Chapter : 19

Even though I couldn't sell the sugar directly right away, I could still use it.

I distributed all the sugar produced as a trial to my vassals. It was a reward for their efforts so far.

Thanks to that, my reputation among the nobles in the domain skyrocketed.

Not in a dramatic, tearful pledge of allegiance kind of way, but still.

-Tiriring.

[You have bestowed a large amount of sugar upon your vassals.]

[Prestige +30, Legitimacy +25.]

[Your reputation among the nobles rises. You have changed from a lord stingy with sharing to a lord who gives generously when he does give. For the time being, the nobles will willingly follow your words.]

Thus, my overall reputation was improving.

[Bellua Margraviate]

[Stability: 0 Prestige: 22 Legitimacy: 77 Corruption: 3]

[Status: Rule of the rightful heir]

[Impending disaster: Domain Claim Rebellion]

[Notification: The probability of merchants and nobles visiting your domain increases due to your great achievements.]

[Notification: The probability of scholars and merchants visiting your domain increases.]

[Notification: Due to your generosity, the nobles will willingly follow your words for the time being.]

'Hmm, the internal affairs have mostly stabilized.'

Considering the abysmal internal affairs stats in the beginning, this was like a godsend.

On top of that, food production had increased with the Norfolk farming method, and the domain's finances had become abundant by introducing factories.

The internal problems were now all completely resolved.

'All that's left now are external threats.'

It was time to slowly turn my gaze outward.

The current situation within the Elang Kingdom was extremely complicated.

The king who claimed the divine right of kings.

The Grand Duke of Bourgogne who dreamed of independence.

And on top of that, the Holy Roman Emperor and the Holy See, who were constantly seeking to expand their influence.

The Elang Kingdom was a battleground for the powers of the continent.

So far, a precarious balance had been maintained, so no major wars had broken out, but.

'When the [Great Famine] comes, the war begins.'

Based on the [Pangea Universalise] game, a war that would last for a full 30 years was about to break out.

To prepare for that time, I had to turn my gaze outward and make my move in advance.

'Who should I join hands with…?'

I sat down and thought deeply.

Who would be best to join hands with?

The king? The Grand Duke of Bourgogne? Or an external power like the Emperor or the Holy See?

There wasn't a particularly compelling choice.

The king was a man who pursued centralization of power. Thanks to that, he was not a good match for me, a lord.

What about the Grand Duke of Bourgogne?

He was only the head of the clerical faction in name; in reality, he was no different from another king, moving to make his own domain independent.

'If I have to join hands with someone, the Emperor or the Holy See would be good.'

The Holy See, in particular, was even better to use. This was still an era where the authority of God was not low.

If I acted with the Holy See at my back, I could gain some pretty good benefits.

'Besides, the king will soon clash with the Holy See.'

The church had a lot of money.

And it had many tax-exempt lands. Therefore, if one could control the church, it would become the power of the one who held it.

To the king of the Elang Kingdom, who dreamed of being a powerful king, the church was a very delicious-looking prey.

That's why in [Pangea Universalise], the king of the Elang Kingdom and the Holy See would fight with each other time and again.

'There's the war to purify heretics in the southern regions and the Hispenia Peninsula, and there's also the issue of the investiture controversy.'

I would have to use this conflict well. If I want to preserve my domain and complete this damn mission.

[Notification: Make your family the greatest family in the world.]

[Notification: If you succeed, maybe... you can go home?]

This status window that just made me furious looking at it. But I would definitely revive my domain and go home, no matter what.

Thinking so, I called for Chamberlain Hamil.

“You called for me, my Lord.”

“Yes. How is the reclamation industry progressing? There are no major problems, right?”

“Yes, fortunately, it is progressing without any major problems. Especially recently, rumors that there are many jobs have spread, and people are flocking from all over the kingdom.”

“Oh-!”

That was a relief. I was worried about the lack of population, but to hear that people were coming.

“Manage them well so that they can settle in our domain. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, and. How are the borders of the Great Forest? Are there still many monsters coming out?”

“Hmm. According to the reports I've received, because of the location, there are quite a lot of monsters coming out.”

“Hmm…. I see.”

The Great Forest, bordering the Arhen Mountains, was a treasure trove of resources.

In particular, it produced various minerals necessary for the development of the domain.

As someone who had played [Pangea Universalise] extensively, I didn't know the exact locations, but I knew the general vicinity.

“Is something the matter, my Lord?”

“I think we need to develop some mines as well.”

“Ah-! Like Count Bozen?”

“Yes. Count Bozen. Doesn't the iron mine he has bring in an enormous amount of money?”

“It doesn't sound like a bad idea.”

Chamberlain Hamil replied with a look full of anticipation.

It was precisely because of the iron mine that the once unremarkable House of Count Bozen had suddenly emerged as a powerful force.

Thanks to the high-quality iron ore, the center of trade immediately shifted to the House of Count Bozen, and the Bellua Margraviate could not escape its decline.

“Then I will take it that you agree. I want you to form an exploration team with knights and soldiers. If you find anything good, I will give you a great reward.”

“Understood, my Lord.”

“Ah, and.”

I stopped talking and took out a document. The document had a crude map and annotations.

“What is this?”

“These are the locations to explore first. The annotations next to them describe the characteristics of the minerals.”

At that, Chamberlain Hamil tilted his head.

“How did you…?”

“Ahem. I found out through merchants and hunters who frequent the area.”

