Chapter 18 - Episode 18: Planning the Funding
"Surveying the mountains?"
"Yes. At the Lestio Mountains, located to the north."
It had been about two weeks since the new settlers arrived at the residential area. Noein had gathered the central figures of the territory, such as Yuri and Edgar, to discuss his thoughts.
The Lestio Mountains were a massive mountain range that towered as if capping the north of the Lordberg Kingdom. The peaks lined up as if to block travel between the southern and northern parts of the continent, and naturally, they also towered to the north of the Bezel Great Forest, where the Arqvist territory was located.
"Is this for the funding you mentioned before?"
"Yeah. I want to find a way to make money by winter so that we can build houses, if possible."
"Well, that is certainly true."
Yuri also understood that it would be harsh for the new settlers like Edgar to spend the winter in those rag-like tents. He had heard before that Noein wanted to secure funds to build proper housing for them.
"That's why I thought that if we could find some kind of mineral vein at the foot of the Lestio Mountains... From this residential area, it's a distance that shouldn't take more than half a day even walking through the forest."
"I understand that, but... if we go on a survey, who will you have do it?"
"I thought I'd go directly, but is that not okay?"
To Noein, who said this, Yuri returned a subtle look.
"Wouldn't Noein-sama's physical strength be insufficient? You'd have to walk several kilometers through the forest to the foot of the mountains, and then walk around the steep mountains to conduct the survey."
"Hmm... I feel like my physical strength has increased since coming to the Bezel Great Forest, and I thought if I got really tired, I could just have a golem carry me."
"...No, it's better to refrain. We are going to an unknown location, for all intents and purposes, and there are others who are used to walking through forests and mountains. There is no need for the lord to force himself to go out."
"It would be terrible if Noein-sama were to get injured. For the sake of us settlers, please leave it to others this time."
Edgar spoke up in agreement with Yuri.
"I understand, I'll hold back this time. In that case, the selection of people..."
"For now, let me go. If I use my 'Far-Talk,' the residential area and the survey team can communicate directly. It's uncertain if Far-Talk will reach the foot of the Lestio Mountains from here, but it should be fine at least until we are quite close to the mountains."
Yuri volunteered first.
"I'll also take a few from the retainers... I want to bring Radley and Bart. Since we aren't heading deep into the Bezel Great Forest, that should be sufficient in terms of combat power."
"That's fine. It's better to be cautious. Three people won't be enough manpower, so let's have a few others accompany you."
"Then, I will select a few of the strong men from among the former refugees and have them go."
"Thank you, Edgar. I'll leave the selection to you."
.....
A few days after the discussion, the day of the departure for the survey team, with Yuri appointed as the leader, arrived.
The personnel were Yuri, Radley, and Bart, as well as two large young men, Rick and Dant, whom Edgar had recommended from among the former refugees.
"Well then, Yuri, and everyone else, please don't overdo it. If you think it's even slightly too harsh, turn back. And don't forget the regular reports."
"Yeah. I'll report the situation via 'Far-Talk' twice a day. I'll return once in four days at the latest."
"We'll surely find something."
"Basically, we just need to look for parts that are different from ordinary rock faces, right?"
"That's right. The Lestio Mountains are known for having many mineral veins, so I think there's a high possibility of finding something."
Since the noble territories at the northern edge of the Lordberg Kingdom all border the Lestio Mountains, resource mining in mines is prosperous in each. There should be some kind of mineral vein in the mountains bordering the Arqvist territory as well.
"Well, we're off. Look forward to it."
"Yeah. Be careful."
The group staying behind saw off Yuri and the others as they left the residential area to the north and stepped into the forest.
"...I hope a good mineral vein is found."
"The neighboring Viscount Koenitz territory should have had copper and iron mines, so we can have expectations for our mountains too."
"If we find gold, we'll make a fortune."
"Ahaha, that's true. Or silver, or diamonds, or some other gemstones... rock salt mines would be good too. We could become rich all at once."
"Fufu. All of that is still just counting chickens before they hatch, though."
While talking like this with Edgar, Pence, and Mai, Noein returned to the reclamation work at the residential area.
.....
Although they encountered weak monsters like goblins and gluttony rabbits about twice, Yuri and the others progressed to about halfway through their itinerary without any particularly dangerous situations.
"Alright, let's take a break for now. Radley, take over the perimeter watch from me."
"Yes, Boss."
"Idiot, we aren't mercenaries anymore. Don't call me Boss, call me Captain of the Retainers."
"Yes, sorry, Captain of the Retainers."
Giving a wry smile at Radley, who couldn't shake his old habits even after more than three months, Yuri sat down on a nearby rock and gulped down water from a leather pouch.
"Rick, Dant, are you exhausted?"
"No, this much is totally fine."
"In my home village, I often walked around the forest for gathering firewood or patrolling for monster countermeasures."
Both former refugee youths answered energetically. Not only was their physical strength a boast, but the fact that they were from a reclamation village and were used to the forest seemed to be a great strength.
"Bart, you've been marking the way without any problems, right?"
"Yes. I'm carving marks into trees along the way at regular intervals. We won't lose our way during the day."
"Good, that's fine. It's about half the way to the Lestio Mountains. Let's proceed calmly for the rest of the itinerary."
After speaking to each member of the survey team to check their condition, Yuri connected 'Far-Talk' to Noein for the regular report.
"Noein-sama, it's me."
'Ngh!? Ah, Yuri.'
"Haha, did you get startled?"
'I'm not quite used to a voice suddenly sounding inside my head. How are things on your end? Any problems?'
"Yeah. No problems at all. We've reached the halfway point to the Lestio Mountains. Once we arrive at the mountains, we'll start the survey within the limits of our time, and I'll contact you again at night."
'Okay. Please be very careful.'
Having finished the scheduled report to Noein, Yuri rested for a while longer, then gave the order to depart to the members of the survey team and started walking again.
Less than two hours later, they reached the foot of the Lestio Mountains.
"Captain, does 'Far-Talk' connect?"
"...No, it's impossible. It feels like it's just on the verge of connecting, but it doesn't. I'll have to go back a bit for the regular reports."
Asked by Bart, Yuri answered after confirming that Far-Talk did not connect due to the distance.
"However, let's set up camp here at the foot. That will make the survey easier. I'll take Rick and Bart to investigate the vicinity immediately, so Radley and Dant, I'll leave the tent setup to you."
"Yes, leave it to me."
"Understood."
Dividing the team into two, Yuri stood at the head of the survey group and stepped into the Lestio Mountains, which were like steep rocky mountains.