Chapter 89 - Episode 88: Strengthening the Territory ② — Territorial Army and Supplies
In addition to the usual immigrants, artisans and laborers involved in mine development had migrated in, increasing the population of the Arqvist territory to the point where the milestone of 500 people was in sight.
The number of people coming from outside the territory for trade with the Skinner Company, the official merchant guild, also increased. Anticipating the demand for such merchants and mercenary guards, inns were built in the territorial capital, Noeina, and taverns were beginning to open as places of entertainment for the residents.
In this way, Noeina had evolved from a mere village into a scale that could be called a small town.
To protect the territorial capital of Noeina, which expanded in scale daily, and the newly created village at the foot of the Lestio Mountains, and to maintain public order. And to prepare for the war that would likely occur in the future, protecting the territory from the chaos within the kingdom. For these reasons, Noein finally decided to formally establish the Arqvist Territorial Army.
Today was the day of the inauguration ceremony.
"Even if the scale is still small, seeing them lined up like this is quite a sight."
"We've trained them to a minimum level by today. They look like proper soldiers now."
Looking at the men standing in ranks, equipped with leather armor, helmets, gauntlets, and other protective gear, Noein exchanged these words with Yuri.
The location was the newly constructed territorial army barracks near the lord's manor—though for now, it was a facility consisting only of a single-story building, a warehouse, and a training ground.
The personnel becoming soldiers numbered 50 for the time being. Most were second sons or younger who could not inherit their family's farmland, and among them were those who had decided to transition from farmers to professional soldiers, such as Rick and Dant, who had been active for a long time in territorial patrols.
To this, samurai retainers such as Yuri, Pence, Radley, and Bart joined as officers, constituting the Arqvist Territorial Army. The nominal commander was the lord, Noein, but the one performing the practical top-level duties of managing and training the soldiers was the Chief Retainer, Yuri.
"It must have been hard to raise this many people as soldiers on your own, right? Good work."
"Well, it was reasonably rewarding. It reminded me of my mercenary days."
Receiving Noein's appreciation, Yuri replied with a wry smile.
Having 50 professional soldiers was unusual considering the scale of the Arqvist territory. At this point, it meant that over 10 percent of the population were soldiers.
This scale of territorial army had been realized in anticipation of the population increasing further, but this was largely due to the Arqvist Baronet family earning a significant income through mine development, and potatoes, which excelled in productivity per unit of farmland area, supporting their stomachs.
"First, I want to aim for a scale of 100 people, and in the future, I want to develop the territory to the point where we can maintain a legion of 1,000 people."
"If that happens, I'll be a legion commander... that's quite a dreamy story."
In the Lordberg Kingdom, a hundred-man company was the basic tactical unit; generally, three of these formed a battalion, and three battalions combined with a command unit of 1,000 people constituted one legion.
The Royal Army, the elite under the direct control of the royal family, followed this and maintained 10 legions—that is, a standing force of 10,000 men. On the other hand, looking at various territories, those capable of maintaining a territorial army on a legion scale were limited to a very small number of great nobles, such as the Marquis Bechtolsheim territory.
A legion commander leading 1,000 soldiers could be called the highest point of achievement for those whose profession was combat. For Yuri, who had started his life career as a low-ranking mercenary, it was a story that tickled his ambition.
"By the time we get there, I'll probably have been promoted to a high-ranking noble, so Yuri, you'll probably be a professional noble of the military class under me. A Baronet or a Junior Baronet."
"I see... it's hard to believe suddenly that I would hold a title, but if it's Noein-sama, it seems likely you'd make that a reality."
Yuri muttered while looking into the distance.
Even his current position as Chief Retainer was an unbelievable promotion compared to his former self, but considering Noein's talent, he who followed him would likely stand in an even higher position than now.
For the sake of when that time comes, he must continue to train and grow himself. Yuri believed that the first step was to properly operate and make functional the army entrusted to him by the lord he served.
"...Shall we begin the inauguration ceremony soon?"
"Yes, let's."
The two headed toward the front of the lined-up soldiers.
...
"—That concludes the report regarding this year's soybean production."
"Thank you, Christy. These are better results than expected... I wonder if we'll be able to cover the oil consumed within the territory with soybeans by next year?"
"Yes, even anticipating the population increase, that will likely be the case. Since the press cake can be used as feed, I believe the growth of the livestock will also improve."
"I see, understood... with this, soybean cultivation will also be on track in earnest. Good work."
"Thank you very much!"
When Noein said this and smiled at Christy, Christy, having her achievements recognized, responded brightly with a full smile.
"The Arqvist territory has gained another weapon. We can secure oil and nutrient-rich feed, and if push comes to shove, soybeans, which grow even in degraded land, can serve as emergency food for us humans... they are an important material for the territory's survival strategy."
"If soybean production also becomes full-scale in addition to potatoes, the food situation of the Arqvist territory will become even more rock-solid."
If they had wheat, potatoes, and soybeans, the Arqvist territory would likely not fall into famine unless something extreme happened.
For a lord or king who protects the people, famine is sometimes more terrifying than war. Famine takes lives and destroys society regardless of human convenience. Unlike war, there is no option of peace treaties or surrender before nature.
