Chapter 149 - Episode 144: Daily Life in the Arqvist Territory ① Noein's Case
Early February of the Royal Year 215. Having passed through a winter that was somewhat warmer than usual, the scenery of the Arqvist territory, now in its fifth year of development, had changed once again since the end of last year.
The most significant change was the construction of the city walls surrounding the capital.
Using laborers recruited from among the territory's residents who were free during the agricultural off-season, the wooden fences that had previously enclosed the urban area were being replaced by sturdy city walls.
Because a large-scale construction plan had been drawn up to enclose not only the existing urban area but also the areas planned for future development, the walls were not completed in their entirety during the winter; however, work continued steadily, and in a year or two, impressive stone walls would protect the capital.
The river that flowed from the west to the south near the capital, as well as the public baths and blacksmith workshops along its banks, were to be incorporated as part of the city area. Ultimately, the river would flow through the city, creating a walled city with a population of about 3,000 to 4,000... such was the urban plan Noein had conceived.
"...Though, there's still a long way to go, isn't there?"
"That is true. Especially regarding the west side of the current urban area, we have only just finished clearing the forest for the planned area. We also have to secure flat land for farmland outside of that."
While talking with Anna, who had brought a status report on the expenditures associated with the development around the capital and the construction of the city walls, Noein imagined the developed state of the capital, Noeina. It would be a long time before the city was completed according to plan.
"Also, this is last week's report regarding the profits from the mining operations in Kilde. There aren't any particularly major changes, but please check it just in case."
"Thanks, I'll take a look."
Kilde was the name of a mining village at the foot of the Lestio Mountains.
Regardless of who first suggested it, this word, which meant "source" in the classical language, had taken root among the village residents, and since Noein liked it, it became the official name of the village. It was a very auspicious name for a village prospering through mineral resources.
Among the young and physically fit new immigrants, many aspired to be miners, as it was a quicker way to earn money than becoming tenant farmers, so the population of Kilde was steadily increasing. Along with that, profits were gradually growing.
"...Yeah, no problems here."
"Then, I will file this away as well."
"Please do. By the way, you'll finally be starting your leave for childbirth next month, right?"
Anna, who was pregnant with a child with Edgar, now had a belly that was large enough to be obvious at a single glance.
"Yes, that is the plan. I can return by the time of the autumn tax collection, and as for the work, I'm making sure that Christy and the new civil servants can handle it without any problems, so I believe it will be fine..."
"I'm not worried about that. More than that, you and the baby are what's important. For Edgar's sake as well, absolutely do not overdo it. If you want, you can start your leave earlier than planned."
This was the first child of an excellent couple of retainers. As the lord, the health of Anna and her child was more important than anything.
"Fufu, thank you for your concern. But it's alright; everyone usually stays active until right before the birth. Mai-san and Gina-san were like that as well."
Noein did not know well how women spent their time before giving birth. In the first place, the first time they had properly seen a pregnant woman was after they became an adult and were kicked out of their family home (since their living space had been separate from their father's legal wife, they had almost never seen her while she was pregnant), and while they had heard that the belly grew, they had been surprised that it swelled to this extent.
Regarding pregnancy and childbirth, they only had the knowledge that "one should rest as much as possible," so looking at Anna, who was performing her work normally while carrying a large belly, Noein felt a bit anxious, wondering if it was alright for her to work that much.
"I see, so that's how it is... Well, still, if you want to rest..."
"Yes, I will consult you without hesitation."
Anna gave a small, wry smile to Noein, who was emphasizing the point with a worried face, and then left the lord's office.
.....
Shortly before evening. Having finished a stretch of desk work and taken a short break, Noein stood up.
"Now then... shall we go out for a bit, Matilda?"
"Yes, Noein-sama."
It was an inspection, as usual, to clear their head.
After giving a word to the head maid, Kimberly, informing her that they would be absent from the mansion for a while, Noein went outside through the front entrance with Matilda. Passing through the cobblestone-paved approach, they exited the gate while receiving salutes from the guarding territorial army soldiers.
"Let's go see the army barracks today."
"Yes."
They headed toward the army barracks, located close to the lord's mansion for the sake of emergency preparedness.
Since Yuri, the person in charge of the army, had also told them that they should come for surprise inspections occasionally to maintain the soldiers' tension and raise morale, there was no worry about causing trouble with a sudden visit.
Here too, they entered while receiving a salute from the soldier standing at the gate of the premises. Then, they encountered Radley, who happened to be walking toward the gate.
"Oh, good work, Radley. Are you back from patrolling outside the capital?"
"Hello, Noein-sama. Yes, I've just finished reporting on the patrol."
When Noein called out with a wave of their hand, Radley responded with a bow.
"Is Noein-sama on inspection?"
"Yeah. Yuri told me he wants me to come see them once in a while, and I'm also curious about the puppet mages' training."
"Then I shall accompany you as a guide."
"Is that okay? Weren't you just about to leave?"
"It's still technically winter, so the patrol time is short, and I was just trying to go home early. There's nothing I particularly need to rush home for, so it's fine."
"I see, then I'll ask you to join us."
After that exchange, Noein walked toward the training ground with Radley in front and Matilda diagonally behind.
There, Dant was instructing the training of fifteen soldiers. From the look of it, it seemed to be formation training.
"Next, horizontal line!"
