Chapter 328 - Episode 320: Days of Inspection and Happy News
As May drew to a close and less than three months remained until the independence of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, the work Noein had to handle personally became scarce.
The actual labor of development and maintenance in various locations was handled by his vassals and the people of the territory; his primary role now was to inspect those operations, speak with the vassals in charge of practical affairs, and call out to the residents.
And on this day, Noein was heading to inspect the plots owned by the Arqvist family among the farmlands stretching around the territorial capital, Noeina.
The farmlands held by the Arqvist family were vast. Upon Noein newly attaining the rank of Grand Duke, that area had expanded further, easily exceeding twenty percent of the total farmland in the territory.
In addition to the areas outside Noeina, he had established fields of a certain size within the mansion grounds, ensuring that food for the lord's family and servants could be produced in a safe environment.
With that much farmland, the labor force required for cultivation was also enormous. Including the newcomers, there were nearly a hundred serfs, and when combined with the tenant farmers hired with money, the number approached three hundred. Even so, there was a shortage of manpower, and there were times when he gathered those wishing to pay their taxes through labor to engage in farm work.
"New slaves and tenant farmers have just arrived, so Zadrek is probably going through a tough period right now."
"I imagine so. Well, if it's him, it probably isn't a problem."
Since it wasn't a distance that required a carriage, Noein exchanged these words with Pence, who served as his guard, while heading toward the farmland on foot. In addition to Pence, several Guard soldiers accompanied them as escorts, and Matilda was, of course, waiting by Noein's side.
The general manager supervising the hundreds of serfs and tenant farmers working on the lord's land was Zadrek, a former slave bought by Noein who had since been liberated and became a retainer.
In terms of the number of people managed, Zadrek held one of the top positions among Noein's vassals, and he had supported the agriculture of the Arqvist territory while coordinating closely with Edgar, who would become the Minister of Agriculture. He rarely appeared on the front stage, but he could truly be called an unsung hero.
When Noein and the others arrived at the farmland, Zadrek was right in the middle of it—beating a serf.
Around him, several serfs and tenant farmers who seemed to have already been beaten severely were sprawled on the ground, and some were being held down, perhaps having tried to resist. It seemed most of the people working the lord's land had stopped their work to gather, and it had become quite a commotion.
"...Looks like we arrived right when he's busy."
"Indeed. Perhaps he's in the middle of some education?"
Seeing this, Noein and the others approached without any particular surprise or panic. Currently, new immigrants and slaves were coming in, and the personnel working the lord's land were increasing. It was not an uncommon sight for a supervisor to use force to "educate" newcomers who would not listen.
"Zadrek-sama, His Excellency Arqvist has arrived."
"Everyone, bow to His Excellency Arqvist!"
When one of the assistants noticed Noein and called out to Zadrek, Zadrek released his grip on the collar of the serf he had been beating and shouted to the surroundings.
Zadrek, the commoners, and the serfs each took a bowing posture suited to their respective statuses. Those who had been beaten down also seemed to be conscious, as they sluggishly moved into bowing positions with their faces still swollen.
"Your Excellency, I am deeply sorry for showing you such an unsightly scene."
"Don't worry about it. Zadrek, everyone, thank you for your hard work... It looked like you were in the middle of education; did they commit some blunder?"
When Noein turned his gaze toward the serfs and tenant farmers who had apparently been resisting Zadrek, they wore terrified expressions.
"Yes. A portion of the newcomers strongly rebelled, asking 'Why must we take orders from a beastman?' and spat out unbearable insults, so I was teaching them the difference in our positions."
Hearing this, Noein let out a small sigh, quiet enough so that the others could not hear.
Zadrek was a tiger-man, and among the veteran common laborers working under him, there were several beastmen. A system where beastmen held high positions was one rarely seen in the general Lordberg Kingdom, where discriminatory feelings toward them were common.
Every time immigrants were brought in until now, such troubles had occurred to a non-negligible extent.
"I see... Those who rebelled were the ones beaten and the ones held down, about ten people in total?"
"These eleven rebelled directly. The others also had bad attitudes to varying degrees, so I gathered them all to make them understand."
"I see."
As Noein nodded and approached those who had rebelled, the color drained from their faces. They likely had not expected the lord to arrive at this timing.
Facing them as they sat on the ground with desperate expressions like criminals before an execution, Noein—squatted down himself, bringing his line of sight to their level.
"...You all must be anxious. Scared. Coming to an unknown land and encountering unknown values. How pitiful."
Being spoken to in a gentle voice full of benevolence, those who had rebelled all showed looks of surprise.
