Chapter 22
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 22. Princess's Duty
A week has passed.
Time is sometimes poison, and sometimes medicine.
For Lucia Von Astellia, the past week was certainly medicine.
At least in terms of work.
"……Hm."
Just a week ago, this office was a battlefield.
Documents rolled on the floor, ledgers were messy, and numbers danced haphazardly.
In such a barbaric administrative system of the North, Lucia's mental state was also messy befitting it.
But now it was different.
Taxation, Expenditure, Inventory, Urgent.
Documents neatly classified into four boxes.
Tags distinguished by color.
Ledgers organized by date.
It was a sight worthy of being called a victory of civilization.
Lucia spun the pen between her fingers and smiled slightly.
'The flow is starting to be caught.'
The feeling of numbers fitting together.
She didn't know that things learned at the Imperial Academy would be this useful.
At that time, she grumbled 'Why learn this stuff', but originally knowledge is meant to shine in unexpected places.
As expected, education is important.
The hand spinning the pen stopped.
Her gaze turned to one corner of the office.
"……Of course."
A sigh leaked from Lucia's mouth.
"Except for that."
One corner of the office.
On the shelf placed along the wall under the window, bizarre items were displayed.
Internal core of Snowfield Widow Spider. Claw of Frost Bear. Horn of Horned Deer. Tusk of Steel Walrus.
And several magic stones harvested from unknown demonic beasts.
They all looked too scary to use for decoration.
'Because the Black Knight comes in without knocking every day……'
Thump.
The sound replayed in her memory.
The floor shakes.
And the man in black armor pours out today's loot on the desk.
Like a cat offering prey to its owner.
No, at least cats are cute.
A massive figure over 2 meters in black armor bringing bloody spider legs is not cute at all.
'Anyway since it’s expensive. Let's think business-wise. Yes. Right.'
It’s comfortable if she excludes emotions and only considers profit.
Should it be called growth, or corruption?
Probably both.
Because humans are animals that adapt to the environment.
Because if they don't adapt, they are culled.
Lucia Von Astellia checks the market price of spider legs today too, in order not to be culled.
Thump thump thump.
It was then.
Urgent footsteps were heard from the hallway.
Sound getting closer.
Clank. Clank.
Even the sound of armor clashing.
Lucia's pen stopped.
Head lifted sharply.
Shoulders flinched reflexively.
'Black Knight!? What did he bring today?'
Glacier Worm? Snowfield Scorpion?
Or something she doesn't even want to hear the name of?
The door burst open.
"Your Highness! Urgent report!"
What entered wasn't black armor.
A young warrior wearing Northern leather armor.
It was a scout.
"……Phew."
Lucia's tension relaxed.
Shoulders slumped down.
A deep sigh leaked out.
Freya, who was maintaining her sword by the window, turned her head.
"What is it, making a fuss. Did wolves invade or something?"
"Message from the Northwestern 'Wolf Fang Village'! They say food ran out! Residents are starving!"
Freya's brow furrowed. She put down her sword and strode over.
"What? How long has it been since food distribution went out? Those bastards, don't tell me they exchanged it for alcohol? They did that last time too."
"N-No! This time it’s real! Because of heavy snow, the village was isolated so they couldn't go hunting……"
Lucia opened the desk drawer.
Tap.
A map of the North spread on the desk.
Finger slid over the map.
Frostgard. Here is the current location.
And to the northwest……
"Wolf Fang Village… Here."
Northwest from Frostgard. A small dot hanging precariously at the end of the mountain range.
"Quite far. Did you say sent 7 days worth?"
"Yes, according to regulations…"
"Regulations?"
"We originally did it like that. Once a week, 7 days worth."
'Originally did it like that.'
The phrase heard most in the North.
And also the phrase she hates hearing the most.
'If once a week…… if a problem occurs in the middle, a crisis comes immediately.'
No spare amount.
A structure where the entire village starves if the blizzard blows harder.
'Besides, if it’s this far, emergency response is difficult too.'
"What is the fastest route right now?"
"Usually we cross 'Long Tail Pass', but now snow is piled up to the waist so carriages can't pass. Since snow removal hasn't been done…"
Freya clicked her tongue.
"If carriages can't go, do we have to go on foot? Carrying it on backs would take three days. Won't they starve to death in the meantime?"
Three days.
To a starving village, 3 days is too long.
Children will cry, the elderly will collapse, and young people will wander in the snow looking for game and go missing.
Like this, sitting in front of a warm fireplace in Frostgard receiving only reports saying 'Porters are walking diligently'?
