Chapter 58 (Interlude): The Bookstore and Flower Vendor
"The reputation of the sake served is also good, and the town seems to be quite lively," reported the soldier, to which Knight Captain Zaguu nodded in satisfaction.
"It's a rare celebration, so we must celebrate it grandly. By promoting trade with the money circulating, it's the best remedy to enrich the domain," added Tax Collector Jeko.
"However, that alone won't suffice for a lasting effect. While the newly borrowed funds come with an interest-free condition, the existing debts from before must at least repay the interest by year-end. Now that the subjugation of monsters has subsided, it's time to focus on new industries for growth," advised the eldest, Sebastian, to Carena.
"Indeed. With the worries of military expenses lifted, it's essential to invest in domestic affairs. We have funds that can finally be utilized. But how should we proceed specifically? Does anyone have any good ideas?" The young lord inquired, but the gathered officials merely exchanged uneasy glances.
Originally, Scutari had a small population and limited flatlands. With few significant industries, the city remained stagnant in the remote frontier. Young people sought jobs in larger towns, further contributing to the loss of vitality.
Moreover, even among the officials, only Tax Collector Jeko focused on domestic affairs. Due to the decline of the count's house and the rapid deterioration of security, most of the internal administrators either left on their own or were dismissed, leaving only a minimal number of military officers.
"We have been seeking advice from Elder Manjani, and he should be here shortly..."
Jeko attempted to shift responsibility, referring to Manjani, who was the late count's secretary. Until retirement, Manjani held substantial responsibility for the internal affairs of the count's domain. Although his demanding nature made him unpopular, his skills were highly regarded.
"However, hasn't Manjani consistently refused to be summoned for advice?"
"Yes, indeed. Isn't it that an elderly person who has retired and withdrawn from responsibilities wouldn't be of any help at this point?"
Following Carena, Zaguu also seemed to hold no expectations for the elderly official to offer assistance.
"But what should we do then..."
As the discussion stagnated, an attendant rushed in.
"I apologize for interrupting your discussion. Captain Muhalem has returned, bringing with him former Secretary Manjani..."
"What?"
The ones most surprised were Tax Collector Jeko, who had written the letter himself, and Sebastian, who had sent the soldier to deliver it.
"...In any case, please bring him in."
Carena couldn't hide her astonishment either.
"It has been a long time, Your Highness. You have grown so beautiful and dignified, much like your late mother. My old bones are deeply moved..."
The elderly man entered, leaning on a cane and struggling with his steps. He greeted Carena, then apologized and took a seat in the provided chair.
Sebastian, a long-standing ally of the same age, asked without reservation, "I apologize for summoning you despite your discomfort. However, until now, you've always declined, saying you want to live a leisurely life as a bookstore owner since retiring. Why the sudden change?"
"It's alright, Your Highness. I have held back until now because I couldn't see any specific way I could be of assistance due to my own inadequacies."
Manjani lowered his head.
"But thanks to a certain young man, I've obtained a valuable idea. I have a proposal that might be of use."
With that, he began to spread out documents on the round table.
Manjani's suggestion was, simply put, to clear and cultivate the forest beyond Scutari's walls, divert water from a tributary of the Belachie River, and create a large-scale irrigation farmland.
In recent years, due to the rampant monsters outside the walls, almost no production was happening. Some of the inhabitants had fled, but others had created slums within the walls.
For those who lacked a means of sustenance, they would offer "newly cultivated lands for free, and after five years of cultivation, the land becomes yours." By spreading this message, not only within the walls but also to the impoverished people in the surrounding areas, they would attract labor to develop the new village. This, in turn, would lead to an increase in population and tax revenue in a short period.
"If that can be done, it would certainly be effective. However, how do we go about the large-scale deforestation of the forest, leveling the land, and conducting the major construction of diverting water from the river? It would require significant costs and manpower," criticized Jeko as if dismissing a theoretical proposition.
"Naturally, that's a valid point. I too had been thinking the same, which is why I haven't given it detailed consideration until now. But according to that young lad, aren't there high-level magicians among our troops?"
"Using that magic, we can burn down only the necessary parts of the forest, flatten the land, and build levees to divert water. I never knew we had someone capable of such magic within our domain..."
"There's no reason it couldn't be done with the fire of the White Beast and earth magic of that sort..."
"I'll go call them immediately!"
Curiously, Carenna wondered why she hadn't realized it sooner, and Cecily dashed out of the room.
"However, about that young lad who knows so much, could it be...?"
Sebastian inquired.
"I can't quite recall... Some time ago, a strange lad came looking for picture books, saying he wanted to learn to read. He happened to stop by the shop again today and made some foolish joke about being able to build a levee himself..."
"It's Shiro!"
"Oh, Shiro, that's right! Well, you know, my memory's been quite bad lately, forgive me, Your Highness."
The executives, excluding Jeko, exchanged knowing glances.
Furthermore, Manjani had meticulously prepared a concrete plan for the next ten years, including the possibility of cultivating cotton as a high-value textile and fabric industry in the city by centering it around crops, given that the climate was warm enough for sufficient water. He also considered growing plenty of legumes on initially infertile land to ensure the sustenance of the pioneering settlers until the project gained traction.
"Truly remarkable, the intellect of the wisest in the household, as you've been called, hasn't dulled a bit. Will you once again make this grand undertaking a reality for us?" Sebastian exclaimed in admiration, but Manjani's response was tinged with a hint of concern.
"This will be the final endeavor of these old bones. I'm more than willing to be of service, but alas, my body can't keep up anymore. Toiling away as an internal affairs official, pushing around numbers without setting foot on the actual site, is worse than rubbish..."
Returning to his biting sarcasm, which was said to have provoked the ire of colleagues and superiors alike, Manjani continued with a self-deprecating tone.
"So, Your Highness, my request is this: I implore you to find someone to stand in my place and handle the actual affairs of governance."
"Your representative, you mean? Is there truly someone capable of such a significant task in this region?"
Carrena questioned skeptically.
"Well, back when we entrusted the governance of Count Douglas's lands, there was a talented young woman among our court officials. Despite being self-taught, she possessed considerable skill and served as my right hand. Due to certain circumstances, she left the castle and disappeared without a trace. Interestingly, the same lad we were just talking about mentioned that he knew 'someone who might fit the bill'..."
"A court official? A woman with such skills?"
Carrena's mind traced back to her early days spent in the castle at Douglas.
"She was originally the daughter of a knight, known as Lady Aiana..."
In this way, Manjani, now appointed as an advisory figure for internal affairs, immediately began formulating plans with a summoned Beth, and soldiers were dispatched to search for the former court official named Lady Aiana in the slums.
And so, as the festive atmosphere of the celebratory day persisted in the city of Suctari, the city gates were about to close on the evening's impending dusk.
The gatekeeper's guards rushed into the mansion in haste.
"Envoys from the capital have arrived!" they announced, only two days having passed since the messenger horse had been dispatched to announce the successful conquest of the labyrinth.