Chapter 199: I’ll Keep You Around for a Long Time (2)
True to being the largest iron ore producing area in the North, Count Cabaldy’s Territory boasted an abundance of smelters and blacksmiths compared to other territories.
However, for Ghislaine, that wasn’t enough. He needed even more smelters and blacksmiths.
With a map of the Cabaldy region spread out before him, Ghislaine pointed at various locations and declared, “We’re going to build smelters and blacksmiths at every one of these points. It’s like establishing large-scale industrial complexes in multiple areas. If any one place encounters a problem, it shouldn’t affect the overall production capacity of the territory.”
The retainers were taken aback by his statement. He had marked far too many spots.
It felt like he was trying to take on the entire production capacity of the North with just their territory.
One of the retainers cautiously asked, “Um… isn’t that a bit too much? Is there really a reason to go that far?”
“Because that’s how I can pull out the quantity I desire.”
In agreement, Claude nodded his head as if he was fully on board.
“Count Cabaldy only produced according to the territory’s troop strength. It was a foolish decision.”
Count Cabaldy had only manufactured enough equipment for their own use. Everything else was sold off as iron ore.
While that led to immense wealth, it didn’t allow for any further development.
Focused solely on the territory’s armament, most of the residents were still using wooden tools.
Ghislaine was determined to overhaul all of that.
“From now on, this place will be the primary production center for iron equipment and tools. Iron ore is plentiful now, so I’ll boost production capacity so that all residents in our territory and Perdium can be armed.”
The retainers were shocked. There wasn’t a single place throughout the continent where all residents could be equipped with iron armor, let alone in the territory of soldiers.
“Are you really planning to produce that much?”
“Absolutely. And not just that! We’ll replace all tools that can be changed to iron, too, to lift the standard of living even slightly. A territory where residents live well becomes powerful.”
All the retainers nodded in agreement. They knew that while the sales volume would significantly decrease, the lord’s goal wasn’t personal gain.
Rather than accumulating personal wealth, developing the territory and increasing production capacity was essential for preparing for future wars.
One retainer asked another question, “So what about the Penris region?”
“There, we’ll only build what is absolutely necessary. The rest of the land will be filled with farmland. It’s not that we won’t build other facilities, but the priority is to produce specialized products unique to each region. After that, we will connect each region organically to thrive.”
Hearing Ghislaine’s thoughts, the people nodded. As long as nothing was taken from them, they could achieve far higher productivity and speed for their specialties.
“Alright then, I trust you now know what to do? Let’s get moving to enable large-scale production.”
“Understood!”
The retainers nodded with enthusiastic expressions.
Up till now, it had been difficult to undertake any projects in Penris. Aside from food, all other resources were extremely limited.
In this land, wanting to try something felt almost impossible. All resources were extremely limited except for food.
But with an abundance of iron ore, Ghislaine felt reassured.
Soon, the stewards began gathering laborers throughout the territory.
“Join the construction of the smelter and blacksmith, and I will reward you with food! I promise you’ll get enough to fill your bellies, so don’t worry and lend your support!”
A reasonable number of people gathered at the mention of food, but it wasn’t enough to construct large-scale facilities quickly.
After several days of recruitment with little progress, Ghislaine frowned and asked Claude, “What’s up? There are plenty of people slacking off because times are tough. Why’s recruitment so slow? I’ve said I don’t like delays several times!”
“Well… it seems it’s because of a lack of trust.”
“What? What trust?”
“Trust in the Lord.”
Ghislaine looked incredulous at Claude’s words.
“Am I a goddess? Shouldn’t they find trust in the temple, not from me?”
“…We’ve released some food and calmed the public a bit, but there’s no faith that rewards will come during these times.”
“Oh, so you’re saying I look broke?”
“Not exactly broke, but lacking in food… still, it’s kind of the same.”
“How ridiculous.”
Ghislaine leaned back in her chair and clicked her tongue.
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand. They had been so exploited for far too long; even if food was released from their side, they wouldn’t easily open their hearts.
But seriously, how could they see the ‘King of Food’ in the North like this and think such things!
When runestones and cosmetics were selling like hotcakes, they had plenty of money!
Seeing Ghislaine’s fuming expression, Claude suggested softly, “Should we follow the usual route and go for forced conscription?”
Even if they conscripted, they wouldn’t do it for free like other lords.
