Chapter 176 - Episode 170: The Anniversary Festival ①
Early March, Royal Calendar Year 216. In the Arqvist territory, where winter had come to an end, a certain event was about to be held.
It was the Arqvist Territory Pioneer Anniversary Festival.
A festival held to celebrate the growth of the Arqvist territory, which had achieved great development over the past five years since the lord, Noein Arqvist, began the reclamation of the Bezel Great Forest in March five years ago. It could be called the largest event since the birth of the Arqvist territory.
For the commoners, a festival was a perfect opportunity to eat feasts from midday and play openly. Having only just celebrated the New Year, the fact that they could once again enjoy delicious food and sake at a celebration and revel to their heart's content meant that such a good thing rarely happened; every resident was completely elated.
"...It's incredibly lively. This is the first time I've seen this many people gather in the capital, Noeina,"
Noein muttered, gazing at the capital from the window of the lord's office as he always did. Since he was scheduled to stand before the residents as the lord today, he was dressed in ceremonial attire.
The squares and streets of the Noeina city center were more crowded and lively than ever, with many people coming and going. Not only were the residents of the capital out playing, but people had gathered from the mining village of Kilde and the pioneer villages; furthermore, it was a significant factor that merchants from neighboring territories like Retovik had come to set up stalls, and a small number of tourists had also visited.
"This bustle is the greatest proof that you have skillfully governed the Arqvist territory until now, Noein-sama,"
Matilda replied, standing right beside Noein. Today, she too wore a military uniform that emphasized appearance.
A specialized military uniform based in black, with lapis lazuli used as decoration in the details. Normally, it was a luxury item that a beastman slave could never wear, but Noein had it made to reward Matilda's devotion and to give her formal attire befitting her position as the lord's adjutant.
"That's true, this is the result of our five years... Five years already. It went by in a flash, but it was fun, and I was happy, wasn't I, Matilda?"
Noein smiled gently and looked up at Matilda's face beside him.
"Yes, it has been very fulfilling. The days spent watching the territory develop while serving you, Noein-sama, were happy... If I may wish, please let me remain by your side from now on as well."
"Of course. Please stay with me forever."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
To Matilda, who returned his smile, Noein drew closer and leaned his face in.
As if responding, Matilda crouched slightly to close the height difference between her and Noein.
Just as the two were about to overlap their lips—tap tap, the sound of someone knocking on the lord's office door echoed.
"Noein-sama, preparations for the ceremony are complete. Please come whenever you are ready."
The voice of the deputy captain of the retainers, Pence, could be heard from outside the office.
Called upon at a timing so poor that they had been just a moment away from kissing, Noein and Matilda froze and locked eyes.
"...I understand, I'll be out shortly."
Noein responded to the other side of the door with a small sigh, and while Matilda let out an aura of slight disappointment, she tightened her expression to switch her mindset back to being Noein's guard.
Then, Noein took Matilda's hand, pulled her face close once more, and overlapped their lips somewhat forcefully.
Matilda, who opened her eyes slightly for an instant, quickly closed them and entrusted herself to Noein.
After a full ten seconds had passed, Noein pulled away from Matilda.
"...Shall we go, Matilda?"
"...Yes."
Noein spoke with a mischievous smile, and Matilda, her cheeks slightly flushed, responded.
.....
The central square of the capital, Noeina, was normally used as a place for itinerant merchants from outside the territory to open stalls, as a place of relaxation for the residents, and occasionally as a place for trials (even in the generally peaceful Arqvist territory, there were occasional thefts or acts of violence, which Noein, as the lord, judged).
Such a square had become the venue for the ceremony today, on the Pioneer Anniversary Festival. On the north side of the square, stalls selling food and sake were set up, but the south side had a large space taken up where a platform had been constructed.
In front of the stairs leading up to that platform, Noein stood with Matilda and Clara. Today, Clara was also wearing a dress as the formal attire of a noble lady. While the dress was based in black, similar to Noein's ceremonial clothes and Matilda's military uniform, it was decorated with white and silver frills and lapis lazuli ornaments, which, combined with Clara's presence, gave a composed impression.
A flag bearing the Arqvist family crest was hoisted atop the wooden platform, and below the platform, those considered elites among the territorial army soldiers stood guard. Additionally, retainers serving the Arqvist family were lined up on the left and right of the platform.
