◆ Domestic Reform (Part 3)
By the time I realized it, two months had already passed since I came to this country. The short summer quickly passed, and we are now approaching the eleventh month. It’s no longer uncommon to experience days that feel like they’re below freezing, but this is still just the entrance to winter. It’s easy to imagine how harsh the winter in this country must be.
As for food supply and stockpiling during the winter, I’ve received assistance from the Retouar faction of the Empire, who have prioritized it for us. The development of the Kuraga-imo farmlands is proceeding at full speed. Thanks to Sharon’s efforts, we’ve also made progress with the distribution of ale. Construction of the sugar sap production factory has also begun. Among all these, there was another initiative I had been working on. In the lower districts, not only starvation but also freezing deaths were common, making the development of warming equipment an urgent necessity. Fire is a lifeline in this country. It’s common to see smoke rising from chimneys, and securing a significant amount of wood is necessary. However, in the lower districts, this is difficult to achieve.
"That’s where the kotatsu comes in."
"Kotatsu?"
Sharon tilted her head, unfamiliar with the term.
"It’s easier to show you."
The kotatsu is a national tool used in Japan to survive the extreme cold of winter. In modern times, electric ones are common, but of course, there’s no electricity in this country. However, it is possible to replicate the effect by making a fire and creating an enclosed space.
The most affordable and effective method for maintaining heat is a "ban’ya kotatsu." It’s a simple system where a hole-punched container made from sturdy materials, like tile, holds a round bowl filled with wood that has been charred and steamed.
A cloth is placed over it to retain heat, keeping the interior at a high temperature. Since there’s no need for electricity and only a large amount of wood is not required, it can also help reduce costs for the people in this country who rely on wood stoves.
The production factory itself was largely complete, and the purpose of this visit was to inspect it.
Originally, there were makeshift shacks that seemed about to collapse, but by replacing them with a production facility and communal housing, we aimed to reorganize the streets and improve safety.
We first constructed the production factory on the cleared land and decided to house the workers in the workspace until the residential buildings were finished.
The production factory itself is mostly completed, and the purpose of this visit is to inspect it. Originally, there were just shacks with no construction standards, on the verge of falling apart. By replacing them with a production factory and residential buildings, we aimed to reorganize the town and improve safety. We first built the production factory on the cleared land, and until the residential buildings are finished, the workers are temporarily housed in the workspace.
"Oh, Prince Henrik! Welcome!"
As I stepped into one corner of the workspace, a man with a scruffy beard approached, his face lit with joy. He casually placed his hand on my shoulder, and I sighed as I brushed it off.
"Your Highness, who is this?"
"The head of the lower district."
"When did you become so close?"
Sharon asked in surprise.
"If you think we're close, then your eyes are rotten," I responded, my voice dripping with irritation. The head of the lower district had acted so familiarly, and it seemed I had allowed it. I'm a man who, when faced with someone who acts too casually, would strike them the moment they opened their mouth. However, the head's overly awkward formal speech had led me to tell him, half in disbelief, "Speak as comfortably as you wish."
"The prince suddenly came here alone, offering us work and food, knowing how difficult it is for us to work in the silver mines. Thanks to him, we no longer have to struggle every day just to survive, and the people are truly grateful!"
Of course, the reason I built the factory was to provide jobs for the people of the lower district, but it was also to establish connections with the district head in order to export high-quality products overseas. The district head had run a porcelain shop in the middle district in his youth, and his porcelain was reputed to be excellent. However, due to the high cost of importing raw materials from other countries, his products became too expensive, and cheaper goods circulated within the kingdom, causing demand for his products to plummet. Naturally, the citizens of the duchy, who didn't live in luxury, chose the cheaper items. Eventually, the district head was forced to close his business and accumulate a large amount of debt.
That's how he ended up in the lower district.
But his skills were attractive to me. Initially, I came here to discuss the construction of the kotatsu factory and inspect the lower district, but I also saw potential in his craftsmanship and asked him to make beer containers from porcelain. Of course, if he had the skill to create such items, it would also be ideal for ensuring the quality of the kotatsu's main containers and bowls.
"So, you’ll show your gratitude by working hard, and by showing it through your actions."
