and prepare to take the rest."
"A-All that money?"
"Yeah. We need it."
Claude and Lowell were dumbfounded.
While one side always seemed short on funds, the other was as bold as ever when it came to spending.
Feeling unfair, Claude immediately protested.
"Why are you always thinking about spending money? Do you know how many expenses there are these days? We need to save money! Don't you save at all?"
Lowell looked at Claude like he had lost his mind. Of all people, Claude had no right to say that.
Ghislain answered confidently.
"I've never saved money even once in my life."
Belinda, standing beside him, closed her eyes and nodded. Even as a child, he spent his allowance as soon as he got it.
"...."
Claude and Lowell shut their mouths. Hearing someone talk so confidently made it hard to argue back.
Ghislain continued with a "what's the problem" look.
"If we run out of money, we'll just get more. You need to spend boldly when it's time to spend."
Hearing how casually he said it, Claude asked.
"W-Where will you get it from?"
"From somewhere. Someone's bound to have money. Or there's got to be something valuable somewhere."
"...."
Lowell looked back and forth between Ghislain and Claude.
One was saying to print money because there wasn't enough, and the other acted like the world was overflowing with money. It was truly hard to follow their logic.
The listeners were dumbfounded, but Ghislain was completely serious.
In his past life, he had lived as a mercenary, roaming battlefields without a single penny.
Back then, survival came first, and money was the least of his concerns.
With or without money, Ghislain had always managed to survive.
"I'm the kind of man who can be happy without money and happier with money."
"........"
Money problems were always left to others—Claude, Lowell, or Rozalin.
Ghislain urged them with an indifferent expression.
"So hurry up and bring it all. I need a lot of money right now."
"What's it for?"
"To develop the Forest of Demonic Beasts. Hiring workers, paying soldiers, buying materials… there's a lot to spend on."
"And you're spending that much? All at once?"
"If we're going to push through, we need to spend big."
Ghislain grinned. Spending money boldly was his job, just like pushing through with overwhelming force.
For some time, he had been tied up with post-war cleanup and had no chance to move his body. In the meantime, he focused entirely on training.
He had combined the techniques of the warriors he saw in his dreams with his swordsmanship. As a result, his skills improved, and he could now wield his willpower more easily.
'And I've been dreaming more frequently too.'
He had witnessed countless battles between the warriors and apostles of that era, between Hero and Adversary. Upon waking from these dreams, he constantly compared their swordsmanship with his own and trained tirelessly.
As for the saintess, she had remained silent ever since. There were even times when she didn't appear at all.
Most of what he saw in his dreams revolved around combat. It felt as if the dreams were urging him to grow even stronger.
And Ghislain was more than meeting those expectations.
Because of that, his body itched to move. When one's abilities rise, it's only natural to want to test their strength.
Ghislain asked Claude.
"You coming along?"
"No. I've got a lot to do. I need to head out again to subdue bandits and keep working on the new economic system."
"Hmm, a new economic system? Sounds interesting. Let me know when it's ready."
"Sure."
Lowell debated whether to intervene but ultimately chose to stay silent. Once the finer details were in place, he could review them properly.
For now, it was a relief that Claude wouldn't be able to take the money.
"Alright, both of you, keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir."
Claude let out a sigh of relief. It seemed his embezzlement of military funds hadn't been discovered yet.
The truth, however, was that everyone already knew—except Claude.
When Ghislain issued a public notice after collecting the money, a massive crowd of laborers flocked in.
Everyone in the kingdom knew that working under Ghislain meant big rewards.
"We can't miss out on this!"
"If you work, you'll get paid a fortune!"
"His Grace always spends big when it's time to spend. I heard he doesn't even save."
"That really suits him!"
As news of Ghislain's land development project spread, the northern lords let out deep sighs.
Count Zimbar, whose territory bordered Perdium, looked particularly distressed.
"Sigh… Everything just keeps going wrong."
He had once formed the Northern Alliance to attack Amelia's rear. Most of the lords who joined him had died, but he managed to escape and survive.
He had lost a significant portion of his forces then. Even the troops he later rebuilt were swayed by Ghislain's talks, empathy, and persuasion, ending up under his command once more.