It was a sufficient setting to show the lord's dignity to the residents.
"Quiet down! We shall now receive the words of His Excellency, Baronet Noein Arqvist!"
The captain of the retainers, Yuri, raised his voice toward the square crowded with residents. Hearing that voice, the territorial army soldiers standing here and there in the square or patrolling the streets sent out instructions to the surroundings to "be quiet."
Shortly thereafter, the buzzing residents closed their mouths and turned toward the platform in the square. It was a charming sight that a drunkard, not noticing the change in the surroundings, continued to talk and was cautioned by a soldier, or a small child raised their voice and was scolded by a parent.
At a timing when it could be said that sufficient silence had been achieved, Noein ascended the platform. Matilda and Clara followed behind.
Having stepped forward to the center of the platform, Noein stood before the [Voice Amplification] magic item. It was something Noein had requested Daphne to make as the territory grew and his opportunities to raise his voice before many residents increased.
Clara stood a few steps behind Noein's left side, and Matilda waited one step further back than Clara on Noein's right side. While Matilda was officially guarding the lord and his wife, to an outsider, it would look as if Noein were accompanied by two wives.
Seeing the lord appear on the platform, both the retainers and the residents bowed. The soldiers gave a salute.
After confirming that the heads bowed toward him had risen again, the salutes were released, and the gazes were gathered, Noein opened his mouth.
"...Everyone. As the lord, I am truly happy from the bottom of my heart that I could welcome the Arqvist Territory Pioneer Anniversary Festival, this day, together with all of you."
Noein began to speak while looking down at the residents from the platform.
"Five years ago, I began the reclamation of this Arqvist territory bringing only my faithful slave Matilda and a golem. At that time, it was a land where only deep forests stretched endlessly. There were not even houses; I cleared the forest while sleeping and waking in a tent, and I tilled the fields myself."
The residents grew quiet and listened to Noein's words.
"I struggled every day. I was not alone. My wife Clara standing here, this Matilda, the retainers lined up here, and the soldiers—all of them supported me. And so now, the Arqvist territory has achieved great development."
Noein spoke with a dignified manner. While it was a worry of his that he looked young for his age and lacked dignity, after five years of time and accumulating various experiences, he had become able to clothe himself in a reasonable amount of dignity as a noble lord in such settings.
"Here, there is the capital Noeina, the mining village Kilde, and three pioneer villages. There are wide farmlands created within the primeval forest, and steep yet rich mines. These are great assets to me as the lord—however, the most important asset is none other than you."
Noein pointed toward the residents as if spreading both arms.
"A territory is its people. The people carry out their lives, create a society, and obtain happiness. Above that stands the nobility, who as administrators maintain society and protect the lives and happiness of the people. That is precisely why nobility can be rulers. That is the essence and ideal of the human world. I pride myself that in this Arqvist territory, I am able to embody that essence and am able to strive to approach that ideal."
Since the majority of the residents were uneducated farmers or simple laborers, not all of them could perfectly understand the content of what Noein was saying. However, they could vaguely understand that Noein placed importance on the people.
Everyone listened intently to the words of the lord who had accepted them as immigrants and given them new lives.
"Today is a day to commemorate and share the joy that you have obtained happiness in this land. The happiness you have enjoyed until now will continue from tomorrow, and forevermore. Your children, your grandchildren, and the generations beyond that will also enjoy this happiness. I, and my descendants, shall protect the happiness of all the people living in the Arqvist territory for all eternity."
Noein wanted to lead a happy life wrapped in much love. For that purpose, he first loved and cherished the people, and continued to strive for the people's happiness. While using those true feelings as his axis, he chose his words to make himself sound like a wonderful lord and spoke with heart.
"As the lord, I love all my people. Under my benevolence, I wish for you to continue living happily. First, I want you to enjoy today's anniversary festival to the fullest... That is all."
When Noein concluded, applause broke out after a moment of silence. It was from Captain Yuri. Using that as a signal, the applause spread first to the retainers, then to the soldiers, and further to the residents. The hundreds of people in the square and the surrounding streets enveloped the lord on the platform with their utmost applause.
With this speech by Noein, the Arqvist Territory Pioneer Anniversary Festival officially opened.