Chapter 81 - Episode 80: Engagement and Development ①
"My, so the story about you subjugating a large band of bandits within your own territory was true after all, wasn't it?"
"Yes. It was a very grueling battle, but thanks to my modest talent as a puppet mage, new weapons created by an eccentric but excellent craftsman, and above all, the brave people of my territory, we were able to resolve the matter without further incident."
Since they felt no mutual aversion upon meeting, Noein and Clara officially entered into an engagement shortly thereafter.
That said, Arnold's parental heart told him it would be too cruel to send his lovely daughter off to marry before she had warmed up to her husband, so Arnold and Eleonore regularly arranged tea parties and meals for the two of them to deepen their interaction.
Today was the first tea party for Noein and Clara alone, without Arnold or Eleonore present. Of course, the servants of the Viscount Koenitz household and Noein's attendant, Matilda, were in attendance.
"...I had heard of your achievements from my father, but Noein-sama, you truly are an amazing person. You possess a talent for being a territorial noble."
"I am but an inexperienced person with only a small talent for magic and a bit of luck. I am merely in a position to learn from His Excellency Viscount Koenitz, who has governed the vast Koenitz Viscountcy so splendidly for many years."
Even though she was his fiancée, and the daughter of Arnold with whom he was reasonably acquainted, the fact remained that she was the daughter of a high noble. While trying to get closer to Clara, Noein behaved as humbly and politely as possible.
He spoke modestly of himself and did not forget to elevate Arnold, Clara's father. Fortunately, it seemed she had not been told of the friction between Arnold and Noein during the bandit incident, so he spoke while glossing over those parts.
"But, if I were in the same position as Noein-sama, I'm sure I could never dream of developing the Bezel Great Forest..."
Now that they had met a few times, Clara had become able to exchange words with Noein without being so nervous. When Noein inserted a small joke into the conversation, she would sometimes show a smile.
However, the way she carried herself with a somewhat negative atmosphere remained unchanged.
"...If there is something about me that differs from the norm, perhaps it is how I spent my childhood. I believe that led to my current disposition, which in turn has led to the result of the development proceeding smoothly so far."
"Your childhood, Noein-sama... um, d-do you mean the time when you were with the House of Count Kivileft?"
In preparation for the engagement, Clara had been told of Noein's origins by Arnold. However, given the circumstances, she seemed hesitant to touch upon this topic.
"Yes, at the time, a detached building was constructed at the edge of the Count's estate, and I lived there as if under house arrest... but since I was bored every day, I spent my time reading books. I was quite the bookworm."
Noein continued, laughing with a slightly playful tone.
"My biological father kept a magnificent study in the mansion as a display of a high noble's vanity, and fortunately, I was permitted to borrow those books. I had unlimited access to travelogues from all over the world, academic and technical books in various fields, and even old history books and biographies of great figures. The knowledge I gained then is still useful today."
"I see... It is because you continued to make efforts since you were a child that you are the Noein-sama you are today."
"At the time, I simply had nothing else to do, so calling it effort is a bit... The fact that the knowledge and wisdom I gained from books ended up being useful is merely one of many strokes of luck."
Though Noein humbled himself, Clara spoke with an expression that showed respect for Noein and a lack of confidence in herself.
"I also spend much of my time inside the mansion, so I believe I have read a fair amount, and I believe I enjoy memorizing knowledge. Even so, I likely cannot compare to Noein-sama... I'm sure I am not a match for Noein-sama."
As Clara muttered with a resigned face, Noein hesitated on how to respond. If he gave an obvious consolation like "That's not true," she would likely only feel more miserable.
After thinking it over, Noein decided to change the subject somewhat forcefully.
"What field of books do you enjoy reading, Clara-sama?"
"Let me see... I suppose I especially like history. I find it very interesting, as it feels like I can see what people of the past were thinking and how this world was created."
"I see, that is certainly the true pleasure of studying history."
Seeing Clara finally show a slightly brighter face, Noein considered this the breakthrough. If he talked about things she liked, she would at least not become gloomy during that time.
"I kept a memorandum of the contents of the books I read as a child, and I still have those bundles of documents. Also, I can't say this too loudly, but... when I was kicked out of the Count's house, I borrowed a few of my favorite books. Among them are some rare history books."
"My!"
