Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World
Chapter 214:

TL: Etude

The year 1991 of the Holy Calendar had arrived.

Perhaps in the eyes of historians, many significant events had occurred in the past year, such as the great rebellion in the Kingdom of Ordo, the rampant looting by orcs along the kingdom’s northeastern border, the increasingly tense relations between the Gabella Empire and its eastern neighbors, and the secret plots of the Horn Bay Alliance countries to resist the Church.

However, if measured on a larger scale, these were merely the norm in human history.

Society was still rigidly hierarchical, with an insurmountable chasm between the nobility and the commoners.

The wealthy continued to live in luxury, scheming to amass even more wealth.

The poor were still struggling to make ends meet, worrying about their daily livelihood.

At least on the surface, the world had not changed due to the awakening of a foreign soul; it was as ordinary as countless years that had passed.

…

In the Crystal Shine Fortress’s military camp, the Princess of the Kingdom of Ordo, Her Highness Catherine, was reviewing a pile of documents.

Despite the New Year,

An unannounced figure arrived in her office, the only person with such authority – her confidant and close friend, Ofina.

“What brings you here, Ofina?”

“Your Highness, we’ve received a letter from our agents stationed in Northwest Bay.”

“Oh? Let me see it quickly.”

Catherine eagerly took the letter from Ofina and began to read it intently.

A slight smile appeared on the princess’s lips, clearly pleased.

She murmured with a smile while reading, “This girl… getting involved in education now…”

Seeing the princess so happy, Ofina also couldn’t help but smile and asked softly, “Education? What has little Eileen been up to lately?”

Catherine handed the letter to Ofina, “Ha, read it for yourself. It’s rare for her to be so passionate and invested in something.”

Ofina quickly skimmed through the letter.

It reported on Eileen being appointed as the head of the Department of Education by Paul Grayman. This wasn’t a secret; personnel changes in the Administration Council were publicly announced, and commoners could learn about it by simply visiting the town square of Lakeheart Town.

“Hmph, that Paul Grayman. He probably never imagined that his so-called ‘Administration Council’ would include a princess of the kingdom. Poor Eileen.”

Catherine, however, didn’t mind and waved it off, “Don’t say that, Ofina. It’s good for our little sister to be so focused. Let her gain some experience outside. Her identity hasn’t been exposed, has it?”

“So far, there doesn’t seem to be any problem. Count Grayman doesn’t suspect her identity and seems to truly regard her as a noble lady exiled from the Gabella Empire. Also, since the area is quite backward in terms of education and culture, Eileen’s scholar identity is highly respected.”

“That’s good.”

“However, that Count Grayman has recruited many commoners as students, and Princess Eileen likes to frequent that academy. Is this appropriate?”

“It’s good for her to interact more with the common folk. We’ll have our people keep a close watch to avoid any mishaps.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Should we inform the royal envoy stationed there of Princess Eileen’s identity? He’s also been appointed to a position by Count Grayman, technically making him a ‘colleague’ of the little princess.”

Catherine pondered for a moment before slowly shaking her head, “Let’s not tell him for now. The fewer people know about Eileen’s identity, the better.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Speaking of Count Grayman, his territory has produced some fine goods.”

Catherine gently caressed the letter in Ofina’s hand.

“Like the paper this letter is written on, I believe it’s produced in the count’s land. Truly a fine material for writing.”

Ofina agreed, “Indeed, this paper is lighter than parchment and more importantly, it’s cheaper.”

“There’s another thing that’s very useful for us — canned food, also from there. Have you tried it?”

“I’ve only heard about it from the quartermaster. It’s said to be food that can be preserved for a long time, but I haven’t tried it yet.”

“I’ve already approved a large purchase of this food for the quartermaster. It will be crucial for our operations in the south after spring.”

While speaking, the princess took a glass jar from a drawer and handed it to Ofina.

“Try it when you go back. It’s just ordinary ingredients processed, not as good as fresh, but the advantage lies in its long shelf life. This was personally recommended by our envoy stationed there. Heh, initially it was just to get rid of those troublesome nobles’ sons, but it turned out to be quite effective.”

Ofina examined the canned food, which had a label indicating the production date and a shelf life of 6 months. (Side note: The shelf life was actually made up; the first batch of cans hadn’t even been out for half a year.)

If these cans could really be preserved as long as indicated, it would greatly enhance the military’s capabilities, especially in terms of logistics.

“Your Highness, shouldn’t such important items be under the control of the kingdom’s government?”

“I’ve considered it, but now is a sensitive time for quelling rebellions, so let’s not do anything to arouse the suspicion of the local lords.”

“Understood.”

“Also, arrange to notify the lords from Alda to the capital in the name of the royal family that we will be purchasing a large amount of supplies from Alda, and ask them to pay attention.”

Ofina nodded, knowing how greedy those lords could be. Without a solid backing, merchant caravans would be skinned alive on their journey.

“Your Highness, about the King and the Queen…”

Hearing her friend mention this, Catherine’s face darkened.

“Sigh… still in a cold war.”

The King perhaps overestimated his position in his daughters’ hearts. He had merely revealed his plans for a political marriage with Duke Viburen to his two daughters — the involved party, Eileen, and his capable assistant, Catherine. He had planned to involve the Queen only if he couldn’t manage it himself. But, his younger daughter disappeared immediately.

Of course, after Eileen ran away from home, the Queen naturally found out and was distressed, also resenting her husband for not consulting her beforehand.

If she had known earlier, Eileen might not have disappeared. The Queen wasn’t opposed to a political marriage; she herself had been married off in such a way and understood a princess’s fate wasn’t her own to decide. But had she been the one to handle it, the outcome might have been better, not like now where the whereabouts of her youngest daughter were unknown.

Later, unable to bear her mother’s constant worry, Catherine revealed Eileen’s whereabouts to her, to reassure her.

Though she had only told her mother, she suspected her father also knew that Eileen was safe and sound…

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