《The Reluctant Lord of Duskwatch》 Prologue: The Reluctant Lord of Duskwatch
LucianVeilwood never wanted responsibility. He had perfected the fine art of doing just enough to pass as competent while ensuring no one ever expected much from him. His greatest ambition in life? A quiet, uneventful existence where he could sleep until noon and avoid anything resembling effort. Which is why, when the Emperor himself assigned Lucian as the Lord of Duskwatch County, he was convinced there had been a mistake. "Duskwatch? That abandoned wasteland at the edge of the empire? That Duskwatch?" Lucian had asked, half-hoping someone would correct the clerical error. The royal messenger, a stiff-backed bureaucrat with the personality of damp parchment, merely nodded. "Yes, Lord Veilwood. His Majesty has deemed it appropriate for you to oversee its restoration." Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Restoration? That implied the place was worth fixing. Lucian recalled vague rumors about Duskwatch¡ªbad soil, frequent bandit raids, and a tax system so convoluted that even the Imperial Treasury had given up on collecting dues. In short, the kind of place no sane noble wanted to govern. Lucian sighed. He had two choices: refuse the position and risk angering the Emperor (a famously short-tempered man), or accept the role and pray that the county was so far gone that no one would care what he did there. The latter seemed less likely to result in execution. Barely. "Fine," he said. "I¡¯ll take it. But don¡¯t expect miracles." The messenger bowed and left, leaving Lucian to pack for what he expected to be the most miserable experience of his life. Little did he know, his half-hearted attempts to avoid responsibility were about to make him the most legendary ruler Duskwatch had ever seen.
Chapter 1: The Tax-Free Miracle
Lucian arrived in Duskwatch expecting a barren wasteland. Instead, he found¡­ well, a barren wasteland, but one that glared at him with the accusing eyes of starving peasants and desperate merchants. He had barely set foot inside the crumbling town hall when his newly appointed treasurer, Dorian Lockewood, practically threw himself at Lucian¡¯s feet. "My lord! The treasury is empty, the granaries are bare, and the tax collectors have been fleeing for months! What shall we do?" This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Lucian, still exhausted from the journey, waved a lazy hand. "Forget the taxes." Silence. Dorian blinked. "Pardon?" "Forget the taxes. Stop collecting them." A beat passed. Then two. Then three. Dorian¡¯s expression transformed from sheer horror to pure awe. "My lord¡­ that is¡­ revolutionary!" Lucian yawned. "Great. Problem solved. Someone get me a bed." Little did he realize, his offhand remark would spark the single greatest economic revival Duskwatch had ever seen.
Chapter 2: Law and (Dis)Order Lucian woke up to shouting outside his window. He groaned, burying his face deeper into the dusty pillow. "Five more minutes¡­" The shouting grew louder. "My lord! There¡¯s chaos in the streets!" Dorian burst into the room, looking unusually frantic. "With the tax system abolished, there¡¯s no enforcement for trade disputes, land claims, or even common theft! People don¡¯t know what to do!" Lucian sat up, rubbing his eyes. "So what? Let them figure it out." Stolen story; please report. Dorian hesitated. "You mean¡­ let them mediate their own problems? Decentralized law enforcement? A self-governing judicial structure?" "Sure," Lucian muttered, already pulling the blanket back over his head. "If it means I don¡¯t have to do it, then yeah, sounds great." Dorian gasped. "My lord, this is¡ªthis is unprecedented! A system where the people themselves negotiate and uphold justice, without the need for endless bureaucratic oversight?" He turned and ran out of the room, shouting, "The lord has spoken! Justice shall be reformed!" Lucian groaned. "Why do I feel like this is going to be another problem later?" Chapter 3: The Accidental Militia Lucian¡¯s premonition proved correct. Within a week, he was once again woken by Dorian bursting into his chambers. "My lord!" Lucian grumbled into his pillow. "I swear, Dorian, if this is another problem¡ª" "It¡¯s about the city¡¯s safety! With no centralized law enforcement, we have no way to keep order!" Lucian sighed. "Didn¡¯t I tell people to handle their own problems?" "Yes, but¡ª" Dorian paused, wringing his hands. "Well, the people took your words to heart. A group of merchants, former soldiers, and even some reformed bandits have taken it upon themselves to maintain peace. They¡¯re calling themselves the ¡®Duskwatch Militia.¡¯" Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Lucian finally sat up. "So¡­ people are just keeping each other in check now?" "Yes! And what¡¯s more, they¡¯ve started training! The blacksmiths are forging weapons, hunters are teaching archery, and a retired knight has stepped in as their leader." Lucian blinked. "Wait, what?"Dorian cleared his throat. "Elaine Stormcrest, a former knight of the royal order. She was dishonorably discharged¡­ for starting a tavern brawl." Lucian blinked. "Wait. Our militia is being led by someone who got kicked out for being too violent?" "In her defense," Dorian muttered, "the fight was against corrupt officials." "They say it¡¯s all under your vision, my lord. A self-sustaining defense force, independent from imperial oversight!" Lucian dragged a hand down his face. "Fantastic. Next thing you¡¯ll tell me, we have a standing army." Dorian beamed. "Well, not yet, but at this rate¡­" Lucian groaned. "Why do I feel like this is going to be an even bigger problem later?" Chapter 3.5: A Moment of Reflection That evening, Lucian took an uncharacteristic walk through Duskwatch. A young girl ran up to him, clutching a loaf of fresh bread. "Thank you, my lord! My mother says we have food now because of you!" Lucian blinked. "I¡­ I just cancelled taxes." "You made it so we could keep what we worked for!" she beamed, running off before he could respond. Lucian stood there for a moment, watching the bustling town that was somehow, impossibly, thriving. A flicker of something unfamiliar settled in his chest. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Elaine, leaning against a post nearby, smirked. "Starting to feel like a real lord yet?" Lucian sighed. "I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing." She shrugged. "Maybe. But it¡¯s working." He studied her for a moment. "You were a knight. Why didn¡¯t you try to get reinstated?" Elaine chuckled. "I like it here. Chaos suits me. Besides, I don¡¯t need a fancy title to make a difference." Lucian scoffed. "So you¡¯re saying you enjoy the madness?" She grinned. "Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m not interested in boring leadership. And you, my lord, are anything but boring." Nearby, Dorian watched the exchange with a contemplative look. He adjusted his glasses, exhaling slowly. "Maybe I¡¯m starting to believe in this place after all," he muttered under his breath.
Chapter 4: Noble Eyes Upon Duskwatch Word of Duskwatch¡¯s sudden rise was beginning to spread. Merchants whispered of a land with no taxes, while nobles scoffed at the idea of governance by sheer negligence. But one noble in particular found the rumors too enticing to ignore. At a grand banquet in the capital, Duke Reinhardt leaned back in his chair, swirling a goblet of wine. "I hear Duskwatch is¡­ prospering. Under a man who claims no ambition. Curious, isn¡¯t it?" If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Another noble scoffed. "It must be a farce. A lucky streak at best." Reinhardt smirked. "Perhaps. But luck has a way of becoming power. I think it¡¯s time we took a closer look at this ¡®Lazy Lord.¡¯" Meanwhile, back in Duskwatch, Lucian sneezed. "Great. That¡¯s usually a bad sign." Interlude 1: A Bureaucrat’s Nightmare Imperial Tax Office, Capital City Scribe Edwin Morley was on the verge of a complete breakdown. He had been a loyal servant of the Imperial Treasury for over a decade. He had handled complex tax reports, resolved accounting errors, and even uncovered fraud rings. But nothing¡ªnothing¡ªcould have prepared him for Duskwatch. His hands trembled as he dipped his quill into the inkwell, composing a letter to his superior.
To: Lord Treasurer Aldwin Grayford Imperial Treasury, Capital City Subject: The Catastrophe That Is Duskwatch¡¯s Tax Records My Lord, I have checked the numbers three times, and they continue to be nonsense. Duskwatch has reported zero taxes collected for the last three months. Normally, this would indicate an economic disaster, widespread poverty, or possibly a revolt. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. However, according to trade records and merchant guild reports, Duskwatch¡¯s economy is thriving. Exports have tripled. Local commerce is booming. Even bandit activity has vanished (which, frankly, raises even more questions). And yet, there are no tax collectors in the region. Because Lord Veilwood abolished taxes. I did not believe this at first. I assumed a clerical error. Perhaps a delay in tax collection? Corruption? Mismanagement? No. The man actually just canceled taxes. And instead of economic collapse, the town is doing better than ever. This goes against every fundamental principle of imperial taxation. I attempted to contact Duskwatch¡¯s tax office. There is no tax office. It has been converted into a bakery. I then reached out to the former tax collectors. They have all resigned. One now runs a successful tea shop. Another has taken up poetry. A third simply left a note saying, "Finally free," and has not been seen since. Lord Grayford, I do not know how to proceed. If this situation continues, other provinces may attempt to follow Duskwatch¡¯s example. If word spreads, the entire tax system could be called into question. I urgently request guidance before this spirals further. Respectfully losing my sanity, Scribe Edwin Morley Imperial Treasury Chapter 5: Spies, Lies, and Unexpected Allies Lucian was midway through a very pleasant nap when Elaine kicked open his door. "My lord, we caught a spy." Lucian groaned. "Of course we did." Elaine dragged a struggling man into the room and shoved him into a chair. The captive was young, panicked, and sweating through his tunic¡ª probably because Elaine had caught him mid-crime and mid-regret. Dorian entered a moment later, looking equally exhausted. "My lord, this man was caught sneaking into the town archives!" Lucian rubbed his temples. "Why does everyone break into the archives? Do they think I hide gold there?" Elaine crossed her arms. "Probably looking for financial records. I bet his employer wants to know how Duskwatch is still running without taxes." The spy flinched. "I¡ªI¡¯m just a humble merchant!" Elaine raised an eyebrow. "A merchant who sneaks into government buildings at midnight?" Lucian sighed. "Alright. Who sent you? And before you say ¡®no one,¡¯ let me remind you that I have a very sharp-tempered knight standing behind you." Elaine grinned and cracked her knuckles for emphasis. The spy swallowed hard. "I¡­ I can¡¯t say." Lucian stared at him. "Fine. Let him go." Elaine and Dorian stared at him. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. "¡­What?" Elaine asked, confused. Lucian stretched. "If he¡¯s a real spy, he¡¯ll report that we¡¯re incompetent and not worth the trouble. If he¡¯s just a merchant, well, he¡¯ll go sell something. Either way, less paperwork for me." Elaine frowned. "You¡¯re¡­ releasing him?" Lucian yawned. "Yep. Open the door, off you go." The spy blinked. "I¡ªwait, you¡¯re not going to interrogate me?" Lucian rested his chin on his hand. "Too much effort. Just make sure to report accurately. I hate misinformation." The room fell silent. Dorian paled. Elaine squinted. The spy swallowed hard. A moment later, the so-called spy ran off, convinced he had just encountered the most dangerous mind in the empire.
The Aftermath The next morning, Elaine leaned against Lucian¡¯s desk, smirking. "So that¡¯s your tactic? A ¡®let the enemy think we don¡¯t care¡¯ strategy?" Lucian, still groggy, sipped his tea. "Tactic? No. I just didn¡¯t want to deal with the hassle." Dorian looked utterly exhausted. "Well, your ¡®non-strategy¡¯ is working. The spy you released? He ran straight out of town, and I hear he looked absolutely terrified." Lucian blinked. "Huh. Guess he really was bad at his job." Dorian hesitated. "Or¡­ he thinks you¡¯re terrifying." Elaine chuckled. "That works in our favor, doesn¡¯t it?" Dorian rubbed his temples. "It means word will spread that you saw through the spy immediately and let him go on purpose¡ªwhich sounds like something a calculating mastermind would do." Lucian groaned. "I swear, I¡¯m not doing this on purpose." Elaine grinned. "That¡¯s what makes it even better."
