Refuge in Audacity (Original/Isekai Chapter 13)
Maristella Brokkr POV
The option for an easy life was gone, crushed right out by some horny brat with a power complex--GGRRAAAAHHH!!
Okay, stop. Calm down.
I had to fix this. Before it was something I should do so I can live in this world in peace. Now I had to try and make things go according to the original plot line so I can live a peaceful life. Eventually.
Any connections to the Nut Families were now broken. No alliance can be formed or help gained if I start a company, given who I am and being from Ereon. I had to make a merchant company on my own, and gather enough money and food to help Lancasteria for when the famine hits, so that country can still stand on it's own, and be open for a peace treaty later on in the eventual Regalia Summit.
Ocetoka Mecha Invasion can be averted as long as they don't get any Mana Ores. While Ereon is the biggest holder, it isn't the only place with Mana Ore mines in the continent. There is one in Lancasteria and one in Gorbon, under the ownership of the Lífpra and the Ganfrá Families respectively. If I can convince those two to not trade with Ocetoka that takes care of that problem.
That in turn it should avert the Mass Otherworlders Summoning by Sequilia, who would feel inferior and hurt by the full brunt of Ocetoka's invasion. Thus freak out like a child throwing a temper tantrum, summoning otherworlders left and right to throw at other kingdoms, and hoping to get a Hero who would be their nuke-option. Well, even if that's the case, if I get to the Vertus Fatum Temple quickly enough, I should be able to avert the success of the Hero Summoning, as that only happens in the Bad End, if 75% of that arc's mission objectives aren't completed.
So, now that I have a plan, time to get to work.
"Father, I wish to start a company." I told him one day, when I was sure I was ready.
I explained how the company would start by selling beauty products; skin moisturizer, hair shampoos & conditioners, cosmetic items, etc.
An otome game cliche? Maybe, but it works in other villainess reincarnator stories for a reason. It's a new invention from this world's standard, that would be in demand and thus is an actual get rich quick scheme, that can succeed. While there are potions that can help someone look prettier, they are alchemic potions, thus by nature difficult to mass produce.
From there I would build a capital that I would use to buy seeds and livestock from Lancasteria. It would be steeply expensive but I should be able to pull it off, and thus keep expanding my farm still I have enough food supply for the famine event.
For labor, aside from what I can gain from father, I'm thinking I would build an orphanage. The kids there would get a free education so that they would later on be able to work for me, or they can help out in other jobs in the future.
"Well, this seems like a well-thought out plan. When you finish your studies, I don't mind giving you my support for this endeavor." My father said in his usual cheer.
That stopped me short.
"But...why? Father, you can see that I have this idea detailed, and thought out." I explained.
"My dearie, you have a very good general idea. You are yet to have enough experience or knowledge. If I let you go as is, this company of yours wouldn't last a month." He replied.
I wanted to shout and riot at this. I worked hard on the plans of this company. Researched land and potential clients, merchants that would buy my merchandise in bulk.
I pleaded for him to reconsider, and after a period, he decided on giving me a test.
"Very well, I have a barony with no lord. If you can show good results in three months, rather than short deadline of a month, then I will reconsider your idea." He said with a twinkle in his eye, like he usually does when he's having a joke at someone's expense. "Of course, I'll have Steven accompany you, as your aid in this task."
I'm sure I won't need father's attendant's help. Alright then, I can do this.
This should be easy.
It was hell.
I was given the title of Baroness, and deed for the lands of Beak. I thought that a barony would be easy to manage. You can travel from one end of the land to other in an hour. It should be easy run this place, and I can even get started on my company here.
But nooooo, that would be too easy!
I had to deal with fucking sneaky bandits, disputes between three prominent--not nobility but pretty famous in this area--families and a water scarcity.
First the bandits kept returning no matter how many times I squashed them. Then the three families kept fighting, and finding new reasons to fight even when I managed to quell the issues. One of those fuckers were a merchant family, and stole my idea for a facial cream, but their product made their clients sweat too much, so they gave them a potion with the cream to even out the effect. It's a frickin' con scheme. Those assholes!
After multiple tries, I just had shelve the company idea to take completely, to care of these annoyances in the barony.
The water problem was more difficult, as the wells were dry, and the people there even reached the point of having to trade food for water at times.
Difficult, this was too difficult!
I complained to my father that this was an unfixable situation without more resources.
"My little star, this just means you need to work harder to find a solution." He told me, when he came to visit, in that cheery teasing voice of his.
"I have been working hard!" I cried out, uncaring of how unladylike I was.
"Have you? Have you really utilized all methods?" My father's firm voice, and stern eyes stopped me from replying, as I felt this was one of those times, in this lessons where I was missing an important point. I have been dealing with each problem in this land directly yet nothing worked for long, I wasn't sure what to do. "Empty your schedule in two days time, starlight. We're going to the capital." He told me once I couldn't answer.
I didn't know why we were going to the Stilvall, and couldn't help but wonder what possible advice could there be, that father felt I had to see.
Personal Info:
Name: Maristella Françoise Pamolai Brokkr
Titles: Lady of House Brokkr, Baroness Maristella
Age: 13
Condition: A Bit Fatigued & Mentally Irritated
Stats:
Strength: 9
Durability: 10
Dexterity: 11
Speed: 7
Mental Calculation: 92
Memory Capacity: 64
Aether Control: 26
Mana Capacity: 18
Skills:
Aristocratic Decorum:
Diplomatic Discourse:
Environmental Magic:
-Fire Magic:
Land Management:
Company Administration:
Traits:
None
A/N: Renko, That's a...*Thinks about it for a bit and nods* pretty damn good point. You know what, I'll actually make it an issue of discussion to bring up in a later chapter. Thanks for the idea.
Everyone else, had basically brought up good points for why Aidan acted as he did, but I feel that for his characterization, just as with anger, he would bottle up his guilt. As for why the people around Aidan are cool with his action, it's because after ending the Almonds, he stopped. And that was a big deal. He didn't go after every one connected to the Almonds, from their allies, to their friends and acquaintances. Just the Almonds and ended his rampage.
For the nobility of Ereon, that was an example of restrain that they had to respect and fear, as it showed a great power that isn't being used wildly, but with focus and precision. He wasn't just a child throwing a temper tantrum, but someone that can possibly enter the political game board, otherwise more people--very much unrelated--would have been hurt justifying a possible rebellion.