Chapter 145: Beyond His Borders

The difference between Althoff and its neighboring territories became apparent before Raymond had traveled half a day beyond his borders.

Seated inside his carriage, the young Count watched the countryside through an open window as the carefully maintained road gradually deteriorated into an uneven stretch of packed earth.

Every few minutes, the carriage jolted over another rut, forcing Raymond to steady himself against the cushioned seat.

"Good grief," Raymond muttered, glancing toward the road ahead. "I never realized how much I’d come to appreciate our construction workers until I left them behind."

Cassian Rourke, riding beside the carriage, heard his complaint and smiled.

"Road maintenance varies considerably between territories, Your Excellency," the Gold Knight explained. "Some nobles invest heavily in commercial routes, while others concentrate their resources around their estates and principal settlements."

Raymond examined the muddy roadside, where an overloaded merchant wagon struggled through a particularly damaged section.

"Well, whoever governs this road should consider investing in a few shovels," he remarked. "That merchant looks like he’s about to lose a wheel."

Cassian followed his gaze.

"Shall I have two Knights assist him, my Lord?"

"Please do," Raymond replied. "There’s no reason to leave the poor fellow stranded."

Two mounted Knights approached the wagon and helped its driver guide the wheels onto firmer ground. The merchant thanked them repeatedly before continuing his journey.

Raymond watched the incident thoughtfully.

Roads were not merely conveniences for travelers. They determined how efficiently farmers transported produce, how quickly merchants delivered goods, and how reliably soldiers could move between settlements.

Althoff had spent considerable resources improving its infrastructure, but the benefits of those investments were becoming increasingly obvious.

Their journey continued through farmland belonging to Baron Oswald Varnholt.

The countryside appeared productive, with broad fields stretching between scattered villages. However, Raymond noticed considerable differences in agricultural organization compared to Althoff.

Some fields were carefully maintained, while others showed signs of inadequate irrigation or neglected drainage.

Farmers worked beneath the afternoon sun, guiding livestock and carrying bundles of harvested crops toward roadside storage sheds.

Raymond instructed the driver to stop near a small market settlement where the escort could rest and replenish supplies.

The village possessed several workshops, a modest inn, and a marketplace surrounded by timber buildings.

It was reasonably prosperous, although noticeably smaller than the expanding commercial districts Raymond had become accustomed to seeing.

While Cassian arranged the escort’s accommodations, Raymond wandered through the marketplace accompanied by two Household Knights.

A merchant selling grain caught his attention.

"Good afternoon," Raymond greeted the elderly trader, examining several sacks displayed beneath a canvas awning. "How has business been recently?"

The merchant glanced at his fine clothing before answering respectfully.

"Fair enough, my Lord, although transporting grain has become expensive. The roads are troublesome after heavy rain, and the toll collectors haven’t become any more generous."

Raymond raised an eyebrow.

"Are the tolls particularly high?"

"They’re manageable for larger merchants," the trader explained, rubbing his beard. "But smaller farmers feel them more sharply. By the time someone pays for transportation, market charges, and the road toll, there isn’t always much profit remaining."

Raymond listened carefully.

The merchant’s complaint revealed something important about the relationship between infrastructure and taxation.

A territory could possess fertile farmland and hardworking residents yet still struggle commercially if transporting goods consumed too much of their earnings.

He purchased a small quantity of dried fruit before returning to the carriage.

Cassian approached as Raymond examined the marketplace one final time.

"Did you find anything interesting, Your Excellency?" the Knight asked.

"Several things," Raymond answered. "Apparently, our roads aren’t the only advantage Althoff possesses. Reasonable trading arrangements might attract merchants just as effectively as good infrastructure."

Cassian nodded thoughtfully.

"Then this journey may prove useful beyond the royal proceedings, my Lord."

Raymond smiled.

"That’s exactly what I’m beginning to think."

They departed the settlement shortly afterward, continuing along the principal route toward the Royal Capital.

Over the following days, Raymond encountered territories displaying remarkably different approaches to governance.

One prosperous market town possessed well-maintained streets, orderly warehouses, and a thriving collection of workshops. Its local lord had evidently invested considerable effort into encouraging commerce.

Merchants arrived from neighboring regions carrying textiles, metal tools, preserved food, and agricultural products.

Raymond spent nearly an hour observing the market while his escort replenished supplies.

He noticed that several workshops specialized in producing finished metal fittings, including hinges, brackets, nails, and other components frequently required by construction workers.

The discovery immediately interested him.

Althoff’s expanding building program consumed substantial quantities of such materials, and dependable suppliers remained valuable despite the territory’s developing workshops.

