The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 100

Chapter 100: The Seed of Northern Learning and Misunderstanding

“The population of Sasurika fluctuates quite a bit from year to year. Is there any factor or cycle related to this?”

“It’s said to be completely random, and I often feel that way too. However, it seems that long ago, it was said that the Pluina only appeared on nights of the full moon.”

“Is that not the case now?”

“These days, although clear weather is common, the moon is often visible but not necessarily full, and sometimes it’s not even nighttime. Even when we say ‘long ago’, it was so long ago that there are no records. It’s possible that there were just a few consecutive full moons by chance.”

“I see… If the occurrence of monsters is related to their population, I would think that monsters appear more frequently outside the walls of Soarasonne. How is this being managed?”

“During the winter, merchants coming and going from outside cease, so we close the main gate and station guards at a small gate to manage the comings and goings individually. Most people entering or leaving the city in winter are knights or adventurers who can protect themselves. There are no large monsters that can cross the walls, and they naturally disappear by spring. Once we fortify the city, defending it isn’t too difficult.”

Paradoxically, in this world, the only way to develop urban areas is to build fortifications.

This also explains why the capital city is surrounded by triple walls centered around the royal palace.

As the city grows larger, expanding outward, this is bound to happen.

“Expanding the outer perimeter requires a lot of materials, so there’s a limit to how much a city can expand, right?”

“There’s an exception on the seaward side. Since monsters don’t appear from the sea, many cities have expanded by building inland and reclaiming land from the sea.”

“You mean the largest port town in the north, Elban? I’ve heard it’s very prosperous, so that background also contributed to its growth…”

Alexis, though a taciturn person, seemed not to hesitate to speak when necessary and answered Melfina’s questions with care.

He took notes from time to time, summarized the content in his mind, and repeated the process of asking questions whenever doubts arose. The more he asked, the more he realized how much he didn’t know.

“I had heard that there were many monster-related damages in the north, but I didn’t realize it was this severe.”

“Since the southern regions and the capital city aren’t exposed to much monster damage, it’s likely that this knowledge wasn’t necessary until now. There are hardly any cities in the south that are fortified, right?”

“That’s right. Even though the lord’s residence is surrounded by walls to guard against bandits and such, I don’t think there are any cities in the south that are completely enclosed by fortifications.”

The vagueness in her statement was due to Melfina never having visited her family’s territory. Her younger brother, Rudolf, who is the heir, spent half of the year in the domain’s capital and the other half in the townhouse in the royal capital where their mother and sister lived. However, Melfina herself had never been to the territory and was not required to by those around her.

Her father’s unspoken sentiment was clear—he did not want to expose a daughter who didn’t resemble him to his vassals. Although Melfina had never strongly insisted on visiting the territory, she now regretted not having made at least one trip outside the capital.

— The only places I know in this world are the noble district of the capital, the route to Soarasonne, and the Enkar region.

However, unless one is a craftsman, cleric, performer, or merchant who needs to travel, it’s common in this world to live and die in the place where one was born. Even though there is no war, there are still threats from bandits and thieves, and wild animals pose a significant risk to those who travel.

“The real issue is the defense of villages and towns without walls. Monsters don’t politely visit through the village or town’s main gate, so dealing with them requires considerable effort.”

August added, and Alexis nodded in agreement.

“For monsters the size of weasels or foxes, villagers can manage to drive them off. But when it comes to bears or larger, some may be overwhelmed by the monster’s magical power, so it’s necessary to have people with some resistance to magic for the hunt.”

“It’s not feasible to dispatch soldiers to every town and village, right? During winter, quick movement and sending messengers are also difficult. What do you do in those cases?”

“In larger villages and towns, there is almost always an adventurer’s guild, so requests are made through them from the settlements.”

“Ah… I see.”

In this world, there are adventurer guilds, and Melfina had previously requested surveys and forest investigations during the development phase.

In the north, it seems that their winter work involves hunting monsters that come out of the settlements.

“In settlements that are small enough not to have an adventurer guild, monsters either don’t appear or, if they do, they are not very strong. So, the presence or absence of a guild serves as a kind of dividing line. Once a settlement becomes somewhat larger, it is common for the local lord or deputy to offer tax incentives or other benefits to attract a guild.”

“So, adventurers aren’t taxed, right?”

“Yes, all that is needed is strength. However, once an adventurer guild is established, rough adventurers often settle there, which frequently leads to a decline in public safety.”

Similar to traveling performers, adventurers pay an entrance tax to work in a town, and once they have accumulated some money, they often move on to the next town. The need for a guild arises mainly to take responsibility for their work and ensure its completion.

Those who abandon their work halfway or deceive others for rewards have their information shared, which prevents them from working as adventurers through the guild. No one wants to hire a rogue adventurer, so it effectively leads to the adventurer’s retirement.

This system is quite similar to that of craftsmen’s guilds.

“Is it difficult for towns to have their own self-defense groups? Not only monsters but also conflicts between people can occur, right?”

“What exactly do you mean by a self-defense group?”

