"What I can do, within the scope of my power, is to get as close to that ideal as possible, to sow the seeds of goodwill and justice, and hope they take root and sprout in my territory, perhaps influencing more people in the future."

"Sir, I am not unaware of the harsh realities. The side-long glances from neighboring lords, the confusion from some members of my own family, the slight impact these reforms have on the estate’s revenue... All of these things require a delicate balance and careful management."

"But I believe this is the right Path. And I am not alone. Within the Kingdom, and even in other kingdoms, there are other nobles who think as I do. There aren’t many of us, but we correspond, exchange ideas, and offer each other encouragement. We all believe that a Lord’s duty to their subjects goes far beyond simply collecting taxes and maintaining order."

Murphy’s gaze rested for a moment on the Count’s eyes, which seemed especially bright, burning with conviction.

Then, he looked away, his gaze drifting out the window.

From this angle, all he could see was a corner of the manor’s courtyard, where meticulously trimmed violet bushes bloomed quietly in the afternoon sun.

"Your attempts, Count," Murphy said, his voice even, "might win you some gratitude within your territory and reduce some of your troubles. In a smaller, fully controlled domain, such gentle reforms can indeed bring a measure of local stability."

"But to pin your hopes on more nobles ’who think like you’ appearing on their own, and to expect to change the entire order through the power of ’example’... just how likely do you think that is?"

The earnest expression on Count Raymond’s face froze.

He opened his mouth, as if to offer a rebuttal born of firm conviction, but in the end, the words didn’t come.

Count Raymond exhaled, long and slow. "I understand your meaning, Sir."

"This Path is destined to be a long one, perhaps with no end in sight. Most nobles remain engrossed in hunting, banquets, and accumulating ever more wealth and power. They turn a blind eye to the suffering of their people, or simply see it as the natural order of things. The Church Court is an ally in some respects, but it can also be an obstacle in others. The Kingdom’s laws protect existing property and contracts."

He raised his head and looked at Murphy again, his voice lower than before but even more resolute. "But, Sir, just because it is difficult, just because the hope is faint, should we give up trying? Should we remain mired in the old habits and injustices? If even those of us who can see the problem, and who possess some power to enact change, do nothing... then who will?"

"Perhaps in my entire lifetime, I can only make the Glamorgan Territory into a slightly better ’exception.’ But if there were a few more such ’exceptions,’ if a powerful individual like you, who commands immense prestige, would also endorse or even practice similar ideals, then the seeds of change could be sown far wider. Isn’t the long river of history forged from the convergence of countless, seemingly tiny efforts?"

"Besides, haven’t you already done far better in the Monte Territory than I have, Sir?"

Murphy didn’t respond immediately.

He picked up his teacup again. This time, he took a slow sip.

The warm tea slid down his throat, leaving a faint, bittersweet aftertaste.

He set the cup back down, his movements gentle.

Then he looked at Count Raymond. "Your persistence is impressive, Count. The farmers of the Glamorgan Territory are perhaps fortunate."

"But I must refuse..."

Count Raymond’s voice grew tense. "Sir! You’ve already enabled so many people to live and work in peace in the Northern Territory. Doesn’t that prove the Path we pursue is viable? You have the power, the prestige, and a successful precedent. If you were willing to speak out, to take the lead, it would mean something entirely different! Why... why do you seem..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but his confusion and slight disappointment were plain to see.

He couldn’t understand why a man who had so clearly done better, who was so much more capable, would react so coldly to a heartfelt plea from a kindred spirit.

Murphy’s gaze rested quietly on the Count’s face, which was slightly flushed with earnestness. He was silent for a moment.

The light outside the window shifted. A ray of sun fell upon him, illuminating his shoulder but leaving his face in shadow: 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Because my power is very small, Count. So small it’s only enough to look after the lands and people of the Monte Territory."

Count Raymond was stunned, as if he hadn’t expected such an answer at all. "But... the prosperity of the Monte Territory is real! Your systems, your methods of governance..."

"That is in the Monte Territory," Murphy cut him off, his tone still level. "A place I spent over thirty years personally shaping, bit by bit, from a nearly barren and sparsely populated Border Baron’s Domain. Everything there—the land distribution, the farming techniques, the training of artisans, the rules of the trade routes, even the people’s understanding of justice and order—bears a single, uniform imprint. It all follows the same logic. It’s a closed system that I could completely control and had enough time to build from the ground up."

He paused briefly. "But the world is not the Monte Territory, Count. Violet City isn’t. And your Glamorgan Territory probably isn’t either. You can adjust tax rates, establish review panels and mutual aid funds. That’s all very good."

"But can you change the intricate, complex land ownership relationships that have been formed over hundreds of years? Can you break up the merchant alliances that have deep-seated, tangled roots within the city hall?"