Once the laborers were receiving generous compensation, their complaints would die down quickly.
But Ghislaine shook her head.
“No. We need to hire far more people than before, right? The territory has expanded, and the construction scale has increased, so if they work with grievances, it’ll be worse off. If it were wartime, maybe, but now isn’t the time for the whip.”
“Then what do you plan to do? Forcing them is the fastest way.”
“If we force them, efficiency will drop. I’m a pacifist, so I’m not keen on that. They need motivation to work efficiently.”
‘A pacifist? What the heck.’
Claude internally cursed. If the forced workers heard this, they would feel wronged to death.
After a moment of thought, Ghislaine crossed her legs arrogantly and said, “Give them an advance.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s start off strong. Give two months’ worth of food as an advance to anyone who shows up. Make them happy to receive it before they work.”
“There will definitely be guys who take the food and slack off or run away.”
“Just deal with them. After that, the rumors will spread quickly.”
“Really? You’re serious about giving out that much?”
“Oh, just do it. We have an excess of food, right? Use it generously when needed. But make sure to give a clear warning.”
“True, it’s overflowing to the point that just looking at it makes me want to throw up. I’ll go with that.”
Claude nodded. It was a method other territories couldn’t even dream of using, but this would surely gather the laborers quickly.
‘Usually, she’s so stingy, but when it’s needed, her generosity is hard to keep up with.’
No matter how much surplus food they had, at this moment, food was more valuable than gold.
Seeing her casually willing to distribute it first, her capacity for leadership was indeed remarkable…
‘Or is it? Her expression seems a bit bitter and resentful, as if she wants to show off?’
Ghislaine’s expression was quite subtle. She looked displeased yet extraordinarily arrogant.
“You look arrogant.”
I had a feeling that if I struck up a conversation, my outfit would explode for no reason. Claude shook his head a few times and pretended to leave.
Soon, food supplies were released on a large scale according to Ghislaine’s orders. This time, it wasn’t just for public relations or to pacify the people; it was a genuine act of giving first.
On top of that, the spy Lowell spread rumors, manipulating public opinion simultaneously.
“Are they really handing out food as compensation at a time like this? Is that even possible? It seems like there’s a ton of food, just like the rumors say!”
“I heard the new Lord is the ‘Food King’ of the North. Apparently, the neighborhood mutts eat better than us where he came from.”
“If they distribute this much, we have to believe and follow! This guy is nothing like Count Cabaldy!”
Amidst the crowd, a sense of expectation blossomed that things might finally change for the better.
While it wouldn’t change overnight, it was still a positive sign.
People gathered like clouds, making it easy to recruit laborers. Not only the blacksmith and smelter, but also urgently required facilities and residences began work simultaneously.
“Come on, let’s get started! Time is always scarce!”
Eager Claude encouraged the workers, echoing Ghislaine’s usual expressions.
Construction wasn’t just about building structures. It required diverse tasks like securing resources and transporting materials.
Soon, the forests and mountains of Cabaldy’s territory were being torn up, with materials flooding in from all directions.
And among all the construction, there were always those who had to be involved: the Dwarves and Mages.
Galbarik muttered with a gloomy gaze.
“I was really happy on my vacation… I came back rested, but I want to relax even more.”
Alfoy felt the same way.
“My inner flame has died down… I’m totally devoid of motivation now…”
After a brief sweet respite, it was all over.
For Ghislaine’s desired level of construction for the smelter and blacksmith, the Dwarves had to take the lead. To boost the construction speed, the Mages also had to participate.
Fortunately, having become accustomed to the construction, the speed was now incredibly swift compared to before.
With laborers in abundance, work could continue endlessly.
However, there was one major problem. While there were plenty of laborers, there was a glaring shortage of people to manage and command.
Naturally, the Mages and Dwarves had no choice but to take on the supervisory roles as well.
“Damn it! My arms are shaking; I can’t do it anymore! I need some real sleep! I feel like I’m about to collapse! No, I’m already dead!”
The weakest, Alfoy, and the Mages finally collapsed. They had been inscribing magic circles and casting spells nonstop, and their bodies simply couldn’t take it.
Even Vanessa, who had been enduring with overflowing passion, dozed off while inscribing magic circles.
They tried to use healing magic on each other to hold on, but being Mages of the fire school, the healing magic’s effectiveness was minimal.
“Uh, we need to take a break too. I’m too tired; my muscles won’t listen.”
