Chapter 62: The Night Visitor

The sole judicial bench of the Delriat Supreme Court had turned out in full force.

Of course, it was just me, but the dignity it carried was undeniable.

Never before had the court personally stepped in to verify something like this.

The spectators who had impulsively followed along were bound to be dumbfounded.

How’s that? The true flavor of an active court.

I strung a rope across the entrance to the brick factory and isolated the area.

It was to prevent anyone from getting in the way during the work.

We wouldn’t interfere; we’d simply observe the movements of the two brothers.

“Now then, one at a time, please come this way. Court clerks!”

“Yes! Governor… I mean, Your Honor.”

“Take the defendant to the opposite side of the factory. Our voices must not reach them.”

“Understood.”

The court clerks, who seemed somewhat tense, escorted the defendant away.

It couldn’t be helped.

They weren’t used to operating outside the courtroom.

Soon, I turned to the plaintiff and got to the point.

“Explain to me how bricks are made.”

“Um. Well, that is…”

The eldest son, Jansen Bandro, hemmed and hawed, glancing at the crowd.

He clearly had something weighing on his mind.

Ah, of course.

Having read his inner thoughts, I nodded as if I understood completely.

“I’m not asking you to reveal trade secrets. Just explain the general process. After all, I’m the only one close enough to see.”

“That’s true, but…”

“If you’re still worried, I’ll take one more measure.”

I turned immediately to the spectators and said,

“Is there anyone here knowledgeable about brick-making? I’d like some advice.”

To my surprise, several hands went up.

So that’s why he was hesitating.

There were likely people from competing businesses in the crowd; it was understandable he’d be reluctant.

Even if there weren’t any extraordinary secrets.

Once I cleared them out, Jansen’s expression finally brightened a bit.

“Then let’s begin. Our bricks are made by harvesting clay from the flood plains…”

The explanation started.

His voice and movements were cautious.

He seemed quite nervous.

With the territory’s highest authority watching from right up close, it was only natural to break out in a cold sweat.

Still, there were no major issues with the process.

Jansen filled the prepared molds with clay and shaped them neatly.

“Now we move to the drying stage.”

Delriat boasted an ideal climate for drying things.

It was currently the dry season, with sunlight blazing down all day.

Soon, the spectators began leaving one by one.

The process took quite a long time, and they couldn’t withstand the boredom.

But I waited without the slightest wavering.

While the bricks dried, Jansen lit the kiln.

“It’s ready. I’ll begin the firing now.”

Hot air soon filled the factory interior.

The bricks went into the kiln one after another.

Watching the scene, I nodded slightly.

Not much different from what I know.

In truth, baking bricks didn’t require cutting-edge technology.

Ultimately, the quality would be determined by the mixing ratios, drying time, firing temperature, and so on.

How uniformly and skillfully one managed those factors would distinguish a true craftsman.

By the time evening was approaching, Jansen had completed ten bricks.

“I rushed as much as I could, so it was a bit clumsy, but the results aren’t bad.”

“Good work. You may go home now, Jansen.”

“Yes.”

Though it was quite late, I immediately called for the defendant.

The second son, Asen Bandro, approached hesitantly.

His face was full of irritation and dissatisfaction.

“Making bricks in just half a day? That’s no different from telling me to produce defective goods.”

“Are you saying you need more time?”

“Of course. Our factory doesn’t make ordinary bricks. They have regular, beautiful patterns.”

Come to think of it, the ones Jansen made had quite unique coloring.

They looked impressive enough to rival marble.

Thanks to fostering various industries alongside the New Deal-style policies, results like this had emerged.

I felt inwardly proud and shrugged.

“I never set a time limit. I only said to make them yourself.”

“Fine, then.”

Asen’s expression finally relaxed as he brought out several types of clay.

He began shaping by layering them into the molds.

His hand movements were incredibly fast and skilled.

Yet, strangely, something felt off.

Why is that?

A true craftsman should carry out the work effortlessly, without conscious thought.

Asen Bandro was certainly moving that way.

Not a single hesitation.

Quick and precise handiwork.

This man could undoubtedly be called a craftsman.

I just can’t figure it out.

When I announced I’d verify it personally, Asen had worn a confident expression.

Just moments ago, hadn’t the eldest finished his work drenched in cold sweat?

Then the answer was as good as decided.

The second son was likely the true craftsman and the rightful successor.

He said he needed more time, but he’s incredibly fast.

Once the shaping was done, Asen placed the bricks outside.

Compared to Jansen, he had cut the time required nearly in half.

“Since I started in the evening, it’ll take at least two days. They need plenty of sunlight to fire properly.”

“Very well. I’ll see you when it’s time for firing.”

“Yes.”

I asked the court clerks to guard the brick factory, then returned to the governor’s residence.

