"Famine, huh?"
"That's right. They insist that the area to the north facing the sea is experiencing poor harvests... but it's clearly a bad harvest." (King)
The King announced this to his family — the Queen, the two Princes, and the three Princesses — at the dinner table.
"In the neighboring countries of Kingdom of Tils and Aubram Kingdom, the areas facing the northern seas are similarly experiencing poor harvests. In particular, Aubram Kingdom, which is long and narrow from east to west and has many areas facing the sea, seems to be in a particularly difficult situation, as farmland was destroyed in a battle with monsters six months ago. Albarn Empire was also a large country, but most of it was originally mountainous and barren land, and it had also not yet fully recovered from the war and the incident that occurred six months ago." (King)
"Although the harvests in the Kingdom of Marlene and Kingdom of Trist were not bad, they were poor and the yields were less than usual. So, we do provide support, but it's not on a large scale. It's only natural that preventing one's own citizens from starving takes priority over helping other countries, so I can't complain." (King)
"No matter how much money was offered, it would be impossible for any royal family or feudal lord to make money by starving their own people, so purchasing it from another country would be impossible. Besides, even if they could purchase it, a food transport caravan in such a state would be attacked so often that only a few would be able to reach their destination. No one would be willing to take on the transport." (King)
The king of Kingdom of Brandell made it a rule to eat dinner with his family whenever possible. At those times, such talks were given so that the Queen, the Princes, and the Princesses could correctly grasp and understand the situation of their country and the current state of international relations, but today's topic was a somewhat serious one.
"...will there be deaths... will there be deaths from starvation?" (Queen)
The King answered the Queen's question with a regretful look on his face.
"It will happen. It probably won’t be so common in our country, ...but it will be tough in other countries, especially in Aubram Kingdom. It's a shame, considering that only six months ago it was the country that suffered the most damage among its neighbors. Well, perhaps it is a relief that no country can afford to take advantage of this situation and launch an invasion. ...I say this as if it's not my problem, but it's almost certain that people will starve to death in our country too. Everyone, please be mindful of your actions and words, and make sure you don't give the public the impression that 'the royal family is living an extravagant life'." (King)
"Yes……" (x6)
Famine.
...And then, starvation.
It's not an injury or illness.
Even though they are healthy, they starve and die because there is no food.
Young people, old people, ...and children too!
I can't forgive you.
...What?
The injustice of this world.
I won't forgive you.
...Who?
I, Morena, the third princess of Kingdom of Brandell!!
I wrote a letter, put it in storage and sent it to Est-san.
"We are aware that neighboring countries are likely to experience poor harvests. How are things going there?" (Morena)
I received a reply right away.
"We're having a good harvest here. Because of that, crop prices have fallen, and leafy vegetables that don't keep well are being left in the fields, or crushed and plowed into the fields, and the farmers have sad looks on their faces... It's not just about having a big harvest. No, of course, it's a million times better than a poor harvest or a bad harvest..." (Est)
...Okay!
Goddess, I, Morena, will do it!
For many people!!
"Whaaat?! Are you serious, Morena-sama? ...But you're serious, right?... Up until now, you have never lied or joked about anything to do with money, food, or people's lives... I understand. I will bet everything on this Estrina and Morena!" (Est)
"Very well! We, the third princess duo, will charge into God's Trial!" (Morena)
"Yes!!"
"...Morena, what did you just say? Sorry, could you say it again?" (King)
At dinner the next day, the King could hardly believe his ears.
"Yes, Father. Please convert all of my personal assets into gold ingots, jewels, expensive and rare foods, arts and crafts, and others. Things that could be sold for a high price in a faraway land... We will then convert it into food and distribute it to the northern territories and to Aubram Kingdom. ...20% more than the price before the price hike!" (Morena)
"That, not for free, be sure get the money properly..." (King)
"Of course. Otherwise we would go bankrupt. There is no such thing as all volunteer work being free. There are paid volunteers and unpaid volunteers. The word 'volunteer' does not originally mean something unpaid. The difference between volunteering and labor is not whether there is compensation or not, but whether there is voluntary will or coercion. If someone takes time off work to join a search team to search for someone lost, without regard for the risk of secondary injury, then they are a respectable volunteer, no matter how much they are paid, right? Some people seem to mistakenly believe that volunteering is unpaid work, but this is only the opinion of a few ignorant people. If we were to distribute the food free of charge this time, we would be left penniless and would not be able to purchase the next relief supplies, and would never be able to volunteer again. And then people will just go about their day worrying about the next famine because they will be given free food, without making any preparations or measures!" (Morena)
The king was wide-eyed at Morena's passionate speech. And…….
"You’re serious, aren’t you? And you’re not living in a fantasy world, you have a firm idea of your chances of winning? ...You, the Scheming Princess and one of the world's protectors, are trying to accomplish something, and I, an ordinary person, have no right to stop you... All right! The royal family will give you their full support. Do as you wish!!" (King)
"Haha, I'm so grateful!" (Morena)
The Queen, elder brother, younger brother, and older sisters looked blank-faced, unable to follow the conversation between Morena and the King.
"Morena, you've been saying 'we' this whole time... are there any other people with you?" (King)
Morena smiled brightly as she answered the King's question.
"Yes. She is my younger sister who lives on a continent far across the sea. She's Princess Estrina, a kind-hearted girl." (Morena)
"Whaaaaaaat?" (Everyone, x7)
The family members let out cries of shock at Morena's words, which contained information beyond their comprehension. And the waiters, who were the most professional of the professionals and would ignore whatever they were asked without changing their expression, accidentally made a clatter with their dishes, which was the biggest mistake they would ever make...
Author's Note
Announcement: Jet Stream Attack! (^^)/
...
I would be happy if you could watch it to kill time.
It seems like this year is the peak of my life.