The Retainer Conference
Last night's vassal meeting must have worn me out, but after downing that hot soup some uncle brought me, I passed out cold. Whatever it was, the bone-deep fatigue pressing on my limbs had vanished like a lie. Of course, the moment I tasted it, I unceremoniously chucked the raw potato I'd been holding out the window.
By now, it was probably orbiting as Potato Planet, shining brightly on the far side of the world. Anyway, I rolled my stiff-free shoulders and approached the window. Outside, the territory's morning landscape stretched under a blanket of pure white snow. Maybe it was my imagination, but the streets seemed a touch livelier than yesterday.
Knock knock―
"My lord Grand Duke, it's Hans."
As always, Hans's voice arrived at the perfect moment.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Hans entered with his impeccable posture. Even after yesterday's chaos, his face showed no disarray, but up close, faint fatigue shadowed his eyes. He'd probably been directing the plaza cleanup until late.
"Breakfast is prepared."
I nodded. "I'll be there shortly."
After a quick freshen-up, I headed to the dining hall. As I walked the corridors, I noticed the servants' reactions were subtly different from before.
"G-Grand Duke, Your Excellency…!"
Unlike yesterday, when they'd just huddled against the walls trembling, their eyes now held something new mixed in.
Oh, looks like yesterday's potato performance landed perfectly.
I inwardly cheered while maintaining an endlessly cold, indifferent expression as I entered the dining hall.
But the moment I sat at the head of the long table, my inner smugness cooled like ice water.
"……."
Before me lay a pitiful meal: rock-hard bread like a mad dog's chew toy, soup thin as water, and… two of those damn potatoes that had turned my mouth into a dirt field yesterday.
Damn it.
I quietly swallowed a sigh, stabbed a boiled potato with my fork. Yeah, yeah—at least yesterday's were raw, today's boiled, so it'll be better. I squeezed my eyes shut and took a big bite.
"……."
Boiled and it's still trash!
The added moisture had only softened the chewiness a bit; the astringent tang hitting my tongue root and the earthy stench were as strong as ever. I wanted to spit it out right then, but Hans was behind me, watching with deeply moved eyes like 'Even today, he willingly eats this harsh food for his people.' So I held it in.
Forcing my expression under control, I soaked the stone-like bread in the watery soup and shoved it down my throat.
As the meal neared its end, I elegantly dabbed my mouth with the napkin and addressed Hans standing behind me.
"Hans."
"Yes, my lord Grand Duke. What is your command?"
"Summon the vassals immediately."
At my dry order, Hans's eyes sharpened for a split second.
"Understood. Shall I prepare the audience chamber?"
I nodded curtly. "Yes. Make sure not a single one is missing."
"As you command."
Hans bowed deeply and withdrew. Alone now with the door closed, I dropped my feigned indifference and let out a long sigh.
"Haa……."
The reason I'd called the vassals so early was simple. No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn't find a solution on my own.
After poring over ledgers all night and touring the territory all day, I'd bone-deep confirmed this place was a critical patient clinging to life support. The problem was 'how the hell do I save it?'
No matter my superhuman physique, I couldn't climb the Snowy Mountains daily for manual labor to feed tens of thousands. I'd put out the immediate fire, but root issues like food shortages and empty coffers eluded me.
So I called the vassals—the capable, pitiful elites who'd propped up the territory shedding blood and tears through the previous owner's madness. To squeeze their wisdom dry.
If I couldn't solve it alone, borrowing the brains of my smart underlings was the answer.
Please, for the love of god, have some usable plans in those heads.
I swallowed my desperate plea, set down the empty soup bowl, and dragged my heavy feet toward the audience chamber.
It was when I reached the audience chamber doors. Faint murmurs leaked from beyond the thick wood.
"His Excellency the Grand Duke summoned us personally? Suddenly, why……."
The voice brimmed with bewilderment. Fair enough—the guy who'd never shown his face in territory affairs was calling a morning meeting out of the blue.
I took a short breath and shoved open the heavy doors.
Creeeak―!
With the heavy friction sound, the murmurs inside cut off like rats scattering.
"My lord, all are assembled."
Hans, standing below the dais, spotted me and swiftly approached with a bow.
Dozens of the territory's core vassals stood frozen in ranks inside. Bathing in their stares, I ascended the dais with calm steps and settled into the large chair.
Sweeping my gaze over the bowing retainers, I opened my mouth.
"Right on time, it seems."
