Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 762: State of the Frontier March II

CH762 State of the Frontier March II

***

Alex looked around the room, and Eleanore kicked off the discussion.

“The fiscal revenue of the domain over the last few years has consistently been close to zero. The trade records show only a handful of transactions, most of which involve small quantities of metal goods traded with settlements immediately surrounding the Frontier Stronghold.

“The small scale and seemingly hasty nature of these trades lead me to believe they were not planned in advance, but rather carried out opportunistically alongside larger trade caravans heading to the Frontier Stronghold.”

As she spoke, Eleanore looked towards Milton for confirmation.

Milton nodded.

“We were operating at a deficit last year, so I asked members of the convoy to make a last-minute stop at several farmsteads and villages around the Stronghold to conduct some quick trade and earn a little extra income for the administration,” the old man revealed.

“This was also how we managed to acquire some additional food for the domain,” he added.

Eleanore nodded before continuing.

“That brings me to agriculture within the domain and our trade relationship with the Stronghold.”

“The domain is completely lacking in agriculture—any form of it—and relies almost entirely on the Frontier Stronghold for its food supply.

“However, after reviewing the figures, I have noticed that our dealings with the Stronghold can hardly be called trade. Calling it an exchange would be more accurate, and even then, I would be generous.

“No matter how much ore the domain provides to the Stronghold, the Stronghold almost always sends back the same quantity of food in return—just enough to feed the domain until the next exchange, and almost never equivalent in value to the ore being traded,” Eleanore pointed out.

Alex’s brows furrowed slightly.

He had also noticed the same issue while reviewing the trade records.

He turned towards Milton, feeling there was more to the matter than what appeared on paper.

Feeling the inquisitive gazes of the young Count and his wives upon him, Milton sighed before explaining.

“The situation stems from the Great Berserk Beast Forest,” Milton said.

“How so?” Alex prompted.

“Decades ago, just before the penultimate major beast tide from the forest, it was discovered that most of the agricultural land within the domain had been corrupted by the miasma spreading from the forest.

“Any food grown in that soil became poisonous or generally unsafe for consumption. While there were still some plots of land unaffected at the time, people were unwilling to cultivate them because no one was willing to take the risk of eating the produce.

“This was when the commander of the Stronghold at the time stepped in to help. He provided food for the domain for the next two years on the condition that we assisted with a plan to drive back the forest and its beasts.

“The plan achieved some success, and the expansion of the forest was halted. However, the contaminated land remained unusable. As a result, the Stronghold continued supplying us with food while we supplied them with ore,” Milton explained.

He paused for a moment to steady himself before continuing.

“This arrangement continued until about a decade ago, when the commanding officer was promoted to a higher position and a new commander was assigned to the Stronghold. Around the same time, a new magistrate was appointed to oversee the Frontier March.

“The two men did not get along, and the Frontier Stronghold began withholding food supplies from the domain. By then, nearly everyone within the domain had transitioned to mining, meaning our agricultural sector was effectively dead. Without food shipments from the Stronghold, the people would have starved.

“So the magistrate petitioned the former commander to intervene and persuade the current commander to honour the previous agreement between the Stronghold and the domain. The former commander stepped in and eventually brokered a compromise between both parties.

“The Frontier March would continue to deliver a minimum amount of ore each year, and in exchange, the Stronghold would provide the food necessary to keep the citizens of the domain alive,” Milton revealed.

“Were those the exact terms of the agreement?” Alex suddenly asked.

“Yes.” Milton nodded.

“You got played,” Alex said, shaking his head. “The former commander of the Stronghold set a trap for the domain, and everyone fell right into it.”

“He imposed a minimum obligation on the domain while leaving the Stronghold’s obligations entirely to its own discretion,” Zora added.

“I doubt the magistrate failed to see through it,” Eleanore said, her eyes flashing with understanding. “Since you said the former commander was promoted to a higher station, he must have reached at least the rank of Count, if not higher, given that Count is generally the ceiling for a commander of a frontier stronghold.

“In that case, the magistrate wouldn’t have had much choice but to agree, considering he was dealing with a high-ranking noble while being nothing more than a civil servant.”

“Let me guess—the two men involved were Viscount Dunhill and Marquis Bramford, right?” Alex asked.

Old Milton looked at the trio and sighed.

“It is exactly as you’ve all said,” Milton nodded.

Inwardly, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was the difference between noble education and his own peasant upbringing. He hadn’t expected the trio to dissect the heart of the issue so quickly.

“Under the pressure exerted by the Marquis, the magistrate was forced to accept the arrangement. Not long afterwards, he was reassigned elsewhere and replaced by a baron who did not dare oppose either the Viscount or the Marquis.

“Since then, it has become the norm. We’ve been forced to hand over almost the entirety of the ore extracted from our mines in exchange for food rations that barely last the year, all at prices far below market value.

“The last magistrate before your arrival—Magistrate Hahn—not only failed to address the problem, but actively colluded with the Viscount to profit at the domain’s expense. That was what ultimately forced me to arrange those smaller trades with nearby villages and farmsteads in order to earn at least a little income for the domain’s daily operations,” Milton explained.

After Milton finished speaking, silence settled over the room.

Subconsciously, the others turned towards Alex.

His stance on the matter would determine the direction of whatever plans they formulated next.

***