Disappointment and Hope

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Hansel woke up early the next day, meticulously groomed himself, and after breakfast with his family, hurried to the public office of the Capital Intelligence Department. He presented his identification and entered, finding his immediate superior's office.

He lightly knocked on the door and entered upon hearing a "come in." He greeted the intelligence officer who had issued his commission several months ago, "Viscount Aiden, long time no see."

The officer, buried in a pile of documents, looked up at Hansel for a while, then asked, "And you are...?" It was clear he couldn't quite recall his subordinate whom he had met only once before.

Hansel felt a surge of annoyance but kept it hidden, smiling as he introduced himself, "Baron Hansel Abbott. I received my commission from you at the Highland camp months ago, to serve as a royal commissioner in Alden."

Viscount Aiden struggled to jog his memory, finally recalling, "Ah! You're Hansel." The Viscount didn't seem embarrassed; most of those sent to him by Earl Merlin were leftovers with nowhere else to go. Besides, there was a liaison officer specifically for communications; there was no need to remember their faces.

He remembered dispatching this fellow to the remote Northwest Bay, "So, why have you returned to the capital?" Viscount Aiden put on a stern expression, wondering if this young man couldn't handle the hardships in the northwest and had returned to live a life of comfort. Oh, these young people nowadays needed proper education.

"Hmm!" Hansel cleared his throat, pulling out a scroll and placing it on Viscount Aiden's desk, "Please have a look, sir."

Curious, Viscount Aiden unrolled the scroll, finding it to be a grain transfer certificate. Recalling recent instructions from the royal family, he immediately understood.

"So, you've managed to procure grain from the local lords?" he asked.

"Yes, sir! Though the quantity is small, this is just the first batch. Earl Paul Grayman, the lord of Alden, has promised to send more grain in the future, and it's all free, costing us not a single coin."

Viscount Aiden nodded approvingly, "Very well. In this day and age, there aren't many local lords so loyal to His Majesty the King. I understand. You may go back now." With that, he pushed the certificate aside and returned to his documents.

After a while, not hearing the sound of the door closing, he looked up in surprise to find Hansel still standing there, seemingly waiting for something.

"Hmm? Baron Abbott, why are you still here?"

Hansel, somewhat disappointed, placed two letters on the table, saying, "There is one more thing I need to trouble you with. One is a letter from Earl Grayman of Alden to His Majesty the King, and the other is a letter I wrote to His Majesty, containing several suggestions regarding the northwest region. Please deliver them to the palace on my behalf."

Viscount Aiden glanced at the letters on the table, saying, "Very well, but His Majesty is extremely busy; I can't guarantee he'll find time to read your letters. Hansel, unless it's something crucial, you should hurry back to Northwest Bay and continue your duties as a royal commissioner. I have a lot to handle here."

"Understood, Viscount."

Hansel turned and left the office, closing the door behind him. He hesitated for a moment in the corridor, debating whether to go back inside, but in the end, he shook his head and left the building.

After finishing his business, Hansel hired a carriage and headed towards the direction of the Royal Crystal Academy. About a quarter-hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a tavern.

Hansel jumped down from the carriage, gave the driver a few coins, straightened his clothes, and walked into the tavern. He looked around and spotted a familiar figure in the corner, so he walked up to the bar and said, "A rum, please."

The tavern owner stared at him unmovingly. Just as Hansel was growing impatient, the owner spoke up, "Sir, I need to see your identification and proof of purchase."

"What? I need ID and proof just to have a drink?" Hansel was baffled. Had the capital's vigilance really heightened so much after the warehouse fire?

A voice came from behind, "Boss, my friend just returned from out of town and isn't aware of the recent prohibition. Please serve him an apple juice."

Hansel turned around to see the familiar person sitting in the corner. He opened his arms warmly, saying, "Bernard, it's been a long time!"

Hansel's old classmate, Baron Bernard Francis, also opened his arms and embraced him. "Indeed, I had no idea where you went these past few months. It was only this morning that Toman came by to pass on the message that you had been appointed as a royal commissioner to the Northwest."

The two sat down at the table in the corner, and Hansel asked curiously, "What's this about the prohibition you mentioned earlier?"

