"The fastest way to get rich is not through labor, but through... wealth transfer.

And the fastest way for a king to get rich is to kill corrupt officials!"

Byron is delighted.

Southern Strait Islands, Kent County near the Royal Capital of Kingston.

The renowned rancher of the entire county, Baron Ashford, after a lavish dinner with his family worth one Gold Pound, stood on the manor’s loft admiring his ranch under the night sky, with large flocks of pristine sheep already herded into pens.

The sight of farmer-inhabited villages had long vanished, replaced only by scattered, simple dwellings for the few shepherds. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The number of the baron’s private soldiers far exceeded that of the shepherds.

This is because livestock require far fewer hands than arable land, even the well-trained sheepdogs in the Beast Master’s hands outdo humans, saving much extra expenses.

As for the people who once lived on this land, whether they froze or starved after losing their livelihood, what does it matter to him?

But that’s still not enough!

The land noble’s greed for land knows no bounds.

Baron Ashford glanced towards the neighboring ranch, land seized by former Earl’s Party member Lord Ottray, his eyes gleaming with passionate greed:

"Although technically Lord Ottray’s title vanished with the fall of the Earl’s Party, and the land is destined to be confiscated by the new king.

But the boundaries of the enclosure movement change every year. If I quietly move the fence one mile towards the neighbor.

Those officials under the new king definitely won’t notice.

Even if they do notice, it’s just a matter of bribing them. I’m well aware of the kingdom’s officials’ ethics."

Completely unaware, a raven stood mockingly on a tree watching him.

After making up his mind, he didn’t even want to wait a single night and wanted to call his private soldiers to start personally.

But just as he got up, he noticed something flashing gold in his sheepfold, rubbing his eyes as he realized it wasn’t an illusion.

Hurriedly, with his steward and attendants, he ran over.

Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be three golden glittering sheep!

Every wool on their body glistened like pure gold, making it impossible to look away.

"Is this the legendary... Golden Fleece?!"

Baron Ashford’s eyes immediately lit up:

"I’m rich, I’m rich, this must be the creator’s grace upon me.

If I could have the Beast Master tame them, then breed many little golden sheep.

My wool business could rapidly capture the international market, becoming the precious luxury pursued by nobles and kings across nations!"

But, he quickly realized these three sheep were burying their heads, gnawing on something, as the air gradually became filled with a bloody scent.

Though his greed clouded his mind, he sensed something amiss.

He snatched the whale oil lantern from the steward’s hand and shone it.

Seeing what they were actually gnawing on, he gasped, instinctively stumbled back half a step.

On the ground lay his right-hand man, Beast Master Stanley, who had helped him "suppress" many unruly people, now already disfigured by these three sheep’s gnawing.

Before they could flee in horror, the three dining sheep slowly turned their heads toward them.

Revealing three human faces with horns, mouths full of sinister teeth, blood slowly flowing from the corners of their mouths.

This scene appeared especially horrific under the dim whale oil lantern lighting.

And then they slowly spoke, as if hundreds of experienced male and female voices merged into one:

"Did you see my... land?"

Before Baron Ashford could speak, they answered themselves:

"I saw it; this is my land, this is my land...

Give it to me!"

Leaping forth, they instantly transformed into sheep-heads with human bodies and pounced on the three.

"Ah—!"

With chilling screams, the ranch instantly descended into chaos.

In the shadows, a Mad Hunt Legion silently emerged under the lead of a Wild Hunt Servant who retained self-awareness.

Hooked all the souls of the deceased, absorbing them as members of the Mad Hunt Legion.

In this way, even if Byron eliminated many land nobles mastering extraordinary power, the overall strength of the Kingdom of Hightins wouldn’t diminish.

Great Devil Lord Lorena’s "carbon-based guided torpedo" gave Byron great inspiration.

Alive, a person of the kingdom; dead, a ghost of the kingdom!

For these guys, death is just the beginning; the bitter days ahead are lengthy indeed.

As the bloody banquet just ended, people from the Star Chamber Court and Royal Tax Inspection Bureau came to seize the land, confiscate the homes.

Completely disinterested in the Bizarre - Man-Eating Sheep roaming nearby, as long as you don’t snatch someone’s land, their killing rules won’t be activated.

Safety is guaranteed when working with them.

"Brothers, quick, quick, quick, after confiscating this house, there are eight more nearby.

Our bonus and performance are linked; whether we live as decent men or beggars this month all depends on them."

A crowd fired up, shouting excitedly, began to confiscate homes.

The Privy Council and the Star Chamber Court have always been key departments used by the King of Hightins to counterbalance the nobility.

Previously, the Privy Council was composed of thirteen King’s Right Hand, all nobles and allies handpicked by Edward IV and hard to corrupt.

But the Star Chamber Court mostly consisted of ordinary civilian families, even a Copper Furl could stump these "heroes."