NOVEL NEXT Chapter 231
Just by chance, a few days before Charlua’s arrival, I received a report from Alexei.
The personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry dispatched to the Duchy of Neomes finally had some results.
I had been aware of this since the time I received this territory from my father-in-law due to our previous accomplishments.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was indeed undertaking new work within the territory directly governed by the Imperial Family, the Duchy of Neomes.
Now that this land is mine, it was only natural for news to be delivered to its owner.
[ It seems that after improving the existing grape variety, we will soon bear sweet fruits. ]
As soon as I heard the news, I immediately informed the Ministry of the Palace.
Although it’s my territory now, it all began in the name of the Imperial Family.
With the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry also involved, it should be considered Imperial property, right?
However, the Minister of the Palace responded nonchalantly.
“His Majesty the Emperor said that as long as you have a son-in-law, everything there is considered a wedding gift, so do as you please, Duke of Neomes.”
The territory was a reward given to me, the Chief of Staff. And everything within it was a gift for me as the son-in-law.
The Ministry was indicating, and furthermore, it was the intent of the Imperial Family, that all of it rightfully belonged to me, so I should handle it as I see fit.
Still, feeling a bit awkward, I inquired with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and they said they had accumulated all the experience and techniques needed for their research, so the compensation was sufficient.
I hadn’t done anything, yet there will arise an entity that will innovate the Empire’s fruit industry.
Even the name given by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry happens to be the Shine Muscat, reminding me of my past life.
At this point, it’s starting to get a little frightening, but oh well, it’s mine now, so I should make good use of it.
I need to earn a lot now so that our twins can live without worry in the future!
Just before the Shine Muscat made its debut, I called in the grape farmers within my territory from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Even if mass production is possible, for now, it’s better to control the output as we go along.
And first and foremost, I said I would take the lead in promoting it, so please wait just a bit.
“Promotion, you say?”
“Yes. Naturally, considering the effort, research costs, and labor that have gone into this, it’s not a fruit anyone could just eat, is it?”
“Your Excellency is right. Still, we are trying our best to lower the cost as much as possible…”
“Undervaluing yourselves is not a good thing. Regardless, there must be profits, and that way you all can be more passionate, which can lead to further developments in breeding new varieties.”
Whether it’s a Kingdom, Empire, or democratic nation, ultimately everywhere runs on capitalist logic.
You need to recognize what’s profitable, follow along, work hard, and after many trials and errors, achieve better results.
It would indeed be quite regrettable to leave such an important beginning as just ordinary.
We all worked hard, so it’s only fair that the farmers earn a lot, and I, as the owner of the territory, also benefit. Hm hm.
“There are already plans for promotion from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry…”
“I saw that too. I hate to say this, but it won’t be enough on its own. We should fill it with words like ‘a new grape created by improving the grape variety! High sugar content, filled with sweet aroma, and so on.’”
“Uh… wouldn’t that be necessary?”
I shook my head at the comments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
It simply won’t be enough. It needs something striking. Otherwise, it’ll just drag on in explanations.
What’s needed is something that will make anyone living on this continent go, “Wow! I want to eat that!”
“That. I’ll take care of it.”
“Your Excellency, you’re saying you will?”
“It’s nothing difficult. I’ll just make a video of myself doing my work, and put this new grape right next to it. There’s no need for any direct mention. Just showing it will be enough.”
I’m not particularly enjoying this, but I understand the weight my name carries in this world.
If a guy who’s accomplished countless things subtly advertises some new item,
wouldn’t anyone, if not fondly, at least be a bit curious?
Moreover, there’s a good justification. It all started with the Ministry of the Palace, so the Imperial Family is also involved in this matter.
I can also show my willingness to step forward not just for personal reasons but for the Imperial Family.
It would be even better to make some money and set a foundation for our twins’ future.
Just when I was preparing the Shine Muscat premium, Charlua came to visit.
As it happens, one of the Empire’s main customer bases for fruit is Nobogord.
The weather there is chilly year-round, so fresh vegetables and fruits are of utmost concern.
Aren’t the Demon Tribe into vegetables and fruits? But aren’t the Empire’s folks crazy for meat? It seems they eat even more than the Demon Tribe, actually.
Anyway, this newly developed fruit, especially a premium fruit I’m promoting myself,
do you think the Demon Tribe who are quite interested in my sister Kaya and me can just sit still?
They’re bound to want to try it once. Out of curiosity, they’ll keep buying it in no time.
‘The problem is that if we consume this only within our Empire, something bad is definitely going to happen.’
There are two methods. Either we consume moderately, or we offer something to the other side.
