Kapitel 105: [Chapter 105] Reunion with Joan
"Pigs 200 died during transport! We'll try to replace them as soon as possible!"
"2,000 chickens secured! Ducks are still short by 350 and are being sought after!"
"We're short of velvet pouches for the festival! We need at least two more production staff to meet the deadline!"
Cledwyn was right. Harvest festival preparations needed to start early.
Preparation for the harvest festival program, preparation of special bonuses for the workers for the harvest festival, preparation for delivering those bonuses, compiling the guest list for the event, sending out invitations, handling responses to the invitations... the tasks were endless.
At least the apple festival and fireworks display for the harvest festival were annual events, so last year's records could be referenced.
The problem lay with the tournament.
Contrary to Cledwyn's natural instructions, the tournament wasn't well managed unless it was a place to revive ancient traditions. The last tournament held centrally was 35 years ago, and the records weren't very detailed.
Thanks to Neris, who was in charge of the harvest festival, she pondered greatly. What scale was appropriate? What should be the prizes? How many winners should receive rewards? What should be the selection process for participants, and so on.
Even when she asked Cledwyn, the one who came up with the tournament idea, his attitude was, "It will work out well if you do as you wish."
Where in the world was there such a planless statement? Neris was annoyed, but Cledwyn maintained an ambiguous attitude.
"Is there significance in hosting the tournament itself?"
It wasn't about a clear goal but simply about having a 'tournament'... Why did he think that way?
To plan the event according to Cledwyn's pursued purpose as much as possible, Neris put in a tremendous effort. And once the overall outline of the event was clear, she worked tirelessly to acquire all the human and material resources needed to realize the plan.
Fortunately, there were capable people around her. Neris was grateful for the presence of the elderly Lex Bronson and the full cooperation of the central managers.
"We can't help it with the pigs. We'll investigate as quickly as possible, and if not, we'll have to change some items on the menu."
"For the Maindland traditional banquet, poultry is essential, so continue the search for ducks. What? They're all sold out?"
"There probably aren't any available people right now. We'll allow additional hiring, so look into it."
With many vassals under Maindland, adding the numbers of those coming from the central regions with their families quickly multiplied the count. And arrangements had to be made for the participants' accommodations for the tournament.
Fortunately, Neris had welcomed and hosted many people at once in her previous life as a princess or diplomat. If not, she would have long been overwhelmed by the excessive workload and unexpected events.
Lady Ellen showed great competence and resolved many issues. However, there were some problems that couldn't be solved by human effort.
"Pechernon has no harvest this year due to the flooding..."
"That's because the last elder punished by Your Grace was burned to ashes..."
This year, the usual suppliers either couldn't provide the harvest or their goods were burned. What could people do?
Money was available. But it wasn't right to place a gold nugget on the plate of a hungry guest. So, lacking meat, fish, flour, butter, silk, velvet, and more... each item needed to be found anew. What could be done when there were so many shortages? Was it normal to have such shortages in the fall here?
"'How did you handle guest reception last year?'
Amidst the chaos, Neris wondered.
"What should we do, Miss? All the accommodations in the lower town are fully booked. There are still twenty-two guests who need to be accommodated from this side as per the custom, but we've run out of space."
"How did you manage it last year then?"
"Last year, we didn't have as many guests as this time. This year, it seems like the number is doubling due to the people coming to watch the tournament."
The mystery was solved. Neris asked with a narrowed brow.
"Can we open up rooms in the South Wing?"
"That's not possible. Think of your mother's safety, Miss. If strangers come and go..."
"Right, that makes sense. Then contact Hilbrin Gorn and have the unused noble mansions opened up for use. Investigate the condition of available mansions and the number of people they can accommodate..."
Lately, Gralen seemed eager to help Neris obediently. Ellen clapped her hands in delight.
"That should work! Thankfully. Oh, but then we'll need to arrange the items that should be used in those mansions. Since we can't provide the items while renting the houses."
Ellen's face darkened again at that point.
"Will we be able to get all the necessary supplies on time?"
"It's okay. I can get them."
"Oh, Miss. Is there anything else you need to arrange separately?"
Neris confidently nodded. Shortly after, someone knocked on Neris's office door from outside.
"Miss."
"Come in."
Butler Gilbert entered. He reported with a flushed face.
"Miss, the Southern Upper Tier person who brought the ordered goods has arrived. The number of carriages they brought is astounding! Is what you ordered correct?"
"Yes."
If there were shortages in the North, they could be brought from the South. Normally, giving the opportunity to the Upper Tier in the North was appropriate, but if there were no goods at all, it was better than taking from the people.
"The person who brought the goods wants to greet you in person. Shall I bring them in?"
"Yes."
Ellen quickly left to prepare the tea. When Gilbert opened the office door wide, a young woman's face appeared beyond it.
