Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Practicality

Practicality
Chapter 213. Practicality
— 22,350 people… and two more…
The administrator, Isabella, muttered as she looked at the numbers on the received document with a troubled expression.
— That is a considerably problematic figure. We are still constructing buildings right now, but even so, accommodating so many is a difficult scale.
— I suppose so.
— And given that they are women and the elderly, furthermore… we could end up operating at a deficit for the time being.
Until now, we had accepted refugees well, but that was because there was usable labor.
What Ferda brought were women, children, and the elderly.
— People living is similar anyway. We just need to find a way.
And such concern did not even have to last long.
An elderly noblewoman came looking for them and greeted them politely.
She wore commoner clothes, but the dignity emanating from her face clearly showed that she was a noble.
— It is an honor to meet you, Regent Ferda-nim. I am Esmeralda, who was the lady of House Decalia.
— It is an honor to meet you, Countess Decalia. Decalia… that is a count family under Duke Urey, correct? What brings you here?
— It may be presumptuous, but I have come in this position representing all the refugees. If it is not rude, could we speak?
— Of course. In any case, we were discussing the refugees with the administrator.
— I understand.
He offered her a seat and had her sit down.
Countess Decalia expressed her gratitude to Ferda in a serene tone.
— I understand that you brought us here to fulfill your promise to Duke Urey. Suddenly accepting so many refugees must be a great difficulty for you.
— Not at all.
— You do not need to hide it. I was someone who managed a territory, so I know. My late husband was not one to sit still, so I handled almost all the financial matters myself. Poor man…
Countess Decalia shed tears thinking of her husband, then spoke.
— Anyway, they say that guests and fish begin to stink after three days. We are still unwanted guests. Fulfilling the promise to Duke Urey is good, but in the end, to survive, we must become self-sufficient as members, not as guests.
— You are entirely right.
— Then, would you accept this?
At Esmeralda’s gesture, other women behind her brought four chests and placed them in front.
Upon opening them, they were packed with precious treasures and gold coins.
— What is all this?
— These are the treasures we brought when leaving our territory. It is not much, but we would like you to use it as development funds for our refugee district.
— Judging by the amount… it seems the noblewomen gathered all their belongings, but if you hand over this much, what is left for you?
— The sense of duty as nobles to care for our people will remain. That alone is enough.
Countess Decalia smiled softly.
— Those who hold noble positions must assume the responsibilities that correspond to them. If everyone gets carried away by unfounded luxury and greed in difficult times, they will lose even what they have. That is why I wish to fulfill my duty in this way.
Noble honor, huh?
Duke Urey and his subordinates moved to protect their honor as humans.
Even their wives do not hesitate to do what they must, how dazzling is that?
Ferda asked Countess Decalia.
— How would you like to proceed?
— First, distributing the refugees equally is the important task. Even if the Far East is close to the Devil’s Land, there are farmlands, are there not?
— That is correct.
— Please grant settlement support funds so that the women of farming families can settle there, and I also beg you to request the cooperation of the lords of various regions.
— It is possible. But would it not be too hasty to prepare to move to other regions right now, when they have barely settled?
— If not now, it will be too late. If they try to settle in autumn, they will have to overcome the territorialism of the locals. We must disperse the people during this season, when vegetation is abundant, so they can sow a little more and harvest a little more while there is more labor.
— I understand.
It was something Ferda or Isabella might have overlooked, stated in a persuasive and logical manner.
Countess Decalia added with a soft smile.
— And please, do not worry. The one ordering this is not the Regent-nim, but me, so I will take all the criticism. So that Regent Ferda-nim can keep his promise to the Duke.
— Will you not hear resentment instead?
— How many times does a noble hear resentment? It is a villain role that someone must assume. If not a poisonous old woman like me, who would do such a thing?
Poisonous old woman, she says.
Where would there be a woman more reliable than this?
— How many would leave if we do that?
— Then, at least 10,000 will leave within a maximum of two months.
Even so, 10,000 remained.
These were people who lived in the city or nobles.
The housing problem and the surrounding environment remained large.
— What if we do it this way?
— Please speak.
— We will accept the items you have gathered, but we will hold them not as donations for the development of the territory, but as deposits.
— Deposits, you say?
— Among you, there are young ladies who have reached marriageable age, are there not? If they are sent off to marry without proper dowries, they will only face cold treatment. As someone who made a promise to the Duke, I cannot allow that to happen.
— But if we give nothing to Hestia Village, it will be awkward…
— Then you will just have to take on that responsibility.