After that dignified line, I agonized inwardly. …What do I say first?
Now that the stage was set, my mind blanked. The vassals held their breath, waiting for my next words. The heavy silence burned me up the longer it dragged.
Even in my past life, agenda-setting was for the higher-ups!
Screw it. First off…
Hand on the armrest, I spoke.
"I've reviewed the territory's ledgers. And toured outside myself."
The vassals' expressions hardened bit by bit. Faces holding breath, unsure what came next.
I slowly scanned them and added lowly, "This territory hasn't collapsed completely yet because someone held it together from behind."
A beat later: "You've all worked hard."
The air in the chamber froze.
Vassals stiffened like they'd heard the unthinkable. Some eyes widened; others stared in disbelief.
After suffocating silence, one vassal ventured a trembling voice. "…Y-Your Excellency. Did we… mishear just now…?"
"Yeah. You did."
"……Pardon?"
"So cut the nonsense and get to the point."
I leaned forward slightly. "What are the North Territory's problems right now? Speak them all. And any solutions you have."
After brief silence, a middle-aged man in the front stepped forward. Resolve gleamed in eyes that had been dazed moments ago.
"Administrative Officer Kyle, Your Excellency."
I nodded for him to continue.
"Since Your Excellency asks, I shall hide nothing. The most urgent issue is food. Thanks to the magic beasts Your Excellency brought yesterday, the people managed one meal, but it's not enough. We can't hold until the reserve wagons arrive."
"Fair enough. Next?"
Another vassal picked up. "…Population outflow is severe too. Every time merchant caravans pass between North and South, some residents slip away with them."
I nodded quietly. As I listened calmly without rage or table-flipping, others gained courage.
"Security can't be overlooked, Your Excellency! Starving residents breed petty thieves; fights erupt in alleys over a single bread loaf."
"The economy's dire. Funds in the territory have dried up, making even normal trade with caravans impossible. Southern merchants have stopped coming altogether, citing poor returns."
"Housing and firewood are critical too. Blizzard-collapsed roofs are everywhere; people burn intact furniture indoors just to survive the night."
Food, outflow, security, economy, housing, firewood. I leaned deep into the backrest, swallowing a quiet sigh.
…A miracle it's still standing.
It had every condition for total ruin. Amazing it hadn't vaporized yet.
Rubbing my throbbing temples, I asked, "…I see. So do you know how to fix this mess? Speak freely."
At my prompt, they swallowed, then dove into heated discussion among themselves. Gone was the hesitation; with their lord laying out the board to save the territory, their elite instincts revived.
"First, strictly control the southern routes to stem outflow!"
"But we have no food now—locking people in won't help."
"Pawn territory goods to merchants for wheat imports…."
"Credit's long since tanked!"
Enthusiasm overflowed, but the debate circled reality's wall. No sharp solutions emerged, and the air grew heavy.
I watched their heated argument, then tossed out casually, "If no methods work, how about requesting relief supplies from the imperial family?"
My light suggestion halted the shouts cold. Silence poured like ice water.
Vassals glanced around awkwardly, mute.
Hesitant Kyle stepped forward. "Your Excellency… We've sent requests to the capital multiple times before, but…."
He swallowed dryly, voice dropping. "They were always rejected or ignored. My deepest apologies."
Ah, tried that and got shot down. Oh well.
"I see. Understood."
My calm nod brought odd relief to their faces. Propping my chin, I recalled shallow medieval history doc knowledge.
When territories starved to the brink, lords often turned 'bandit knights', raiding neighbors. Common enough.
To lighten the mood, I threw out a silly joke. "If nothing works, no choice. Raid the South, I guess."
"……Pardon?"
They stared blankly.
"R-Raid, my lord…?"
As I wondered if the joke landed too dark seeing their ashen faces—
A armored vassal in the corner clenched his fist, eyes blazing. The soup uncle from before.
"That's… a brilliant idea, Your Excellency!!"
"……What?"
"Those southern bastards fattened themselves on our blood and flesh! Just give the order—I'll cross the border and empty their warehouses!"
His fervor sparked nods from some, eyes lighting with 'Hey, not bad?'
Are these guys collectively insane?
Cold sweat trickled down my back at the potential civil war spark. I drew a stern line. "……You can't be serious. It was a joke."
They smacked lips regretfully at my rebuke.
As the air veered oddly hot then cooled—a young vassal with a boyish face tentatively raised a hand.
"Your Excellency… For firewood and housing… there might be a way."
