Raising the Northern Grand Duchy as a Max-Level All-Master

95. Growth and Redistribution (1)

The North wasn’t solely composed of the High Tower, the seat of the Northern Grand Duchy, Renslet. Several other significant territories and cities also played vital roles in the region.

While not as populous as the great cities of empires or kingdoms, these areas were densely populated by the North’s standards. In some cases, their populations even exceeded that of the High Tower itself.

As a result, these cities and territories served as key hubs in the North.

One notable example was Haven, located at the southernmost edge of the North, bordering both the Empire and the Demon Realm.

Due to its strategic position as a trade city, Haven’s population was growing rapidly.

Incidentally, Haven was where I first began after being summoned and thrown into this world.

Further north from Haven lay two territories renowned for agriculture: Shuen and Narvik.

Both had become direct holdings of the Grand Duchy after a rebellion a few years ago.

Being among the few regions in the North suited for farming and ranching, they remained heavily populated to this day.

Continuing further north from Shuen and Narvik, one would encounter a city and a territory known for mining and industry: the city of Remm and the territory of Cardia.

Both were famous for mining, and over the generations, they became hubs for blacksmiths’ forges and carpenters’ workshops.

Incidentally, these areas were home to the estates of loyalist families like Balzac, Sun, Haita, and Gard.

Finally, traveling further north from Remm along the main road would lead to the crown jewel of the North: the capital of the Northern Grand Duchy, Renslet, commonly referred to as the High Tower.

This was the northernmost territory on the continent and the front line defending humanity against the Arctic wilds beyond the Great Northern Wall.

The term “High Tower” didn’t just denote the residence of important figures but also symbolized its lofty significance.

To the west of Renslet, beyond a stretch of frozen coastline, lay the territory I had been granted along with my noble title: the County of Jin.

Why was I, uniquely, granted such a large territory alongside my family name?

The previous name of the County of Jin was Shinria, a land so sparsely populated that it had fewer than a thousand residents.

Though its land area was comparable to a marquisate, its population was even smaller than that of a barony.

With so little to offer, at least the size of the territory brought some recognition.

What’s that? Why am I suddenly in “geography teacher mode,” giving you a lesson on the North?

Well, the recent incident caused by some Arad Company employees was deeply tied to these northern regions.

“Decentralization of the provinces, huh…”

I gazed at the map of the North, lost in thought.

Beyond creating the new departments—Auditing, Information, Security, and Public Relations—there was a pressing need to decentralize the factories and industries concentrated in the High Tower.

“This might be the perfect opportunity to overhaul the company’s organizational structure as well.”

Despite lecturing on public administration and spearheading the reorganization of the High Tower’s government, I was managing my own company in a chaotic, ad hoc manner.

“It’s a textbook case of the lantern being darkest under its base.”

On the surface, Arad Company and the Arad Industrial Complex appeared to be flourishing, but beneath that facade, latent risks lurked.

“I’ve been expanding factories haphazardly around the outskirts of the High Tower.”

Another glaring issue was the way countless ventures operated under the single banner of Arad Company, as if thrown into a stew without rhyme or reason.

“This organizational structure is a mess when I look at it this way.”

There was a reason for this, of course.

Up until now, there hadn’t been enough capable and trustworthy personnel, so I had no choice but to micromanage everything myself.

“Sir, when are you planning to visit the High Tower? Lord Haita has asked for a specific date.”

Mary, for once performing her role as my secretary, interrupted my thoughts.

“Another magical communication call?”

“Yes.”

“I should have delayed introducing magical communication.”

“It’s too late for that.”

“….”

Letting out a long sigh, I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.

After gathering my thoughts, I spoke.

“If I’m going to the High Tower anyway, I’ll handle multiple matters at once.”

“Pardon?”

While the industrial complex and the Palace of Glory—where Arina resided—were nearby, the High Tower was a challenging and exhausting space for me.

From ancient times, government and business were like oil and water.

Even though my company operated as a de facto state-affiliated enterprise, free from taxes and regulations, it didn’t make the relationship any less uncomfortable.

“If anything, being a state-affiliated enterprise makes things worse. It means they can extort slush funds from me anytime.”

This was why I avoided visiting the court frequently.

My home, office, and business premises were the most comfortable places for me.

While I couldn’t completely escape the tangled web of government-business relations, I was determined to maintain a boundary.

“Mary, on your way home after work, stop by the High Tower’s inner citadel.”

“The inner citadel? Are you suggesting I meet Her Highness?”

“Wait a moment.”

I focused on writing something at length on fine paper.

After finishing, I enclosed the letter in premium packaging and stamped it with my signet ring.

“Deliver this letter to Her Highness personally.”

“What is it?”

Mary tilted her head in curiosity at being tasked as a messenger again.

Since I hadn’t sealed the letter with wax or security magic, she could read it if she wanted, but I wasn’t too concerned.

“It’s a request for Her Highness to summon the mayors of major northern cities and representatives of the territories to the High Tower.”

“All of a sudden?”

“It may seem sudden, but it’s actually overdue.”

“What will you do after summoning them…?”

“To be honest, the company’s factories and operations are overly concentrated in the High Tower. It’s fine for now, but sooner or later, this will cause irreversible problems.”

“That means…!”

Mary’s eyes widened as she seemed to grasp my intention.

“You may leave work a bit early today. But ensure this letter is delivered before you go home to rest.”

“Understood.”

“Magical communication devices have been distributed to the major cities and territories, right?”

“Yes. The summons should reach them before late tonight.”

“Good.”

“By the way…”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you use magical communication to contact Her Highness?”

“Because sending it through you is faster and safer.”

While I could technically use magical communication to contact Arina, doing so involved tedious formalities and long wait times.

As the ruler of the North, she was inundated with magical communication requests.

Thus, relying on Mary as a direct hotline was far more efficient.

“In that case, why don’t you—”

“Ah-ah. It’s not good for politicians and businesspeople to meet too frequently.”

“Are you avoiding Her Highness because you’re afraid she’ll ask for more money?”

“How dare you say such disloyal words!”

To be honest… she wasn’t entirely wrong.