Meanwhile, in the Capital¡­ Duke Reinhardt read the latest report, his fingers tapping against the polished wood of his desk. His informant, Lord Cedric Vale, stood before him, looking uneasy. "And you¡¯re certain of this?" Reinhardt asked. Cedric nodded stiffly. "Yes, my lord. Our spy was discovered within hours¡­ and then released without interrogation." Reinhardt leaned back. "Interesting. And what was Veilwood¡¯s reasoning?" Cedric hesitated. "He¡­ he told the spy to ¡®report accurately¡¯ and said he ¡®hates misinformation.¡¯" A long silence followed. Then, to Cedric¡¯s growing unease, Duke Reinhardt smirked. "Fascinating. Either Veilwood is a fool who doesn¡¯t care about espionage¡­ or he¡¯s confident enough to let us watch him." He stood, swirling his wine. "Let¡¯s test him further. Prepare an envoy. We¡¯ll offer him a deal." Cedric bowed. "And if he refuses?" Reinhardt¡¯s smirk deepened. "Then we¡¯ll know how to deal with him." Chapter 6: The Duke’s Gambit Duke Reinhardt did not become one of the most powerful nobles in the empire by ignoring threats, and Lucian Veilwood was fast becoming one. Back in Duskwatch, Lucian was having a good morning for once. No one had burst into his office yet. No one had shouted ¡°My lord! We have a problem!¡± And most importantly¡ªhe was drinking tea in peace. Naturally, this meant disaster was on its way. BANG. The doors slammed open, nearly making Lucian spill his tea. "My lord!" Dorian gasped, out of breath. "We have a problem!" Lucian exhaled slowly. "Of course we do." Dorian threw a letter onto the desk. "An envoy from Duke Reinhardt has arrived!" Lucian blinked. "¡­Who?" Dorian looked ready to faint. "A very powerful noble. The kind that doesn¡¯t ¡®visit¡¯¡ªhe sends envoys before he crushes you politically!" Lucian rubbed his temples. "Great. What do they want?" Dorian adjusted his glasses. "A ¡®mutual prosperity agreement.¡¯" This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Lucian frowned. "Hmmm, sounds like trouble." He was thinking of the additional paperwork it entailed. Dorian nodded aggressively. "Because it is! If you sign, you¡¯re basically handing over control of ......" Lucian interupted. "Tell them we¡¯re busy." Dorian paled. "You can¡¯t just¡ª" But it was too late. A guard at the door hesitated, then relayed Lucian¡¯s words. Down in the waiting hall, Lord Cedric Vale froze. "They¡­ they¡¯re refusing the meeting?" Cedric stammered. The messenger nodded. "Lord Veilwood says he¡¯s ¡®busy.¡¯" Cedric turned pale. "Duskwatch has the upper hand¡­?" His attendants exchanged nervous glances. This wasn¡¯t how weak nobles reacted. Weak nobles rushed to meet Reinhardt¡¯s envoys, eager to please. But Veilwood? He didn¡¯t even bother to greet them. That meant one of two things: 1?? Lucian was a fool beyond measure. 2?? Lucian was powerful enough that he didn¡¯t need the Duke¡¯s help. Cedric, misinterpreting everything, panicked. "Offer them more resources. Double it!"
Meanwhile, Back in Lucian¡¯s Office¡­ Dorian was having a breakdown. "My lord, do you have any idea what you just did?!" Lucian sipped his tea. "Not really." "The envoy thinks you rejected their offer as a power move!" Dorian groaned. "They just DOUBLED their proposal!" Lucian blinked. "Huh." Elaine snorted. "Nice work, my lord. That was the fastest negotiation I¡¯ve ever seen." Dorian buried his face in his hands. "That wasn¡¯t a negotiation! That was you accidentally outmaneuvering a noble house!" Lucian stretched. "Well, whatever. If they¡¯re offering more, we might as well take it. " "Since, I have done the negotiations, you do the paperwork Dorian!!" -- Lucian shamelessly pushed the work onto Dorian. Back in the Capital¡­ Duke Reinhardt read the new report from Lord Cedric. His expression darkened. "He refused the first offer?" Reinhardt murmured. Cedric¡¯s letter explained how Veilwood hadn¡¯t even met with them¡ª forcing them to double their trade proposal just to stay in negotiations. To the Duke, this was not the move of an incompetent noble. It was the move of someone who knew exactly how to handle power. Reinhardt swirled his wine, his mind racing. "This man¡­ is dangerous." Interlude 1 (continued): The Treasury’s Confusion Imperial Tax Office, Capital City Lord Treasurer Aldwin Grayford prided himself on being a rational man. He had handled countless financial crises¡ªmismanaged provinces, rebellious lords, even a grain shortage that nearly caused a revolt. But today, he was faced with something far worse. Duskwatch. The tax report in front of him was three sentences long.
"No taxes were collected. The people are doing fine. Stop sending letters."
Grayford inhaled deeply. Across the table, his senior clerks and advisors sat in nervous silence. "Explain this to me," he said, barely containing his irritation. "How does a province report zero tax revenue while simultaneously showing growth?" Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. The head scribe, Edwin Morley, shifted uncomfortably. "We¡­ don¡¯t know." Grayford¡¯s eye twitched. "Then find out." The officials hurriedly flipped through their notes. "We first attempted a land tax," Morley began. "But the locals maintain their own roads and buildings with personal funds, so there¡¯s no infrastructure spending we can collect from." Another official cleared his throat. "Then we tried a trade tax. But because Lord Veilwood has no official tax officers, the merchants just¡­ reinvest everything. Nothing is even recorded." A younger scribe raised a trembling hand. "What about tariffs?" Morley sighed. "Duskwatch doesn¡¯t enforce tariffs. Traders are moving there specifically because they know they won¡¯t get taxed at the border." A long silence followed. One of the older clerks finally muttered: "¡­This is tax evasion on a scale we have never seen before." Grayford folded his hands. "Forget the numbers. What happens if other provinces hear about this?" The room went deathly quiet. The empire was held together by taxes. If Lucian Veilwood proved taxation was optional¡­ Grayford exhaled slowly. "Send an envoy. Immediately." Morley gulped. "To investigate?" Grayford shook his head. "To remind Lord Veilwood that the empire has rules." Chapter 7: The Mercenary King’s Invitation Lucian had barely begun enjoying a rare moment of peace when Elaine stormed into his office, looking unusually grim. "My lord, we have received a letter from the infamous Mercenary King, Varian Blackthorn." Lucian blinked. "Who?" Elaine placed the letter in front of him. "The most feared sellsword in the empire. He commands an army of mercenaries larger than most noble houses. He¡­ wants to visit Duskwatch." Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Lucian rubbed his temples. "Why?" Dorian, standing nearby, cleared his throat nervously. "Word of our recent economic success and militia reforms has apparently caught his attention. He seems to believe we are a rising power." Lucian groaned. "Of course he does. And I assume rejecting his visit would offend him?" Elaine nodded. "Deeply." Lucian exhaled slowly. "Fine. Let¡¯s just hope this doesn¡¯t spiral into another disaster." Dorian pinched the bridge of his nose. "My lord, that is exactly what always happens."
Chapter 8: A Meeting with the Mercenary King Varian Blackthorn arrived in Duskwatch flanked by a retinue of hardened warriors. Each one carried the air of a man who had seen a hundred battles and walked away grinning. The town¡¯s militia stood stiffly at attention, unsure whether they were welcoming guests or preparing for a siege. Lucian, for his part, was slouched in his chair, fighting the urge to yawn as Varian strode into the town hall. The Mercenary King was an imposing figure¡ªtall, broad-shouldered, with scars lining his arms like battle trophies. His dark cloak billowed as he stepped forward, his steel-gray eyes locking onto Lucian¡¯s with an unreadable expression. "Lord Veilwood," Varian rumbled, his voice like rolling thunder. "I¡¯ve heard much about you." The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Lucian offered a half-hearted wave. "Thanks. Want some tea?" Varian blinked. Dorian, sweating bullets, stepped in. "Our lord prefers to observe rather than assert his power. A master of strategy and restraint!" Varian nodded slowly. "Ah, a tactician who rules from the shadows. I respect that." Lucian blinked. "Wait, what?" Dorian coughed. "Shall we discuss business?" Varian smirked. "Let¡¯s."
The Discussion The meeting quickly spiraled into madness. Lucian, who had no idea how to handle military negotiations, spent most of it nodding vaguely while Dorian desperately tried to interpret his laziness as brilliance. "Your decentralized command structure is unique," Varian mused. "No standing army, yet the people defend themselves." Lucian shrugged. "People like being alive, I guess." Dorian quickly translated. "What our lord means is that he fosters an environment where civilians are naturally inclined to self-preserve and reinforce one another, ensuring an adaptable defense force without rigid military oversight." Varian nodded. "A fascinating approach." Lucian rubbed his temples. "Sure. Let¡¯s go with that." Chapter 9: An Offer Too Generous After an hour of increasing misunderstandings, Varian finally leaned forward. "I like you, Veilwood." Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Uh¡­ thanks?" Varian stroked his beard. "A ruler who isn¡¯t just greedy? Fascinating. In that case, I offer a special contract¡ªmy best mercenaries will guard Duskwatch for half their usual price." Lucian, mid-sip of tea, nearly choked. "Wait, what?" Dorian choked as well. "What he means is¡ª" he turned to Varian. "That is a most generous offer. Perhaps too generous?" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Varian grinned. "Consider it an investment. When Duskwatch rises further, I¡¯d rather be on its good side." Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sure. Whatever. Just don¡¯t expect me to make speeches about it." Varian laughed. "Spoken like a true leader!" Lucian sighed. "Why do I feel like this is going to be a bigger problem later?" Elaine smirked. "Because it definitely will be."
Elsewhere¡­ Duke Reinhardt frowned at the latest report. "The Mercenary King has allied with Veilwood?" he murmured. Lord Cedric Vale, seated nearby, nodded grimly. "Yes, my lord. It seems Veilwood has¡­ considerable influence." Reinhardt exhaled slowly, swirling his wine. "So. Even Varian Blackthorn sees value in him." He glanced at the reports on his desk. "First, he refuses our envoy¡¯s trap. Now, he secures an army for half the price. Either he is the luckiest man alive¡­ or the most dangerous one in the empire." He leaned back. "No matter. We¡¯ll test him again soon." Ch 9.5 The Mercenary King likes Duskwatch Lucian had hoped that, after securing Varian¡¯s mercenaries, his life would return to something resembling peace. It did not. Instead, he found himself dragged to the militia training grounds, where Varian Blackthorn was personally inspecting Duskwatch¡¯s forces. Lucian squinted at the field. His so-called militia was, in reality, a random assortment of farmers, merchants, and former bandits holding weapons in various states of confusion. And yet, Varian looked¡­ impressed. "Fascinating," the Mercenary King murmured. "Their movements are raw, but there¡¯s discipline beneath it. You trained them yourselves?" Lucian yawned. "Nope. They trained themselves." Varian stroked his beard. "Of course. You let them find their own strength. A true warlord does not micromanage his soldiers." Lucian blinked. "Wait, what?" Dorian, who had been sweating profusely in the background, quickly stepped in. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Yes! Lord Veilwood¡¯s philosophy prioritizes self-reliance and adaptive combat structures!" Varian nodded approvingly. "A masterstroke. A rigid army breaks under pressure. A self-taught militia? They become warriors of their own making." Lucian stared at him. "That is definitely what I meant."
Varian Takes Command Within minutes, Varian had taken control of the training exercises, barking orders and making immediate improvements.
