Chapter 127 - Episode 124: Peace ③ and the News
"...I see. So even from Radley's perspective, there are no particularly noticeable abnormalities."
"Yep. This is just my personal opinion, but regarding the orc matter, I can only call it an unlucky coincidence. We didn't manage to investigate that deep into the forest, though."
Mid-May. The one receiving the report from Radley in the office was regarding the results of the investigation into the Bezel Great Forest.
While Noein was away on campaign in the war with the Kingdom of Lancel, the Arqvist territory had been hit by another orc raid. Since the frequency of orcs appearing in the shallow parts of the Bezel Great Forest was abnormal, Noein thought that some kind of anomaly might be occurring deep within the forest.
Therefore, he ordered Radley to select personnel from the territorial army, organize an investigation team, and send them into the forest several times.
Because venturing too deep carried the risk of encountering orcs or other dangerous monsters, he had them investigate only as far as they could reasonably reach, and the result was that there were no particular abnormalities.
"In that case, the measures we can take going forward are..."
"...We'll just have to expand the range of the forest patrols, increase the frequency, and patrol more thoroughly than before. That way, even if orcs approach again, we can notice it at a fairly early stage."
"I see. Do we have enough personnel?"
"The scale of the territorial army is larger than before. We have the beastmen too, so there's no problem."
A few territorial soldiers had been honorably discharged due to lingering aftereffects from the previous war, but new applicants appeared from among the residents, and volunteers also emerged from among the former conscripted beastmen.
As a result, the scale of the Arqvist territorial army had expanded to 70 people. With the inclusion of beastmen, the range of the soldiers' capabilities had also broadened.
"Then, I want you to consult with Yuri on the specifics. I'd like you to report the decided results to me as well."
"Yep, understood."
Nodding at Noein's instructions, Radley gave a light salute and left the room.
"...Matilda, do you think the orc matter was just a coincidence?"
"I wonder... up to a second time, an unlucky coincidence is possible. However, if there is a reason... for example, perhaps the orc population increased due to some cause, and the surplus individuals are flowing this way."
"True. Also... maybe some powerful monster that even orcs would flee from is rampaging, and that's driving them toward us. That's about all I can think of."
While exchanging such a conversation with Matilda, Noein let out a light sigh. No matter how much they discussed possibilities, there was no means to go deep into the Bezel Great Forest to confirm the answer.
It might be possible if he deployed a massive army or a mountain of excellent mages, but no matter how rapidly the Arqvist territory was developing, they didn't have that kind of human or budgetary leeway. Thinking about the orc matter any further would not move beyond the realm of imagination.
Tucking this matter into a corner of his mind, Noein turned back to his desk and resumed his work.
.....
"—And so, just as Noein-sama said, when I mixed the beet juice with powdered burnt seashells, the impurities sank and separated. This is the result of filtering that and boiling it down. As you can see, the color is a beautiful white, and I believe the quality as sugar is beyond reproach."
While receiving a report from Christy, who was in charge of experiments for commercial crops, Noein received the prototype sugar made from beets.
"Let's see... yeah, it's definitely sugar. Matilda, do you want to try some too?"
"Yes, excuse me... Indeed, this is sugar."
As a noble, Noein had tasted sugar in sweets and such many times, and Matilda knew the taste of sugar from sharing in those occasions. The same went for Christy, who was born into a wealthy merchant family.
With Noein himself confirming that the prototype was sugar at a marketable level, the production of sugar from beets was considered a provisional success.
"Also, the pomace left after making the sugar can be used as feed, right?"
"Yes. Furthermore, since the root part is the raw material, the unused leaves can also be used as feed as they are."
"It's good that there's no waste."
At Christy's words, Noein nodded with satisfaction.
"How long will it take to produce enough to ship outside the territory as an Arqvist specialty?"
"If we increase the amount of beets we have on hand, it would probably take three years even if we put all the harvests into the next planting... However, beets are cultivated in some places within the Kingdom of Roadberg, so I think we could do it faster if we buy them up."
"Understood. I'll tell Bart, who's in charge of foreign affairs, and Philip, the commissioned merchant, to collect as many beets as possible from outside the territory."
Sugar was an ultra-luxury item. If it could be produced within the territory, it would generate huge profits. Considering that, spending a bit of money to collect beets was not a problem.
"Also, let's allocate farmland so we can increase the current beets as much as possible. Get Edgar's cooperation as well."
"Understood."
With this, the business talk reached a lull. Now, he would check on her recent status while engaging in light small talk. Christy tended to overwork herself if left unattended.
"How is your other work? You're not working too much, are you?"
