In the height of summer, at the end of July, a regular meeting was held in the capital city Noeina of the Earlkvist Barony.
The lord, Noein, his aide Mathilda, his wife Clara, and all the retainers gathered in a single room to listen to reports from each department. This was Clara’s first time attending such a meeting.
“Next, I’ll report on the activities of the Earlkvist Women’s Association,”
Mai, whose turn had come, stood up.
“As I mentioned last month, we have arranged for regular sessions where Dr. Serfas and women with childbirth experience provide advice to pregnant women. We’ve also organized counseling sessions for mothers with young children. I believe these initiatives have greatly alleviated the women’s concerns.”
The Earlkvist Barony had a large number of refugees who had lost their families, so there was a need for an environment where someone could offer advice on pregnancy and childcare. Thanks to Mai, a mother herself, this environment was being established.
“We’ve also created a mutual aid society to help mothers with infants who need childcare while working. This allows me to leave my son in someone’s care and attend this meeting.”
“I see, I’m glad the women’s association is functioning well. Easing the childcare burden is essential for the development of the territory. Thank you for this.”
Satisfied with Mai’s report, Noein responded.
“Alright, next up.”
“Then, I’ll report on the agricultural front.”
Edgar, the overseer for the farmers, stood up as Mai took her seat.
“This summer’s wheat harvesting and threshing operations finished significantly earlier than last year. The efficiency in threshing was especially impactful, thanks to the threshing device that Damian developed.”
“Hehe, hearing that makes all the effort worthwhile.”
Damian grinned with a slight blush at Edgar’s praise.
The tool Damian invented, the threshing device, embedded thin metal rods in a base like a comb. Passing a bundle of wheat through it would quickly strip the grains, making the threshing process far more efficient than traditional methods. Its simple structure allowed for easy mass production and usage, benefiting everyone involved.
With the early completion of threshing, we’ve been able to proceed with other farming tasks, and the extra time has allowed further land development. We anticipate that agricultural yields after this fall will surpass expectations.”
“Thank you, Edgar, and to all the farmers as well. Damian, you’ve done excellent work.”
Noein praised Edgar, and also Damian, who was now shyly smiling.
Next up was Anna, in charge of finances. She reported on the budget for the most critical project in the Earlkvist Barony: mine development.
“As was reported from the mining village, veins of iron and copper ore, as well as a second lapis lazuli vein, have been discovered. With the expansion of the mining village, extraction rates should gradually increase, and we anticipate recouping our investment within a year.”
The mine development led by Victor had thus far been a great success.
Not only was another lapis lazuli vein found close to the existing one, but the ability to supply iron and copper domestically was a huge accomplishment as well.
“Having a steady supply of iron and copper, independent of market fluctuations, is a tremendous advantage.”
Noein expressed relief. With conflicts driving up the price of iron and copper, importing these resources was a financial burden, but having the capacity to export could be advantageous.
“The abundance of resources found here is all thanks to the vastness of Earlkvist Barony.”
Nodding in agreement with Noein, Chief Retainer Yuri commented. The Earlkvist Barony, initially just a vast forested area, had a size comparable to the lands of great nobles granted by the royal family, and it bordered the extensive Restio Mountain range.
After everyone had finished their reports, Noein asked his usual question:
“Lastly, if anyone has a proposal, please speak up.”
Yuri responded.
“…I have one suggestion.”
“Yes, Yuri?”
“This is based on information from Bart, Philip, and Victor, who were recently outside the territory…”
Yuri, looking grave, began to speak.
“In short, war is approaching.”
“Are you referring to a war with the Kingdom of Lansel?”
The Kingdom of Lordberg had long been in conflict with the Pallas Empire to the east, and recently they had also entered into a dispute with the Kingdom of Lansel to the west. This conflict was visibly affecting security and the economy.
The conflict with the Kingdom of Lansel had been intensifying, and it was rumored among the northwestern nobility that a full-scale war might break out soon.
“Yes. This is only a gut feeling as a former mercenary, based on the external information I’ve heard, but…”
“…Even so, I’d like to hear more.”
Prompted by Noein, Yuri continued.
