Chapter 112 - 39: A Dimensionality Reduction Strike from a Modern Person

Chapter 112: Chapter 39: A Dimensionality Reduction Strike from a Modern Person

"The Valgipps Mountain Range?"

"Yes, my Lord! It’s on the far west side of town, about three kilometers away."

"I heard it’s a barren mountain. If there isn’t enough farmland, has anyone considered clearing it for cultivation?"

"Surely you jest. Nothing grows on that mountain range; it’s worthless for cultivation."

"I see..."

Lilia nodded and let the farmer she had randomly stopped go on his way.

Behind her, Rebecca and a female staff member were taking notes.

Previously, when she lived at home, Rebecca had only attended a Church school for a few years and could barely read. After becoming Lilia’s maid, she felt deeply inadequate, especially when compared to the personal servants of the other princesses... The difference was like night and day.

’Princess Lilia must have the very best of everything!’

So, Rebecca studied diligently for half a year and finally made some progress. Her literature and arithmetic scores had improved greatly.

After writing her last note, Rebecca handed the notebook to Lilia for review, as was her custom.

Lilia skimmed through it. "The administration of this place is an absolute mess..."

Aside from data directly related to the nobles’ interests, like the amount of farmland and annual crop yields, everything else—population, birth rate, average education level—was completely blank.

Lilia had always stayed in the Kingdom’s Capital. In her first playthrough, she lived in the Earl Mansion; in her second, the Royal Court. Both were noble districts, far removed from the common people.

This had led to a slight skew in her perception of this world.

She had assumed that a world with Magic, even if not particularly advanced, would at least not be so backward. But the reality was far worse than she had imagined.

Two days ago, when speaking with a woman, the woman had praised Viscount Belmont’s benevolence from the bottom of her heart. He had taken in refugees like them, and the only condition was that they become his slaves.

Although they still didn’t have enough to eat after coming to Navia, there was a fundamental difference between not having enough to eat and having nothing to eat at all.

They were grateful for everything Viscount Belmont had done.

Hearing this, Lilia felt a sense of absurdity, as if society had regressed several hundred years in an instant.

And yet, neither Rebecca nor the other staff member had any particular reaction. Clearly, this situation was the norm, and Lilia’s thoughts were the greatest of heresies.

’A slave society, barren of resources, and almost completely isolated from other regions with little communication... It’s no wonder a place like this is so impoverished,’ Lilia thought to herself.

Behind her, the expert, a woman named Jennifer, stepped forward. "Princess Lilia, after several days of investigation, we have a general understanding of the situation."

"It seems the best way to win the people’s support is to start by improving their livelihood."

Lilia nodded.

It was a simple principle.

Since ancient times, whether in the East or the West, regardless of the existence of supernatural powers, the needs of the common people have always been the same.

To have full bellies, warm clothes, and live stable, peaceful lives.

They will support whoever can provide them with this.

Belmont’s reputation here was high not because he did a particularly good job, but because compared to other Vampires, he was, at the very least, an ordinary, normal Noble.

He would make the residents of his domain his slaves, but he wouldn’t let them simply starve to death.

For that alone, he earned everyone’s support.

Therefore, if Lilia wanted to replace him, it wouldn’t be very difficult, strictly speaking.

She just had to do better than him.

"...This place is too remote, the roads are rugged, and it lacks the conditions for trade with other regions. It also has no competitive local industries."

Jennifer continued her analysis, "So, we can only focus on agriculture. We need to find a way to expand the farmland so more people can have enough to eat."

"As for manpower, we don’t need to worry for now. With proper management, they can handle even double the workload..."

Lilia asked, "But the farmer just said that the area near the Valgipps Mountain Range isn’t suitable for cultivation."

Jennifer nodded. "Just because that area isn’t suitable doesn’t mean other areas aren’t."

"The mountain range doesn’t completely encircle the town. We’ve already confirmed that the land to the east and south is normal."

She pushed up the frameless glasses on her face. "Besides, we don’t yet know the specific situation in the Valgipps Mountain Range. We can’t just take one farmer’s word for it that nothing can grow there."

"That makes sense."

Lilia gave a slight nod.

But before Jennifer could say another word, Lilia interjected, "But such a large-scale land clearing operation will definitely be discovered by Viscount Belmont."

He was leaving her alone for now simply because he thought she was just sightseeing.

But the moment he discovered she was trying to do something that could threaten his rule, their relationship would no longer be as peaceful and amicable as it was now.

"That is unavoidable," Jennifer said.

"No."

Lilia smiled. "There is a way to avoid it. We simply don’t clear new land."

Jennifer frowned deeply.

She couldn’t quite understand her Lord’s thinking. Her actions these past few days had been wise, so why now...

"If we don’t clear new land, how do we increase crop yield?" she asked, trying to be patient.

"It’s simple. If we can’t expand the area of farmland, then we’ll find a way to increase the yield per acre."

"...Increase the yield per acre?"

Jennifer frowned. "If you’re referring to using Magic to increase the land’s output, Mr. Nokes can indeed do that. But his power is limited; there’s no way he can cover the entire town."

Lilia’s eyes widened. "Magic can do that?"

’I thought it was only for combat!’

Jennifer paused for a moment. "...You didn’t know? There’s an elective course at the Royal Capital Magic Academy that should cover this subject in great detail..."

Then she reconsidered... ’Right. This Little Princess has lived in the Royal Court her whole life. She never had any formal schooling.’

"It’s normal that you don’t know," Jennifer said with a light cough. "Strictly speaking, this ability doesn’t fall under the category of Magic. It’s a type of Divine Arts."

"Divine Arts?"

"The power bestowed upon the Holy Order by a God is called Divine Arts."

Jennifer explained, "Unlike Magic, Divine Arts cannot be learned, only inherited. Moreover, the Royal Court and the Church belong to different systems. Very few members of the Holy Order serve the Royal Family."

Lilia understood.

Simply put, only that man Nokes could use this power, and his individual strength was limited, making it impossible to popularize this method of increasing yield.

"We don’t need Divine Arts."

Lilia shook her head.

Meeting Jennifer’s puzzled gaze, she said, "We just need to know how to practice selective breeding."