Ferda proposed to her.
— I will designate one of the developing districts as the refugee district and appoint you, Countess Decalia, as its head. Please take charge of the operations as Head of the Refugee District.
— M-me, you say?
— You assisted your late husband in the administration of the territory, and you came as the representative of the refugees, so I believe you enjoy deep trust. Even the same words will be heard more attentively if they come from you.
Ferda saw potential in Countess Decalia.
That this person would actively help them assimilate into Hestia’s life and, at the same time, develop it.
— I will prioritize support for whatever you need. Please tell me at any time.
Countess Decalia broke into tears at Ferda’s consideration.
It was the relief that the thought of dying miserably as someone with nowhere to go disappeared entirely, and the grief over the loss of her husband overflowed.
After calming down a little, Countess Decalia humbly placed her hand over her chest.
— Since Regent Ferda-nim has granted me this opportunity, I will try to lead the refugees without disgracing the name of House Decalia.
The Hestia Refugee District officially began its operations under the direction of Countess Decalia.
Countess Decalia first taught the basics of management to the other noble wives.
As they were people who had received higher education, their understanding was swift, and the system was established well.
Among the educated noble wives, the excellent ones were chosen as managers of the orphanage and the elderly center.
Those removed from management learned Countess Decalia’s teaching methods and became teachers, teaching writing to commoner women and children.
Helping everyone obtain new opportunities in this new land with all their strength, that was the noble duty they possessed.
The refugee district was putting effort into education in this manner.
The middle class rebelled greatly against this fact.
They were teaching writing—something exclusive to intellectuals—not only to women, but even to the poor, so it did not sit well with them.
But at such times, Ferda would respond like this:
— Hestia is a land of opportunities built from scratch. Opportunity is equal for all.
Since an opportunity arose to fill the always-scarce qualified personnel, Ferda, on the contrary, spared no support.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he also gave equal opportunities to other people born as refugees to learn the basics of writing.
— Regennnnt Ferda!
Ferda frowned the moment he heard that annoying, high-pitched voice.
Shortly after, a demon who came and went as if it were her own home barged in with a grumpy face.
— You’re in the refugee district, right?
— Yes.
— I went there with the heart of a saint doing volunteer work, without a shred of selfishness, but there was a sign like this!
— Men not allowed except for business.
— Entry especially prohibited to Penelope.
The first thing done for the stabilization of the refugee district was to minimize contact with outsiders.
Men, except for certified guards and construction workers, were forbidden from entering.
The moment they were caught flirting with women, they were expelled without objection, a strong measure that elevated the stability of the refugee district.
— Are you treating me the same as those other men in heat?! That is absurd!
— It is absurd.
You are worse than them.
Ferda gave her a pathetic look.
— Then, can you erase that sign?
— No.
— Why?!
— Because it’s obvious you will do something pathetic, so entry is forbidden.
— W-what?! Those words?! I’ll let you know that I am developing products! Can’t you see, Product Planning Director Penelope?!
— What would a bastard who makes products need in the refugee district?
— Obviously, lingerie.
— Lingerie?
He wondered what that meant.
Penelope pulled out an item as if she were prepared.
— This is it!
The object she displayed was extremely bizarre.
— What is this rag?
— It’s not a rag, it’s clothing?
— With this tiny area of fabric, is it clothing?
— Is that what makes it good?
— …?
— It seems you don’t understand, so think of it this way. For example…
She whispered secretly.
— Imagine Her Highness Valdrova wearing this.
— …
— In a situation where that fair skin is brazenly exposed, with only these string rags hanging from her hips, how would it be? And it is barely visible, hehehe…
— …
— Do you lack imagination? If you want, I can transform into Valdrova-nim and do a test—.
— The moment you do, I will give you the most miserable death.
Ferda emitted murderous intent without leaving any room, firmly warning her.
— N-no, it’s a joke! How could I dare imitate Her Highness’s appearance, ahahaha?!
Penelope laughed with a pale face, smoothing over the situation.
— Anyway, this confirms it.
— Right? Hurry up and give me the refugee district pass…
— You are banned from entering forever.
— Eh?!
— And resign from the position of Product Planning Director as well.
— Why?!
— Since you do nothing but play and eat, except manufacture these vulgar and impractical items, why would I keep you sitting there?
— That’s not true! I have other items besides my sexy and elegant lingerie!
— Prove it right now. If your ability is demonstrated, I will permit everything, lingerie or whatever.
— Ha! I didn’t want to bring this out… Here, look! The true colors of the Product Planning Director!
