CH 40

Translated by Yonnee

“In any case, we are now taking the necessary measures to prevent further damage.”

The biggest problem here was food.

Ryzelin was originally an agricultural region that was a large provider of grain, but a few years ago, the noxious vapor swept through the farms, and it then became impossible to harvest anything.

Except for a few areas near the Ryzelin Castle, a considerable amount of land had become contaminated, so this was a natural result.

The Ryzelin domain was mainly known for their agriculture and the oracles that they received from the goddess, but the region’s citizens started expressing their dissatisfaction actively ever since the granaries ran out of stored food.

That’s why they were now formally requesting a subsidy for the purpose of identifying the cause of this poisonous phenomenon and for them to take action against it.

“Hm…”

Everyone in the room looked troubled.

If it was impossible for them to farm, then there was no other solution but to give a subsidy.

They had been trying to uncover the cause of the poison all this time, but they failed each time.

However, if the subsidy would be approved, then this would be a significant burden on the nation’s finances.

While everyone was unable to speak, as if there was nothing else that could be done, someone spoke up like so.

“It would not be the Goddess’ will to let these people starve to death. We must spare no expense and go ahead with the subsidy.”

It was Roiqan. As if he opened a door, the people who had similar opinions also spoke up one by one.

“The finances can be earned again later.”

“That’s true. We have to concentrate our efforts into saving the people for now.”

Isabelle watched them and mulled over it herself.

It was a hundred times correct to say that the people’s lives should come first. But if the subsidy were to be abused…

“I agree with drawing up a relief budget. But giving the subsidy indiscriminately would also prove poisonous to Ryzelin.”

All this time she had just been sitting there silently. This was the first time the duchess had spoken.

It was natural for everyone around her to turn their heads towards her and ask about what she just said.

“Why do you think so, Duchess Cardiago?”

“As Lord Ryzelin has mentioned, the Ryzelin domain is largely dependent on agriculture.”

“Then how…?”

“If the people get used to the idea of subsidies and stop farming altogether, then an antipathy to labor would arise once the problem of the noxious vapor has been solved.

“……!”

It’s certain that the commoners would remember the days that they could make money without having to work for it.

At this enlightening perspective, some participants of the meeting blinked in a daze.

“But it is still true that they can’t farm in the contaminated land, can they? Most farmlands in the Ryzelin domain have been ruined.”

“It’s said that the poison isn’t affecting areas near the Ryzelin Castle. There should be a way to gather the people to the uncontaminated land and cultivate it together.”

Isabelle was amazed at herself with how well she spoke.

Every time Saintess Mary taught her about these things before, she thought it was useless.

‘You knew I would need it someday.’

The memory almost brought tears to her eyes as she smiled warmly.

Looking at the corner of the agenda document given to her, she read the notes she scribbled there quickly and spoke again.

“The production can start small, but the Ryzelin domain gets plenty of sun and is blessed with water, even the land is fertile. If you can choose crops that grow quickly throughout doing this, then production will increase significantly. Suitable crops include soft-shelled barley and some swallow rye, then…”

As she recited some more varieties of crops that grew well in Ryzelin, she suddenly felt the gazes on her, so she raised her head.

A lot of eyes were staring at her.

“How on earth did you know that…?”

“I heard that you grew up in a temple, but did you do some farming, too?”

“But all the crops mentioned just now are the ones that grow only in Ryzelin, don’t you think?”

Everyone but her had a dumbstruck expression on their faces.

‘Who the hell is this woman who seems to know better about the Ryzelin domain than I do?’

Ian Ryzelin was no exception.

* * *

After several meetings, Isabelle’s plan to proceed with relief donations was adopted as a formal proposal.

Although the opinions of experts on the matter were also added and supplemented to the proposal, the initial draft that she thought of wasn’t drastically lost.

Because of Duke Cardiago’s influence, the nobles who did not mention anything about the madam’s participation in the conference seemed quite surprised by her capabilities.