"Yes, I'm fine. As for the clerical work, the apprentice civil servants are gradually becoming useful, and as for oil production, the number of presses has increased and the honorably discharged members of the territorial army have joined as laborers, so I have more leeway than before."
As employment for those who suffered aftereffects in battle, Noein was allocating jobs within the Baronet's family businesses, such as soybean pressing.
"I was appalled that Damian-san forgot to make the presses while Noein-sama was away on campaign, but in the end, they were finished in time."
Christy said, laughing.
"Ahaha, that's typical of Damian... Lately, it seems you two are getting along quite well?"
"Eh... certainly, there are many opportunities to talk for work, and since we both live in the mansion, our relationship isn't bad... I think."
When Noein pointed it out, Christy looked blank for a moment, but answered while looking diagonally upward in thought.
"As the lord, it makes me happy that my subordinates are getting along."
While smiling like that, Noein thought.
Christy works hard and produces results, and her loyalty is high. Noein also highly evaluates her motivation and ability.
However, that is strictly a relationship between a slave and their master. It is different from Matilda, who is in a romantic relationship with him.
Before long, Christy will likely be freed from her slave status in recognition of her work. After that, it might be better to consider her future as an individual.
They seem to get along, and they share a common love for work, so Damian might be a surprisingly good match. He is a man of a good age on his end, too.
Noein thought such things, but for now, he did not voice them.
.....
Mid-May, the day of the regular meeting between the lord and the retainers. The usual members were gathered in the usual room, but even when the time came, the lord and his wife, Matilda, and Pence did not appear.
"...They are certainly late."
"It's unlikely that so many people forgot the meeting at once..."
Edgar muttered somewhat worriedly, and Bart said while nodding lightly.
"We should go check on them."
"I'll go."
When Yuri spoke, Anna stood up and tried to leave the room.
Just then, Clara entered the room with a somewhat hurried pace. Pence arrived following behind her.
"Ah, Clara-sama. I was just about to go call for you..."
"Hey Damian, wake up. Clara-sama is here."
"Hoa?"
Anna, who happened to encounter them at the door, spoke, and inside the room, Radley, seeing Clara's arrival, shook awake Damian, who had fallen asleep beside him.
"Anna-san, and everyone else, I apologize for keeping you waiting. Noein-sama will be a little later due to urgent business... An envoy from the royal family arrived a moment ago and is currently being received."
"An envoy from the royal family?"
Anna replied with a look of slight surprise, and many of the other retainers also wore expressions of doubt.
Amidst this, the Chief Retainer, Yuri, guessed the purpose of the envoy and spoke.
"...Is it regarding the rewards for the previous war?"
"Yes, it seems so."
"A bit before the meeting's start time, a knight carrying a royal letter arrived in the capital city, Noeina. So, I guided him to the mansion, and a moment ago, Noein-sama took over the handling. He should be receiving the letter and the explanation in the reception room now."
Clara nodded to that, and Pence explained the details.
"I see, the rewards are granted directly by His Majesty the King at the royal palace, aren't they?"
"To go through the trouble of summoning via a letter, as expected of the royal family..."
"Well, demonstrating authority is the royal family's job."
To Edgar's remark, Christy, who was a slave but attended the meeting for reporting purposes, muttered back. In response, Yuri spoke.
If it were simply to notify them to come to the royal palace by a certain date, they could have used the communication network of 'Far-Talk' via the dialogue mages stationed throughout the country by the royal family. The fact that a knight came to deliver it in writing emphasized the weight of the "King summoning a subject to grant a reward."
"...When you say war rewards, it's probably money, right?"
"I think so. Sometimes land is given, but for the current Noein-sama, new territory would just be a burden to manage. The royal family should understand that much."
Yuri answered again to the question from Bart, whose arm was still hanging in a bandage.
In terms of area alone, the Arqvist territory was as vast as the lands of high-ranking nobles, and the interior was still full of unexplored forests. Any more land was unnecessary.
"...Perhaps a promotion in rank is also possible."
"Likely so. Looking at the war, of course, and the degree of development of the Arqvist territory, Noein-sama has achieved results worthy of a promotion."
"Does that mean Noein-sama will become a Baronet..."
The one who answered Clara's words was, again, Yuri. Hearing that, Anna muttered in a voice mixed with surprise and conviction.
While they were talking about such things, Noein, who seemed to have finished talking with the envoy knight, arrived accompanied by Matilda.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting, I assume you've heard the circumstances from Clara?"
"Yeah, I heard it was an envoy from the royal family. Is it about the rewards?"
When Yuri asked, Noein answered with a faint, bitter smile while nodding.
"Yeah... I'm moving up in the world. I've been promoted to Baronet."
Clara and Yuri's predictions had hit the mark perfectly.