Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 116: Solutions

Chapter 116: Solutions

Arabella pondered how she could best help Nadia and her people. Bringing food to the people of Safiro was still a first priority to prevent people from dying of starvation, malnutrition, and sickness.

Ferdinand would probably take care of this. They could send supplies from the Imperial Granary and Storehouses once again, just like Prudencia.

’But the people would still need ready-made food. They look so weak and sickly and their homes were not clean nor safe for them to continue staying.’

"Alwin, bring investigators with you to Safiro and Dempsey," Ferdinand instructed once Nadia’s story was over.

{Make it quick. I want these problems resolved as soon as possible.}

[His Majesty is furious!] Alwin thought and Arabella turned to look at her husband. She flinched at how dark his aura was. No wonder Nadia was now shivering.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Alwin replied and vanished.

Gathering intel and proof comes first once again to follow proper procedures.

Count Dempsey was also a noble. They had to be careful in dealing with him. If he was caught without proof, other nobles would be wary and fearful of the administration.

Likewise, they also need evidence to arrest him if he truly was the one who caused what was happening in Safiro as per Nadia’s story goes.

A few minutes after Alwin left, there was a knock on the door.

"Your Majesty?"

It was Raymond. Rendell ushered him in.

"Rendell, inform the knights to gather and be prepared to depart as soon as possible," Ferdinand instructed so Rendell left as well.

"Raymond, you heard everything, right?"

’Eh? Raymond had been listening to us?’

It must have been through magic. Alwin must have done something before Nadia arrived so that Raymond could hear everything and would know what to prepare. It was probably to save time.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Alwin also dropped by and showed me the situation in Safiro."

"All the reports that have been reaching me so far indicated that the Empire is doing well. How come there are places like Safiro and Prudencia? I thought I instructed you to send eyes and ears everywhere? How come these areas were not included? Could it be that there are more places like this in Valeria?"

[Right. I should have sent spies even within our territory too. Why did I just send them outside Valeria? I was too assured all the reports coming in were true because of His Majesty’s reputation. How could I forget humans are daring creatures?!]

"I’m so sorry for my negligence, Your Majesty. I should have been more attentive so things didn’t reach this state. I will send some people to check on things all over the Empire."

"No need. I will do it myself."

"..."

Nadia kept shrinking in fear as Ferdinand’s aura turned darker as he kept glaring at Raymond.

{Maybe you should go back to Estrella soon. Perhaps I can let Alwin take your place.}

[!!!} Raymond turned deathly pale.

Arabella blinked repeatedly at this exchange.

’Is he firing Raymond, right now?’

{Milord! Please, anything but that. Please, behead me instead if you are letting Alwin take my place. He’s still too young and doesn’t know much about the ways of humans. He wouldn’t be able to manage our people in Estrella either. I had been remiss but please give me a chance to redeem myself.}

[I can’t possibly let Alwin take my place! He is way too obsessed with His Majesty to see other things that needed to be taken care of. He would be far worse than me. Elmir or Rowan would be the better choice. But I don’t want to be replaced! And I don’t want to be sent back to Estrella as punishment. Never! I have been milord’s butler for several thousand years. How can I fail now in our few years of stay with humans?!] Raymond was panicking.

But something more important bothered Arabella.

’Several thousand years?!! Just how old are they?’ she was gawking at the two now. And she could feel Nadia watching the three of them with confusion not understanding what was going on.

Ferdinand sighed in exasperation looking even more irritated and all of them flinched.

’Don’t tell me he is seriously going to replace Raymond? Raymond had always been loyal to him. He is hardworking too.’

Arabella understood now though that Ferdinand and Raymond were indeed master and butler so Ferdinand was the one calling the shots.

She learned from their thoughts that Raymond was made as his Prime Minister so he could assist Ferdinand more efficiently compared to if he was announced as just his Head Butler. This was why Raymond always did his job well in service to his lord.

{If you are regretful then prepare the documents quickly. I want this done and over with. Just how much more must my wife be disappointed?}

’Eh? That’s what he is worried about?’

{Yes! Yes, milord. I have already prepared everything while listening to the conversations earlier.}

Raymond finally settled the paper he was holding on the table and handed Ferdinand his seal and a magic pen for him to sign.

’That was quick! It would be such a waste to fire a person this efficient.’

"Your Majesty, these are the documents. Judging by Safiro’s population, this much grains and food supply should be enough," Raymond explained the contents of the first parchment.

[They are already going to send grains and food supplies?!] Nadia was wide-eyed.

"Mm. This should be enough for now," Ferdinand nodded after reading it and glanced at Arabella.

"What do you think of this, My Empress," Ferdinand handed her the paper.

Arabella nodded when she saw several tons of food supplies getting sent to Safiro. It was appropriate since Safiro had nothing.

"Yes. I also think this is enough for now. I believe Nadia should see this too since she’s the one who’s been living with them," Arabella said and when Ferdinand nodded, she handed it to Nadia.

Nadia flinched in fear as everyone’s eyes went to her. Her hands were shaking as she accepted the parchment Arabella handed her.

[This much?!!! They are giving Safiro this much? And they said, ’for now.’ They would send more in the future?!! My brothers and I would never be able to bring this much food back home no matter how hard we worked.’] Nadia was overwhelmed.

"Yes, Your Majesties. This is more than enough. Thank you very much!!" Nadia bowed to all of them as she handed back the paper.

Ferdinand then signed the document and stamped it with his seal. It was sent to the appropriate departments to have it prepared as soon as possible.

"This would be for medicine and health care supply since the people seem to be malnourished and sick. Alwin and the others would be able to heal them to some point but they would need medicine for the long-term ailments," Raymond explained on the next page and Ferdinand also signed it and was sent to the Minister of Health to have them prepare the supplies.

"This is for clothing. . .This is for shelter . . . "

For the clothing, it was agreed that they would purchase as many clothes as possible in Riva to have them distributed to the Safiro Tribe. Blankets were also included along with other necessary fabrics.

For shelter, Arabella was relieved when both Ferdinand and Raymond also agreed that the tribe needed new homes. Thus, supplies would be provided to build new homes. They tasked the Minister of Works to take care of it. It was a major project.

The mining was decided to be closed and all magic ores and profits from it would be confiscated since it was not registered and reported in Riva.

As for Count Dempsey, his punishment would be decided after a trial.

For the drought, they would have to wait for Alwin to return to know if they could do something about it.

However, from Raymond and Ferdinand’s thoughts, Arabella learned that Alwin could make it rain to help the seeds of plants and trees germinate and grow again though it would take a lot of mana. It would also help with the need of water.

And if they awaken and cure the sleeping dryad, she would be able to do something about the forest which could help with the drought and water problem.

It would take some time but it would help solve the problems Safiro had been suffering from for years.

Once the land of Safiro regains some health, they could plant crops again so Safiro wouldn’t just be dependent on Riva.

They would help with the seeds and give subsidies to farmers once again just as they did in Prudencia.

Arabella nodded in approval. She was satisfied with Ferdinand and Raymond’s plans. She blinked as she glanced at Nadia.

[Safiro is truly saved, right?] Nadia was dumbfounded and once again wondered if she was just having a dream as she watched them discuss and approve parchment after parchment of things to be brought in Safiro.

It was hard for Nadia to believe that every basic need of the people was getting solved right now and she was right here witnessing them discuss it.