“…Bart and Philip mentioned that wheat prices outside the territory are continuing to rise. Moreover, Victor, who was recently in Retvik, noted that the surge in iron prices and supply patterns are similar to those just before a war. When market trends behave this way, it often leads to war.”
With Yuri’s experience as a mercenary traveling throughout the kingdom, combined with Victor’s long memory as a dwarf familiar with wartime trends, Noein couldn’t ignore their insights.
“Whether it’s next year or the year after, once war starts, it will further destabilize the kingdom’s economy and security. Depending on the duration and scale, the post-war turmoil could last long, eventually reaching even the Earlkvist Barony. It seems wise to begin preparing now.”
Although merely a premonition, Yuri’s words carried weight, having witnessed social upheaval and the breakdown of order as a mercenary.
“I understand. As lord, I’ll accept Chief Retainer Yuri’s proposal. From now on, we’ll prepare for war and the accompanying turmoil. I may call upon all of you for assistance, so please be ready.”
With these words, Noein concluded the day’s regular meeting.
・・・・・
As the meeting ended, Noein and Clara left the room, followed by Mathilda in her role as a servant, while the attendants stood up and bowed in respect.
Some of the retainers left quickly, like Damian, returning to their work, while others lingered, engaging in casual conversation.
“…Well, it seems like Lord Noein and Lady Clara are getting along pretty well, after all.”
It was Pence who murmured this among the group staying behind.
“When I first heard Lord Noein was taking a wife, I wasn’t sure how things would turn out. But it seems like the three of them, including Mathilda, have settled into a nice balance.”
Bart, standing beside him, responded to Pence’s remark.
“Lady Clara and Mathilda have different roles and personalities, so they seem to balance each other well without clashing.”
Despite his tough appearance, Radley offered a surprisingly sensitive analysis.
Mathilda had always stayed close to Noein as his longtime companion, giving him constant support. Now Clara, as his wife, shared Noein’s burdens and was determined to support him devotedly.
Everyone around them assumed that the distinct personalities, roles, and types of each woman enabled them to build a harmonious relationship despite sharing the same man.
“…You know, we really shouldn’t be gossiping about our lord’s personal affairs.”
Yuri gently admonished them, but Bart brushed it off smoothly.
“Even so, the stability of our lord’s household ties directly to the stability of the domain. So, it’s an important topic in a way.”
Yuri found it difficult to argue, as there was some truth to Bart’s reasoning.
“Besides, Yuri, you’re a little curious about it too, aren’t you?”
“Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, at least a bit.”
Yuri admitted that he, too, had been concerned when he first heard of Noein’s marriage, and it would be dishonest to claim he had no interest in the topic.
“…I wonder how they handle… nighttime arrangements.”
“Maybe they take turns?”
“Hey, guys, that’s… a bit disrespectful.”
Yuri hurriedly tried to rein in Radley and Bart as they veered toward crude speculation.
“Actually, I heard that Mathilda and Lady Clara alternate every other night—and occasionally, the two are together. They must get along really well.”
With Pence’s addition, even Yuri, who had tried to stop the conversation, was left in shock.
“Both together? That’s… quite a luxury.”
“Can Lord Noein even keep up with that kind of arrangement?”
“Are you kidding? Lord Noein is seventeen. At that age, he’s got endless energy… Not that I’m saying this is the point.”
Yuri, despite getting drawn into the topic, interjected.
“Pence, how do you even know this?”
“Well, since I go in and out of Lord Noein’s manor to deliver reports, I often chat with Rosetta, one of the maids. She mentioned it to me… Lately, I keep running into her, though I’m not sure why.”
“…”
Yuri, Radley, and Bart exchanged silent looks, each thinking the same thing. Mary and Kimberly were probably orchestrating things to set Pence up with Rosetta. Yet, they said nothing aloud.
The women had discussed the “Let’s Set Up Pence and Rosetta Plan” with their husbands. Pence remained blissfully unaware.
“Pence, I hope you get married soon too.”
“Huh? What’s that about? I don’t even have anyone interested, so there’s not much I can do.”
Pence, clearly puzzled by Yuri’s remark, seemed oblivious to Rosetta’s interest in him.
As Pence wrapped up the chat and left the room, Yuri and the other two watched him go with a mix of sympathy and amusement.