It was a flimsy excuse, but Chamberlain Hamil didn't press the matter.

It was the lord's command, after all.

Wasn't it a knight's virtue to do as he was told? Rather, he thought that with such reference material, he could explore more easily.

“Understood. Then I will form an exploration team immediately.”

“I'm counting on you. The revival of our domain depends on it.”

I nodded, making my request firmly.

Since I had pointed out the general locations, the exploration team would probably find the minerals soon.

I hoped the exploration would end without any major damage. And I hoped they would discover some minerals that I didn't know about.

With the new DLC, even the [Character Status], which didn't exist before, appeared, so why wouldn't there be new minerals?

'And if they're going to give me something, I hope it's something like saltpeter. So I can make some gunpowder. Hehehe.'

Of course, that was a roguish wish.

* * *

“Waaaaah-!”

“Come back alive!”

“Find some gold nuggets and come back!”

“Wahahaha.”

Chamberlain Hamil turned this exploration into a festival of great harmony.

He held a grand ceremony to bless the exploration team, handing out alcohol and meat to boost the morale of the domain's people.

Thanks to that, the exploration team formed by Chamberlain Hamil was able to enter the Great Forest to thunderous cheers, and the domain was excited with a festive atmosphere for the first time in a long while.

But I couldn't enjoy that atmosphere.

My office in the domain castle.

My office, which had been empty recently due to various projects, was bustling for the first time in a long while.

It was because a guest had arrived.

Of course, that guest was by no means a welcome one to me.

“My Lord. Please, withdraw the factories and the free market.”

“That's right. As soon as the goods from the factories were released into the free market, the income of our guild members plummeted.”

“It is becoming difficult to maintain a fair market because of the goods being released from the factories, my Lord. The livelihoods of the guild members are being threatened.”

The guild masters of the city guilds.

No matter how small my domain was, it had a population of nearly 160,000.

So there were a few cities with populations of around 10,000, and the guild masters of the guilds in my capital city had come to see me.

They all mentioned the dangers of my factories and the free market and demanded that I withdraw the policies.

'What was bound to come has come.'

I muttered to myself as I looked at them.

When playing [Pangea Universalise], there was always resistance from the cities. That's why I had thought that I would have to face it someday...

But for it to be this soon.

It was too soon.

In fact, it wasn't that people in the Middle Ages were stupid and didn't know about the division of labor. Someone surely knew.

But the reason they didn't do it was just one.

Because the various guilds, the producer associations in the cities, artificially adjusted market prices for their own benefit.

In the first place, in the Middle Ages, the movement of goods was difficult because the volume of goods was low, and consumption was also low.

From the perspective of the guilds, such strict control, rather than free competition, was the easiest way to increase their profits.

“Hmm…. Even if you say so, it is difficult to withdraw the policy now. This is part of the effort to save the poor. Surely you are not telling me to stop this duty?”

I clicked my tongue inwardly and said so.

I had no reason to listen to their opinions. On the contrary, I was in a position to want to abolish the privileges of the medieval guilds.

Such privileges of the medieval guilds were ultimately shackles that hindered the development of my domain.

“In that case, we will provide funds to help the poor.”

“That's right. So please, withdraw the factories.”

But the guild masters' response to that surpassed my expectations.

To provide funds to help the poor.

I was momentarily at a loss for words. In the end, all I could say was a return to the original argument.

“If you just give money to the poor, it is a waste of money. I intend to give the poor jobs where they can work, and so that they can continue to maintain their livelihoods.”

“…….”

It seemed they sensed my firm resolve to maintain the factories in my words. The guild masters looked at me without a word.

Then, they bit their lips and said to me.

“Are you really going to come out like that?”

“Your Lordship's measures are an act that infringes on the interests of the city guilds.”

“That's right. This is a violation of the promise you gave to the city. We cannot accept it.”

“If you continue like this, we will have no choice but to respond collectively in accordance with the city treaty, my Lord.”

Subtle, no, blatant threats were mixed in the words.

Hearing that, I was so dumbfounded that I let out a dry laugh.

'Look at this?'

No matter how much the world of [Pangea Universalise] was a place where one was pressed by the king from above and the city citizens from below, this had crossed the line.

“If I don't stay still? Are you daring to start a rebellion like Isabella?”

I said with a growl.

At that, the guild masters hurriedly bowed their heads.

“Ah, no….”

“That's not it.”

It seemed they had just now remembered the fact that there had been a bloody purge not long ago.

They didn't know what a lord whose feelings were hurt might do. The guild masters inwardly reproached themselves for their rash remarks.

“I have no intention of withdrawing the policy. This has nothing to do with the privileges given to you. I gave you the authority to govern the city yourselves, but I did not give you the right to interfere in my internal affairs. So stop your impertinent talk and get the hell out of here right now.”

At my chilling order to leave, the city guild masters left the office in a hurry, their faces pale. It was a relief that their heads were still attached to their necks after saying such impertinent things.

But it seems this was not enough to solve this problem.

-Tiriring.

[The city guild masters are dissatisfied with the lord who infringes on their interests. If left unchecked, the city will rebel against you. Solve this problem immediately.]

[Notification: Impending disaster - The City's War of Independence]

[Notification: The taxes coming in from the city are reduced.]

[Notification: The city guild members are resisting your orders.]

[Notification: The surrounding lords are beginning to covet your city.]

'Damn it.'

As expected, not a single day went by easily.