  • Farmers learned how to form a defensive wall.
  • Former bandits refined their ambush techniques.
  • The merchants¡ªwho were supposed to be non-combatants¡ªsomehow became experts at battlefield supply chains.
Lucian watched in horror as his militia turned into something dangerously competent. Elaine, leaning next to him, smirked. "Your militia is looking more like an army, my lord." Lucian groaned. "That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of." Varian turned, grinning. "Veilwood, I must say¡ªthis militia of yours? It has real potential." Lucian rubbed his temples. "Fantastic. Can I go now?"
Meanwhile, in the Capital¡­ Duke Reinhardt¡¯s latest spy report arrived. Reinhardt read it slowly. Then, he put the letter down and exhaled. "You¡¯re telling me Veilwood now has a mercenary general training his people?" Lord Cedric Vale, sitting stiffly nearby, nodded. "It¡­ appears so, my lord." Reinhardt narrowed his eyes. "Duskwatch was a wasteland months ago. Now, it¡¯s a military stronghold?" Cedric hesitated. "It would appear that Lord Veilwood has¡­ a gift for leadership." Reinhardt scoffed. "A gift? Or a hidden plan?" He tapped his fingers against the desk. "No one is this lucky." A long silence followed. Then, Reinhardt smirked. "Fine. Let¡¯s test him again." Interlude 2: A Bandit’s Complaint A Letter to the Eastern Road Brigands To My Fellow Brigands of the Eastern Road, Brothers, we need to talk about Duskwatch. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on in that cursed town, but it has become an absolute nightmare for our profession. I rode in expecting easy pickings. A tax-free, lawless wasteland should be a bandit¡¯s paradise. Instead, I found organized markets, well-armed merchants, and a militia that actually knows what it¡¯s doing. Let me paint you a picture.
The Merchant Who Fought Back A week ago, I tried to rob a spice trader on the main road. Simple job. Easy coin. Except instead of panicking, the man sighed, rolled up his sleeves, and punched me in the face. I barely had time to recover before his apprentices joined in. I don¡¯t know what kind of training these merchants receive, but I was nearly beaten to death by a bunch of people who sell cinnamon for a living. They even had the audacity to offer me a trade deal afterward. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "You clearly need a better source of income, mate. Ever consider the spice business?" I limped away in shame.
The "Militia" That Shouldn¡¯t Exist Thinking I just had bad luck, I waited for nightfall and tried a proper break-in. Picked a nice-looking shop, found a weak spot in the wall, and started sneaking inside. That¡¯s when I heard a voice behind me. "You¡¯re holding the crowbar wrong." I turned around. There was a woman in full armor, casually watching me. Elaine Stormcrest. The "militia captain." Former knight. Rumored to have taken down an entire gang single-handedly. And she just stood there, giving me criticism on my technique. "You¡¯ll have an easier time if you go for the hinges instead of prying the frame." I thanked her. Out of pure instinct. Then I ran for my life.

The Worst Part? The Lord Doesn¡¯t Even Care.

I figured, "Alright, let¡¯s just bribe the local lord and get back to business." So I went to the town hall, prepared my best negotiation speech, and asked to see Lord Veilwood. I expected a corrupt noble. A greedy fool. Someone who would take a bribe and look the other way. Instead, I found a half-asleep man drinking tea, barely paying attention. I made my case. He yawned. Then he said: "Look, man, crime sounds exhausting. Just open a shop or something." That was it. That was his ruling. I left that office more confused than I had ever been in my life.
Conclusion: Duskwatch Is A Lost Cause Brothers, we have two options. 1?? We find a new territory. This place is ruined for us. The people actually like their ruler, the militia is effective, and the merchants are violent. 2?? We adapt. I don¡¯t like it, but after getting knocked out by a spice trader, I¡¯m considering actual employment. There¡¯s good money in tea exports, apparently. May the roads treat you better than Duskwatch did. - Black Tom, Former Highway King Interlude 2 Continued: The Bandits Council The Bandit Council was an unofficial gathering of outlaws, gang leaders, and rogue mercenaries who controlled the criminal networks along the empire¡¯s borders. It had only one rule: Do not waste time. And yet, tonight¡¯s meeting was entirely about one town. Duskwatch. A place that, by all logic, should have been ripe for plundering. Instead, it had become an unbreakable fortress of economic prosperity and public safety. And none of them could figure out why.
A rough-looking man named Gregor the Vulture slammed his fist on the table. "We have a problem," he growled. "Duskwatch." A scarred bandit leaned back in his chair. "Thought we agreed to leave that place alone?" Gregor gritted his teeth. "That was before we lost three crews in a row!" A murmur ran through the council. A thin man known as Snake-Eyed Joran raised an eyebrow. "Three crews? What happened to them?" Gregor rubbed his temples. "That¡¯s the problem. We don¡¯t know."
Joran snorted. "What do you mean, ¡®you don¡¯t know¡¯? Did they get arrested?" Gregor shook his head. "No. They just¡­ left. Gave up crime. Got jobs." Silence. Stolen novel; please report. Then a younger bandit laughed. "Wait, you¡¯re telling me a town convinced them to go straight? That¡¯s ridiculous!" Gregor glared. "You think I¡¯m making this up?" He pulled out a stack of letters. "Here. These are from the men we lost."
Letter #1 ¨C A Former Cutthroat
To Gregor, Boss, I ain¡¯t coming back. I know this sounds crazy, but I got a job at a brewery. They pay me fair, I get free beer, and no one¡¯s trying to stab me. It¡¯s¡­ nice? I don¡¯t know how to explain it, but once you stay in Duskwatch for a while, you just kinda¡­ stop wanting to leave. Tell the boys I¡¯m sorry. But also tell them they should really consider taking up a trade. I hear the blacksmith¡¯s hiring. ¡ªKarl (Formerly "Karl the Gut-Stabber")
Letter #2 ¨C A Failed Heist Attempt
Boss, I tried robbing the town hall last night. Elaine Stormcrest caught me before I even got the lock open. She didn¡¯t even arrest me¡ªshe just stared at me like I was a particularly stupid dog. I don¡¯t think I can handle that level of judgment again. I¡¯m leaving. Gonna raise chickens or something. ¡ªMilo
Letter #3 ¨C The Final Straw
Gregor, I have stared into the abyss, and the abyss stared back at me. And it was drinking tea. Lord Veilwood is not a man. He is an unknowable force of nature. He moves without moving. Rules without ruling. I tried to negotiate with him, and he just waved his hand and said, ¡®Crime sounds exhausting.¡¯ HE BROKE ME, GREGOR. I CAN¡¯T DO THIS ANYMORE. I am farming turnips now. Do not look for me. ¡ªJasper (Formerly "One-Eyed Jasper")
The room fell into chaos. "They BROKE Jasper?! The man burned down a noble¡¯s estate for FUN!" "What kind of town turns bandits into taxpayers?" "I heard their militia trains by FIGHTING EACH OTHER in the streets!" "I heard Lord Veilwood once convinced an assassin to retire just by ignoring him." Snake-Eyed Joran exhaled slowly. "This isn¡¯t natural." Gregor nodded. "It¡¯s a trap. A slow, creeping trap that turns criminals into citizens." The room shuddered at the thought.
The Only Logical Conclusion A silence settled over the table. Then, a burly man in the back muttered: "¡­Maybe Duskwatch is cursed." No one immediately disagreed. After all, what else could explain a town that ruined crime itself? Gregor sighed and leaned forward. "So¡­ what do we do?" Snake-Eyed Joran finished his drink. "We do nothing." The bandits turned to him. "Let Veilwood keep his cursed town," Joran said. "We¡¯ll find easier prey." A long pause. Then, one by one, the bandit lords nodded.
Final Council Ruling Duskwatch is officially off-limits. Not because of guards. Not because of soldiers. But because they simply refused to play by the rules of the world. And that was too dangerous. Chapter 10: A Noble’s Suspicion Countess Amelia Redgrave was not a woman who trusted secondhand reports. She had built her reputation on exposing corruption, dismantling incompetent rulers, and unraveling political deception. So when conflicting rumors about Lord Lucian Veilwood of Duskwatch reached her, she didn¡¯t know whether to be amused or deeply concerned. Some reports painted him as a fool who had stumbled into success. Others described a cunning strategist manipulating events from the shadows. And one particularly dramatic informant claimed that the Mercenary King himself had bowed before him. Amelia scoffed, setting that last report aside. "No noble is that influential." Still, there were too many inconsistencies. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. A young noble with no experience, ruling over a ruined wasteland, had somehow done the impossible. First, he abolished taxes¡ªand the economy thrived. Then, he removed bureaucratic oversight¡ªand crime plummeted. Now, he had secured an elite mercenary force at half price? She tapped her fingers against her desk, staring at the documents before her. "A noble who abolishes taxes yet prospers? A militia formed without formal command? And now, even the Mercenary King himself aligns with him?" She exhaled slowly. "This Lord Veilwood is either a fool¡­ or a mastermind." Summoning her most trusted spy, she handed him a sealed letter. "Go to Duskwatch. Observe him closely. I need to know whether we have a rising power¡­ or a hidden threat to the empire itself." The spy bowed deeply. "It will be done, my lady." As he left, Amelia sipped her tea, already considering the next steps. If Lucian Veilwood was truly a harmless fool, she would expose his incompetence and let the empire dismiss him. But if he was something more? Then she would have to ensure he never became a threat. Chapter 11: The Spy in the Shadows The sun had barely set when a cloaked figure slipped into Duskwatch, moving through the streets with the practiced ease of a professional. His name wasn¡¯t important. What mattered was that he was one of Countess Amelia¡¯s best. Disguises, silent movement, infiltration¡ªhe had mastered them all. And yet, as he moved through Duskwatch¡¯s streets, he found himself utterly baffled. This was supposed to be a ruined county, a failing backwater. Instead, he saw a thriving town. The markets bustled, traders openly exchanged goods without oversight, and armed citizens patrolled without the need for a standing guard force. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. He had seen lawless anarchy before. This was not that. This was¡­ functioning. "Strange," he muttered under his breath. Still, he had a mission. Slipping between alleyways, he made his way toward the town hall. If Lord Veilwood was as incompetent as rumors claimed, there would be evidence somewhere.
Inside the Town Hall Lucian was midway through a lazy game of cards with Dorian whn Elaine burst into the room. "My lord! We¡¯ve apprehended a suspicious figure sneaking around the records room!" Lucian sighed, setting his cards down. "Great. Another one. Just bring him here." Minutes later, a hooded man was shoved forward by the guards. He straightened, eyes darting, calculating his next move. Elaine crossed her arms. "He refuses to speak." Lucian yawned. "Fine. Just throw him out." The spy¡¯s eyes widened. "Wait¡­ you¡¯re not going to interrogate me?" Lucian rubbed his temples. "Too much effort. If you want to spy, go ahead. Just make sure to report accurately. I hate misinformation." The room fell silent. The room fell silent. Dorian paled. Elaine stared. The spy swallowed hard. "¡­Understood, my lord." Moments later, he left, convinced he had just met the most dangerous man in the empire. Chapter 12: A Spy’s Dilemma The spy had faced danger before. He had infiltrated corrupt courts, uncovered treasonous plots, and exposed fraudulent nobles. But nothing had prepared him for Lord Lucian Veilwood. He burst into Countess Amelia Redgrave¡¯s study, breathing heavily, still trying to process what had happened. Amelia raised an eyebrow, setting down her tea. "You¡¯re back earlier than expected." The spy knelt before her. "My lady¡­ he let me go." A pause. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Amelia¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain." The spy swallowed. "I was caught sneaking into the records room. That lady!! That lady is scaryyy" The spy had never sensed that level of danger ever before. "I... I thought I was finished. But Lord Veilwood¡­ he just dismissed me. He told me to ¡®report accurately¡¯ and that he ¡®hates misinformation.¡¯" Amelia tapped her fingers against the desk, considering. "So he knew you were watching and didn¡¯t care?" The spy nodded, still pale. "It wasn¡¯t just that. It was the way he said it. No fear. No hesitation. It was as if¡­ he wanted me to spy on him." A long silence filled the room. Then, Amelia chuckled. "Oh, this is interesting." She leaned back in her chair. "Either Lord Veilwood is the most oblivious noble in the empire¡­ or he¡¯s playing a very deep game." She turned to her assistant. "Send another spy. This time, someone better." "But he is our best spy, my lady" Amelia thought for some time and said "Send Phantom, it''s risky but that''s our best bet". Chapter 13: The Phantom Observer The Phantom was a legend among spies. No one knew his real name. No one had ever caught him. And most importantly, no one had ever seen him unless he wanted to be seen. His skills were unmatched¡ªstealth, disguise, infiltration. He had toppled corrupt governors, stolen imperial secrets, and vanished without a trace each time. So when Countess Amelia tasked him with watching Lord Lucian Veilwood, he expected an easy mission. How hard could it be to observe some backwater noble?