"Of course, that's the plan!"
"So, how is the progress going?"
"Everything is going splendidly!"
I followed the district head as he led the way, explaining the process. The kotatsu production was divided into three main tasks: the cloth, the container and bowl, and the table, with efficiency being improved daily. For the domestic market, we were integrating them into standard tables, but for overseas markets, we planned to sell the tables as a package deal, taking advantage of bundling to make a profit.
"That's good to hear."
"Is this the kotatsu?"
In one corner of the workspace, there were several kotatsu placed in a break area. Sharon, with a look of curiosity, stroked the surface.
"Yes, that's it. Try putting your feet in. Take your time."
Sharon and Conrad exchanged glances before cautiously placing their feet inside.
"Wow... this is warm."
"To think you would invent something like this, Your Highness!"
Conrad praised wholeheartedly.
"...I found it in a book in the royal palace's forbidden library. I didn't invent it."
"Not at all, Your Highness. You're just being humble."
"Ha, indeed."
I turned my face away, not feeling particularly inclined to accept their praise. As I did, Conrad and Sharon exchanged a knowing look and smiled.
"By the way, Prince, as you instructed, I've already prioritized the distribution to the orphanage."
"The orphanage?"
Sharon, upon hearing the district head's words, furrowed her brow and asked in confusion.
"I just prioritized the young ones. They're already vulnerable enough as it is. We can't afford to let them succumb to the cold of winter," the district head explained.
I had heard that orphanages often lack proper winter-proofing, so I made sure the supplies went to them first.
"I see."
"What’s with that strange way of agreeing?"
Sharon seemed more amused by my words than actually agreeing, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
"No, you're as stubborn as ever."
"Honestly..." I started to respond, but the district head interrupted with a report.
"Quite a few people who’ve visited the orphanage have said they were 'coldly dismissed' by the director. I thought I should let Your Highness know."
Before I could argue with Sharon, the district head went on with his report.
"The director of the orphanage? The orphanage is run by the kingdom. The director must have been chosen through a rigorous selection process by the state."
If it were just one or two isolated cases, it could be coincidence, but I had instructed that the supplies be distributed to all orphanages in the kingdom. Something might be off. It looks like I'll need to investigate.
"I don't know the reason, but I thought it was something you should know."
"I'll look into it. Winter is coming, and it will only get colder. You all focus on the construction of the residential buildings and hurry up with the work. If you drag your feet, there will be deaths."
"Right! The carpenters are fired up and working hard on the construction, so there's no need to worry!"
I was footing the entire bill myself. While I kept wages low in exchange for providing food, they weren’t exactly cheap. But I expected that the profits from the kotatsu, ale, and sugar would eventually cover the costs.
"Make sure no one dies from the cold this winter," I said, tossing the words over my shoulder as I turned to leave. Conrad, unusually disgruntled, quickly caught up with me, his face flushed with frustration as he questioned me.
"Your Highness, you came all the way here alone before, didn't you?"
"Hmph. I'm not weak enough to be harmed by the people here."
Though there had been some tension, I had managed to smooth things over with my words and actions, earning a level of trust from the people in the lower district. There was even a certain atmosphere that seemed to acknowledge my resolve in coming alone.
"I'm not doubting Your Highness’s strength, but as a bodyguard, I still feel uneasy. We never know when an assassin from the empire might strike."
"I’ve never let my guard down. You have no grounds to reprimand me."
"To me, nothing is more important than Your Highness’s life. Please, allow me to protect you."
"Hmph. You’re a strange man, giving up your prospects just to follow me."
But Conrad, not at all bothered by my sarcasm, smiled and sniffed lightly.
"I was saved by Lord Holger. It is a great joy for me to be able to protect His Highness, who has shown such loyalty to his master. I have no desire for rank or status."
"I’m deeply grateful for your loyalty. I’ll be sure to repay it in time."
"I appreciate your kind words, but I do not seek a reward."
"If I don't repay you, the name of Henrik Retouar will be tarnished. I'll make sure to find you a fine weapon."
"Truly, Your Highness! I’d be honored!"
I knew Conrad had an intense love for his sword and was quite particular about it. I’d need to ask more about his preferences to make sure I choose the right one.
