She managed to digest the given amount of challenges and approached some tasks with new methods to do them better.

Seeing River furrowing his brows and sticking out his tongue, Brody would awkwardly shrug her shoulders.

The children in the village mainly did physical tasks, and River struggled with paperwork indoors.

So, the time River and Brody spent together was overwhelmingly more than the time spent with the children.

Idan wasn’t pleased.
Avoiding oneself, well, that’s fine, as it’s oneself taking a step back first. But being with River? The reason for being with her was supposed to be to let her go, but now it seems like it’s going off course.

Idan expressed his dissatisfaction subtly when he and River were alone.

“Do I need to do such miscellaneous tasks just because I became the Grand Consort?”

River replied coolly, as if asking what a ridiculous statement he made.

“What harm does it do to know?”

“…….”

Idan was surprised. What River said was a big compliment to him. He was someone who preferred doing the work himself rather than entrusting it to a foolish person.

If Brody wasn’t promising, he wouldn’t have allowed her to even get her fingerprints on the documents.

Idan became increasingly impatient.

‘Rather than avoiding River, she’s even trying to show herself well. What are you trying to do, Brody.’

Let’s worry about what happens three years later, three years later. Isn’t it more important to deal with the challenging situations right in front of us than what happens then?

She had lived while putting that saying into practice.

She knew that her abilities could be helpful.

But wasn’t the potato field enough? Did she have to intervene beyond this?

The affairs of the North should be resolved in the North. It’s not that weak. Both herself and River are there. After all, didn’t they win the war?

But the more Idan sent worried looks, the more Brody felt like distancing herself from him.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

River’s attitude towards Brody began to seep into their daily lives.

Now, even when having a meeting with Idan, he didn’t send Brody away.

‘Feels like I’m being acknowledged a bit.’

Thus, at an appropriate time, Brody was able to convey her thoughts, which she had organized.

“Do you have something to say?”

Brody nodded solemnly in response to the bewildered Idan and River.

“Yes. I’d appreciate it if you listen.”

So, Brody’s explanation began.

She asked.

“What do you think is most needed for a country to become strong?”

She said there was something to say, but was this an out-of-the-blue question?

However, with Brody’s urging gaze, the two gave their answers.

“Well-trained and strong soldiers, wouldn’t they be necessary?”

“Isn’t it an outstanding leader?”

Brody nodded.

“Yes, that’s, of course, important. But more important than that is ”

After a pause, she looked at the two directly and finished her sentence.

“Money.”

“…….”

At that statement, Idan looked at her with an expressionless face, and River tilted his head arrogantly, displaying an openly disdainful expression.

“Who wouldn’t want more money? If not, we should discuss how to efficiently use resources within the limited ones we have.”

“Why is that?”
“Do you know why the North is poor? Just securing food is a tremendous challenge. Even after the famine passes, the land is barren, so the yield is not high, and there are no special products.”

“So why do you think we should do that?”

“…….”

River seemed like she wanted to say something more, but she frowned and maintained silence. It seemed to be an indication for them to go on and finish their statements.

“Right now, I think earning money is the most important. To do that,”

Thump. Brody spoke, placing her hand on the map hanging on the wall.

“Here, we need to build a fortress.”

River and Idan’s gazes naturally followed Brody’s fingertips.

The location was about 900km south of the Perdan Fortress.

Although it wasn’t a difficult place to build a fortress between the mountains, there was no apparent reason to do so.

“Why should we build a fortress here?”

Idan, who had been contemplating, finally asked.

With a smile as if waiting, Brody answered.

“We’re going to trade with the South.”

At that answer, Idan looked at the map again.

Yeah, if a fortress is built here, we can definitely incorporate the ‘Tilden Strait’ into the North.

Then, the North would secure a harbor.

Tilden Strait.

It was the harbor that Idan and Brody had used when coming to the North.

Tilden Strait was close to the northern tip of the South, or the Tarno Bay, and the area in between was a relatively safe sea as it was an inland sea.

But the reason why Idan and River didn’t have the idea of securing a harbor was…

“Trade. The South doesn’t really want any goods from the North. Even if the South has a strong autonomous nature, not helping the North during this recent famine was mainly because there weren’t attractive trade items that would tolerate the eyes of the Empire.”

“Hmm, that’s true. Until now.”

Idan looked at Brody with surprised eyes.

“Your words mean that now…”

“Yes, those attractive trade items. I’m going to make them.”

“…….”

Idan’s complexion darkened.

Without a doubt, the scheme was possible because she was a plant alchemist.

Even if she didn’t reveal her ability, it was possible to use it. However, to openly disclose a plan that would make use of that ability. What if River, who is quick-witted, finds out?

Just from Idan’s gaze, Brody could read his thoughts.

But she ignored it with a smile.

Anyway, Brody had no intention of silently hiding and waiting for three years to pass.

Moreover, in terms of plants, she was an expert. There were many ways to conceal the scenes of cultivation without being caught unless someone was extremely vigilant.

Seeing Brody’s confident face, Idan pressed his forehead firmly and said.

“How are you going to handle the quantity of export goods? Surely, it will be a burden on you.”
“Of course, I won’t be making everything, Your Highness. I’ll plan and create the prototype, but ultimately, the goal is to build the system.”

River, who had been contemplating, interjected.

“Are you talking about the new medicine you used when treating me before?”

Brody nodded.

“That’s one aspect. I have various thoughts.”

“Is that possible in the North?”

“Commerce is about ideas. For the aesthetic touch, we’ll involve Lady Caleb. Besides what I’ve prepared, if you look carefully, there are plenty of things in the North with trade value.”

“Good. I’ve been too busy with political affairs to consider it, but it’s worth thinking about. Assuming there are products to export, let’s start by addressing the food issue. Shall we organize the fortress story you just brought up?”

For some reason, River actively accepted Brody’s words.

It was a moment when Idan and Brody’s roles intersected.