Chapter 95
#95 Growth and Redistribution (1)
In the Northern Region, aside from Lenslet Academy, also known as High City of the Northern Duchy, there exist several other large fiefs and cities.
Though not as grand as the major cities of the Empire or Kingdom, they are relatively densely populated areas, with some even surpassing High City in population.
Thus, these cities and territories were without a doubt key strongholds of the North.
Representatively, there was Haven, located at the southernmost tip of the North, facing the Magic Realm and the Empire.
Due to its geopolitical significance as a trading city, its population has been growing day by day.
This is also the small town where I first started after being summoned into this world.
If you head straight up from Haven, you’ll find two famous agricultural fiefs.
Their names are Shuen and Narvik.
Both became direct holdings of the Duke after the infamous treason incident a few years ago.
Back in the day, they were among the rare spots in the North suitable for agriculture and livestock farming, so they still have large populations.
Further north from Shuen and Narvik, there’s a renowned mining and industrial city and fief.
The city is called Remme, and the fief is named Cadia. Both are famous for mining, so they’ve traditionally been home to dense clusters of blacksmiths’ and carpenters’ workshops.
By the way, the estates of loyal families like Valkyrie, Sun, Haytai, and Gard can also be found in Remme and Cadia.
Finally, if you keep going north along the road from Remme, you’ll arrive at the capital of the North, the Northern Duchy of Lenslet.
Together with the Great Northern Wall, it stands on the frontline defending humanity from the Arctic Barbarians, making it the northernmost territory on the continent.
There’s more to why Lenslet Castle is commonly referred to as “High City” than just being where the exalted ones reside.
By the way, if you head west from Lenslet Castle, you’ll reach the coastal area surrounded by the Ice Sea – this is the Viscountcy of Jin that I received along with my title.
But why did only I receive such a large fief with my family name?
The previous name of the Viscountcy of Jin, SinLiia Fief, had a population of less than a thousand people combined.
Though the land area is almost at the level of a Count’s fief, the population is even smaller than a Baron’s.
Since there’s no substantial benefit, it had to be recognized for its size, right?
Huh? Why am I suddenly giving a geography lesson about the North?
It’s because an incident involving some Arad Company employees is deeply connected to these Northern regions.
“Hmm… decentralization…”
I lost myself in thought while looking at the map of the North.
Even separate from establishing the Audit Division, Intelligence Division, Security Division, and Public Relations Division, there is a need to decentralize the factories and industries currently concentrated in High City.
“This time, we should overhaul the company structure too.”
While lecturing on public administration and leading the restructuring of the government organization in High City,
ironically, I’ve been running my own company in an ad-hoc manner.
“Guess the saying ‘the lamp burns brightest under its shade’ fits perfectly now.”
Though Arad Company and Arad Workshop appear to be developing daily on the surface, they harbor potential dangers within.
“We’ve been mindlessly expanding factories in the outskirts of High City.”
Also problematic is how various businesses operate haphazardly under the single name of Arad Company.
“Looking at it now, the organizational chart is quite messy.”
Of course, there were reasons for operating this way.
With no competent or trustworthy talents available until now, I had to personally handle everything.
“Director Teo!”
“When will you visit the palace, sir? Manager Haytai keeps asking for an exact date.”
“Another magic communication device message?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe we should have delayed the rollout of those devices.”
“It’s already too late.”
“…”
I sighed deeply, closed my eyes, and rubbed my tired eyes while speaking my thoughts.
“Since we’re going to High City anyway, let’s take care of other matters too.”
“Huh?”
Arad Workshop and Ariana’s Glorious Palace aren’t far apart.
But for me, it’s surprisingly difficult and tiring to go there.
As the saying goes, governments and companies are like water and oil.
Even though my company is a royal affiliate free from regulations and taxes, it’s still inconvenient.
“No, it’s actually more troublesome because it’s a royal affiliate. It means they could forcibly demand slush funds anytime.”
That’s why I don’t often visit the royal court.
My house, office, and workplace are the most comfortable places in the world.
Though born as a royal affiliate, we must still maintain proper boundaries.
“Mary, stop by the inner castle of High City on your way home today.”
“The inner castle? To meet His Grace the Duke?”
“Just a moment.”
I carefully wrote something lengthy on high-quality paper.
After finishing, I placed the letter in fancy wrapping paper, dipped my signet ring in red ink, and stamped it.
“Please deliver this letter directly to His Grace.”
“What is it?”
Mary, who rarely gets to act as a messenger these days, tilted her head and asked.
It wasn’t sealed with wax or magical security, so she could have read it, but she didn’t bother.
“It’s a request to summon the mayors of key Northern cities and representatives of lords to High City.”
“All of a sudden?”
“Though sudden, it’s somewhat overdue.”
“Why are you summoning them…?”
“To be honest, it’s true that our company’s operations and factories are concentrated on the High City side. It’s fine for now, but serious irreversible problems will arise in the future.”
“You mean…?!”
Mary’s eyes widened as if she caught onto something from my explanation.
“You can leave a bit early today. But make sure to deliver this letter and rest at home.”
“Certainly.”
“Hasn’t the magical communication device reached the main Northern cities and fiefs yet?”
“Yes. The summons will be delivered before nightfall.”
“Good.”
“Um… but…”
“Speak.”
“Why don’t you use the magical communication device to contact His Grace the Duke?”
“Sending it through you is faster and safer.”
I could have contacted Ariana through the magical communication device without going through Mary.
However, contacting the Duchess of the North through the device would involve various procedures and long waiting times.
Being the ruler governing the North, she naturally receives countless magical communications.
Thus, sending letters through Mary as a hotline is much better.
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t the boss…”
“Tsk, it’s not good for politicians and businesspeople to meet too often.”
