Salt Production and the Princess’s Earthly Desires
“Well then, since Takuto Shishido saved my life, I suppose I should give him something in return.”
I abruptly declared.
Upon hearing that, both Father and Big brother made openly displeased faces.
“If it’s a reward, he’s already been granted a title and land.”
“That was the kingdom’s reward. I haven’t given my thanks yet.”
Father, that’s a different matter entirely.
“If there’s something you want, I’ll make arrangements for it.”
Takuto thought for a moment.
“First, I’d like to know how salt is produced in my territory.”
“Ahh—”
Yeah, that’s… a bit of a problem.
“It should be made with salt pans and boiling, I think.”
Takuto grimaced again.
Salt making is hard labor. Salt pans are a pain to maintain, and boiling requires fuel. If I recall, they planted trees resistant to salt damage and used those for fuel — meaning it’s all quite labor-intensive.
Even now, in Arland, salt is important but not something used freely.
Judging from Takuto’s expression, it was obvious he was thinking, Why on earth do they make it that way?
“I guess we haven’t improved it.”
“To be honest, I’d forgotten all about it myself.”
I’m a princess, after all. I never had to worry about salt, so I just put it off.
Or rather… I think the production equipment was stored away in the treasury.
“Well, then we’ll need to introduce a descending-flow salt field first.”
“A what now?”
I’d never heard of such a thing.
“Oh, you don’t know about it?”
Takuto suddenly looked delighted.
Hmph. I may not know everything, but I know a lot. There are still mysteries I can’t grasp, like the concept of the Supreme Fluffiness. I research it every day — chasing clouds, so to speak.
Of course, I will one day obtain the Supreme Fluffiness.
And there are many other mysteries too. Like why my brother is such a hopeless sister complex. Or why Father won’t shave that prickly beard even though it hurts.
And also — from which angle Mr. Coote looks the most handsome. I’m still studying that. Helios… well, never mind him.
Anyway, Takuto happily began explaining the descending-flow salt field. It annoyed me a little. I’m the one in the older-sister position here, you know. But still—
“Why would you choose such a complicated method?”
“Eh? Well, it’s not like I know any other way. I just happened to remember it from a book I read once. You can’t really do ion-exchange membrane methods in this world, can you? I don’t even know their structure.”
“The ion-exchange membrane method is far more efficient. You can even mass-produce sodium hydroxide.”
There’s no reason to choose an outdated, inefficient method.
“Yeah, but I don’t know how the equipment’s built.”
“I have it already.”
In truth, it’s already been made. It’s just sitting in a corner of the treasury for certain reasons.
“Alice! Why wasn’t I informed of this!? If we could mass-produce salt, I’d have sent him even farther into the frontier!”
“Big brother, your true intentions are slipping out.”
“Drat!”
So that’s it — my brother still wants to exile Takuto far away from me.
He quickly regained his composure, grabbed my shoulders, and shook me.
“Salt is a strategic national resource! You could’ve at least shared the production method!”
“Well, no one asked, and I wasn’t having any trouble, so I just left it alone.”
I’m royalty — I don’t live a life where salt is an issue. And none of my acquaintances among the citizens have ever brought up salt shortages either. So I figured it could wait.
Besides, even if I made it, the salt trade’s already bound up in noble monopolies, isn’t it?
If I recall correctly, only certain nobles — and the royal family — are allowed to produce salt. There are a few to prevent monopolistic price gouging, but that’s it.
That’s also why Takuto’s new territory can’t really be called a complete dud.
Though, to be honest, Big brother’s true goal is probably to have an otherworlder with flexible thinking develop the barren, salt-damaged land — and to separate him from me.
“Anyway, I’m busy. Once one development’s done, the next one awaits.”
“I’d appreciate reports, at least. I’ll pay you well, of course.”
Arland always pays me properly. No matter how tight the budget gets.
That’s probably because my brother and the nobles worry that if they overwork or exploit me, I might defect. And honestly, they’re not wrong — if they tried that, I’d just go independent. I’m only cooperating out of goodwill.
“But even if you’re busy, you never forget to file reports. You just skip the shady research ones. Salt isn’t exactly a state secret, though.”
“Well, to tell the truth…”
I began explaining.
The ion-exchange membrane salt production system was completed over a year ago. But at the very moment it was finished, a brilliant inspiration struck me.
I’d never told anyone this before, but if I divide my brain’s processing capacity into ten units, six are always dedicated to improving the Magical Comb.
One unit is used for mental image training — imagining eating the most exquisite sweets. It’s essential to avoid embarrassing myself when the time comes.
Sometimes, that training shifts into the pursuit of the Supreme Fluffiness.
Then what about all my other inventions? They use the remaining three units, give or take.
Most of what I develop are technologies from Earth, recreated with magic. They don’t take much effort. Though the projects are vast, they often reach completion simultaneously.
And when that happens, my brain sometimes boots a new upgrade idea for the Magical Comb — and poof, the salt system was completely overwritten in my memory.
“As a result, the Magical Comb has entered a new era.”
“Magnificent! As expected of the princess!”
“Your relentless pursuit of fluffiness! Truly, the model of all challengers!”
As I proudly explained, the beastmen nobles applauded wildly.
