Chapter 199
Chapter 199: Let’s Keep Him for a Long Time (2)
As expected from the largest iron ore producing region in the North, Count Cabaldy’s Territory was filled with more smelters and blacksmiths than other regions.
However, that was still not enough for Ghislaine. She needed more smelters and blacksmiths.
Spreading out a map of the Cabaldy region, Ghislaine pointed to various spots as she spoke.
“I’ll build smelters and blacksmiths at all these locations. We’ll set up large-scale industrial complexes in multiple places. If one area encounters problems, the productivity of the entire territory must not be compromised.”
The retainers were taken aback by her words. She had marked an absurd number of locations.
It seemed as if she intended to take on the entire North’s production capacity with just their territory.
One retainer cautiously asked, “Um… isn’t that a bit too much? Is there really a reason to go that far?”
“Because that’s how I’ll get the amount I want.”
Ghislaine’s reply made Claude nod in agreement.
“The Count only produced enough to match the territory’s military needs. That was foolish.”
Count Cabaldy only made equipment in quantities he could personally use, selling the iron ore as is.
While they had amassed immense wealth, they couldn’t progress beyond that.
Since they only cared about arming the territory, the majority of the residents still used wooden tools.
Ghislaine was determined to change all of that.
“From now on, this place will be the main source of iron equipment and tools. We now have an abundance of iron ore, so I’ll increase production power so that the residents of our territory and Perdium can all be armed.”
The retainers were shocked. There wasn’t a single territory on the continent where not just soldiers, but all the residents could be armed with iron weaponry.
“Are you really planning to produce that much?”
“Yeah. And that’s not all. We’ll also replace any tool that can be changed to iron to raise the standard of living even a little. A territory where the residents live well becomes strong.”
The retainers nodded in agreement. They knew that although the amount sold would decrease significantly, the Lord’s goal was not personal profit.
Instead of accumulating personal wealth, they needed to advance the territory and enhance production capacity to prepare for future wars.
One retainer asked another question.
“What about the Penris region?”
“There, we’ll only build as much as is necessary. We’ll fill the rest of the land with farmland. It’s not that I won’t build other facilities, but the primary goal is to produce specialized products unique to each region. After that, we’ll connect each area organically for development.”
People nodded as they heard Ghislaine’s thoughts. As long as they didn’t lose everything, they could achieve much higher production capacity and speed for regional specialties.
“So, now that we know what needs to be done, let’s get moving to enable large-scale production right away.”
“Understood!”
The retainers nodded enthusiastically.
Until now, Penris had struggled to initiate anything. All resources were extremely limited except for food.
But now that they had an abundance of iron ore, their spirits were bolstered.
Soon, the managers began gathering laborers from all over the territory.
“Participate in the construction of the smelters and blacksmiths, and we’ll give you food as payment! Don’t worry, we’ll provide enough to eat well!”
Although many flocked in at the promise of food, they still weren’t enough to construct the large-scale facilities quickly.
After several days of recruiting, Ghislaine frowned and asked Claude.
“What’s going on? It looks like a lot of people are out of work and idle, right? Why is recruitment taking so long? I’ve said multiple times I don’t like delays.”
“Well… it seems they lack trust.”
“Trust? What do you mean?”
“Trust in the Lord.”
Ghislaine looked incredulously at Claude’s words.
“Am I some goddess? Shouldn’t they be finding faith at the temple?”
“… While you’ve eased the public sentiment a bit by distributing food, there’s no belief that you’ll pay them properly in these times.”
“Oh, so I look like I have no money?”
“More specifically, not enough food… but, you know, it’s similar.”
“This is ridiculous.”
Ghislaine leaned back in her chair, clicking her tongue.
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand. Having faced such exploitation, it would take more than just releasing food to open their hearts.
Still, how could they view the ‘Food King’ of the North this way!
On top of that, with selling runestones and cosmetics, they had plenty of money!
Seeing Ghislaine’s frustrated expression, Claude suggested slyly, “Shall we go with forced conscription as per usual?”
Even if they went with forced conscription, it wouldn’t be like the other Lords who exploited them without compensation.
Once everyone received abundant rewards, complaints would quickly disappear.
However, Ghislaine shook her head.
