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The fall of the Garambell Kingdom had a unique aspect to it. It was the first case of a kingdom falling into ruin due to a disaster.
Because the kingdom collapsed due to an endemic disease instead of war, people at that time studied it a lot.
In order not to repeat the same mistake.
Siervian learned about the dark side of history outside the palace in class.
‘Garambell’s collapse is, by far, the most important event to be recorded in history books.’
Count Bianche, her history teacher, repeatedly told her about it as if emphasizing it further.
‘Then it’s happening right now.’
But why was a Marquis of the empire in charge of the supply of Pharim herbs?
It was strange. Even though the empire dominated over the kingdoms of the continent, there was no reason for it to manage the flow of herbs of other countries.
“And the storage conditions of Pharim?”
“First of all, we have plenty of spare herbs. However, only this quarter’s supplies had been lost.”
It wasn’t even a request that came in an emergency from the kingdom. Rather, it seemed like the empire was supplying them with the herbs regularly. Was it a trade of sorts?
Siervian’s questions were soon resolved.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: Because Garambell mountains have a special fertilizer for Harmin tea, it’s important for the cultivation of the tea leaves. There may be problems with the supply and demand of Harmin tea next year.
[ Hex ]
Thoughts: How big of a difference do Garambell’s mountains have on the production of the special fertilizers?
The Emperor was lost in thought, while Chancellor Hex stood next to him and thought of one thing after another as he chose his words carefully.
Siervian decided to take a close look at them, and soon, she found out many things.
It wasn’t just a simple trade.
‘It’s related to Harmin tea.’
In the empire, the Garambell Kingdom was helping to secure Pharim herbs stably. It was a medicinal herb used for the endemic disease of the west coast, but it was an herb that was more prevalently produced in eastern forests.
It wasn’t easy for a small kingdom like Garambell to receive Pharim stably.
‘Hmm… I got it. So instead of directly getting Pharim, is Garambell producing fertilizers to grow Harmin tea in exchange?’
Fertilizer for cultivating Harmin was the price that the empire had in exchange for Pharim.
While the two men were agonizing over their thoughts, Siervian also recalled the things she knew in the past. What she heard from her history teacher surfaced in her mind.
’If it’s Harmin tea, of course it’s important to our empire. So what should we do?’
Although it wasn’t a good memory for her, Harmin tea was one of the most important items in the empire.
People who lived in the north were sensitive to mana because they all lived surrounded by huge mana circles.
If their mana isn’t enough, they would suffer from an illness. And the way to prevent this is through Harmin tea, which all people of the empire drank steadily from the age of six.
‘How strange. It’s difficult.’
But after reading the complicated thoughts of the adults for a while, her head also started hurting, and her body was trying to pull her away against her adult will. Ah, don’t mind this complicated problem. Just run and go see your favorite flowers.
‘But I want to find out a bit more.’
Just barely controlling the distracting urges of her young body, Siervian fumbled with her fingers. Maybe it’d be better if she went closer and sat down…
“Siervy.”
At that time, the Emperor, who had seemed to be lost in thought, suddenly called out to her.
Siervian hesitated to raise her gaze as she wondered if she had stared too blatantly at them after reading their status windows.
“If you’re curious, come closer and listen.”
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: You must be interested in hearing about another kingdom. Who do you take after that you look so cute.
Fortunately, she wasn’t going to be scolded. She thought this was a good thing, so she carefully approached the table where her father sat.
A small flower that’s blooming in the middle of the lawn caught her eye. It seemed to be a wildflower that wasn’t meant to grow there.
‘Careful, careful.’
Afraid of stepping over the flower, she tiptoed over towards the table.
After that, her father ordered the gardener to move the flower somewhere else and plant it again. She didn’t know that he liked flowers, too.
Maybe tomorrow, she could run freely.
[ Hex ]
Favorability: +20
Hex smiled even in this serious situation because her gentle steps were so adorable. The princess was dressed in bright clothes, matching the bright garden. She truly looked like a fairy.
‘Snacks!’
As she got closer, the sweet smell of snacks instead of flowers tempted her this time.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: If the endemic disease spreads significantly, problems may arise in the surrounding kingdoms in the west coast.
Snacks were always on the table, but she rarely ever saw her father eat. More than that, it was strange to see that there were always many kinds of snacks. Thanks to this, she could eat as much as she wanted.
While he was in deep thought, the Emperor unconsciously placed the abundant macaron plate towards the princess.
‘Father’s judgement is right!’
Siervian was inwardly very surprised. In fact, according to the history books, the endemic disease swept over not only the Garambell Kingdom, but also much of the west coast during this period.
The kingdoms didn’t fall to ruin like Garambell, but many people there suffered.
“Many people frequent Garambell whenever they visit the west coast.”
As the Emperor thought of the entire continent, he was concerned about the possible outcome of this.
“If the endemic disease spreads there, it could spread throughout the entire west coast…”
Looking at Hex’s busy thoughts, Siervian picked up a macaron.
