Chapter 49: Foundations of a New Domain

After entrusting the training of the slaves to Jenny, the place I sought out was none other than the workshop where Smith resided.

As soon as I arrived, Smith’s wife and son bowed their heads in greeting.

“Lord, you’re here.”

“Is Smith inside?”

“My father is in the workshop.”

I made my way to the workshop.

It consisted of a small house and a workshop attached beside it.

Even though it was a small house, it had two rooms and a storage area, so there were no problems for Smith’s family to live comfortably.

The only issue was the lack of a kitchen, but that could easily be solved by using my residence nearby.

For every meal, Smith’s wife, Jenny, would receive food from my house, and in return, she agreed to help with the kitchen work.

Fortunately, Cecile and Jenny weren’t that far apart in age, so they quickly became close.

Entering the workshop, Smith was standing at the entrance as if he had been waiting for me.

“Lord, you’ve come.”

“Is it possible to recover so well in just one day?”

I was a bit surprised.

Normally, after a month-long journey, one would still be exhausted, yet Smith before me looked the healthiest I had ever seen him.

“When I stand in the workshop, in front of the forge, I can’t help but feel strong again.”

A craftsman is indeed a craftsman.

As I found myself smiling, Smith bowed his head in modesty.

“Still, don’t push yourself. Start with small things. I doubt you’re fully recovered just yet.”

“Yes, Lord. I won’t overdo it.”

I glanced around the workshop.

As expected of a workshop built by the son of Marquis.

Everything was there, all brand new, and the quality was outstanding.

Some places were still covered in dust from lack of use, but Smith would soon have those cleaned up. Judging by the fire rising in the hearth, I had no doubt the sound of hammering metal would echo soon.

“By the way, do you know any craftsmen who excel in construction?”

“You mean construction?”

“Yes, not just houses, but things like castle walls as well.”

At my words, Smith fell into brief thought before speaking carefully.

“My knowledge is limited, but I can recognize a good structure. However, I do know someone who truly understands construction. He has a wandering spirit and left to see the world’s buildings about two years ago, but he was supposed to return around now, so he should be back.”

“Can you bring him here?”

“I think so. We grew up together since childhood. By now, he might be getting bored without me around.”

“Good, then bring him when you can.”

Smith’s original village was a fifteen-day walk from here.

Wilson, Smith’s son, would know the road well, and as for an escort, it would be best to assign someone when the time comes.

“Alright, bring him when you can. No rush, just sometime soon.”

“Thank you.”

“If there’s anything you need, tell Cal. It might take time to procure, so let him know in advance.”

It seemed all that was needed to activate the workshop was to gather materials. Smith looked ready and healthy, prepared to work.

The problem was gathering those materials. For now, there were enough resources in storage to make about three or four swords.

But what my domain needed right now wasn’t swords or armor.

What mattered was producing daily necessities for the farmers, fishermen, and people trying to live their lives.

For the moment, I planned to have things made for my own residence. I had already instructed Cal to gather those items first.

Next, I sought out the three administrators I had brought with me this time.

I summoned them to my room, intending to have tea and talk with them.

Perhaps because they had slept well, the three looked refreshed.

“Have a seat.”

When I raised my cup, the three quickly followed suit and drank.

Deckard, Kane, Kaishu.

All three were talented individuals. Compared to them, I knew little.

Of course, I had learned some things from modern society, but honestly, I hardly remembered any of it.

So, I intended to converse with them as much as possible and guide things in a good direction.

“Did you all rest well?”

“Yes, Lord.”

Facing their answers, I spoke frankly.

“Good. To be honest, you all are far more specialized in administration than I am.”

Deckard and Kane looked startled at my words.

“That’s not true, Lord!”

“How could we ever compare ourselves to you, Lord? That’s unthinkable.”

I raised a hand to silence them and continued.

“That’s why I want to hear your honest opinions.”

The two exchanged uneasy glances.

Only Kaishu remained calm, and asked,

“What we have to say may not be things that nobles want to hear.”

Right now, the Creseria Continent is a world made only for nobles and royalty.

Bringing change to such a world would mean a blow to me, as a noble.

“I know. But even if I can’t change everything, I want to start changing the meaningless things, one by one. That’s my wish. That’s why I chose you, Kaishu.”

Kaishu fixed his gaze on me and watched closely.

“And as for choosing Deckard and Kane, it’s for no other reason than this: you both understand the suffering of commoners and want change. I know you have that wish. I too am from commoner origins, and by chance became a mage and reached the 5th Circle. So, it’s not as if I’m entirely ignorant of the hearts of commoners.”

At my words, the three simply listened with mouths slightly open.

“That’s why I, no, at least here, want the commoners to live a little freer. In the end, if there are no commoners, there will be no nobles, and if there are no commoners, there will be no country. For the sake of the commoners, the country must protect them. At the very least, I want to make it so here. For that, I need your help.”

