Oh no! After I Reincarnated, My Moms Became Son-cons! - Volume 6 - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The trip from the royal capital northward was very interesting because while the royal capital in the south was on a large plain with relatively moderate weather conditions . It certainly was very cold in winter, but nowhere near as cold as it was in the north . Further, the snow in the north is a big nuisance . You couldn’t miss the snow slowly piling up more and more as well as the temperature dipping more and more as you went from the royal capital to the north . That said, north of the royal capital is where the elven border is . The four seasons in the elven lands are like spring, so once you reach a certain point and if you continue northward, then the temperature will rise slightly .

Due to the army being around, we couldn’t go fast, but at the same time, they were the reasons we had plenty of food . It was different camping in the wild at night as well . Mom couldn’t deal with being in the horse-carriage the entire time as I thought . Hence, as soon as we reached the part where there were no people on the roads, she switched to a horse .

It goes without saying that she kept her face-veil on . The empress will be fine if she loses her veil, and so will the Valkyries . But everybody else will be without their heads . Wearing a face-veil didn’t slow the empress down though . She was elated . She’d do little sprint-spurts every now and then on her horse and then come back . I could tell that she was very happy to get that opportunity .

Castell sat down beside me and helped himself to a dried piece of meat without standing on ceremony . He then drank a few mouthfuls of grape wine and with a smile said: “You will arrive at your domain tomorrow, your majesty . Gosh, this is a tiring trip . It looks like I am old now . ”

I shook my head while smiling and asked: “Castell, you’re only five or six years older than me, aren’t you? What do you mean you’re old? I mean, look at Alice . She’s much older and isn’t she riding on her horse cheerfully?”

Alice who was seated next to another fire turned her head around . She revealed a friendly smile and said: “Your majesty, I cannot pretend I did not hear that . ”

I was frightened by her and my whole body very much felt my fear, so I quickly apologised . Mom laughed out loud and then wrapped her arm around Alice again and continued drinking . Castell pursed his lips into a smile and continued: “It looks like it is not just her majesty who is excited . You seem very excited too, your majesty . ”

“It is my domain after all . ”

“However, your majesty, I must remind you that your domain cannot be considered rich . It would be more correct to say it is barren . Of course, that is not her majesty’s fault . Her majesty noted that the food-production volume there was acceptable . But when I looked into it, I discovered that the food-production volume reported was false . And as it sits on the border, it does not show any indication of prosperity . As such, you will have to work hard . ”

Castell shook his head . He tossed a block of wood into the fire and added, “But I do not think her majesty sent you here just to live leisurely and hunt like nobles . I surmise that she sent you here intending for you to work properly as well . Should you be able to solve this and grow this domain to prosper, then I believe her majesty will pleased and comforted . ”

I nodded . I don’t think she gave me this domain for me to party away merrily . If she wants me to become a qualified emperor, then she needs to see my management skills . Unfortunately, I’m an engineering student . I’ve never taken lessons on economics or management . But according to what Freya stated, making the most of human resources is a skill a king must have .

I should forego my do-it-myself approach I’ve employed in the past . I need to find capable individuals to work for me . I’m now a member of the royal family, the next emperor in line, yet I continue to think like a commoner as I previously did . There will be people who will be strong for me even if I’m not, so I don’t need to personally attend to everything now .

“I can understand if it’s not prospering, but why is food-production lacking? Could it be that the land is extremely barren?”

Castell shook his head and then nodded . He replied: “I am not sure about that . I am not a specialist at assessing the land, nor have I worked in agriculture . However, I do not think that this piece of land is barren . It looks very fertile because there is an elven forest there as well as a running river, which functions as a perfect irrigation system . Logically speaking, there should be no shortage of food there, but in reality… . Mm, I shall stop there . You should be the one to handle this matter . I cannot tell you anymore . ”

Castell wore a mysterious smile and then continued, “Your majesty, once you arrive there, I think you should deal with this matter . The people are very easy to handle . They are ignorant . They do not need any literacy, poems or music . They just need hot water, women and food . But they do not even have food right now . If that continues, the people will be unhappy . ”

“The three things you mentioned are basically the same as what Freya mentioned . I understand now . I will investigate the matter . Thank you, Castell . ” I stood up and then indicated I was returning to my tent . Castell stood up to bow and wish me goodnight before leaving .

When I returned to my own tent, Luna had already set the floor-beds . A soft layer of wool was laid on top of the thick mat, and on top of that was a thick blanket .

As Luna looked at me, she asked me with a smile: “Your majesty, will we arrive tomorrow?”

“Yes . ” I nodded and added, “I’m still somewhat excited since it will be my world once I get there . ”

“Except it does not look like your world is too peaceful . ” Freya poked her head out from the side with a smile on her face . She then made an open hand gesture and continued, “I apologise for eavesdropping on your conversation, onii-sama . It looks like your first test has come quite early . Castell is right . If we do not resolve this matter, I do not think that we will win the support of the people . Needless to say, if you do not care, then neither do I . ”

“Of course I want everyone to obey me . I still need to get them to work for me . ”

“In that case, onii-sama, we will have lots of work to do . ” Freya looked at me and then stroked her chin like she entered deep thought . She then asked: “Onii-sama, have you heard of a phrase that says, ‘face the grudges of others with a smile’?”

“Repay evil with gratitude and kindness?”

“Ah… why do you speak so with such poetic eloquence……? I feel like you just said something I do not understand… Whatever the case, that is what it means . I presume that the current residents there are very unhappy with you, one, because you suddenly came and announced that you are going to rule it with a weak foundation, and two, would be getting the people to work for your large-scale constructions . Most importantly, all the benefits the corrupt officials had previously will now go to you, hence why you will face much resentment . ”

“Yeah… I’m sad about it too since it’s not what I did . It seems that getting married and living my newly-wed life there peacefully will be very difficult . Freya, why do I feel that the people will drive me away if I’m hated by people…… . If I were to share my food supply with them and keep taxes low, would that help a little?”

Needless to say, I was just kidding about that . I wouldn’t be that miserable .

“Labour and taxes are bound to make the people dissatisfied . However, it is a necessity . ” Freya shrugged indifferently and continued, “The resentment of the people is meaningless . But as you want to rule, you will need them to get them to serve you on their own accord . Your statement ‘repay evil with gratitude and kindness’ is actually wrong . We cannot continue to just fulfil the desires of the people to please them . We must use our fairness and justice to give them no way of resenting us . Onii-sama, if one is strong, be also merciful, so that one’s neighbours may respect one rather than fear one . We are not a benevolent ruler nor are we a tyrant . You are to become a fair and just hero!”