Chapter 125 - Episode 122: Peace ①
May, Royal Calendar Year 214. As the signs of summer began to drift in little by little, the Arqvist territory was enjoying a period of development.
Even while Lord Noein, his aides, and half of the territorial army were away on campaign, immigrants continued to increase, primarily consisting of war refugees. Furthermore, after the war, groups of former conscripted beastmen and their families migrated in, causing the population to suddenly hit the major milestone of 1,000 people.
Along with the rapid population growth, the urban area expanded. With the increase in manpower, land reclamation accelerated and farmland grew, and new taverns, shops, and inns increased to meet the demands of the residents.
Not only the blacksmith workshop under the direct control of the lord, but also private workshops conducting business with the residents were built; additionally, shops that supported the people's lives, such as tailors, furniture workshops, and apothecaries, began to open.
The Arqvist territory was no longer a small village in the forest; it would not be incorrect to call it a city that supported the northwestern edge of the kingdom.
Following the population exceeding 1,000, Noein finally ended the special measure of "providing houses and farmland to immigrants unconditionally."
Because the effects of the war lingered, new immigrants increased day by day, but for them, arrangements were made for temporary rental housing or small plots of land were allocated for building residences, and they were simply granted tax exemptions for a certain period. Even so, this was generous as a measure for immigrants, but the treatment was clearly distinguished from that of previous settlers.
Besides the reason that providing houses and farmland to everyone would become difficult considering the future pace of immigrant increase, there was also the aim of allowing the veteran residents, who held deep loyalty to Noein, to gain strength as independent farmers and thus making his support as lord rock-solid.
The veteran residents had begun to gain power as landowners over the past few years, and many of them desired tenant farmers to work the land. By having the new immigrants fill that demand, the society of the Arqvist territory would be healthily stratified.
Of course, for the new immigrants as well, several paths to becoming wealthier remained open, such as sending their children to school to acquire learning, or working diligently to save money and own their own fields. With light taxes and many cash crops that brought in money, the Arqvist territory was still overflowing with enough hope to justify migrating.
"Noein-sama, excuse me."
That day, Anna came to Noein, who was working in his office as usual.
"Taking into account the changes in food prices due to the effects of the war, I have summarized the estimated expenses necessary to support the increased population... As expected, the burden seems like it will not be small."
As she spoke, she placed the documents on Noein's executive desk.
"Good work, I'll take a look."
Offering words of appreciation to Anna, Noein picked up the documents. Matilda, who served as his assistant, also stood diagonally behind him and looked through the documents.
Because the territory's population had suddenly doubled, he had to bear the cost of feeding the residents until next year's harvest, whether by releasing crops collected as taxes or, in some cases, buying food from outside the territory to cover the shortage. He had asked Anna to calculate those costs.
"...Yes, even though food prices are soaring domestically, well, it's within the expected range. This won't make the funds of the Baronet's house tight, will it?"
"No, since the mine development project is progressing smoothly... and the market prices for iron and copper are also rising, I believe we can cover it with that."
"That's good then. Rewards for the war will likely come from the Royal Family, so in the end, I think this war will turn out to be in the black."
Since military service is a duty of the nobility, the expenses incurred for preparing equipment and transportation were paid out of pocket. Furthermore, there was the burden of taking in as many as 250 beastmen.
However, considering that the profits from mine development increased due to the war's influence, and that he would receive rewards as a contributor, it seemed he would avoid taking a loss.
As for Noein, he believed it was better not to have wars that exhausted the people, and it wasn't something he wanted to think about in terms of profit and loss, but as someone who held territory, he couldn't help but care about money.
"Then, I will manage the budget on the premise that this amount of burden will occur."
"Yes, please... By the way, how has the work of the apprentice civil servants been since then?"
The paths of the children who graduated after acquiring a certain level of knowledge at the school operated by Clara were varied. Some found employment at various trading companies, starting with the Skinner Trading Company, while others began working at the manor as civil servants. Since the administrative side had begun to lack manpower along with the territory's development, Noein had hired several excellent graduates.
"Everyone is excellent. I think their calculations are faster than when I was their age. Clara-sama must truly have a talent for teaching academics."
"I'll tell Clara, I'm sure she'll be happy... It's good if the graduates are properly becoming assets as subordinates. It's been proven that the investment in the school was meaningful."
