I Kidnapped the Hero's Women-Chapter 224: Securing water resources (3)

"Ah, no!? Brother! How on earth did this happen!? Is this really the Vermont Territory I knew?" "Hahaha..."

I had invited Count Arient to Vermont Territory for some contract renewals.

Count Arient had been quite busy lately due to a lot of construction contracts, so we hadn’t seen each other in a while.

But as soon as he toured Vermont Territory after coming here, his eyes widened in shock.

"I thought there wouldn’t be anything to surprise me anymore... but wow. To think you’ve created a river here..." "It wasn’t created; I just reopened the dam that was blocking it before." "But that was water filled with filth!"

It was only natural.

Count Arient, who wasn’t fazed by the sight of undead soldiers casually clacking around or seeing Earthy covering half of the horizon while flailing its arms, couldn’t help but be shocked when a new river appeared, changing the entire landscape of the town.

I myself was still in a daze, so it made sense that he was taken aback.

Vermont Territory used to feel like a gloomy medieval town from a dark fantasy world, all dull and shabby.

Now, with the new river, the overall vibe had brightened up significantly.

It seemed like the creation of parks along the river and planting of street trees here and there had contributed to this change.

"So, Vermont Territory has now entered a self-sustaining system..." "Yes, that's right. Now that we have access to abundant agricultural water, we expect a significant increase in agricultural production. Because of that, I’d like to propose something." "What's the proposal?"

Vermont Territory and Arient Territory were easily accessible from each other thanks to the new highway, and they lived as close neighbors.

But in reality, they were geographically and climatically quite distant, separated by a large mountain range.

As a result, depending on the seasonal winds, Vermont and Arient experienced significant differences in rainfall.

When Vermont had a poor harvest, Arient usually had a bountiful one, or vice versa.

In the meantime, Vermont Territory had achieved full self-sufficiency, and now that surplus crops were abundant, there was potential for export.

When one side had a bumper crop and the other a poor one, the two territories could now export agricultural products to each other, preventing famine.

If we abolished tariffs and granted each other the priority right to import surplus goods, neither side would starve to death.

"Does that mean...! That Vermont Territory intends to build an unbreakable bond with Arient Territory, forming a shared destiny and eternal friendship!? Brother! I’m so moved I can’t stop the tears from flowing! Please excuse me for a moment!" "Well, it’s not that dramatic..."

Count Arient pulled out a handkerchief, blowing his nose while sobbing dramatically.

An unbreakable bond of destiny, huh.

That’s a bit of an exaggeration.

I only wanted to make sure that my lending client—no, customer—didn’t pass away, and I could keep the highway maintenance contracts.

Anyway, there’s no harm in Count Arient feeling grateful to me, so I just let him be.

"I’ll have a hotel with a hot spring ready for you. Please stay for the night before heading back." "Oh, a hot spring!?"

Count Arient’s eyes widened again.

I led him toward the back mountain, and upon seeing it, his jaw dropped.

The back mountain, which used to be desolate and stunk of decay, had transformed into a beautiful area filled with colorful autumn leaves.

Several hotels had been built around the hot spring, making it a tourist attraction.

Though it had just finished construction and wasn’t yet open for business, I decided to let Count Arient try it first as a test subject—no, as a guest—and get his feedback so I could make any necessary improvements.

"To think there’s a hot spring so close! Back in Arient, we had to travel all the way north to experience a proper natural hot spring! The residents of Arient Territory will probably visit often, brother!" "That’s a good idea. I’ve been considering issuing discount coupons regularly for the residents of Arient Territory."

"Ha ha ha! Excellent! But there’s one small inconvenience..." "Yes, please tell me."

After using the hot spring, Count Arient seemed mostly pleased, but suddenly he looked around cautiously, stepped closer, and whispered.

"Well... I know they’re undead soldiers, but they were walking around completely uncovered... It was a little embarrassing to see..." "Hmm. I’ve taken note of that."

[Kali, the evil god, insists that the undead army’s manners must be improved to ensure our necromancer’s reputation isn’t tarnished.]

It seemed the undead soldiers walking around naked had made him uncomfortable.

I could understand that.

I decided that, going forward, we would adopt the practice of covering their bodies with towels, making it part of the etiquette.

No exceptions for the skeleton soldiers.

