Chapter 213: Practicality

"Twenty-two thousand, three hundred and fifty... and two."

Administrator Isabella muttered as she stared at the figures on the document in her hands with a troubled expression.

"This is a rather difficult number. We're still constructing buildings as fast as we can, but even then, it's simply impossible to accommodate this many people all at once."

"I figured."

"And they're mostly women and the elderly... We may end up running at a deficit for quite some time."

Hestia had accepted refugees before, but that had only worked because most of them had been able-bodied workers.

The people Ferda had brought this time were women, children, and the elderly.

"People are people wherever you go. We'll simply find a way."

Fortunately, he didn't have to ponder the problem for long.

An elderly woman approached them and offered a respectful greeting.

Although she wore commoner's clothing, the dignity she carried made it unmistakably clear that she had once been a noble.

"It is an honor to meet you, Regent Ferda. My name is Esmeralda, formerly the lady of House Decalia."

"The honor is mine, Lady Decalia. If I remember correctly, House Decalia is a Count family under Duke Yurei. What brings you here?"

"I fear I may be overstepping my bounds, but I have come as the representative of all the refugees. If it would not be an inconvenience, may we speak?"

"Of course. Administrator Isabella and I were just discussing the refugee situation."

"I see."

Ferda had a seat prepared for her.

Lady Decalia sat gracefully before expressing her gratitude.

"I understand that you brought us here to fulfill the promise you made to Duke Yurei. Accepting so many refugees at once must be an enormous burden."

"Not at all."

"You needn't hide it. I once managed an estate myself, so I understand these matters well. My husband was never one to sit still, but finances and administration were mostly left to me. I know exactly how difficult this must be. My poor husband..."

Tears welled in Lady Decalia's eyes as she thought of him.

After composing herself, she continued.

"In any case, there's an old saying: guests and fish begin to stink after three days. At the moment, we are still unwelcome guests. Fulfilling your promise to Duke Yurei is admirable, but if we wish to survive, we must cease being guests and become self-sufficient members of this community."

"You are absolutely right."

"So... would you please accept this?"

At Esmeralda's gesture, several women stepped forward carrying four large chests and placed them before Ferda.

When they opened the lids, they revealed treasures and gold coins packed to the brim.

"What is all this?"

"These are the valuables we managed to bring with us when we fled our estates. It isn't much, but we hope you will use it as development funds for the refugee district."

"Judging by the amount... it appears all of the noble ladies pooled together everything they owned. If you give away this much, what will you have left?"

"The duty of nobles to care for their people."

She smiled gently.

"Those who stand in the position of nobility must bear the responsibilities that accompany it. If, during times like these, we cling to luxury and greed, we will lose even what little remains. This is simply my way of fulfilling that responsibility."

The honor of nobility.

Duke Yurei and all those who served beneath him had acted to preserve their honor as human beings.

Even their wives did not hesitate to fulfill their own responsibilities.

How truly admirable.

Ferda looked at Lady Decalia.

"What would you have me do?"

"First, the refugees must be distributed evenly. Even though the Far East borders the Land of Demons, there is still farmland there, is there not?"

"There is."

"Please provide settlement grants so that women from farming families may establish themselves there. At the same time, I ask that you request the cooperation of the local lords throughout the region."

"That's possible. However, wouldn't it be too soon? They've only just settled here."

"If we don't act now, it'll already be too late. If they wait until autumn to settle elsewhere, they'll have to endure hostility from the local residents. While the land is still lush and fertile, we should disperse people now so they can sow more seeds, harvest more crops, and help while labor is still desperately needed."

"I see."

Neither Ferda nor Isabella had considered that point.

Lady Decalia had explained it with such reason and clarity that neither could refute her.

She smiled once more.

"And please, do not worry. I am the one issuing this request, not you. If anyone is to receive criticism, I shall bear it all myself. That way, Regent Ferda can keep the promise he made to the Duke."

"But won't people resent you?"

Lady Decalia chuckled.

"Since when has being resented been unusual for a noble? Someone must play the villain. If not a stubborn old woman like me, then who?"

A stubborn old woman?

Where could one find a woman more dependable than this?

"If we proceed with your plan, how many people will leave?"

"Within two months at the latest... ten thousand."

Even then, over ten thousand refugees would remain.

Most of them were city dwellers or nobles.

Housing and infrastructure would still be major issues.

"How about this?"

"Please, go on."

"I'll accept the treasures you've donated... but not as development funds."

Lady Decalia blinked.

"Then as what?"

"As a security deposit."

"A deposit?"

