The Penniless Minister of Land Development
"I'm sorry, but next year's budget will have to be cut by about 30%."
Just as I was earning extra income through side jobs, His Majesty summoned me—only to reduce my budget.
My name is Rush Brown. I hold the title of Count and serve as the Minister of Land Development in Arland.
The Kingdom's budget is always in a dire state, and domestic development is sluggish. Most of the budget is consumed by war expenses and maintaining the bare minimum of the economy. Due to chronic budget shortages, our Land Development Bureau supplements its funds by making and selling ropes.
Next year, we planned to reinforce the river embankments that collapse annually. After saving up for several years and supplementing with earnings from side jobs, I thought we could finally start construction. But with this budget cut, our plans are now in jeopardy.
"If we leave things as they are, public dissatisfaction will only continue to grow. Please, at least reduce the cut to just 10%!"
If it’s only a 10% cut, I can make up for it by increasing our side jobs.
"I see. Then we’ll reduce it by 10%. I truly regret this. However, the airship business is thriving. By the year after next, the budget should triple. Right now, we're stuck in a cycle of making and selling, generating only minimal revenue."
I'm well aware of the airship business. Our Princess—calling her a genius would be an understatement—revived airships both as a means to antagonize the central government and to secure her own funding.
Although the airship business is thriving, due to the lack of an allocated budget, it's stuck in a cycle of production and sales to generate income. However, most of the revenue is allocated to the Technical Development Bureau and the Air Force, both under the princess’s jurisdiction.
I have no complaints. It is her achievement, after all. It’s only natural that most of the funds flow to her. Besides, thanks to her efforts, previously neglected policies are receiving attention, and the Technical Development Bureau is advancing so rapidly that our magic tool production might even surpass that of the Magic Kingdom.
Yet, this alone cannot fix the Kingdom's finances. Perhaps that's why the princess went as far as to create the "Magic Range"—a magic tool that eliminates the need for magicians to perform enchantments. The storage bags produced using this technology are already set for export through the Kingdom, though the procurement process has temporarily worsened our finances.
Of course, the princess has no ill intentions. In the long run, this will stabilize the Kingdom’s economy. Looking ahead, only good things await.
And in the year after next, I’ll receive three times the budget of this year. That’s how much influence she holds. The Noble Council was foolish to challenge her. They’ll once again find themselves without any profits.
"I understand. Next year, we’ll manage with this."
Refusal wasn’t an option. As a noble of this Kingdom, it’s my duty to support the nation in difficult times. As long as there's future gain, I have no objections.
I bowed to His Majesty and returned to my office.
"Listen up, everyone! Next year's budget has been cut. Effective immediately, we are ramping up rope production. Expect sleepless nights this month!"
"W-what?!"
"But we haven't even gone home for three days!"
The staff protested with despair on their faces. But I haven’t been back to my estate for about a week either. Letting the budget cuts halt our projects would be an affront to my pride.
"Rest assured. His Majesty has promised that the year after next, we’ll receive three times the budget of this year. We only need to endure one more year."
Our Land Development Bureau is an organization that finds ways to secure funding even when the Kingdom’s budget falls short. By selling ropes to merchants, we can make up for the deficit. A 10% cut is nothing.
While the Noble Council and the Merchants’ Guild Headquarters were pressuring the Kingdom, we continued weaving ropes. We hold no political influence, nor do we have the means to exert pressure on others. In fact, many nobles forget our existence entirely, leaving us out of any alliances for leveraging influence… It’s a bit lonely, really.
By the time the Kingdom had intervened in the Council, I had burned myself out in the castle’s garden. The rope production is in good hands—merchants praise our ropes for their durability and strength. They’ll sell at a good price. As their superior, I worked harder than my subordinates, leaving me utterly exhausted. At times like these, I find solace in gazing at flowers in the garden.
With various improved rose breeds planted here, this rose garden blooms year-round. Roses are truly beautiful. It’s a shame that no one else seems interested.
"Ehehe. I think I can make a new medicine using these rose extracts."
The princess was in the garden. Probably not the real one. Lately, copies of our Princess have been appearing, yet no one questions it. I’ve been wondering about this for a while—am I the only one who finds it odd? But at the same time, I feel it wouldn’t be strange if she could duplicate herself. If only I could do the same, I could triple our rope production… Unfortunately, my meager mana is utterly useless. I assume the princess’s duplication is magic as well, meaning I can’t use it.
The way to distinguish the real Princess is by checking whether her eyes bear a special emblem, but with contact lenses, it's impossible to tell. Moreover, she often erases her own emblem to avoid standing out, making it even harder. However, she isn’t the type to show interest in flowers, so this must be one of her duplicates. The real one is far too busy to be leisurely strolling through a rose garden.
As a loyal retainer, I do wish she would embrace a more graceful demeanor.
At that moment, another Princess appeared at the garden entrance. She was accompanied by a magic beast named Coote, which meant she was most likely the real one. Coote, a creature that surpasses even Silver Wolves in strength, is classified as one nonetheless. Among all magic beasts, Coote is the princess’s absolute favorite and is always by her side. His fur looks even glossier now… The beastkin nobles must be shedding blood tears in envy. A magic beast with such a coat—it’s unfair.
"How rare."
I couldn't help but mutter. His Majesty’s cherished daughter is the very definition of a sheltered noble lady, yet she has no interest in flowers or art. She doesn’t even wear dresses, claiming they restrict movement. That’s why she almost never visits the rose garden.
Her talents are unbalanced. Lacking any feminine charm—I say this with all due respect—her face remains mostly expressionless. Yet, there’s a certain allure in her unrestrained nature. She shines most when moving freely, not when locked away in a cage, but when soaring through the sky.
The princess noticed me and began walking over. Does she need something from me?
There is a saying about her—whenever she personally approaches someone with a request, immense profit follows. Of course, this profit is always accompanied by an overwhelming workload, but no one minds. Thanks to her, people gain valuable connections and privileges.
This is why even nobles favor her. She fairly compensates for any burdens she imposes. Though, she also forbids complaints about said burdens.
"Umm, Minister Rush, right? I just came up with a great idea. Are you interested?"
"You’ve been worrying about finances lately, haven’t you? If you help me, you’ll never have to worry about budget shortages again."
Ah, just how far ahead does she see? Her eyes are fixed on a distant future. Nobles think ahead, but she sees beyond that.
I had been stagnating for so long. Since inheriting this position from my predecessor, I had drafted numerous development plans. But most were halted due to lack of funds. My work had run dry—everything I wanted to do was already prepared, but nothing could proceed.
Even with side jobs, rope sales couldn’t sustain public works. It was frustrating. I wasn’t incompetent.
At last, I could unleash my full potential. The Kingdom has more than just the princess—I, too, can serve as a noble should.
For the first time in years, I felt a fire ignite in my heart.
"Very well. If I have the budget, I will propel this Kingdom forward. As Your Highness wishes."
What price will I have to pay? Her support always comes with a workload to match. Great joy, and great headaches. But I’ll see it through.
I knelt before her and bowed my head.
From this day on, my days of stagnation were over.
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