Chapter 237 - Episode 230: Soon
Around the time August was drawing to a close. In the Arqvist territory, where the second cultivation of potatoes and soybeans for the year was underway, the scenery had transformed once again.
Because potatoes and soybeans cannot be grown in the same farmland consecutively, the second planting necessarily had to take place on different land than the first. Not only around the territorial capital of Noeina, the mining village of Kilde, the pioneer villages, and the Aspida fortress, but even within the cities, any available land was found, dug up, and forcibly cultivated.
While it was unavoidable for this year, the sight of potato leaves growing thick in vacant lots and along roadsides, and soybean pods swaying in the wind while bathing in the sun, was surreal.
The Claymore golem users were mobilized for the emergency expansion of cultivated land; furthermore, the lord, Noein, himself spent his free time clearing land with golems or re-compacting temporary farmlands that had finished their role in the first planting. It was the first time he had worked under the open sky since the early days of pioneering.
Within the capital, crops were growing right before people's eyes, but so far, only a few incidents had occurred where citizens took and ate them without permission. This was because there was enough food within the territory, and most understood that if they were caught stealing by the patrolling soldiers, they would be severely punished.
In fact, those who were tempted to commit theft were subjected to public flogging (in cases where children did it, their parents were flogged), and about two people who were discovered to be habitual thieves were banished from the territory. Whether that worked or not, there have been no similar incidents since.
Even as the kingdom was engulfed in chaos, days passed relatively peacefully in the Arqvist territory. In the conference room of the lord's manor, a regular meeting with the gathered retainers was being held as usual.
"—Therefore, the number of cases where the territorial army discovered thieves during patrols around the capital increased by four this month, bringing the cumulative total to eight. Comparing this with the damage from crops stolen from the edges of farmlands, it is believed that several other individuals infiltrated, committed theft, and managed to escape the territory. I apologize for my lack of ability."
At the words of the reporting retainer, Dant, Noein frowned. It was an expression of displeasure not toward the territorial army for letting thieves escape, but toward the increase in thieves sneaking in from outside the territory itself.
"The Arqvist territory is wide for its population size, so it's difficult to patrol the interior perfectly. I have no intention of blaming you for that... but did thefts from outside the territory increase by more than four cases this month alone? I'm worried about the future."
"Since banditry is occurring in other territories, one could say that the Arqvist territory is getting off easy with only this much damage..."
The Chief Retainer, Yuri, responded to Noein's concerns.
Currently, every noble territory was suffering from deteriorating public order due to food shortages. In neighboring lands, including the Viscount Koenitz territory, there had been multiple reports of bandit sightings, albeit in small groups, and Noein took a larger escort whenever he went to Retovik.
Compared to that, the Arqvist territory—where it was limited to petty thieves sneaking in to pull up a few potato plants and fleeing—was in a considerably better category. What Yuri said was correct.
"That's true... but if thieves are loitering around, the citizens will get anxious, and it would be a disaster if someone were killed or injured during farm work. Can you increase patrols around the highways from the border to the capital?"
"It is possible if we reduce patrols within the capital and redirect manpower. Public order in the capital is currently good, so I believe there will be no problem with a slight reduction."
"Fine. Deploy the Guard if necessary. I want Yuri, Pence, Dant, and Gustav to consult and decide on the practical matters."
""Understood.""
The martial retainers whose names were called by Noein nodded. Since soldiers could not be pulled from under Radley and Rick, who were responsible for border defense and patrols in the deep forest, they were not included here.
Once Dant's report on maintaining public order ended, the retainer Mai, who led the Women's Association, stood up.
"...From the Women's Association. This is a joint report with Edgar, who oversees the farmers. It also includes a proposal from the doctor, Selfers-sensei."
A coordinator for the women, a coordinator for the farmers, and the town doctor. Predicting that this would be about the lives of the citizens based on the lineup of reporters, Noein turned toward Mai.
"There is an increase in citizens visiting the clinic with symptoms such as stomach pain after eating potatoes and soybeans without cooking them thoroughly. Especially soybeans, which they are not used to eating. Some have developed severe symptoms and have had to take several days off work... there are not a few cases where entire families suffered food poisoning from eating the same meal."
"Ah..."
Noein remembered the concerns from before summer.
Eating raw potatoes causes symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. The same applies to eating too many raw soybeans. Since potatoes appeared on the dining table more often than in usual years, and since soybeans, which they were not used to, were being diverted for food, Mai had suggested that these types of food poisoning might increase, and warnings had been spread through the Women's Association.
However, it seems that was not enough. Whether the citizens had forgotten or found it tedious to cook them thoroughly, dozens had already ended up under the care of the clinic.
"Unless it is extremely severe, there likely won't be any deaths, but since labor power is being lost and the clinic's medicine is being depleted faster, I believe this will be a problem if left as is..."
"You're right. It's not something that can be ignored... Let's call for warnings more extensively. We'll put up signs in the capital's square and have soldiers stand there several times a day to read them aloud."
Having soldiers read them aloud was to alert citizens who could not read. Although the Arqvist territory had schools that children of commoners could attend, there were still few who could fluently read the sentences written on signs.
"I will think of the wording for the warning immediately."