The Northern Alliance had disbanded on the very day it was formed—a humiliating defeat.
"Why won't he return the troops…?"
In the northern territories, all troops, except those needed to maintain security, had been conscripted into the northern army.
Yet, the northern army hadn't disbanded. They thought it would dissolve after the war, but Ghislain had retained it under the pretext of maintaining stability within the kingdom.
With no real tasks, the northern lords frequently gathered in Zimbar territory to socialize, sharing similar sighs of frustration.
The world had become more peaceful, the people supported Ghislain, and even the soldiers were satisfied. If they demanded their troops back now, they'd be seen as shameless opportunists.
"We'd probably be dead if he hadn't taken our troops."
"Count Desmond would've killed us, or maybe Duke Delphine."
"Or even Countess Rayfold."
Ultimately, having their troops forcibly conscripted had been a blessing in disguise. They avoided participating in the civil war and survived the conflict unscathed.
Not only that, but they also survived drought, plague, and rifts without issue—all without lifting a finger.
On top of that, they received substantial financial and food support for running their territories, so they had no choice but to be satisfied.
Now, they turned their focus elsewhere.
"Let's recruit as many laborers as we can through public notices."
"We need to send as many workers from our lands as possible."
"The north is closer to the Forest of Demonic Beasts, so it's convenient for development."
Their goal was to collect more taxes through the labor force.
Fortunately, a massive number of workers applied. While pleased, they couldn't help but feel bitter about Ghislain's growing popularity.
In the end, ten thousand workers were recruited from across the kingdom. Even children tried to join, causing delays as they had to be sent home.
The workers immediately started expanding the garrison in the Forest of Demonic Beasts. With such a large workforce, supplies became a critical factor.
Meanwhile, forty thousand elite northern troops prepared to join the development efforts.
Thanks to the laborers' help, the garrison was completed quickly, and the northern army finished its preparations for deployment.
As the forty-thousand-strong northern force marched into the Forest of Demonic Beasts, Ghislain looked over them and smiled.
"I don't have much to say this time. It shouldn't be too difficult, but don't let your guard down."
"Waaaaah!"
Morale soared to the heavens. Having overcome countless adversities, the army no longer feared the Forest of Demonic Beasts.
Skovan and Ricardo watched the majestic army with nostalgic expressions.
"Wow. The first time we went in, we only had a handful of mercenaries."
"The second time was better, though. We had a decent number."
"This time, it's overwhelming."
Skovan turned his head to see Elena proudly mounted on a massive horse.
Because of her giant hammer, most horses couldn't handle her weight, so they had scoured the entire kingdom to find a suitable steed.
"Our princess has changed a lot. She said she wanted to become a graceful lady."
"That kind of blood doesn't just disappear."
"True… Let's just do our best to keep up."
The northern army marched confidently into the forest. Since they had already cleared the area where Queen of Greggs had been defeated, advancing was relatively easy.
This time, their goal was to reach the forest's center. After that, they planned to gradually develop the area from the entrance onward.
They intended to scorch the surroundings on their way to the center, which was why the laborers followed closely behind.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With so many people clearing the forest, massive trees fell quickly.
Most monsters didn't dare approach. A few crazy ones tried but were slaughtered as soon as they got close.
Upon reaching a new area, the northern army discovered something dazzling.
They found crimson crystals emitting an ominous aura, scattered across a wide area.
The soldiers murmured among themselves.
"Are those gems?"
"Can we take them?"
"They look kind of creepy…"
As they hesitated, the crystals suddenly began to tremble.
Rumble…
The crystals started to rise. Before they knew it, they formed massive, humanoid shapes.
Some even resembled lions.
Creak, creak, creak!
The sound of grinding echoed as the crystal creatures moved.
They began advancing toward the intruders who had invaded their territory.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Hundreds of massive crystal monsters were on the move.
In the past, they might have panicked at such unknown creatures, but this time, they had overwhelming numbers.
Everyone naturally assumed combat stances.
Watching leisurely, Belinda commented.
"Monsters appeared."
"We can't call them monsters anymore."
"Then what do we call them?"
Ghislain grinned.
"Money."
After all, there was always something valuable to be found somewhere.