The coronation ceremony did not cause much of a stir. Although Historia became a princess before everyone and paraded through the streets in a carriage, the impression people had of her was mainly that of a cute mascot.
Historia was somewhat disappointed, thinking she had done something wrong.
Although in the end this would not matter, after all, the high-ranking officials of the new government understood her value, she felt that something important was still missing.
But Gale was not worried; the achievements he would bring to the world later would change everyone's opinion. Whether nobles or not, everyone would eventually support the new government unconditionally.
What troubled Gale was only one thing—Lord Reiss and Kenny seemed to have disappeared; they could not be found anywhere.
Gale spoke privately with Erwin and Pixis about many things, and the only thing they strictly forbade him from accessing was any information regarding Eren's ability to transform into a Titan, and they prohibited him from doing so.
As for the basement Eren mentioned, for the time being it could only be set aside, just like the missing Lord Reiss.
The most important thing now was to get through the winter.
Historia volunteered to be transferred to the glass factory and participate in the manufacturing process.
Compared to the life of a princess, she preferred staying at the factory. There, she could value herself more through work and, moreover, she could see familiar people.
As the autumn weather gradually grew colder, people on the streets wore long sleeves and coats.
The first glass greenhouse was built, its structure made of low-cost steel produced through the new steelmaking method.
It was a transparent house, like a house made of glass.
The first glass greenhouse was built in the capital, in an excellent location, next to a natural water source. Many people passed by and watched the workers constructing the greenhouse.
Historia announced the name "Glass Greenhouse," indicating that it was a structure that allowed crops to be grown even in winter.
The workers who participated in building the first glass greenhouse were assigned to different towns within the walls.
By government decree, larger towns established iron smelting plants and glass factories, while smaller towns transmitted knowledge and waited for materials to be transported before taking responsibility for constructing the glass greenhouses.
The good thing about all this was that this type of construction was not complicated.
As long as the materials were available, it could be built in just a few days and could withstand even harsh weather conditions.
The new government devoted most of its human and material resources to promoting glass greenhouses.
Greenhouses were built near water sources, becoming a picturesque landscape.
Many workers, out of ignorance, did not know what they were for. They only knew that building these greenhouses would earn them money, with which they could buy food to satisfy their hunger.
It was not until a month later that the crops inside the greenhouses began to sprout.
Even after the planting season, the seeds inside the glass greenhouse continued to germinate.
People then realized the importance of the building and began to pay attention to it.
Rumors began to circulate that these "glass greenhouses" were invented by a princess who had received a divine audience and spread them throughout the land so that humanity could safely endure this harsh winter.
Historia became a messenger of the gods, and her prestige skyrocketed.
She had indeed participated in the initial construction of the glass greenhouse, and under her deliberate guidance, the workers responsible for spreading knowledge began to praise Her Highness, further expanding Historia's influence, and she became an idol of the people.
In mid-November, the first snowfall of the year fell within the walls.
The snowflakes were light, covering rooftops and the ground with a thin silvery layer.
Rows of glass houses looked like fairy tale homes, and through the transparent glass, lush green leaves could be seen inside.
It was incredible, like a miracle.
Everyone who saw this scene had this thought in mind.
At last, they began to trust the new government.
Refugees who had fled from Wall Maria also received subsidies. Starting in mid-November, the government began providing them with free subsidies of potatoes and sweet potatoes grown in greenhouses.
Residents of ordinary towns could also apply for financial assistance from the government and receive food.
The new government was taking concrete measures to help people survive the winter, and this subsidy would continue until the end of January of the following year.
It was easy to tell who treated you well and who did not.
Public discontent gradually subsided, and everyone began to praise the new government for achieving its goals.
Within Wall Rose, in a forest, in a hunters' village.
Sasha, eleven years old, followed her father out of the forest.
Her father led her to the nearest glass greenhouse, and Sasha's eyes shone as she looked at the buildings that seemed to be made of glass.
"Sir, I've heard we can get food here, is that true?" Sasha's father asked the guard on duty.
"Are you a resident of this pioneer land?"
"No, my daughter and I come from the forest; we are inhabitants of a hunters' village."
"Now I remember, isn't this the village that refused to be assigned land before?"
"Yes, we are running out of food at home. Can we get some food here?" Sasha's father paused and said seriously, "If not, we will leave."
Sasha's father was the chief of the hunters' village. His village had a small population and had always lived self-sufficiently, but since the massive influx of refugees from Wall Rose, it had become difficult to hunt prey, and many people had entered the forest to compete with them for resources.
The government had advised them to leave the forest during the summer, but the tribe did not agree.
When winter arrived, they realized how harsh the year had been, as many people in the village had not prepared enough food to survive the winter.
They came here because last week someone returned to their village to announce that, if necessary, they could register at the greenhouse to receive a minimum amount of food.
"Of course, what is your name? How many people are in your family?" the soldier asked, lifting paper and pen to take notes.
"My name is Arutor Braus. There are five people in my family, including my wife."
"Alright, take this paper and line up." The soldier tore off a piece of paper and pointed. "Here we only have artichokes and sweet potatoes. Each person is entitled to three sweet potatoes or three artichokes per day, and you can receive up to a week's worth of food at a time to avoid traveling every day."
"However, remember this: if it is discovered that you have received more food than assigned, have fraudulently claimed extra food, or lied about the number of people, I'm sorry, your rations will be canceled. So please, do not try to get away with anything, understood?"
"I understand, thank you, officer." Sasha's father bowed along with his daughter.
"Don't thank me," the soldier said, patting his shoulder. "If you want to thank someone, thank Her Highness the Princess. If it weren't for her inventing the glass greenhouse, we wouldn't be able to grow crops in winter."
"Who is Her Highness?" Sasha asked, looking up.
"She is Princess Historia," the soldier said with a smile. "All these glass houses were invented by her."
"Really! Her Highness is so wonderful that she even gave us potatoes and sweet potatoes to eat!" Sasha blinked.
"Of course." The soldier patted Sasha on the head.
"Sasha, come and get in line!" her father said, waving at her and calling her over.
They waited at the end of the line for a while—not too long, not too short—until they reached the front and received half a sack of potatoes and artichokes, enough for five people.
"Dad, look, they really are sweet potatoes and artichokes, and they're huge!" Sasha excitedly took out a sweet potato and held it next to her face; it was almost half the size of her face.
"Really?" Sasha's father patted her head and said, "Perhaps it's time for us to leave the forest."