Day One: The Town of Paradoxes Phantom arrived in Duskwatch under the cover of darkness, slipping into the city like a shadow. He expected a wasteland of incompetence. Instead, he found order. The streets were bustling with commerce. The people seemed content, even hopeful. And the town¡¯s militia moved with actual discipline. Phantom narrowed his eyes. This wasn¡¯t what he expected. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Still, he had a mission.
Day Two: The Lord of Chaos Phantom perched on a rooftop, watching Lord Veilwood¡¯s office. He expected to see strategy meetings, secret war councils, or political maneuvering. Instead, he saw Lucian napping. For hours. When Lucian wasn¡¯t sleeping, he was sipping tea, ignoring paperwork, and vaguely waving at problems until someone else handled them. "This¡­ makes no sense," Phantom muttered. And yet, things still worked. Somehow. The town ran smoothly. The militia trained itself. Trade boomed. It was as if Veilwood ruled through sheer inaction. Phantom didn¡¯t trust it. "This is a deception," he told himself. "No one is this lazy and successful." He needed proof.
Day Three: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted At midnight, Phantom slipped into the town hall archives. If Veilwood was hiding something, this was the place to find it. Moving silently, he scanned the records¡ªtrade agreements, militia reports, Varian Blackthorn¡¯s contract. Nothing. No hidden schemes. No financial fraud. No secret military plans. Just evidence that somehow, impossibly, Duskwatch was running on self-sustaining efficiency. Phantom frowned. "That¡¯s¡­ not possible." Then, he heard the door click shut behind him. A blade pressed against his throat. And a voice calm, cold, and terrifyingly amused whispered in his ear. "Well, well. Another one." Phantom froze. Elaine Stormcrest. He knew the name. A former knight, dismissed under suspicious circumstances. A warrior so dangerous that even the Imperial Order hesitated to cross her. "Tell me," she murmured, tightening her grip on the blade. "Are you here to spy¡­ or to join the fan club?" Chapter 14: The Unintentional Trap Elaine kept the blade pressed against the Phantom¡¯s throat, her smirk unwavering. "You¡¯re not the first spy I¡¯ve caught sneaking around." The Phantom, to his credit, kept his composure. "I was merely¡­ assessing security." Elaine chuckled. "Then you¡¯ve failed. Miserably." The door swung open. Lucian, half-asleep, shuffled inside, rubbing his eyes. "Why is it always spies? Can¡¯t people just send letters?" Dorian followed, looking tired but exasperated. "My lord, this is serious." Lucian waved a lazy hand. "Fine. What do we do with him?" The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Elaine raised an eyebrow. "I could interrogate him." Lucian yawned. "Too much effort." The Phantom stiffened. Elaine tilted her head. "Or we could keep him locked up." Lucian sighed. "More paperwork." The Phantom¡¯s heartbeat quickened. Elaine smirked. "Then what do you suggest, my lord?" Lucian stretched. "Just throw him out." A long silence. The Phantom stared at him. "You¡¯re¡­ releasing me?" Lucian yawned. "Yeah. Just get rid of him." Elaine grinned. "As you wish, my lord." She grabbed Phantom by the collar and hauled him toward the exit. The Phantom could barely process what was happening. He had broken into enemy territory. He had been caught instantly. And now¡­ he was just being let go? No one was this confident. Unless¡­ Unless this was a trap. His breath hitched. Veilwood had seen through him immediately. Had let him spy freely. Had "dismissed" him without a second thought. No noble would do that unless they were completely certain they had nothing to fear. Or unless they had already planned something worse. As Elaine shoved him out the door, Phantom had only one thought: I was never the hunter. I was the prey.
Interlude 3: A Private Report to Duke Reinhardt After the first spy got caught, Duke Reinhardt sent another spy with a strict order of just observing. Confidential Report to His Grace, Duke Reinhardt From: Agent Marius Lorne Subject: Analysis of Lord Veilwood and the Rise of Duskwatch Your Grace, I have spent several weeks embedded in Duskwatch, observing the governance of Lord Lucian Veilwood. Upon my arrival, I expected to find an incompetent noble overseeing a failing territory. What I found instead is something far more concerning.
The Economic Mystery Duskwatch, by all logic, should be failing.
  • Lord Veilwood abolished taxes.
  • The imperial bureaucracy has no presence here.
  • There are no tariffs, no collection offices, and no financial oversight.
And yet, the town¡¯s economy is thriving. Merchants flock to Duskwatch. Local businesses are expanding. There is no financial collapse, no hoarding, no signs of instability. In short: The man broke every economic rule we know¡­ and it¡¯s working.
The Militia That Trains Itself Duskwatch has no imperial garrison. Instead, it relies on a local militia composed of farmers, traders, and former bandits. I initially assumed this was an untrained rabble. However, their formations are disciplined. Their training is daily. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The most alarming factor? Lord Veilwood does not command them directly.
  • He does not hold war councils.
  • He does not issue tactical orders.
  • And yet, they act as if he is a military genius guiding them from the shadows.
Worse, they are fiercely loyal. Even former criminals have integrated into the system. Bandit activity in the region has disappeared. I spoke to a former highwayman. His words: "I don¡¯t know how it happened, but this town doesn¡¯t need crime anymore."
The Mercenary King¡¯s Allegiance Perhaps the most concerning development is Lord Veilwood¡¯s recent deal with Varian Blackthorn. The Mercenary King is a man of pragmatism, not loyalty. He does not work for weak nobles. He does not lower his prices. And yet, he has aligned himself with Veilwood at half his usual fee. This means one of two things: 1?? Veilwood is a hidden military genius who impressed Blackthorn. 2?? Veilwood has something even more valuable¡ªsomething worth securing before the rest of the empire realizes his power. Both possibilities are equally dangerous.
The Man Himself I have studied Lord Veilwood¡¯s movements closely. He is a contradiction.
  • He rarely gives direct orders, yet everything falls into place.
  • He avoids responsibility, yet his people follow him without question.
  • He has no political ambition, yet he now holds economic and military influence.
Your Grace, I must be frank. If Lord Veilwood is truly a lazy fool, then he is the luckiest man in the empire. If he is not? Then we are dealing with one of the most dangerous minds of our time. I strongly advise proceeding with caution. Your Loyal Servant, Agent Marius Lorne
Duke Reinhardt¡¯s Reaction Duke Reinhardt set the report down, deep in thought. He had ruled long enough to know that power came in many forms. But this? This was something new. He let out a slow breath and murmured: "What are you hiding, Veilwood?" A long pause. Then, a smirk. "Let¡¯s test you further." Chapter 15: The Countess Takes Action Countess Amelia Redgrave was not amused. She had sent not one, but two of her best spies to Duskwatch. The first had returned unnerved, claiming that Lord Veilwood saw through him instantly and dismissed him like a minor inconvenience. The second¡ªher Phantom, the best infiltrator in the empire¡ªhad come back looking like he had stared into the abyss and found it staring back. He kneeled before her now, still pale. "My lady¡­" he swallowed. "I was caught immediately." Amelia leaned back in her chair. "That much I expected. What else?" The Phantom hesitated. That alone was enough to make her uneasy. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. "He let me go." A long silence. Amelia¡¯s fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk. "Did he interrogate you? Threaten you?" "No." She raised an eyebrow. "Then what did he do?" The Phantom¡¯s voice lowered. "He just¡­ told me to leave. As if I wasn¡¯t worth his time." Amelia¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Did he say why?" The Phantom¡¯s hands tightened into fists. "He said, and I quote, ¡®Just make sure to report accurately. I hate misinformation.¡¯" The room fell deathly silent. Amelia exhaled slowly, choosing her words carefully. "So he knew we were watching¡­ and didn¡¯t care?" The Phantom¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper. "My lady¡­ I don¡¯t think we were watching him. I think he was watching us." Amelia stared at him, unblinking. Then, for the first time in years, she smiled. "Oh, this is interesting." She picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and set it down with deliberate grace. "Enough speculation. It¡¯s time I meet this so-called Lazy Lord myself." She turned to her attendants. "Prepare my carriage. We leave for Duskwatch at once." Her servants scrambled into motion. If Lucian Veilwood was truly as dangerous as the rumors suggested, she needed to see it firsthand. And if he wasn¡¯t? Well¡­ a noblewoman of her caliber would know exactly how to expose a fraud.
Interlude 4: A Tavern Discussion The Laughing Griffin Inn, A Border Town Near Duskwatch The inn was packed with travelers¡ªmerchants, sellswords, and messengers all seeking warmth, food, and strong ale after a long day¡¯s journey. At one corner table, four men sat drinking, deep in discussion. And the topic of the night? Lord Lucian Veilwood of Duskwatch.
"I tell you, Lord Veilwood is a strategic mastermind!" one merchant insisted, slamming his mug on the table. "Nonsense," another scoffed. "I heard he¡¯s just incredibly lucky." "Bah! Luck? You don¡¯t get the Mercenary King to swear loyalty by accident!" "He didn¡¯t swear loyalty," a third merchant interrupted. "He just took a job." The first merchant leaned in, lowering his voice. "That¡¯s what they want you to think. But do you really believe Varian Blackthorn, the most feared mercenary in the empire, would work for half his price unless he saw true power?"** The skeptical merchant rolled his eyes. "Or maybe Veilwood just¡­ made a good deal?" The others looked at him as if he had spoken blasphemy. The first merchant continued, warming up to his own tale. "Listen, I¡¯ve spoken to traders who saw the man firsthand. He doesn¡¯t rule like a normal noble. He barely speaks! Yet everything goes exactly the way he wants!" Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. The second merchant nodded seriously. "It¡¯s true. They say he commands without commands. His people know what to do before he even speaks." The skeptical merchant snorted. "That sounds ridiculous." "Oh? And what about the bandits?" the first merchant challenged. The skeptical merchant raised an eyebrow. "What about them?" The third merchant grinned. "There aren¡¯t any. Lord Veilwood made them disappear." The skeptical merchant crossed his arms. "You¡¯re telling me he wiped out an entire bandit faction?" The first merchant shook his head. "No, no. That¡¯s the strange part¡ªhe didn¡¯t. He just¡­ made Duskwatch unrobbable." The second merchant leaned in, eyes wide. "I heard a bandit tried to rob a trader¡­ and the trader knocked him out and offered him a business deal instead." The skeptical merchant blinked. "What." The third merchant nodded sagely. "I heard a thief tried to break into the treasury, and instead of arresting him, Veilwood gave him advice on better lockpicking techniques¡­ and the thief was so horrified he fled the city." The skeptical merchant opened his mouth, then closed it. ¡­That didn¡¯t sound real. And yet, the conviction in their voices was unsettling. And henceworth began a series of senseless rumours. "That¡¯s nothing," the first merchant said, waving a hand. "Did you hear about the battle?" The skeptical merchant narrowed his eyes. "What battle?" "The one where he defeated an entire army without lifting a finger!" The skeptical merchant leaned forward. "Alright, I have to hear this." The first merchant grinned. "So there was this noble¡ªDuke Reinhardt, or maybe Count Devereaux, doesn¡¯t matter¡ªwho sent a force to ¡®test¡¯ Duskwatch¡¯s defenses. They wanted to see if Veilwood was weak." The skeptical merchant nodded. "Go on." "So the soldiers march toward Duskwatch, expecting no resistance." "And?" "And before they even arrive, Lord Veilwood sends one messenger." The skeptical merchant frowned. "What did the message say?" The first merchant leaned in, voice deadly serious. "It just said, ¡®Turn back. I don¡¯t like unnecessary problems.¡¯" The skeptical merchant stared. "¡­And that worked?" The first merchant nodded. "The soldiers retreated immediately." A long silence followed. Then the skeptical merchant exhaled slowly. "¡­I hate that I¡¯m starting to believe this."
