Chapter 202 - Episode 196: Days of Rapid Development ②
Late October. After welcoming the second wave of immigrants with another moving speech and settling their jobs and dwellings, things had calmed down a bit. Noein visited to inspect the training of the territorial army.
The territorial army barracks—he entered the grounds, which had now expanded in scale and come to be called the Territorial Army Headquarters, and made his way to the training ground, which was larger than before.
There, instruction was being carried out for the apprentice soldiers who were to become regular soldiers, and for the territorial residents who were to become the Reserve Corps.
"Listen up! Do not stop swinging your spears until I tell you to stop! Don't think that someone who gives up at this level can protect the Arqvist territory as a soldier!"
The one shouting encouragement to the territorial army soldiers performing basic spear training was the attendant Dant. Having commanded melee combat on the front lines during the Battle of Bezel and sustained a prominent scar on his face, Dant possessed a level of intensity as a soldier that was greater than before.
On the other hand, the soldiers were all apprentice soldiers who had enlisted within the last few months. While there were individual differences, the way they held and swung their spears was generally still awkward. Among them were some whose physical strength could not hold out, and who looked as if they were barely managing to keep from dropping their spears.
"It will likely take about half a year before the apprentice soldiers become useful," Yuri, who was serving as his guide, said to Noein as he watched the scene.
"I see. Well, it can't be helped. They were ordinary commoners until just the other day... How is their morale?"
"There should be no problem regarding that. Every one of them is eager to become capable of protecting this land themselves."
"That is the best possible outcome."
The Battle of Bezel had given the territorial residents a great shock.
Facing the crisis where their own land, homes, and families were directly targeted by an enemy nation, and knowing that the crisis had not yet completely vanished, many felt that they too wanted to fight to protect their new home.
Not only those who fought as crossbow volunteers during the Battle of Bezel, but there were also requests for enlistment from those who had been inside the territorial capital, Noeina. Yuri, who was in charge of the enlistment screenings, told him that they seemed shocked by the fact that while their assets and families were endangered, and their neighbors or acquaintances were injured or killed in action, they had done nothing but tremble inside the city walls.
Of the 200-person quota for the regular territorial army, just over 100 positions were filled, including those who were already there, and Yuri and Dant were primarily in charge of training the recruits. Since many of the recruits were landowners who had enlisted, the tenant farms of such people were preferentially assigned to the new immigrants.
"And... over there is the Reserve Corps?"
"Yes. Those among the elites of the territorial army who are free are in charge of the training instruction."
At the edge of the training ground, about thirty men were forming ranks with crossbows in hand. Beside them, Pence appeared to be providing instruction.
The basic tactic for the crossbow unit was to rotate shooting and loading in groups of three; not only was firing the arrows important, but rapid movement and loading were also crucial. The goal for the Reserve Corps was to make that coordination function and maintain their proficiency.
As for this group, fewer than 100 positions were filled against a quota of 300. The reason neither the territorial army nor the Reserve Corps reached their quotas was that even combining all the men who met the screening criteria Noein had set—"between 13 and 35 years old, and having resided here for half a year"—they did not reach the total quota of 500. Even if they did, it was not the case that every eligible person would volunteer in the first place.
"Regarding the Reserve Corps, we will continue to recruit those who meet the conditions as they arise... I think it might be acceptable to raise the age limit for the Reserve Corps alone, but what do you think?"
"You're right. The crossbow units likely won't be moving around too violently, and there are probably many who still have physical strength even over 35... How about expanding the frame for the Reserve Corps alone up to 45, and imposing periodic physical examinations for those over 35?"
"I believe that would be no problem. I will proceed in that direction."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
Since the territorial army was being expanded to several times its previous scale so suddenly, there were still parts they were feeling their way through. Because assembling military strength was currently the highest priority for the Arqvist territory, they responded flexibly like this.
"Now, finally... the Claymores."
"Yes. Over there."
Led by Yuri, Noein headed toward another section of the training ground—a space shielded by curtains. The training methods for golem users were, for the time being, still kept secret outside the territory, and they ensured that the training scenes were not shown openly, even at the Territorial Army Headquarters where the number of people coming and going had increased.
Upon entering the Claymore training ground, Gustav was just in the middle of instructing the apprentice golem users.
Gustav, noticing Noein, saluted, and Noein nodded, urging him to continue.
The story that "one could make a name for themselves as a puppet mage if they went to the Arqvist territory" had spread primarily through the royal lands and the northwestern part of the kingdom, and currently, about ten people—namely, Gustav's juniors who had quit being royal mages—had migrated.
However, since the turnover for royal mages specializing in puppet magic was originally high, Gustav and the others, who had been retired for over two years, said there were many faces they did not recognize.
"This side will still take more time, as expected."
"It took about a year for Gustav and the others as well."
Mastering golem operation could only be achieved by piling up training hours. There was no way to shorten it. Even if the number of migrating golem users continued to increase steadily, it would likely take nearly two years for the Claymores to reach their quota of 30.
"What about the psychological training?"
"There are no oversights there either. We are thoroughly drilling loyalty to the territory into them."
Golem users were basically people who had migrated lured by the treatment. To root loyalty to Noein and the Arqvist territory in such people, "psychological training" was also being administered.
Specifically, it involved continuing to whisper to them to firmly acquire "gratitude toward His Excellency Arqvist" while their mental strength and thinking capacity were weakened by harsh training. If this continued for a year, every one of them would likely grow into an obedient subordinate of Noein.
