The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Chersea's First Cosplay Festival (Part 1)

***Kuro***

About four months after I inherited the fief of the late Viscount Dupree, and all the projects we planned were proceeding to its completion.

Thanks to the people who helped with my duchy's finances, our budget—while it was skirting on the 'just enough' levels—avoided falling in the 'red'. Eris' House of Braunhauer sent money for the construction of the road networks, train tracks and the highway system. For that, I granted their business the right to operate in our territory, and also preferential treatment at the customs of the port of Maverny. The House of von Albert led by the Amaranthine queen, Jessica, also invested funds for our health center and the hospital, and invited their merchants to Maverny. When I asked Her Majesty what she wanted to receive in return, the queen only said,

"Just do what you intend to do, Kuro," Jessica winked at me. "While you may think you're receiving our help for free, actually it's not. We learn and copy your reforms; thus, improving our kingdom as well."

Well, I guess it's a good exchange...though I'd like to give her more concessions, if I can.

The Kingdom of Cherwind and the Federal Demon Republic sent personnel from their militaries and schools to train our citizens to matters of modern medicine, first aid, and firefighting tactics. They also provided volunteers to staff our schools and the university at Maverny with teachers. And finally, teams of construction workers from both races took charge of the public projects, assisting our own human builders. As I was also the King of Cherwind and the 'Special Adviser' to the Demon Lord President, my duchy received exclusive trade rights and items, compared to the rest of the political entities that existed in Chersea.

Oh yes, I should also mention that the construction materials, tools and equipment are given or lent to us by Cherwind and the Federal Republic.

As for Maddie's House of Rubinforth, well, she and the House of von Leese through Lily gave our militia proper training, on par with the Holy Palatial Garden's Paladin Corps, and Nerfes' military. The Lady Margaret Jean of Malvette also helped us in naval matters, as it was common wisdom in Chersea for kingdoms with shorelines to have 'naval patrols' to keep pirates away from the trade lanes.

After all, the 'Saint's Peace' is an era of prosperity never before seen in the history of Chersea before...

"..."

The rest of the projects were funded using the money in Maverny's treasury. As such, even before the completion of most of our undertakings, the lives of the duchy's citizens improved significantly. So much was the jump of progress that our territory attracted migrants from other lands and countries, and nobles from those places have to enact bans to keep their people from moving out.

The irony of it all is I have to adhere to frugal living, or my budget will suffer.

There were rumors that reached me. Rumors that in the Imperial capital, nobles would secretly laugh and mock my efforts. Like,

"Isn't that commoner just given one of the best lands in the Empire? Yet, he feeds on scraps just to make his subjects happy?"

"A swine will always return to its mud! No matter how he is honored, he is still what he is: a commoner."

"Get your most hated daughter to marry that man and have your grandchildren inherit his fief. It's wasted on him."

"The saints' favor rests on him, yet he does nothing! If I were him, I'd make sure my house would be blessed for eternity!"

Not that I'm offended by their short-sightedness, but I wanted to develop my lands properly. See, no one wished to die poor and destitute. Even I would like to live comfortably until I'm old. Now, I 'nurture' my territory and its people, not only so they could share in the wealth of the duchy, but also, they'd return part of that wealth into the treasury through taxes. A functioning government and good, accessible public services meant a happy population. A happy population would gladly pay their taxes. A paid tax into the treasury was 50% additional money to my finances. And with good finances, I could provide proper governance and public services...as well as satisfy my own needs.