Chapter 106: The Conservative Nobles
(This time, the perspective is from His Majesty, King Edgar II.)
After meeting with Theodore and William-kun, I publicly announced that I would order the Fairchild family to develop the southern undeveloped lands, and that once developed, William Fairchild would be ennobled as a Viscount and granted the land as his territory. Upon doing so, the conservative nobles requested an audience.
What could they want to say? Until now, the conservative nobles have complained about me giving rewards to William-kun or promising him a future peerage. They shouldn’t have any complaints about making the inconvenient southern undeveloped lands his territory.
“What business brings you here today?” “We are humbled that you have spared time from your busy schedule, Your Majesty.” The one who answered my question was Earl Walterford. As a Count and a major noble of the West, he is a central figure among the conservative nobles. “We believe that the decision to order the Fairchild family to develop the southern undeveloped lands and to make those lands William Fairchild‘s future territory should be reconsidered.”
“Do you voice an objection to my decision?” “With all due respect, developing uninhabited undeveloped lands is a tremendously difficult undertaking. We feel it is simply too harsh to make such lands the territory of a young man.” “Oh, harsh, you say? I recall you all previously stating that I was overevaluating William Fairchild and his Production Skill.”
“Yes, we certainly stated that you were overevaluating his achievements in crafting. As nobles of the traditional Albion Kingdom, we believe that protecting the people from monsters through swordsmanship and magic is what is essential.” These men have nothing but swords and magic in their heads. They do not understand that a country cannot develop by merely clinging to tradition. Even as the Kingdom stagnates, the Empire in the North is growing its power.
“However, it is also a fact that the wheat and medicine created by William Fairchild have saved the people, and his equipment with multiple enchantments is useful. If you are to grant him territory, should it not be land that is slightly easier to govern, rather than uninhabited undeveloped lands?” Oh, so they are evaluating William-kun’s achievements in their own way. As the King of this country, I suppose I should be glad that while the conservative nobles may be foolish, they are not evil.
“I understand your opinions. However, making the southern undeveloped lands his territory is not being done to treat William Fairchild coldly.” I cannot yet make the World Tree or the fact that William-kun is the Savior public. If it becomes widespread knowledge that the World Tree has weakened, reducing its power to suppress monsters and causing the irregular climate, the people will become anxious. Furthermore, there is no telling what moves other countries might make if the news reaches them. For now, it must be kept secret as much as possible; I have only told the two Duke families, the Prime Minister, and a few other trustworthy individuals.
How should I explain this to the conservative nobles? Ah, yes. “You say it is an overestimation, but I believe the possibilities of the Production Skill are vast. The development of the undeveloped lands is certainly a difficult undertaking, but I expect that William Fairchild can execute it. Of course, since the development of new lands contributes to the future of the Kingdom, the Royal Family will provide aid, but his Production Skill will likely demonstrate its power in development as well.” “Your Majesty, is that not an excessive expectation?”
“Whether it is excessive or not will be known in due time. If William Fairchild magnificently succeeds in developing the undeveloped lands, may I take it that you will acknowledge the power of the Production Skill?” “If such a thing were to happen, we would have no choice but to acknowledge it. However, we do not think it can be realized.”
Hmm, I took a pledge from the conservative nobles, so it was a meaningful meeting. Although the biggest reason for this decision is to move the World Tree quickly, I truly believe that William-kun’s power will be greatly demonstrated in the development of the undeveloped lands.
The stubborn nobles do not understand, but his ability is terrifying. Immediately after returning to his territory from the Royal Capital, there was a report that he was able to create Magic Stones using purified Magic Cores. Moreover, they are safe Magic Stones that do not explode.
Safe Magic Stones are something we couldn’t obtain no matter how much we wished for them until now. I was surprised just hearing that Master Erica would experiment using William-kun’s idea, yet he achieved it immediately using a different method. I also heard William-kun’s wish to use Magic Stones not for weapons, but for daily life. I intend to allow their use for the development of the undeveloped lands.
William-kun already has a track record in laying roads and building bridges, making him naturally strong in domestic affairs, but now he has become able to create safe Magic Stones. I think it is like giving a demon an iron club—he will be unstoppable. “The conservative nobles said it was impossible, but what do you think?” I asked the Prime Minister.
“Let me see. Lord William seems to be considerate of his surroundings, despite being a child. For example, he creates extremely elaborate furniture, but halfway through, he entrusts the manufacturing to craftsmen within the territory. However, in the uninhabited undeveloped lands that will be his future territory, he can exercise his skills without hesitating for anyone’s sake.” “Fumu.” “I predict that Lord William will go unmatched in domestic affairs in the southern undeveloped lands by utilizing his Production Skills.”
