“Well, for an opening ceremony of an official merchant company, this feels a bit modest. If you wish, we could have held a grander event in the inner city…”

Once the three had successfully diverted the topic away from Mary, Arina awkwardly changed the subject to the scale and venue of the ceremony.

“I let it pass because you insisted, but as an official company under Renslet, this represents the duchy’s reputation as well.”

She wasn’t wrong. Considering the company’s name, influence, and achievements, the opening ceremony was indeed rather modest.

The venue was merely the interior of the Arad Company building.

Despite the Grand Duchess herself attending, there wasn’t even a grand banquet.

Instead, a simple buffet had been prepared using cooks, servants, and maids from the main castle, modestly catering the event.

Of course, the dishes—enhanced with my sauces, marinades, and recipes—tasted better than anything else anyone had experienced.

“I will keep that in mind, Your Grace. I assure you, nothing will tarnish your name or Renslet’s reputation.”

Following her advice, I bowed politely in adherence to formalities.

“...”

Her silent gaze lingered on me, seemingly dissatisfied with my stiff response.

‘Oh no!’

The warning bells in my head went off as soon as I noticed Arina’s expression.

In the corporate world, there are three unforgivable mistakes:
The third is getting into conflict with the government.
The second is alienating the public and your customers.
And the first? It’s doing both at the same time.

“I have a reason for keeping the ceremony so modest.”

Thus, I felt compelled to explain myself, even if it meant offering an excuse that was obvious to anyone.

“Let’s hear it.”

“First, having fewer attendees makes it easier to ensure safety and security. The Arad Company is currently under heavy surveillance and scrutiny from the Empire.”

“And the second?”

“The second reason is the budget. I spent almost all the gold I received with my title as a count on developing the detector and distributing Mary’s Blessing free of charge to the people.”

“I could have provided support for the opening ceremony.”

“Your Grace, I am well aware that even your finances are tight. I also know that you’ve been secretly using your private funds to support the production and distribution of fertilizer.”

I continued, “And most importantly, I hear the Northern Expeditionary Army will be returning soon. Wouldn’t a grand banquet for them require considerable resources?”

“Thanks to the recipes you provided, Arad, the burden of preparing for their banquet has already been greatly reduced.”

“Regardless, I don’t wish to interfere with the preparations for their celebration.”

My words seemed to strike a chord with the two standing beside Arina.

Haitai, who oversaw Northern finances, and Isabelle, who managed the duchy’s household, both looked at me with expressions of deep admiration.

“Hmm… I’ve never encountered anyone quite like you in my life. Very well.”

In the end, Arina had no choice but to step back. After all, my reasons were valid enough to warrant commendation, not criticism.

“By the way… could you perhaps…”

And of course, this was the perfect time to bring up a request of my own—right before the conversation wrapped up on a warm note.

“Perhaps? Speak your mind if you need something.”

Arina responded as expected, openly encouraging me.

“Would it be possible to use the black soil from the greenhouse farms for free until next year?”

“For free…?”

Hearing my unexpected request, Arina turned to look at Isabelle and Haitai beside her.

Both of them shook their heads furiously in vehement refusal.

‘These people…?’

I almost let a string of curses slip out.

If not for the fact that witches and officials had poured their personal funds into the fertilizer production and the establishment of the Renslet Church, I would have shouted in frustration.

“…We’ll need to review and discuss that further.”

In the end, Arina capitulated to the adamant opposition of the two and gave me a diplomatic response that essentially meant “no.”

Tch. What good is it to have no taxes when the country is so poor that expenses outstrip revenue…

I understood why they were so insistent. And, more importantly, I knew Arina wasn’t someone prone to luxury or corruption.

So, once again, I had no choice but to yield.

‘Is this how I’m slowly becoming a national martyr?’

For the sake of sustainable exploitation, I’d have to continue investing in and nurturing the duchy for the foreseeable future.

“Then, in exchange, I ask for one promise.”

After making concession after concession, I finally put on a firm expression and addressed Arina, Isabelle, and Haitai, as if delivering a final ultimatum.

“Starting next year, Mary’s Blessing must be sold for a price.”

“Of course. As long as you don’t engage in price gouging, I’d even encourage it. High Castle could profit from selling the black soil too.”

Until the end of this year, Mary’s Blessing would continue to be distributed to farmers free of charge.

After all, High Castle bore some responsibility for ruining the soil’s fertility, and even the best fertilizer needed a trial period to prove its worth.

In essence, this was a marketing expense.

“Starting next year, aside from the small amount distributed free of charge by the Renslet Church, Mary’s Blessing will only be available for purchase from the official merchant company.”

“Indeed, that sounds reasonable.”
“Absolutely right.”

For this, Arina, Isabelle, and Haitai all nodded in unison, fully in agreement.

“By the way, Sir Arad.”

“Yes, Sir Balzac?”

At that moment, Balzac, who had been silent until now, suddenly addressed me.

“Aren’t you planning to hire any more employees besides Lady Mary? With the recent purges, I’d imagine most of the hidden rats in the North and High Castle have been eliminated.”

“Ah, well… I do plan to hire eventually.”

I responded vaguely, aware that I hadn’t seriously considered the matter.

