I Will Become the Queen of the Enemy Country

“So that’s how it is.”

Elise, having heard the story, smiled. Rosh’s eyes widened.

Rosh didn’t believe Kram’s words that Elise knew everything. The Elise that Rosh knew was someone who cherished people, regardless of their social status.

Kram was the exact opposite of Elise. He treated people like parts.

Naturally, Rosh thought that if Elise heard her story, she would be angry with her. She even thought that Elise would agree to her plan to dismiss Kram from his position as the overall person in charge.

But seeing Elise’s reaction, she lost confidence.

“Elise, did you really listen to my story?”

“Yes, I did. You said that Kram gave more food to the people, right? And he formed teams and gave them rest time. He’s doing really well. What’s even better is that he gave jobs to the villagers in the land of death.”

“No, Elise. What I told you is that Kram forced people to eat, made the weak work, and prevented those who wanted to work from doing so.”

Throughout Rosh’s speech, Elise nodded her head.

“Countess, don’t just look at what’s right in front of you, look at the underlying situation. Lord Kram is doing well.”

“It’s because Elise didn’t see it herself. If you see it for yourself, you’ll think differently.”

“No, it won’t change even if I see it. Think about who Lord Kram is working with right now.”

“People from the land of death.”

“Yes. Why did he force them to eat food immediately? When they have food, they think about putting it in their pockets for their children first. If people who need to work don’t eat, they can’t muster strength. Lord Kram knows this, so he made them eat food, even if he had to get angry. He overfed them.”

Elise took a moment to catch her breath.

“It’s because they’re being cautious and not eating. They were scared they might lose their jobs if they ate too much of the free food.”

“Excuse me?”

Rosha couldn’t understand what Elise was saying.

“He forced them to rest to prevent safety accidents. If they don’t rest properly, the risk of accidents increases.”

“But he definitely said that he made them rest because of the cost of accident handling…”

“If he says he’s worried about getting hurt, they’ll say they can do it. They desperately need every penny. Lord Kram just knows how to handle people.”

“Then what about the taxes…”

“He’s treating them as true citizens of the Dex territory. Until now, they were in a position to receive favors, but now they are emphasizing that they have become citizens of the territory who fulfill their rights and duties.”

Only after hearing Elise’s words could Rosh understand the hidden meaning in Kram’s actions.

Suddenly, heat rose to her cheeks. She felt embarrassed for holding back the busy Elise, who was preparing to go to Bedrokka without understanding the deep meaning.

“I’m sorry.”

Rosh bowed her head. Elise extended her hand.

“You don’t have to apologize to me. However, how about trusting Lord Kram from now on? He is a competent person.”

Elise finished her words and opened the bedroom door.

Kram wasn’t truly for those people.

Kram was striving for the efficiency of work, but Elise didn’t say that.

From now on, if Kramn was to work, he absolutely needed Rosh’s trust.

Now, the hot spring business will be well coordinated between Rosh and Kram.

****

A few days later, the day to leave for Bedrokka came.

The number of people returning to Bedrokka was very small.

This was because they excluded the warriors in recovery and Leber.

“I think my usefulness is more here.”

As they began to work on the hot spring construction in earnest, small and large safety accidents occurred one after another.

No matter how careful they were, they couldn’t prevent all accidents that suddenly occurred in unexpected situations.

Since most of the cases required surgical treatment, people kept looking for Leber.

Leber became famous under the name of the Dex territory. When Elise said she was going back, even Rosh was worried about Leber’s absence, as he had become an absolutely necessary person.

As always, parting was accompanied by regret.

“The spring flowers are in full bloom. Sob, it’s just the right time to take a walk in the Dex library garden…”

Kram came out to see her off and expressed his regret. Kram had now moved his residence to the Count’s Castle.

In terms of hot spring development, he was as good as Rosh’s right arm.

“Next time. Flowers bloom anytime.”

Elise comforted Kram and handed him a paper bag.

It was the Dex territory development data that she had prepared while preparing to return to Bedrokka for the past few days.

“Kram, please take good care of the Countess.”

Having roughly heard the contents of the data from Elise, Kram put strength into the corners of his lips.

“Don’t worry! I will take responsibility and create a warm winter.”

Elise’s plan was very simple. It was to bury pipes underground and send the hot water from the hot springs to each house for floor heating.

To install pipes in the floor, a large-scale construction was needed. It was a task that required a lot of money and time.

But Elise wasn’t worried.

Soon they will earn money from the hot springs, so someday everyone in the Dex territory will be able to enjoy a cozy winter bathing in warm water.

“I will also stubbornly polish this time and aim for early achievement!”

Kram clenched his two fists. His words were harsh, but Kram had changed a lot.