“Are you avoiding because Her Majesty might ask for money again?”
“How dare you say such disrespectful things!”
Admittedly, that’s somewhat true.
Lately, with the preparations for the Polar Expeditionary Force, I’ve been getting extorted for defense funds, which makes attending the royal conferences nerve-wracking.
“That’s not it either. Is it because of what happened at the last royal conference?”
“Shh.”
Mary made a face as if she had said too much when I cut her off.
I ignored her expression.
“Oh! And Bishop Entaire, is he still in High City?”
Having finished the matter regarding the letter, I next asked Mary about Bishop Entaire’s recent status.
“He’s preparing to return to the Empire. He seems to be leaving tomorrow.”
“Tell him I want to see him before he leaves.”
“Understood.”
“Then, let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“As much as anything, since our employees caused trouble, I as the CEO should at least show my face.”
They say human greed knows no bounds.
No matter how much salary and benefits we provide, there are always some who aren’t satisfied.
Recently, some employees of Arad Company have been impersonating the company and my title to commit fraud-like acts.
Three cases of accepting bribes and entertainment by promising employment at Arad Company or admission to the academy for children.
Nine cases of eating at restaurants on credit and never paying back.
Five cases of accepting bribes while promising favorable treatment in bidding and procurement.
Ten cases of buying land on the outskirts of cities like Shuen, Haven, and Remme, then scamming people by claiming Arad Workshop would be established there.
And countless minor cases of employees and their families abusing the Arad name for petty bullying.
If it were imposters pretending to be Arad employees, they would have been dealt with by Frosthaven.
Unfortunately, this time the perpetrators were actual Arad employees, leaving Frosthaven powerless to intervene.
From their perspective, they genuinely believed the company was doing such things.
Anyhow, I learned about this incident in the most embarrassing way possible – during a recent meeting in High City.
“So, Lord Arad, what kind of factory will be established in our Cadia?”
“Huh?”
I heard something completely unexpected at the rare royal conference held in High City.
“Since Cadia has traditionally been famous for mining and blacksmithing, will there be a factory producing magical weapons?”
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
“Huh?”
The name of the official who first questioned me was洛克卡丹.
Son of Sun Cardan, who governs the Northern Ice Wall, and currently serving as the logistics minister.
“What do you mean? There’s a widespread rumor in the provinces that Arad Company is building factories in Cadia and Remme!”
“In the provinces?!”
“Hahaha… Lord Arad, are you unaware of provincial news because you stay in High City all the time? No, wait, this doesn’t make sense. How could a workshop be established if Lord Arad doesn’t know about it?”
Judging from appearances, members of the Cardan family, who manage estates near Cadia, seem to have fallen for the rumors and purchased considerable amounts of land.
“Uh… Lord Arad? Ahem!”
And that was the start.
Several bureaucrats and high knights approached me nervously, asking about favors for their regions.
“Lord Arad, when can our children join Arad Company? We’ve already paid the money, but haven’t received any updates…”
“?!”
“W-Wait! Lord Jin! Why was our guild excluded from this procurement? Even though our specifications were slightly below standard, shouldn’t you have accepted part of it as a gesture of goodwill?”
“?!”
Ordinary Northern citizens might have been intimidated by the prestige of a royal affiliate company and not dared to speak up, but it’s different for nobles of ministerial rank.
In other words, the accumulated karma of some employees has finally reached the royal court.
“Teo! Director Te!”
“Yes, sir! Did the royal conference go well…”
“Recently, there seem to be some cases of people misusing our company’s name for wrongdoing! Investigate immediately!”
“Understood!”
“Mary, request support from Frosthaven.”
“Yes.”
“Such shame, there’s no greater embarrassment than this.”
To be honest, the reason I rarely visited High City and avoided using magical communication before was because of this.
All the excuses about excessive workload and conflicts of interest between government and business were just self-serving rationalizations.
The real reason I haven’t been visiting the royal court recently is simply because I’m embarrassed.
*
Returning to the present moment.
Knights from Frosthaven were unusually gathered everywhere, standing solemnly.
Employees of Arad Workshop stood at a distance, wearing serious expressions and looking toward something.
At the center of their gaze were the employees who caused the trouble, the victims, and the CEO Arad Jin himself.
“I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by our unworthy employees.”
Arad apologized earnestly to the victims.
“Not at all. We should have confirmed through the Executive Director or Secretary as well…”
With such an apology from Arad, the head of the royal affiliate company Arad Company and a viscount-level noble,
all the victims responded that it was fine.
They knew refusing would be considered rude.
“We will fully compensate you for the gold and silver coins you lost.”
Arad handed over bags of prepared gold and silver coins to the victims, saying.
The company would first compensate the victims.
Then they planned to thoroughly investigate and recover the expenses from the criminals afterward.
“Please don’t bother returning the money. Can’t you reconsider our supply contract somehow?”
One of the nobles affected by the supply issue waved their hands and proposed a counteroffer.
“That’s not possible. The specifications were insufficient, right?”
Upon confirming that the noble was of lower rank and title, Arad immediately addressed them informally while drawing a line.
“Ah…?”
Quality management was non-negotiable for Arad, whose eyes had turned to quality.
“Lord Viscount, how about the recruitment process?”
“Recruitment will be decided based on academic performance from Lenslet Academy. Please tell your children or siblings to enter Lenslet Academy first.”
Similar conversations occurred a few more times, but Arad firmly upheld principles and boundaries.
“Then! T-then! What about the factory supposed to be built in Cadia?”
Finally, Minister of Logistics 록카단 anxiously asked Arad.
Incidentally, behind 록카단 stood his father Sun 카단.
“…”
Seeing this situation, Sun 카단 must have reluctantly attended. He kept glaring at his son as if he were utterly disappointed.
