Chapter 77: Her Highness Flora's Visit

(From Flora’s Perspective)

I have come to the western part of the Kingdom for the first time. It has been four days since I left the Royal Capital by carriage. As we approached a slightly elevated point on the highway, the city of Northernford came into view ahead.

I hear it used to take a week, but since the cobblestone road has been maintained all the way here, we arrived much faster. Thanks to the paved road, the carriage doesn’t shake much. I was prepared to be shaken terribly on bumpy roads.

This is also one of William-san’s achievements. Although combining the Production Skill and Earth Magic to create cobblestone roads may seem plain, it is changing the Kingdom significantly. People and goods can move back and forth faster than before, making trade flourish, and public safety is improving because knights can rush to incidents quickly.

When I wrote about that to William-san in a letter, he replied saying it was thanks to the Dwarves. Certainly, the Dwarf race, skilled in Earth Magic, is playing an active role, but it seems there is no precedent for the Dwarf race cooperating with humans to this extent. Father believes this is an achievement of William-san, who gained the Dwarves’ trust, and the Fairchild family.

The primary reason for visiting Northernford this time is to honor William-san’s achievement of developing drought-resistant wheat and stopping the poor harvest caused by the drought. But that is not all. Father has told me to observe William-san’s character.

Before leaving the Royal Capital, Father told me that because the Albion Kingdom focused too much on swords and magic, even though its military power is decent, its internal affairs are not substantial, and since the economy is not developing, the national power is not growing. In comparison, the Northern Empire is apparently enriching the country by focusing on agriculture and industry, and its national power is growing steadily.

It was in such a situation that William-san appeared. Demonstrating exceptional ability as a producer, he is changing the country. Father seems to be considering drawing the nobles’ attention to enriching the country through substantial internal affairs by highlighting William-san as a symbol.

The fact that Father, the King, thinks we focus too much on swords and magic was pleasing to me, who possesses the Merchant Skill. I reflected on how I had been depressed about being unable to use swords or magic and had not spoken properly with Father. Although I have only met William-san once, his humble personality and kindness were conveyed even through letters, so I agree with highlighting him as a nation.

However, while I am happy to go to Northernford and meet William-san, I am grateful to him for teaching me the merits of the Merchant Skill, and I do not have the confidence to view William-san’s character objectively. When I told Father that, he laughed and said, “No, Flora, you are the right person. I’m not asking you to find faults in William-kun. Rather, I want you to find his good points. Since there will likely be nobles who oppose highlighting William-kun significantly, the more material we have to persuade them, the better.”

Furthermore, it seems Vice Commander Auguste of the Royal Guard will be responsible for evaluating him from a third-party perspective. Auguste is trusted by Father. As I was recalling such things, we arrived in Northernford.

I greeted everyone in the Fairchild family. I was able to meet William-san for the first time in a while. He has the same gentle and calm atmosphere as when we met in the Royal Capital. I have also met the Margrave and his wife at a party in the Royal Capital. The serious and sincere-looking Margrave, and the kind and embracing wife. William-san’s personality must have been shaped by growing up with these parents. His sister, Sophia-san, is cute, and her intelligence also comes across.

That evening, western nobles gathered for a welcome party. After having social conversations with several nobles, I thought I would speak with William-san, but then I saw the face of a girl talking happily next to him. How should I express it? Features so perfect one would think it a prank of the gods. Truly a peerless beautiful girl. I hadn’t heard there was such a person near William-san.

As I stood in surprise, a young girl called out to me. “Your Highness, you shouldn’t pay mind to that person.” The one who called out to me was Lady Scarlett of the Count Cardiff family. Scarlett-san possesses outstanding Swordsmanship Skills and is also famous for her superior appearance. In my previous, somewhat twisted days, I held complicated feelings towards Scarlett-san, whom the heavens had blessed with two gifts.

“Even though he is that beautiful, he is a man.” “Eh? What did you just say?” “His name is Oliver Levant. He is the son of Chairman Alex of the Levant Trading Company. Surely you know the name, Your Highness?” Of course I know the name, but that beautiful girl is Teacher Oliver? As I stood in confusion, Scarlett-san smiled wryly.

“There are many eccentrics around William Fairchild, but there are also many beautiful people. I was surprised by Oliver‘s beautiful-girl appearance too, and the Elf women are also very beautiful.” “Oh my, is that so?” “Yes. Some call me the most beautiful girl in the West, but I am nothing special. If I were blessed with looks like Your Highness, it would be a different story, though.” To think Scarlett-san, whom the heavens blessed with two gifts, thought that way.

In that moment, I understood. Scarlett-san is just like me—a girl who sometimes worries because she lacks confidence in herself. And before I knew it, I was holding Scarlett-san’s hand. “Scarlett-san, I am sure we can become good friends. I thought of myself as a doll who couldn’t use swords or magic and just had a slightly nice face. I was envious of you, thinking the heavens gave you two gifts: being good at swordsmanship and a beautiful girl.” Scarlett-san’s eyes went wide.

“But thanks to William-san, I learned the merits of the Merchant Skill and finally became positive. Just when I thought I could meet him after a long time and talk, there was an incredible beauty next to him… William-san has terrifying ability unlike his gentle and calm appearance, and he seems to be a troublesome person who surprises those around him beyond expectations.” Scarlett-san broke into a smile. “That’s exactly right, Your Highness. I am constantly surprised by Will. But I can’t help but care about him, and he really is a troublemaker.” Ah, just as I thought. We are the same. Scarlett-san and I smiled at each other, and this time Scarlett-san squeezed my hand tightly.