Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: A Use for a Traitorous Subject
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A few days later, at the Valderian territory mansion.
Heidi, who had earned a territory for her achievements in the recent war, had left with Selina, Vessia, and Alterio to survey the land and build their new home. Beonald, having entrusted the defense of the workshop where Sain was crafting his magic armor to her, finally began his duties at the Valderian mansion not as a guest, but as a member of its household.
"You are now officially a person working for House Valderian. I'd like to say you must show a different attitude from when you were treated as a guest, but... there is the Count's order to make you his aide, and we also owe your family an unrepayable debt. This is quite a predicament."
"I will strive not to be a burden to Lord Oswald, who has protected this territory in the Family Head's stead for so long. Moreover, I have another duty at the moment. Crafting Young Master Kedron's magic armor takes priority. I will familiarize myself with the Valderian territory while working on that."
"Hoho, it seems I have nothing special to teach you."
Oswald didn't need to assign him a guide or instruct him further; Beonald was already managing his own affairs.
He already had work assigned by the Count, and since Beonald said he would learn about the territory on his own, there was nothing extra to do. So, Oswald returned to his usual routine, and Beonald, instead of rushing to do something immediately, focused on memorizing names from the noble registry, cross-referencing territory locations, and understanding the internal structure.
'Let's see... the nobles holding territory under the Count are... one Count, three Viscounts, and eight combined Barons and Knights. Twelve in total. Of course, one of those knights is Heidi. His achievement back then must have been quite significant.'
While understanding the structure of the noble families, Beonald began to contemplate another matter.
There was the issue of reclaiming the 'ruin' within the Valderian territory where his legacy slumbered.
Beonald, who wanted to take possession of that place managed by the 'Goddess Cult's religious order,' pondered deeply, but the situation was very difficult.
'The Goddess... I've even experienced proof of her existence firsthand, so this is truly a troublesome matter.'
As his relationship with the religious order wasn't good in his previous life either, Beonald had hardly visited any temples in this life, except for being baptized as a child or being led by his parents. Ah, if he had to add more, the last time was when he visited the grave of Sain's mother for her sake.
He had kept his distance from the order to that extent, but now that he knew the Goddess actually existed, it was utterly baffling.
'...Hmm, should I go see them once? No, taking the initiative to go doesn't suit my temperament.'
If he went to the order first to start negotiations, they would sense something suspicious about the ruin he was targeting or think there was something valuable there.
Therefore, making the first move was not an option.
He had to create a situation where they, having nothing to exchange, would offer it themselves.
'For that, is the only usable leverage the food problem?'
"We must secure food supplies before winter fully sets in! Quickly, gather from the hills, hunt! Mobilize every possible method!"
'Everyone is busy. Well, the food shortage until next year's harvest is practically a foregone conclusion anyway.'
The territory of House Vanilo, which was the empire's breadbasket, was left in shambles after this war. Although they managed to harvest after the war ended, the yield was pitifully small compared to last year.
Of course, agriculture wasn't solely the domain of House Vanilo; it was practiced across all imperial territories. However, with the agriculture of the breadbasket region, which had supplied the entire empire abundantly, now ruined, it was obvious the empire's food economy would be shaken.
"Those damned merchants, they've already started controlling logistics."
"They're even offering commoners double or triple the prices and hoarding supplies."
"Those foolish blockheads! Don't they know they'll have to buy it back at four or five times the price next year?"
'...They're foolish because they haven't been educated.'
Overhearing the chatter beside him, Beonald made a fair assessment and focused on his own work.
Some nobles didn't provide any education to commoners, fearing it would breed rebellion, but Beonald was of the opinion that providing at least enough education to function as cogs in society's machinery would increase efficiency.
Five hundred years ago, in Benofis, all children from ages nine to fifteen received compulsory education—arithmetic, history, reading and writing characters, etc... It wasn't advanced knowledge, but they were educated to a level where they could work efficiently as members of society.
'I had that implemented for House Valderian too... Tch, I'll have more to propose. Anyway, the food problem. The order also farmed for themselves to some extent, but that's only for those tucked away in quiet countryside areas; orders with solid noble patrons had nothing of the sort. Anyway, it seems the immediate food problem will somehow be resolved for now...'
Still, knowing this was coming and preparing in advance meant surviving until next year's harvest wouldn't be too difficult.
The territory had its own self-sufficient food, and they were already mobilizing the military and residents as much as possible for hunting and gathering to increase preserved food. It was an indicator that humanity wasn't such a foolish species.
However, what Beonald worried about was what came next.
'The problem is if the Garkan Republic, which seized real power in House Vanilo... uses next year's food