"I have one question. A man of your ability should have been able to rise to a position like the commander of the knight order in the empire. I know I’m the reason that path is now closed for you. I must ask—do you have any regrets about leaving the empire? If you choose to part ways with me now, you could still live a life there."
"I originally followed Your Highness to fulfill Lord Holger’s will. If you hadn’t changed after coming to this country, I may not have been able to say with confidence that I had no regrets. But Your Highness has changed beyond recognition since coming here. Now, I can truly say from the bottom of my heart that I would not hesitate to give my life for you."
Even after Holger's death, he left behind a trusted blade. Conrad has become an irreplaceable person to me.
"Then it’s settled. Neither you nor I are bound by the Empire’s actions anymore. It’s clear that there’s a limit to how much you can protect me on your own. I’ve always wanted pawns that I could use as my hands and feet. But with the Empire’s surveillance, that was never possible. Now, I want you to take command of a private army, made up of elites."
"...A death squad, you mean? Hah, my hands are itching with excitement."
"...I think the nuance is a bit off."
"No, no, it’s an honorable unit that will risk their lives to protect Your Highness. I’m thrilled just thinking about being its commander."
"While protecting me is important, I also want this private army to assist with various missions."
"Missions?"
"Covert operations, intelligence gathering, dirty work. I want to gather talents from both inside and outside the kingdom, not just fighters. You, Conrad, will be in charge of identifying these people."
Conrad, though he had a bit of a muscle-headed tendency, wasn't particularly suited for administrative work. I wasn’t expecting much from him in terms of internal affairs. Instead, I was prepared to delegate most of the authority related to military strengthening to him.
"Me?"
"Yes. I don’t care about their status. Bring anyone you deem talented before me. Then, I will assess them with my own eyes and decide whether they are worthy to stay by my side."
The Grand Duchy had hardly deployed its forces abroad in recent years, and the military had been steadily weakening. The Grand Duchy’s military, once the right arm of the kingdom, had lost its spirit to fight for the kingdom due to deteriorating relations.
When peace becomes the norm, the military shrinks. The training of common soldiers isn’t high, and those who lead them, the barons, are often second or third sons of noble families, with no prospects of inheriting the family title. The title of baron serves merely as a stopgap, and few of them are motivated by noble ideals. During wartime, commoners are conscripted and led by these barons. This was the current system. Even if I wanted to immediately build a powerful military, I lacked the authority to mobilize the military, and it wouldn’t happen overnight. To gain the ability to move the military, I would need to earn the trust of the nobles.
As a first step, I aimed to secure soldiers that I could rely on, each with exceptional ability and willpower, to surround myself with. It wasn’t an easy task, but I was confident that Conrad could gather such people.
To strengthen the military, it was essential that the leader had the right level of skill as well. However, such talent was lacking in this country. The creation of a private army also had the goal of training such talent.
"I will surely bring back soldiers who will meet Your Highness’s expectations!"
Of course, the tendency for nobles to look down on commoners is still deeply rooted. There are still many obstacles to overcome before people of all social classes can be appointed as instructors.
◆
On the way back from inspecting the lower district, I became curious after hearing the earlier conversation with the district chief. I decided to stop by an orphanage located in the middle district.
In front of the orphanage, a garden had been set up, where the children were absorbed in their various games. Among them, I spotted Althiana, chatting with a woman in her forties, who seemed to be the headmistress of the orphanage.
"Is that Princess Alcyana...?"
Sharon spoke, clearly surprised. The princess was out in the city without any guards—reckless, to say the least. Though, I suppose I wasn’t one to talk.
I continued to watch from behind the wall. Judging by how Alcyana interacted with the headmistress, it seemed far removed from the "cold treatment" the district chief had mentioned. Of course, there was still the possibility that the headmistress was simply showing a different attitude due to rank, but the smile she wore appeared natural to me.
"Should we not approach her?"
"Why should we? If I spoke to the princess here, do you think she would be pleased? She would probably just find it strange."
"…But you and Princess Althiana are engaged, aren’t you?"
"Engaged, yes, but that’s just a political marriage, and the princess did not wish for it either. There’s no reason for us to interact more than necessary."
"I’m sure you and Princess Alcyana could come to an understanding."
That’s not it. It’s not a matter of whether we could or couldn’t. I simply don’t desire it.
"That’s just your wishful thinking. Right now, what matters is making contact with that headmistress."
As I turned my gaze toward the headmistress, I noticed Alcyana had finished saying her goodbyes to the children and was preparing to leave the orphanage. The headmistress, watching the children wave at Alcyana, had a look of love in her eyes, but there was also a hint of melancholy. Once Alcyana was out of sight, I entered the orphanage grounds, and the moment the headmistress noticed me, her expression immediately changed, and she hurried over.
"Could you possibly be a noble sent by Eldoria Castle...? But you had promised not to come here."
The headmistress asked hesitantly, her fear clear—not of nobles in general, but of specific ones.
"Sent by someone?"
I wasn’t sent by anyone. I had come of my own will.
"N-No, it’s nothing! Please ignore me!"
She visibly relaxed, shaking her head. It seemed that whoever had sent someone here had done something to make her this fearful.
"Why do you relax? Why do you think I am less unreasonable or tyrannical than the one you're afraid of?"
"Eek... I-I apologize."
Her eyes filled with fear once more.
Using the name of the Grand Duke to intimidate her was truly malicious. Given Aleon’s character, I didn’t think he would approve of such tactics to coerce anyone into compliance.
"You spoke of it once. Now spill it. What is this messenger of yours demanding from you?"
"...I can’t say."
"Can’t say? Why?"
"..."
The headmistress, still in a bowing posture, shrank back and fell silent.
"Don’t bully the headmistress!"
I turned my gaze towards the voice and saw one of the orphans, shaking their clenched fist, glaring at me with all their might.
"Stop it! This person is a noble!"
"That lady from earlier was also a noble, right? Why are you letting someone like that treat you badly and just staying quiet?"
"Calling someone ‘that kind of person’ is quite a rude way of speaking."
"I-I apologize! Please, just spare this child’s life...!"
"If you expect me to overlook your rudeness, you must show some proper sincerity."
"Sincerity...?"
The headmistress swallowed hard, her eyes wandering as if she were hesitant.
"Tell me everything you know about the messenger. Everything you can."
"…That’s..."
"Your Highness, I think you might be going a bit too far."
Sharon interjected with a gentle reproach.
"Your Highness...?"
The mention of "Your Highness" made the headmistress tremble even more.
"This is His Highness, Prince Henrik of the Retouar Empire, the fiancé of Princess Alcyana. I deeply apologize for surprising you with such a sudden visit. Although he may seem stern, he is a kind-hearted person and has no intention of harming the child. Please do not worry."
"Hey, that’s not what I meant..."
Of course, my threats were not meant seriously. I too felt uneasy, but I figured that she had been threatened to the point where she wouldn't speak unless I used such tactics. Upon hearing Sharon’s words, the headmistress did not look relieved, but she seemed to regain some of her composure.
"His Highness wishes to help the orphanage. In fact, the reason we came here today is because we heard unsettling rumors regarding the kotatsu production factory."
"Unsettling rumors?"
"Do you use a kotatsu at the orphanage?"
"Yes, of course. Every winter night, we all huddle together under blankets to endure the cold. With winter upon us now, it’s truly a blessing."
"It was His Highness who arranged for the kotatsu to be delivered to the orphanage."
"Th-the prince gave us a kotatsu...?"
"Yes. We made sure the orphanage received one of the kotatsu that is still scarce in the market."
"......"
The headmistress, who had not once met my gaze until now, briefly locked eyes with me.
"Even if the headmistress is being silenced and fears that speaking to us may bring harm, it’s important she speaks. I understand this may make you anxious, but His Highness will undoubtedly be of help."
"…I understand. I will tell you."
I understand that gaining someone’s trust to get them to speak is far more productive than relying on threats. But with this attitude and manner of speaking, it would have been nearly impossible to earn that trust. That’s why I resorted to threats. Sharon, who had interrupted me earlier, had effortlessly made her open up.
"The incident began, I’ll never forget it, three years ago in the sixth month. I have a daughter who was five years old at the time, and one day, soldiers from the Grand Duchy came to my house and took her away. I was in despair when a messenger came to me and said, ‘We have taken your daughter. If you want her back alive, you must obey our instructions in silence.’"
"What were the instructions?"
"They told me to hand over all children who had turned thirteen."
Orphans are generally considered the property of the Grand Duchy and are expected to serve the Duchy. Their future paths vary, but it was unheard of for them to be treated as private property of a single noble. What’s the point of taking hostages to make such a demand?
"Do you know who gave these instructions?"
"I don’t know...?"
"That’s to be expected. The mastermind is likely an upper noble from the country’s higher ranks. They wouldn’t have provided you with any information that could trace the connections. There’s no point in pressing you further."
"I’m sorry that I couldn’t provide any useful information."
"Even this much is a gain for today. However, next time someone claiming to be a messenger from the Grand Duchy calls on you, you must report it to us."
"Y-Yes!"
The headmistress responded with a deep bow. It seemed I had frightened her completely, and from now on, it would be better to involve Sharon in the process.
"It would be more efficient if you went instead of me. Convey the situation from your own mouth to me."
"Understood."
I told Sharon as I sank into deep thought.
Whoever is threatening the headmistress is clearly involved in something far darker. I must get to the bottom of it and remove anyone connected to this. I also want to rescue the headmistress’s daughter as soon as possible.
However, with my current position, if I were to inform people from the Grand Duchy, such as Aleon, they would likely not believe me. No, that might be the least of my worries. If they start to suspect that I, being from the Empire, am trying to bring about the downfall of the Grand Duchy, then I would be in a dire situation.
That’s a scenario I absolutely must avoid. This is why I need to handle this matter with extreme caution. For now, my priority is to make the nobles of the Grand Duchy recognize me.
◆
Seven months had passed since Henrik’s arrival in this country, and it was now the fourth month, signaling the near end of the long winter.
At Eldoria Castle, a regular quarterly assembly was taking place. This gathering, attended by the country’s influential figures, was the highest decision-making body. Since it included nobles with the title of "Viscount," who were relatives of the Sorteria Grand Duchy and other powerful figures, the assembly was referred to as the Viscount's Court. However, most of the discussions were concluded in the bi-monthly meetings of each noble's representative, so the debates here were not particularly lively. The atmosphere was solemn, and for the nobles, it was merely a mandatory event they had to attend.
Today, however, at the Viscount's Court, there was a rare stir, as bureaucrats were speaking up, and though it wasn’t yet a heated debate, the situation was close to that.
"Your Excellency, I’ve received reports that the security in the lower districts has dramatically improved. The hastily built barracks have been converted into housing and factories, and the overall landscape has greatly improved."
"This time of year, we usually scramble to handle the bodies of those who couldn’t survive the winter in the lower districts, but this year, we’ve hardly seen any deaths. It seems the spread of a thing called a kotatsu is the cause."
"I was told by the ambassador from the Lunafis Kingdom of the Southern Federation that delicious liquor is being distributed in our country, and I was quite perplexed, but it seems our ale is gaining popularity. Even though it’s a considerable distance away, it’s astonishing that we can transport it without it spoiling!"
As one report after another was delivered, Aleon could only manage to briefly digest each one, his forehead beaded with sweat.
"What is going on here?"
It was no surprise that Aleon was at a loss for words. The entire assembly was in an uproar, exchanging confused glances.
"Impossible. There must have been some sort of intervention."
"Are you saying that someone who could shake the country in this way is not present among us?"
"Is there anyone here who has any idea who it could be?"
As the nobles bickered amongst themselves, Aleon clenched his sweating hands tightly. After processing each report in his mind, he could find no negative implications.
Aleon had an idea of who might be behind this situation.
"Henrik, the prince..."
He muttered the name to himself. Though he had intended to say it quietly, for some reason, it seemed to echo in the midst of the noise.
"Lord Grand Duke, are you suggesting that Prince Henrik did something?"
"Do you have any evidence for that claim?"
Nobles with sharp ears quickly caught the words and started questioning Aleon.
Aleon immediately regretted speaking the name in this assembly. However, dismissing it now would only lead to confusion and possibly damage his credibility with the nobles.
