Chapter 88

In addition to regular immigrants, artisans and laborers involved in mining development had begun relocating, increasing the population of the Earlkvist territory to the verge of reaching the 500-mark.

With more people coming from outside the territory to trade with the Skinner Trading Company, which was the designated business partner, an inn was constructed in the capital, Noeina, to accommodate these merchants and their mercenary guards. Moreover, taverns and other establishments began opening as entertainment venues for the residents.

Thus, Noeina was no longer a mere village but had grown into a small town.

To safeguard the ever-expanding capital of Noeina and the newly established village at the foot of the Restio Mountains, maintain order, and prepare for the inevitable wars ahead, Noein decided to officially establish the Earlkvist territorial army.

Today was the day of its inauguration.

“Even though it’s still small in scale, seeing them lined up like this is quite a sight, isn’t it?”

“We’ve trained them at least to the minimum standard for today. They should look like proper soldiers,” Noein remarked to Yuri as they looked at the men standing in formation, equipped with leather armor, helmets, and gauntlets.

The location was the newly built military station near the lord’s manor — though, for now, it was just a one-story building with a warehouse and a training yard.

There were 50 soldiers for the time being, mostly younger sons who could not inherit their family farms. Some, like Rick and Dant, who had long been active in patrolling the territory, had even decided to transition from farmers to full-time soldiers.

To this group, Yuri, Pence, Radley, Bart, and other retainers joined as officers, forming the Earlkvist territorial army. Noein was the nominal commander as the lord, but in practice, the retainers’ head, Yuri, managed the soldiers’ training and administration.

“It must have been tough training so many men on your own. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Well, it was fulfilling in its own way. It reminded me of my mercenary days,” Yuri replied with a wry smile at Noein’s words of appreciation.

Having 50 professional soldiers was exceptional for the size of the Earlkvist territory; it meant that over 10% of the population were now soldiers.

This scale of military expansion was made possible by the income from the mining development and the territory’s stable food supply, with productive potato crops supporting the population.

“For now, we’ll aim to reach a hundred soldiers and, eventually, develop the territory enough to support a thousand-man army.”

“If it gets that big, I’d be a corps commander… that’s quite an ambitious dream,” Yuri said, his eyes alight.

In the Kingdom of Lordberg, the hundred-man unit was the basic tactical formation, with three units forming a battalion and three battalions with a headquarters unit making up a thousand-man corps.

The elite royal army of the kingdom followed this structure, maintaining ten corps as its standing force of 10,000 soldiers. Few nobles could maintain a corps-sized army, save for major noble houses like the Marquisate of Bechtolshaim.

For a warrior, leading a thousand-man corps was often the pinnacle of career advancement. Yuri, who began his life as a low-ranking mercenary, felt his ambitions stir at the thought.

“By the time we reach that point, I’ll likely have advanced in rank and become a high-ranking noble. And you, Yuri, will likely become a titled knight under me, maybe even a baronet or lesser baron.”

“I find it hard to believe I’d hold a title myself… but if it’s you, Noein, I feel like you might actually make it happen,” Yuri murmured, gazing into the distance.

The position of retainers’ head was already an incredible promotion from his former life, but given Noein’s potential, Yuri felt he might reach even greater heights. He resolved to continue strengthening himself to match Noein’s growth. His first step would be to manage the newly formed army and ensure it operated efficiently.

“Shall we start the inauguration ceremony?”

“Yes, let’s.”

The two stepped in front of the assembled soldiers.

“And that concludes this year’s report on soybean production.”

“Thank you, Chiristie. The results look better than expected… do you think we’ll be able to meet the territory’s oil consumption needs with soybeans next year?”

“Yes, even accounting for population growth, it’s likely. The soybean meal can also be used as feed, which should benefit livestock growth.”

“I see, that’s good to know… with this, soybean cultivation is finally taking off. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you very much!”

When Noein said this and smiled at Chiristie, she responded brightly, her face lighting up at having her efforts acknowledged.

“Now the Earlkvist territory has another asset. With oil and nutrient-rich feed secured, soybeans will also serve as an emergency food supply if necessary. They’re an important resource in our survival strategy.”

“With soybeans alongside potatoes, the food security of the Earlkvist territory will become even more robust.”

With wheat, potatoes, and soybeans, famine would likely not threaten the Earlkvist territory.

For a lord or king responsible for protecting the people, famine could be more fearsome than war. Famine disregards human intentions, taking lives and disrupting society without offering options for peace or surrender.

Noein recalled many historical accounts he had read where famine led to the downfall and collapse of nations and territories.