Raymond approached one merchant whose stall displayed carefully organized iron fittings.

"Are these produced locally?" Raymond asked, examining a sturdy door hinge.

The merchant nodded proudly.

"Yes, my Lord. Our workshops have supplied merchants throughout this region for years. We can produce larger quantities when orders are arranged in advance."

Raymond considered the possibilities.

"Do your traders regularly travel toward Zulor?"

"Occasionally, my Lord," the merchant replied. "But we don’t have many established customers there."

Raymond smiled.

"That may change. House Althoff has several construction projects underway, and our Trade and Commerce Department is always interested in dependable suppliers."

The merchant’s expression brightened immediately.

After exchanging contact information, Raymond promised that Ysabel Merrow could review any formal proposal submitted through Althoff’s commercial representatives.

He deliberately avoided negotiating prices or making commitments himself.

Ysabel would undoubtedly have several unpleasant things to say if he returned having signed contracts without consulting her.

Later that evening, Raymond recorded the merchant’s details in his travel notebook.

He also noted opportunities involving textiles, agricultural equipment, and specialized craftsmen.

Not every territory they visited offered encouraging examples.

In one smaller settlement, Raymond encountered a group of residents repairing a damaged bridge using timber they had apparently gathered themselves.

The crossing connected several farms to the principal market road, yet its supporting beams showed obvious signs of deterioration.

Raymond watched the workers struggling to position a replacement beam before approaching an elderly villager supervising the repairs.

"Has the bridge been damaged for long?" Raymond asked.

The elderly man removed his cap respectfully.

"Since the last heavy rains, my Lord. We’ve sent requests for assistance, but the local officials say repairs must wait until sufficient funds are available."

Raymond glanced toward the damaged structure.

"Then the villagers are repairing it themselves?"

"We have little choice, my Lord," the man answered. "Without this crossing, our farmers must travel considerably farther to reach the market."

Raymond thanked him before returning to his escort.

The encounter troubled him.

He understood that every territory faced financial limitations. Althoff itself had endured years of poverty, and Raymond knew how difficult it could be to fund essential infrastructure.

Nevertheless, delaying repairs to an important crossing could create economic losses far exceeding the immediate cost of maintenance.

"Another reminder that government decisions have consequences," Raymond remarked as Cassian joined him.

Cassian studied the bridge before nodding.

"Ordinary residents often bear those consequences first, Your Excellency."

Raymond remained thoughtful as their carriage resumed its journey.

He had spent months examining Althoff through administrative reports, construction schedules, and financial records.

Traveling beyond his borders allowed him to witness how other nobles governed their territories.

Some demonstrated genuine competence, investing in infrastructure and encouraging commerce. Others appeared content to collect revenue while leaving their residents to manage problems themselves.

The Kingdom of Solaria was far more complicated than Raymond had previously appreciated.

Its prosperity was unevenly distributed, and the authority exercised by individual noble houses created considerable differences in living conditions.

Yet the journey also revealed opportunities.

Althoff could establish commercial relationships with productive territories, purchase specialized materials from established workshops, and attract merchants seeking reliable markets.

Raymond began developing several proposals he intended to discuss with Ysabel upon his return.

By the final day of their journey, the landscape surrounding the principal road had changed considerably.

Traffic became heavier, roadside settlements grew larger, and the number of merchant caravans increased.

Ahead, the Royal Capital of Solaria finally appeared.

Massive defensive walls surrounded the sprawling city, while towers, noble residences, and grand administrative buildings rose beyond its gates.

Raymond leaned toward the carriage window, studying the impressive sight.

"So that’s the Royal Capital," he remarked with genuine interest.

Cassian rode closer and nodded. "Indeed, Your Excellency. We should reach the entrance before evening."

As their escort approached the gates, guards inspected the documents bearing House Althoff’s crest.

The recognition of Raymond’s title ensured that the formalities proceeded without unnecessary delay.

However, his arrival did not pass entirely unnoticed. Near the entrance, two richly dressed noblemen watched the Althoff carriage pass through the gates.

"House Althoff?" one nobleman remarked, recognizing the golden insignia displayed upon the carriage. "Isn’t that the family whose young Baron nearly ruined his inheritance?"

His companion examined the escort with growing curiosity.

"The same one," he answered. "Although apparently the deadbeat Baron has somehow become a Count."

The first nobleman frowned. "Then perhaps we should discover what exactly happened in that miserable territory."

As Raymond’s carriage disappeared into the bustling streets, word of his arrival began spreading among nobles who remembered House Althoff’s former reputation.