Chapter 14

As Arnold Koenitz, the head of the Koenitz Viscount Family, was handling paperwork in his study, a soldier from the domain army came to report.

"Sir, I apologize for interrupting you during your work. A group of refugees is pleading to be allowed into the city at the South Gate. Since it would be a bit much for us to decide on our own, I have come to report and seek your instructions."

"How many are there?"

"Upon counting, there are 24 people."

"…That’s quite a number. Where are they from?"

"They say they are from a village near the border with the Kingdom of Lancer to the south."

"I see."

Arnold thought to himself that this was a troublesome matter.

The capital of the Koenitz Viscount Domain, Letvik, was the farthest city in the northwest of the kingdom. It was not uncommon for refugees who had been passed around from other domains to end up here.

In the past, when the Koenitz Viscount Domain was still developing, it had grown by actively accepting such refugees. However, now that the city had stabilized, it could not simply continue to accept refugees without careful consideration.

Uncontrolled refugee influx could lead to a deterioration in public order. If they became vagrants and formed slums, it would be a problem.

On the other hand, turning all the refugees away would also cause issues.

The refugees had ended up in the Koenitz Viscount Domain after losing their homes. If they were not accepted here, some might resort to becoming bandits as a last resort.

If the roads within the domain were overrun with bandits, it would be a major problem.

That was why Arnold had continued to make significant donations to the church and provided support such as food distribution to deal with the refugees.

"It seems the number of refugees has increased over the past year."

He had been checking the reports from the guard posts at each gate every month, and even though Letvik was at the edge of the kingdom, the number of refugees arriving had visibly increased recently.

"I hear that the conflict with the Kingdom of Lancer to the west has intensified, leading to a deterioration in security and the economy in the western part of this kingdom. This is likely the cause."

Arnold cursed inwardly, but he still had to think about how to respond.

He couldn’t easily set a precedent for accepting over 20 refugees. The domain residents would likely react poorly to the idea of their taxes being used to feed unknown refugees.

However, he also wanted to avoid the situation where a band of 20 or more bandits formed within the domain. What should he do?

"…Could that person be of use?"

"Huh?"

"No, just thinking out loud."

Arnold recalled a young man who had come to pay his respects about three months ago.

Noein Alquvist, a nominal noble who had been granted a portion of the Bessel Great Forest as his domain, adjacent to the Koenitz Viscount Domain.

When the young man, who had just come of age, arrived with a beastman slave and a particularly agile golem, claiming he would develop the Bessel Great Forest, Arnold had inwardly scoffed.

However, upon investigating the reputation of the "Forest Viscount," it seemed he had indeed established a settlement in the forest and was making some progress.

Reflecting on it, the young man had indeed seemed clever and not foolish, at least not as much as his father.

Arnold, as the lord of the neighboring domain, had naturally heard about the Kivireft Earl, who had been known for impregnating a servant before officially taking a wife.

The scandal had spread about 15 to 16 years ago, and now a young man had appeared, inheriting the forest and the viscount title that had been granted to the Kivireft Earl.

It was easy to guess that Noein was the son of the Kivireft Earl’s mistress.

"You may tell them that I cannot permit them to be accepted into Letvik, but they are allowed to stay temporarily around the gate. I will also look for someone to take them in. Inform the church to arrange for food and blankets."

"Understood."

After the soldier left, Arnold leaned back in his chair and pondered.

The Alquvist Viscount was likely in need of settlers, and the Koenitz Viscount Domain was struggling with the refugee issue.

If handled well, he could simply redirect the refugees westward and perhaps curry favor with the young noble who had become his new neighbor.

……

"I wish we could finally have a proper road instead of just a trail."

On the way to Letvik, Noein had muttered these words.

Even after acquiring Yuri and others as domain residents, Noein continued to lead the trips to Letvik for supplies.

Behind this, there were reasons: he needed to operate the golem that pulled the carts and wanted to build good relations with the residents of Letvik.

The members of this trip were Noein, Matilda, Pense, and Mai.

"By the way, why did you create a settlement deep in the forest instead of clearing the edge?"

"Because the edge of the forest is the border with the Koenitz Viscount Domain. If I started cutting from the edge, my domain would shrink."

Eventually, he would have to formally discuss and decide the border with the Koenitz Viscount, but for now, the domain was defined as starting from the beginning of the Bessel Great Forest.

If he started cutting from the edge, he would be reducing his own domain. That’s why Noein had established the settlement deeper in the forest.

"Is it okay to define the border like that? What if the Koenitz Viscount starts cutting the forest from the edge…?"

To Mai’s worried question, Noein replied, "It’s fine."

"There’s no benefit for the Koenitz Viscount to spend a huge amount of money to clear the Bessel Great Forest just for a small domain like ours."

Even if the Alquvist Domain developed and became wealthy, it would be inefficient and unprofitable to invade by clearing the forest from the edge. It would be much more beneficial for the Koenitz Viscount to strengthen economic ties with the Alquvist Domain.

So, at least for now, the ambiguous border starting from the edge of the great forest was not a problem. The Alquvist Domain was safe, albeit on a delicate balance.

Noein explained these details to everyone.

"Of course, Noein-sama. Your judgment is clear and excellent."

"…It’s a hassle to have to think about all these complicated things. Being a noble must be tough."

"Really, being a low-ranking mercenary or a tenant farmer is much more relaxed."

Unlike Matilda, who always fully supported Noein, Pense and Mai looked exasperated by the complicated situation.

"As a lord, you have to put your domain’s interests first. You need to think carefully to avoid giving others a chance to undermine you."

In fact, if there was an opportunity, he should be the one to undermine others, but Noein kept this thought to himself and smiled ominously.