Chapter 315 - Episode 307: Negotiations with the Royal Family ①
Two days after the banquet ended successfully. Noein was summoned to the royal castle once again to attend various discussions regarding the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
In the room used for the meeting, in addition to Noein and Oscar, Minister of Internal Affairs Marquis Skeggjason was seated, along with several clerical officials for miscellaneous tasks and guards.
Furthermore, Noein had Matilda seated beside him as his own secretary. Because Oscar said nothing about the abnormal behavior of bringing a beastman slave to a meeting with the King, no one else dared to criticize it.
Since he was founding a country, even if on a very small scale, there were many matters that needed to be finalized. Matters agreed upon between the Arqvist family and the royal family before the declaration of independence—for example, the export of Ballistas and the lending of puppet mages—also had to have their conditions re-confirmed in order to continue the agreements.
"—First, I have already settled things with the Lancel Kingdom regarding the independence of the Arqvist territory. I have received a guarantee that their royal family also approves of you calling yourself the Grand Duke and ruling the country. There is no need to worry about conflict with them regarding the founding itself."
"I see. In that case, may I handle the agreements such as the demarcation of the border with that country myself?"
"That is correct. Since the Grand Duchy of Arqvist will become a single independent country, the Kingdom of Roadberg will not intervene directly. However... I trust that someone as intelligent as you understands what would be the best way to settle such agreements for the sake of the Grand Duchy?"
If Noein conceded too much to the Lancel Kingdom in the demarcation of the border, or conversely, if he became too greedy and took an inappropriately large amount of territory through aggressive means, it would be a loss for the Grand Duchy. Ultimately, that loss would extend to the Kingdom of Roadberg, which would maintain an inseparable relationship with the Grand Duchy.
Understanding these circumstances, Noein should be able to draw the border at a common-sense line. Oscar hinted implicitly that the royal family expected this, and that such political power would be required of Noein in the future.
"Of course. It may be a bit premature to say, but I intend to make the most profitable choices for the sake of my country. Please rest assured."
Compared to the kingdoms to the east and west, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was a tiny country, but it would not become a mere figurehead state. Noein had no intention of making it such a country.
It was located at a strategic point connecting the Kingdom of Roadberg and the Lancel Kingdom by a single narrow road, and boasted high military, technical, and economic power for its national scale, and from here on, it would further increase that national strength.
Even if the Lancel Kingdom attacked with all its might, thanks to the advantage of the terrain, it possessed a defensive capability that could withstand it independently for a certain amount of time. For the Kingdom of Roadberg, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist served as a sturdy fortress for the northern border.
And, should the relationship between the two kingdoms deteriorate again, as long as both countries did not advance their armies into the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, they could avoid a quagmire of a two-front war.
As long as the Arqvist family played their part correctly, acts of aggression against the Grand Duchy would become a "line that is better not to cross" for both the Kingdom of Roadberg and the Lancel Kingdom.
In order to remain such a line, Noein had to behave appropriately after understanding the intentions and situations of the surrounding nations. Ultimately, that would also lead to protecting the independence of the Grand Duchy. Noein also indicated implicitly that he correctly understood his own country's position.
"A good mindset. I wasn't worried, but seeing you like this, it seems there will be no problem in granting independence after all... Now, next is regarding the specific timing of independence and the preparations leading up to it."
Saying so, Oscar looked to his side, and Marquis Skeggjason, receiving the gaze, nodded and took over as the speaker.
"There are several preparations that must be advanced before the founding of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, but the one that takes the most time will likely be the transport of immigrants to the current Arqvist territory. First, as for how many immigrants you wish to accept, My Lord..."
The royal family's intention that the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, with whom they would maintain deep ties, maintain a certain amount of power and a stable society remained unchanged. For Noein's part, he believed that if he were to become independent, it would be better to have a slightly larger population, and he wanted to take as many immigrants as he could be given.
"The current population of the Arqvist territory is about 2,800 people. For my part, I wish to increase the population by 1,000 from here and become independent in a state exceeding 3,800 people. I would like to welcome immigrants and slaves to the territory in a ratio of 800 immigrants and 200 slaves. I will have the slaves arranged through a merchant I am acquainted with."
"...3,800 people. Will that be enough?"
To Marquis Skeggjason's question, Noein answered while nodding.
"Yes. For the time being, if we possess that much of a population, it is sufficient for aiming for the system of 200 regular soldiers and 300 Reserve Corps that I mentioned in the meeting a few years ago. Because my territory originally has a special composition, there are few elderly and many of the younger generation. If there are 3,800 people at the time of founding, a population of 4,000 will be in sight soon."
Then, while shifting his gaze toward Oscar, he continued.