Energetic, honest, and intelligent. Unlike when they first met a few years ago, Joan Morier now exuded an aura of self-assurance and happiness.
Joan bowed with a smile.
❖ ❖ ❖
"I appreciate your help last time."
After Ellen brought the tea and Gilbert left to check the goods, leaving only Neris and Joan, Neris spoke quietly. It was a thank you for sending the Morier Upper Tier servants to help during the Pechernon flood.
One of the most prominent young individuals currently in the continent's upper echelons and the head of the Morier Upper Tier, Joan was intrigued to see Neris after a long time.
A child who was already sharper than most adults. Uncovering the conspiracy of Nulalan MacKinnon and Angelo Railing to protect her friends, even saving Joan in the process.
She had grown into a complete adult. A substantial aura of solemnity surrounded her, far exceeding her past."
Joan's life changed completely after that incident. Once tasked with dirty work under a cruel master, destined to be cut off someday, she now held the position of the Upper Tier Head, a position of significant growth.
It was all thanks to Neris, who gave her courage and entrusted her with significant tasks. When Neris would say, "You're the one who did well," Joan would often respond, "You're the one who did well."
After Angelo's disappearance, Joan worked at the MacKinnon Upper Tier for about a year and a half.
The MacKinnon Earl and Lady Joyce MacKinnon were impeccable superiors. Due to the size of the Upper Tier, Joan had the opportunity to try various tasks.
Despite working in such a good position, Joan realized at some point that she wasn't just meant to work under others but that she was someone who wanted to take responsibility and leap into the vast world on her own.
That's why she agreed to Neris's proposal to work together.
While everyone discouraged her from leaving such a good job and starting a business without much capital, Joan's gamble fortunately paid off.
Thanks to the popular pouches that gained more popularity as they were sold, the Morier Upper Tier was able to amass wealth. Joan invested the money in various ventures, including pharmaceutical development using the pouches as raw materials, and was reaping the rewards.
Although Neris nominally proposed to work together by providing goods and capital, they both knew the truth.
The real owner of the Upper Tier was Neris, and Joan was aware that she was a professional manager working in Neris's Upper Tier.
While Joan handled the specific business strategies and Upper Tier operations, the business ideas belonged to Neris. Not only did she provide the goods, but she also identified the primary target of the social circle, the elderly, and introduced solutions or people who could help when Joan, unfamiliar with the social circle, faced difficulties with the nobility.
Therefore, the Morier Upper Tier would likely say that the manager and the owner were different. Sending a few people needed by the owner to be grateful?
Moreover, if the Morier Upper Tier could establish a foothold in the North due to the summer's work, it would be more of a blessing.
"You're welcome, Miss. I've successfully obtained all the animals, grains, and household items you mentioned. I anticipated some damage due to the hot weather on the way, so I left plenty of room for error, but there were hardly any issues."
"We can sell what's left. Here's the Upper Tier operating permit."
Lords had the authority to decide whether non-landed citizens could conduct business within their territories. Maindland naturally had various complex regulations regarding the establishment of non-landed Upper Tiers, and Neris took out the Upper Tier operating permit she had prepared in advance for Joan's arrival. Joan received it with a bright expression.
"I'm not sure if I should accept this like this. Since hardly any external Upper Tiers come to Maindland, I thought it would be difficult to obtain permission."
"Obtaining permission itself isn't difficult. Since it's self-sufficient within Maindland, there's no need for people to buy goods with transportation costs from afar. Wasn't there a hefty tax when passing through the Tifian Marches?"
"Oh, right. I thought we would be taxed as emerging Upper Tiers, but is that how it usually is?"
"That's what I know. Merchants have no other choice, do they?"
Cledwyn's secret passage was known to only a few, and even those merchants who knew about it couldn't use it. Since they traveled with several large carriages, as the Tifian Marcher, he applied a significant tax to those who had to come and go within Maindland. It was an attitude of "If you don't like the tax, don't pass through my land."
As a result, business within Maindland was deteriorating. The same merchants always sold the same goods. While it wasn't an immediate problem as what the people needed for their daily lives was self-sufficient, "If you don't compete, you'll perish."
Of course, commercial activities within Maindland had to be operated with the Upper Tiers in Maindland at the center. However, having competitors from outside was better than a monopoly. It was a story of when competitors conducted business honestly and reasonably.
Pleased with the honest and reasonable approach, Joan happily accepted the permit. Neris engaged in conversation with Joan about recent events.
As the teapot was emptied, there was another knock on the door.
"Miss, Lady Denver has arrived."
"Oh, she's here early."
Lady Denver was one of the lords under Maindland. She didn't often come to the central region, but she showed up every year for the harvest festival. Neris set down the teacup and stood up.
She was the first guest.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein