Chapter 77 - Chapter 76: New Settlers ①
February, a time when the winter cold begins to soften and travel on the highways connecting towns and villages starts to increase.
In Noeina, the capital of the Arqvist territory, which had entered its third year since the start of development, prospective settlers who had ceased coming during the winter began to arrive again in succession.
Among them, Noein was welcoming a particularly important settler one day.
"Welcome, Philip-san, the commissioned merchant."
"My, hearing you say that makes me feel how much I've risen in the world... From here on, I shall devote myself to the economic development of this land, Lord Arqvist... no, Noein-sama."
Philip was a traveling merchant who had once visited regularly from Retovik to support the lives of the people of the Arqvist territory, while simultaneously fulfilling the role of conveying the current state of the Arqvist territory to Viscount Koenitz.
He had been recognized by Noein for his life-risking effort in "quickly notifying the Arqvist territory of the approach of bandit groups," and had thus migrated as the first merchant to establish a shop in the Arqvist Knight-Bachelor territory.
The reason his migration had been delayed until the end of winter was due to the circumstances of waiting for the construction of the shop that Noein would provide to Philip.
"The pleasure is mine. As the lord, I will strive to live up to the resolve you've shown by staking your life as a merchant on the Arqvist territory. Now, whether we prosper or decline, we are in this together... we are truly a community of destiny."
"Hahaha... you are quite right."
Philip replied, feeling a slight panic internally at Noein's mischievous smile.
Noein had been aware that Philip had been reporting the development status of the Arqvist territory to Viscount Koenitz. However, he had tolerated it as long as it was only conveying the superficial situation of the territory.
Noein's current statement, though small in degree, served as a warning to Philip—who had been acting like a spy—to "think and act for the benefit of the Arqvist territory from now on." Philip, naturally, noticed this.
"I'm glad we have a common understanding on that. Well then, shall we go to your shop?"
Saying so, Noein personally guided Philip, leading him to a building facing the largest street in the capital, Noeina. It was constructed so that the first floor could be used as a shop and the second floor as an office, and there was also a large warehouse in the back.
Seeing this, Philip's eyes widened.
"Such a splendid shop... am I truly allowed to have this?"
"Of course. You are the first merchant to migrate to my territory. I want you to accept it as the privilege of being the first. In exchange, I want you to strive in your business for the development of my territory."
"Noein-sama... I will surely live up to your expectations."
Having been given a shop far more splendid than expected, Philip said this to Noein from the bottom of his heart as an individual, beyond his calculations as a merchant.
With this, he too had fallen for Noein's habitual method of "capturing the hearts of settlers by providing treatment far exceeding their expectations."
"Do you have any employees in mind?"
"No, I am ashamed to say... as I was a mere traveling merchant in Retovik, I have almost no connections."
"I see. Since most people in my territory come from peasant backgrounds, there are few people who can read, write, and calculate, but I can introduce a few apprentices from the children of independent farmers. You should teach the ones who seem promising and make them your disciples."
"I understand. To receive consideration even for manpower, I don't know how to thank you..."
"This is also part of a lord's capability. Besides, as a lord, I would be happy if new merchants were raised from my territory."
Saying so, Noein wore a gentle smile.
.....
Prospective settlers to the Arqvist territory were visiting at a steady pace, and Noein was meeting with every single one of them.
He left the detailed procedures to Pence, who handled the maintenance of public order within the capital Noeina, but he went out of his way to meet and exchange words with them in order to leave the impression on the settlers that "the lord himself gave words of welcome" and "he personally provided the house and farmland."
Almost all the settlers were peasants who had lost their place and become refugees, but rarely, people who were not such visited. For example, artisans seeking a new place to be active.
However, the new prospective settler who arrived at the Arqvist territory today carried circumstances unlike any before.
"...I see, so you are a party of priests from the Milleon Holy Religion."
Noein spoke before a thin man in his early twenties sitting in front of him.
Behind the man were a woman who was said to be his wife and two young nuns standing side by side.