It was also Kram who claimed a while ago that workers’ wages should be raised three times.

“Lord Kram, the one you should swear loyalty to is not me.”

Elise gently pushed Kram’s arm. Rosh was approaching them.

Kram stepped back. It was Rosh’s turn to exchange greetings with Elise.

“You came bringing the winter wind and now you’re leaving on the spring breeze.”

Rosh looked at the distant mountains. The white snow that had been scattered here and there until recently had completely melted.

The trees had completely changed into green clothes.

It was a full spring, and it was fortunate to send Elise in warm weather.

“By the time you pass here again, it will be summer.”

No matter how much she hurried, wouldn’t it be so? Elise calculated.

“Next time, we will welcome you grandly. You will be able to see a very vibrant Dex territory.”

Rosh extended her hand. Elise shook it.

“Elise, we need to depart.”

Karan was waiting for Elise with the carriage door open.

Even though she said she would ride a horse, Karan insisted on the carriage.

“Take care, Countess.”

“Will you call me by my name next time, Elise?”

Elise’s pupils trembled slightly. She soon brightly smiled.

“Why wait until next time, Rosh. Please stay healthy.”

Two carriages and ten horses quickly crossed the bascule bridge.

Rosh watched the group of Elise until they completely disappeared.

“Countess, I have prepared the tribute goods you asked to prepare. What should we do?”

Trish asked.

“We have to send it to His Majesty. Along with a letter.”

She heard that the marriage of the two people was difficult due to Tyllo’s opposition.

As a former subordinate of Tyllo, and as the lord of the Dex territory, and as a Countess of Tetris, it was time for Rosh to properly announce her support for the marriage of the two people.

It was one way to express gratitude to Elise, who made her realize the identity of a lord, not of a warrior.

****

“How is your body?”

It was time for the 2nd Gate Subjugation Force operation meeting in Bedrokka. They were very worried about David, who had a very tired face.

“Your Highness, do you need more time for treatment?”

David shook his head.

He couldn’t delay any longer. Dozens of damage reports were being reported every day due to monsters escaping from the gate.

“Please tell us the preparation situation.”

“We are ready.”

Jared spoke confidently, glancing at the knight commander.

There was a slight criticism in his gaze.

He was looking for the reason for the delay in the departure from the knights.

The knight commander, noticing his gaze, did not make any particular reply and appealed to David.

“The morale of the knights is great, Your Highness. We will definitely succeed.”

The knight commander was burning with determination.

“That’s right. I only trust you.”

David comforted the knight commander, who was upset, and asked Malcolm.

“Please make sure the supplies do not run out.”

“Yes, don’t worry. And, Your Highness, His Majesty has asked to take a reporter from the Phon Newspaper on the expedition.”

“A newspaper reporter?”

David was surprised.

“Wouldn’t His Majesty want to inform the people of the kingdom of Your Highness’ dignified appearance as soon as possible?”

David was not very pleased. It was a good thing if they succeeded, but there was also a possibility of failure.

To be honest, David was leaning towards the failure of the first expedition.

‘It took over two weeks just to clear the way to the gate entrance. No matter how inexperienced, anyone can predict that the monsters inside the gate are stronger. The boss monster won’t be easy either.’

David did not expect to defeat the boss monster in the first expedition.

For him, the purpose of the first expedition was to collect information.

But he couldn’t reveal that intention. It would break the morale of those who trusted and followed him.

‘What is His Majesty thinking? Does he truly believe that we will succeed in the first expedition?’

The boastful promise of Lange, who came to see him on the day he was injured, saying ‘I will definitely make you conquer,’ weighed on his mind.

‘He will use some kind of trick, but what kind of trick is he going to use? Besides, will tricks work in gate subjugation?’

The more he looked at the data, the less confident David became.

‘If a reporter is also following, we must succeed this time.’

The damage was not insignificant even now. How many would survive if they rushed to proceed with the subjugation?

David thought of the knights who would become the sacrifices of his achievement. His mouth felt dry as if he had chewed a bitter taste.

“I understand. Lord Malcolm, since he’s a civilian, will you take special care of the escorting?”

David accepted Lange’s intention.

“I will do as ordered.”

Afterwards, David gave a few instructions and then got up from his seat.

David hurried his steps, thinking about what he needed to take care of when he returned.

“You look troubled.”

A mocking voice of someone suddenly rang out.

“Who is there!”

David’s escort knight drew his sword.

“Your Highness, if you care about the life of the escort knight, tell him to put away his sword.”

A carefree voice, a stature taller than himself, with an overwhelming presence around him, and black hair.

David recognized the person who had intruded in front of him.

“Prince Karan?”