“No. We need to hire many more people than before. The territory is expanding and the scale of construction is growing larger; if they work with resentment, it’ll be more harmful. It may be wartime, but now isn’t the time for the whip.”
“Then how do you plan to do it? Forcing recruitment is the fastest way.”
“Forced labor leads to decreased efficiency. I’m a pacifist, so I’m not fond of that. Efficiency only increases when they’re willing to work.”
‘Pacifist? This is absurd.’
Claude mentally cursed. If those overseeing forced labor heard this, they’d be up in arms.
After a moment of contemplation, Ghislaine crossed her legs in a haughty manner and said, “Let’s offer an advance payment.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s start off boldly. Distribute two months’ worth of food to anyone who comes in. Make them feel good about receiving it upfront and working.”
“Someone might just take the food and slack off or run away.”
“Then just let them die. Anyway, that’ll spread the word quickly.”
“Really? Are you serious about giving all that away?”
“Sure, why not. Our food is overflowing, right? Spend it freely when we can. But make sure to set a clear warning.”
“True, we have enough to make anyone sick just by looking at it. I’ll do it.”
Claude nodded. It was a method that others wouldn’t dare to consider, but in this case, it would surely gather laborers quickly.
‘Usually a penny-pincher, but goes big when it’s necessary—can’t keep up with him.’
Even if they had an excess, food was more valuable than gold at this point.
To casually give that away first showed how exceptional Ghislaine’s character was…
‘Wait a minute? She looks a bit angry and seems to be showing off too…?’
Ghislaine’s expression was quite nuanced. She seemed displeased yet at the same time very confident.
Thinking it best not to provoke her, Claude shook his head several times and discreetly took his leave.
Soon, large-scale food distribution began following Ghislaine’s orders. This time, it was genuinely given as payment, not just as a public relations stunt.
Meanwhile, the informant Lowell spread rumors, manipulating public opinion at the same time.
“Are they really giving food as payment in this time? Is that even possible? It seems they have a ton of food!”
“The new Lord is said to be the ‘Food King’ of the North. The place he originally came from had even the neighborhood strays eating better than us.”
“If they give away this much, there’s no way they wouldn’t trust him! He’s completely different from Count Cabaldy!”
Expectations began to bloom among the people, indicating a shift from the past.
Though change wouldn’t happen overnight, it was a good sign.
People began to gather like clouds, making it easy to find laborers. Not only were the blacksmiths and smelters getting work, but other urgently needed facilities and residences also began construction.
“Alright, let’s get going! Time is always short!”
Claude, filled with enthusiasm, encouraged the laborers using Ghislaine’s phrases.
Construction was much more than just building. It required resource acquisition, material transport, and various tasks.
Soon the forests and mountains of the Cabaldy territory were bustling, with materials coming from all directions.
And amidst all the construction, there were always essential participants: the dwarves and wizards.
Galbarik mumbled with a gloomy expression.
“I was really happy on vacation… I rested, but I want to rest even more.”
Alfoy felt the same.
“My inner flame has extinguished… I’m completely unmotivated now…”
Though they had enjoyed a brief sweet break, that was coming to an end.
To build the smelters and blacksmiths to the level Ghislaine desired, it had to be led by the dwarves. Increasing construction speed required the participation of wizards.
Fortunately, they had become accustomed to construction, and their speed was incomparably faster than before.
With an abundance of laborers, the work could continue without interruption.
However, there was one problem. While there were plenty of laborers, there was a glaring shortage of those to manage and command the work.
Naturally, the wizards and dwarves had to shoulder the burden of supervising construction as well.
“Damn it! My arms are shaking; I can’t do this anymore! I need some real rest! I feel like I’m about to collapse! No, I think I’m already dead!”
The weakest, Alfoy, and the wizards finally collapsed. They had etched magic circles and used spells continuously, and their bodies simply couldn’t withstand it.
Even Vanessa, who held on with sheer passion and motivation, was dozing off while inscribing a magic circle.
Though they tried to prop each other up with recovery spells, the magic from the fire school was only minimally effective for healing.
“We… we also need a rest. I’m so tired, my muscles aren’t responding.”
The dwarves eventually dropped their hammers. There was just too much work.