"Furthermore, no matter how much of a preparation period is taken until my independence, I believe the royal family would not wish for it to take too long. If the scale of immigration is around that amount, my house should be able to finish the preparation of houses and urban development in less than a year at the most."
"...True. I shall grant your wish. Minister of Internal Affairs Skeggjason. I leave the selection of 800 immigrants to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, yes?"
"Yes. Then, Lord Arqvist, regarding the races and social classes of the immigrants, may we proceed with the same requests as before?"
To this question from Marquis Skeggjason, Noein nodded with a gentle smile.
"Yes. As I stated previously, I would like the immigrants to be gathered from the socially poor classes, such as tenant farmers and simple laborers. As for the races, more beastmen than I spoke of before... yes, up to about forty percent beastmen is fine."
"Hahaha, you are the same as always. Do you dislike the intellectual classes of other places infiltrating the territorial society that much?"
"With all due respect, we are also advancing the education of the commoners in my territory. I wish to give the existing people opportunities to be active by utilizing their education."
To Oscar, who had entered the conversation, Noein answered with a strained smile.
Once the Arqvist territory became independent as a Grand Duchy and began conducting transit trade between the Kingdom of Roadberg and the Lancel Kingdom, the scale of domestic commerce would grow significantly. Rather, commerce would become the foundation of the economy. The employment of intellectual laborers working in domestic merchant guilds, starting with the Skinner Company, would also increase greatly.
He had gone to the trouble of giving power to the veteran residents and simultaneously providing knowledge through the lord's direct-run school to the youth who grew up with the Arqvist territory as their home. There was no way he would let that go to waste here.
Noein's thought that an elite class with loyalties elsewhere was unnecessary had not changed. Rather, as the land he ruled became an independent country instead of a mere noble territory, that thought had become even more firm.
"I see. If that is what puts you at ease, do as you like."
To Oscar, who laughed with a meaningful tone, Noein did not let his fake smile falter.
He was well aware that the royal family would mix a few intelligence agents among the immigrants. Even if the immigrants were limited to the laborer class, several people acting as reporters to the royal family disguised as uneducated farmers would likely slip in.
However, such intelligence agents would inevitably blend into the citizenry no matter how they struggled. They would also mingle among the merchants entering and leaving the Grand Duchy. Since it was a foreign country, even if they were in a friendly relationship, it could not be helped.
Noein himself had Bart and his subordinates, as well as the Skinner Company, collect information outside the territory. Once independent, he would increase the scale of that. As long as one holds a country, collecting information on neighboring countries is mutual.
For Noein, it was sufficient for now just to know that such intelligence agents would not be able to enter the center of politics or economy for the time being.
"Now, next... is regarding the nobility system of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist."
After confirming that the conversation between Oscar and Noein had ended, Marquis Skeggjason brought up the topic again.
"You will obtain the rank of Grand Duke upon independence. If you hold such a high title and hold a single country, your subordinates who become your aides will also require a corresponding rank. That is the gist of it... but looking at you, it seems you expected this topic to be raised."
At those words, Noein maintained his smile. Noein had already heard analyses and received advice from Arnold and Marquis Bechtolsheim that such a conversation would arise if he were to become independent.
"Have you thought about how you will grant peerages to your subordinates?"
"Yes. I wish to grant the rank of Baronet to my Chief Retainer as the general head of the military. Additionally, I wish to grant the rank of Knight or Honorary Knight to several retainers who serve as heads of various departments."
When Noein answered, Oscar and Marquis Skeggjason looked at each other and nodded. Then, this time Oscar spoke.
"You seem to understand the appropriate level well. As I thought, you are clever."
"I am humbled."
The types and hierarchy of peerages were the same in the Kingdom of Roadberg and the Lancel Kingdom; for example, if one was a Viscount in the Kingdom of Roadberg, they were regarded as equivalent to a Viscount in the Lancel Kingdom, and in social settings or discussions, they were treated according to that rank.
Inevitably, that peerage system would now be applied to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist as well. In the first place, Noein's rank of Grand Duke was something whose position was guaranteed based on the nobility systems of these two countries.
That said, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was a tiny state. Even if the population reached nearly 4,000 after welcoming immigrants and slaves, its scale was only above a general Baron's territory and below a Viscount's territory.
If there were several high-ranking nobles in such a country, the balance with equivalent nobles of the two neighboring kingdoms would become complicated. Noein's idea of placing one Baronet and several Knights or Honorary Knights was, as Oscar said, one that recognized the "appropriate level."
"If you recognize that, then the rest is not for us to interfere with. It is your country. Do as you like."
As long as it was understood that Noein would not disrupt the balance of nobility between nations, no complaints would come from Oscar's side. The discussion regarding the appointment of nobles within the Grand Duchy ended here.