"There are already quite a few young noble ladies who have reached marriageable age, are there not? I've heard that sending a daughter to marry without a proper dowry often results in mistreatment. As someone who promised Duke Yurei, I cannot allow that to happen."

"But if nothing is done for Hestia Village, I would feel terribly guilty..."

"Then simply shoulder that responsibility."

Ferda made her a proposal.

"I'll designate one of the newly developed districts as the Refugee District and appoint you as its governor. Lady Decalia, I want you to manage it."

"M-Me?"

"You helped your husband govern his estate. And since you've come here as the refugees' representative, you must already have their trust. They'll listen to your words far more readily than mine."

Ferda saw potential in her.

She would help the refugees integrate into Hestia while also leading its development.

"If you need anything, you'll receive top priority. Simply tell me."

Lady Decalia finally burst into tears.

The despair of believing she would die as a homeless refugee vanished completely, replaced by overwhelming relief and the grief of losing her husband.

Once she had calmed herself, she placed a hand over her heart.

"Since Regent Ferda has entrusted me with this opportunity... I shall lead the refugees in a manner worthy of the name of House Decalia."

***

The Hestia Refugee District officially came under Lady Decalia's administration.

The first thing she did was teach the other noble ladies the fundamentals of management.

Because they had received advanced educations, they learned quickly and organized efficient systems.

Those who excelled became directors of orphanages and senior homes.

Those less suited to management learned Lady Decalia's teaching methods instead, becoming instructors who taught reading and writing to common women and children.

Helping others gain new opportunities in a new land—that was the nobles' duty.

Thus, the Refugee District placed enormous emphasis on education.

The middle class strongly opposed this.

Teaching literacy not only to women, but even to the poor, meant giving away what they considered the exclusive privilege of intellectuals.

Whenever objections arose, Ferda always gave the same answer.

- Hestia is a land of opportunity built from barren ground. Opportunity belongs equally to everyone.

Since Hestia had always lacked skilled workers, Ferda eagerly supported the initiative.

He extended the same educational opportunities to refugees of every background, allowing them to learn the basics of literacy.

"Reeegent Ferdaaaaa!"

The moment he heard that irritatingly high-pitched voice, Ferda frowned.

A moment later, a certain demon barged into the room as if it were her own house, looking utterly pitiful.

"You know the refugee district?"

"I do."

"I swear, with absolutely no selfish intentions whatsoever, I went there with the heart of a saint devoted to volunteer work... and I found this sign!"

- No male entry except on official business.

- Penelope is especially prohibited from entering.

To stabilize the refugee district, the first measure had been minimizing contact with outsiders.

Except for authorized guards and construction workers, all men were forbidden entry.

Anyone caught harassing women would be exiled immediately, without exception.

The policy had dramatically improved stability.

"They're treating me exactly the same as those horny men! Isn't that outrageous?!"

"It certainly is."

You're even worse than they are.

Ferda looked at her with utter disdain.

"So... could you remove that sign?"

"No."

"Why?!"

"Because any business you'd have there would obviously involve doing something pathetic."

"W-What are you talking about?! Even I have been hard at work developing products! Can't you see? I'm the Head of Product Planning!"

"What does a product designer need in the refugee district?"

"Obviously lingerie."

"Lingerie?"

Ferda had no idea what she meant.

Penelope triumphantly produced an item.

"This!"

The object she displayed looked exceedingly strange.

"What is this rag?"

"It's not a rag. It's clothing."

"It covers almost nothing."

"Isn't that the best part?"

"...?"

"You don't seem to understand. Imagine this..."

She leaned closer and whispered.

"Picture Her Highness Valdrova wearing this."

"..."

"Just imagine that fair skin almost completely exposed... with these tiny straps barely resting on her hips... teasing you with just the slightest glimpse..."

"..."

"Still can't picture it? If you'd like, I could Polymorph into Lady Valdrova and model it myself—"

"The instant you do, I'll grant you the most miserable death imaginable."

Ferda's overwhelming Killing Intent exploded outward as he issued the warning.

"J-Just kidding! As if I'd dare imitate Her Highness! Hahaha!"

Penelope laughed nervously, her face deathly pale.

"Well... that settles it."

"Right? So could I have a refugee district pass now—"

"You're permanently banned."

"...Huh?!"

"And resign your position as Head of Product Planning while you're at it."

"Why?!"

"Because besides making vulgar, impractical garbage like this, all you ever do is loaf around."

"Not true! I've got other products besides my sexy, elegant lingerie!"

"Then prove it. If your ability is genuine, I'll approve both your position and your lingerie."

