Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Right after dawn, the two of us, Liecia and I, were being jolted on horseback.

While breathing the still early morning misty air, Liecias favorite horse Celine, unmindful of the two persons worth of weight on it, jumped as it ran. We were riding double like on a motorbike, but it was Liecia who was holding the reins while the one with arms gripping tightly around her slender waist behind her was me.

Whoa there, dont press my stomach so strongly

No, well, this is quite scary you know?

Pathetic. Isnt it normally the man whos supposed to be holding the reins

Cant be helped. This is the first time riding a horse for me

A modern Japanese, Tokyo born, Tokyo raised, doesnt have many chances to ride a horse anyway.

At most, it was only to the extent of riding a pony with a helper at a petting zoo when I was a child.

Any adult in this country, from farmers to nobles, can ride horses you know?

Unfortunately, the country I came from has lots of more convenient modes of transport

But this country mainly uses horses. Since youre here anyway why dont you get used to it?

.. when I have time

Right. . so, the vehicles in your country, I think Im interested

Yeah, there box-shaped vehicles with wheels that can carry a huge number of people in one go

While having that conversation, we continued galloping along.

Its probably around 6 right now. About time for people to finally start working. The shopping districts have no stores open, and there are virtually no pedestrians.

The negotiations this time was handled by Liecia. A newly enthroned King would probably not be allowed outside the gates without guards. Which is why the military officer Liecia went and dodged the issue saying Im going outside on royal orders or something. After we safely left the castle gates, Liecia grumbled.

They wrote it down as a royal order. Now how should I explain to my superiors

I politely ignored her.

Then within a short time, we finally arrived at our destination.

. stop here

I asked Liecia to stop the horse, and she looked at me with a doubtful face.

You wanted to come here? I cant see anything but fields, though

As Liecia said, wherever we look around us theres nothing but verdant fields.

Green fields wet with dew as far as the eye can see. This place. theres no mistaking it.

I want Liecia to see this sight

These fields? Well, it certainly is pretty, wet with morning dew and all that

Pretty. huh. Even though its all because ofthisthat people are dying from starvation

Wha?

Liecia widened her eyes in surprise. I made a mocking smile.

Look closely. Theseinedible fieldsare the cause of this countrys food problems

Inedible fields.

That is what Soma called the fields spreading before our eyes, making a mocking smile.

.. what does that mean?

It means what it says. What we have spreading out here are all [cotton]

Cotton. Ah! Thats what you meant by inedible

Cotton is the raw materials for making cotton thread. Certainly not for eating.

Soma sat down on the spot and propped his elbows on his knees.

In conclusion, the countrys food problems were caused by the increase of these cotton fields.

. huh?

Did he just casually say something amazing just now? The countrys food problems?

Not noticing my bewilderment, Soma continued talking.

I found this out when I was sorting out the documents, but because of the enlargement of the Demon King Territory demand for necessities like clothes increased. Naturally, the demand for the raw material, cotton, also increased. As the price of cotton rises, you can only sell what you make, so the farmers stopped the food cultivation theyve been doing and simultaneously switched to cotton. Theyre [cash crops] not meant to be eaten but to be sold, but the fact the farmers suddenly switched to farming only cash crops is causing this countrys food sufficiency to decline

.

I didnt know that. No, Ive never given it any thought.

Wondering whats causing our countrys food problems, I selfishly thought it may be bad weather, or maybe because the land is bad to begin with. Even though theres such a definite cause, even though Ive lived here for over ten years, I didnt notice at all. Even though Soma who was only called out here a few days ago was able to notice.

To expand on that, the cause of the countrys recession is the same. Because our food sufficiency is low we have no choice but to import from other countries, but because there are transportation costs for importation, the price of foodstuffs suddenly jumped. Though a familys finances would be under pressure, they can only cut down food expenses so much. If they dont eat, they die, after all, so of course what gets cut down are luxury groceries and luxury items. This restrained buying is whats causing the recession

What was I looking at. If I were a townsperson Id just sayyou reap what you sowand thats that.

But I was aprincess. A superiors ignorance is the murder of those below her.

Im disqualified as royalty

Because of the extreme exhaustion I sat down hard on the spot.

Ive never in my life felt a sense of helplessness Im feeling today. Seeing me like that, Soma groaned ah and uh and then plopped his hand on my head.

Dont be so discouraged. We can still make it in time. Ive secured the funds. With this money lets first reform the agriculture

. What are you going to do?

Restricting farming of cash crops, replanting food fields, raising food sufficiency. The country will support the conversion with subsidies. First we plant soybeans that has a wide range of use and potatoes that are resistant to crop failure, and finally add paddy fields. Then

Soma talked about his wide-ranging agriculture reforms. There were lots of words I dont understand, likericeorpaddy, but his face looked radiant. I think I understand why father turned over the throne. Hes the one this country needs the most right now. No matter what it takes we need to tie him down to this country.

.. The engagement with me was probably one of those ties.

(. this is definitely not the time to sayit isnt funny having my marriage arbitrarily decided)

Soma said hed surrender the throne once he put the countrys economy on track, but theres no way I can accept that. To let a rare talent leave government service is the countrys failure. I need to make sure that doesnt happen no matter what.

(I wonder if I can construct a fait accompli and make him take responsibility. wait! F, fait accompli meansthat,right?)

Because of the image that came to mind, my face suddenly turned red.

Which is why the mountain areas hey Liecia, are you listening?

Hyes! I, Im listening

? Somehow you look red?

Its the morning sun! Dont worry, keep talking!

???

My cheeks were hot. I think Ill die from embarrassment.

What Soma said after that didnt enter my ears at all.

[Character Sketch: Liecia Elfrieden]

Daughter of the 13th King of Elfrieden, Alberto Elfrieden. She married the one who would later become Soma E Elfrieden. While being a princess, she was also a graduate from a military academy and a personnel of the royal military, and in that capacity, actively took her part as the bridge between Soma and the Military. She also showed more resourcefulness regarding government affairs than her father, to the point that it was later speculated that she might not be blood related to him. She would always be with Soma through his turbulent life, supporting him from the side, being the very model of aGood Wife and Wise Mother.

TN: heh

The cause of the food shortage was the sudden conversion from food crops to cash crops. A well-known example of this is the forced planting system introduced in the Netherlands East Indies. I heard that because the colony was forced into planting cash crops, famine broke out and many died from starvation.

TN:Cultuurstelsel

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