Chapter 444

The Future of the North
Eventually, the dinner ended, and the serious discussion finally began—about the future of the northern region, including Plafard.
Thanks to Corinius doing whatever he pleased, the north's national power—or rather, its resources and reserves—had all but dried up.
In particular, a large number of people had been conscripted as soldiers and never returned.
Most of them had been working-age men.
If that gap isn't filled, there's no hope for the region’s recovery.
But that doesn't mean they can just bring people in from other countries either.

"Indeed, the lack of manpower—especially in rural areas—is critical. No matter how you look at it, it's hard for only women, children, and the elderly to keep the farms going. And with the country in disarray, bandits and the like are bound to roam. Something must be done about that."

"Can something be done, Marquis Vardmoi?"

"Many of the soldiers we freed along the way were likely ordinary men drafted from villages. Ideally, they should return to their homes."

So that’s the situation. If I’d known, we could’ve released them closer to their villages.
Though, I guess we didn’t really have time for detours back then.

"The shortage of men is a serious issue. Marquis Vardmoi, would it be possible for you to dispatch people to help?"

"Even if it's a request from Duke Plafard, I cannot easily agree. People are a treasure for my own lands too, and from the standpoint of the McFarlane Dukedom, it's difficult to send people to a region that's only just come out of a war."

"I figured as much. That damn fool royal brother’s policies keep getting in the way."

Hmm, the path to recovery doesn’t look too bright. Is there anything I can do to help?

Oh, right, I completely forgot about the reason I ended up helping Duke Plafard—Viscount Melt.
But apparently I’m the only one who forgot, because it seems the matter of handing over Viscount Melt has already been settled between Marquis Vardmoi and Duke Plafard.
I wonder what's going to happen with the other nobles?
I did bring them along, just in case.

"The other nobles, huh. Including Morogawarde, most of them are of little value. Apart from Viscount Melt, they’re all part of Corinius’s faction."

"Then they’ll be executed along with Corinius?"

"That’s fine. Apologies for making you go to the trouble of bringing them."

"Not at all. That just leaves the problems of the manpower shortage and who will govern the territories left vacant."

"Indeed. The manpower issue… well, I’ll try to figure something out on my end. The real problem is who will govern the lands once the pro-Corinius nobles are expelled. No one really distinguished themselves in battle this time—in fact, we were the ones being attacked. It would be ideal if we had someone suitable for the role, but…"

… Why is everyone looking at me?

I’m telling you, I am *not* becoming a noble!

What do you think about this chapter?