Chapter 139

The Viceroy Company
"Thank you for gathering despite your busy schedules."

"Is this another one of your schemes? We’d rather not have more work added... Some of my subordinates are on the verge of collapsing."

The Minister of Finances with his disheveled blond hair and impressive Kaiser mustache, looked utterly exhausted. Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs seemed excited, likely because his workload had been minimal up until now. Both the Foreign Affairs minister and the Land Development ministers had had little to do—the former due to a lack of diplomatic activities and the latter due to insufficient funds.

Arland's current budget situation was dire, teetering on the edge of collapse. It was a wonder the Kingdom hadn't gone under already. They were barely sustaining the bare minimum of economic activity to delay financial ruin.

My solution was to generate external demand. At present, I am the only one on the continent capable of producing airships. Eibon shows no interest in airships and hasn’t even researched them—as an individual, he simply has no need for them.

Still, the budget shortfall remains. Although airships are generating profits, those profits are being consumed by policies that had been neglected for years. While I am receiving substantial compensation for my efforts, it’s not something I care about. However, working for free might lead people to believe I’m being exploited by the Kingdom, and unwanted interference would ensue. Thus, I am paid, though the funds only accumulate and create logistical headaches for me.

Next, I proposed selling storage bags to foreign countries through the Kingdom as a means of gathering funds internationally. Storage bags are incredibly convenient, making them highly desirable. Since they are priced at just one-tenth of those made by the Magic Kingdom, they are guaranteed to sell. I explained this to my audience.

"Marvelous! Diplomacy-related work is most welcome!"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, a man with naturally curly green hair, seemed overjoyed to take on this new task.

"Indeed. Selling through the Viceroy Company might yield less profit for the Kingdom. But as always, it seems we owe the princess yet another favor."

Favors are, of course, something to be imposed.

"And why am I here? Don't tell me you intend to make us purchase these with the military's budget!"

Mr. Albert, the Commander of the Knights Order, appeared to have grasped my intentions immediately.

"Exactly. Think about it—if every soldier had a storage bag, how much easier would transportation become?"

Naturally, I plan to have the military purchase them as well. The Air Force has already decided to buy them—my decision makes it final. Captain Pash won't oppose the idea; they are, after all, highly practical.

Going forward, the focus will be on economic revitalization. By boosting the Kingdom’s economy and providing jobs to the slum dwellers, tax revenues will improve. Furthermore, as incomes rise, tax revenues will increase even more.

Addressing a few key issues could transform Arland into a major power, leading to a growing population as well.

"Hmm, when you put it that way... Still, we have the matter of repairing the border fortresses..."

"We can discuss that separately. I was just thinking of creating city defense barriers, so once we have a prototype, we can deploy it to the border fortresses. Even without walls, it will significantly enhance defensive capabilities."

"You're talking about building such a money sink?! If we create something like that, the Kingdom will surely go bankrupt! And where do you propose to source the mana?!"

The Minister of Finances erupted in outrage.

Currently, only three nations possess city defense barriers: the Empire, the Imperial State, and the Magic Kingdom. The Empire, aware of the animosity it has incurred from all sides, has installed one in its capital—as have the other nations. In this world, where magic users are scarce, maintaining a steady supply of mana is a challenge. Even transferring mana from magic gems to magic stones is a painstaking process. While I personally manage it with ease, for most, it’s a significant barrier.

Because of these challenges, magic users must always be stationed in the capital, and they are typically very well-paid. In Arland, where magic users tend to have low mana reserves, this is seen as cost-inefficient. Elves, who are rich in mana, refuse such servitude, often staying secluded in their territories.

But it’s fine. Though we don’t have one yet, a large-scale magic reactor will solve everything. While it’s currently unstable and prone to malfunctions, Eibon and my clones are working hard to improve it. If one clone fails, I’ll simply deploy another. If the next one fails too, the one after that will take over.

"Funding is not an issue. Theoretically, the capital will be safe even if struck by a hundred of the strongest nuclear weapons from another world."

The magic barrier will extend underground. All I need to do is create a barrier that blocks every harmful substance known to me. Improving the barrier is relatively straightforward—at least compared to circuit diagrams.

"Hmm, in that case, I have no objections. Storage bags are something we’ve always wanted, and if we can procure them affordably and consistently, there’s no other choice."

"Naturally, I agree as well. I’ll gather the ambassadors in the capital and begin negotiations immediately... Busy days lie ahead!"

"As long as it benefits the Kingdom’s finances, I have no complaints. However, I’d like to know what exactly you plan to have us do."

While Mr. Albert and the Foreign Affairs minister were easily convinced, the Finances minister remained steadfast.

"The Council has been making quite a racket lately. Could you use some pressure—or anything, really—to quiet them down? And make sure it doesn’t look like I had any involvement."

"They’ve been restless because it’s grown colder and work has slowed down. Most likely, they’re just upset about not securing positions in the Air Force."

Mr. Albert muttered disdainfully. Well, the military is the Kingdom’s pride, after all. Even now, they’re making nonsensical demands, like creating a Knights Order exclusively for noble children. Honestly, we don’t have the time or budget to set up useless organizations just to cater to their sense of entitlement.

Of course, they try to approach me too, but since I’m often away and delegate personnel matters to Captain Pash, their efforts go nowhere.