Lucia's gaze scanned the map again.
Different path.
Different route.
Finger moved.
"Here…… What about 'Bone Pass'?"
"Bone Pass?"
Freya laughed as if absurd.
"Sister, do you know why the name is 'Bone Pass'? It’s Bone Pass because only bones remain while passing. The slope is steep and narrow, so let alone carriages, even horses can't pass properly."
"Not carriages…… What about sleds?"
"Sleds?"
"Dog sleds. Warriors ride them often, that thing."
Lucia's eyes sparkled.
"Lighter than carriages, and can pass narrow roads too. If through Bone Pass, the distance will be shorter too."
Silence flowed for a moment.
Freya blinked.
"……That’s true?"
"Organize a dog sled team. Right now."
Lucia instructed the scout.
"Food minimum 3 days worth, load lightly. Priority on emergency supply through Bone Pass. Large-scale transport isn't too late to do after the road is cleared."
"Yes, yes! Understood!"
The scout jumped up and ran out.
The door slammed shut.
Lucia looked down at the map again.
One problem solved.
But this is merely first aid.
The fundamental problem lies elsewhere.
"And roads need management too."
"Roads?"
"Roads shouldn't be blocked every time a blizzard comes. If we do snow removal work regularly……"
Freya's expression became strange.
"Snow removal? Who…… does that?"
"Can't warriors do it? In shifts?"
Awkward silence.
Freya scratched her head.
"Sister, would Northern warriors shovel?"
"Why?"
"Their pride pierces the sky so……"
Freya made a troubled expression.
"Monster hunting is honorable, but shoveling is…… just shoveling."
Lucia rubbed her forehead.
'……Cultural clash again.'
Unimaginable in the Empire.
If told 'Clear some snow' to Imperial Knights, they answer 'Yes, understood'. If told 'Clear some snow' to Northern Warriors, they take out axes saying 'Are you insulting my honor'.
'What do I do? Even if I command, it won't work at all.'
It was then she was contemplating.
Creak.
This time, the door opened without warning.
It seems the concept of knocking does not exist in this man's dictionary.
No, maybe he doesn't have a dictionary at all.
Thump!
Something fell from his shoulder to the floor.
Red-Eye Leopard.
Shining red fur. Elegant body shape. A creature that would have been beautiful if alive.
Although just a corpse now.
'……Doing this again.'
Lucia sighed inwardly, but didn't scream anymore.
The Black Knight turned his head.
Red glint flashed.
"What is the matter."
Freya answered.
"Ah, came just in time."
She explained the situation.
"Road is blocked due to blizzard, but if we tell warriors to clear snow, I don't think they'll do it. Originally warriors' pride pierces the sky. They don't do things like shoveling."
Lucia's eyes flashed.
'Opportunity!'
Due to daily monster subjugation, the Black Knight's position has already soared to the ceiling.
To Northerners, the Black Knight's strength was now almost close to faith.
Surely if he orders, warriors will follow without complaint.
So let's ask.
Deep breath.
Facial expression management.
Smiled as softly as possible.
Cleared throat.
"Excuse me…… Knight-nim?"
Gathered hands and tilted head slightly.
"Um, I have a favor……"
Blinking eyes.
Coquettish voice.
Looking up gaze.
"Could you make the warriors do snow removal work……?"
Raised the end slightly.
Princess's fatal aegyo.
"Since Knight-nim is super strong. If Knight-nim speaks, I think everyone will follow…"
Tilted head a bit more.
"…Yes?"
Technique to get what you want while upholding the opponent's pride.
Essence of the art of living learned in the Imperial Palace.
At this level, even a dragon would nod.
Smirk.
"Now you know how to wag your tail quite a bit."
"……!"
Lucia's face turned bright red.
'Treating me like a puppy again……!? When did I wag my tail! This is political negotiation! Diplomatic approach!'
Shame surged to the top of her head.
"Was bored anyway."
"……!"
'Done? Accepted right?'
"Th, Thank you……"
Lucia answered stammering.
Face is still red.
Doesn't cool down.
Why doesn't it cool down?
The Black Knight turned around.
"Looking forward to later."
The door closed.
Thump.
'Hiek! La, Later? What do you mean later!?'
Freya giggled from the side.
"Sister, face turning red then blue, busy? Are you a chameleon?"
"Shut up!"
Next day.
Long Tail Pass.
The Black Knight stood at the entrance of the pass.
Behind him, dozens of warriors were waiting holding shovels.
Faces full of dissatisfaction.
