Chapter 28

Chapter 28

#28. Arad Company (1)

You feel something while walking?

At this random question, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Huh?”

“No, never mind. It’s only natural for an ordinary human. In a way, it’s fortunate.”

Isabel nodded to herself as if making some incomprehensible statement.

‘Ordinary human? Is she still suspecting me of being an imperial spy hiding my strength?’

It seemed like she had been testing me during our brief conversation.

“The reason I summoned you here, Sir Arad, is to show you this.”

Without further ado, Isabel took immediate action.

“Hey there~!”

“Yes!”

Katchak! Katchak! Katchak!

At her signal, the witches who had been walking nearby at a distance began tapping the ground with their brooms.

[Hehehehe…]

Thus summoned, earth elementals emerged laughing and began digging into the ground.

Gurrrrr…

A patch of ground about the size of a small courtyard split open, spewing up dirt from deep below.

“Would you mind taking a look at this soil?”

Even before Isabel could finish speaking, I bent down to examine the dirt, my farming-level-max knowledge kicking in.

“What is…?”

Before long, I understood why the witches wanted to show me soil from deep underground.

“The mana force isn’t good.”

Though the Northern Region was known for its harsh winters that made farming nearly impossible, the presence of magic stone mines usually provided decent mana force, allowing all kinds of weeds to grow even in the cold.

“But is it just here?”

“For now, it’s only around High City.”

“If only…”

“Yes, it’s spreading and getting worse year by year.”

The land around High City showed signs of poor mana force. While it wasn’t severe enough to be immediately noticeable, allowing the citizens to still gather weeds, in about fifty years, it would become barren wasteland where not even weeds could grow.

“What do the elementals say?”

“They’re refusing to give a reason. Or rather, they seem reluctant to speak.”

“It might be the doing of the Demon Den’s dark wizards.”

“We suspect the empire.”

“Empire or Demon Den, same difference.”

“That’s true. Especially when you consider what happened recently in the Magic Realm.”

“Hmm… I’ll need to investigate this further.”

As I said this, I scooped up some of the dirt. The original timeline’s catastrophic event came to mind.

‘The Great Famine of the North from the original history! This is the harbinger!’

The timing was eerily similar.

However, until more evidence emerged, I decided to keep a neutral stance regarding imperial involvement.

“Does His Majesty know of this?”

I asked Isabel while filling a wooden box with the dirt.

“Of course. It’s one of our major concerns.”

Unexpectedly, a different voice answered from behind me.

“My respects, Your Grace.”

Princess Ariana of the Northern Duchy arrived with her entourage of maids, knights, and bureaucrats.

* * *

In the Goite Empire, ruled by Emperor Goite.

After a long absence, an envoy from Renslett, the Northern Duchy, had arrived.

Though it had been a while since their last visit, the Renslett delegation met secretly with the crown prince.

“So… the duke almost met with disaster?”

“That’s right, Your Highness.”

“Truly regrettable.”

“Is the empire uninvolved in this matter?”

“Absolutely, Lord Gard. It was merely the reckless act of some unruly imperial adventurers.”

The crown prince’s calm response echoed through the audience chamber.

Grind… grind…

The grinding sound of clenched teeth from the Renslett delegation was clearly audible.

‘Hooowww… hooowww…’

Though extremely rude, Crown Prince Khanbraman, burdened with guilt, pretended not to hear it.

The meeting between the northern delegation and the imperial crown prince proceeded exactly as both parties had anticipated.

“Indeed, the skill level of imperial adventurers has improved. Maintaining a space-time barrier for nearly half a month would require a budget equivalent to an annual income of a viscount’s territory.”

The delegation subtly jabbed at the empire. True to their straightforward nature, the northerners pushed the boundaries with their accusations.

“It seems those rascals have teamed up with black wizards from the Demon Den to cast some forbidden magic. I’ll make sure to warn our adventurers this time.”

Despite the northern delegation’s direct nature, the crown prince maintained his ignorance throughout.

‘What’s that belt pouch they’re all wearing? Never seen it before. Every member of the delegation has one.’