In that regard, I thought the latter is better than the former and subtly hinted at them.
How about doing some trade with that perennial ice you have?
It must be difficult to just let it slide in the Empire’s southern region where ice is hard to come by.
Of course, it shouldn’t be something I keep to myself, so I rushed straight to the Imperial Palace.
At that moment, my father-in-law and my sister-in-law happened to be in place, making it the perfect timing.
“…Premium?”
Hearing all my explanations, my sister-in-law tilted her head slightly at ‘uniqueness? Premium?’
Meanwhile, my father-in-law seemed to have sensed something, wearing a faint smile.
Right. As Emperor of the Empire, he’s still going strong—what’s this about abdication, abdication!
He stopped my retirement, so my father-in-law should be setting an example, right?
“It’s not merely based on improved varieties or scarcity, son-in-law.”
“That’s right. In the end, isn’t the essential thing the desire to experience something valuable? Vanity is often treated negatively, but sometimes it can lead to a more proper direction.”
There’s something precious that each of us can supply to the other.
If this becomes fixed, then even if there’s a slight misunderstanding, it seems too unfortunate to completely turn away from each other.
Most importantly, money needs to circulate. It’s the way to prevent problems.
“I never thought I would expand a wedding gift in this manner. But listening to my son-in-law speaks positively of it.”
“Additionally, I plan to personally announce the newly improved variety.”
“…My son-in-law?”
“Brother-in-law, are you saying you will do it yourself?”
Yes. That’s the plan, but your reactions are a bit strange.
It feels a little strange that both my father-in-law and sister-in-law are reacting this way because I said I would promote it.
Wondering if I missed something, I asked, “Did I overlook something?” and both of them said—
“If my son-in-law takes the lead, it will exceed any expectations.”
“Are you really okay, brother-in-law? It’s almost terrifying to imagine.”
“…Is it that bad?”
I honestly expected this from the Military Academy or the veterans, and even the Military itself.
After all, I’m also from the Military and have been active on the battlefield, so it makes sense.
But this has nothing to do with the military at all, does it?
From the standpoint of promotion, I thought I would achieve just the right level.
*
The Imperial Military Academy. The cradle of the future elite officer group that will lead the military of this nation.
A place where not only the physical fitness and military strategy necessary for officers are cultivated, but also various mental and physical qualities.
There was one day the cadets were eagerly awaiting.
“Ah, cadets. The Chief of Staff’s lecture is being postponed due to the Chief of Staff being on a business trip…”
“No way! No way!!”
“Is there no lecture today?! No way!!”
It seemed like a riot could break out, and the concerned parties quickly continued speaking.
“We will have a special remote lecture using the Magical Communication Device…”
“Of course, it’s the Chief of Staff!”
“Let’s all express our gratitude to the Chief of Staff!!”
You guys! Can’t you tone it down a bit?
Every time I lecture, your eyes go wild, making it more burdensome for the Chief of Staff.
…I can’t exactly say that, though. Because, frankly, I’m also impressed by the remote lecture.
Even amidst his busy work, the Chief of Staff is taking care of the cadets. My respect for him grows exponentially!
As the large communication device hastily set up in the auditorium, the lecture begins.
Today’s content is one of the cadets’ most awaited topics. It’s about the encounter with Benito in the South.
The Dedorant frontlines were indeed the greatest victory the Chief of Staff achieved.
However, at that time, he was focused on formulating the grand strategy at the command.
In contrast, Benito was on the frontlines and led the battle himself.
[ At the time, the Benito army was suffering under the pressure that they absolutely had to turn it around. What this reveals is that all tactics and forces must consider the psychological aspect of both myself and the opponent… ]
Normally, after that lecture, all the cadets would be chatting about the content.
However, this time was different. After the lecture, their topic of discussion led elsewhere.
“During the Chief of Staff’s lecture earlier, during the break, I noticed there was a discussion about some mysterious fruit.”
“You heard that too? I heard it as well. If it’s something the Chief of Staff took seriously, then what could it possibly be?”
“Could it be something like that?”
A cadet who had been singing praises about the Chief of Staff from earlier brightened his eyes and continued.
“Something extremely beneficial for soldiers. A fruit with far greater utility.”
“Is that, is that true?”
“It can’t be anything else! The Chief of Staff wouldn’t take such a serious face for nothing!”
What they were actually discussing was the Shine Muscat, thinking the Magical Communication Device had been turned off.
Whether they knew that or not, it didn’t really matter to the cadets.
What mattered to them was that ‘the Chief of Staff’ had that ‘grape’ right beside him.
It was as if it appeared to them as ‘the food you must eat to become a great military officer.’