The Dwarves also finally put down their hammers. There was just too much work.
Ghislaine, having heard about the Mages collapsing, nodded in understanding as the Dwarves also fell over.
“Hmm, I guess there’s no choice now but to use the secret weapon.”
“Secret… weapon? What’s that…?”
When Alfoy squinted and asked, Ghislaine turned and gestured behind her.
A few steps back, someone who had been hesitating stepped forward, sighing heavily.
Alfoy cocked his head in confusion upon seeing him.
“A new Priest? What kind of secret weapon is that?”
Piote had been caught by Ghislaine and spent his time healing the injured and patients of the territory.
With a shortage of doctors, he had no choice but to care for many people.
It was indeed tough, but as a faithful Priest, he worked hard with the unwavering thought of bestowing the Goddess’s grace.
However, as soon as Ghislaine saw that he was somewhat accustomed to the patients, she dragged him straight to the construction site.
Alfoy, staring intently at the Priest’s pink hair, asked with a trembling voice.
Alfoy, who was staring intensely at the crimson hair, asked with a trembling voice.
“Could it be… are you using Divine Power on us right now…?”
Ghislaine nodded with a gentle smile, without answering. Alfoy panicked and waved his hands.
“Stop! Just let me rest a bit! Don’t force me to recover!”
“Let’s get started, my friend.”
At Ghislaine’s words, Piote approached the Mages with a grim expression.
He really wanted a break from using too much Divine Power. But every time he thought he could finally rest, he was pulled here and there, and it was truly exhausting.
Piote, with his gentle and timid nature, couldn’t refuse Ghislaine’s words and got dragged around.
Boom!
Soon a bright light emanated from Piote’s hands.
The true effect of Divine Power is the increase of regeneration and vitality. It helps heal wounds and gives the strength to overcome illnesses.
Moreover, the increase in regeneration and vitality was particularly effective for relieving fatigue.
Alfoy, who received divine treatment, suddenly jumped up and shouted.
“Whoa! Resurrection like a dog! What is this! Don’t waste Divine Power on this nonsense!”
It was no different than what a dark mage did when raising corpses.
The power used by Priests is Divine Power, and the only small difference is that the subject was a slave just before they became a corpse.
Such events happened throughout the territory.
Even the Dwarves gritted their teeth and got back on their feet, and other key officials and technicians were no different.
By gaining Piote, Ghislaine was able to handle more administrative tasks using existing personnel, significantly shortening construction time.
Ah, what could be done if he kept reviving them?
Of course, all the backlash had to be borne by one person.
“Lord… At this rate, I’m going to die…”
As Ghislaine relentlessly used his Divine Power, Piote often found himself fainting with nosebleeds.
After all, there are limits to the Divine Power a lowly Priest like him could use.
“Oh dear, our small and precious Priest cannot die! Quickly, take him to the recovery room!”
At Ghislaine’s fuss, the Servants took Piote to the top-notch recovery room.
This room was specially made by Vanessa and the Mages for Piote alone.
Although it was not as effective as Divine Power, it had recovery magic that produced similar effects, magic that maintained optimal temperature, and magic that stabilized the mind and spirit.
And they prepared meals with the finest ingredients at every meal, mixing in the best medicinal herbs.
In this territory, Piote was the one who received more lavish treatment than the Lord.
Although it cost a tremendous amount of money and Runestones, in the beginning, the Retainers opposed it. But Ghislaine simply brushed it off.
— This saves time and makes more money. This Priest will become very important in the future.
While they couldn’t provide such treatment for all the officials and technicians in the territory, managing one person was feasible.
And that one person endlessly revives others.
“Infinite labor? Ha, this is truly amazing.”
Is there really such a thing as a miracle? This is the miracle of the Goddess.
This was the plan Ghislaine had since the moment he gained Piote.
No matter how much money you have, you can’t treat a Priest like this. After all, the Church operates independently from the territory, so hiring a dedicated Priest wasn’t an option.
But a very naive lowly Priest happened to walk in on his own.
“Hmm, I need to send a gift to the Church soon. If I want to keep him around, I’d better come up with a reasonable excuse.”
Ghislaine had no intentions of letting him go easily. Piote was now the most important driving force for growth in this territory.
He was essential for maintaining the current pace of development.
“I must keep him for as long as possible.”
Ghislaine smiled contentedly.
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