Our residence was a little busier than usual.
That was because our Grandfather and Grandmother from each family came to take refuge. News of the destruction of the front lines of both sides had reached them.
Actually... it wasn't a big deal.
The problem was that they brought other nobles who had taken refuge with them. We could have provided a place for them, but... their lifestyle demands were too high.
If we pampered them, our living expenses would increase. Our father once said, "There is no limit to human greed, Karl. Make sure you use your greed for a noble purpose!"
Those good words are fitting for this situation.
So... we decided to change their habits by forcing them to follow the changes in our residence.
The condition of our residence had changed drastically. Our technology surpassed the technology of this era which seemed old-fashioned and troublesome. They didn't even realize that their actions were being monitored by magical cameras.
Watching them was tiring, so I gave Sebastian the order to take care of them. At first, the surveillance went smoothly but their strange behavior began to add to the endless work.
They underestimated our hospitality and made trouble as they pleased. They even started to compare their noble status with ours. Until... a situation like this was created.
Currently, the courtyard of our residence is filled with various equipment.
Our father has decided that every noble who is too spoiled, they are given the freedom to create their residence. Our father is too stingy to lend his valuable assets to build their residence.
We have given hearts, but they ask for hearts. Such actions are not suitable to be preserved. Therefore, our father uniquely cleaned their egos a little, namely banishing them to an area inhabited by forest monsters.
If they are wise, they will try to survive the current war conditions.
If they are stupid, they will take all the equipment and run away.
The thinking of our nobles is indeed too stupid, only greed controls their brains. A small price like this is cheaper than maintaining them and for nobles who understand the current situation. They formed a special agreement with us.
The contents of the agreement are not important, just a friendly gesture to repay our favor if the situation has stabilized. Of course, that is just nonsense that comes out of their sweet mouths. Their criminal records of tax evasion and stealing people's food rations have clouded their conscience.
How could we trust such criminals, right?
Their small atonement for experiencing the same hardships is very fitting, isn't it?
Among their heinous deeds, there is an unanswered grudge. We are only a marker of their sins.
Well.. right now they are holding back their hunger while watching our people eat with gusto.
The rules made by our father after carrying out the cleansing are...
First, take care of yourselves.
Second, if you don't like our hospitality then do it yourself.
Third, if you don't like this rule then leave this place.
This is just a small part of our hell, our nobles are too spoiled in their lives. Their survival skills only focus on wealth and greed. Only a small number can process food to be eaten.
Well.. the nobles from the military are very easy to survive in a situation like this. As long as they find a place with enough natural resources, they will do anything to survive.
The effect of this rule is.. the nobles who follow their greedy nature are found dead in a terrible state.
The wounds on their bodies indicate the attacks of monsters that rained down on their bodies. No one survived the incident.
"Father, it seems like our prototype monster bait trap is working too perfectly this time."
"Hmmm.. this is working too perfectly for a monster bait. There's no mistake, with this level of efficiency. We can hunt monsters and lure them into the automatic trap. Well, one of our food problems will be solved with this."
"Guh, it's because Grandpa and Grandma brought them."
"Karl, no matter what.. they are still our no-longer-noble family."
"Y-Yeah, but... when will this work be finished??"
Because of their endless complaints.. the pile of report sheets grew higher.
For the first time, I was busy staying up all night for three days and three nights.
"Can we clean them up?" I asked.
"Karl.. just this once... try to be patient."
"Should I hear that from someone who planned a monster bait experiment using living nobles?"
"Oh.. Hehe~"
"Hehe~ WHAT!! LETS JUST KILL THEM!!"
[...]
The commotion that occurred between the two kingdoms that were fighting attracted more attention from the surrounding kingdoms. The more prosperous neighboring kingdoms of course mocked the fate of the two kingdoms.
That was because the losses they suffered were far more terrible than the internal problems of their kingdoms. Of course, this became a joke that was recorded in their history.
The losses experienced by the Flora Kingdom were a decrease in food supplies of up to 70% and a decrease in military resources of up to 80%.
Meanwhile, the Abzien Kingdom only experienced a loss of its military resources of up to 60%. Their food reserves were more than enough to survive and sell to the surrounding kingdoms. That was enough to patch up the losses they experienced.
This history was recorded in three parts.
First, the former Duke Flora chose to leave the Flora Kingdom and it became a joke in all the kingdoms about his wise decision.
Second, the relationship between the Flora Kingdom and the Abzien Kingdom became closer because of the peaceful demands of their people.
Third, the technology of the former Duke Flora attracted the attention of the other nobles who had fled to their territory and chose to remain around their territory. Of course, the payment given was not cheap. They attracted potential people from each noble and forced them to make a cooperation contract.
The peace agreement finally happened, because the political situation was too forced by circumstances. The former Duke Flora was sentenced to compensation, but they refused and gave a terrible threat to erase the Flora Kingdom from the world map.
The peace agreement was agreed without involving the former Duke Flora after survivors were found from the massacre of the two kingdoms.
Although the former Duke Flora was involved in it, they did not attack the medical troop tent.
Because of that, a war agreement with ethics was agreed. Every medical personnel on the battlefield must not be attacked and this is the first agreement on ethics in war.
The two kingdoms slowly recovered.
And... after seven years had passed. The kingdom has fully risen.
EX-Duke Flora took this opportunity to build their territory to a higher level than before. Village buildings have now turned into city buildings. Rural communities have also turned into elite communities that understand the law and obey the rules. The glory of this place is very much felt with the development of modern magical equipment in it.
Public facilities, transportation services, sufficient food and clothing needs, and development in several areas have attracted the lost community. It is inseparable from Karl's hard work and the assets of the previous Duke Flora.
The territory is indeed small, but the power within it exceeds the prosperity of the seven kingdoms beside them. Until a special academy was built. The academy became the opener of a new era regarding future technological developments.
Knowing the existence of this academy, Karl was very excited. That's because...
"Hikss.. in my previous life I was too busy managing the territory and forgot this one goal."
"Who would refuse to live a bachelorhood full of love in the academy? Even the royal academy is not comparable to this."
"And.. moreover.."
"Why am I the Head of the Academy?"
The question was addressed to the people in the meeting room. Several former nobles of the Flora Kingdom who chose to throw away their status were only confused when they heard this question.
They did not dare to answer it, because...
The figure in front of them was the main cause of all the changes that had occurred.
How could they dare to take action to step over him, right?
"Isn't it obvious, Onii-sama? If they take care of it, we're just wasting our resources on a failed project. Ah! That's right! Why not give them a chance? If they're useless, we can just replace them."
"Chiyuki… your understanding of a substitute is very different from the general dictionary."
"Eng? Whats wrong with that?"
Right now, Karl's struggle is still ongoing to turn his little sister back to normal. Karl understands very well the meaning of "substitute" in his little sister's mind. Just like a broken and discarded item, it also applies to humans in Chiyuki's eyes.
"Ugh, do I have to struggle any longer?" Karl muttered.
[...]