The expansion of the territorial army's scale was progressing steadily. Having witnessed the training of each unit, Noein left the Territorial Army Headquarters shortly thereafter.
...
One night toward the end of October. At the mansion of the Viscount Arqvist family, the lord and his family were having dinner.
Noein, his wife Clara, and Matilda were eating a meal prepared by the head chef Rosetta in the dining room for the lord's family. Around them, the steward Kimberly and her subordinate maids worked as servers.
"...Clara, do you not have much of an appetite?"
Noein said, looking at the plate placed before his wife. It was nearly the latter half of the mealtime, but of today's main pork steak, more than half remained only on the plate placed before Clara.
"Yes, a little... Recently, it seems things with heavy fat feel difficult for me."
"Are you okay? If you're feeling unwell, wouldn't it be better to have a doctor look at you just in case?"
"No, not to that extent... Yes, just in case, I will do so tomorrow."
"That's for the best. Let's call Liris to the mansion tomorrow."
The afternoon of the following day, after such a conversation had taken place. Liris, who had now become a fully-fledged female doctor, was called to the mansion.
Since it was an examination of the lord's wife, Liris, who underwent a formal physical inspection by the guard Matilda to ensure she wasn't carrying weapons or anything of the sort, used an appraisal magic tool to see if there were any abnormalities in Clara's body.
"Recently, have you felt any headaches, fatigue, or dizziness?"
"Certainly... I do feel a bit dizzy sometimes. However, I thought I was just tired..."
Liris asked questions while examining, and Clara answered them.
Soon the examination ended, and Liris spoke before Clara and Noein, who was accompanying her.
"First, it is not that you have some illness. Clara-sama is perfectly healthy."
"That's a relief... but then, what is the cause of the poor physical condition?"
Noein asked, his expression becoming relieved.
To that, Liris answered with a smile.
"Noein-sama, Clara-sama, congratulations... You are pregnant."
Upon hearing Liris's words, the place fell silent for a moment. Noein, with a blank expression, looked at Clara beside him, and then at Matilda waiting further behind.
Then, a few seconds later, he understood the meaning of what Liris had said and his face became one of realization.
"...R-Really!?"
"Yes, I confirmed it with the appraisal magic tool, so there is no mistake. I believe it is currently about one and a half months into the pregnancy."
Noein looked at Clara with a beaming expression. Clara also seemed overcome with emotion, placing both hands over her mouth with moist eyes.
Having entered their twenties, and because the situation surrounding themselves and the territory had changed greatly, Noein and Clara had finally decided to create an heir.
From around the summer, when the post-war processing had settled down, they had stopped using contraceptive magic potions and had been attempting to conceive, and it seemed those efforts had borne fruit.
"...Detailed talk regarding how to spend the pregnancy and such would be better handled on another day. Since you two are the lord and lady, I think there will be things to discuss with your vassals regarding the future... and above all, you probably want to spend time as just a family right now."
Liris said with a slight smile, looking at the lord and lady who were gazing at each other, their hearts full of joy.
"...Ah, you're right. Thank you, Liris."
"No, this is my job. Well then, I shall take my leave for today."
After replying to Noein, who managed to make a face befitting a lord to give his thanks, Liris left, guided by Kimberly who had been waiting in the room.
Noein, now alone with Clara and Matilda, immediately pulled Clara beside him close. Clara responded.
The two of them hugged for a full ten seconds before separating and looking straight into each other's faces.
"...Clara."
"...Yes."
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
The first thing Noein conveyed to her was gratitude.
Noein did not know what was general to say to a wife who had become pregnant with his child. However, these were the words that instinctively came out of his mouth. He could not help but convey his gratitude.
"...I am the one who should thank you. I am happy to be your wife. I felt that once again."
As she replied, Clara shed a few tears. Prompted by that, Noein's eyes also grew moist.
Matilda watched the two of them for a while with a smile. Thinking that they probably wanted to be alone right now and that she should also leave the room, she tried to quietly exit the room—
"Wait, Matilda."
She was stopped by Noein. Clara also looked back toward Matilda.
"Matilda, come here too."
"Matilda-san, come close."
"But... right now, I believe it is the couple's time."
To the gentle smiles of Noein and Clara, Matilda answered with a face that looked a bit bewildered and apologetic.
Noein and Clara looked at each other for a moment, and then looked at Matilda again with expressions full of affection. Clara opened her mouth.
"Matilda-san and I are comrades who support Noein-sama together. I believe that the child of Noein-sama and myself is also the crystallization of the love between Matilda-san and Noein-sama. That is why... I want to share this joy together with Matilda-san, the three of us."
Hearing those words, Matilda's eyes widened, and then her face softened into a smile.
"...I understand, thank you. Truly... truly, congratulations. I am as happy as if it were my own."
Noein and Clara pulled Matilda, who had stepped closer, into their embrace, and for a while, the three of them remained immersed in joy. Thinking of the new life that would be born.
The above concludes Chapter Eight.
Almost 200 episodes... The fact that I have been able to continue posting up to this point is thanks to everyone who reads. Thank you very much.
I would be happy if you continue to accompany the story of Noein and the others' lives.
The book version "The Happiness Tale of the Twisted Lord" is now on sale at bookstores nationwide and various online shopping sites.
With significant additions, this work has deepened in content even further than the web version; as the author, nothing would bring me greater joy than for you to welcome it into your hands. I humbly ask for your support.