"In the Lordberg Kingdom, it is common to discriminate against beastmen. That is not your fault. For you, who have lived in such a society, it is only natural that you looked down on beastmen... However, this place is different from other noble territories. Here, there is no superiority or inferiority between humans, demi-humans, and beastmen. You must learn that, right here and now."
Noein stood up and looked around at the new serfs and tenant farmers who had migrated this year.
"You have the freedom to choose. By accepting the values of this land, you may obtain the absolute protection of myself, the head of the Arqvist family. Or, you may protect your previous values that 'beastmen are inferior beings.' You may choose whichever you like... However, if you choose the latter, as the one who protects the order of this land, I must punish you. I must give you a severe punishment."
As he spoke, Noein turned his gaze toward Matilda by his side and smiled.
Seeing that action, those who were quick-witted turned pale once again. How would they, who had revealed discriminatory feelings toward beastmen, be viewed by a lord who gave affection to a beastman slave and kept her by his side? Just imagining it was likely horrifying.
While confirming such reactions, Noein turned back to the newcomers.
"You are my slaves, or my people. I wish to protect you, give you happiness, and guard that happiness. Therefore, please, let me love you. I want you to make the choice that allows me to treat you with benevolence. That is all I can say."
Before the serfs and tenant farmers who were half-dazed, Noein looked toward Zadrek this time.
"The number of serfs and tenant farmers to look after has increased, and the area of the farmland has expanded further. I'm putting you through a lot of hardship, Zadrek."
"Far from it. It is my joy to do my utmost to fulfill the duty I received from Your Excellency."
Noein smiled with satisfaction at Zadrek, who answered without hesitation and showed high loyalty.
"As expected of the excellent retainer in whom I place absolute trust. If I leave it to you, the Arqvist family's farmland is in safe hands."
Even seeing Zadrek being told directly by the lord that he "placed absolute trust" in him, there were likely no longer any who would overtly try to belittle him. Noein's statement contained not only his heartfelt trust but also that intention.
"Well then, may I begin the inspection?"
"Yes. I shall explain as we tour the farmland... Everyone, return to work immediately! Those of you, wash your wounds first! Do not stain His Excellency Arqvist's farmland with blood!"
Simultaneously with Zadrek's shout, the serfs and tenant farmers ran off to the farmlands they were responsible for. Those who had been receiving "education" until a moment ago walked unsteadily toward the well. The veteran workers serving as assistants also scattered to their respective supervised plots.
While farm work resumed, Noein received reports on the current state of the farmland and explanations of future work plans, including the harvest schedule, from Zadrek.
.....
"...There is no mistake. You are pregnant. Noein-sama, Clara-sama, congratulations."
Early June. Liris, the doctor who examined Clara's body with an appraisal magic tool, looked up and spoke to Clara and Noein, who was snuggling beside her.
"I see... We did it, Clara. Thank you."
"Fufu, I can have another child with you. I am so happy."
As Noein smiled and placed his hand over Clara's, Clara returned the smile with an expression full of benevolence and placed her hand on her abdomen.
Because Clara had complained of symptoms similar to her previous pregnancy a few days ago, Noein had invited Liris to the mansion to have her examined.
The result was as expected. Being the second time, they weren't as surprised or elated as the first, but the joy was still immeasurable. As a couple, they quietly savored their happiness.
"...Well then, I shall take my leave. I will discuss future regular checkups and such at a later date."
"Thank you, Liris. Good work."
Perhaps out of consideration for Noein and the others, Liris left the room quickly, guided by the head maid, Kimberly.
Then, Noein, Clara, Matilda, and Eleos, who was held in her lap, remained in the room.
"Next, will it be a boy or a girl?"
"I'm looking forward to it... Eleos will have a younger brother or younger sister."
When Eleos, receiving his parents' gaze, tilted his head with a blank expression, Matilda spoke to him gently.
"Eleos-sama, you are going to be a Big Brother."
"Big Brother? Me?"
Eleos, who was approaching his third birthday this summer and had recently become more aware of things, seemed to not yet grasp the feeling of becoming a "Big Brother."
At Eleos's puzzled expression, Noein and the others let out smiles.
"But if there's a child in your stomach, Clara should keep her work moderate..."
"Oh, you're jumping the gun again. It's only been about a month since I became pregnant, so I shall continue to work for the time being. You will be busy around the time of the founding of the nation, so I cannot fail to support you."
"...That's true, sorry. I just..."
The expected time of birth was next spring. Until the various matters accompanying the independence of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist settled down, Clara could move sufficiently.
"For the sake of this child, we must build a good country."
"Yes, let us do our best."
"I shall support you as well."
While rejoicing in this auspicious event before a new beginning together with the women he loved and his child, Noein tightened his resolve even further.