"Oh? Speak."
"The abandoned district on the outskirts. We could salvage collapsed timber from the ruins for firewood and repairs…."
At 'abandoned district', the chamber froze again.
Nearby vassals paled, whispering sharply. "Have you lost your mind?!"
"Shut your mouth!"
The youth clamped shut, blood draining as he realized his slip. All held breath, tense, watching me.
Perplexed, I frowned. Just suggesting salvaging scrap wood—why the uproar like touching a reverse scale?
"What's with you all suddenly? What's the big deal with that abandoned district?"
They gawked at each other in shock, eyes screaming 'How could you forget?'
No one dared speak. Frustrated, I turned to Hans below. "Hans. Explain."
All eyes snapped to him. He sighed softly, stepping forward heavily. Shadow darkened his calm face.
"My lord. That place…."
Pausing to choose words, he spoke cautiously. "Ten years ago, it became total ruins from a massive demon incursion… the inner 2nd Wall Inner District."
"……."
"Where the previous Grand Duke and Duchess fell blocking the demons' advance—a place like a grave."
…That's why they freaked.
I mulled his words silently. Previous Grand Duke and Duchess—my body's parents—died there. No wonder mentioning it froze them.
Wait, that punched-through wall I saw yesterday dragging the mammoth from the Snowy Mountains—that's it?
No wonder it looked so neglected.
Stopping my tapping fingers on the armrest, I spoke evenly. "…That's that. Why leave it abandoned for ten years without repairs?"
Hans hesitated, then bowed his head. "…Magic beasts remain there."
"Magic beasts?"
"Yes. Some the demons commanded stayed, nesting inside the 2nd Wall like a lair. They emerge occasionally, attacking people—no one's dared clear it properly."
I leaned back, pondering. Magic beasts blocked restoration. Houses and timber right there, but untouchable.
Simple answer.
"Then I'll go clear it."
"No!"
Vassals and Hans cried almost together. He paled, stepping closer. "Too dangerous. Even the previous Duke and Duchess…."
The trailed end was clear enough.
I sighed lowly. "But is there another way?"
Scanning the chamber, I continued. "We need housing, firewood. If beasts block it, someone has to clear them."
They couldn't easily refute. Truth hurts.
After silence, one ventured, "…Then at least go with the Iron Blood Knights?"
I blinked. Right, them.
The North's elite, dispatched south for Ayla's guard. Meant for this.
"Yes, that works."
My ready agreement drew collective relief sighs. To Hans: "When do the knights arrive?"
"I ordered the messenger for utmost speed—ten days at earliest."
Ten days…
I stroked my chin. Fine. Housing and firewood: sweep with Iron Blood Knights in ten days.
Food?
I looked up. "When do the reserve wagons from the South arrive?"
"Scheduled in about a week."
A week. I furrowed my brow. Feed tens of thousands for a week on what?
Really smash the ecosystem flat?
Daily Snowy Mountain hunts would extinct every visible beast.
Sighing inwardly, I rubbed my forehead. Ah, if those damn potatoes tasted decent.
If the author hadn't botched potato flavor for fake 'realism,' no suffering. Overflowing beast feed otherwise….
…Huh?
A brilliant idea flashed amid cursing the author.
Wait. If potatoes are too starchy and earthy to eat…
I lifted my head slyly.
Just make 'em tasty?
To the vassals still head-scratching in futile debate: "Food."
The chamber hushed. Eyes locked on me.
I spoke slowly. "I'll handle the food issue myself for now."
"Pardon? But Your Excellency, hunting magic beasts daily like yesterday…."
"Not climbing the Snowy Mountains every day."
Kyle startled to protest; I raised a hand lightly. "I have something in mind. I'll procure enough food to last the week."
"……!"
Their eyes widened. In this hopeless bind, the Grand Duke stepping up personally.
Perplexed faces screamed 'How?'
But yesterday's image of him solo-hauling a massive beast for thousands burned in their minds. Amid wary glances, tentative hope flickered: 'Maybe he really has a way?'
I met their uneasy yet sparkling gazes leisurely, rising slowly.
"So you all focus on security, merchant trades, and the rest for the remaining week."
"U-Understood…! As you command!"
Descending the dais, I felt their stares—half doubt, half hope—pouring on my back.
Rotten trash potatoes overflowing North warehouses. Time to show these isekai folks the wisdom of carb-loving modern man.
I'd throw them the ultimate carb party they couldn't resist.