Thus, Noein promoted soybean cultivation, not just as a cash crop unique to Earlkvist territory but as a critical food resource for emergencies.

“Next is sugar production from sugar beets. This is still in the experimental phase, but since I understand the method, I believe I can bring good news soon!”

As she said this, Christie’s eyes sparkled—not with a gentle glow, but with a fierce intensity. Dark circles under her eyes hinted at her hard work.

“Christie, you’ve been overworking again and getting sleep-deprived, haven’t you?”

“…Yes, I’ve just been a little too engrossed lately. I’m sorry.”

Under Noein’s orders, Christie was conducting experiments like this, while usually working as an administrative officer under Anna. Noein was glad she found purpose in her work, but it was also a worry, as she tended to overwork when left unchecked.

“I understand enjoying your work, but remember, your skills are a valuable asset to the Earlkvist domain. The beet experiments aren’t urgent, so make sure to get enough rest.”

“I understand. I’ll make sure to get plenty of sleep.”

In the Kingdom of Lordberg, beets were commonly known as leafy vegetables or animal feed, but Noein had read in a book long ago that “in foreign countries, sugar is made from beets.”

Because of this, Noein wanted to make sugar from beets within his own domain and had tasked Christie with experimenting for potential commercialization.

However, this was not a project urgent enough to push Christie to her limits. For Noein, maintaining the health of a talented individual like Christie, who was also one of his precious servants, was more important.

Seeing Christie take his advice earnestly, Noein felt relieved.

“Hello, Eliza.”

“Oh, Bart! Thank you as always.”

Eliza, Anna’s mother and the proprietor of a grocery store in Retvik, greeted Bart, a retainer of the Earlkvist domain, with a warm smile as he entered the store.

“Good afternoon, Bart. Is my sister doing well in the Earlkvist domain?”

“Hello, Marco. Yes, Anna’s doing as well as ever as a retainer. It seems her relationship with Edgar is also going strong.”

After exchanging greetings with Marco, Anna’s brother and the future manager of the shop, Bart turned to Eliza to discuss his purpose for coming. His voice was kept low, ensuring other employees couldn’t overhear.

“I’m here to pick up that item we discussed… Was the requested amount secured?”

“Of course. I’ll have it loaded immediately.”

“Thank you. I’ve left a wagon for the transport team waiting at the back of the store, so please load it there.”

Bart, as the head of the Earlkvist transport team, had come to collect salt.

The Earlkvist domain produced ample food and had deposits of iron and copper, as well as oil and sugar production. However, one essential commodity they still needed to import was salt, as no rock salt deposits had been found within their mountainous regions.

Salt was a strategic resource necessary for human survival, so Noein was keen on stocking as much of it as possible within his domain.

“Being a lord is a demanding job, isn’t it? Thinking this far ahead and making all these preparations…”

“If there were a war and times got rough, the Earlkvist domain would likely face a salt shortage…”

“True… How much are you planning to stockpile?”

“Lord Noein aims for a five-year reserve.”

As they waited for the salt to be loaded, Bart and Eliza chatted.

“That’s quite a lot… Still, if it helps secure the land my daughter lives in, I’m all for it. Besides, I’m earning good profits from these transactions.”

While they wanted to stockpile as much salt as possible, openly buying large quantities could draw attention from other domains.

Therefore, Noein relied on Eliza’s store, Anna’s family business, to discreetly amass a supply of salt.

Since Eliza’s daughter resided in the Earlkvist domain, there was no concern that she would spread rumors about Noein’s actions. Furthermore, Eliza herself stood to profit from the salt trade, so she had no complaints.

“Well, this is just a precaution. Ideally, we won’t even need to touch the stockpile,” Bart added.

Using the stockpile would mean a halt in essential goods like salt, reflecting severe instability in Lordberg’s economy and security. Noein certainly did not wish for such a situation. If the reserve remained unused, they could always sell the salt later.

“But, it’s practically certain that a war will break out, right?”

“According to our captain, yes… It’s even been a topic of whispers among the nobles in the northwest.”

“That’s a troubling thought… Retvik would surely be affected.”

“If it comes to that, you can always seek refuge in the Earlkvist domain. Anna would want to help her family, and Lord Noein would surely welcome you all, given how much he’s indebted to you.”

Being family to Anna, a retainer of the Earlkvist domain, and valuable supporters, Noein would likely want to help them. That was Bart’s thinking.

“Perhaps we might take you up on that. I hope it doesn’t come to that, though.”

“Yes, peace would certainly be preferable.”

The impact of the conflicts was already being felt in the northwest region of the kingdom, with rising numbers of refugees and increasing prices.

Bart and Eliza shared a mutual concern for the uncertain future.