He was thinking about how the most favorable environment for the special fertilizer was on the coast where wind blew well. Therefore, it was clear that if it was like her previous life, there might have also been a setback back then in the production of Harmin tea.
“Your Majesty, the storm season is also coming, so what should we do…”
“Mm. It would be more efficient to aim for the next cultivation period rather than to forcefully send supplies right away.”
In her previous life, even though there were medicinal herbs ready in the empire, the outcome was no different and the west coast became devastated. This was because of the storm season.
The empire was located in the cold northern region of the continent, and they were caught up in extreme blizzards every year. Fortunately, because the towns were being protected by magic circles.
“How much is the expected cost inflation?”
“The cost is expected to increase by more than three times. This is because we have to increase the number of people to be dispatched because the timing is a bit delicate.”
It was a very bad time to move perishable items such as medicinal herbs in large quantities because the magic circles would be working harder at this time.
“Your Majesty, may I share my opinion on the matter?”
“Speak.”
“In the last decade or so, the rise of endemic diseases has been gradually decreasing in Garambell.”
As the Chancellor, he spoke very carefully.
“And even though the Garambell Kingdom has requested it, they must have stockpiled some supplies for themselves.”
It was a very plausible opinion that the chancellor said, and it was to the benefit of the empire.
“Yes. No matter how much fertilizer for Harmin they can trade, procuring the herbs for them now would only benefit them and not the empire.”
“That’s right, sire. It’s rude to send a request directly to Your Majesty and not the Marquis first. I can’t believe they skipped over the person directly in charge.”
And this was the political situation underneath it that wasn’t included in the history books.
“Apart from that, I can’t let them undermine me and act as if they have control over the herbs.”
The Emperor said this haughtily as he frowned, as if he found the entire situation unpleasant. Standing next to him, Hex read the Emperor’s mood and gulped dryly at the tension in the air.
“Tell Garambell that the storm season is approaching, and we shall extend our aid after it has passed. And tell them that instead, we’ll consider sending more herbs than usual for the next envoy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Actually, the Emperor’s judgement was not wrong.
As Hex mentioned, the number of afflicted people who have died from the disease had decreased over the years in Garambell. The numbers were enough to show that the herbs sent from the last envoy would be sufficient until the next one.
‘Until this year.’
Siervian recalled the fact that the endemic disease, which had been well managed, suddenly broke out in droves this year.
Many scholars tried to study the cause, but the exact facts had yet to be uncovered.
‘Strangely, all the members of the Royal Family died, but did they ever give out medicine to the people?’
Afraid of the highly contagious endemic disease, people were reluctant to go to the west coast for a while. When the disease subsided a little and the empire dispatched people to find out the cause, it was already too late.
‘Maybe now is the last chance to help.’
Scholars said that if it wasn’t for the storm season, the empire would have been able to prevent the collapse of the kingdom.
If a decision couldn’t be done here to send aid because of the storm season, the empire could have sent additional support right away.
So many people died in just a few weeks.
“Why don’t you eat more?”
When his daughter was deep in thought while taking a bite of a macaron, the Emperor wondered.
“Your Majwesty.”
And then the child opened her lips to speak while still munching on a macaron. He wondered again. Was it not to her taste?
“What’s wrong?”
Looking into his warm eyes, Siervian pondered once again.
Because she wanted to come to the garden as much as possible while she still could, she always stayed here as though she didn’t exist. But this time, she couldn’t help but speak.
‘People will…’
It was only her who knew that so many people in Garambell would die in the coming year. Not only that, but even people in the entire west coast would also be affected.
She thought about the countless lives that were placed on her father, the Emperor’s shoulders. And now, those lives were also on her shoulders.
“P-Pwease help them.”
Like a hushed sigh, the weak plea slipped out of her lips. She wanted to cry because of the dire situation, but she held it in.
“Hm? Do you mean Garambell?”
“Yees.”
But her voice was trembling already. This wasn’t just some measly task—what she’s doing now was to reverse the Emperor’s decision.
‘If we think of the cultivation of Harmin tea, this is also beneficial to the empire.’
And more than that, since she knew that many people would die, she couldn’t just stay still.
Siervian was so nervous that she couldn’t even let go of the macaron she was holding. She felt the soft macaron crumble at her fingertips.
“P-Princess.”
[ Hex ]
Thoughts: I know you didn’t mean to! But what if His Majesty gets angry!
Standing next to her, Hex’s eyes grew as big as saucers. He also knew the severity of trying to reverse the Emperor’s decision.
Because of his reaction, Siervian grew even more scared. She thought she did something preposterous.
Suddenly, she recalled the day she was accused of treason.
‘I’m scared.’
Countless thoughts swirled in her head. Meanwhile, what resonated throughout the garden were the harsh words of the Emperor.
“Siervian. Do you know how much financial damage that decision would bring to the empire?”