The item she dramatically pulled out was a strange artifact with a triangular body.
— What kind of object is this?
— This is called a fidget spinner.
— Fidget spinner?
— You hold this center with your thumb and index finger, and spin it like this…!
Whirrr!
— It spins smoothly!
— It spins well.
— Right?!
— And?
— Eh?
— What else is there?
— Nothing?
— Then what is the purpose of this object?
— It just feels good to spin, doesn’t it? Is anything else needed?
Whirrr.
Ferda stared intently at the spinner rotating in Penelope’s hand, then asked.
— Who appointed you Product Planning Director?
Since he couldn’t behead this woman, he thought he should at least behead her boss.
— Our gorgeous and sexy Garnet Swallow-nim with the Explosive Body!
Of all people, it is someone I cannot get rid of.
Ferda thought if there was any way to ruin her.
Then an idea suddenly flashed.
— Are you confident that this object will succeed?
— Of course!
— Then, does that mean you agree to let this object decide the fate of your lingerie business?
— When you put it that way, I’m a bit worried…
— If you don’t even have that much confidence, just resign and laze around, no?
— Stop looking down on a demon! I have confidence!
Good, I caught her.
— Remember clearly. If this fails, you are finished.
— Understood!
— Good, get lost.
— I’ll leave, but…
Penelope slyly extended her hand.
— Give me money.
— What money?
— Product development cost.
— Do I have to give money to sell this crap?
— This crap, my foot! I worried and worried and worried and worried and made this object that has zero practicality, but that people will go crazy for! And it will greatly influence my subsequent business, so you have to give money!
— …How much?
— 100 Gold. Is it in the contract?
— …
— Oh, how cheap, how cheap! 100 Gold is practically free~!
Ferda threw the money pouch at her feet with a disgusted expression.
Penelope grabbed the pouch like a dog, her eyes sparkling.
— Hurray! Today is a binge feast! The beauties of Hestia! Unni is coming!
They say the country’s money is blind money, but to be extorted by that bastard.
Ferda, filled with justice, contacted Stefan to issue a death sentence against Penelope.
And he explained about the fidget spinner object.
— I mean, it could make money.
What returned was a survival report.
— …This thing?
— Yes.
— It seems completely useless, what good is it?
— In the world, there are more things that sell well for no reason than things that sell well because they are useful. Luxury goods are exactly that, right? Uncomfortable, but hanging them is the vanity of noble ladies.
— Mmm…
— By the way, how many royalties did you agree to give?
— No royalties, just 100 Gold as development cost.
— 100 Gold? That is a truly profitable deal, isn’t it? I think you will recover several dozen times that amount.
— That much?
— If you refine it and make it well, it could gain popularity among the middle class as well. Try launching it at 30 shillings each. I will push it properly. I will also prepare related side businesses in advance.
— …Thank you for the advice.
Ferda could not bring himself to admit it.
That an item from a low-ranking, third-rate demon could be popular.
“At 30 shillings each, as well?”
Even from a noble’s perspective, it was not a price good enough to spend money on such a useless object.
It would be less useless to simply throw the money on the ground.
Whirrr!
It is something that makes no logical sense.
Of course, the most absurd part of all was the fact that Penelope was right.
“This thing must not succeed.”
Whirrr!
Ferda spun the spinner, made a decision, and wrote something down.
Price of the Fidget Spinner: 6 Gold.
Ferda raised the price 20 times higher than the price suggested by Stefan.
“With this, it is absolutely impossible for it to succeed.”
There will be some losses, but if I can drive Penelope away, what is the problem?
Ferda established his own evil plan and sent it as documents to the Hestia Trading Company.
— You know? That strange new item at the Hestia Trading Company lately.
— Fidget spinner? My son went crazy wanting to buy it. What is so good about such a useless thing…
— No, it’s more worth buying than I thought. My son was spinning it, and it was strangely addictive, so I bought one for myself too. The reason nobles carry them is not for nothing.
— It didn’t look like anything special? They carry that?
— It is several times more splendid than what is on the market! If you custom order from the Trading Company, they even encrust gems and decorate it properly for noble items! They say specialist craftsmen are making good money lately.
— That much? Then I should get one too.
— Hey, it’s sold out now, so you can’t even get it. If you want one, you will have to go to the Hestia Trading Company and wait a week to barely receive it.
— Ugh… but I don’t want to be a parent behind the trends… I suppose I have no choice but to send a servant to get it.
— Trends are truly terrifying, aren’t they?! Haha!
Whirrr!