“If there are no commoners, there are no nobles…”

“If there are no commoners, there’s no country…”

“The country should exist to protect such commoners…”

The three repeated my words under their breath.

Then, they all rose and dropped to their knees, shouting,

“We will serve for life, taking your will to heart, Lord!”

“Stand up.”

I had them get up and sit down again.

“Alright, let’s talk. Let’s discuss how we should move forward.”

Before diving into deep conversation, we first set a priority.

We decided to see for ourselves and record the current state of the people’s lives in the territory, and then hold another meeting.

The four of us set out by carriage.

Since Kaishu could handle the carriage, travel posed no problem.

***

After touring all four villages, the three and I returned late at night.

No, to be precise, we deliberately came back at this hour.

From noon until they fell asleep, we observed every part of the commoners’ lives.

We could see just how ragged and difficult their lives were.

And now, as all the crops had been harvested and people prepared for the cold winter ahead, the timing could not be more critical.

In another month, winter would arrive.

By chance, I overheard commoners conversing as we passed by.

“I wonder how many will die this winter…”

Of all I heard today, that was the most heartbreaking.

For that moment, the four of us were so speechless that none could speak.

After walking the streets, we held many discussions late into the night.

First, to recover the territory, the most important thing was to get through the winter.

Winter in the domain is harsh.

The farmlands are battered by bitter winds from the mountains, and the fishing villages by the rough winds from the sea.

And, even food is hard to come by in winter.

Wild beasts often descend from the mountains and attack the villages.

The taxes for this year had already been taken by the Marquis.

The earliest I could collect tax from them would be next year.

In other words, I had to invest my own money for everything from one to ten.

“I currently have 200 Gold. How we use this will be important.”

I did have a little more money stashed away for emergencies, but this was the amount I could actually put to use right now.

Still, 200 Gold is a fortune to commoners.

It’s enough for dozens of households to live idly for a lifetime.

We had to set our top priorities.

“For now, what about securing some food from the neighboring territories? And perhaps hiring people from the domain to build storage for it?”

That was Kane’s suggestion.

He proposed first solving the food problem. At the same time, by having the people work, they could earn money or be given food, thus saving them.

That labor would start with what I, the Lord, needed most.

“And, we need to build training grounds for the slaves… and any other necessary buildings.”

Deckard listed the buildings currently required.

Among them, he suggested constructing large, sturdy houses in each village where people could endure the winter.

Since I, the Lord, am a mage, he was assuming it would be possible to use magic to maintain the temperature.

Of course, it was possible.

The very reason I stopped by the Magic Tower before going to the slave market was for this.

I had purchased a Magicbook containing both a temperature-maintenance spell and a method to sustain it for a long time, in order to help people get through the winter.

“And we need to turn the former Bailiffs, who used to collect taxes, into ordinary village heads.”

Kaishu said there was no longer any need for Bailiffs.

Now that they themselves were handling administration, the former role was obsolete.

And we saw it with our own eyes.

While the villagers lived in poverty, the four Bailiffs were living far more comfortably than anyone else.

There was no disagreement among the three.

They just spoke with some caution when addressing me, but otherwise voiced all their thoughts.

The main framework was thus settled.

However, to iron out the details, we would need many more conversations.

I had no intention of deciding everything solely through the village heads.

I planned to meet all the people of the domain.

“Good, let’s stop here for today.”

“Yes, Lord. Please rest well.”

At my words, the three left, carrying sheaves of parchment and quills.

Only after sending them out did I finally stretch my tired body.

Just as I was yawning, a knock sounded.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

It was Irene, dressed in comfortable clothes.

“What’s the matter?”

I asked Irene.

There was something I had planned to ask her to do anyway, so her timing was perfect.

“I have something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“If you gain the power and ability for revenge, would you help me take revenge?”

Her eyes were like those seeking a ray of light at the very end of despair.

“I promise.”

“In that case, I will share my family’s secret technique with you.”

She said this as she began to kneel before me.

But I stopped her.

“But, what if I don’t keep my promise?”

Irene froze halfway, unsure what to do.

But she continued, and knelt down.

“I have faith after watching Jenny. And last night, in a dream, my ancestor instructed me to follow you, Lord. For those two reasons alone, I will trust you.”

She was so earnest that I was slightly startled.

But what surprised me even more was the sudden notification window that appeared.

A Quest has been triggered.

[Achieve Irene’s Revenge.]

-Rank: S

-Details: Take revenge on behalf of Irene, the last descendant of the hero Darkrai’s family from the Creseria Continent.

-Objective: The death of Aysild Duke

-Deadline: Until the day revenge is complete.

It had been a long time since a Quest appeared.