Chapter 99.1

The royal court hall fell into an oppressive silence, broken only by the occasional sound of someone swallowing nervously.

“…”

“…”

Everyone, including Grand Duchess Arina, stared intently at the list of Arad Group’s subsidiaries and the regions they were to expand into, as if trying to memorize them by heart.

I’d love to include more cities and territories in the expansion, but… given the current situation in the North, even this is pushing it.

The list of major cities and territories on the presentation totaled seven, including the High Tower.

Excluding my own fief, Count Jin’s Territory, the true count was six.

In the North, where the cold and the threat of monsters were constant, other regions were too isolated for the reliable transport of goods and manpower, leaving no choice but to focus on these six.

“Wait…?”

A minister, who had been absentmindedly scanning the subsidiary list, tilted his head in curiosity.

“Shipbuilding? Could it be that the shipbuilding in Count Jin’s Territory and Narvik refers to the kind of shipbuilding I’m thinking of? As in, building ships?”

The voice belonged to Logistics Minister Rok Kadan, the same minister who had recently been a victim of fraud.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I nodded in confirmation.

“But the North doesn’t have an ice-free port. The waters off Count Jin’s Territory are frozen year-round.”

“That’s true, for now.”

“Hmm… I understand what you’re aiming for, Count Jin, but will greenhouse barriers really make that possible?”

“When we can’t rely on the Empire forever for trade, we have to find a solution. Greenhouse barriers are just one of many possibilities.”

If ice-free ports proved unattainable, we’d explore airships. If airships failed, we’d consider waging war against the Empire to secure one.

“Count Arad is absolutely correct.”

“We can’t let the Empire keep its grip on our throats indefinitely.”

The ministers, including Rok Kadan, nodded in agreement with my reasoning.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

They likely trusted that I, having proposed this myself, would find a way to make it work.

“I understand the decision to establish a shipyard in Count Jin’s Territory. But why Narvik?”

“Narvik has the largest forest in the North.”

“True, and a lot of wood is needed to build ships. Plus, it’s not far from Count Jin’s Territory.”

“But that forest borders the magical zone…”

“Developing the great forest is something we’ll have to do sooner or later. Lately, our consumption of timber has been staggering.”

“Indeed. It might not be a bad idea to give it a try.”

The atmosphere of the royal court, which had turned into a sort of “royal presentation,” was solemn yet filled with a sense of warmth.

On the white wall, the list of 17 subsidiaries of Arad Group was projected, showing a glimpse of the North’s promising future.

And the best part? Everyone in attendance was participating in building this vision together.

Who wouldn’t be moved?

“The subsidiaries will begin relocating and expanding gradually. However, due to a shortage of mages to assist with construction, many areas will have to rely solely on manpower for building. As such, we anticipate the relocation process will take a minimum of three years and a maximum of five.”

I addressed the assembly, focusing particularly on the ministers and officials who had traveled from the North’s major cities and territories.

“What should we do in the meantime?”

The determination and eagerness in their eyes practically radiated from their faces.

“Please secure the sites where the industrial complexes will be established. And prepare thoroughly to prevent any incidents like the one we dealt with recently.”

“Hmph! Of course.”

Several ministers coughed awkwardly.

“Let me say something.”

In the midst of their uneasy coughing, Grand Duchess Arina’s cool voice cut through.

“If anyone disrupts these projects in pursuit of personal gain or compensation, they will face the harshest punishment, without exception.”

Thunk!

Hic! Hic!

The coughing ceased, replaced by sporadic hiccups echoing through the hall.

Long live developmental dictatorship!

Internally, I cheered for Her Highness, who delivered timely reinforcement.

After presenting the list of subsidiaries and their assigned regions, I paused to survey the room before continuing.

“Does anyone have further questions?”

A hand shot up immediately.

It was Haita, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet Office.

“There are over 50 factories in the industrial complex at the High Tower. What will happen to the existing factories when operations are relocated?”

“Some industries will move entirely out of the High Tower, while others will remain.”

“Does that mean the vacated factories will be repurposed for those that stay?”

“Yes. Demand for our products will only increase, not decrease.”

“Will you add more factories to the High Tower?”

“No, we’ll limit activity at the High Tower’s industrial complex to modifying or upgrading existing facilities.”

My explanation seemed satisfactory, as the Prime Minister and other ministers nodded in understanding.

However, Arina, seated on the white jade throne, had maintained a stoic expression throughout the meeting.

The dignity of a ruler seemed to weigh heavily on her.

Click—Flash!

At that moment, the sound of a camera shutter echoed from a corner of the court.

Turning my head slightly, I saw a servant from the Royal Household Bureau taking photographs of the court meeting.

Since no one objected, it must have been under the direction of Isabelle, who doubled as the Minister of Magic.

Well, this is history in the making.

Clearing my throat, I adjusted my posture unnecessarily.

The ministers also straightened themselves, while the attendants behind them fixed their hair and smoothed their clothes.

Click—Flash!

The camera went off again.

Someday, these images might end up in history textbooks—or perhaps on this world’s version of a documentary.

Fueled by these lofty thoughts, I continued my presentation.

“Next, let’s discuss the allocation of Arad Group’s shares.”

Following the theme of a developmental dictatorship, there were no contentious issues regarding equity.

“Currently, the shares of Arad Company are divided as follows: 20% to me, Count Arad Jin; 70% to Her Highness the Grand Duchess; and 10% to the Renslet Mage Council.”

Of course, this 20% and 10% were nominal. In reality, Arina effectively owned 100% of the company.

I was, after all, a man destined to return to Earth eventually. As long as I retained management rights, I didn’t care about ownership.

Given that Arad Company had been a state-sponsored enterprise from the start, the concept of equity was somewhat moot.

Come to think of it, this really is a corporate state.

“However, now that Arad Company has been restructured into subsidiaries under Arad Group, the stock and equity structure has changed. Arad Company’s shares will be converted into Arad Holdings, with the subsidiaries allocated as follows…”

Though no one raised objections, it was necessary to explain and disclose the changes formally.

If nothing else, this was an opportunity to introduce Renslet’s bureaucrats—most of whom were financial novices—to the basics of securities and stock management.

Looks like just mentioning stocks is polarizing the reactions here.

Half of those gathered in the royal court showed disinterest, their eyes drooping with boredom—mainly the knights.