CHAPTER 893: CHAPTER 893: LED TO MAJOR PROJECTS

"Ugh, fine. But if Rendell and Zion agree that your life’s in danger, you must return here," Ferdinand added.

"Hmm..." Arabella thought about it.

Rendell and Zion seem to be more reasonable than Ferdinand when it comes to this and Arabella would be able to hear it from their minds if Ferdinand forced them to agree with him.

"Alright," Arabella agreed.

Ferdinand sighed once again.

[I must give her a lot more mana before she heads there. What if she got sick from all the smoke and ash? What if the disease suddenly evolved?]

"Don’t worry too much. I’m healthier and stronger than I look. I didn’t get sick when I went to Safiro and Prudencia, right?" Arabella reminded him.

"Yes, you didn’t. But there’s no guarantee you will not get sick this time," Ferdinand contradicted.

"And there’s no guarantee I would get sick this time either," Arabella rebutted.

"..." Ferdinand pouted and glared at her.

"Ferdinand, I know you’re always worried about me and deeply grateful for it." Arabella held his hand and soothed him.

"It doesn’t seem that way, though," Ferdinand remained pouty, but he interlocked their fingers.

"I do. It’s exactly because I know you and your comrades will keep me safe that I can boldly go out into the world fearlessly," Arabella added.

[Is she saying she has confidence in our skills?]

"Yes," Arabella smiled, and Ferdinand sighed.

"Alright. Alright. Let’s not talk about this anymore," Ferdinand ruffled his hair.

"Then, let’s talk about this," Arabella picked up the list of long-term solutions from her assistants.

"There’s more?" Ferdinand noticed it was different from the first one.

"Yes. This one’s for long-term solutions. I asked them to think about suggestions that would work in the afflicted territories and ones that the ruling households are likely to agree with," Arabella explained and handed the list to Ferdinand.

***

Long-Term Solutions

a. Fully operate mines

- operate at maximum capacity

- mine in all seasons if possible

- with guidance from Fidelis and Orville experts

b. Boost metallurgy and smithing

- specialize in weaponry for use of soldiers

- to be closely monitored with surveillance magic tools and knights/soldiers to prevent backlash or wrong use of weapons

- include farming tools

c. Boost weaving, sewing, & other related handicrafts

- can begin after pests and disease are fully controlled or eradicated

- provide raw materials if the supply is meager in the locality due to pest infestation and plant disease

d. Increase jewelry-making

- prioritize non-specialized parts for simple but in-demand jewelry that are easier to make

- specialized parts will be for those with a high attention to detail and willing to be further trained by expert jewelers

e. Lessons and reviews about the yearly Civil Service Exam

- for those interested in taking the exam but lack access to books and review materials

- can be merged in one location where all those interested from afflicted territories will be gathered

f. Reading and writing lessons

- prolonged continuation of previous activity from short-term solutions

- increase topics and difficulty

g. Increase construction work

- wherever needed

- scout the territories for any possible project

***

"Hmm, these are indeed possible," Ferdinand nodded his head after reading the suggestions.

"Then, do you also approve of these, so I can have them draft proposals?" Arabella inquired.

"Yes," Ferdinand agreed, and Arabella beamed in delight.

[What am I going to do with her? She’s always so eager to take on more work.]

Ferdinand smiled back helplessly.

[Fine. Since this is what she wants, I guess all I need to do is support her.]

"For the construction work, we can employ a lot of locals. A lot of building needs to be done in the afflicted territories. While farming is not feasible, it’s the right time to build proper irrigation, canals, dikes, and so on. There’s also a vacant area which can be used to build a reservoir."

As Ferdinand enumerated, Arabella quickly took notes.

"Village walls, roads, and pavements need to be rebuilt. More connecting roads are necessary to make traveling there easier. Sibruh and other areas also need better housing. And we should build more watch towers as well to keep watch of any foreign activity."

Arabella noted all of it and just from everything Ferdinand enumerated, it’s clear these would employ a lot of people and it could last from months to years.

It would be major projects that will involve various Empire departments.

Arabella was originally planning to see what needed to be built in the afflicted territories for the construction work, which she added to the list. But now, Ferdinand has already enumerated most, if not all, of it for her.

"You can discuss with concerned departments once an initial draft is made," Ferdinand concluded.

"Thank you!" Arabella was delighted by his input.

Ferdinand smiled and ruffled her hair.

Thankfully, she didn’t tie her hair today, or she would need to redo it.

"Do you still need to go when you’ll be busy with all these?" Ferdinand asked.

"Of course. I can have my assistants take one proposal each, and we can work together on the difficult ones," Arabella was not to be tricked into staying home.

"I see. Alright then. Just don’t complain to your parents and your siblings that I’m overworking you. You volunteered for these tasks," Ferdinand sighed.

[I can’t dissuade her no matter what I say. Was she also like this in Lobelius? Or were they the ones who raised her to be like this?]

"I know. And you don’t have to worry since they’d be grateful that I’m part of these tasks. They know being useful makes me more valuable and less likely to be replaced," Arabella replied, and Ferdinand was wide-eyed.

"Is this why you’re working so hard? Arabella, you’ll never be replaced as my Empress. Even if you do nothing, I’ll never replace you. Are you doubting my feelings for you?" Ferdinand looked hurt.

’Why does everything I say somehow lead to hurting him?’ Arabella was horrified and wondered if she should start talking less or whatnot.

"That’s not what I meant, Ferdinand. I believe in your feelings for me," Arabella quickly said.

"Then what did you mean?" Ferdinand kept frowning and waited for her to explain further.