Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Shaved Ice
At Baron Warner's territory, Oakley and Erica's wedding was held. Becoming commoners from now on, the two were living quietly, so this wedding was also held quietly. Attendees were very few.
Very few, but Baron Warner and his wife were very nervous.
First, Oakley's father, the King of Kingdom of Pinebay, attended. Then the King of Kingdom of Cascade, King William, also attended. Aurora couple, leaders of factions, and Steve with Dragon Head Medal, the main actor this time.
To hold quietly, Steve brought VIPs via teleportation from various places, so there were no guards at all.
Filled with thoughts of "what if something happened", but here with Steve is the safest on the continent.
When Oakley and Erica kissed and exchanged rings, everyone blessed and the ceremony ended.
Great people immediately talked politics, but Ashley, Erica's younger sister, didn't need to join that circle, so she stayed with the bride and groom.
Steve was also bad at politics, so he stayed together.
"Erica, congratulations."
"Thank you. This is thanks to Ashley misunderstanding."
"I felt sorry back then, but it's fine if it means it was my fault in the end."
"Don't get cocky."
Erica said that and pretended to be angry, Oakley laughed. Then, with a serious face, turned toward Steve.
"Lord Archibalt, thank you for everything from start to finish. You also arranged passports to Kingdom of Merda."
"Enjoy your honeymoon. I'll go when I time your arrival."
"Yes."
Concept of honeymoon doesn't exist yet, but Steve gave Oakley and Erica passports to Kingdom of Merda. Travel by steam locomotive and ship, and again steam locomotive. Teleportation is instant, but since it's a rare chance, suggested to travel. Two accepted readily.
Regarding ship, talked to Margrave Remington, arranged special room on operating ship. Not a big cabin, but a private room.
From now on, the two will aim for Kingdom of Merda taking time.
Thinking of that, tears gathered in Ashley's eyes.
"Erica, be well. Write letters sometimes. I will inherit and revitalize this territory after I marry, so don't worry."
Being said that, tears floated in Erica's eyes too.
"When children are born, come visit Father and Mother."
"Then, have children every year."
Saying that, Ashley hugged Erica and cried waa-waa. Erica gently patted Ashley's head but herself was crying too. Seeing such scene, Steve also cried a bit, couldn't bear to look directly, looked at King and Aurora, demons living in a temple were clashing fiercely, and tears of emotion disappeared somewhere.
Some time after such wedding, Steve, Christina, Bella, Nancy, and Aurora and Harry were together at Merda Kingdom Royal Castle. Meeting sister couple there.
"Sister, your belly has become quite big."
"I want it born soon. Belly is heavy, moving is difficult."
Sherry said that and stroked her belly. Currently Sherry is pregnant, body waiting for childbirth. To prevent anything happening, Steve comes to check often. To use healing magic immediately if something happens.
Also, Sherry has mountain of work for Kingdom of Merda reconstruction, working every day. Steve was anxious about miscarriage.
"I also worked until just before birth," said Aurora, an experienced person. She is a mother too.
When Aurora spoke of childbirth experience, Sherry's face grew grim from tension. Anyway, afraid of pain.
At that time, maid brought shaved ice on tray.
"Here is the shaved ice."
Brought shaved ice with syrup. Regarding syrup, asked preferences beforehand, placed shaved ice according to each order.
"New specialty of Kingdom of Merda, shaved ice."
Sherry pointed at shaved ice proudly.
This is ice made by Erica's magic, and shaved ice machine made in Archibalt Territory by Steve. Because Erica must use magic daily, and living in tropical Kingdom of Merda, Steve devised so shaved ice shop could be made.
Erica's magic runaway was as Steve predicted, due to mana overflowing. During honeymoon, lodging or steam locomotive drivers told circumstances, told not to worry even if ice appears.
Ship was easier, just sink magic-made ice in sea. Making small ice with leftover mana, made rock ice for alcohol, also very popular. From that experience, selling rock ice too.
These became very popular. Thanks to hot climate, very prosperous.
Sherry often ate one with sweet syrup when tired from work. King Abel worried about pregnant woman cooling belly, but so far no problem as not eating too much.
Steve also makes shaved ice using magic in Archibalt Territory, not rare for Christina etc., but first for Aurora.
Aurora scooped ice with spoon and put in mouth.
"Sweet and delicious. Can't we make it in our territory?"
Saying that, looked at Steve.
"Shaved ice machines are for sale, and if you make ice room, can eat ice in summer without magic. Though can't make ice room in Kingdom of Merda."
In tropical Kingdom of Merda, ice doesn't exist anyway, can't make ice room using nature. But if Sowell Margrave Territory, that is possible.
Shaved ice machine body made by casting, blade to shave ice. Handle and gears to rotate can be made without magic. Ice not common, mass production system not ready, but Nick trains juniors and his own relaxation, making between Factory Manager's work.
Cyril made report, but technically nothing new, excluded from research target. Only, King wanted to eat shaved ice, so one machine gifted.
"Really think of things that can be done without magic."
"I want to leave things that can continue even if I'm gone. Even if I'm gone in future, industry remains in territory."
"Not just territory, remained to other countries like this. Will remain in history."
"Didn't wish for that. Extra thought as lord's son so commoners can eat."
Hearing brother's talk, Sherry smiled bitterly.
"Really wanted to bring this brother as dowry."
"Father won't allow, and Your Majesty won't permit either."
"Yes. So knowledge I brought has limits, want to send excellent researchers to Kingdom of Cascade for study abroad."
