Altura

I sighed as I leaned back in my chair. The day had been nothing short of hectic, and it was just getting worse.

“So, what's next on the list?” I asked Hagril.

“Organizations, your grace. A financial organization has to be created, another to deal with leasing the land and-” Hagril began.

“Yes, yes I get it. I have to do a bunch of things now. How about we make a list and go from there? So we have Finance, land, industry, water, city planning, taxation, foreign policy still remaining. Is there anything else I missed?” I asked.

“Well, I am not the best person to ask about this, your grace. Perhaps I should call Guild Member Xerte and General Aswelth? And courtier Kerrin has been calling for you.” Hagril suggested.

“Sure. I will talk with all of them in a few minutes.” I answered, already starting to think about the options.

The Administrative Wing technically handled all of the above, but it was becoming painfully obvious that it was best that the Wing remain as an overseeing organization while Sub-Organizations did the real work.

Hmm, what did a good financial organization look like in Xianxia land? Actually, why was I the one thinking this? I didn’t have to handle financial needs of the duchy, I shouldn’t be doing that. The loans.

Yes, I should set up an organization to give loans to people so that they can set up businesses… I do remember planning to found one. Guess that was done. And I could do the same for industry. In fact, it could just be the same organization that gave grants to set up shops. The city did lack blacksmiths, carpenters and other professionals.

Taxation and water weren’t really a problem now…but they would be down the line. Though water was readily available to most of the duchy now, the growing population basically ensured that there would eventually be a scarcity. The valley was lacking in rivers and natural sources.

The solution was to hire people from the Adventurer’s Guild. Actually, why make an organization, best to just make a standing order for a certain amount of water in the Adventurer’s Guild. And a set price per liter of it. That was done.

Now for the foreign policy. I needed to know what the other Jewels were on about. I didn’t even know what the Kingdom’s main trades were, let alone the other Jewels. The Confederacy was likely to be the best source of things, and the worst in price. Especially since we didn’t have a good relationship with them.

Lady Illiana’s presence did give me some hope of trading with the Valley, but that one was far in the south. The Empire was another option. A rainforest was sure to have things I would need, and hopefully I had things they would need.

And then there was the Jade Sect. I had no idea what Viola had been up to, but I did know that border disputes had stopped between the Kingdom and the Sect for now. I just required more information. Hopefully, Kerrin would have some for me.

And speaking of him, was I still required to have a Courtier in the Kingdom? I suppose an ambassador would always be good…but did it need to be Kerrin the MC? No. I would have to check with him, but perhaps it was best he was called back.

Guess he made the journey for nothing. And then there was the Shadow Prince. I really, really wanted to kill that guy. Not just because he tried to destroy the duchy, but because he was sure to try again. And that brought me to an intelligence organization.

I was lacking in information, and the answer was to get out there and get some information. The only problem was how. How did I train spies? I knew nothing about spies. How did they infiltrate places? How did they send information back? Using the pebbles? Could the pebbles be intercepted, detected or traced? How did they even work?

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So many questions. And I knew where the answers were. I was sure that my ‘Mother’ knew all of this and had ways to help me. The issue was that it would let her interfere more, and I was loath to let her do that.

I really just wanted to think of a project and make her do it, so she did not get in the way. And I needed to start researching the forest. Actually, I needed to stop thinking of doing things and start doing things.

And speaking of doing things, Xerte and Aswelth were here… with my Mother. Ugh. Why was she here?

“Hello!” my mother said smiling widely, “I thought I could just join in and help you plan!”

I just looked at Aswelth, asking why he had let her follow him in with my eyes. The answer was painted all over his face, she didn’t ask, she just came. Ok, have mother make spy organization is a go.

“Actually, mother, I was thinking you could help me with something! I really don’t know a lot about the Six Jewels-” I began before being interrupted.

“Oh, you don’t really need to know anything. As long as I am here the Six Jewels can’t say anything. Just do as you want.” my mother said.

“Actually, that's not the point. I want to know what I can trade with them and what they can trade with me. So I wanted to establish a spy organization so that they could get that info. And I could always expand it to other continents…” I said. I did want the trade info, I just wanted everything else more, but she didn’t need to know that. And expanding would be a good idea either way.

“Hmm, sure. I do have a few Saboteur, and Spy Seeds in store. I think I even have a thing that gives the darkness element. And I can get one of the guys from the Frost continent to help.” my mother said as she got lost in thought, planning her next move. And that was a mission accomplished! Now for the rest.

“Aswelth, please ask Lady Illiana if the Valley would be willing to engage in trade? And if yes than what can they offer? And while we are at it, we need to make a list of what we can offer. I suspect it is a short list.” I suggested.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, your grace. The people have been working to make better artifacts and have succeeded for the most part. Numerous people have rushed to invent things and get those promised loans, your grace. I do hope you plan to give them soon, your grace.” Xerte said.

Huh. I did announce that stuff a while ago, so it wasn’t impossible. But I had to say, I wasn’t expecting it. Anyway, where was the pebble? I needed to contact Kerrin. Looking around, I finally found it on a table and immediately contacted Kerrin.

“Kerrin. Long time no see.” I said to him.

“Yes, your grace. The duchy seems to have changed much while I was away.” Kerrin said, his face troubled.

“What is it that's troubling you Kerrin?” I asked.

“I wish to return, your grace.” Kerrin stated. “I know that it's just the start of my tenure as courtier, but I have found that I dislike not being a part of the things that happen in the duchy.”

“Well that will not be a worry at all. I was just about to suggest that you return.” I replied.

Kerrin sighed in relief at that, I hadn't realized how much he wanted to be back.

“Is there anything you learned while you were there?” I asked.

“Well, other than the fact that purple grapes are not in fact purple, not really. The King called an emergency Court to congratulate you, but dismissed it immediately after. The other courtiers sort of disappeared after that. I think the aftermath is yet to come.” Kerrin answered.

What exactly were these purple grapes? Actually never mind. I had better things to do.

“Well you can return whenever you want courtier, I will send another ambassador over to the Court instead so that it doesn’t seem like we have broken relations.” I said as I switched off the pebble.

I turned to the other three and said,“ Is there anything else?”

“Yes, your grace. Why haven’t you broken through yet?” Aswelth asked, his tone worried.

Because I had forgotten about it… I should do that.

“I suppose I should do that now.” I answered.

“I believe that would be for the best, your grace.” Aswelth said, still sounding worried.

I sighed as I dived into my spirit space, giving one last glance to my Mother who was currently removing things from her Spacial ring and floating them around. Did I even want to try to figure out what she was trying to do? I think that was better left unknown for now.