Chapter 16
5. If money can’t solve it, then you simply don’t have enough money
A few days passed after the Elbanon incident ended.
During that time, the wheat deal with the Albio Merchant Guild was successfully concluded, and Elbanon fell completely.
It was revealed that they had been selling Hekail wheat disguised as Hessen wheat. Their credibility crashed to the ground, and on top of that, hidden assets and tax evasion charges put them under investigation by the Treasury Office.
According to the information gathered, it seemed the guild master tried to run away overnight with the remaining assets but got caught.
“Greedy till the very end.”
If he had at least left the assets behind, he might have made it as far as the eastern port.
Of course, the financial officer, Hayley Michelle—known as the “mad dog of the Treasury”—would have caught him eventually anyway.
I was satisfied with the result of deliberately calling her all the way to the north.
Though, because of this incident, she ended up getting promoted… which meant her resignation was no longer happening.
“What a shame. I was thinking of scouting her as the Grand Duke’s financial officer if she quit.”
Well, if fate allowed, we would meet again.
Anyway, what really mattered wasn’t Elbanon, which was already finished.
After Saturn, now Albio—two major merchant guilds visited the North in succession. As a result, trade among smaller guilds became more active, and I received reports that the market was gaining vitality.
Of course, it was still mostly limited to the Grand Duchy’s capital, not the entire North.
Even so, for just one month, the results weren’t bad.
Now, by gradually releasing an appropriate amount into the market, the food issue was practically resolved.
“Then, the next step is…”
[Snore…]
“As expected, it’s public safety.”
[Snore…]
“No matter how many jobs are created or how active the market becomes, a society with poor security collapses quickly.”
[Snore…]
“……”
I let out a sigh.
“You pig-like dragon. Get off.”
I picked up Kaiseus, who was lying around after gobbling up a special apple, and tossed him onto the sofa.
His round belly jiggled as he rolled across it.
[Hey! What are you doing to this great being?!]
Kaiseus, who had been dreaming happily of a world filled with apples, protested.
I scoffed.
“Oh? Don’t want any more apples? It’s hard to grow fruit in the North, you know. We have to import everything. Should I cut off your special meals?”
[…Hehe. Human, what were you doing? Want help?]
He immediately changed his attitude.
It was ridiculous, but since he had contributed before—like copying account books—I decided to let it slide.
“I was thinking about public safety. If it were something money could solve, it would be easy, but this goes a bit beyond that.”
[Why?]
“Most trained soldiers have been deployed to the border fortress. There are barely any left in the territory. As for knights… they’re almost wiped out.”
[Then why not hire mercenaries? There used to be tons of them in the North during the Thousand-Year War.]
“That was during wartime.”
I rested my chin on my hand and waved the document I was reading.
Kaiseus crawled over and plopped down beside me.
“Not all mercenaries are like that, but most are individualistic. They lack a sense of community, so they’re not suitable for anything beyond war or one-time missions.”
Especially for maintaining order among residents—it would be the worst choice.
So there was only one conclusion.
“We need to increase the number of knights.”
I had felt this problem from the moment I first arrived at the Grand Duke’s castle. Runein had far too few knights.
Officially, only the First Knight Order remained—and even they were scattered across the North trying to maintain order.
This won’t do.
Not just for security, but thinking about the villains from the original story, we needed to increase the number of knights protecting the North as soon as possible.
Peace comes from strength.
We had to prepare in advance, since we didn’t know when or how they might strike.
“According to the materials I got from Shubel, during the Thousand-Year War, Runein had twelve knight orders. Of course, we don’t need that many now…”
At least three knight orders were necessary to maintain minimal deterrence.
[So what are you going to do?]
“First.”
I looked down at the document.
[Gray Wolf Knight Order List]
Commander: Luke Elliot
Second son of the Elliot Count family. Values rules and has a calm personality.
※ Note: Has a strained relationship with his family.
It was information about the First Knight Order.
“We start by doing what money can do.”
Creating a new knight order? Important.
But even more important was taking care of those who were already here.
They were the loyal swords who had endured Runein’s hardest times.
A blade rusts if you don’t maintain it.
“People say you can’t buy hearts with money…”
I smiled.
“That’s just ignorance.”
In my opinion, that happens when you undervalue respect and sincerity.
Suppose someone values themselves at one gold coin.
What happens if you give them 100 gold? 1,000? 10,000?
“If money can’t solve it, doesn’t that just mean there isn’t enough of it?”
And the method matters, too.
Shiny gold can please even a temple priest, but its effect doesn’t last long—because it gives the recipient autonomy.
And as I said, control must always remain with me.
“For example, instead of giving a large sum of money to someone with a sick family member, you send them rare medicine or a skilled doctor—things they couldn’t normally obtain. You create greater impact with less cost.”
[Oh, that sounds convincing.]
“It’s not just convincing—it’s how the world works, kid.”
[Hey! I’m not a kid!]
“The ones who deny being kids the most are usually the biggest kids.”
[Grr…!]
Kaiseus stomped his feet in frustration.
After teasing him a bit, I added,
“This is the highest form of respect I can give them.”
Because all I have is gold.
But sometimes, there are things money truly cannot buy.
Like love, conviction, and pride.
The Gray Wolf Knights were all skilled enough to serve the Grand Duke. Even if not at my level, they could live comfortably anywhere.
So why had they stayed in a declining house all this time?
[Knight 4: From an old vassal family of the Grand Duke.]
[Knight 12: Family saved by the Grand Duke in childhood.]
Loyalty.
They possessed something that shined.
And those who shine deserve proper treatment—
Something I cannot give.
Honor.
“That… is something only Runein can give.”
I murmured quietly.
At that moment, there was a knock.
Knock, knock.
“My lady, I heard you called for me.”
Right on time, Shubel—whom I had summoned—arrived.
At his voice, Kaiseus startled and quickly rolled forward, transforming into a ring.
Come to think of it… he seems scared of Shubel.
I wasn’t sure if it was fear or discomfort, but he always avoided him like a mouse before a snake.
I should ask about that later.
“Come in.”
Click—the door opened, and Shubel entered.
Today again, he wore a simple white shirt.
I quietly evaluated him.
I don’t want to judge others’ taste, but still… what a waste.
With just a few accessories to match his relaxed aura…
Ah, and a fitted vest would be perfect. Something that highlights the waist.
Seeing him in that loose robe before, it would suit him well—
…What am I thinking?
I quickly shook the thoughts from my head.
Just image training. Training.
It’s not like we’re unrelated—he has to escort me at official events, so I’m just preparing in advance.
That’s all.
“What are you thinking about, my lady?”
As I felt oddly defensive toward myself, his low voice reached me.
“If you stare at me like that…”
With a faint smile, his elegant fingers lightly curled around the ends of my hair.
“It makes me nervous.”
I snapped back to my senses