"That is correct. I am Hasel, from the Retovik Church of the Northwestern Diocese of the Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society of the Kingdom of Lordberg. I am extremely honored to receive the precious time of Lord Arqvist Knight-Bachelor for the sake of a humble person such as myself."
"The pleasure is mine; I am happy that someone who serves God has visited."
Noein replied pleasantly for the time being to Priest Hasel, who had given his greetings in roundabout phrasing that would put even the nobles of high society to shame.
"Since the priest has come, may I assume it is for the establishment of a church?"
"It is exactly as you say. I most humbly desire to place a church of the Milleon Holy Religion within Lord Arqvist's territory, to preach the teachings of the great God, to fulfill the duties of the church including the implementation of the 'Rite of Blessing,' and to serve the role of a pious believer of God."
The Milleon Holy Religion was a religion widely believed in on this continent, and it was established as the state religion in the Kingdom of Lordberg.
He had heard that in the Pallas Empire to the east, the church's power intervened deeply in politics, but in this Kingdom of Lordberg, religion was excluded from politics by the policy of the first king.
The church only possessed one aspect as a ritual group that performed the "Rite of Blessing," and another as a provider of moral education preaching the teachings of God to the people.
Additionally, it served a role like a social safety net, such as receiving humanitarian support—in other words, donations—from the pious wealthy class to provide alms to the poor.
"That is... as the lord who governs this land, it is something I could not wish for more. I welcome you."
Noein, who weighed the merits and demerits of having a church in the Arqvist territory in his head, concluded that there were almost no demerits to begin with and immediately decided to accept Priest Hasel's party.
Even within the Arqvist territory, it was said that pious residents offered daily prayers to God at home. Having a church established in the territory would be a joyful thing for such residents.
Furthermore, there was the merit that residents whose children reached the age of ten would not have to go all the way to Retovik for the "Rite of Blessing."
Besides that, the Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society possessed unique techniques and knowledge precisely because they kept some distance from the secular world. Having that within reach was also an advantage.
On the other hand, the burden of welcoming them was only financial, such as the construction of the church and regular donations as a lord. Since Noein was currently far from troubled by money—in fact, he had too many assets—this was not something that could be called a demerit.
And above all, Noein did not dislike the Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society, which upheld the doctrine that "humans, beastmen, and demi-humans such as elves and dwarves are all loved equally as children of God." This was because he loved Matilda, who was a beastman.
Though there was the sad reality that because the power of that missionary society was weak, discrimination and abuse against beastmen remained deeply rooted in the Kingdom of Lordberg.
"I-is it truly alright?"
Whether it was because Noein's immediate welcome was unexpected, Priest Hasel showed a surprised expression.
"Yes, for the stability and maturity of the Arqvist territory's society, I believe the establishment of a church is a joyful thing. Rather, I feel as though I should be the one asking... is it unexpected?"
"Y-yes, well... my apologies. When it comes to establishing a church, expenses increase due to donations and such, so nobles with small territories often show reluctance..."
"I see, so that was it. Fortunately, I have sufficient leeway to accept you all, so I wish to welcome you gladly. I too am one of the children of God, so I shall provide my assistance, however modest it may be."
"I am truly grateful for Lord Arqvist's words. Then, I shall accept your kindness, and in this land, I will preach the teachings of God and perform the rituals to find those blessed by God."
As Priest Hasel bowed deeply, his wife and the nuns followed suit.
"I look forward to working with you... Well then, for now, let us prepare your living quarters and determine the location for the church construction. I shall bear all the construction costs."
"The construction costs as well!? I-I cannot possibly rely on your kindness to that extent..."
Stopping Priest Hasel, who now looked rather anxious, Noein continued.
"Please accept this as well as a donation from me to the Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society. Please let this be my meager atonement for having neglected to show respect to the Milleon Holy Religion and for not calling upon the church for two years since I was granted this territory."
"...The great God surely sees your actions, Lord. As a pious believer, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude."
By lending a hand even with the construction of the church, Noein could show that he welcomed the Milleon Holy Church from the bottom of his heart.
Although the Holy Church had little political influence, it was a massive organization with connections on a national scale. Noein thought that if he could gain favor with them, the construction costs of a church were a cheap price to pay.