"Well then, please rest. We’ll discuss the remaining contract details tomorrow at your convenience." "Do as you please, brother!"

Count Arient’s feedback was very encouraging.

Once a few more tweaks were done, it seemed ready to begin the tourism business immediately.

The success of the tourism business, with the hot springs and hotels as the centerpiece, wouldn’t only benefit Vermont Territory.

Since travelers would have to pass through Arient Territory to reach Vermont, it would also help stimulate consumption in Arient Territory.

And our client—the one we had to pay interest to regularly—would be less likely to collapse as a result.

It was a win-win situation.

'It’s starting to feel like I’m tightening the noose around my own neck... But I can’t just abandon the estate...'

Of course, the more prosperous Vermont became, the better it was, but since I had begun to suspect that this might all be part of the Emperor’s sister’s plan, I couldn’t shake off the unease.

What if one day I’m forced to be promoted to a duke, and then, after closing my eyes, I wake up to find myself married to the Emperor’s sister?

The thought made cold sweat pour down my back.

Then again, instead of living in constant anxiety, maybe I should take the initiative and propose to the Emperor’s sister myself?

This would be a way to resolve the impending disaster.

'Wait... Could this even be part of the Emperor’s sister’s plan!?'

No. Calm down.

Maybe my anxiety and eventual resignation to become her pawn was part of her strategy all along.

The Emperor’s sister must have foreseen all of this...

She’s really the owner of the Seer’s Eyes, after all...!

I shuddered in fear, and swallowed hard.

I can’t give up now.

The moment I give in, the dream of marrying Charlotte, Yuria, and Yuri and living happily together will evaporate, and I’ll be stuck in a future where I dedicate myself to the Empire as a bureaucrat, growing old and gray.

"My head is killing me..."

It was strange.

The estate and family were growing more prosperous and stable with each passing day,

but why did my mind feel more and more complicated, and the tasks keep piling up?

It was an unsolvable mystery.

"Uncle! Delivery! Delivery!" "Right, thank you." Sniff sniff... "Huh? This must be something your sister sent, Uncle!" "...?"

As soon as we arrived at my office, Charlotte rushed in, holding a bundle of letters.

But suddenly, she sniffed the air and picked out one of the envelopes.

It was a plain envelope with no distinguishing marks.

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When I opened it, it turned out to be an investment performance report sent by Irene.

"How did you know?" "Hmm? I think I smell something unique... though I’m not sure! Hehe!"

Charlotte muttered something I didn’t quite understand before dashing off.

Was it really true that Irene had some kind of unusual scent?

I wasn’t sensitive to smells, so I didn’t notice anything.

Anyway, I tore open the envelope and began to skim through the investment report.

Vermont Investment Corporation Q4 Investment Performance ReportMonthly overall return, monthly asset-specific return, asset transaction history, Q1 target return, trading report, and so on."I think you’re ignoring the notes I’ve attached, so I’ll write this instead.""For September, the overall monthly return was +8%, and for October, +4%.""Lately, when I lie down to sleep, I keep thinking of you. You used to be such an unpleasant face to see... It’s funny how now I don’t find it so bad anymore.""Monthly asset-specific return..."

"Aah, are my eyes failing me?"

What’s this? Why are there strange sentences scattered among the investment performance report?

I wondered if I was seeing things, but upon closer inspection, it seemed that Irene had added personal notes randomly throughout the official document.

This is maddening.

She kept sending unnecessary notes along with the investment reports, and I had been ignoring them,

but now she’s made it impossible for me to ignore them.

"Ever since she was caught possessing me, she suddenly became so kind..."

Normally, she would never send a letter.

But now, she’s making an effort to update me and send these notes every time.

If you just read these notes, she seems like such a kind, loving sister...

But thinking about Irene’s usual image, it’s so out of place that it’s downright creepy.

This obsession of hers is getting a little too much, isn’t it...?

[Kali, the evil god, says you must take responsibility since you made Irene wait for you to come back since she was little!]

At that moment, Kali’s words snapped me back to reality.

The memory of Irene’s childhood came rushing back,

and recalling how I whispered hope into her ear as a child, I suddenly felt a sense of responsibility well up in me.

"Ugh. Maybe I should take a look at the Imperial marriage laws."

Just to check...

I’ll just look up the clauses regarding marriage restrictions in the Empire...