At a nearby table, a cloaked figure quietly sipped his drink, listening to every word. He had been sent to gather intelligence on Duskwatch. Instead, he had found legend. He finished eating, placed a coin on the table, and stood to leave. He had a report to write. Chapter 16: A Noble’s Arrival Countess Amelia Redgrave¡¯s carriage rattled along the uneven roads leading to Duskwatch. Inside, she smoothed out the folds of her elegant gown, her mind sharp with calculations. The rumors surrounding Lord Veilwood were too inconsistent to ignore. Either he was a fool who had stumbled into greatness, or he was playing a game far deeper than anyone realized. She intended to find out which. Meanwhile, in Duskwatch, Lucian was still groggy from an afternoon nap when Dorian burst in, flustered as ever. "My lord! We have a problem!" Lucian rubbed his temples. "We always have a problem. Just tell me what it is." "Countess Amelia Redgrave is on her way here! She will arrive within the hour!" The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Lucian blinked. "Who?" Dorian nearly choked. "A powerful noblewoman! Sharp, cunning, and known for exposing frauds! If she suspects anything, she could turn the entire empire against us!" Lucian exhaled. "So¡­ I should look busy?" Elaine Stormcrest, standing nearby, chuckled. "That might be the first smart thing you¡¯ve said all week." Panic set in. Duskwatch had thrived, but it still looked like a mess. The town hall was barely holding together, the streets were still uneven, and his so-called militia was just a handful of people who mostly looked intimidating by accident. Lucian stood up, stretching. "Fine. Let¡¯s do this. First order of business¡ªsomeone find me a fancy chair. Second, make sure everyone who talks to her calls me ¡®wise¡¯ at least once. Third¡ª" A loud trumpet interrupted him as Amelia¡¯s carriage pulled up outside. Lucian sighed. "Never mind. Too late. Time to wing it." Dorian whimpered. "We¡¯re doomed." Amelia stepped out gracefully, her piercing gaze scanning the area. Lucian forced a smile and stepped forward. "Welcome to Duskwatch, Countess. I hope you had a¡­ pleasant journey." She raised an eyebrow. "We shall see, Lord Veilwood. We shall see." Chapter 17: The Countess Inspects Lucian had no idea why people insisted on making his life difficult. He was perfectly content minding his own business, avoiding work, and taking the occasional nap. But now, a highly intelligent, terrifying noblewoman was wandering through his town, inspecting everything. And judging him. Lucian hated being judged. Lucian walked beside Countess Amelia, trying his best to look like a responsible noble instead of someone who had been woken from a nap fifteen minutes ago. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Behind him, Dorian was on the verge of collapse from stress, and Elaine looked far too amused by the entire situation. Amelia¡¯s sharp gaze swept over the town as she spoke. "Tell me, Lord Veilwood, what exactly is your plan for Duskwatch?" Lucian hesitated. "Uh¡­ sustainability?" Dorian, sweating profusely, jumped in before she could react. "Our lord believes in fostering economic independence while minimizing unnecessary bureaucratic interference!" Amelia folded her arms. "A bold strategy. And how do you intend to maintain order without taxation?" Lucian shrugged. "People seem happier when they keep their money. Happy people don¡¯t cause problems." Amelia¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "Fascinating." She turned, motioning toward the streets. "Show me around, Lord Veilwood. I want to see this miracle myself." Lucian sighed inwardly. This was going to be a long day. Chapter 18: A Town of Wonders Lucian strolled through Duskwatch with Countess Amelia at his side, doing his best to appear as if he had everything under control. Behind them, Dorian anxiously wiped sweat from his brow, while Elaine kept a watchful eye on their guest. The town had changed more than Lucian had realized. The market square, once a desolate stretch of cracked stone, now bustled with vendors selling goods that had somehow appeared overnight. Farmers displayed fresh produce, blacksmiths demonstrated fine weaponry, and children ran freely without a hint of fear. Amelia¡¯s sharp eyes took everything in. "Fascinating. Your economy thrives, yet you collect no taxes? How do you fund improvements?" Lucian shrugged. "People reinvest in their own businesses. If they make more money, they can afford to fix things." Amelia¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. "A dangerous gamble. And yet¡­ it seems to be working." She paused before a bakery where an elderly woman handed out free samples of sweet rolls. The scent of cinnamon and honey filled the air. The baker beamed at Lucian. "Bless you, my lord! Thanks to your wisdom, business has never been better!" Lucian forced a humble nod. "Of course. My¡­ wisdom." The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Amelia arched an eyebrow but said nothing. Further along, they passed a group of self-trained militia members drilling in formation. Though their stances were rough, their discipline was undeniable. A retired knight, a broad-shouldered man with grizzled hair, led them. "Who trained these men?" Amelia asked. Elaine smirked. "They trained themselves, inspired by Lord Veilwood¡¯s philosophy of self-reliance." Lucian coughed. "Right. Exactly as I planned." Amelia turned to him, scrutinizing his expression. "Lord Veilwood, either you are the greatest strategist this empire has ever seen¡­ or the luckiest fool alive." Lucian exhaled. "I get that a lot." They continued through Duskwatch, Amelia making notes in a small leather-bound book. By the time they reached the town hall, she closed it with a decisive snap. "I must admit, Lord Veilwood, I came expecting to unearth fraud or incompetence," she said. "Instead, I find an anomaly. A leader with no interest in ruling, yet whose people prosper." Lucian scratched the back of his head. "Uh¡­ thank you?" As more townspeople praised him, Lucian¡¯s confidence grew. By the time they reached the town hall, he was convinced that all of this had, indeed, gone according to plan. He turned to Amelia with an easy smile. "You see, Countess, everything in Duskwatch is the result of careful strategy." Amelia¡¯s gaze remained unreadable. "I need time to analyze my findings. But I will say this¡ªif you truly are the genius some claim you to be, then the nobles of this empire will not ignore you for long." Lucian sighed. "That sounds exhausting." She smiled faintly. "Indeed, Lord Veilwood. Indeed." Chapter 19: The Countess’s Growing Suspicion Lucian leaned back in his chair, pleased with himself after the town tour. The Countess had seen firsthand how well Duskwatch was thriving, and he was certain she had bought into his carefully crafted facade of effortless genius. Meanwhile, Countess Amelia sat across from him in the town hall, quietly sipping her tea. She watched him with unreadable eyes, her mind whirring with analysis. Everything she had witnessed defied logic. No taxation, no formal governance, yet prosperity flourished. Even more perplexing, the people genuinely adored Lucian, and not out of fear or obligation. She set her teacup down with deliberate grace. "Lord Veilwood, I must admit, I am¡­ intrigued." Lucian smirked. "Naturally. Duskwatch¡¯s success is no accident. Every move has been calculated." Dorian, standing behind him, turned pale. Elaine choked on her drink. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "Oh?" Amelia folded her hands. "Then tell me, Lord Veilwood, what was your thought process behind allowing the market to regulate itself so freely?" Lucian waved a hand lazily. "Simple. If people think they have freedom, they take responsibility. You just have to nudge them in the right direction." Dorian¡¯s face twitched, barely holding in a scream. He actually believes this was his plan?! Amelia tapped a finger against her chin. "And the militia? You claim to have had no formal military training, yet your people speak as if your strategies are genius." Lucian nodded sagely. "Ah, yes. The key is delegation. Give people just enough power to think they¡¯re in charge, while secretly guiding them." Elaine raised an eyebrow. Is¡­ is he serious? Amelia studied him for a long moment, then gave a small smile. "I see. You are far more capable than the rumors suggested." Lucian grinned. Perfect. She¡¯s completely convinced. Meanwhile, Dorian and Elaine exchanged glances. Oh no. She¡¯s completely convinced. Outside, the people of Duskwatch continued their work, blissfully unaware that their ¡°strategic genius¡± of a lord was merely a man who had stumbled into greatness by accident. The Boy Who Mastered Doing Nothing (Lucian’s Backstory) Lucian Veilwood learned young that competence was a trap. Not because he was lazy¡ªnot at first. As a child, he had actually tried. And that was his first mistake.
Lucian was gifted. He picked up languages quickly, understood numbers faster than his tutors expected, and had a natural grasp of tactics, negotiation, and rhetoric. His father, Baron Alistair Veilwood, noticed immediately. "You have a sharp mind, Lucian," he had said. "Sharp minds are meant to lead." And just like that, his life became a series of endless expectations.
  • At six, he was given books on political philosophy.
  • At eight, he was made to sit through his father¡¯s court meetings.
  • At ten, he was already correcting his tutors'' lessons.
It was exhausting. But the worst part? The more he excelled, the more they demanded. If he solved one problem, he was given five more. If he mastered one lesson, they raised the bar. Effort was not rewarded. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. It was punished.
By the time he turned thirteen, Lucian was the perfect heir. His father had great plans for him¡ªa seat in the Emperor¡¯s court, a prestigious governorship, a political marriage to solidify their family¡¯s influence. But Lucian was miserable. He spent every waking moment proving himself, only for it to never be enough. So, one day, he decided to stop. Not completely. No, that would have been too obvious. Instead, he perfected the art of doing just enough.
  • He answered questions slowly in lessons, never incorrectly, but never too quickly.
  • He still attended court, but now he let others speak first, acting as if he was "thoughtful" rather than disinterested.
  • He made deliberate minor mistakes in sword training, just enough to appear mediocre rather than exceptional.
And it worked. His father, satisfied that Lucian was "steady but not brilliant," stopped pushing so hard. His tutors, relieved that they no longer had to keep up with his pace, praised his "measured learning." The burden eased. For the first time, Lucian could breathe. And he vowed never to make the mistake of standing out again.
The Mistake That Changed Everything For years, Lucian¡¯s plan succeeded. He drifted through his noble duties, never failing, never excelling. His father¡¯s ambitions shifted to his younger brother, Edwin, who was eager to please. Lucian believed he had escaped the weight of expectation forever. Then, at twenty-three, his father fell ill. And suddenly, Lucian was the heir again. A Veilwood could not simply do nothing. And so, when the Emperor requested candidates to govern Duskwatch, his father --still unaware of Lucian¡¯s years of strategic underperformance¡ªrecommended him. And Lucian? He had no clue about it. And the imperial court, surprisingly agreed. That was how Lucian, after a lifetime of trying not to stand out, found himself responsible for an entire province.
