Chapter 193 - Episode 187: Preparations for Promotion ①
Noein, who had it decided that he would jump from Baronet straight to Viscount, had to make several preparations for his promotion.
After all, he was to be a Viscount. In the aristocratic circles of various regions, he would be treated as a "Great Noble" who forms the core of a faction, placing him in a position distinct from the common lower nobility.
A title does not necessarily correlate with wealth or power, but that is precisely why he would be treated as an incompetent noble unable to maintain his family status if he did not acquire and maintain a territory scale, financial power, and military strength befitting the position of a Viscount.
What did Noein need in order to protect the Arqvist family and aim for development toward a territory scale befitting a Viscount's domain? He had plenty of money. He had industries and specialty products that served as the strengths of his territory. He had connections with the royal family, other nobles, and large merchant guilds.
However, he was slightly lacking in subordinates. Whether it was expanding the territorial army, broadening the scale of the house, or expanding the farmland owned by the lord, there was a shortage of workers and people in positions to supervise them.
Therefore, Noein decided to gather new talent and promote the excellent personnel he already had to managerial positions.
"—Therefore, I appoint Gustav and seven others as Honorary Retainers of the Arqvist family. From this point forward, continue to devote your strength for the sake of the Arqvist family and the Arqvist territory."
"We humbly accept this appointment. We swear our unchanging loyalty to the Arqvist family from here on."
Gustav, Cecilia, Alain, and the other golem users knelt on one knee and bowed their heads to Noein. Because the number of appointees was large, the location was the conference room rather than the lord's office.
"...Congratulations to you all. I hear you've been quite active not only in military duties but also in territorial development. As both your lord and your teacher, I am proud. You are all fully fledged now."
In addition to their work and training as soldiers, Gustav and the others had been dispatched whenever manpower was needed—such as for clearing forests or construction within the territorial capital—and had demonstrated their capabilities.
"Thank you very much! We're just happy to finally be of use! At first, we were receiving wages even though we were doing nothing but training..."
"The more we distinguish ourselves, the more popular we get with the girls, and now we've even become Honorary Retainers—life's been the best since coming to this territory!"
"Alain! Now that you've become an Honorary Retainer, behave in a manner befitting that position!"
Contrary to the serious Cecilia, Alain had spoken flippantly, and Gustav, the captain of the Claymore unit, scolded him.
"Ahaha, the stiff appointment ceremony is over, so it's fine. If you feel that your life here is the best, it's the greatest reward a lord could ask for."
"...Be grateful for Noein-sama's generosity, Alain."
When Noein forgave him with a chuckle, Gustav glared sharply at Alain.
"Ah, and also, thanks to your hard work, I've realized that golem users can become a wonderful military force if trained from scratch, right? So, I'm thinking of recruiting a larger number of golem users—such as those from other Royal Mages or those employed by other territories—and providing them with training to expand the scale of the Claymore unit."
"Does that mean we're getting juniors?"
When Alain asked, Noein nodded.
"That's right. This territory, which has come to border the Kingdom of Lancel, must expand its military scale, but there's a limit to suddenly increasing the population. A golem user is equivalent to the combat power of dozens of people on their own."
Gustav and the Claymores possessed power that, alone, rivaled the total military strength of some lower noble territories. If such talent could be mass-produced, the Arqvist family would obtain sufficient military strength as high-ranking nobles guarding the border.
"I intend to basically leave the training of the newly hired golem users to you. I'll be getting busier once I'm promoted... I'm counting on you, okay?"
"...Please leave it to us. As senior golem users, we will strive to properly guide the newcomers."
As Noein smiled and looked around at the members of the Claymore, Gustav answered on their behalf, and the other seven nodded vigorously.
.....
"—Therefore, I appoint Henrik as a Retainer of the Arqvist family. In principle, this position shall be inherited by your children and grandchildren. From this point forward, for the sake of the Arqvist family—"
Kneeling before Noein, who was speaking the words of appointment in the lord's office, was Henrik, the driver of the lord's carriage and the one who cared for the horses in the stables.
"I am most grateful. I swear my loyalty to the Arqvist family from here on... hah, to think I've actually become a retainer."
"Hahaha, congratulations, Henrik."
Noein laughed in response to Henrik, who muttered with deep emotion.
"You are truly skilled at handling horses, and you're knowledgeable about their care. As our territory grows, the number of horses I own as lord will increase, so it would be a great help if you could manage the other stable servants and slaves as a retainer."
In fact, Henrik possessed knowledge and skill regarding horses that everyone in the territory acknowledged. With him serving as the driver, Noein and Clara could ride in the lord's carriage without feeling much shaking, and regarding horse care, Henrik was skilled at calming and managing the animals.
As he increased the number of horses and the servants and slaves to care for them, Noein decided he wanted to entrust the guidance and management to Henrik as a retainer. As for him, while he was a bit unrefined, his personality was not an issue.