As Dant barked a sharp instruction, the soldiers quickly lined up in a single horizontal row, held their shields, and extended their spears from between them.
"Next, square circle!"
This time, the soldiers faced outward to form a circle, again holding their shields and pointing their spears forward. Even to Noein, who was not very well-versed in martial arts, the movements looked sharp and devoid of waste. Dant, who was commanding, also looked quite the part.
Then, noticing Noein, Dant ordered the soldiers.
"Stop! Fall in! Salute His Honor Baronet Arqvist!"
In less than a few seconds, the soldiers lined up facing Noein and placed their right hands, holding spears, against their left chests. The sound of fists striking leather breastplates echoed loudly as a single mass. This was the method of saluting while holding weapons in the kingdom.
Noein returned the salute to Dant, who also saluted, and to the lined-up soldiers, while the accompanying Radley and Matilda also took the saluting posture. When Noein lowered their fist, Radley, Matilda, and Dant released their salutes almost simultaneously, followed by the soldiers.
"Sorry for interrupting. I've come for a bit of an inspection."
"No, it is a great joy for both myself and the soldiers to be seen by Your Honor."
In front of his subordinates, Dant replied in a soldierly tone.
"Thank you. Everyone, that formation training just now was great movement."
When Noein spoke, the soldiers did not change their expressions, but they raised their faces slightly, wearing an air of pride.
"Your Honor, if you would be so kind, we would be grateful to receive words of encouragement for the soldiers."
"Of course, I will."
This was the usual flow when Noein came to inspect the army.
"...The fact that this Arqvist territory is peaceful, and that the people can spend their days without fearing external enemies such as monsters or bandits, is thanks to you, the soldiers of the territorial army. This training of yours, and your work as soldiers, protects the tranquility of this land. I hope that you will continue to be the guardians of the Arqvist territory."
As Noein concluded, the young soldiers—the oldest being in their late twenties at most, the youngest having just become adults—let their eyes shine with even more pride.
"We are grateful, Your Honor!"
""We are grateful, Your Honor!""
Receiving the powerful response from the soldiers in unison with Dant's voice, Noein left their side.
Next to call out to were the puppet mages.
"Noein-sama! ...Everyone, suspend training, salute His Honor Baronet Arqvist!"
Seeing Noein arrive at the corner of the training ground, Gustav called out, and Noein exchanged greetings with them as they lined up.
"Good work, everyone... It looks like your golem manipulation has improved a bit more."
Looking at the golems standing beside Gustav and the others, Noein said.
The seven golems, matching their owners, took saluting postures, albeit awkwardly. Protocol did not require the golems to salute, but it was likely their own way of showing respect.
"Thank you very much. We are still unskilled and cannot even be compared to Noein-sama, but..."
"Still, everyone has produced visible results in three months. That's an amazing thing."
Being praised unconditionally, Gustav and the other six showed bright expressions.
Now, all seven had finished the first two training stages and had entered the next phase. Gustav and Cecilia, who had improved particularly quickly, had moved on to the training after that.
"We will strive to become capable of handling practical duties and actual combat soon, so that we can show concrete contributions. Right, everyone?"
"Yes! We will do our best so that we can repay the kindness we have received as soon as possible!"
Responding to Gustav's call, Cecilia was the first to convey her enthusiasm.
Thinking that she was cute, Noein refrained from saying it and merely kept a smile on their face.
The sight of her, the youngest among the seven and still looking like an innocent girl, speaking with such earnestness was heartwarming, but since she herself was completely serious, it would be rude to treat her like a child.
"I think that day will come not too far off. I'm expecting great things from you."
Noein estimated that it would take at least another half year, and at most one year, before they reached the immediate goal of "half of Noein's skill."
If that happened, simply in terms of labor and combat power, value equivalent to several hundred people would be created. The profits they would bring as they grew further in the future were immeasurable.
.....
"Well then, Radley, thank you for acting as my guide. Sorry for stopping you just as you were about to go home."
Since it was already evening, the inspection was kept brief, and Noein thanked Radley at the gate of the army barracks.
"No, it's not like I have anything to do even if I go home early."
"Ahaha, but you want to spend as much time as possible with Gina and Sasha, right? Especially Sasha, she must be at her cutest right now."
Gina had been pregnant with Radley's child, and last summer, a healthy baby girl was born safely and named Sasha.
According to Radley, "Fortunately, she doesn't look much like me," and Noein had also seen Sasha's face once when they encountered Gina during a city inspection; indeed, she took after her mother more, and looked like a child who would grow up with a charming face.
"Hehehe, well, that's certainly true... The Captain of the Retainers also told me that a child's growth happens in the blink of an eye, so I should burn it into my eyes, so it's not so bad to stay home longer during this period."
Saying so with an embarrassed laugh, Radley headed home.
"Now then, shall we go back too, Matilda?"
"Yes, Noein-sama."
In terms of mood, they still wanted to walk around, but it was almost the time when people finished work, returned home, and began preparing dinner. If the lord wandered around the city too much at such a time, it would only make the residents feel uneasy. Besides, if they returned too late, it would be a nuisance to the maids.
"...Hey Matilda, since work time ended with that inspection, it's my private time now, right? So, let's hold hands on the way back."
"...Yes, with pleasure."
After being blank for a moment, she answered with a small, shy smile, and taking her hand, Noein returned to the mansion.