"...Call Prince Henrik."
In a moment of hesitation, Aleon instructed the bureaucrats to summon Henrik, who was likely somewhere within the castle. After a few minutes—though it felt like a few seconds—Henrik appeared. His well-groomed hair and impeccable formal attire stood out, and his swift arrival left Aleon stunned. He seemed to have anticipated this situation from the very beginning.
Henrik glanced at Aleon briefly before stepping forward to address the assembly.
"I am Henrik Retouar."
"I deeply apologize for calling you so suddenly. But you arrived quickly, it seems."
"I had heard today was the Viscount’s Court. I’ve been prepared to come whenever necessary."
"It seems I have caused you unnecessary trouble."
"Hmph, no trouble at all. Now, what is the reason you’ve called me?"
Henrik snorted and gave a deliberately provocative smile.
"Then, Prince Henrik, let me ask you plainly. Did you orchestrate this?"
A noble known for his hot temper, rather than Aleon, stood up, pressing Henrik with a stern expression.
"What do you mean by this? And to say I orchestrated it is quite misleading."
"Prince Henrik, I do not intend to blame you. Please don’t worry. It’s just that we’ve been receiving a continuous stream of positive reports—such as a drastic decrease in deaths in the lower districts, the revitalization of the capital’s economy, and the distribution of ale abroad. If all of this is the result of your efforts alone, then it’s understandable that others might not find it very amusing. I hope you can understand that."
The one who spoke up was Viscount Kiplea Ludwarl.
Though his tone was somewhat casual, there was no sense of undue familiarity. Though not young, his demeanor somehow didn’t seem mismatched.
"Prince Henrik, Viscount Ludwarl has been making generous donations to the orphanages in the capital. He is a reliable and upright man."
"Oh, Your Excellency, you always say you don’t want that information spread too widely..."
Ludwarl spoke with a wry smile, though still appearing rather amused.
"Ah, indeed. My apologies. I just wanted you to know about the prince, so I couldn’t help myself," Ludwarl said, somewhat sheepishly.
"Hmph. Is that all the farce you have?" Henrik replied.
"My apologies for interrupting the conversation," Ludwarl added, his tone apologetic.
"I’ll answer your questions. It’s true that I intervened in the lower districts, worked on food stockpiling and the development of famine-resistant crops to stabilize the food supply and reduce deaths, and created employment through the production of kotatsu and ale. But why do you think I did all of that?"
"...I don’t know," Ludwarl murmured, lost in thought.
"When I first came to this country, I boasted in front of Aleon that I would achieve visible results on my own," Henrik continued.
"Results?" Aleon echoed, confused.
"When I first arrived here, all of you must have underestimated me. In fact, you probably wanted to keep your distance from me. You didn’t trust me at all. So, I did all of this by myself to show you my abilities and prove that I am beneficial to this country. Aleon, do you still think this isn’t enough of an achievement?"
Henrik’s gaze locked onto Aleon once more. In Aleon’s eyes, the prince’s defiant smile appeared unnervingly natural. Aleon trembled slightly and laughed with genuine amusement.
"Heh heh heh. I’m truly surprised. I’m sure others feel the same way. It’s amazing how unreliable rumors can be."
Indeed, Henrik’s reputation had been far from favorable, and at first, all the nobles had belittled him. Aleon himself had trusted the rumors so completely that he had made consistent efforts to keep Henrik away from politics.
"Rumors are always shaped by the intentions of the ones who spread them, growing more distorted as they go."
"Everyone, what do you think? Don’t you think it’s a waste not to make use of someone with such talent?" Henrik’s voice rang out, challenging the assembly.
Many nodded in agreement. The others exchanged glances, but no one voiced any objections. Of course, some were likely just going along with the mood, concealing their more complicated feelings.
"Prince Henrik, is that alright with you?" Aleon asked.
"Fine. I will solve your problems," Henrik responded calmly.
"I’m sure you’ve heard. How reassuring it is. Everyone, do you have any objections?" Aleon asked, smiling warmly.
No one shook their head in dissent, and applause even broke out. Seeing this, Aleon wore a satisfied smile. Meanwhile, Henrik maintained his composure, only slightly curling the corner of his mouth.
◆