Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 36: The Church
“Oh, right—there’s one more thing.”
Right after, Owen issued a second task.
“Clive, put together a procurement plan as soon as possible. Every member of the militia must be equipped with a set of sturdy leather armor, a spear, and two sets of winter clothes they can rotate and wash. All supplies must be delivered before winter arrives.”
He had a bad feeling that once winter began, Bianshu Town might be completely cut off from outside supplies.
Since Duke Eddie planned to intercept the undead at the Dongsheng Fortress, he would likely block the upriver route for the entire winter.
By then, Bianshu Town’s only river route to the outside would be unusable, and the roads would be snowbound, making land travel extremely difficult.
“If it’s that urgent, merchants will definitely hike up the prices. That’ll cost a fortune. Is it really worth spending so much on a bunch of peasants? Can’t we just give them weapons and call it a day?”
Clive asked, clearly pained by the idea.
Owen frowned with displeasure.
That was classic merchant thinking—always focused on maximizing profits, unwilling to invest properly.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Clive. Since the militia is going to fight for Border Town, as their lord, I must provide them with full and proper equipment. Cutting corners is unacceptable.”
“You’re absolutely right, Lord Marquis. I’ll get it done.”
Clive responded quickly.
He hadn’t expected that trying to save a bit of money would anger the lord so much. He hurried to accept the task first.
Calming himself, Irwin turned to the other man in the room.
“Viscount Jarvis, just as you mentioned earlier, soldiers must undergo training before entering battle. That’s why I’d like you to serve as instructor for this militia unit and be responsible for their training.”
“No problem.”
Viscount Jarvis answered without hesitation.
After a pause, he added.
“However, it typically takes years to train a competent warrior. With just over a month until winter, that’s cutting it very close. Even if we start training now, it may not make a big difference.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Just follow the training regimen I provide.”
Owen replied confidently.
Seeing how unconcerned Owen was, Viscount Jarvis grew curious. Could the lord possibly possess some kind of accelerated soldier-training method? If so, he was quite eager to see it for himself.
“Well then, that’s all I needed to go over with you today. If there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed.”
After assigning the tasks, Owen was about to let them go.
Just then, Clive quickly spoke up.
“Lord Marquis, I have one more very important matter!”
“Oh? Let’s hear it.”
“Manpower. I need people, Lord Marquis!”
Clive cried.
“So many of the nobles have fled Bianshu Town these past few days. I’ve been left to handle all the duties they were supposed to take care of. I’m stretched so thin I’m losing my hair—literally! It hurts just to think about it!”
“That really is unfortunate.”
Owen said.
Staring at Clive’s shiny bald head, Owen almost burst out laughing—but just managed to hold it in.
“Come on, Lord Marquis, stop staring at my head! Just give me some people already!”
Clive pleaded, hurriedly covering his shiny scalp with his hands. Clearly, he was extremely self-conscious about his baldness.
“Hmmm… Let me think.”
Owen turned his gaze elsewhere. After a moment of thought, he responded,
“All right, Clive. While you’re at it, issue another recruitment notice. Bring in literate people to assist you.”
“How many literate folks can there be in Bianshu Town? And even if they can read, they have no experience in this field. Bringing them in will just create more problems for me.”
Clive replied with a look of disdain.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to send his apprentices to read public notices aloud at the town square every time.
“If they don’t understand, then teach them!”
Owen said sternly.
“No one starts out knowing how to do everything. Didn’t you also learn from your teacher? Besides, your apprentices have been with you for a while, haven’t they? Let them help train the newcomers. It might be tough at first, but your burden will ease over time. Until then, just hang in there for me.”
“Well… fine then.”
Clive reluctantly agreed.
“As for the issue of too few literate people, I’ll think of something. You’re both dismissed for now.”
Since Lord Owen had issued a direct order, Clive and Viscount Jarvis didn’t linger any longer and respectfully took their leave.
After they exited the study, Owen rested his chin on his hand and furrowed his brows in thought.
It was time to implement a universal education plan. But where could he find people to teach?
Suddenly, a figure flashed through his mind — that of Theresa.
…
That afternoon, Owen left the castle with Mapel and headed to the small church where Theresa resided.
The church was located in the southern part of Bianshu Town. Though much smaller than the grand cathedral in Dongsheng Fortress and more modest in architectural style, it still had all the necessary facilities.
As soon as they entered the church hall, a trainee cleric who had been cleaning stopped in shock, mouth agape.
It took him a moment to recover.
“Eh? M-Marquis Owen, what brings you here?”
Clearly unaccustomed to receiving a lordly visitor, the trainee panicked and seemed to forget what to do next.
“Could you call Theresa out for me?”
Owen prompted patiently.
“Oh, yes! Right away, please wait a moment!”
Soon after, Theresa hurried over. Her gentle and sweet smile immediately lightened the mood.
“Lord Owen, you just gave a speech yesterday — how do you have time to visit us today?”
“Of course I came for important business.”
Owen pulled out a finely wrapped gift box and handed it to her.
“Theresa, welcome back to Bianshu Town. This is a gift for you.”
“Ah! Thank you, Lord Owen.”
A gleam of surprise lit up her eyes as she accepted the gift with grace, clearly not her first time receiving one from him.
Mapel, watching from the side, looked on with envy. She suddenly muttered sourly,
“Must be nice.”
Hearing that, Owen turned in surprise to look at Mapel. She didn’t seem like someone who’d say something like that.
“Hm? Mapel, if you’d like one, I’ll prepare a gift for you as well when we get back.”
“Well… it’s all right, I wouldn’t want to trouble you, Lord Owen.”
A flicker of joy passed across her face for just a second, but she still shook her head, not wanting to cause Owen any extra effort.
So she did want one, Owen noted sharply. He decided to prepare another gift later just in case.
Theresa didn’t open the gift and show it off in front of Mapel. Instead, she turned to Owen and asked,
“I assume this visit isn’t just about delivering gifts, Lord Owen?”
“Yes. I’d like to see Bishop Flynn. Is he available?”
“No problem. Bishop Flynn is currently in the prayer room reading the Holy Scripture to the believers. He’s nearly finished.”
With that, Theresa turned to the trainee cleric and said,
“Ossey, please guide Lord Owen to the guest room for a short rest.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ossey replied.
Theresa then gave Owen a warm smile.
“Lord Owen, please wait in the guest room for a moment. I’ll inform Bishop Flynn right away.”
“Very well.”
After Theresa left, Ossey nervously stepped forward.
“Please follow me, Lord Marquis.”