Chapter 318 - Episode 310: Talk of the Future
The afternoon of the day after returning to the Arqvist territory.
In the lord's office of the manor, Noein set up a brief meeting with his retainers to share the flow of events leading up to their future independence.
Seated were Noein and Matilda, who served as the secretary. There was also the Chief Squire Yuri, Deputy Chief Pence, and Anna, who was the practical head of the administrative side.
"For now, there are two major preparations that must be carried out within the Arqvist territory. First is the preparation for receiving the eight hundred immigrants being sent by the royal family. To handle the construction of houses, various improvements within the city, and the procurement of materials, we will be coordinating with the trading companies of Philip, Dmitri, and Victor. I believe I'll need Anna and the civil officials to exert their strengths regarding contracts and financial accounting."
"I understand... but will the funding be alright? Constructing houses for eight hundred people and making improvements for the increase in the city's population will cost a considerable amount. Even if exports of potatoes and ballistas increase, I believe it will be a significant burden given the current financial situation of the House of Arqvist..."
As Anna pointed this out with a worried expression, Noein nodded immediately.
"That point should be fine. We can expect a last-minute demand before independence, primarily for large export items like mining resources."
"Last-minute demand?"
Anna tilted her head at the unfamiliar term, and Pence similarly showed an expression of not quite understanding the meaning. Matilda, who had already heard about this from Noein, remained silent, devoting herself to her role as secretary.
"...In other words, it means that the number of merchants attempting to buy up mining resources will increase before taxes are applied to exports from the Grand Duchy of Arqvist to the County of Koenitz."
"Impressive, Yuri. That's correct."
Noein nodded, slightly surprised by Yuri, who seemed to have deduced the meaning on his own.
"Until now, by agreement with Lord Arnold, we didn't place taxes on travel to and from the Koenitz territory, but once we become an independent nation, we can't have everything be completely tax-free. They will likely keep taxes as low as possible to keep trade active, but that cost will inevitably be reflected in the price of the circulating goods... So, before the taxes hit, lapis lazuli, iron, and copper should be bought in large quantities. It's not as if they'll rot."
Once Noein explained to that extent, the expressions of Pence and Anna changed to ones of understanding.
"Actually, such offers are already coming in. Among several messages that arrived at the House of Arqvist while I was away, there was a proposal from the Miles Trading Company to increase transactions. Since rumors of our independence will spread to other trading companies from here on, we can almost certainly expect a temporary increase in income."
"I see. Then, you intend to allocate that increase to the budget for receiving the immigrants."
"That's it. Additionally, I want to use those funds for the cost of renovating the manor to show a status befitting a Grand Ducal house. Oh, and before independence, a reasonable number of slaves... I intend to welcome several dozen serfs and simple labor slaves into the House of Arqvist, so the purchase costs for those as well."
"Understood. I will calculate the specific costs and estimate how much we need to increase the export of mining resources by independence to meet the budget."
"Thank you, I'm counting on you."
Saying this to Anna, who immediately understood her role, Noein moved to the next topic.
"The second point is the reorganization of the administrative structure within the territory. Since we are becoming an independent nation, we must create an organizational chart that looks like a country, even if only in form. We need to divide the departments more clearly and organize the personnel and roles."
"I see. Until now, aside from the division between military and civil officials, there were some ambiguous parts."
"That's true. For a rural territory, that was fine, but if we are to become a nation, having a nation-like structure is required externally as well. In order to build history as a country moving forward, it's better for the system to be clear."
Nodding to Pence, who muttered in agreement, Noein continued his explanation.
"So, regarding the organizational reorganization, we can just organize the current division of roles, but the biggest job here is... the granting of peerages to hereditary retainers like you."
At those words, the atmosphere of the room, especially the air surrounding the three squires, tightened slightly.
"...That said, what I can give you are lower-ranking noble titles. Furthermore, I can only make you functional nobles who don't possess any land."
"No, no, there's no way we would complain about such a thing."
"That's right. For commoners like us, just receiving a peerage is like a dream."
Pence and Anna shook their heads with a look of humility toward Noein, who scratched his head with a wry smile.
"So, have you decided specifically who will be granted peerages?"
"Yes. Mostly."
Answering with a smile, Noein first looked toward Yuri, who had just asked.
"First, Yuri, you are a Baronet. I want you to exert your abilities as my close aide and as the general head of the military, as you have done until now. While you'll likely go to war outside the country less often, the guarding of the eastern and western borders and the management of the expanding territorial army... no, the national army, is the most important job. Once I become the Grand Duke, I'll be busy with internal affairs and diplomacy, and I think I'll be further removed from military work than ever before, so I want to continue entrusting it to you."
"...I humbly accept that duty and the rank of Baronet."
Yuri turned his entire body toward Noein and answered in a formal tone.
"I'm glad to hear it. I'm expecting great things... Next, Pence, you are a Knight. While serving as the deputy commander of the national army, I want you to continue leading the Guard and providing security for me, my family, and the manor. Once you become the person responsible for the security of the Grand Ducal house, you'll need a corresponding amount of authority and prestige. Even when accompanying me abroad, having the rank of Knight should allow for flexibility in various situations."
"Understood. I humbly accept."
Pence also turned toward Noein and answered with a serious expression.
"Others I am considering granting the rank of Knight to are Radley, Bart, and Edgar. Also, I intend to grant honorary knighthoods to Damian and Gustav."
Radley would become the commander of the Aspida fortress—meaning the person responsible for the western border security and the management of the Bezel Great Forest Road within the Grand Duchy's territory. Since he is in the position most likely to throw himself into battle within the country, he needs a status that allows him to act with a certain amount of self-discretion.
Bart would become the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Since he will act as the envoy of a nation's head of state, a corresponding status is required for the individual himself.
Edgar is the Minister of Agriculture. While the work lacks flashiness, in terms of the number of people he directly manages, he is the most among Noein's retainers. Since he will be in a position to issue orders as the practical manager to thousands of farmers from now on, it is better to have a peerage.
Damian would become the cornerstone of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's industrial power, and Gustav would become the commander of the mage unit possessing the greatest power in the Grand Duchy. Since both are in positions where they fulfill their roles through individual talent rather than as hereditary retainers, an honorary peerage granted to the individual for a single generation is appropriate.
This was the lineup of the Grand Duchy's noble society that Noein had conceived.
"And Anna. You will automatically become a Knight's wife through Edgar's ennoblement, but as the Minister of Internal Affairs, I want you to hold an honorary knighthood yourself."
"Is... is that alright? For me to receive one individually, separate from my husband's peerage?"
"Yes. You'll be the general head of the Grand Duchy's internal affairs. I think that level of status is necessary, and as your lord, I must reward you at least that much. It would be complicated if one household had two hereditary peerages, but there's no problem with an honorary peerage."
"...I understand. I humbly accept."
Having finished explaining his thoughts on the peerages and confirming everyone's consent, Noein moved to wrap up the conversation.
"There are many other things we should discuss, but I will set up meetings for those from now on, involving other squires and, in some cases, merchants and craftsmen. For today, it's enough if you, who are in the position of organizing the operation of the territory, grasp the general future direction... Let's continue to move forward steadily, bit by bit."
Saying so, Noein permitted Yuri, Pence, and Anna to leave the room.