Chapter 228 - Episode 221: Helping Each Other
Late March. In the midst of spring, while the entire Arqvist territory was striving to increase food production to overcome this year of poor harvests, Noein was summoned by his neighboring lord, Viscount Arnold Koenitz.
Invited as usual to the Koenitz Viscount residence in Retovik and shown into the reception room, Noein faced Arnold, who was also his father-in-law.
"Forgive me for summoning you so suddenly, Noein. I am sure you are busy as well, so thank you for coming."
"No, if it is none other than Arnold-sama calling, I shall hasten here immediately, both as a neighbor and as a son-in-law."
As he answered, Noein found Arnold, who wore a smile even gentler than usual, to be slightly eerie. Since becoming father and son by marriage, he and Arnold had long enjoyed a casual relationship, but today he felt that Arnold was wearing a fake smile, like a typical nobleman of the past.
The way he tried to soften the atmosphere with forced small talk, such as "It's a relief that it's finally become warm like spring," only made him more suspicious.
"So, Arnold-sama, what is this matter you wished to discuss?"
"Hmm? ...Right, you are likely busy. Shall we move to the main point quickly?"
When Noein brought it up, Arnold's smile became even gentler and more dubious.
"It goes without saying, but after the turn of the year, a fierce cold wave and heavy snow struck the entire kingdom—no, the entire southern part of the continent. The Arqvist territory must have suffered greatly as well?"
"...Yes, that is true. It was truly difficult. Confusion still continues even now. I imagine the Viscount Koenitz territory also faced considerable hardship."
"Yes, it was difficult for both of us. And so... besides the damage from the cold wave and snow accumulation itself, another major impact occurred in my territory. A poor wheat harvest—no, a disastrous harvest. One could call it a great disaster. Of course, this is likely not limited to my territory alone."
"Surely the entire kingdom, and even neighboring countries, have fallen into a similar disastrous harvest. My Arqvist territory is no exception."
This is unfolding roughly as expected, Noein thought. Once it comes to this, the next thing he will say is probably—
"I thought as much... However, the Arqvist territory is the land that established the cultivation method for those potatoes and spread them most quickly. Even if the wheat harvest is disastrous, surely you are not struggling as much as other territories? No, perhaps there is even surplus food despite this situation. If that is the case... would you allow me to buy it? I promise it will by no means be a bad deal."
Here it comes, it really is a consultation about buying food, Noein thought.
"...Regarding that matter, I believe there is room for consideration."
"I see, then—"
"But before that, I have one request."
Noein spoke sharply with a stern face, and then let out a small sigh.
"...Could you stop that creepy fake smile and cat-like voice and just speak normally, Father-in-law? Even if you don't act that way, I won't treat your consultation poorly. You are Clara's father and Eleos's grandfather, after all."
They had conversed with their natural expressions for so long; he wanted him to spare him this noble talk with a business smile now. It gave him goosebumps.
"...You're right, I was in the wrong."
Having been pointed out, Arnold also spoke in his natural voice with a wry smile.
"Now, regarding the matter of wanting to buy food... potatoes should have been widespread in the Viscount Koenitz territory for some time now, but is it still that severe?"
"The population, the degree of spread, and the method of spreading them are completely different from the Arqvist territory... Think about it. The peasants in this land have grown wheat for over 200 years, generation after generation. If a crop they've never seen before, like the potato, is suddenly introduced, do you think it would spread enough in a few years to feed the territory's population of 12,000 people?"
"...I suppose it wouldn't be that simple."
Noein nodded in agreement. The Arqvist territory was a special land that had incorporated potatoes as one of its staple foods from the start and developed on the premise that potatoes existed. It wouldn't go the same way for other territories.
"That is how it is. Even so, I have strived as much as possible to spread the potato... but no matter how much we strive for food conservation and increased production, there will be deaths by starvation in the Viscount Koenitz territory by next winter."
Arnold's face was dark as he spoke. Whether it was out of concern for the people, or concern that his reputation among the people would decline.
"Therefore, I must urgently think of a way to increase food. Noein, could I possibly rely on you?"
"...I cannot give a definite promise yet, but I believe I can be of assistance."
To Arnold's plea, Noein answered after thinking for a moment.
"My territory is currently striving with all its might to increase food production. We have temporarily diverted even the potatoes we intended to eat into seed potatoes, and we are increasing soybeans, which were planned as raw materials for oil, for food use. If things go smoothly, it should be entirely possible to sell a reasonable amount of food to the Viscount Koenitz territory after feeding the people of my own territory."
"I see, so there is leeway... then."
"However, I cannot guarantee exports yet. I cannot export until I know for sure that the people of my territory will be able to avoid starvation. I can only sell the surplus after harvesting the portion planted in early spring in early summer, and then subtracting the amount for consumption within the territory, the amount necessary for the second planting of the year, and the reserve stock. You understand, yes?"
"...Yes. That is a reasonable point."
When Noein spoke in a tone that brooked no argument, Arnold nodded.
"Please do not consume what I sell you as food immediately, but divert it to planting. If you plant in summer, you will be able to harvest dozens of times more by late autumn. That should be a better help for surviving the winter."
"Understood, I shall do so... As a father-in-law, and as a fellow noble lord, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Not only with words, Arnold showed his gratitude by bowing his head. Despite being the same rank of Viscount, his family's status, territory scale, and age as head of house were all higher, and on top of that, he was in the position of father-in-law, yet he bowed.
"I have certainly received your gratitude. Please, raise your head... For my part, I do not wish for a tragic situation to befall Clara's birthplace."
Saying so, Noein smiled.
Of course, there was the obligation of helping a relative, but he would not decide to export the territory's precious food based on that alone. Noein had originally decided that if he were to help by exporting food, the Viscount Koenitz territory would be the first.
The Arqvist territory does not share a border with any noble territory other than the Koenitz territory. If the Viscount Koenitz territory, a key point for imports and exports, were to be devastated by famine, the Arqvist territory would inevitably feel the aftereffects. To prevent that, he had to ensure the Koenitz territory remained intact.
Furthermore, if the Koenitz territory were safe, it would naturally serve as a shield even if chaos due to famine occurred in nearby territories. Noein had entered this discussion after calculating that far.
"...Still, I wonder what will happen this year. Even if we are fine, the other noble territories will likely end up in a miserable state."
Once the conversation reached a lull, Noein relaxed slightly, leaned back into the sofa of the reception room, and took a sip of the tea served on the table.
"True... The noble territories in the northwest have all spread potatoes to varying degrees, so they should be far better off than other regions. It might not be the case that there are zero deaths by starvation, but there probably won't be many territories that collapse."
Arnold answered, similarly taking a sip of tea.
"But other regions are likely miserable. If things go poorly, deaths by starvation might occur as early as this summer. It might even come to the point where swords are crossed within factions. The only ones who will likely remain safe are the royal lands and a very small number of wealthy territories with abundant reserves, wouldn't you say?"
"...It cannot be helped, but it is a sad thing."
Noein muttered, feeling sympathy for the people of other regions.
Likely, those in weak positions—the poor, the elderly, children who are second sons or younger—will starve to death first. It is pitiful, but it cannot be helped. He was doing his best just to protect his beloved family, subordinates, and people.
It might be improper, but Noein felt relief in his heart that they alone seemed likely to overcome this crisis safely.