But no matter how I lay there, sleep wouldn’t come.

It was probably because of that sense of dissonance I’d felt earlier.

“Ugh.”

I kicked off the blanket and shot up from the bed.

I figured I needed to walk a bit to clear my head.

Delriat’s night streets were utterly quiet.

But the entertainment district, clustered with taverns, buzzed without pause.

Looks nice.

Drunkards making spectacles of themselves was the same in every country and era.

It transcended gender and race.

Still, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

Everyone wore happy smiles.

“Whew! Life’s worth living these days. There are even jobs for guys like me.”

“Back then, it was hard to even catch a whiff of alcohol.”

“You’re right. Earning money feels great. Being able to enjoy ourselves like this.”

“It’s all thanks to His Excellency the Governor, isn’t it? He revived the territory, making luxuries like this possible.”

“Of course! Every morning, I bow toward the governor’s residence.”

“Haha! This guy’s jokes are something else.”

“No, I’m serious.”

“Then how could I stay idle? I offer water and pray for His Excellency every day.”

“Whatever we do, it’s all for him. No need to show off.”

I overheard people talking.

Every word was praise for me.

It was just casual tavern chatter, but my face flushed anyway.

I haven’t even done that much…

I wasn’t some saint who had achieved great moral enlightenment.

I’d simply acted according to the Emperor’s orders and to build my own capabilities.

Yet all this praise poured in.

It was probably because my actions were unprecedented in this era.

Society had changed that much, and it filled me with pride at the same time.

“I might get recognized at this rate.”

I quickly raised the collar of my coat.

In the Empire, this wouldn’t hide anything, but this was Delriat.

The clothes were so loose and baggy that disguising myself wasn’t difficult.

Plus, I always dressed plainly, so it wouldn’t be easy to recognize me.

Passing through the entertainment district and heading toward the outskirts, the brick factory finally came into view.

The surroundings were so dark and deserted that an eerie atmosphere hung in the air.

Hm? But where’s the guard?

I’d instructed the court clerks to extend their watch here.

Yet no one was in sight?

Had they ignored my orders?

“Ah, no, that’s not it.”

Leaning against the wall near the entrance, two clerks were dozing off, heads bobbing.

Normally, they’d deserve a scolding, but I wasn’t particularly angry.

Standing night watch naturally made one drowsy.

PTSD incoming.

Shuddering at memories of my military days, I passed by the court clerks.

The interior of the brick factory was utterly silent.

It was the kind of quiet that could lull one to sleep.

There was nothing suspicious, so what exactly were they guarding?

Still, I should check. Someone might tamper with the bricks.

This was the first trial since promulgating the new code.

If a blemish appeared here, it would face obstacles from the start.

I’d poured so much effort into it; I couldn’t let it collapse so meaninglessly.

I quietly watched over the bricks.

While doing so, I intended to organize the thoughts I’d had earlier.

Maybe staring at them will bring some inspiration?

Everything stemmed from these uniquely patterned bricks.

Come to think of it, Jansen’s work suddenly caught my eye.

The somewhat clumsy stacking of colored clays.

It differed somewhat from what the original factory owner, Ryuker Bandro, had produced.

Definitely, the father’s skill level is much higher.

Beautiful curves of blue and white waves.

So naturally connected that the entire wall felt like a single painting.

It even evoked the sensation of looking up at the sky.

No wonder the bricks sold for high prices.

I could understand why the two sons were fighting so fiercely over the inheritance.

Rustle!

That’s when it happened.

Hm?

I was quietly admiring the wall when footsteps suddenly sounded.

The court clerks were still dozing.

Then the intruder was someone else.

I held my breath as much as possible and watched the movement.

The figure crept forward, then approached the area where the bricks were gathered.

Soon, an unusual sound reached my ears.

Swish! Clack! Clack!

Moving the bricks?

It seemed he was handling Asen’s still-drying works.

Finished bricks would have made a much clearer sound.

No need to watch further.

I stood up immediately and grabbed the person’s arm.

A startled voice burst out.

Grip!

“Gah!”

“What are you doing here?”

Shockingly, the intruder’s identity was Asen Bandro.

The one who had acted as if victory was assured—what was he doing here in the dead of night?

I’d come to organize my thoughts, only for them to grow more tangled.

I glared at the silent figure and pressed him again.

“If you can’t explain yourself properly, you’ll face serious consequences.”

“Well, that’s…”

“Come to think of it, there was that theft allegation against you, Asen. Is this what you supposedly stole?”

In Asen’s hand was a brick of remarkably high quality.

It displayed patterns flowing naturally, just like Ryuker Bandro’s works.

Of course it would.

“This is one your father made.”

“…!”

As if struck to the core, Asen Bandro’s eyes widened in shock.