The royal decree arrived sealed in gold.
Prince Arin Eldoria was officially appointed as the acting lord of Trevik Territory.
Along with Blackridge, he now controlled two regions.
For a prince once considered useless, this was unprecedented.
The news spread quickly.
Some nobles were shocked.
Some were envious.
Some were afraid.
In Blackridge's council hall, Arin gathered his core members.
"This is our chance," he said. "But also our greatest risk."
Kelsin unrolled a map.
"Trevik Territory is larger than Blackridge, but poorly managed. Corruption is everywhere."
Selene added, "The people don't trust nobles anymore."
Lyra nodded. "Mana infrastructure is outdated."
Rynor crossed his arms. "And their soldiers are undisciplined."
Arin listened quietly.
"Then we rebuild," he said.
Within a week, inspection teams were sent.
Auditors.
Engineers.
Military instructors.
Medical staff.
All loyal to Arin.
He personally visited the territory soon after.
Trevik City was crowded but decaying.
Roads were cracked.
Warehouses empty.
Guards lazy.
Citizens wary.
As Arin rode through the streets, few bowed.
Most only watched cautiously.
At the administrative office, former officials waited nervously.
Arin addressed them directly.
"I am not here to punish blindly," he said. "Serve honestly, and you stay. Cheat, and you're gone."
Fear and relief mixed in their eyes.
That night, Kael reported.
"Three departments are deeply corrupt."
"Replace them," Arin said calmly.
"And arrest the worst offenders."
By dawn, several officials were imprisoned.
Public notices were posted.
Transparency laws.
Tax reforms.
Fair trade policies.
Within days, merchants began returning.
Prices stabilized.
Smuggling declined.
Rynor restructured the military.
Lazy officers were dismissed.
Talented soldiers promoted.
Training intensified.
Lyra rebuilt the mana network.
New crystals.
Improved barriers.
Better lighting.
Selene negotiated with local families.
Turning former enemies into partners.
Meanwhile, Arin walked among the people.
He visited farms.
Workshops.
Hospitals.
Listened to complaints personally.
Gradually, suspicion softened.
Hope appeared.
Two months later, results were visible.
Crime dropped.
Production rose.
Food reserves doubled.
The system activated quietly.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Territory Stabilized]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Administrative Efficiency +15%]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Popular Support Gained]
One evening, Arin stood on Trevik City's wall.
Kelsin joined him.
"You've changed everything," Kelsin said.
Arin shook his head. "We've changed it."
Far away, in the imperial capital, reports piled up.
"A prince governing two territories successfully…"
"A new power base forming…"
Eyes were watching.
Closer than ever.
And the next stage of his rise was about to begin.