Chapter 232 - Episode 225: Confusion ②
Slightly north of the western edge of the Kingdom of Roadberg. Baron Noah Wikander, who held territory where the borders of the Northwestern Faction and the Southwestern Faction met, was receiving a report from the head squire of the baronial house.
"...I see. You were able to hunt that much prey in a single outing?"
"Yes. As expected, the reputation of the Bezel Great Forest was not unfounded. There are dangers if one ventures too deep, but the blessings obtainable from that forest are immense."
The Wikander barony bordered the Bezel Great Forest to the west. Because powerful monsters occasionally appeared near the Great Forest, the human settlements, including the capital, were built toward the eastern side of the territory to maintain some distance from the Great Forest.
Since forests were scattered throughout the territory, there was no need to go all the way to the Bezel Great Forest, so Noah and the residents rarely approached it.
However, following this year's disastrous harvest, a large-scale hunting party was organized to obtain even a small amount of food, and they entered the shallow areas of the Great Forest. The head squire leading them had just returned with the party and was reporting the results to Noah.
"It likely helped that it had remained mostly untouched until now. If we can obtain this much prey, my territory should be able to survive this winter with relative ease... Good work. Leave the processing of the prey to the other squires and take a rest for a while."
After offering words of appreciation to the head squire and dismissing him, Noah let out a deep sigh.
"...Dear, thank you for your hard work."
"Hm? Ah, thank you, Lory. With this, the anxiety over food is resolved."
Being spoken to with words of appreciation by his wife, Lory Wikander, who was assisting him in the same office as his aide, Noah smiled and nodded.
"The hunt in the Bezel Great Forest is one thing, but more than anything, the rapid expansion of potato cultivation over the last few years was significant. It's thanks to your connections with the Arqvist family."
"Oh, I was merely Clara's older sister. It was your effort that built a relationship of trust with His Excellency Noein Arqvist and actively imported potatoes. That is something you should be proud of."
Lory, who had a cheerful personality, always spoke in a bright tone and supported her husband in his role as the lord of the territory. Her strong support was a source of reassurance for Noah.
"Yeah, you're right... I must continue to cherish my relationship with my excellent brother-in-law."
Noah answered with a faint, wry smile.
Hoping to create even a small strength for the unremarkable Wikander barony, Noah used the opportunity of establishing a connection with Noein Arqvist to actively import potatoes from his territory. He also distributed them to the lower nobles who were his dependents.
As a result, the potato penetration rate in Noah's territory was considerably higher than in other Northwestern noble territories, and it looked as though they would somehow be able to overcome this year's disastrous wheat harvest without any deaths from starvation. If the results of the hunt in the Bezel Great Forest were added to this, they would surely be fine.
The fact that the Wikander barony could maintain its stability was thanks to his brother-in-law, who had now surpassed Noah in rank.
Just then, there was a knock on the office door.
"Excuse me, Your Excellency. Viscount Barassen has arrived at Karenu Village near the southern border and wishes to have an audience with you."
Hearing the report from the squire who entered after receiving permission, Noah frowned. Viscount Barassen was the Southwestern noble who had once gathered dependent nobles and attacked Karenu Village.
"...Viscount Barassen himself, personally? He must be quite desperate."
Considering the difference in rank and power, Viscount Barassen could have summoned Noah by saying, "I have business, so come to my capital." Despite that, the fact that the head of the house came to visit personally meant he likely had something he wanted to ask for while acting very humble.
"Very well. Then I shall go to Karenu Village... no, I'll summon him here. Guide Viscount Barassen to the capital, Jotevle. Be polite."
If the opponent comes in a state of weakness, one should remain strong. Thinking this, Noah gave the order to the squire who had come to report.
...
The following day, Viscount Barassen's party arrived at Jotevle, the capital of the Wikander barony, and were shown into the reception room of the baronial mansion.
The topic the Viscount brought up when meeting Noah was, as expected, a request to "let me buy some food." It was already known that the northwestern part of the kingdom was in a better situation than other regions.
"...To speak plainly, I am surprised by your courage in making such a request while the memories of the conflict three years ago are still fresh."
"...It is only right that you say so."
Facing Noah's cold expression and voice, Viscount Barassen answered looking extremely awkward.
Viscount Barassen, who possessed mountains where silver could be mined in his territory and had succeeded in the mining business—which was rare for a Southern noble—was wealthy. He always wore gaudy, expensive ornaments and spoke in a haughty tone.
However, now, there was no trace of that assertive attitude. It was only natural, since no matter how much money he piled up, he could not obtain food. Noah inwardly despised the Viscount, thinking that this happened because he neglected agriculture while focusing solely on mine development.
"...We have a small surplus of potatoes. I shall sell those to you. It would be best if you used them as seed potatoes rather than for food. Since it is now mid-July, if you plant them now, you should be able to harvest them by the end of autumn. It should help."
"R-Really!?"
Perhaps not expecting to receive help, Viscount Barassen's eyes widened in surprise.
"However, we are sharing our meager supply of potatoes. I will take a corresponding price. You shall pay with the silver that is a specialty of your territory... Also, you understand what will happen if you commit looting within my territory like you did three years ago, even at this stage?"
"..."
When Noah glared at him, Viscount Barassen fell silent.
Currently, the value of precious metals and gems, which cannot be eaten, was falling. If he sold the potatoes to the Viscount at a high price and had him pay with silver whose value had dropped, the Wikander baronial house could build a fortune in exchange for a small amount of potatoes.
Furthermore, by creating the fact that he had extended a helping hand once, Viscount Barassen would be unable to touch the Wikander barony. If he were to launch an invasion that repaid kindness with enmity and took the lives of the opponent's residents, Viscount Barassen would lose all credibility as a noble, and his position would be ruined.
"...I understand. I wish to trade on those terms. Of course, since I have received this favor, I solemnly swear that we will not do anything such as attack the Wikander barony."
Likely thinking there were no other options, Viscount Barassen nodded obediently.
Noah was now regarded as a "brilliant and famous lord who resolved border issues shortly after inheriting the family headship and stabilized the territory's food situation through the early import of potatoes." Although it was an evaluation gained with the help of his brother-in-law, he felt a certain amount of pride and confidence in having maintained this reputation until now.
By obtaining the reconstruction budget for next year and the peace of the territory for this year in exchange for exporting a small amount of potatoes that would not let his people starve, Noah's confidence deepened further.