The day he left for Duskwatch, Lucian sat in his carriage, staring at the decree in his hands. He had spent years escaping responsibility. Now, it had found him anyway. If he had to rule, he would do it with as little effort as possible. Because effort? Effort only led to more expectations. And he refused to make that mistake again. Chapter 20: The Political Game Begins As the sun set over Duskwatch, Countess Amelia sat in her private quarters, reviewing her notes from the day. Every piece of evidence pointed to the same baffling conclusion¡ªLucian Veilwood was either the most brilliant tactician she had ever encountered or the most absurdly lucky noble in history. She needed to push further. The next morning, Amelia requested a private audience with Lucian. He arrived fashionably late, yawning and stretching as he entered the meeting room. Dorian and Elaine stood behind him, their expressions carefully neutral. "Countess," Lucian said smoothly, dropping into his chair. "I trust you slept well?" "I did," Amelia replied, steepling her fingers. "Though I must admit, I spent much of the night pondering the mystery that is Duskwatch." Lucian grinned. "Ah, yes. It does have a certain¡­ charm, doesn¡¯t it?" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. She tilted her head. "Your policies are unconventional. No taxes, decentralized governance, an independent militia¡ªall measures that should spell disaster. And yet, everything runs seamlessly. Why is that?" Lucian leaned back, exuding false confidence. "Because, Countess, the key to ruling is understanding that people will do what¡¯s best for themselves. Give them freedom, and they¡¯ll build something great." Dorian¡¯s eye twitched. Elaine pinched the bridge of her nose. Amelia studied him for a long moment. Then, she smiled. "A fascinating perspective. I wonder¡­ have you considered expanding your influence?" Lucian blinked. "Expanding?" "The empire is watching, Lord Veilwood," Amelia said. "There are other struggling regions¡ªplaces that could benefit from your leadership. If you were to take them under your wing, you could reshape the political landscape." Lucian¡¯s stomach dropped. "That sounds¡­ like a lot of work." Amelia chuckled. "Ah, but a man of your vision surely has the foresight to prepare for such an inevitability. Or¡­ are you afraid of the responsibility?" Lucian bristled. "Afraid? Ha! Hardly! I just¡­ prefer to act when the time is right." Dorian barely held in a scream. Why is he taking the bait?! Amelia¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Then I shall send word to the imperial court. They will be most interested to hear of your ambitions." Lucian paled. "Wait, what?" Elaine sighed. "Here we go again." Chapter 21: Imperial Attention Lucian sat in his office, absently spinning a quill between his fingers. Dorian paced back and forth while Elaine leaned against the wall, arms crossed, exuding her usual amused disinterest. "So let me get this straight," Lucian said slowly. "Because of one conversation, Amelia has sent word to the imperial court that I¡¯m some kind of grand reformer?" Dorian nodded. "Yes. And now several influential nobles are curious about your leadership. Some see you as a threat, others as an opportunity. We received a letter this morning." Lucian picked up the parchment and skimmed it. "¡®His Majesty¡¯s council formally invites Lord Veilwood to the Imperial Capital to discuss future governance reforms¡­¡¯" He stopped and looked at Dorian. "This is a joke, right?" The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Dorian pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wish." Elaine chuckled. "Congratulations, my lord. You¡¯re officially a political player." Lucian groaned. "I don¡¯t want to be a political player! I just want to nap and let things run themselves!" Dorian threw his hands up. "Then maybe you shouldn¡¯t have accidentally created the most effective self-governing system in the empire!" Lucian slumped into his chair. "This is a nightmare." Elaine smirked. "Oh, it gets better. The Emperor himself has taken an interest in you. He sent an envoy. They¡¯ll be arriving in a week." Lucian paled. "I need to fake my death. Or flee the country. Maybe both." Dorian sighed. "Or, you could actually prepare for this and try not to let everything collapse." Lucian rubbed his temples. "Fine. But if I somehow end up running the empire, I¡¯m blaming all of you." Interlude 5: A Letter from Count Orlin Devereaux Confidential Correspondence From the Office of Count Orlin Devereaux To Lord Edgar Gainsworth, Imperial Council Member Lord Gainsworth, I trust this letter finds you in good health. I write to you today regarding a matter that has recently come to my attention¡ªone that could disrupt the delicate balance of our empire. I speak, of course, of Lord Lucian Veilwood of Duskwatch. A name that, until recently, meant nothing. Now, however, it is being spoken in noble halls, military camps, and¡ªmost concerningly¡ªwithin the Emperor¡¯s court itself. This cannot be ignored.
At First, I Laughed. When I first heard of Veilwood¡¯s "accomplishments," I assumed them to be exaggerated merchant gossip. Consider the absurdity of it:
  • A minor noble with no experience, no military background, and no political ties.
  • Governing a worthless province.
  • Who abolished taxes, removed oversight, and let his people ¡®govern themselves.¡¯
By all logic, Duskwatch should have collapsed within weeks. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Instead, it thrives. Exports have tripled. Crime has vanished. The Mercenary King himself now protects the region. A lawless border town is now outperforming imperial cities. And no one can explain why.
Then, I Grew Concerned. At first, I dismissed this as luck. A fool who happened to stumble into fortune. But then I read Duke Reinhardt¡¯s latest reports.
  • Veilwood refuses alliances yet keeps gaining power.
  • He is feared by spies yet does nothing to stop them.
  • His people worship him, yet he makes no effort to secure their loyalty.
It defies reason. I thought perhaps he was a pawn, controlled by a hidden hand. But no faction, no foreign power, no imperial noble stands behind him. He is an anomaly. And anomalies are dangerous.
Now, I Am Certain. This "Lazy Lord" is no mere curiosity. If his influence spreads, other provinces will question their own lords. What happens when the merchant guilds start demanding tax reform? What happens when soldiers start questioning imperial bureaucracy? What happens when the Emperor begins to see him as an alternative? I refuse to wait and find out.
We Must Act. Lord Gainsworth, we must move swiftly and subtly.
  • The Emperor is watching him. A direct attack would draw too much attention.
  • We must weaken him politically, not militarily.
  • We must turn the empire against him before he turns it against us.
I will reach out to my contacts. If Veilwood is a fool, we will expose him. If he is a manipulator, we will outmaneuver him. But if he is truly what these rumors claim him to be¡­ Then we must destroy him before it is too late. Count Orlin Devereaux
Private Correspondence of Count Orlin Devereaux To: Lord Cedric Vale Subject: The Duskwatch Problem Cedric, I have exhausted every reasonable approach to undermining Lord Veilwood. Nothing is working. Absolutely nothing. I will outline my many attempts below, not just for my sanity but so you understand the depths of my frustration.
Attempt #1: Economic Destabilization The plan was simple¡ªif Duskwatch refused to be taxed, I would ruin its trade routes. I had my agents bribe and threaten merchants to avoid doing business there. The result?
  • The merchants ignored us.
  • Trade increased.
  • More businesses moved to Duskwatch.
Why? Because without tariffs, bribes, and oversight, trading there is easier than anywhere else. In trying to undermine him, I made Veilwood¡¯s economy even stronger.
Attempt #2: Bandit Disruptions Fine. If trade couldn¡¯t be stopped, I would harass it instead. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. I hired bandit groups to raid the roads leading to Duskwatch. The result?
  • The merchants fought back.
  • The bandits joined Duskwatch instead.
  • My hired criminals sent me apology letters.
I received an actual note from a bandit leader, Cedric.
"My lord, Duskwatch is not worth robbing. Their merchants are armed, their militia is terrifying, and the local baker carries a crossbow. I have taken up a respectable job as a courier. Please do not contact me again."
This cannot be reality.
Attempt #3: Political Scandal If I could not destroy his economy, I would destroy his reputation. I sent envoys to spread rumors in the noble courts¡ªclaims that Lord Veilwood was incompetent, corrupt, and possibly even plotting against the empire. The result?
  • Half the nobles dismissed it outright.
  • The other half found him even more interesting.
One even said:
"If he is truly that dangerous, perhaps we should learn from him."
I have never in my life seen a nobleman gain power by doing nothing. And yet, here we are.
Attempt #4: Infiltration Desperate, I sent three spies to gather intelligence. None of them returned. Elaine Stormcrest, Veilwood¡¯s former knight-turned-militia-commander, found them immediately. She personally escorted them out of town and sent me a letter.
"Dear Count Devereaux, Thank you for your continued interest in Duskwatch. I have returned your men unharmed. They were rather unconvincing. Next time, at least send someone competent."
She signed it with a smiley face, Cedric. A SMILEY FACE.
