Chapter 218 - Episode 211: Time to Make a Profit
"There isn't a single trigger part for the ballistas! We're short on leaf springs for the crossbows too! What's going on!?"
"Sorry! We're still in the middle of making the parts!"
"The leaf springs too!"
"You're running a bit behind! We're supposed to make an additional 10 ballistas and 50 crossbows this month, right!? Then, mentally, how many are you planning to make as you proceed!?"
"""12 units and 60 pieces!!"""
"Right! Always keep about a twenty percent margin in your production schedule! Let's focus and raise efficiency!"
"""Ohhh!!"""
Mid-July. In the blacksmith workshop directly managed by the lord, the manufacture of weapons for export to the eastern part of the kingdom was underway.
When Damian, who handled the finishing work as the head blacksmith, called out, the craftsmen and slaves at their respective production lines raised their voices in response.
Due to the summer temperature, the heat of the furnaces, and the gushing sweat and body heat of the men, the workshop floor was filled with a stifling heat.
"...This is incredible."
"...It is. I can't imagine wanting to go in there."
The ones standing at the entrance of the workshop, stunned by the blast of heat, were the golem users Gustav and Cecilia.
About ten newcomers from the Claymore unit who had migrated to the Arqvist territory last year had entered the final stage of their training, and were currently engaged in die forging at the workshop as practical training. Die forging, where how one applies pressure all at once is crucial, can produce pressure impossible for humans if the monstrous strength of golems is used, allowing large parts for ballistas to be manufactured with relative ease.
According to the lord, Noein, "the power of golem users, which can contribute to a leap in industrial production capacity, is just as important as combat power." For that reason, the Claymore unit was permitted to enter the die forging sites, which were one of the territory's most important secrets.
The two had come here to inspect the work of their subordinates, but they were shrinking back before the abnormal heat. They were starting to think that maybe they should just give up on going in.
Both of them had helped with die forging using golems before, but the workshops they had visited previously had not been this hot. Perhaps it was the influence of the summer season and the fact that all furnaces were running at full capacity to increase the production pace.
"Phew, it's hot in there!"
Just then, a sweat-drenched Alain emerged from the workshop.
Since the important mission of assisting with die forging could not be left solely to newcomers, he had entered the workshop as an instructor for the senior golem users.
"Oh, perfect timing, Alain. How are the newcomers doing?"
"Hm? Oh, it's the Captain and Cecilia. The newcomers are doing plenty well... but man, it's hot in there!"
Alain scooped water from a giant jar placed outside the workshop with a bucket and poured it over his head.
"...For now, this is part of their training. I'll have you report on the golem operation proficiency and work attitude for each person, so please supervise them well. I'm relieved if you're watching over them, so we'll be going now—"
"Wait a second."
Alain grabbed the shoulder of the departing Gustav with a dripping wet hand. With a smile.
"Of course I'll supervise them properly, but you can't just not look at the newcomers directly, can you, Captain-dono? You came for an inspection, right? Let's go inside and properly watch them work. Right into that scorching workshop."
"...Fine. I just have to go in, right. Let's go, Cecilia."
"Do I really have to come too..."
"Of course. There are women among the newcomers, and they're working their hardest right now. You've got to give a word of encouragement to your juniors, haven't you, senior golem user-dono?"
"...Yes."
A soaking wet Alain with a smile, and a Gustav who had steeled his resolve. Cecilia, who wore an expression of resignation as she was pulled by the two, stepped into the workshop where sweat began to spray the moment she entered.
.....
"Workshop Manager, the delivery of iron ore for this week has arrived. Please confirm it."
"Ah, yes. I'll be right there."
A building serving as both a warehouse and office, annexed to the workshop of the directly managed blacksmith shop. Christy, who had been diligently performing clerical work in one of the rooms, interrupted her work upon being called by one of the craftsmen.
She didn't bother to question why she was being called "Workshop Manager" when she only came to the workshop about half the week to handle clerical duties.
The master here, Damian, was a man who possessed nothing but skill as a craftsman and energy; since this workshop had ballooned in scale, it could no longer operate without Christy's efficient administrative management, so Christy simply accepted it when the craftsmen and slaves called her that out of familiarity and respect.
When she stepped outside the building with the documents for delivery confirmation in hand, there were several wagons from the Mine Development Company and piles of iron ore loaded on their beds. She would now confirm the delivery amount and whether there were any problems with the overall quality of the iron ore, together with the assisting craftsmen.
As Christy was about to start the work, a voice called out from the side.
