Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World
Chapter 90: A Joke

TL: Etude

After bidding farewell to Queller and his party, Paul returned to his office, summoning not only his Chief Secretary Bernard but also his new advisor, Ladi.

“Welcome, Miss Ladi. May I ask you a personal question?” Paul inquired.

“Please ask, Lord Grayman.”

“Why did you switch careers? Uh… I mean, why did you abandon your profession as an adventurer to become an advisor here?”

Ladi answered, “Lord Grayman, as a naturalist, I joined the adventure group to travel and broaden my horizons. Now, I feel it’s time to settle and thoroughly organize what I’ve learned from my recent travels. So, I needed a quiet place to focus on this task.”

She had anticipated this question and prepared her answer, hence there was no hint of panic in her response.

Paul smirked, thinking Alda wouldn’t be ‘quiet’ anymore with a few more years of industrial and commercial development. However, he certainly wouldn’t say this out loud and risk driving her away.

He reminded her, “Don’t neglect your primary duties while organizing your knowledge!”

The scholar nodded, “Of course, Lord Grayman. In fact, I had planned to teach at Weiss Academy, but the Steward arranged an advisory position for me. But as a scholar, please don’t doubt my sense of responsibility.”

Paul didn’t really doubt Ladi; anyone brave enough to risk their life to save others likely wouldn’t lack moral integrity.

He then asked another question, “Where are you staying now?”

“The Administration Council has arranged accommodations for me in a dormitory next to the Lord’s Manor. I’m quite satisfied with the environment there.”

“That’s good to hear. By the way, Miss Ladi, Miss Dias, whom you saved, is also an advisor here. Now you’re colleagues. Maybe you could interact more when you have time?”

“Really?” Ladi was surprised but pleased to find another scholar here. Perhaps she could gain new insights from her.

“Lord Grayman, if there’s nothing else, I must take my leave. Steward Ford is waiting for my report.”

But Paul stopped her, “Ah, don’t rush, Miss Ladi.”

“Do you need something else, Lord Grayman?”

Paul clasped his hands on the desk and asked seriously, “Miss Ladi, you must have visited many countries with the Lichman Adventure Team over the years?”

The scholar nodded.

“So, you must have a basic understanding of the situation in each country?”

Ladi replied, “Somewhat. Apart from the southern countries, my knowledge of other areas is quite superficial.”

“Do you understand the laws of these countries?”

Ladi nodded, “Adventurers must understand the laws of any foreign country they visit to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

“That’s excellent.”

Paul’s eyes lit up as if he had found a treasure.

“I’m planning a series of reforms for our territory, and many new laws will be introduced. To avoid making hasty changes and repeating the mistakes of others, I intend to carefully examine the legal texts used historically and currently in various countries. Since you’re familiar with many countries’ laws and are also a historian, I believe you could be of great help in this matter.”

Ladi breathed a sigh of relief, “You flatter me, Lord Grayman. I’m honored to offer my assistance within my capabilities.”

Paul smiled, “Then it’s settled. I’ll have a room arranged for you in the castle for consultations whenever needed.”

Ladi nodded, “I’ll follow your instructions, my lord.”

As Paul was about to let her go, he suddenly felt playful. He put on a serious face and said, “Actually, I already have some ideas in mind. I’ll tell you now, and you can help me draft a proposal to be discussed with the Administration Council tomorrow.”

A task already? Without hesitation, Ladi responded, “Please go ahead, Lord.”

She focused, ready to listen to Paul’s ideas.

Paul stood up abruptly and said, “In this era, people have lost many precious traditions. It’s a decline in morals and values.”

With a pained expression, he continued, “So, I plan to enforce the restoration of some ancient, valuable traditions through legal means.”

“Indeed!” Ladi, agreeing with Paul’s view, asked, “Lord Grayman, which traditions do you wish to restore?”

Paul slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, “I’ve decided, let’s start with that!”

That? What could he be referring to? Not just Ladi, but even Bernard stretched his neck, eagerly awaiting the next words from their lord.

Paul, looking upwards at a 45-degree angle, declared with a righteous tone, “I’ve decided to reinstate the lord’s ancient right of—first—night! Miss Ladi, hurry and draft me a decree for this.” Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴ0velFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

The office fell into instant silence.

Bernard’s face went blank, while Ladi’s expression turned to one of severe disapproval.

“Ha!” Bernard’s snicker broke the silence, as he quickly covered his mouth.

“Lady Grayman!”

Ladi’s eyes flashed with deep embarrassment and anger, her face reddening like a ripe apple. Although she knew it was a joke, it was too much.

“It’s not fitting for a noble to make such jokes about women in broad daylight!”

Since their moonlit conversation, she had held a good impression of him. How could he say such a thing?

Growing more irritated, Ladi said, her face still red, “Please transfer me to Weiss Academy to teach. It’s more suitable for me.”

“Ha ha ha! It was just a joke, don’t take it so seriously.”

Paul found Ladi’s earnest reaction amusing.

“That joke was in poor taste. Please don’t do that again.”

Ladi didn’t insist on the idea of teaching at the academy, letting the matter pass as it was just a joke after all.

She requested, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Of course, but I do need your help with legal matters. Next time I’ll consult you on actual business.”

Paul had intended to continue joking, but seeing Ladi’s reaction, he decided not to push further, not wanting to lose a valuable talent.

After Ladi left, Bernard, still in the office, said, “Lord Grayman, today I’ve seen a side of you quite different from usual.”

Paul shrugged, “What, am I usually that stiff? Anyway, let’s talk about something else. I see you with your notebook; is there something you need?”

Bernard, flipping through his notebook, replied, “Yes, there is. Count Kent of Emden arrived at Lakeheart Town last evening and requests a meeting with you.”

Paul, surprised, said, “Count Kent of Emden? I don’t have much to do with him.”

In fact, there had been some interactions. During the pirate invasion, Steward Ford had written to Kent for assistance, but the latter demanded Alda’s fealty in return, which led nowhere.

Later, intelligence chief Hansel caught spies trying to steal paper-making secrets, who turned out to be Kent’s men.

Paul had no good impression of him.

He instructed Bernard, “Arrange a meeting time for me. Let’s see what this envoy has to say.”

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