"Hah! I didn't want to reveal this yet... but behold! The true power of the Head of Product Planning!"

She dramatically pulled out a peculiar triangular object.

"What is that?"

"It's called... a fidget spinner."

"A fidget spinner?"

"Hold the center between your thumb and forefinger... then flick it like this..."

Whirrrr!

"It spins so smoothly!"

"It certainly spins."

"Right?!"

"And?"

"...Huh?"

"And what else?"

"That's it."

"Then what's the point of it?"

"It just feels nice watching it spin. Doesn't it need anything else?"

Whirrrr...

Ferda silently stared at the spinning toy before asking,

"Who appointed you Head of Product Planning?"

Since he couldn't execute this woman, he seriously considered executing her superior instead.

"Our beautiful and sexy explosive-bodied Garnet Swallow, of course!"

Unfortunately, that was someone he couldn't touch.

Ferda pondered how he might still get revenge.

Then an idea suddenly struck him.

"You're confident this product will succeed?"

"Absolutely!"

"Then you're willing to stake the future of your lingerie business on it?"

"...When you put it that way, I'm having second thoughts."

"If you don't even have that much confidence, why don't you quit and go back to lazing around?"

"Stop looking down on demons! I'm confident!"

Perfect.

"I'll remember those words. If this fails... you'll get nothing."

"Deal!"

"Good. You may leave."

"I will..."

Penelope casually held out her hand.

"But first."

"What?"

"Money."

"...What money?"

"Product development funding."

"I'm supposed to pay you for this thing?"

" 'This thing'? I agonized over this! I poured my heart into designing something that's completely impractical but that people are definitely going to go crazy for! Besides, it'll have a huge impact on my future business! Of course you should fund it!"

"...How much?"

"One hundred Golden. It's written in my contract."

"..."

"What a bargain! What a steal! Only a hundred Golden~!"

With obvious disgust, Ferda threw the money pouch at her feet.

Penelope pounced on it like a dog, her eyes sparkling.

"Yahoo! Feast tonight! Hestia's beautiful ladies, big sis is coming!"

People always said government money was easy to waste.

To think it was being extorted by someone like her...

Filled with righteous indignation, Ferda contacted Stephan, intending to secure Penelope's execution.

He explained what the so-called fidget spinner was.

- I believe... it may actually make money.

"...You're serious?"

- Yes.

"It looks utterly useless."

- Many products sell because they're useful. Just as many sell for no reason at all. Luxury goods are exactly like that. They're inconvenient, yet noble ladies cover themselves with them simply to satisfy their vanity.

"Hmm..."

- How much royalty did you promise her?

"No royalty. Just a one-time development fee of one hundred Golden."

- One hundred? Then you've made the deal of a lifetime. I'd say you'll earn dozens of times that amount back.

"Really?"

- If we polish the design properly, even the middle class will want them. Sell them for thirty shillings each. I'll make sure they're promoted properly and prepare related secondary products in advance.

"...Thank you for the advice."

Ferda simply couldn't accept it.

That a product created by a third-rate low-ranking demon could become popular...

'And at thirty shillings apiece?'

Even from a noble's perspective, spending money on something this useless was absurd.

It was no different from throwing money onto the ground.

Whirrrr...

As far as common sense went, none of this made any sense.

Of course, the most unbelievable part was that Penelope was actually right.

'This thing must never become a hit.'

Whirrrr...

As he absentmindedly spun the toy, Ferda wrote down a new price.

Fidget Spinner Price: 6 Golden.

Twenty times higher than Stephan's suggested price.

'Now it'll never succeed.'

He might lose a little money, but if it meant getting rid of Penelope, it was well worth it.

Satisfied with his own sinister plan, Ferda sent the paperwork to the Hestia Trading Company.

***

- Have you heard? Hestia Trading Company has a strange new product.

- The fidget spinner? My son keeps begging me to buy one. I don't see what's so great about such a useless thing...

- Actually, it's worth trying. My son was playing with one, and somehow it became strangely addictive. Before I knew it, I'd bought one for myself. Even the nobles have started carrying them around.

- It doesn't look like much.

- That's because you haven't seen the expensive ones! The Trading Company decorates noble versions with gemstones and elaborate ornaments! The jewelers are making a fortune these days.

- Really? Then maybe I should buy one.

- Too late. They're completely sold out. If you want one, you'll have to camp outside the Hestia Trading Company for a week before you get lucky.

- ...Ugh. Still... I don't want to become the only father who's behind the latest trend. I suppose I'll have to send a servant.

- Fashion really is a terrifying thing! Hahaha!

Whirrrr!