Synopsis

After being disobeyed, the young lord uses a mix of punishment and empowerment towards the Iron Mage, Mute, forcing him to swear loyalty and then funding his magical research. The lord then begins significant reforms in the fiefdom, investing in magic and infrastructure, which leads to increased prosperity and morale. However, the chapter ends with his advisors realizing he's secretly meeting with bandits at night, raising suspicion about his true intentions and the possibility of demonic influence.