Chapter 36

Deep winter descended upon Ironwood.

Snow fell in thick, silent sheets, covering the earth like a heavy woolen blanket. Layers of grey clouds stacked atop one another, releasing crystalline flakes that danced in the freezing wind.

Yet, Ironwood City remained vibrant. While the feudal world slept, business here continued without pause. The only sign of the season was the hushed whisper of wind over snow-capped roofs.

The streets were pristine. Not a single drift blocked the way. The sanitation teams organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs swept the roads constantly, ensuring that the lifeblood of the city—transportation—never froze.

Miss Demon Lord arrived at Ironwood Keep dressed entirely in white: padded trousers, a sweater, a long coat, and a fluffy hat, with a mask covering the lower half of her face. She looked like a snow spirit blending into the winter landscape.

She walked familiarly to the conference room and pushed the door open. The session was already forming.

Minister Mars (Agriculture) and Minister Griff (Education) were quietly processing documents at the table. Freya was huddled with General Davis, fiddling with a small model and whispering excitedly, while Minister Speer occasionally added a comment. Alice was studying a blueprint with intense focus.

Clyris didn’t disturb them. She walked over and took the seat next to Alice.

Moments later, Charlo and Lawrence entered. The room fell silent.

Once everyone was seated, Charlo placed a folder on the table. "The session is called to order. This is the Year-End Review and the Fiscal Planning Conference for the coming year. Lawrence, present the Administration Report."

"Yes, My Lord." Lawrence stood up, opening a thick ledger. His tone was dry and professional.

"Regarding territorial expansion In the last fiscal year, Ironwood acquired 271 square kilometers of new land. The population increased by 23,542, including 281 registered births."

Due to the victory over the Baroque Coalition, Ironwood had swallowed half a Viscountcy's worth of land and people in a single gulp.

"Regarding the financial summary: Total annual imports valued at 25,000 Large Silver Coins. Total exports valued at 110,400 Large Silvers. Net operational profit stands at 85,400 Large Silvers."

Lawrence paused to turn a page. "When combined with the war reparations collected from the noble coalition, the Treasury Surplus totals 133,400 Large Silver Coins."

Lawrence closed the ledger and sat down.

Clyris stared at Lawrence in shock. How much?

133,400 Large Silvers? Converted to Imperial currency, that was over 5,500 Gold Coins.

That amount was enough to hire a Ninth-Rank powerhouse to fight five times over! Heavens. It was the first time she had heard of such wealth. When she was human, she had interacted with Earls, but she had never heard of an Earl holding that much liquid cash in a single year.

"Noted," Charlo said calmly. "Minister Speer, the Industrial Report."

"Yes, My Lord." Speer stood up, adjusting his glasses. "Industrial output for the year is as follows: Steel production reached 86,000 tons. Charcoal output, 6,400 tons. In infrastructure, we completed 79 kilometers of highway and 52 kilometers of railway. As of today, the rail network connects every village in the territory."

"Regarding chemical and material processing: Mana Stone production reached 7,500 tons. Fertilizer, 15,000 tons. Cement, 22,000 tons." Speer summarized the industrial achievements and took his seat.

"Excellent. Minister Griff, Education."

The elegant middle-aged man stood up. "Reporting on educational metrics The Compulsory Education Program has achieved 100% enrollment. All 1,268 eligible children are attending classes. The Technical Schools graduated 3,756 students this year; the workforce placement rate for these graduates is 100%."

"Very good. Minister Mars, Agriculture."

"Yes, My Lord." Mars stood. "Land reclamation efforts yielded 1.5 square kilometers of new arable land. Total wheat yield was 20,000 tons. Supplementary food production reached 8,854 tons. Meat production totaled 12,795 tons. Food security is stable."

"And finally, General Davis. The Defense Report."

Davis stood up, radiating martial pride. "The restructuring of the Ironwood Defense Force is complete. We have established the 1st Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Regiment, and 1st Artillery Regiment. The Assault Unit has been redesignated as the 1st Imperial Guard Regiment."

"We have standardized the 'Three-Three' organizational structure: ten men to a squad, three squads to a platoon, three platoons to a company."

"The current inventory includes 12 Heavy Siege Howitzers (200mm), 55 Heavy Howitzers (150mm), 40 Medium Howitzers (125mm), 66 Field Guns (75mm), 60 Heavy Mortars (120mm) and 200 Light Mortars (80mm) the Logistics support 2,600 Warhorses and 3,500 Draft Horses."

Clyris was stunned into silence.

Isn't this amount of firepower... excessive?

If they faced the Baroque Coalition of 20,000 men again with this lineup, they wouldn't need tactics. They could bomb every single soldier individually and still have ammunition left over. Not a soul would survive.

"Very good. Every department has performed exceptionally." Charlo smiled briefly, then his expression returned to serious administrative focus. "Now that the review is concluded, I will announce the Budget Allocation Plan for the upcoming fiscal year."

Hearing this, everyone, including Clyris, sat up straight. This determined the resources they would have to work with.

"First, Administration. Lawrence."

Lawrence remained calm.

"Your objectives are unchanged. Focus on the training of management personnel. We absorbed a significant amount of land and people; governance must not become lax. The budget for the Ministry of Internal Affairs is set at 10% of total revenue."

"Understood," Lawrence noted.

"Next, Industry. Speer."

Speer tensed up.

"The primary transport network is complete. Your focus will shift to Residential Development and Port Construction. Furthermore, dial back military production. Reduce artillery lines to one per model and resume standard production speeds. The Industrial Ministry is allocated 20%."

"Understood!"

"Griff and Mars. Your directives remain steady. Prioritize the quality of education and the stability of food reserves. The budget for Education and Agriculture is set at 20% each."

Charlo’s gaze moved past them to the General.

Davis stiffened.

"Davis. Expansion stops here. The objective for the coming year is rigorous training and doctrine. The Military Budget is reduced to 10%."

"Yes, My Lord!" Davis shouted, accepting the order without hesitation.

"Next, Research and Development. Freya."

"Speak! What dost thou require of The Great Me?" Freya tilted her head back, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"The engineering requirements for the coming year will be complex. You will need to increase your output. Furthermore, you must actively coordinate with Davis, Speer, Alice, and Clyris to ensure your designs are practical. Can you do that?"

"No problem!" Freya patted her small chest confidently.

"Good. The Equipment Department receives 10%."

"And finally... The Magic Department. Alice and Miss Clyris."

Charlo turned his gaze to the two mages.

"Your objectives remain unchanged. Continue the research into magical runes. The goal is to develop runes with higher utility and output."

"Understood," Clyris and Alice answered in unison.

"Good. The Research Department is allocated 10%."

Having finished the allocation, Charlo looked slowly around the table, meeting the eyes of each member of his cabinet. His voice was heavy with trust and expectation.

"I entrust the new year to your capability."

"We shall not fail your expectations!" they responded as one.