When Noein spoke with a mischievous smile, Clara let out a small giggle.
"My biological father was the type to collect books for vanity without reading them himself, so it will likely never be discovered that I borrowed them. I believe those books, as well as the memoranda I compiled, would be interesting to you, Clara-sama."
"Yes, that sounds very interesting."
"Once you come to the Arqvist territory, you may read them as much as you like. Please look forward to it."
.....
After discovering Clara's side that loved history and using that to make the conversation flow reasonably well, Noein announced his departure and left the Viscount Koenitz mansion.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Henrik. Next, as planned, please take me to that place."
"Understood, Noein-sama."
He climbed into the private carriage of the Arqvist Baronet family as usual and gave instructions to the driver, Henrik.
Once inside the carriage and out of public view, Noein finally relaxed his shoulders.
"Ah, it's truly exhausting."
"I sympathize with your feelings, Noein-sama."
While receiving words of appreciation from Matilda, Noein leaned back sloppily in his seat.
"I finally managed to draw out an expression from Clara that looked genuinely happy... but I want to do something about that usual negative feeling of hers."
Compared to when they first met, Clara had become able to show a natural smile. However, that was only at a level achieved because Noein continued to be considerate... If he let his guard down for a moment, her face would become dark again.
Even though it was a marriage with strong political colors, he wanted the person who would become his wife to live happily under his care. Naturally, he did not want her to spend every day depressed with a dark expression.
To get Clara to accept this marriage from the bottom of her heart, he would likely have to draw out the elements that formed her complexes and solve them from the root. It was still unknown how much time that would take.
"...Now then, the next part is today's main business."
Noein tucked the matter of Clara into a corner of his thoughts for now and switched his mindset.
Where he was heading now was to the mining engineer he had once invited to the Arqvist territory to provide guidance on the lapis lazuli vein—the dwarf, Victor.
"The other party originally desired to migrate, so I'm sure I'll receive a favorable answer."
"That's true. At the very least, I can approach this far more comfortably than that tea party just now."
Until now, Noein had postponed mine development because the scale of the Arqvist territory was too small, but having judged that the territory had developed sufficiently, he finally resolved to begin. For that purpose, he decided to reach out to Victor, who had helped him before.
The fact that he no longer had to worry about unnecessary interference regarding mine development due to forming a strong friendship with Viscount Koenitz was also a reason.
The carriage proceeded along the main street of Retovik and eventually arrived at the office of the trading company to which Victor belonged. This place, which handled the mine development of the Koenitz Viscountcy and surrounding small territories, was said to be a large trading company on par with the Miles Company, with whom Noein was on good terms.
Since he had sent a letter in advance to arrange things, the company staff attended to him immediately, and he was able to meet Victor in a borrowed reception room.
"Victor-san, it has been a long time. Thank you for making time today."
"The pleasure is mine; I am honored that you would personally reach out to a humble mining engineer such as myself, Lord Arqvist."
Reunited with Noein after approximately one and a half years, Victor spoke with a polite manner that belied his typical dwarven appearance.
"As I wrote in the letter I sent earlier... this time, I came because I would like you to migrate to the Arqvist territory. I want you to become independent and establish a new trading company in my territory, and strive toward the development of the Lestio Mountains."
"Since I was the one who first mentioned wanting to migrate, I believe I can give an answer that will satisfy your Lordship."
"Thank you. I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long."
"No, rather, I am grateful that your Lordship, being a territorial noble, remembered the words of someone like me. Since I have been personally invited like this, I wish to strive under your Lordship from now on as a citizen of the Arqvist territory."
"Thank you... thank you, Victor. As a lord, I will strive to ensure that profits commensurate with your work are brought in, and that you can lead a happy life without hardship."
"Those words are too generous for someone like me."
Victor would leave the trading company he had belonged to and migrate to the Arqvist territory, bringing along his own disciples, mine slaves, and even craftsmen for processing mineral resources, to establish his own mine development company.
There, he would carry out the development of the mountains within the Arqvist territory and receive a certain percentage of the profits from the processing and sale of the mined resources as remuneration.
Once the agreement to migrate was confirmed, all that remained was to finalize the detailed conditions, such as deciding the percentage of remuneration and confirming the facilities and equipment necessary for mine development. Without taking much time, the discussion ended in a harmonious atmosphere.