“Your Grace, please accept these.”
With those words, Jacob from the Golden Sheep Trading Company handed me several goods.
“Oh, you’re a sly one…” Not that there’s anything dubious like gold-colored sweets here—it’s just that I’m buying these with the pocket money I receive from the Count’s family.
“I appreciate it, Jacob. By the way, how have things been in the territory lately?”
Jacob took a sip of tea and, after a moment of thought, began to speak.
“Well, I think the atmosphere has improved recently, but the issue of public safety remains…”
“That’s the problem… We’re sending out soldiers on our side, but we’re short on manpower. It’s a matter of tackling things bit by bit.”
Knights who once served the House of the former Duke Baltia had turned to banditry after losing their lord. When a knight loses his master, he can serve another noble house, lay down his sword and live as a commoner, or turn to a life of banditry. For the vast territory of the Baltia Duchy, a mere three hundred soldiers can barely make a dent.
There’s also the need to protect our stronghold, and we don’t have many soldiers that can be mobilized outside.
Many of them are soldiers on loan from the House of Count Weiwald, and most are peasant soldiers fulfilling their tax obligations through military service. Their equipment is basic, their training minimal, making them ill-suited for combat.
“Let me know if you learn anything new.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
With that, Jacob bowed and took his leave.
“Perhaps you should seek support from the Count?”
This suggestion came from Erich, who had been acting as my bodyguard during this meeting. Werner and the old man, still fired up from the last battle, had gone off with a few men to hunt down the remaining stragglers.
“Well… If I ask, he might help, but…”
To be honest, I don’t have high hopes. If my father were truly serious about restoring the Baltia Duchy, he’d be investing far more money. I suspect he doesn’t care much about the Duchy itself; he’s more interested in the prestige that comes with the Baltia name.
He might even be testing my abilities as a ruler. That could be why he told me to manage the territory as I saw fit.
Erich must have sensed my reluctance to ask for support.
“…It seems we’ll have to take a slow approach.”
I nodded and slumped over my desk.
“If only we had the money, we could hire mercenaries and solve this… Maybe a pile of gold will just fall from the sky?”
“There’s no such convenient story… By the way, what was it you received earlier?”
Oh? Did he think it was something valuable?
“This? Just some ingredients. I thought I’d have you help me out, Erich.”
“…I’m not very skilled at cooking, though?”
With a smile, I led Erich to the kitchen.
Not long after, Erich was looking quite frustrated.
“…I never expected to be using magic for something like this.”
Erich, using his magic, had created milk ice cream. He’s one of the few among my retainers who can use magic. Although he’s not as skilled as my brother, having a magic user around is still rare and useful.
“Come on, Erich, have a taste.”
With some reluctance, Erich took a bite of the ice cream. For a moment, his usually composed expression changed to one of surprise, which I didn’t miss.
“Well, how is it?”
“…Annoyingly good.”
I felt a rush of satisfaction, like I’d just bested a formidable opponent. Erich, who always handles everything perfectly and exudes a more refined air than I do, made this small victory feel especially sweet. As I took a bite of the ice cream myself, an idea struck me.
“Think we could make money by selling this?”
“That’s impossible.”
My idea was promptly dismissed.
“Really?” I looked at him, clearly disappointed, and Erich sighed as he explained.
“First off, making this requires a magic user proficient in ice magic. Finding such talent is difficult. Even if you could make the product, you’d need a way to store it. The ingredients are simple enough that copycats would pop up in no time.”
Ah, right. That makes sense. It’s not like we have refrigerators.
I guess I’ll just have to wait until a better money-making idea comes to mind.
“…So, what will you do with the rest? If it sits out too long, it’ll melt.”
Erich was eyeing the ice cream rather hungrily.
This cool and composed fellow is a secret sweet tooth, huh? I’ve learned something new about Erich.
“Too bad. I already know who I’m giving it to.”
I called over a nearby kitchen worker.
“Take this to Lady Layla, please.”
Handing over the ice cream, the worker bowed and left to deliver it.
“How kind of you, Your Grace.”
“Is that so? They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach.”
“That’s usually advice for women trying to win over men.”
Heh, true enough. But I hope she likes it anyway.