Even in the history books Noein had read in the past, there were many stories of countries and territories declining and collapsing due to famine.
That was precisely why Noein had promoted soybean cultivation, not only as a commercial crop that would become a specialty of the Arqvist territory, but as an important food supply for emergencies.
"Next is sugar production using sugar beets as the raw material. We're still only testing this in the experimental field, but since I know the method, I believe I can report good results!"
As she said this, Christy laughed "ufufu," and her eyes were sparkling... or rather, glinting. There were slight dark circles under her eyes.
"...Christy, you're suffering from lack of sleep from overworking again, aren't you?"
"...Yes, I've been a bit too absorbed lately. I'm sorry."
While proceeding with these experiments under Noein's instructions, Christy usually worked as an administrative officer under Anna. While Noein was happy that she found a sense of purpose in her work, the fact that she overworked like this whenever he took his eyes off her was a source of worry.
"I understand the feeling of work being fun, but your ability is also a precious asset for the Arqvist territory. The sugar beet experiment isn't urgent, so make sure to get proper rest."
"I understand. I will make sure to sleep a lot."
In the Lordberg Kingdom, sugar beets were known as leaf vegetables or feed, but in the books Noein had read long ago, it said, "In foreign countries, sugar is made using sugar beets as the raw material."
Therefore, Noein thought of realizing sugar production in his own territory using these sugar beets as the raw material and had asked Christy to conduct experiments for commercialization.
However, that was not a project so urgent as to force Christy to overextend herself. For Noein, it was more important to maintain the health of Christy, who was an excellent talent and one of his precious slaves.
Seeing Christy obediently listen to the warning, Noein felt relieved inwardly.
...
"Hello, Eliza-san."
"Oh, Bart-san, thank you for your hard work as always."
Eliza, Anna's mother and the operator of a grocery store in Retovik, welcomed Bart, a retainer of the Arqvist territory who entered the shop, with a smile.
"Hello, Bart-san. Is my younger sister doing well in the Arqvist territory?"
"Hey, Marco. Yeah, Anna is active as a retainer as usual. I hear her relationship with Edgar as a married couple is also good."
After exchanging greetings with Marco, the next store manager and Anna's older brother, Bart turned back to Eliza to convey his business. His voice was slightly lowered so that the other employees could not hear.
"I've come to receive those items today... have you secured the requested amount?"
"Yes, of course. I'll have them loaded immediately."
"Thank you. I have the transport team's wagons waiting behind the shop, so please take them there."
What Bart, the transport captain of the Arqvist territory, had come to receive was salt.
The Arqvist territory produced a sufficient amount of food within the territory, possessed iron and copper veins, and was proceeding with oil and sugar production, but salt was a necessity that they absolutely had to rely on imports for. For the time being, no rock salt mines had been found even in the territorial mountains.
Salt is a strategic material indispensable for human survival. That was why Noein was trying to stockpile as much salt as possible within the territory.
"Still, being a lord is quite tough, isn't it? To think you have to make preparations like this, anticipating the future."
"If a war breaks out and the world becomes chaotic, it's obvious that the Arqvist territory would suffer from a salt shortage..."
"Well, that's true... how much of a stockpile were you going for again?"
"Noein-sama says the goal is a five-year supply."
While waiting for the salt to be loaded, Bart and Eliza exchanged such a conversation.
"That's quite an amazing amount... for me, if that protects the territory where my daughter lives, I'm relieved, and I'm happy since I'm making a profit this way."
Considering the future, he wanted to stockpile as much salt as possible, but if he openly collected large quantities of salt, other territories would wonder what was happening.
Therefore, Noein relied on Eliza's shop, which was Anna's family home, to proceed with the salt stockpile as inconspicuously as possible.
With Eliza, who had a daughter in the Arqvist territory, there was no worry that she would broadcast Noein's movements to those around her. Since Eliza herself could earn well from the buying and selling of salt, there was no reason for her to complain.
"Well, this is strictly a precautionary measure... if we can manage without relying on the stockpiled salt, Noein-sama likely thinks that would be better."
For the Arqvist territory to rely on stockpiled salt would mean that the economy and public order of the Lordberg Kingdom had deteriorated to the point where even the distribution of materials essential for people to live had stalled.
Noein himself likely did not wish for such a situation to occur, and if the salt stockpile ended up being an over-caution, that would be for the best. If the stockpile became unnecessary, they could just sell the salt again.
"But it's almost certain that war will break out, right?"
"According to our Chief Retainer's assessment, that's the case... I hear such talk is being whispered among the nobles of the northwestern region as well."
"How dreadful, Retovik will surely become chaotic too."
"Hahaha, if that happens, you should evacuate to the Arqvist territory. Anna would want to help her family, and Noein-sama would surely welcome Eliza-san and the others, since he's in your debt."
Since they were family of Anna, a retainer of the Arqvist territory, and Eliza and the others, whom the Arqvist territory was indebted to, Noein would likely want to help them. Thinking this, Bart spoke.
"I might really rely on you then. I hope it doesn't come to that, though."
"Yes. If it can remain peaceful, that's the best."
The effects of the conflict were steadily echoing in the northwestern part of the kingdom in the form of an increase in flowing refugees and rising prices.
Bart and Eliza lamented the current situation.