“It’s like a militia composed of people who usually work in other jobs but voluntarily participate if they meet certain conditions. Participants are given a small reward or tax incentives and are expected to act as a group to handle emergencies.”

“I think it’s difficult for people who usually work in other jobs to take on rough work. If they get injured, it could affect their main job, and not many would be willing.”

August’s words seemed accurate, so Melfina nodded in agreement.

Treatment at churches or temples is not free. In this world, it’s not uncommon for commoners to fall into poverty due to the lack of work for a day or to die from a minor injury that worsens.

“Indeed. My thinking was rather shallow.”

In this world, it’s often the case that there is no such thing as a surplus of resources to allocate, just to get by.

That’s why there’s a role for noble wives and daughters to participate in charitable activities.

“The insights from someone who is actually on the ground are very valuable. Thank you, Duke, August.”

“Oh, not at all. I feel a bit apologetic about being in a position to teach someone like Lady Melfina.”

August said lightly.

In contrast, Alexis merely nodded and poured the now-cold tea.

“We’ve gotten quite engrossed in conversation. Shall I make a fresh pot of tea and prepare some light snacks?”

“Lady Melfina, I’ll go.”

“No, I’ll help too. Sitting for too long isn’t good for the body. Duke and August, if you’d like, please walk around the house a bit. It might be a nice change of pace.”

Noticing that the sun had begun to set quite far to the west, Melfina realized that even though the days were getting longer as spring approached, daylight hours were still short.

Just listening to the discussions about the northern region and its monsters had taken up several hours. There was still much she didn’t know.

Descending to the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm, comforting air. It was a relief. The kitchen and the adjoining dining room were the warmest places in the manor, and for Melfina, they symbolized time spent with the staff.

She felt the tension she hadn’t realized she was holding gently ease away.

“It might be a good idea to find someone to formally teach me about governing the northern region.”

Although it wouldn’t be as hectic as last year, things would start to move again with the arrival of spring. Up until now, Marie and Cedric had helped her manage everything alone, but if development and monster attacks are linked, she would need to prepare for the winter ahead.

If she wished to continue expanding, she would need subordinates who could handle a certain amount of work.

“I wonder where one can hire a governor.”

“It’s generally common to train the children of direct vassals from scratch, but there’s no time for that,”

“Not just the children of direct vassals; in fact, Marie is the only direct vassal I have.”

“Oh, was I considered a vassal?”

“Ha, yes, Marie, you were like a younger sister.”

As they chuckled and prepared the tea, a voice called out from behind, “Sister”.

Turning around, Melfina saw Serleine peeking his head into the kitchen.

“Serleine, what’s wrong?”

Serleine, who had recovered considerably in the past few days, was finally able to leave his bedroom. Melfina waved him over, and with light footsteps, Serleine approached. Standing next to the stove, he smiled happily with his eyes narrowed.

“I thought the conversation might be over.”

“We’re just making fresh tea, so it might continue a bit longer. Are you hungry?”

“No, I’m just a bit worried.”

Melfina tilted her head, not understanding the meaning of Serleine’s words, and Serleine laughed, saying it was nothing. When Melfina patted his head, Serleine seemed to relax a little, smiling.

“Today, I might not be able to have dinner with you. I’m sorry.”

“I won’t be selfish while your husband is visiting.”

“I don’t think you’re being selfish at all. I also enjoy having meals with you, Serleine.”

Serleine, who had been spending a lot of time in bed lately, must have been feeling lonely. He timidly took Melfina’s hand and nodded.

“I also really enjoy spending time with you, sister. Um, sister.”

Serleine started to say something but stopped abruptly, letting go of Melfina’s hand.

“Serleine?”

“I apologize, Duke. I’m sorry for being so rude as to touch the lady’s hand.”

Looking toward the entrance, Melfina saw Alexis and August standing side by side. Alexis’s expression remained as unreadable as ever, while August seemed to be saying “Oh dear” with his hand on his forehead.

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s been a while, Your Highness Serleine. I’m sorry for the late greeting.”

“I understand that you were aware of my illness and that you were considerate. Duke, what just happened was merely my own indiscretion. Please, don’t be angry with the lady.”

“Of course, I would never do such a thing, Your Highness.”

As the two exchanged their formal words, Melfina was momentarily taken aback.

Originally, she had thought that being called “sister” by Serleine was too close for comfort, but having spent so much time together during the winter, she had become completely desensitized to it.

“I had heard that winter often brings health issues, but it seems your complexion has improved, and I am pleased for you.”

“It’s thanks to the lady. With her attentive care in both meals and treatment, I was able to recover quite well. —Lady, I will return to my room now. I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“…It’s no trouble at all, Your Highness.”

Serleine gave a graceful bow and left the kitchen, maintaining the dignified expression of a prince.

However, his back, not once turning around, looked so lonely that Melfina couldn’t help but follow it with her eyes.

At that moment, she was unaware of how her own behavior might appear to Alexis and August, who were unfamiliar with life in the manor.