Conclusion: I Am at My Limit I do not know how Veilwood is doing this. He does not participate in politics. He does not manage his own economy. He does not command his own militia. Yet everything works. And worst of all¡ªwe have no idea how any of this is happening. Cedric, I need a new strategy. Otherwise, I may have to accept the horrifying truth. That Lucian Veilwood is untouchable. Count Orlin Devereaux
Chapter 22: The Emperor’s Envoy The tension in Duskwatch was palpable as news of the imperial envoy¡¯s arrival spread. Merchants hurried to clean their stalls, militia members polished their armor, and Dorian was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "My lord," he stammered, pacing in Lucian¡¯s office. "The Emperor¡¯s envoy will arrive tomorrow. We need a plan!" Lucian reclined lazily in his chair. "Easy. We let them see what they want to see." Elaine snorted. "And what exactly is that?" Lucian waved a hand. "A thriving town, strong leadership, a hint of mystery. Nobles love that stuff." Dorian¡¯s face twitched. "You¡­ you make it sound like we¡¯re hosting a masquerade ball, not a political delegation!" This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Lucian grinned. "Same thing, really. Just with more paperwork." The next morning, the town square was transformed. Banners flew, musicians played cheerful tunes, and even the militia stood in an impressive formation (after several hours of practice). When the envoy¡¯s carriage finally arrived, the entire town held its breath. Out stepped Lord Hadrian Vale, a sharp-eyed man draped in imperial finery. His calculating gaze swept across the town before settling on Lucian. "Lord Veilwood," he said, voice cool and measured. "The Emperor has taken great interest in your¡­ methods." Lucian smiled pleasantly, ignoring the beads of sweat forming on Dorian¡¯s brow. "Naturally. Duskwatch is a model of efficiency." Hadrian raised an eyebrow. "Indeed? Then I look forward to seeing it firsthand." Lucian clapped his hands. "Great! Right this way. Let¡¯s start with the marketplace. It practically runs itself!" Dorian groaned internally. That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of¡­ Chapter 23: A Tour of Controlled Chaos Lucian led Lord Hadrian Vale through the bustling streets of Duskwatch, doing his best to exude confidence while frantically hoping nothing would go wrong. Dorian shadowed him, whispering nervous updates while Elaine trailed behind, suppressing her smirk. "As you can see," Lucian said, gesturing grandly at the marketplace, "Duskwatch operates with remarkable efficiency." Hadrian observed as a baker haggled furiously with a customer, two merchants yelled about stolen goods, and a street performer somehow turned a minor accident into an impromptu comedy act that had the crowd roaring with laughter. "Remarkable," Hadrian murmured. "And you say this¡­ runs itself?" Lucian nodded sagely. "Indeed. My philosophy is to empower the people to govern their own affairs." Dorian nearly choked. That¡¯s because you refuse to do any work! They passed the militia barracks, where a group of recruits was sparring under the watchful eye of a veteran knight. Hadrian narrowed his eyes. "Your militia is well-trained. Were they all conscripted?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Elaine grinned. "Oh no, they volunteered. The people protect themselves because Lord Veilwood fosters a spirit of self-reliance." Lucian coughed. "Naturally. A disciplined force that defends its own home will always be more effective than one forced into service." Dorian¡¯s eye twitched. That was just an excuse to avoid drafting soldiers! As they continued, a group of children ran up to Lucian, handing him freshly baked pastries and cheering. "Thank you for making our town safe, Lord Veilwood!" Lucian accepted the treats with a smile. "All part of the plan, of course." Hadrian watched everything with an unreadable expression. "I must admit, this is not what I expected. I have seen nobles rule through fear, through bureaucracy, through military might¡ªbut never through¡­ whatever this is." Lucian chuckled. "Leadership comes in many forms." Dorian covered his face. He still thinks this is all planned! Hadrian folded his hands behind his back. "The Emperor will be very interested in my report. I must stay a few more days to observe more closely." Lucian froze. "Stay? As in¡­ stay here?" Hadrian gave a thin smile. "Of course. This system of yours is most¡­ unconventional. I would be remiss not to study it further." Lucian forced a laugh. "Ahaha¡­ of course! Make yourself at home. We run an open and transparent governance here!" Elaine patted his back. "Good luck with that." Dorian whispered, "We¡¯re doomed." Lucian sighed. Why does this keep happening to me? Chapter 24: An Uncomfortable Dinner The evening after the tour, Lucian found himself seated at a long dining table in the town hall, opposite Lord Hadrian Vale. The noble¡¯s expression remained unreadable as servants set down plates of carefully prepared local dishes. Dorian sat to Lucian¡¯s left, still tense, while Elaine lounged to his right, clearly enjoying the chaos. The townspeople had outdone themselves in an effort to impress their imperial guest, though Lucian suspected half of them had no idea what an envoy was supposed to do. Hadrian took a sip of tea and set the teaset down delicately. "I must admit, Lord Veilwood, I am¡­ intrigued by what I have seen." Lucian nodded as if he had expected this. "Yes, Duskwatch is quite remarkable, isn¡¯t it?" Dorian¡¯s eye twitched. You don¡¯t even know how half of it works! Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Hadrian tapped his fingers together. "Your governance is highly unorthodox, yet it produces results. Tell me, do you intend to expand them elsewhere?" Lucian kept eating absentmindedly. "Expand What?" "Your policies," Hadrian continued, watching him carefully. "Many struggling territories could benefit from your¡­ leadership. Perhaps even regions under direct imperial control." Lucian nearly choked. "Oh, well¡­ that¡¯s a big responsibility." Hadrian smiled thinly. "Surely a leader of your caliber is prepared for such things." Lucian forced a laugh. "Ahaha¡­ of course! It¡¯s all about timing, you see." Elaine elbowed him. "You¡¯re making it worse." Dorian whispered, "You¡¯re about to be recruited into empire-wide reform! Do something!" Lucian panicked. "Well, expansion requires careful consideration. A delicate balance between¡ªuh¡ªlocal traditions and economic sustainability." Hadrian nodded slowly. "A wise answer. The Emperor will be most interested to hear your thoughts in person." Lucian¡¯s stomach dropped. "Wait, in person?" Hadrian¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "Yes. His Majesty has requested you visit the capital." Lucian stared blankly. "Oh. Fantastic." Elaine smirked. "Guess you¡¯ll need a new outfit." 2 Chapter 25: A Capital-Sized Problem Lucian had spent the last three hours spiraling between denial and existential dread. He was going to the capital. The actual imperial capital. Where real rulers, military commanders, and scheming nobles roamed. "Alright, new plan," Lucian announced, pacing in his office. "We pretend I¡¯m sick. Maybe even terminally ill. I hear sudden fevers can be very convincing." Dorian groaned. "My lord, that will not work. The envoy is already preparing the travel arrangements. If you back out now, they¡¯ll assume you¡¯re hiding something." Elaine smirked. "Besides, what¡¯s the worst that could happen? You get promoted to a grander position? End up running the empire?" Lucian paled. "I hate how possible that sounds." If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. A knock at the door interrupted his panic attack. One of the town guards entered hesitantly. "My lord, we¡¯ve received another letter. It¡¯s from Duke Reinhardt. He says he¡¯s ¡®eager to meet you in the capital.¡¯" Lucian grabbed the letter and read the contents. "¡®Eager¡¯ is not the word I¡¯d use for this tone. This sounds more like, ¡®I can¡¯t wait to crush this upstart with my bare hands.¡¯" Dorian swallowed hard. "The Duke has never been fond of unconventional leaders. He¡¯ll be looking for any excuse to discredit you." Lucian groaned. "Great. So now, not only do I have to impress the Emperor, but I also have to survive a political assassination disguised as a polite conversation." Elaine chuckled. "Sounds like a fun trip." Lucian slumped into his chair. "I hate everything about this." Dorian adjusted his glasses. "Then I suggest you start practicing your speech. The entire imperial court will be listening." Lucian stared at him in horror. "Speech? No one said anything about a speech!" Elaine clapped him on the back. "Congratulations, my lord. You¡¯re about to make history." Lucian groaned into his hands. "I just wanted to take naps, not run a kingdom!" Chapter 26: Speechless in the Capital Lucian stood at the entrance to the imperial capital, staring up at the massive gates with the enthusiasm of a man marching toward his own execution. "Alright, hear me out," he muttered to Dorian and Elaine as they dismounted. "What if I trip on purpose? Knock myself unconscious? That buys us at least a few days." Dorian groaned. "We¡¯ve been over this. You have to give a speech before the Emperor and the court. It¡¯s non-negotiable." Elaine smirked. "Honestly, I¡¯d love to see you improvise something. Might be the best comedy act this city has ever witnessed." Lucian sighed as a finely dressed court official approached. "Lord Veilwood, welcome to the capital. His Majesty eagerly anticipates your insights into governance." The official¡¯s tone was polite but held a distinct undercurrent of do not embarrass us all. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Oh, don¡¯t worry," Lucian said weakly. "I¡¯m full of¡­ insights." As they entered the grand halls of the palace, Lucian¡¯s nerves hit a peak. The chamber was vast, lined with golden pillars and filled with high-ranking nobles, military officers, and political schemers, all waiting to hear the ¡®brilliant¡¯ Lord Veilwood speak. Lucian took his place before the Emperor¡¯s throne, Dorian gripping his notes in silent prayer. A herald stepped forward. "Lord Lucian Veilwood of Duskwatch will now address the court!" Lucian cleared his throat. His mind went blank. A long silence stretched. Someone coughed. Lucian¡¯s mouth opened, and the first words he blurted were: "Taxes are bad." Another silence. Then murmurs rippled through the room. One noble nodded thoughtfully. "A bold stance." Another whispered, "Truly revolutionary." Lucian, realizing they were buying it, pressed on. "Indeed! Taxation is a burden on progress! And¡ªuh¡ªpeople spend money better when they have it!" He paused. "Obviously." The Emperor leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on." Lucian gulped. Oh no. Dorian, nearly fainting, whispered, "My lord, please stop before you start a revolution." Chapter 27: The Accidental Revolutionary Lucian felt every pair of eyes in the imperial court locked onto him, waiting for his next profound statement. His palms were sweating, his throat dry, and Dorian looked like he was about to collapse from sheer panic. "Uh, right," Lucian continued, his mind racing. "The key to a thriving economy is¡­ not taking money from people?" A few nobles nodded sagely, murmuring amongst themselves. "Brilliant," one whispered. "So simple, yet profound." Lucian swallowed. "Exactly! The government should, uh, trust its citizens! Allow them the freedom to create, to prosper, and to¡ª" He waved a hand vaguely. "You know, do business things." The Emperor leaned forward. "And what of military funding? Infrastructure? Protection of the realm? Surely governance requires resources." Lucian''s stomach churned. "Oh. Right. That. Well, people¡­ people like safety, right? If they have a vested interest in their own protection, they''ll naturally¡­ uh¡­ defend themselves?" The chamber fell silent. Stolen novel; please report. Then, a noble in an elaborate velvet robe slowly stood. "You propose a self-sustaining, community-driven defense force?" Lucian blinked. "I do?" The noble turned to the others. "Imagine it! An empire where every citizen takes responsibility for their own security! No bloated standing armies! No corrupt tax collectors siphoning the wealth of the people!" Lucian¡¯s jaw went slack. What is happening? Another noble stood. "His Excellency¡¯s words ring true! Have we not seen how bureaucracy stifles innovation? Lord Veilwood¡¯s county has flourished under minimal interference! Perhaps the entire empire should take heed!" Dorian made a strangled sound. "Oh no. Oh no no no." Elaine grinned. "This is getting good." The Emperor steepled his fingers, considering. "Lord Veilwood, you present a radical vision. If such a system works in Duskwatch, could it work elsewhere?" Lucian stared at him, mouth dry. "Uh¡­" The chamber erupted into debate. Some nobles were fervently for the idea, others violently against it. Heated arguments broke out, and before Lucian knew it, factions were forming. Dorian buried his face in his hands. "You¡¯ve done it. You¡¯ve started an imperial-wide debate on governance. We are all going to die." Lucian exhaled sharply. "I just wanted a nap." The Emperor raised his hand, and silence fell. "Lord Veilwood, you have given us much to consider. We shall deliberate on these matters in the coming days. You will remain in the capital as our guest." Lucian forced a smile. "Fantastic." Elaine clapped him on the back. "You just might go down in history, my lord." Lucian groaned. I was afraid of that. Chapter 28: The Emperor’s Favor Lucian sat stiffly in the luxurious guest chambers of the palace, staring at the absurdly comfortable couch as if it might explode. Dorian paced back and forth, muttering calculations under his breath, while Elaine lounged in a chair, looking far too amused for Lucian¡¯s liking. "Alright," Lucian exhaled. "What¡¯s the plan? How do we make this problem go away?" Dorian stopped pacing long enough to shoot him a panicked glare. "You don¡¯t understand. The Emperor is interested in you. That means nobles are either going to try to ally with you or completely destroy you." Lucian groaned. "I hate both of those options. What about a third one?" Elaine smirked. "What, run away and live in the mountains?" Lucian snapped his fingers. "Exactly! We disappear, find a quiet village, and pretend none of this ever happened." Dorian rubbed his temples. "That is not an option, my lord. You have inadvertently become one of the most influential figures in the empire." Before Lucian could protest, a knock at the door interrupted them. A royal attendant entered and bowed. "His Majesty requests your presence for a private discussion." This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Lucian paled. "Private discussion? As in¡­ alone?" The attendant nodded. "Immediately." Lucian took a deep breath. "Fantastic." The