“Yet, it doesn’t seem like you’re making any effort to recruit,” Balzac remarked, giving me a curious look.

“Hahaha…”

How fickle the human mind is…

To be honest, I hadn’t felt the need to hire additional employees yet.

The largest expense for any business is, without a doubt, labor costs. Why do companies cut jobs first when restructuring?

As it stood, Arad Company incurred almost no labor expenses.

At least in this regard, I had fully benefited from being an official company under Renslet.

‘Does this mean they want me to stop relying on High Castle’s resources?’

High-ranking knights and Frostblade Ghosts took care of security and protection.
Administrative duties were handled by High Castle’s officials.
Witches directly and indirectly helped with production and manufacturing.

With so much assistance, the necessity of hiring employees had gradually slipped my mind.

‘What a shame… truly a shame.’

Legalized 99% outsourcing, with labor costs and fees close to zero.

It was practically the pinnacle of collusion between government and business—a corporate-state system in the making. But it seemed I had finally been caught.

"Once the opening ceremony is over, I'll start hiring in earnest."

"Is that so? Make sure to inform us when you begin recruitment. There may still be some rats that haven’t been flushed out yet."

"...? Of course."

Apparently, I had misunderstood. Balzac’s suggestion seemed to come from a different intention than I had assumed. I sighed quietly in relief.

‘Fine. Since it’s inevitable, I might as well get it done quickly. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can return to Earth.’

Naturally, I had no intention of staying here indefinitely.

Expanding the business, building factories—it would all require a major recruitment drive eventually. And the people I hired would need a steady stream of work to justify their roles.

‘Looks like the days of leisure are finally over.’

Perhaps my previous procrastination was due to having grown too comfortable in this world, inadvertently becoming lazy.

"Now that I think about it, Count…"

"Yes?"

As if his curiosity had been piqued, Balzac posed another question.

"When do you plan to visit the territory granted to you alongside your title?"

"Ah! You mean the Shinria Coast?"

"It's now the Jin County."

"Well, I suppose I’ll visit when I find the time."

"I see. That land may be called a coastline, but it’s practically blocked by the frozen sea. It’s worthless, with almost no inhabitants. Even the extreme northern orcs don’t bother with it—it’s that barren."

"Still, as the land granted to me, I think it’s worth visiting at least once. Who knows, it might turn out to be more useful than we think."

"Useful? Hardly. Instead, why not request a different territory as your reward for your recent accomplishments? There are several fiefs in Shuen and Narvik that have been confiscated for treason. Her Grace would likely look upon such a request favorably."

As Balzac suggested this, he glanced at Arina.

"Indeed! I was already thinking of rewarding you for this recent achievement. If there’s any territory you want, just name it! I’ll grant it to you!"

Arina’s declaration was almost as if she had been waiting for this opportunity.

"That won’t be necessary. I’m not particularly interested in land. On the contrary, I hope Your Grace will continue to personally govern almost all territories in the North."

"What…?"

"Your Grace, going forward, I suggest appointing nobles with titles but without granting them land. Even if you do grant land, you must retain control over taxation, personnel, and judicial authority."

"???"

My answer left Arina dumbfounded.

Even Isabelle, Haitai, and Balzac appeared confused.

Of course, they wouldn’t understand—the calm detachment of a man who was determined to return to Earth someday.

"Instead, I only have one small request: allow Lady Mary to work at Arad Company more frequently and for longer periods. That’s all I ask."

I had no particular desires (well, none that were feasible given the North’s current circumstances). So I made the one request that felt most pressing—Mary.

It wasn’t just because she was the presumed illegitimate child of the Grand Duchy or the future Great Witch of the Frostlands.

Her dexterity and administrative skills were exceptional—talents that were incredibly hard to find in a world with such a high illiteracy rate.

"…!"
"Ahem!"
"Oh-ho-ho…"

My request caused an awkward shift in the expressions of all four present, including Arina.

"…!"

Arina, in particular, wore a peculiar expression—a mix of confusion, discomfort, and something else that was hard to define, casting a shadow over her pale face.

"…Very well. I’ll do my best to make that happen."

After a brief silence, Arina finally responded, her words heavy.

"…?"

Her reply felt slightly odd, but I could roughly guess what was going through her mind, so I decided to let it slide.

"Miss, it’s about time for you to leave."

"Is it? Time flies."

Right on cue, Isabelle informed Arina that it was time to depart.

"Ahem! I should be going as well."
"Anyway, I wish you prosperity in your business, Count Jin. Ah! The food was absolutely delicious. Truly befitting the creator of Arad Salt."

Balzac and Haitai also began preparing to leave.

"It was an honor to have you visit such a humble place in person."

I quickly saw them off, following proper etiquette.

As their horses, carriages, brooms, and guards disappeared into the distance…

"Ah! I forgot to introduce the new business item!"

I slapped my forehead, realizing I had completely missed my chance to bring it up.

"What business item?"

A familiar and welcome voice called out from behind me.

I turned to see a woman with striking white hair and deep gray eyes, her beautiful face set in a sulky expression.

With her knightly demeanor—more fitting of a warrior than a witch—Mary had finally shown up, albeit late for work.