Bernard waved his hand dismissively, "Forget it. Isn't there a famine going on recently? His Majesty issued a strict order to limit the brewing of all kinds of alcohol. Nobles are allowed only half a liter of wine per day, and commoners can drink only one liter per week. Also, no more banquets or public drinking events. I warn you, don't violate it. This isn't a joke; several poor souls have already been heavily fined."

"Alright," Hansel sighed, accepting the apple juice the owner handed him. "I'll quench my thirst with this for now."

Bernard took a sip of his own juice and asked, "So, were you transferred back to the capital this time?"

"No! I'll be heading back to Northwest Bay in a few days."

"Oh, what a pity!" Bernard raised his glass sympathetically towards Hansel.

Hansel continued, "Actually, the reason I invited you here today, besides catching up, is something else."

"Hmm? What is it?" Bernard asked casually, raising his glass again and taking a sip of juice.

Hansel organized his thoughts and said, "There's an opportunity now that could change your destiny. Would you be willing to seize it with me?"

"What opportunity?" His friend asked casually, then lifted his glass to drink juice.

"Would you be willing to come with me to Northwest Bay?"

"Cough—cough!" Bernard choked on the juice, coughing violently.

Hansel quickly patted his back until he calmed down.

"Cough—Are you kidding me?" Bernard asked in confusion. Going there is like being banished. Why are you dragging your good friend into the fire pit?

Hansel put on a serious expression, "Bernard, I'm absolutely serious. I just came back from Northwest Bay. I know the land there, I know the people there, I know the lords there. It's definitely not the poverty and danger rumored in the noble circles of the capital."

He stared into Bernard's eyes, emphasizing each word, "But a land of promise, rich and fertile, awaiting cultivation, a land where gold will flow like rivers."

Bernard blinked and replied, "Hansel, you know these flowery phrases don't sway me."

Hansel sat down heavily, "Alright, Bernard. Let me tell you the truth. There's a place called Alden, where the local lord is eager to develop industries within his domain, particularly to increase production of goods like grain and iron. However, he lacks people who can read and do arithmetic, which is urgently needed."

Bernard rubbed his chin, seemingly understanding his friend's intent.

Hansel continued, "You see, grain and iron are crucial resources in war. Once their production is increased and continually supplied to His Majesty, those involved in achieving this will certainly receive credit."

Bernard nodded, "You make a good point, but can this really succeed? Every lord hopes their territory will become more prosperous, but I've never heard of any domain getting rich overnight."

"Every investment carries risks. How will we know the outcome without making an effort?"

He then explained to Bernard the agricultural development plan for Alda, detailing the measures Paul had taken in his domain, such as eradicating pirates and enforcing laws, emphasizing that Alden is now well-ordered, unlike the pirate-infested and bandit-ridden image previously associated with Northwest Bay.

He concluded, "Think about it, Bernard. You're almost thirty and still working as a book transcriber at the academy. How much can you earn in a month? The opportunities are shrinking. Though the towns there might be smaller, they're just as tidy as the capital. The lord has promised higher wages for those who join him and low living costs."

Hansel's words struck a nerve with Bernard, who began to seriously consider it.

Hansel pressed on, "In the capital, we're just another low-ranking noble among many. But in the Northwest? There are few nobles there, and to the common folk, we'd be like suns walking among them. With our knowledge and skills, we can surely carve out a place. After achieving merit, you can choose whether to return to the capital or continue living there. By then, thanks to our efforts, the Northwest will surely prosper."

After pondering, Bernard finally said, "I need to go back and think about your proposal before giving you an answer."

Hansel shook his hand warmly, "Good friend, take your time to consider it. Also, mention this to anyone you know, especially those discontent with the current situation, including commoners. If they're interested, have them come find me."

Bernard nodded, "Alright, Hansel! I'll give you my answer no later than the day after tomorrow!"

Hansel raised his glass, "Cheers! My friend, I hope we'll have enough grain to make wine soon, so we won't have to use this damned juice as a substitute."

Their glasses clinked together, "Cheers! May your words come true."

(End of the Chapter)