The biggest issue is probably his aversion to nobility. Until recently, the Air Force was under the jurisdiction of the Noble Council, and as a commoner, he endured endless sneers and insults while doing his job. The only reason he wasn’t stripped of his position as commanding officer was that the Air Force was an organization with no appeal or benefits at the time.

“Even if they all lose their titles, I wouldn’t mind anymore. Every day, they crowd around my place asking to meet the princess. Despite me having almost no connection to you."

I rarely talk with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, after all.

"How disgraceful for grown adults. To be despised even by children—what a pitiful state."

"I'm fairly grown-up, though."

"No, you’re a child. So, please make sure to take proper breaks."

No, Finance Minister, I am a lady. Probably. I should even be able to drink alcohol. There's no legal drinking age in this world anyway. The dwarves, for instance, are a race that drinks from the moment they’re born.

And I’ve even mastered staying up late. The novels Keena picks out are perplexing. “Our Unyielding Order of Knights” was quite a fun read. It told the story of the male-only Order of the Rose Knights and their rivalry with the White Lily Knights, dominated by mages. The Rose Knights, aiming to achieve glory on their own, challenged many battles. There was one part where their captain was cornered against a wall by a bandit leader, and then, for some reason, the scene cuts to the next day.

Apparently, that part was heavily abridged in the manuscript I read. Why the bandits were so exhausted or how the knights managed to capture them remains an unsolved mystery in this supposed mystery novel. Incidentally, I’ve heard there’s a real-life Knights Order similar to it, but who cares?

"Ahem, in any case, I understand your request. I am aware of the uproar caused by those nobles, so I’ll apply pressure to shut them up under the guise of it being unrelated to you, Princess. Perhaps stripping a few of their titles might also quiet them down."

Well, they weren’t particularly needed in the first place. In fact, their absence means no need for pensions, which would be a relief for those managing the Kingdom’s finances.

"I’ll give those obstinate elders who don’t respect their juniors a proper dressing-down," said Mr. Albert, veins bulging on his forehead. It seems the military is equally irritated with the Council.

"I’ll leak information to my aristocratic and territorial contacts. It’s my area of expertise," said the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Though I wasn’t sure how effective that would be, it seemed to suffice. Both Mr. Albert and the Finance Minister exchanged peculiar looks at the Foreign Affairs Minister's comment—ones of pity, as if regarding a sad individual.

For now, we proceeded with negotiations. The Foreign Affairs Minister secured a deal for 5,000 storage bags. The Finance Minister committed to the Kingdom’s needs and an additional 2,000 bags. The military placed an initial order for 1,000 bags. All in all, 8,000 bags from domestic orders alone—perhaps I have a knack for sales. Of course, they requested prompt delivery, so production will need to ramp up immediately.

"Princess! I’ve managed to secure an order for 4,000 bags! Additionally, several trade companies have pledged allegiance to our side!"

Exclaimed Mr. Ponpoko, returning to the Viceroy Workshop with a triumphant smile.

"Well, the Kingdom ordered 8,000 bags. Plus, I secured a partnership with the Adventurers' Guild."

While the Air Force hadn’t yet specified the quantity they’d purchase, I estimated it might increase by another 1,000 bags.

"What... impossible. To think I’d lose in sales…"

Mr. Ponpoko seemed crestfallen at my response, his merchant’s pride clearly wounded. Yet, he quickly recovered.

"I can’t stay idle like this. I must secure additional orders. As a merchant through and through, I cannot afford to lose in sales!"

"Let’s handle the excessive orders we already have first."

"Urgh, indeed. I will make every effort to live up to the expectations of being your vassal, Princess."

That said, our immediate options were limited to increasing production facilities, such as by adding more magic looms.

"This might be a good opportunity to directly employ the seamstresses.”

"Indeed. At this rate, there’s a risk they might be poached by the other side. Given the current state of the Viceroy Company, direct employment shouldn’t pose any issues. They’re skilled workers, after all."

On top of that, I proposed handling everything from fabric production to clothing manufacturing and sales in-house, which was deemed a good idea. Expanding the scope of operations was an effective strategy.

I invested in fabric production sites and began manufacturing sewing machines. While the designs were primitive and based on earlier prototypes, they were usable in this world.

"To all who wish to work for me, you’re hired," I declared to the seamstresses, explaining the situation. Uneasy about their previous unstable employment, they quickly accepted the offer.

The issue of their housing came up next, but their new wages allowed them to rent houses outside the slums. As official members of the Viceroy household, they faced no issues with guarantors.

Later, I plan to build apartment complexes for them. In the meantime, temporary prefab housing was erected where dilapidated structures once stood. Though the temporary quarters sufficed for now, future urban development required careful planning to avoid haphazardly placing residences.

Under my command, the storage bags were shipped out in quick succession. Packed into wooden crates, they were transported to the Viceroy Company and the royal castle by our security team.

Even though the former Ponpoko Company’s carriages now bore the Viceroy emblem and were presumed safe from attacks, they had faced a few ambushes. Naturally, the security team retaliated, sending all attackers to the mines. My brother, enraged, had entire criminal organizations dispatched to the mines as well—merciful enough not to take their lives.

Finally, the Guildmaster of the Merchants’ Guild Headquarters was arrested. Simultaneously, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Noble Council went missing, and the Clerk had their title revoked. Why on earth!