The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 100. Home In Paradise

                                                                    John Ericsson's Point of View

Well, it's nice that Ruby has come around to me. Now that I get a good look at everyone else in the room, I realize the old man isn't here. I decide to ask Ruby some questions.

" So, Ruby, where'd the old man go?"

" I don't know Lord Drake. I simply instructed some of my men to tend to the hole in the wall and the gator's carcass. The Iceskin family are more focused on scholarly pursuits in contrast to the Flameskin family's focus on manual labor and martial arts."

" I see. I guess my first order of business will be to look for the old man. I'd imagine he's kept records on most of the things I need in order to start governing." 

" We shall set out at once Lord Drake! Garlo! Simmon! We shall escort Lord Drake and his wives to old man Rodrick's home immediately!"

" Yes, Big Sis!"

Ruby seemed to be in a high-ranking position in the Flameskin family. I decided to ask her to know what her position in the family was.

" Ruby, they listened to you without any hassle. Are you the leader of the Flameskin family?"

" Yes and no Lord drake. My father is the actual leader. However, as he and my mother are currently serving in the army, I act as the current family head for here in Paradise."

" Ah, I see. Then is the old man... Rodrick, you said. Is Rodrick the leader of the  Iceskin family?"

" Yes, he's too old and frail to serve, so he decided to stay and pass his wisdom and advice onto the younger generation."

" I see. Well, let's see what he's got to say I guess."

With that as the end of the conversation, all of the occupants of the room started to walk out of the hole that was in the wall. Sarah had placed herself on the right side of me and Anna was to my left. We left to the hole to find a surprise. Rodrick had seemed to gather the town's population to help with the gator carcass.

" Ah! Marquess Drake! Good of you to join us! After you killed the gator, I thought it best to gather everyone to help move the burnt remains. Also, this acts as a good moment to introduce yourself to everyone!"

With Rodrick's idea, I was able to introduce myself as the new Lord. There were similar reactions as Ruby had. But Ruby and Rodrick were able to convince them. All in all, the town hosted around 30 people before Sarah, Anna and I arrived. After we had moved the carcass of the gator out of the town, we made a bonfire with magic from the Redskin family's magic. Ruby explained to us that the Redskins were unmatched when it came to fire magic prowess. Once the gator was burning well, I turned to Rodrick.

" Rodrick, I have a question for you."

" What is it, Lord Drake?"

" Do you have detailed records for this territory?"

Rodrick looked at me with a complicated expression on his face. I waited for him to respond.

" Yes, I do, but I fear they won't be useful to you Lord Drake."

" Why do you say that?"

" Well, the information I was given access to was only what the current Lord at the time told me."

" Ah, and because they were all guilty of fraud the numbers on the pages are useless to someone who actually wants to govern."

" That is correct Lord Drake."

I was disappointed by what Rodrick had to say. I also wondered why I didn't think of that outcome myself. Regardless, I still had some hope.

" What about the recent records? You've been self-governing since 2 years ago when the last Lord was found guilty of fraud right?"