Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 593 - 260, The New Count

The newly established Count's Domain of Glamorgan comprises eighteen villages and three towns (Gene Town, Xinong Town, and Devon Town), holding a legal claim to half of the Charon Forest. Additionally, Count Glamorgan has legal claims that can be acquired, including two fallen villages currently within the Borelion Duchy, and a Vampire outpost known as Sharp-Top Palace on the Grismore River to the north of Charon Forest.

Within the Count's Domain, three new baronial titles can be added. Laine also has a quota of ten Kingdom Knights and eighty Ranger Knights. The quota for Kingdom Knights is strictly limited, but for the Count, he can theoretically appoint as many Ranger Knights as he desires—provided the finances allow. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The Count's Domain houses a population of about 56,000 people, making it a prosperous land.

Laine began sending people to gradually take over his new territory. Duke Theodoric of Borelion was enraged by the king granting parts of what he considered his land to Laine. However, he was helpless because at the moment, those lands were in the hands of Count Tobalo of Estalia. According to the law, if the land was lost and could not be reclaimed for a long time, the king was entitled to confiscate it and annul the title.

And then something happened that made Theodoric gape.

Upon hearing about the situation, Count Tobalo of Estalia voluntarily ordered the abandonment of the two villages, allowing Laine's people to take over, with all troops withdrawn.

The Southern Man got scared. Over the years, every news about Laine sent shocks across the Continent. The remarkable feats and powerful enemies he vanquished were countless. Count Tobalo genuinely feared this Divine Chosen Champion of the Lady. He had battled Duke Theodoric for many years, fully aware of each other's weaknesses, but against Laine, he genuinely did not want to engage with the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lake Fairy.

This guy is too powerful.

Count Tobalo even sent a messenger with Estalian specialties to Gene Town to express his goodwill, which Laine accepted without rejection.

My vassal's vassal is not my vassal. The war between the Borelion Duchy and Estalia is Theodoric's own war and does not concern Laine. The king can intervene in this war, as can other dukes or the counts under Theodoric, but it has nothing to do with Laine.

July, in the summer season, at Laine's Count's Castle.

After being promoted to Count, Laine still set his governance in Gene Town and his Baron Castle. The former Count Glamorgan Castle had long been obliterated within the Charon Forest, reportedly leveled during a fierce siege.

Laine's base had long been fortified like a steel barrel, so he saw no need to move his governance base.

In the morning, the sunlight was already glaring, and at this time, Laine was installing a new magical device in the reception room on the second floor.

The female sorcerer Teresa wore a pearl-mixed corset dress. Her black hair, shimmering with a faint light, was tied into a low ponytail resting on her ample chest as she directed the craftsmen to install this magical appliance.

Laine stood by her side, watching the sorceress's earnest demeanor, with a touch of tenderness and enigmatic emotion in his eyes, speaking softly: "Teresa, are you feeling better?"

"Much better," Teresa replied with a gaze full of resentment at Laine, her silver eyes brimming with discontent: "You only remember me when you need something."

"When you were unconscious, I visited you every day. Even after you woke up, I came to see you every day, staying for at least half an hour before leaving. Have you forgotten?" Laine, dressed in a deep red Count's attire, was originally tall and handsome. After enduring numerous trials over the years, he now exuded an aura of confidence and majesty.

This is humanity's hero.

The elegantly decorated reception room was fully furnished with wooden furniture, and the thick curtains had completely covered the windows. Even so, the reception room still exuded a sense of stuffiness, which was inevitable.

Castles have never been suitable places to live. They are safe but not comfortable—cold in winter and hot in summer. In winter, fireplaces can be used to address this, and for wealthy individuals like Duke Francois, a "ground dragon," or underground heating system, can be installed in their castles.

There's no solution for summer—just endure it.

Laine conceived the idea of air conditioning. Creating air conditioning wasn't difficult; the Magic Technology of this world was more than capable of making such things, as long as there was a stable energy supply for it to operate.

Taking advantage of the female sorcerer's recovery and lack of tasks, Laine shared his idea with Teresa. Teresa remarked that it was very simple—set up an array, use conductive metal to transmit magic power, and input sufficient energy for the air conditioning to run. The required magic power was minimal; a slight infusion from Laine could keep an air conditioner running for several days continuously.

As a result, many rooms in his castle were equipped with air conditioning. The biggest beneficiary of this was the Dark Elf Ollica, the Count's personal maid, who came from the cold Naglos and greatly disliked the muggy weather, appearing sickly all day. With the air conditioning, Ollica felt much better.

"There are twenty-four hours in a day, Laine," the sorceress commented with lingering grievances in her tone.