“Duchess Cardiago, please visit our domain one day. We have a phenomenal floating garden, and I just know that you’ll love it.”

“I wish my daughters can grow up to be like you, Madam.”

During several more meetings and throughout dinner, Isabelle heard countless more compliments of the same kind.

Lizzie seemed to be the most excited.

“The Madam just now is famous for never giving any compliments. She must have taken a liking to you, Duchess.”

“I’m just lucky. It’s a topic I’ve been interested in lately.”

Maria had always taught her about the empire’s affairs, so she was also interested in it.

In a situation like this, she also learned from the saintess that humility was key.

Moreover, the problem was actually not yet completely solved.

Unless the problem of the noxious vapor, which began in Ryzelin, could be eradicated in a short amount of time, then it would surely spread throughout the empire as well.

‘I heard that the next agenda for today would be the monster specimen. I hope progress can be made.’

If the noxious vapor could be solved, then Ryzelin’s favor could also be won—and winning their favor like this preemptively meant one step closer to the emperor’s throne.

Isabelle was going to do her best to help Riggs achieve his goal of becoming the emperor. Because…

‘I’m helping him because we’re friends. And also, because Riggs is a much better man than someone like Roiqan.’

With just a slight tilt of the head, his prominent collarbone and adam’s apple could be seen.

A slow trickle of water runs down his chest,

And his rippling abs would loosen and tighten at every breath.

These images were in Isabelle’s mind rent-free, but she pretended she didn’t know.

[ “Isabelle. Call me if you need me.” ]

The low-pitched voice felt so smooth over her ears.

When she also recalled his strong thighs, her steps slowed down.

* * *

The conference participants filled the vast training hall of the Cardiago Castle.

The training hall was usually just gray or reddish brown, but now, many different colors could be seen.

“It’s the first time I’ll be seeing a beast that mutated from animals.”

“Well, it’ll be all locked up in a cage, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“We must find a solution to the poison problem first.”

Everyone waited for Ian Ryzelin.

He was the one who captured the beast, and so they waited for him to explain.

Looking back, Isabelle asked.

“Goddess Isis, is it alright for you to keep showing yourself in public like this? What if someone recognizes you?”

Today once more, Isis was wearing a maid’s uniform that she stole, and she answered with a delighted expression.

“My Isabelle. Your concern for your Goddess is sweet, but because my divine power remains to be at an amount that wouldn’t expose me as a god, you can relax.”

“But…”

“Without an oracle and also without enough divine power, who would think that I am a god if I cannot perform as such? It’s better for you to focus on them first.”

Isis pointed towards Riggs and Ian, who were approaching.

Right behind them was a wild boar being carried in a huge cage. Its fur was supposed to be light brown, but right now, it’s evidently reddish brown.

The threatening beast made people feel agitated.

“Its tusks are twice as thick and sharp compared to the ones in my domain.”

“If those things are going around, I don’t think anyone would be able to go out of their houses, let alone farm.”

“It’s a good thing that they only turn into beasts after inhaling the noxious vapor.”

“But the color of its fur… Haven’t you seen the same hue somewhere?”

Both the color of the wild boar’s fur and the noxious vapor that was occasionally mixed with its exhales were reddish brown.

“Don’t tell me Cardiago is doing this on purpose to Ryzelin…”

“Shush! Do you think no one can hear?”

Isabelle frowned as she listened to the chatter around her.

She also thought of Cardiago first after seeing the boar.

‘But Riggs isn’t like that.’

Apparently, the tears he shed after getting ‘beat up’ were all an act, but Isabelle believed that Riggs was inherently good.

Riggs wasn’t evil enough to purposely release noxious vapor to an entire region just to win one vote for the imperial election.

If he had done such a thing, then Ryzelin’s side would have noticed something, too.

“It’s safe to be around the beast because it’s been put to sleep through magic,” Ian promised.

He struck the beast with strong force as if to demonstrate.

A loud thud resounded, but the beast continued to be calm in its sleep.

It was only after this reassurance that the others began to approach it.