'Shoveling.''I am a monster hunter.''Warrior's honor blah blah.'
Such complaints were read in their eyes.
However.
The Black Knight opened his mouth.
"Battle with nature."
Red glint flashed.
"Defeat is not tolerated."
In an instant, the warriors' eyes changed.
Dissatisfaction disappeared, and fighting spirit blazed.
"……!"
"Ohh!" "Battle with nature!?" "We will sweep away the snow!"
"Wooooooh!"
Shovels raised high.
Roars burst out.
Snow removal work began.
Fiercely as if battling.
Puck! Puck! Puck!
Shovels cut through the air, and snow flew in all directions.
Monsters popping out in between were also handled immediately.
Mole monsters active only during blizzards.
Pitiful creatures sleeping in the snow then seeing sunlight suddenly.
'No, I was just sleeping in the snow……?''Why are shovels flying suddenly?'
It was an end where such injustice was felt.
Lucia watching from the side made a blank expression.
'……This works?'
The pass road was cleared in half a day.
Warriors were sweating profusely and making satisfied expressions.
Brynjolf threw off his top and laughed heartily.
"Kuhahaha! If defeated by mere snow, not a Northerner!"
Patted each other's backs and congratulated.
'……Ask that man and everything works.'
Lucia looked at the Black Knight with complex feelings.
Still scary.
Weird.
Incomprehensible but.
Useful.
And very much so.
Next day. Office.
"Your Highness! Emergency supply to Wolf Fang Village complete!"
The messenger reported with a bright face.
"Residents received food and chanted Your Highness's name while crying."
"That’s a relief."
Lucia sighed in relief.
'What I did had meaning.'
Small sense of accomplishment bloomed in her chest.
"Ah, and… surveyed intermediate base candidate sites too."
"Intermediate base?"
"Black Knight-nim looked around personally and decided. Said it’s a terrain good for trapping and annihilating enemies……"
Lucia was lost for words for a moment.
'It’s an emergency warehouse?'
Well, safe is good. No worries about thieves.
Lucia nodded.
"Good work. You may leave."
"Yes! Long live Your Highness Lucia!"
The messenger saluted and left.
Door closed.
Momentary silence.
And.
"Sister!"
Freya bolted up.
"Startled me. Wh, Why?"
Twinkle twinkle twinkle.
Eyes sparkling burdeningly.
"Amazing! Really amazing!"
"What?"
"Dog sled? Intermediate warehouse? Snow removal? How do you think of these things?"
Freya held Lucia's hands tight.
"Sister is really a genius! Heard you were top of the Academy, wasn't a false rumor!"
Lucia was flustered.
"J, Just thinking logically…"
"No, this is talent. Talent not present in the North!"
Lucia felt something ominous.
Freya's eyes are too bright.
Praise is too excessive.
'Why is she suddenly like this? Definitely has some ulterior motive.'
And sad premonitions are never wrong.
"Good, decided!"
"……What?"
"From now on, I'll leave all documents to Sister!"
"What?"
"I'll just train! That suits me!"
Lucia froze.
"Wait, Freya. What does that……"
"Think about it, Sister."
Freya spoke quickly.
"Sister is good at administration, and I am good at fighting. Doing what each is good at is efficient! Division of labor! Right person in the right place! Sister taught me!"
'Didn't teach it to use at times like this!'
"Wait……!"
Lucia's mouth opened.
To refute.
But Freya was faster.
"Ah, Black Knight said he’s going out for subjugation today, right? I should go together! Actual combat experience is the best training!"
"Wait, Freya! These documents?!"
Freya grabbed the doorknob.
"Sister take care of it!"
Smiled brightly.
"Trust you! Love you!"
Wink.
Bang.
Door closed.
Tatadada……
Footsteps getting farther.
It was an escape light beyond measure.
"……."
Eventually, Lucia was left alone in the office.
Only the clock sound tick tock.
Lucia stared blankly at the closed door.
'…Got done in.'
Turned head.
On the desk.
Documents like mountains.
Looked higher than before.
The document pile was looking down at her.
"Huuuuuu……"
Deep sigh leaked out.
'From now on I have to do all this alone?'
'Freya, you traitor……!'
After a while.
Lucia lifted her head.
Picked up a document.
Sighed once more.
Lifted the pen.
"……Have to do it. What can I do."
Scratch scratch scratch.
Pen scratching sound echoed in the office.
Adaptation is a scary thing.
Lucia Von Astellia.
Empire's Princess. North's Temporary Leader. Black Knight's prisoner.
Today too, she was adapting to the North.