"I ain't taught folks much, but I'll do my best to be useful."
"Yes, I'm expecting great things."
.....
"—And so, I appoint Mary as the new Head Maid, Rosetta as the official Head Chef, and Kimberly as the current House Steward. Your responsibilities will increase, so it may be difficult, but I want to be able to rely on you."
"Please leave it to us!"
"I'll do my best~"
"I humbly accept this appointment. I shall continue to support Your Excellency and the members of your family with unwavering loyalty."
When Noein gathered the veteran maids and appointed them to new positions, the three responded respectively.
The Arqvist mansion, which had been expanded previously, was technically sufficient in size as a residence for a Viscount, but the number of servants was somewhat precarious.
Therefore, coinciding with the promotion to Viscount, the number of maids would be increased by several people, and gardeners would also be hired to maintain an appearance befitting the mansion of a high-ranking noble. To manage these personnel, the three veterans would officially become managers.
Mary, who was capable in various ways, became the new Head Maid, and Rosetta, as the Head Chef of a mansion where the number of residents—including servants—would increase significantly, would manage the meal preparation for everyone.
And Kimberly would become the House Steward, the head of all servants, rather than just a maid. She would become a close aide supporting the daily life of the lord's family, overseeing all servants other than the maids, and from now on, she would also handle the financial management of everyone's life in the mansion.
Considering they were originally just town girls and village girls, it was an extraordinary rise in status for all three.
"...But well, you are all diligent and very capable. I'm not worried at all."
When Noein evaluated their work in this way, Mary puffed out her chest proudly, Rosetta smiled gleefully, and Kimberly bowed her head while keeping her expression tight.
.....
"Excuse me. Did you call for me, Noein-sama?"
The one who entered the lord's office saying this was Zadrek, a tiger beastman who was the coordinator for the lord's owned slaves and one of the oldest slaves.
"Zadrek, sorry for calling you so suddenly."
"No, I believe it is only natural to come immediately if Noein-sama calls."
"Thank you... Actually, I have a bit of a proposal regarding you veteran labor slaves."
When Noein said this, Zadrek, sensing that a serious conversation was about to take place, dropped to both knees and showed the salute of a slave.
"What sort of proposal is it?"
"...Zadrek. You, and the other labor slaves, have always worked diligently. Not only that. When manpower was needed to protect the Arqvist territory, you slaves volunteered to fight with crossbows in hand, despite having no such obligation. Twice, in fact."
When multiple orcs appeared during Noein's expedition. And also during the battle of Bezel. Zadrek and the others had volunteered to fight for the master who gave them exceptional treatment despite being slaves, and they had actually participated in the combat and fought bravely.
"I feel that you aren't just obedient as slaves, but that you as individuals are devoting your loyalty to me."
"...Yes. Despite our status as slaves, Noein-sama has treated us truly well. I, despite being a beastman slave, was given my current position and treatment, and was even permitted to marry and have a family. I always think that I wish to return even a fraction of this kindness and show my loyalty."
Zadrek spoke the contents of his heart.
"So, here is my proposal. Zadrek, and all the veteran labor slaves who have worked and fought until now. Would you be willing to work under me in a more free position, with more responsibility? As commoner laborers."
"...That is..."
Zadrek's eyes widened and he became choked up. What Noein had said meant, in short, that he was liberating Zadrek and the others.
"Along with my promotion, the farmland owned by the lord will expand. I intend to significantly increase the serfs working there. I want you to handle their guidance and management. Especially you, Zadrek, I want to ask you to be the overall supervisor. Once you've grown accustomed to that position after your liberation, I want to appoint you as a retainer."
Zadrek was at a loss for words. He couldn't respond immediately.
They were being liberated. Moreover, he himself would become a retainer. For a moment, he couldn't comprehend the meaning of it.
From the fact that his master, Noein, kept the rabbit-person Matilda by his side, Zadrek knew that he held no discriminatory feelings toward beastmen. He understood it in his head, but the idea of himself being appointed as a retainer serving a noble felt completely surreal.
"...Is it truly alright?"
To Zadrek, who managed to ask with a trembling voice, Noein smiled and nodded.
"I believe you have shown enough merit. I want to entrust the management of the lord's owned farmland to those I can trust absolutely. Especially for the general manager, there is no one more suitable than you. That is how much I trust you."
Having it stated so clearly, Zadrek looked down for a moment to steady his breathing, then raised his face and answered clearly.
"I humbly accept that role. I am sure the others will give the same answer. I will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life. I will surely meet your expectations and continue to fulfill my role."
"Thank you. As lord, I also swear eternally to reward your loyalty from here on."
In this way, in order to become a high-ranking noble, Noein increased the personnel who would serve as managers.