"Christy-dono, thank you for your hard work."
"...Victor-san!"
When Christy turned around, there stood Victor, the dwarf mine engineer and president of the company entrusted by Noein with mine development.
"What brings you here? For the president to come in person for a mere delivery..."
"Actually, I have a business meeting scheduled with His Excellency Arqvist after this. Since I happened to come down from Kilde to the capital city Noeina, I came to pay my respects... It seems you've been requesting quite a large amount of iron ore recently, so I thought everyone must be working very hard."
"That is very kind of you, thank you. Yes, we've never mass-produced weapons in such a large quantity in such a short period, so I think the craftsmen are feeling... the most fulfillment they've ever felt."
When Christy answered with a faint smile, choosing the positive phrase "feeling fulfillment" instead of saying they were busy or struggling, Victor also smiled gently.
"I thought as much. I have heard about the war in the east. I imagine the busy period will continue for a while longer, but I hope everyone doesn't overwork themselves."
"Yes, thank you. I'll let the master and the craftsmen know."
As always, Victor, who greeted her with a polite tone and demeanor contrary to his wild appearance, departed early so as not to interfere with the delivery confirmation.
.....
"—I see, you want to increase the iron ore mining volume by another thirty percent from the current level."
In the reception room of the Viscount Arqvist estate, Noein was conducting business with Victor. The content of the discussion was mainly about iron mining.
"Yes. Though, only for the few months until this winter... Of course, the workshop needs a large amount of iron, but demand for iron increases across the entire kingdom before and after a war, so I want to increase exports. To put it bluntly, now is the time to make a profit."
"His Excellency's point is perfectly reasonable. I would be more than happy to cooperate. In doing so, I would like to ask for His Excellency's assistance in recruiting laborers and purchasing necessary supplies..."
Victor's company mined and processed mineral resources from the mountains owned by Noein and received a certain percentage of the resulting profits as a reward. From that, they paid the wages of the craftsmen and miners and other various expenses, with the remainder being the company's profit.
If the amount of iron mined increased, and moreover, if it sold for more than usual, the profits would increase for Victor as well, so he agreed with Noein's proposal. On top of that, he sought help in arranging additional workers to engage in mining, as well as their food, bedding, and other supplies consumed during mining.
"Of course. Regarding the laborers, I'll call for recruitment in the name of the lord among the farmers who are free after the winter wheat harvest. As for the increase in necessary supplies, I'll ask Philip myself to prioritize your orders. If you're troubled because transport to the capital city Noeina can't keep up, I can lend the lord's horses and wagons."
"I am grateful. Then, on my end, I shall strive to ensure that mining increases by thirty percent."
"Thank you, I'm counting on you... However, please put the safety of the citizens working as miners first. I believe it goes without saying."
"Of course. As expected, His Excellency is a merciful person."
To Victor, who directed a gaze of respect and affection toward him, Noein also smiled, saying, "It's only natural."
Noein did not wish for the number of people he loved, and who loved him, to decrease. Furthermore, if rumors spread that people died because the lord rushed the mining, Noein might lose the love of the living citizens as well. He could not take such a risk for the sake of money.
After that, they continued with detailed arrangements, and during the small talk after the business meeting, the conversation turned to the birth of Noein's child, leading to a flurry of congratulations, and Noein saw off Victor as he left the room to return to the mining village Kilde.
"...Phew."
"Thank you for your hard work, Noein-sama."
While comforting Noein, who let out a breath, Matilda poured new tea into Noein's cup, which had become empty on the table.
"Thank you, Matilda... I underestimated it, thinking it had nothing to do with us because it's a distant war, but it's unexpectedly busy."
Noein gave a faint smile while sipping tea.
Of course, it was incomparable to him going off to war himself, but he learned that even just taking advantage of a war to make a profit involves a fair amount of hardship. Or rather, he was currently in the middle of learning that.
"Putting in a word for Victor in various directions, checking the progress of export goods, writing greetings to the Marquises who are the destinations... Ah, I also have to discuss the details of the caravan with Benedict-san. It'll be hectic for a while longer."
Despite saying so, Noein's expression was bright. Since earning money further increased the possibility of protecting the happiness of the people, and by extension his own happiness, this was a welcome hardship.
"...Well, for now, today's work is over, right?"
"Yes. That business meeting was the last of today's schedule."
"I see. Then... it's time to spend time with my beloved wife and my child."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
Noein, who quickly put away the documents recording the business meeting in the lord's office, hurried to Clara and his son together with Matilda.