Meanwhile, Father, Big brother, and the other nobles pressed their hands to their foreheads.
“… So you’re saying, you only use about thirty percent of your capacity for normal research?”
“What are you talking about, Big brother? I’m always giving my all.”
I’m always running my brain at 100%, after all.
“… Couldn’t you, maybe, cut down the Magical Comb’s share? Say, in half?”
“I was actually thinking of cutting everything else in half to further advance the Magical Comb.”
The Magical Comb is humanity’s most vital invention. Once it reaches the unknown frontier, all that remains is for humankind to embrace the wonder of fluff. When every person finally understands the glory of fluffiness, the Magical Comb will stand as a symbol of peace.
“My sister… you’re a mass of earthly desires. You’ve fallen to the dark side of fluff-mania.”
“If you face the darkness, you’ll find the truth.”
“… You’re hopeless.”
Oh Big brother, it’s a bit late to realize that. I’ve always been true to my desires. I make what I want, and crush what gets in my way — that’s all there is to it.
And since your scheming annoys me, I’ll be sabotaging that too.
“So then, Takuto, I’ll present you with a complete salt production facility — the whole factory.”
“Uh… thank you?”
“Mm. Go forth and mass-produce salt to your heart’s content.”
“P-please wait, Your Highness!”
As Takuto and I reached an agreement, several nobles stepped forward, pale-faced.
“If such a facility is built, the salt from our lands won’t sell!”
“That would be disastrous for us! Please reconsider!”
Ugh, salt nobles. Such a pain.
“She’s right, Alice! Favoring one noble is unbecoming of royalty!”
Big brother, who had recovered, struck some weird pose and blocked my way.
Well, he’s not wrong. Giving Takuto the facility alone would ruin the other salt nobles.
When I looked around, most of the nobles wore similar uneasy expressions.
The ones in favor were… the beastmen and a few of the commoner nobles. But there was a disturbing gleam of fanaticism in their eyes, so I’ll just assume they’re not my supporters. They’re scary. They’ve been the ones cheering me all along, but still — best to keep my distance.
“Hmm, then how about this — I’ll give salt-production equipment to all the salt-making nobles. For Takuto, I’ll personally build a whole factory as a private gift. For the others, I’ll only present the equipment.”
That should settle it. Takuto gets a factory, the others just get the tools. They can build the buildings themselves.
“As for selling the salt produced, the nobles can negotiate among themselves — as long as they don’t destroy each other’s interests. From what I’ve heard, salt reserves are minimal, right? Then even if it’s cheaper, demand will rise. In fact, lower prices mean more citizens can buy salt. The economy’s booming, after all.”
Back when Arland was a poor nation, salt reserves were likely minimal. But that’s fine — we can increase stockpiles now. With the slums practically eradicated, the economy’s doing great. It’s time to say goodbye to stingy salt rationing.
“… I see.”
“That does make sense.”
“With the freed labor, we could work on roads and other projects.”
“We’re actually short on manpower…”
Yeah, those left jobless will find new work in no time. Merchants and craftsmen are starving for workers.
Speaking of which, the newly immigrated races have been nervous lately. I should check on that. Over 200,000 immigrants entered Arland, so it’s been chaotic.
Still, Arland’s always been an immigrant nation — it’s nothing we can’t handle. The human supremacists haven’t followed, since we didn’t bring any human immigrants this time. Nonhumans don’t fall for human-supremacist ideology — nobody wants to think they’re inferior, after all.
On that front, the business community actually sent me a bloody thank-you letter. It said, “We are deeply grateful for the labor force you’ve secured for us. However, please delay new domestic developments if possible.”
For some reason, they addressed it to me.
Naturally, I replied with, “I refuse.” Domestic development is urgent business.
We seized a mountain of wealth from the Empire, after all — funds aren’t an issue. Time to build roads, railways, ports, and mines! (A divine calling!)
And with that, everyone was convinced by my flawless reasoning. The details? That’s Brother’s job. I’m not dealing with the tedious rights and interests part.
“Well then, that’s the end of this discussion.”
“...…”
With Father and Big brother scowling behind me, I turned to leave.
But an ominous feeling crept up on me — like I’d forgotten something very important.
Then a hand landed on my shoulder.
“What is it?”
It was Big brother.
“Actually, Alice, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you.”
The bad feeling intensified.
“.. .I, uh, really need to go water Mr. Coote right now.”
Brother smiled faintly.
“No need to worry. I tied that useless mutt up and sank him in the garden pond.”
“What kind of cruel act is that!?”
Poor Mr. Coote. Well, I doubt that’d kill him. It’s hard to restrain him physically when he can change size. He’s probably escaped already.
“Anyway, I do have something to ask.”
“… I have to go feed Helios.”
“Oh, he ransacked the kitchen, so I hung him upside-down at the training grounds.”
Helios, you useless creature!
I slapped his hand away and started inching backward. But the more distance I tried to put between us, the more he advanced. Before I knew it, I was backed against the wall.
“Alice. During the war with the Empire, you proposed something called the Grisaille Project, didn’t you? You used quite a sum of the kingdom’s assets for it. But I’ve never been told what it actually is.”
Oh crap! I forgot to destroy the evidence!
What do you think about this chapter?