Noein, who had survived based on the knowledge of books, believed that education was great. If the number of people who learned at the school continued to increase, the society of the Arqvist territory would develop more rationally and more actively.
"Yes, truly... At this rate, it seems the accounting and administrative work will be running smoothly by the time I take a leave for childbirth."
"That's the best. As the lord, I want Anna and Edgar, who have made remarkable contributions as retainers, to have happy families."
Noein replied with a smile to Anna, who was stroking her stomach, where almost no change could be seen yet. He had heard that she recently became pregnant.
Until now, the territory's paperwork wouldn't have functioned without Anna, so he had made her worry about the timing of conceiving a child. With the prospect of an increase in excellent civil servants, she was finally able to think about her own family.
"Thank you very much. Once the child is born, I will ensure they are properly educated as a second-generation retainer."
"Isn't that a bit premature?"
While smiling wryly at the enthusiastic Anna, Noein also thought about the children of himself and his wife, Clara.
Before the campaign, they had tried diligently because Noein might die, but due to the timing of Clara's monthly cycle, it seemed it didn't lead to pregnancy.
Now that Noein had returned alive, there was no need to rush again, and since Clara seemed busy with the school's operation and the historical research she had gradually begun to tackle, he didn't intend to force it.
Noein thought that around age 20, when work and land reclamation would likely settle down, would be the right time.
.....
Having finished a portion of the desk work in the office, Noein went out for an inspection of the territory accompanied by Matilda.
This served as a personal break, but it was also for interacting with the residents and directly feeling the atmosphere of the territory. Furthermore, for Noein, for whom the memories of war still remained vivid, it also served as a way to feel the sensation that he "had returned to daily life."
"Hey Kenooze, how's it going?"
In the new urban area currently being constructed to the west of the previous urban area, Noein called out to Kenooze, who was working hard on house construction leading the former conscripted beastmen.
"This is Noein-sama! Thanks to you, the foundation of our lives is being solidified smoothly. This is all thanks to the mercy we received from Noein-sama."
"That's good. It's not just me, but also because of your own efforts. Good work."
"Those words are too good for us... thank you very much."
It had been about a month and a half since they became residents of the Arqvist territory. Building houses for 250 people was naturally too much for Dmitri's construction company alone, so the beastmen themselves were providing labor as workers.
Commoners' houses were basically simple in construction and were completed quickly. Many houses had already taken shape, and it had the appearance of a residential area.
"I'm glad everyone is healthy and construction is going smoothly. Keep doing your best while taking care of your bodies."
He thought it would be bad to make them accompany him too much on his whimsical inspections. Thinking so, Noein left the area early.
The next place he headed was further west of the residential area under construction. It was the site of land reclamation work, clearing the forest to increase flat land.
There, large beastmen such as lion-folk and ox-folk, including Boreas, were working hard at heavy labor such as felling trees and removing stones. Since they were in the forest, they were accompanied by territorial army soldiers armed with spears and Crossbows.
"Good work. It looks like you've made a lot of progress."
When Noein spoke, Boreas pointed proudly to the western edge of the work site.
"Yeah, Noein-sama... we've expanded it to the point where the western river is almost visible."
"To have come this far in just a month and a half... amazing. As expected of a group of strength-boasters. I'm glad you all came."
"To be told that even though a large number of beastmen moved in... that's a story that would be impossible in the southwest. Thank you very much."
The beastmen, many of whom excelled in muscular strength and physical endurance, were simply reliable as workers. As someone who had no discriminatory feelings toward them, there was no way Noein wouldn't welcome them.
Moreover, since he could gain their support as the "lord who doesn't discriminate and provides a place to live and work," it was an easy arrangement.
"Considering the reclamation area we're aiming for this year, there's plenty of leeway in the progress of the work... so please, make sure not to overdo it. You have farm work as well, right?"
"Yes, we'll be careful."
Among the migrated beastmen, some joined the territorial army, and some became miners to earn money quickly, but many chose to live as farmers as they had before. They performed the reclamation work as a side job in exchange for food provided by Noein.
Healthy residents are also precious assets to a lord. While appreciating Boreas and the others, Noein ended the inspection and returned to the manor.