I see... So she traveled all this way to show sincerity, just to win over this remote noble?
Although Sean had never seen what other nobles managed, he often heard Luke and the others boast about the prosperity of Koga City, so it must be true. In that case, even without Telmian, such a thriving place wouldn't suffer much. Besides, hadn't she just said that Telmian hadn't contacted the outside world in years, the last time dating back who knows how long? So his little town wasn't really that important.
Yet despite its insignificance, the *eagerness* she displayed was unmistakable—Aria's state couldn't lie. That meant this matter wasn't about Koga City but about her personally... She urgently needed his support!
"Miss Hamilton, do you mean that if Telmian supports you, we'll receive more assistance?" Luke spoke up again to confirm before Sean could say anything.
"Yes, I will vigorously support Telmian's development. If I succeed in inheriting the family title, I'll also launch more cooperative projects with Telmian Town." Aria didn't shy away from stating her goal directly.
Nobles of high rank surely had many children, and among so many, only one could truly inherit the position. So choosing an heir became a major challenge for great families... Realizing this, Sean suddenly understood the source of that eager feeling—local magnates were like regional lords in his understanding, needing to pick the right successor.
He guessed her siblings were probably doing the same thing now, using Koga City's strength to gather nearby minor nobles. This not only expanded Koga City's influence and reach but also allowed the winner to secure resources and connections from various places for years to come.
For a destitute little place like his, this was a good opportunity. Even if Aria didn't ultimately become countess, the worst that could happen was the new count ignoring them. He'd already reaped the benefits he could, and with this momentum, he might even develop further.
It was an opportunity not to be missed!
Why hadn't previous generations of Viscount Wigal thought of this? Or had they just gotten too used to a stable life?
Telmian could be self-sufficient, but once hit by natural disasters or calamities, it struggled badly and took ages to recover... Besides, after encountering wizards like Lucille and Bachler, Sean felt the town should become more open, not cling to its "remote, isolated" label.
It was precisely because people didn't understand it that they made it a place to explore.
In the days that followed, Sean thought many times about Bachler's situation back then—what would he have done without the archaeological team?
Since the avalanche was planned, might he have done other things... Very likely.
And in the end, he might have targeted Sean himself...
If that were the case, the one dealing with him might not have been Lucille but Bachler, and the outcome would have been vastly different.
"I'm willing to support Miss Aria, sworn on the honor of the Wigal family!"
After mulling it over in his head, Sean finally decided to stand up.
This was a win-win situation... And if she won, he could gain even more. Even if she lost...
No...
Sean cut off that thought.
Looking at the girl's overjoyed expression, it seemed she hadn't done much of this noble-recruiting business. To show such happiness after getting his affirmative answer. Someone like her probably chose him out of necessity, because Telmian, if scrutinized, didn't even have room for negotiation, especially in this disaster period.
From their perspective, the success rate of recruiting him was high!
Since she'd chosen him, he should at least help a little...
"Great, from today on, we're partners." The favorability above her head suddenly changed to *Friendly*!
"Of course, I'll do my utmost to help Miss Aria."
Sean forged another alliance. If the last one was for himself, this time it was for the whole town.
To let the townspeople live better and move past their grief quickly, maintaining an alliance with Koga City was essential. Otherwise, relying solely on the town's own development, who knew how long it would take to restore Creek Village to its former state.
…………………………
After confirming the alliance, their interactions became much smoother.
She stayed for three or four days...
What Aria brought, besides necessary relief supplies, clothes, and food, was a huge amount of money—a full hundred thousand!
Sean had never seen so much money. Rebuilding a village wouldn't use it all; plenty could be kept as reserves. But having money without a market was a problem.
He'd never seen this much cash, meaning the town didn't have enough goods in stock. If he bought up all the merchants' wares, money would become useless in the short term.
Currency, but no goods!
He'd have to wait for the next traveling merchants to arrive. So opening trade routes and establishing a market became Sean's first priority.
With Aria's help, more and more traveling merchants came to Telmian Town... Count Hamilton's influence was no joke—he could mobilize so many merchants.
Besides commerce, Aria's people included many artisans who guided the townsfolk in learning crafts.
High-level crafts were out of reach, since the town's carpenters and stonemasons were family-trained. They just needed to teach some more advanced methods, including site selection for the new Creek Village. The enthusiastic Aria even offered to bring in more teachers, but Sean temporarily declined.
"I could bring a few of the best teachers from Koga City Academy to guide the townspeople for a while. That might help Telmian's development."
Aria had been very enthusiastic these days, especially in helping the town.
Sean guessed she wanted to show her sincerity and secure his loyalty more firmly.
But...
Not everything best was suitable.
These days, he'd noticed the townspeople's emotions shifting from initial *Amazement!* to gradual *Resentment!*.
He suspected some of her people had already mocked the townsfolk. Telmian, closed off for so long, couldn't have its entire way of life changed in just a few days. It needed more time to adapt and transform...
"My townspeople have hardly received any education. Giving them too much at once would backfire. It needs to be gradual... No rush, there's plenty of time. But since Miss Aria mentioned education, I do have a question."
"Please, Viscount Wigal, ask whatever you like."