"I'll make the signs right away!"
"Let's add the reading of the signs to the patrol procedures within the capital."
Mai, Damian, and Yuri responded to Noein's proposal.
"Thank you. Now, next—"
After that, the sharing of miscellaneous territorial information ended, and the meeting concluded without taking much time. Finally, Noein asked some of the retainers—Yuri, Bart, Mai, and Edgar—to stay behind.
Only seven people remained in the room: these four, Noein, Clara, and Matilda.
"So, what is this about?"
Now that only the lord's inner circle and veteran retainers remained, Yuri asked Noein with a more relaxed attitude.
"I was told by Edgar before today's meeting, but it seems some dissatisfaction with the lord has emerged among some of the citizens. Like, 'I'm sick of meals being nothing but potatoes and soybeans~ this is the lord's fault~' kind of thing."
Upon hearing Noein's story, Yuri and the others looked at Edgar. Receiving their gazes, Edgar spoke with a bitter expression.
"...I only heard the tenant farmers talking about it a few times. I thought it wasn't something that should be brought up extensively in a meeting, so I brought it only to Noein-sama's ear."
"Since the ones complaining are apparently new immigrants whose loyalty is still weak, it might be unavoidable, but I felt sad when I heard it. To think that some of my people are dissatisfied with my territorial management."
"...That said, no matter how you look at it, the people are being too selfish."
"That's right. It is none other than thanks to Noein-sama that not a single citizen of the Arqvist territory has gone hungry."
As Noein gave a wry smile, Yuri and Mai defended him as a couple.
"I have heard that it is a common struggle for lordly nobles that no matter how much one tries to satisfy the people, they quickly grow accustomed to the happiness they enjoy and forget to be grateful..."
When Clara spoke a maxim befitting someone from a prestigious noble house with a troubled expression, the retainers also wore subtle expressions. It seemed she was imagining the hardships unique to nobles.
"Well, for that reason, I'll be sad if this continues, and it's not good for territorial management either. So, to maintain the loyalty of the citizens, I gathered you because I want you to spread a little rumor within the territory."
"...I see. So that's why these four."
Yuri, who muttered this, and the other three, wore convinced faces.
All four were veteran retainers whom Noein trusted enough to ask for behind-the-scenes work in manipulating public opinion. Furthermore, Yuri had strong influence to spread information among the territorial army soldiers, Mai among the women of the territory, and Edgar among the farmers.
And Bart, who was in charge of foreign affairs—
"I just have to spread the rumor under the guise of conveying the state of the outside world that I've seen, right? Something like, 'Because of the poor harvest, famine is occurring everywhere outside the territory, and the situation is utterly miserable. Compared to that, the Arqvist territory, where one can avoid hunger, is a paradise on earth. Noein-sama, who has realized this peace, is wonderful, a god-like person.'"
"Ahahaha, exactly right. As expected of Bart, you understand perfectly."
As Noein nodded while laughing, Bart responded with a wry smile, "I am humbled."
"It's unavoidable that some citizens who don't know the situation outside well start feeling dissatisfied with the current state just because their opportunities to eat bread have decreased. Having a narrow perspective is due to a lack of education and their living environment. But I'm working hard as a lord, so this much behind-the-scenes work is permissible, right?"
In many cases, the thinking of uneducated people is simple. They feel dissatisfied with their ruler over small things, but the reverse is also true. They will suddenly like their ruler again over small things.
"...Yeah, I suppose it's fine. We'll do our best to spread such stories. It'll help with maintaining public order too."
"The citizens will also be happier if they realize how blessed they are."
"Above all, Noein-sama, who always cherishes the people, is a person who should be loved and respected by them."
"To emphasize how blessed the Arqvist territory is, I'll describe the outside world as being as miserable as possible."
The four nodded with their respective words and expressions.
.....
After leaving the conference room, Noein returned to the lord's office. Truthfully, he wanted to wrap up his work already and relax with Clara and Eleos, but that was still on hold.
"Phew—"
As soon as he entered the room and was alone with Matilda, Noein let out a deep sigh, letting his guard down.
"Thank you for your hard work, Noein-sama."
"Thank you, Matilda... can I be a little spoiled?"
"Yes, of course."
He approached the nodding Matilda, and they embraced. It was after finishing the meeting. This much of a breather should be allowed.
"Lately, it's been nothing but mentally exhausting work..."
"I sympathize with your hardships. I wish I could take your fatigue upon myself if I were able."
As Noein grumbled about the continuation of tedious work that strained his nerves—increasing food production, dealing with lack of funds, salt shortages, and thieves, as well as controlling the emotions of the citizens—Matilda held Noein's head to her chest and answered while stroking him gently.
"Thank you... I can work hard because I can be spoiled by Matilda like this."
As he spoke, he lifted his face, and they gazed at each other at a distance where their noses almost touched. Then, without either of them initiating, their lips overlapped.
After a few seconds, they parted their lips, and feeling a slight lingering regret, Noein moved away from Matilda and sat at his executive desk.
"...Once food is imported from Betumia in October, the domestic situation should improve, and money will come in from selling metal resources. I'll give it one more push until then."
The situation would improve soon. Believing that, Noein resumed his duties.