By the third year of its development, the population of the Earlkvist territory exceeded 500 people.
At the base of the Restio Mountains, a group of nearly 100 artisans and miners resided, while the territory’s capital, Noeina, was home to over 400 farmers, artisans, and merchants. It already boasted an impressive scale for a viscount’s domain.
The population continued to grow, and with it, the city expanded. Development of Noeina began where the Earlkvist manor now stands, with buildings spreading mainly to the north and east, gradually forming an urban area.
As a result, the manor sits at the southern edge, while the town extends northward—a common sight for a village in the kingdom.
Noein was considering expanding the town westward as well. A river flows from the west to the south of Noeina, and he planned to eventually integrate it through flood control projects, allowing it to flow within the city itself.
Additionally, he aimed to incorporate the public baths, blacksmith workshops, and water mills in the southwestern area into the city’s limits, ultimately surrounding it all with stone walls to form a proper town.
This was Noein’s long-term urban development plan.
Clearing of the western forest was underway. Meanwhile, homes and wooden fences lined the north and east of the manor, with fields stretching beyond. The townsfolk lived vibrantly there.
From his office on the manor’s second floor, Noein watched the scene outside in a daze.
It was early afternoon, and in his hand was a sandwich the maids had prepared for lunch.
The sandwich featured thin slices of Earlkvist-grown potatoes, fried crisply in soybean oil, along with ham made from Earlkvist-raised pork, all between bread baked from local wheat.
With each bite, the savory ham juice spread through his mouth, and the crispy potatoes made a satisfying crunch.
“…Delicious, Mathilda.”
“Yes, it’s truly delicious. You can feel the blessings of Earlkvist’s land,” Mathilda replied as she, too, munched on a sandwich, gazing out over Noeina’s landscape beside Noein.
At that moment, a knock sounded, accompanied by the voice of Yuri, the head vassal, saying, “Lord Noein, it’s me.”
“Come on in,” Noein called lazily, and Yuri entered the office.
“What’s up, Yuri?”
“It’s nothing major. I just brought this week’s territorial army activity report. Since it’s lunchtime, I thought you’d be in the dining hall, but the maids told me you were here. Are you so busy that you have to eat lunch in the office?”
When Yuri asked, Noein smiled gently and replied, “Not really. It’s actually a bit slow as we prepare for winter. I just like watching Noeina’s scenery from this window, so sometimes I eat lunch here.”
Both Mathilda and Yuri, watching Noein turn back to the window, sensed a hint of childishness in his expression.
Mathilda leaned in close, and Yuri, too, moved nearer to join them in looking out the window.
Though the season was nearing winter, the sunny weather and the liveliness of the Earlkvist territory made the town seem warm.
“Is it because, as a lord, the sight of your land holds special meaning?”
“Yes… Not every lord feels this way, but for me, it’s something precious.”
In response to Yuri’s casual question, Noein replied earnestly.
“Coming here was the first time I felt truly free.”
Placing his sandwich on the plate, he took a sip of tea that Mathilda had brewed and began to speak.
“I lived comfortably enough at the Count of Kivireft’s estate as a child, but my father held complete control over me. I had no freedom. I’d never even seen the world outside. That’s the kind of childhood I had.”
Listening beside him, Mathilda squeezed his hand tightly, and Noein returned the gesture.
“Then I came to this vast Bezell Forest. At first, I thought I’d been assigned worthless land. But bit by bit, I worked to develop it, met people like Yuri, welcomed refugees… Now, I love this place. Coming here was the first time I felt freedom.”
Noein continued, savoring each word.
“I love this view from the window. I love every one of the people living here in this territory because I owe my freedom and happiness to them—to all of you.”
“We feel the same way. We enjoy freedom and happiness thanks to you, our lord. That’s why we swear our loyalty to you.”
“Thank you, as always,” Noein said sincerely.
“…Hearing it that straight is a little uncomfortable,” Yuri said with a teasing tone.
“Oh, come on! Here I am, personally thanking you,” Noein replied, laughing as usual.
“Thinking about it, I probably worked tirelessly these past months to strengthen the territory because I feared losing this view. I’ve given land and homes to bind the people here, but in truth, I’ve become bound to this land as well.”
He had built a school to start educating the next generation, formed a territorial army, advanced self-sufficiency, stocked up on essential resources, introduced new weaponry to the military, and even initiated changes in the residents’ awareness to nurture a broad range of talents.
“All of this is because Noein wants to protect this land—from the current instability of the kingdom, the confusion that may arise in the future, or even from the unknown upheavals still far ahead. Noein has taken action so that the Earlkvist territory will remain here next year, in a few years, and even generations from now.”
“…You’ve accomplished quite a lot of new things in just half a year. You must be exhausted.”
Ignoring Noein’s somewhat self-deprecating smile, Yuri commended his lord, who had tirelessly devoted himself to developing the territory.
“Yeah, you’re right, I am tired… but it’s enjoyable. I’m constantly busy doing this and that for the growth of the Earlkvist territory that I love.”
“Lord Noein, you don’t seem to like leaving the territory much. Most noble lords enjoy going out to tea parties or banquets.”
“I’ve been shut in since I was a child. I probably just like being in one place.”
“Haha, I see.”
Noein laughed, sharing this casual conversation with his subordinate, with his beloved Mathilda by his side. This peaceful daily life felt very comforting to him.
“If things could just stay this way and I could manage the territory in peace forever… that would be wonderful.”
Even though he knew it was unlikely, Noein couldn’t help but mutter these words.
Two days later, a military order arrived at the Earlkvist territory, commanding them to prepare for war with the Lancel Kingdom.