"Foreign leak of research results, will study abroad be permitted?"
Steve thought study abroad Sherry was thinking wouldn't be easily permitted.
Research content at Royal Research Institute is state secret, many black boxes even in published ones. Even if vassal state, thought wouldn't be permitted to accept students there.
However, Aurora's opinion was different.
"Who knows. Excellent students likely to bear national core when returning to country. If such talent learns in own country and makes connections, benefit for Kingdom of Cascade too. Also, if they like Kingdom of Cascade during study, diplomacy after is much easier than doing bad work. King should think same."
"If Lord Sowell says so, it must be so."
"Can't run country thinking only of immediate profit."
Aurora was pleased Steve still couldn't think such political thoughts. If current Steve became perfect in political maneuvering, wouldn't rely on her anymore. If so, all benefits enjoying from Steve would vanish.
Hoped to stay like this forever.
Finished eating shaved ice, King Abel urged alcohol.
"Have alcohol chilled with rock ice, how about it?"
"Want that, but not until finishing work talk."
Aurora started work talk which was original purpose.
"Contract prepared here. Construction and maintenance costs regarding railway laying, Sowell family bears all, instead land usage fee forever free. Ownership of vehicles and rails, stations and surrounding facilities, Sowell family. Complaints from residents along line, Kingdom of Merda receives. Security along line, Kingdom of Merda takes responsibility. Facilities near stations, tax-free for 10 years, instead, hire Kingdom of Merda nationals except president and manager. For this 10 years, don't permit competing businesses. Is this content okay?"
Saying that, instructed Harry, made prepared contract shown. King Abel and Sherry looked through contract. Already started part of business, purpose this time to conclude formal contract. Since original verbal agreement confirmation, didn't need big negotiation.
"Yes. No mistake with this."
King Abel confirmed contract content and signed. Aurora smiled satisfied, requested alcohol King Abel recommended.
"Then, let's toast to our mutual prosperity."
Alcohol poured into newly made glass Steve made, Aurora raised high.
Contract content was Sowell family holding railway rights all at once, but Kingdom of Merda had benefits too. Military expenses significantly cut, unemployed soldiers flooded out.
Moreover, by Sherry's knowledge, fertilizer production using jellyfish conducted, agriculture production in Kingdom of Merda also improved. Therefore, converting soldiers to farmers also became difficult.
Railway business appeared there. Sowell family pays station surrounding development, large employment created. Originally, even if 10 years no competing business allowed, no management know-how, didn't think would go well.
Sherry asked Steve so this story wouldn't flow, made Aurora agree.
So Steve prepared various golem tricks. Steve who learned Erica's magic, became able to make golems other than ice.
First made golem trolley. Steam locomotive can't bring, instead golem powered trolley. Trolley converting up/down motion to advancing force, if arm-only golem made, just move handle up/down. Golem imagined human shape, but when arm-only golem made, everyone surprised.
However, Steve who saw industrial robots, thought golems same as robots don't need human shape.
Developed command wand so non-casters can command. Driver holds wand and commands, golem can move handle grabbed up/down or stop. Unlike human rower, no fatigue, far stronger, not steam locomotive level, but realized quite high speed and transport weight.
Furthermore, golem crane game developed. Operate arm left/right via wand, game grabbing prize, very popular with Aurora. Not game for children, intend to deal with rich using high value goods. Currently adjusting probability.
Besides, casino and stadium where sports watching possible also planning.
Made sports watching, because calling customers daily, gladiators players run out, boxing or rugby-like rough but not easily dying shows. These competitions also Steve's knowledge naturally influenced greatly.
Of course, also betting target, expecting that profit too.
Currently training players and rule formulation, regarding players soldiers surplus a lot, decide which competition player based on wish and aptitude, moving towards daily match holding.
Ex-soldiers not becoming players also work overflowing in railway and facility construction. By this, Kingdom of Merda unprecedented boom visited.
Initially enemy country noble daughter became queen, anxiety Kingdom of Merda people, but if own life becomes rich, ruler nationality doesn't matter, Sherry's national popularity rapidly rising.
"If too much profit produced, might be eyed by home country."
Steve's concern was that. If profit rises here, Kingdom of Cascade possibility interfering high. Should avoid Kingdom of Merda power surpassing or approaching Kingdom of Cascade even if vassal state made.
If railway business produces profit, routes increase. If that profit returned to Kingdom of Merda, situation compensating weakness by losing territory would happen. Thought wouldn't be tolerated so easily.
"No problem for now. Discussion about this railway business between Sowell family and Royal Family made. I wouldn't make such large foreign investment in foreign country without confirmation there."
Aurora reported this incident to William King beforehand. Of course, Steve's business for sister's sake, hinted western region might turn enemy if interfered.
And, Sherry partnered with Aurora because of her such skill. If Margrave Remington brought same talk, wouldn't ride.
At least while Aurora alive, no problem will occur, and from Aurora's age, thought safe for 30 years. For now, what happens in 10 years, if Kingdom of Merda power still weak then, plan to continue providing profit to Aurora, take form having profit for self too.
"Hope so."
Steve said that, couldn't drink alcohol, instead requested refilled shaved ice.
Watching such exchange, Christina was anxious. She as future wife when Steve inherits Archibalt Territory, must deal with not only Aurora but Sherry too.
When living together at home, didn't think threat, but immediately after marriage started acting tough. And, using Steve without hesitation for Kingdom of Merda posture, brought feeling Archibalt family will be involved in future trouble.
Christina's eating shaved ice, couldn't feel taste.