Though unfamiliar in appearance, Khanbraman found himself inexplicably drawn to the elegant design of the pouches slung across the waists of the northern delegation. Their refined look seemed out of place for people who knew only combat and survival.

“Seems even imperial adventurers are carrying top-tier potions reserved for the royal family these days?”

Aware or unaware of the crown prince’s interest in their pouches, Lord Gard continued speaking.

“With no formal church in the north, potions are bound to be rare. Truly unfortunate. We’d love to send clerics from the imperial church, but unfortunately, they go mad due to the northern witches. Such is life…”

“Aha, is that so?”

“Truly lamentable. Though the royal house is completely uninvolved in this incident, as emperor, I do feel some moral responsibility.”

How long did this back-and-forth continue?

“In lieu of sincere condolences, I shall present two chests of gold along with top-tier potions to the duke. I hope he recovers swiftly from his injuries.”

Growing tired of the proceedings, Khanbraman offered what amounted to a preemptive settlement.

“Our duke requests, separate from this matter, a reduction in the prices of wheat, rye, silk, and cloth by at least thirty percent below current market rates. Conversely, he wishes to raise the price of northern magic stones by twenty percent. Frankly… the current magic stone prices are too low.”

Upon hearing this counter-request, Crown Prince Khanbraman’s crimson eyes grew cold.

“Isn’t that excessive?”

“Excessive? Should word of this unpleasant incident spread beyond the Northern Duchy to all of the north, what do you think will happen? We greatly fear the angry northerners descending en masse on central-north empire territories, causing great disturbances. To pacify such citizens, we must at least ensure they’re well-fed, wouldn’t you agree?”

Lord Gard’s tone carried an implicit threat of large-scale pillaging, short of outright war.

“How dare you-!”

One of the courtiers standing beside couldn’t contain himself and reached for his sword.

“No, that’s enough.”

The crown prince restrained his subordinate.

“Hmm…”

Khanbraman couldn’t press the issue directly, as he needed to placate the northern delegation and the region they represented.

‘Refusing at this point would mean the complete breakdown of relations between the north and the empire.’

The empire desperately needed the north. If circumstances allowed, they’d gladly shed blood to acquire it. However, the empire’s current situation wasn’t favorable. Too many wolves, both inside and outside the empire, were waiting to pounce on a weakened royal house should they bleed excessively.

“Our duke wishes to believe in the innocence and sincerity of the royal house.”

As Khanbrman pondered, Lord Gard drove the final nail into the coffin.

“…About that marriage proposal I made to the duke earlier. If she officially sends word that she’s seriously considering it, I’ll think about it.”

Breaking the silence, the crown prince made an unexpected counterproposal.

Crack.

“Your Highness, things have changed. We now have Arad Salt in the north.”

At this, veins bulged on Lord Gard’s forehead as he countered sharply.

“I hear your trade merchants have been whistling happily lately, selling Arad Salt not just within the empire but also to neighboring kingdoms at high prices?”

Lord Gard’s words carried multiple implications. They were warning against using trade to threaten the north as before. Just as the north needed the empire’s food and cloth, the empire desperately needed their Arad Salt.

“…”

“…”

An oppressive silence filled the audience chamber, tinged with icy hostility. No words were exchanged.

‘Those cursed northern barbarians!’

‘Now they’re trying to climb over us just because we’ve been accommodating?!’

The crown prince and his royal guards glared at the northern delegation as if ready to kill them on the spot.

‘So what?’

‘And what if we do?’

The northern delegation, embodying the spirit of the north, returned their gaze fiercely without flinching.

How much time passed?

“…Very well.”

“Your kindness is boundless.”

In the end, Crown Prince Khanbraman reluctantly nodded with a furrowed brow.

Thus concluded the audience, which had also been a brief negotiation. The north had gained substantial benefits – economic advantages and redefined relations.

Having achieved everything in one fell swoop, the Renslett delegation left the audience chamber with smug expressions. The empire, in a foul mood, didn’t even offer a farewell banquet.