When Ghislaine heard that the wizards were completely wiped out, she nodded in understanding upon seeing the dwarves collapse.
“Well, it can’t be helped now. We have to use the secret weapon.”
“Secret… weapon? What’s that…?”
Alfoy frowned and asked as Ghislaine turned and gestured.
A person who had been lurking several steps back walked out, sighing heavily.
Seeing him, Alfoy tilted his head in confusion.
“A newly arrived priest? What kind of secret weapon is that?”
Piote had been caught by Ghislaine and spent his time treating injured residents and patients in the territory.
With a shortage of doctors, he had no choice but to take care of many people.
It was indeed hard work, but as a devoted priest, he worked diligently with the single thought of bestowing the goddess’s grace.
However, the moment Ghislaine saw that he had gotten used to tending to the patients, she directly dragged him to the construction site.
Alfoy, peering intensely at Piote’s pink hair, asked with a trembling voice.
“Y-you’re not saying you’re using divine power on us right now…?”
Ghislaine nodded with a kind smile without answering. Alfoy waved his hands in horror.
“D-don’t! Just let me rest! Don’t forcefully heal us!”
“Let’s get started, friend.”
At Ghislaine’s words, Piote walked over to the wizards with a pallid complexion.
He had been using divine power too much lately and wanted a break. But just when he thought he could rest, he was pulled in again—what a life!
With his meek and gentle nature, Piote couldn’t refuse Ghislaine’s requests and was dragged around here and there.
Bam!
Soon a radiant light burst forth from Piote’s hands.
The true effect of divine power was the increase in regeneration and vitality. It provided the ability to heal external injuries and overcome illnesses.
Moreover, the increase in regeneration and vitality was exceptionally effective for relieving fatigue.
After receiving divine healing, Alfoy jumped up and yelled.
“Ahhhh! Resurrection like a dog! What’s going on! Don’t waste divine power on this!”
It was no different from a necromancer raising corpses.
The power used by the priest was divine power, with only a minor difference that he was dealing with living beings on the verge of becoming corpses rather than actual corpses.
This type of miracle happened all over the territory.
The dwarves gritted their teeth and stood up again, and the other main managers and engineers followed suit.
With Piote, Ghislaine could now manage more administrative tasks with the existing workforce, and the construction time would drastically reduce.
Ah, but what was to be done about the backlash when they collapsed?
Of course, only one person had to bear that burden.
“Lord… I’m going to die at this rate…”
As Piote was worn down from using excessive divine power under Ghislaine, he frequently found himself fainting and bleeding.
As a low-ranking priest, there was limit to the divine power he could use.
“Oh dear, our little precious priest can’t die! Quickly escort the priest to the recovery room!”
Ghislaine fussed as the servants took Piote to the top-tier recovery room.
This room was specifically created with great care by Vanessa and the wizards, solely for Piote.
Though it lacked divine power, there were various beneficial spells like restoration magic with similar effects, temperature-controlling magic, and mind-stabilizing magic.
Meals were always prepared using the best ingredients and mixed with the finest medicinal herbs.
Piote was receiving a treatment grander than even that of the Lord in this territory.
Initially, the retainers opposed due to the enormous expense and runestones required. But Ghislaine dismissed their concerns with a single statement.
— This saves time and earns more money. This priest will soon become very important.
While it was impossible to provide such treatment to every manager and engineer in the territory, handling one person’s demands was manageable.
And that one person would continuously heal others.
“Endless labor, huh. Hah, this is truly amazing.”
Is there such a thing as miracles? This was precisely the miracle of the goddess.
This had been Ghislaine’s plan from the moment she acquired Piote.
No matter how much money one had, treating a priest this way wasn’t feasible. After all, the church operated independently from the territory, so she could not hire a dedicated priest.
Yet, a naive low-ranking priest had fortuitously walked in on his own.
“Hm, I should send a gift to the church soon. I’ll need a proper reason to keep holding onto him.”
Ghislaine had no intention of letting him go easily. Piote had become this territory’s most crucial growth engine.
He was essential to maintaining the pace of development as it was now.
“I’ll have to keep him for as long as possible.”
Ghislaine smiled satisfactorily.
