Chapter 71

The following day, Noein would finalize contracts with various nobles, receive payments, and upon returning to the Earlkvist territory, send a few crossbows to each domain as promised. Finally freed from the barrage of questions from the nobles, Noein said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, the crossbows are not the only gift I brought today. There is one more thing I’d like to introduce.”

This had been arranged beforehand, so neither Marquis Bechtolsheim nor Arnold were surprised.

However, the nobles gathered around Noein were eager to see what would come next.

“Allow me to show you. This may seem modest compared to the crossbow, but it’s a dish made from a rare crop cultivated in my domain.”

With that, Noein signaled, and in response, Rosetta entered the room, carrying a large tray.

On the tray was a dish of thinly sliced potatoes, fried in oil and sprinkled with salt.

Rosetta, known as the best cook among Noein’s maids, had accompanied him on this journey specifically to prepare this dish as a gift.

“This is made from a crop widely known on the southern continent as ‘potatoes,’ fried in oil. Potatoes can serve as a staple food when cooked differently, but in this form, they make an excellent snack to accompany wine.”

The nobles’ reactions were smaller than when they saw the crossbows.

However, having already accepted Noein into their faction, they sampled the unusual dish, responding favorably with comments like, “Interesting texture,” and “It does go well with alcohol.”

“Beyond its taste and novelty, the potato has other advantages. In certain countries, it’s known as the ‘crop that saved the nation,’ due to its significant role in food supply.”

Noein explained the benefits of potatoes to the nobles.

They’re easier to cultivate and multiply than wheat, yield more per acre, require less processing before consumption, have a long shelf life, and are highly nutritious. He illustrated these points with specific comparisons to wheat.

For the noble lords, who were always grappling with food supply issues, this was a highly favorable proposition.

Although potatoes were a useful crop, introducing an unfamiliar food to society is no easy task, especially something meant to be consumed.

Thus, Noein seized the opportunity, taking advantage of the goodwill generated by the crossbows, to introduce the existence of potatoes in one fell swoop.

“If we cultivate this alongside wheat, it would be a safeguard against famine…”

“It could also be an ideal food for the poor, couldn’t it?”

The nobles, having heard Noein’s explanation, began murmuring about how they could use the potato.

Among them, someone unexpected pushed through the crowd and approached Noein.

“Lord Earlkvist, can this potato be purchased immediately? And if the cultivation method has been established, I’d love to hear it.”

“I’d be happy to sell it to you, Lord Marzel. We’ve researched the cultivation methods to some extent, and I can teach you the most efficient way to grow them.”

“I see… I’m grateful. Let’s discuss the details later.”

Lord Marzel, who had previously eyed Noein with distaste, now offered his gratitude, albeit somewhat stiffly, surprising the surrounding nobles. He then returned to stand beside Marquis Bechtolsheim.

“I didn’t expect you to take an interest, Edmund. Did you like the taste of that dish that much?”

“Don’t joke with me. You heard Noein’s explanation about the potato. You must have realized its value too. That crop has enormous potential as a military resource.”

In response to Marquis Bechtolsheim’s teasing tone, Lord Marzel retorted with an irritated expression, though he fully acknowledged the utility of the potato that Noein had introduced.

“Indeed, that crop could stabilize the food supply to a degree that’s incomparable to the present situation… If it spreads, the northwestern faction could see significant military and economic advancement.”

“Exactly. With that potato, we could reduce the number of people needed in agriculture and increase the number of professional soldiers per capita. It may seem modest, but that gift is as valuable as the crossbows.”

Earl Shvarov joined the conversation, offering his own analysis, to which Lord Marzel nodded in agreement.

Stable food supplies directly lead to societal stability, and a stable society forms the foundation for a strong military. Understanding this, Lord Marzel set aside his personal dislike for Noein and recognized the value of the potato.

On the other hand, Noein also realized that Lord Marzel’s earlier question was likely rooted in these calculations.

(He’s not just a stubborn old man…)

Noein, who initially saw Lord Marzel as a typical conservative, revised his opinion after seeing the flexibility in his thinking.

Seeing Lord Marzel’s reaction, the other nobles also began to reconsider the true value of the potato and resumed negotiations with Noein.

Without hesitation, Noein promised to deliver both crossbows and potatoes, along with a cultivation manual.

If the northwestern region and, by extension, the entire kingdom stabilized its food production, public order would improve, society would develop, and eventually, it would lead to peace in the Earlkvist territory.

With that in mind, Noein’s reform plan took its first step forward.

・・・

After the banquet, Noein returned to the inn, where he and Arnold shared a light drink as they reflected on the evening.

“I didn’t expect you to fail at your first social event, but not only did you manage to get through it unscathed, you easily won over the northwestern nobles.”

Arnold sighed, sounding as though he had given up on being surprised by Noein’s achievements.

Despite holding the lowest noble rank of a baronet, Noein had secured a solid position within the powerful noble faction after just one dinner party.

From Arnold’s perspective, he had worked tirelessly to earn recognition as the head of a noble house, but compared to Noein’s effortless success, his own struggles seemed almost laughable. He could only think, “It’s unfair how easily you’re getting praised.”

“The two gifts turned out to be more effective than expected… But since I’ve gained such high regard, the reputation of Lord Keinitz, who introduced me, has surely risen as well. We both benefited from this, didn’t we?”

“It is true,” Arnold replied, “but if I start boasting about my neighbor’s success as my own, that would be the end of my pride.”

Arnold, as a lord, still had his pride. He couldn’t bring himself to be so shameless as to brag about having a remarkable acquaintance as if it were his own achievement.

“By the way, tomorrow you’ll be meeting with the North-Western faction nobles again to sign contracts for the sale of crossbows and potatoes, won’t you? It must be tiring, visiting one of the largest cities in the North-West and being stuck doing business all the time.”

“Yes, thinking about how many signatures I’ll need to provide in a single day is already a bit disheartening, but this is all for the development of the North-West.”

“Hah, how noble of you,” Arnold responded with a touch of irony.

It was true that Noein desired the development of the kingdom’s North-West and the strengthening of the faction, but his motivation wasn’t out of duty or obligation—it was purely because it would benefit the Earlkvist territory as well.

Arnold couldn’t help but feel relieved that Noein had been granted land in the North-West of the kingdom.