“Karaso! Astral!”

Instead, the crown prince called out angrily for the imperial chancellor and the head of Sigma.

“You summoned us, Your Highness?”

The chancellor Karaso and Astral, leader of Sigma, who had been waiting in the corner, rushed to Khanbraman’s side.

“Damn Arad Salt! Damn northern tundra weeds! We need to deal with them!”

Khanbraman shouted at the two ministers, his voice bordering on a roar.

“While it’s a bit early… it’s not impossible.”

“However, we’ll need the assistance of the Mage Tower this time. Specifically, the help of its master.”

* * *

The main castle of the Northern Duchy of Renslett, aka High City.

Audience Chamber within the Palace of Glory.

Spring had finally arrived in the north, seemingly never to come.

This announcement meant that my long-awaited ennoblement ceremony would finally take place.

‘Has it really been half a year since I came to this world?’

Arriving here in November, the year had turned and it was now April.

With a reflective gaze, I moved forward.

To the left and right of the ducal white jade throne stood knights, ministers, witches, noblewomen, and other dignitaries.

Pwaaaahhh~

Then sounded one of Renslett’s traditional northern instruments – a giant horn made from a glacier mammoth’s tusk, its deep resonant tones filling the grand hall.

A long red carpet stretched from the center, and white petals resembling cherry blossoms unique to the north floated gently from the ceiling like snowflakes.

Following proper protocol, I walked across the space.

Thud thud thud thud.

When my steps stopped precisely at the predetermined position:

“Sir Arad Jin, please receive your reward.”

The ceremony official… no, Administrative Officer Haytai announced solemnly.

“Renslett! Rune Renslett!”

“Renslett! Rune Renslett!”

“Renslett! Rune Renslett!”

“Renslett! Rune Renslett!”

Shouts echoing the northern spirit resounded from all sides.

“Sir Arad Jin, descendant of the Jin family rooted in the eastern continent, possesses blue blood. He has never forgotten his noble blue blood and pure spirit while wandering through Arcadia, finally settling in Renslett.”

The Chief Administrator’s voice continued through the solemn and quiet grand hall.

“Sir Arad Jin, drawing upon his family’s vision, created Arad Salt in the north, a culinary miracle matching Eastern spices, bringing endless joy to our land’s commoners, knights, witches, nobles, and rulers alike.”

Everyone – Princess Ariana seated on the white jade throne, myself kneeling with bowed head, and all those standing left and right – listened silently to Haytai’s words.

“Following salt, Sir Arad Jin crafted the heavenly Golden Carriage and began commerce in the Magic Realm. During this time…”

A summary of my achievements thus far in this world was presented, making me somewhat embarrassed.

“Therefore, Her Grace the Duchess of High City has decided to bestow a noble title upon Sir Arad Jin. A baron rank that can be inherited is deemed appropriate for his accomplishments.”

What started as a minor knighthood had steadily climbed.

“The baron title shows respect for his unforgotten roots, allowing him to retain the surname ‘Jin.'”

The baron rank was essentially the highest title the duke could bestow.

“The baron’s domain is SinLiia, five days’ horse ride west of High City. From now on, SinLiia will be recorded and referred to as ‘Jin’ after Baron Jin.”

An inheritable baron title and a fief – this could be considered the highest possible reward for a human in this world.

Of course, for someone who eventually needs to return to Earth, it held little personal meaning.

‘This SinLiia area… wasn’t it described as practically uninhabited? The land’s barren too.’

There were definitely some political maneuverings involved.

I recall from the Silver Age era that SinLiia never developed beyond small fishing villages, surrounded by glaciers.

‘Well, creating a new baron-level noble would cause resentment among the established aristocracy, even in the north. Giving away an insignificant territory helps ease discontent among the northern nobility?’

Especially now, with the aftermath of a large-scale purge leaving the north unsettled.

SinLiia, soon to be called Jin, could be seen as Princess Ariana’s political compromise.

‘A coastal area… perhaps…’

However, to me, it held an entirely different kind of significance as a fief.