Emperor¡¯s private study was grand but not overwhelming. Books lined the walls, and a large map of the empire dominated the center of the room. The Emperor sat behind his desk, watching Lucian with an expression of polite curiosity. "Lord Veilwood," the Emperor greeted. "Come, sit." Lucian obeyed, his heart pounding. The Emperor steepled his fingers. "Your ideas have sparked great debate. Some see them as revolutionary, others as dangerous. What do you think?" Lucian cleared his throat. "Uh¡­ well, I think people should¡­ be happy? And also, uh, not overburdened? By taxes. And rules." The Emperor chuckled. "An admirably simple philosophy. And yet, Duskwatch thrives. Why do you believe that is?" Lucian hesitated. "Well¡­ people like freedom. And when they¡¯re left to their own devices, they usually find a way to make things work." The Emperor studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Fascinating. I have a proposition for you, Lord Veilwood." Lucian tensed. "Oh no." The Emperor smiled. "I want you to remain in the capital as my advisor." Lucian¡¯s brain short-circuited. "I¡ªwhat?" Dorian, who had just arrived outside the study, let out an audible groan. Elaine whispered gleefully, "Oh, this just keeps getting better." Lucian forced a laugh. "Haha, well, you know, Your Majesty, I¡¯m really more of a¡ªwhat¡¯s the word¡ªcounty-level thinker." The Emperor¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. "Then consider this a challenge. You will stay in the capital for a time, observe, and perhaps even teach us more about your unique governance style." Lucian gulped. I just wanted a nap. Chapter 29: The Art of Avoiding Work Lucian sat in a lavish chair in the Emperor¡¯s court, his posture stiff, his mind racing. How had he gone from avoiding responsibility to being an imperial advisor? He needed an escape plan¡ªfast. Dorian leaned in, whispering furiously. "Do not say anything reckless. Just nod, agree politely, and stay under the radar." Elaine smirked. "That¡¯s optimistic." Lucian took a deep breath and turned his attention back to the Emperor, who was now introducing him to a room full of high-ranking officials and advisors. "Lord Veilwood," the Emperor announced, "is here to share his insights on governance and economic reform. His work in Duskwatch has proven to be¡­ unconventional yet highly effective." Lucian gave his best diplomatic nod, which likely came off more as dazed confusion. A noble in flowing robes stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Tell me, Lord Veilwood, how do you handle disputes in your lands without a formal judiciary?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Lucian blinked. "Oh, that¡¯s simple. People sort things out themselves." The noble frowned. "So you let chaos reign?" "No, no!" Lucian waved his hands. "People have their own sense of justice. If someone causes trouble, their neighbors make sure they behave. It¡¯s¡­ self-regulating." A murmur rippled through the crowd. Another noble tapped his chin. "Fascinating. This prevents corruption in legal offices. Could we apply this on a larger scale?" Lucian¡¯s stomach dropped. "Oh, uh, well¡ª" The Emperor leaned forward. "Lord Veilwood, would you be willing to present a detailed proposal to the court?" Lucian forced a grin. "Of course! In¡­ uh¡­ a few months? I¡¯d need time to, you know, gather my thoughts." Dorian buried his face in his hands. "You just delayed it, didn¡¯t you?" Elaine chuckled. "At least he¡¯s consistent." The Emperor gave a thoughtful nod. "Very well. In the meantime, you will attend council meetings and offer your insights." Lucian smiled weakly. This is not what I wanted. Later that evening, back in his chambers, Lucian paced the room while Dorian ranted. "Do you realize what¡¯s happening?! You¡¯re becoming a key political figure!" Lucian flopped onto the couch. "I know, I know. It¡¯s a nightmare. How do I get out of this?" Elaine tossed an apple at him. "You don¡¯t. You just keep bluffing and hope no one catches on." Lucian groaned. "I really should have run to the mountains when I had the chance." Chapter 30: The Trap of Success Lucian woke up the next morning with a sinking feeling in his stomach. No matter how hard he tried to avoid responsibility, he was being dragged deeper into the empire¡¯s politics. Dorian entered the room holding a stack of documents. "Good morning, my lord. Today¡¯s agenda includes your first council meeting, a private discussion with Duke Reinhardt, and¡ª" Lucian sat up abruptly. "Wait, Duke Reinhardt? The one who wants me gone?" Dorian adjusted his glasses. "The very same. Apparently, he has ¡®concerns¡¯ about your policies and wishes to speak to you personally." Elaine smirked. "Translation: he¡¯s looking for an excuse to humiliate you." Lucian groaned. "Perfect. Just what I needed." The council chamber was packed with nobles when Lucian arrived. The Emperor sat at the head of the table, watching as Lucian took his seat. He barely had time to get comfortable before Duke Reinhardt cleared his throat. "Lord Veilwood," the Duke began, his tone silky but sharp, "since your arrival, I have heard many¡­ fascinating tales of your governance. Tell me, do you truly believe a land can flourish without taxation?" This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Lucian forced a smile. "Well, so far, Duskwatch seems to be doing alright." Reinhardt¡¯s lips curled. "And yet, without taxation, where does the funding for roads, security, and infrastructure come from? Surely, you cannot expect good governance to exist on goodwill alone." Lucian glanced at Dorian, who gave him a frantic look. He took a deep breath. "It¡¯s simple, really. People reinvest in their communities when they aren¡¯t being squeezed dry. A town that prospers naturally creates wealth, and that wealth leads to development." A few nobles nodded in agreement. Others whispered amongst themselves. Reinhardt, however, was not so easily convinced. "Interesting theory," the Duke said. "Then tell me, what happens when a crisis occurs? Say, a drought or an invasion? Who pays for the recovery?" Lucian hesitated. "Uh¡­ the people would¡­ figure something out?" Reinhardt scoffed. "So you expect peasants to fund their own defenses? Absurd." Lucian swallowed. "Not exactly. But if people are left with their own resources, they can prepare for¡ª" "Enough," the Duke interrupted. "If you truly believe in your methods, then prove it. I propose a challenge." Lucian narrowed his eyes. "What kind of challenge?" Reinhardt leaned forward, smiling coldly. "A test of leadership. You will be given temporary control over a struggling province. If your policies succeed there, then perhaps they warrant consideration. If they fail¡­ well, then we will know just how much of Duskwatch¡¯s success is sheer luck." Lucian¡¯s stomach dropped. "That¡¯s¡ª" "A fantastic idea," the Emperor interjected, clearly amused. "What do you say, Lord Veilwood?" Lucian¡¯s mind screamed at him to say no, but with every noble watching, he could already see the trap closing in around him. He forced a grin. "Sounds¡­ great." Dorian whimpered. "We¡¯re doomed." Elaine grinned. "This just keeps getting better." Chapter 31: A Fool’s Gambit Lucian spent the next few hours pacing his chambers while Dorian frantically scribbled notes and Elaine lounged in a chair, tossing an apple from hand to hand. "Alright," Lucian finally said, rubbing his temples. "This is bad. Really bad." Dorian didn¡¯t even look up from his parchment. "Glad you¡¯re catching up." Elaine smirked. "Oh, come on, it¡¯s just another impossible challenge. You¡¯re good at those." Lucian groaned. "Duskwatch worked because I didn¡¯t interfere! What if this new province actually needs leadership?" Dorian adjusted his glasses. "It does. Badly. The province of Blackhollow has been in decline for years¡ªcorrupt officials, failing infrastructure, constant bandit attacks¡­" This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Lucian buried his face in his hands. "And they¡¯re giving it to me to prove my policies work? How is that fair?!" Elaine took a bite of her apple. "It¡¯s not. That¡¯s the point." The next morning, Lucian stood at the gates of the imperial capital, staring at the caravan that would take him to Blackhollow. "Last chance to run," he muttered. Dorian sighed. "If you flee, you¡¯ll be branded a traitor." "Right, right," Lucian mumbled. "Better to fail spectacularly in public than be executed in private." Elaine clapped him on the back. "That¡¯s the spirit!" The journey was long and uncomfortable. By the time they arrived in Blackhollow, Lucian was exhausted and already regretting everything. The town itself was as bad as Dorian had described¡ªcrumbling buildings, wary-eyed citizens, and guards that looked more like thugs than protectors. As he stepped out of the carriage, a short, nervous-looking man approached and bowed. "L-Lord Veilwood, welcome to Blackhollow. I¡¯m Edgar, the steward. I, um, hope you can help us." Lucian gave a weak smile. "Sure! Helping is what I do best!" Dorian groaned. "Oh no." Elaine grinned. "Here we go again." Dorian - The Child Who Believed in Numbers A Lifetime of Numbers Dorian Lockewood had spent his entire life in service to numbers. Numbers never lied. A ledger told you more about a noble than any speech ever could. A budget revealed whether a city was growing or dying. And balance sheets exposed corruption in ways that spies never could. Numbers, Dorian believed, were the foundation of order. And order? Order was what separated civilization from chaos. Dorian was born into a dynasty of imperial administrators. The Lockewood family had served the empire for three generations. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. They weren¡¯t warriors or nobles. They weren¡¯t landed aristocrats with estates and titles. But they were trusted. Because they knew how to make things work. His father was a magistrate. His mother was an imperial scribe. His uncle was a tax auditor. Dinner table conversations were about economic policy, trade laws, and treasury reforms. By the age of six, Dorian could recite basic tax structures from memory. By ten, he had memorized the imperial budgeting system. By fifteen, he could calculate tariffs faster than most merchants. Where other children were taught swordplay, Dorian was taught how to balance budgets. Where other boys were trained to inherit estates, he was trained to govern them. His life was set in stone. He would become a great administrator. And he was fine with that. Because order was everything.
The "Perfect Student" Dorian thrived in academic settings. He devoured books on governance and trade. He excelled in arithmetic and logistics. He genuinely enjoyed tax law. (This was concerning to some.) His tutors praised his discipline. His father, ever the stern perfectionist, once told him: "Governance is about control, Dorian. If you control the flow of money, you control the province." Dorian nodded. It made perfect sense. Until the day he saw his first real noble in power. And realized that most rulers had no idea what they were doing. Dorian - His First Assignment Dorian Lockewood stepped into Eastmere¡¯s grand hall, full of optimism. At nineteen, he had finally earned his first major appointment. A struggling province, yes. But he believed in numbers, laws, and order. And numbers never lied. If the economy was failing, balance the budget. If crime was high, restructure enforcement. If people were unhappy, find the root cause and address it. These were solvable problems. And then he met Lord Halvern. And realized that numbers could not fix people. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. But.... Lord Halvern was not just lazy. He was actively destructive. A spoiled, self-indulgent noble who saw his province as a personal playground. He didn¡¯t just ignore governance¡ªhe deliberately made it harder for his staff to do their jobs. He spent treasury funds on lavish parties while roads fell into disrepair. He gave contradictory orders just to watch his advisors panic. Dorian stared in disbelief when he found out that Halvern auctioned off administrative positions to his drinking companions. When he confronted Halvern, the noble just laughed. "Let¡¯s see what happens," he said, raising a glass. "It¡¯ll be fun!" Dorian, stunned, realized that Halvern didn¡¯t just mismanage Eastmere¡ªhe enjoyed the chaos. With no direction from Halvern, Dorian took control. For six months, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes. He hired competent staff in secret to replace Halvern¡¯s drunken cronies, negotiated trade agreements to secure long-term stability, streamlined tax collection so money actually stayed in the treasury. For a while, it worked. Merchants returned. Trade increased. And Halvern? He spent the new wealth on imported wine. And took all the credit. Dorian didn¡¯t care. As long as the province functioned, that was enough, or so Dorian thought. But then came the festival. And Halvern burned it all down. Behind the Pages: Expanding the World of Lucian Veilwood Hello wonderful readers! As I continue working on "The Reluctant Lord of Duskwatch," I find myself at an exciting crossroads in the storytelling process. The world of Lucian, Dorian, and Elaine has grown beyond my initial vision, and I''m considering several paths to explore their stories more deeply. I''ve been using interludes to show how others perceive Lucian''s "brilliant" leadership¡ªfrom confused imperial bureaucrats to terrified bandits to rival nobles who can''t figure out how he''s succeeding. These glimpses outside our main trio have been some of my favorite scenes to write! Now I''m exploring additional ways to enrich the story: Option 1: More Character Backstories Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Delve deeper into how Lucian learned to master "strategic laziness," how Dorian''s idealism was crushed by corrupt nobles before finding unexpected success in Duskwatch, and how Elaine went from respected knight to amused observer of Lucian''s chaos. Option 2: Expanded Interludes Continue developing the outside world''s reaction to Lucian''s rise, showing the ripple effects of his accidental success across the empire. Option 3: Companion Novels Create separate books focusing on key characters, allowing us to see the same events from completely different perspectives. I would love to know -> Which characters are you most curious about? Would you prefer more backstory woven into the main narrative, or would you enjoy separate tales that expand the world? Are there particular scenes or moments you''d like to see from another character''s viewpoint? Your thoughts will help shape how this reluctant lord''s story unfolds. After all, Lucian may avoid responsibility at all costs, but as the author, I''m eager to embrace the challenge of bringing this world to life in the most entertaining way possible! Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!