Episode 86: Securing Labor!
As befitting a lord’s castle, it’s a block-built fortress, but it looks sturdy and has a magnificent structure. I thought there might be some shortcomings in the interior, but thanks to the Onmitsu, it’s very well-equipped.
This lord’s castle is my home and the center of administration.
I’ve completely become a lord.
Normally, I wouldn’t easily show my face when told there’s a visitor in the lord’s castle’s reception room. However, this time, due to Iserina-san’s recommendation, I decided to make an appearance.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lord. I’m Leonhardt, the leader of the Rank 1 Adventurer Team, ‘Twin Wings of Light.'”
He’s a thickly built man, a veteran warrior. Yet, his Magical Power is calm. He’s an all-rounder.
“I’m Violet, the warrior.”
She’s also a heavily built woman.
“I’m Lance Crash, the scout.”
A slender, short man. He’s a beastman with fox ears.
“I’m Aina, the mage.”
A petite woman.
“I’m Cladfield Highground, the Lord of Highground. Welcome to my territory.”
“No, thank you for meeting with us.”
“Ahaha, well, to be frank, it’s thanks to Iserina-san’s recommendation and your titles.”
I don’t forget to imply that I wouldn’t normally meet them.
“I heard you’re trying out various new policies. I’ve seen it, and it seems like a very livable capital.”
“Ah, well, the city itself is new. We’ve taken more than enough space, so it’s a bit too large, but we’ve paid attention to the width of the roads to make life easier.”
That’s why I deployed a large number of Support Drones and heavy machinery before inviting people, to prepare the land and organize the districts. It was done secretly, but seeing the foundation of the city completed in just a few days, people are saying whatever they want, like it’s the Miracle of Cladfield, the work of God, or that the Lord is an envoy from Heaven.
“The streets are beautiful too.”
“Indeed, there’s not much trash lying around…”
“That’s because there aren’t many food stalls.”
Since I started with cleanliness, it’s not a city where you can easily walk around eating. There’s a vast Forest for Adventurers and hunters behind it, and many merchants come and go, so there’s also a morning market, but compared to messy towns and villages, there are fewer restaurants of that kind relative to the population.
It might also be because I’ve designated places where food stalls can be set up, but many merchants haven’t fully established their distribution routes yet, so they can’t fully operate.
“I’ve heard that Cladfield-sama himself is a Rank 5 Adventurer. I’m impressed that you’re so trusted by the Guild at such a young age.”
“Ah, that’s thanks to my parents’ achievements.”
“They must be wonderful parents.”
Dad’s just a musclehead. Whenever I try to hear about Mom’s anecdotes, I’m always stopped from somewhere, so I don’t really know what she did.
“Well, I think they’re highly skilled. But I can’t compare them to you Rank 1 Adventurers.”
“You never know? Combat ability and Adventurer Guild ranks aren’t linked.”
That’s true.
I recognize that people like my Dad, Barbatos, and Ryuga are in the Rank 1-3 range. But even if they have the ability, if they have low trust from the Guild, their rank won’t rise, and they’ll be stuck at Rank 4 or 5.
Even so, if they have outstanding ability, they can be raised to Rank 3, but beyond that, they won’t rise based on combat ability alone.
In that sense, they are top-notch Adventurers.
“So, what brings you here today?”
I’ve had some small talk, so I think it’s time to get to the main topic.
“…I apologize for the presumptuous request, but I’d like you to give us a Unicorn Horn. Since it’s a product that can be obtained in the local Dungeon, I thought the Lord might have one. Here! I’m prepared to buy it at twice the market price!”
“…Indeed, I have secured some for emergencies.”
I prepared about a hundred before opening the Dungeon, so I have enough. Recently, I’ve been limiting the number of appearances, so they’re not often on the market.
“Does the fact that you’re making such a request mean it’s urgent?”
“…Yes. One of our team members, his father is suffering from an illness.”
So, it’s him, the fox beastman.
“Lance-san has a surname. Is your family from some noble lineage?”
“Yes. We come from a family that has been in charge of internal affairs assistance in the Royal Capital for generations.”
I see.
“If I were to lend a hand to his family, is there a possibility that any inconvenience would befall my territory?”
“…I can’t say for sure that there wouldn’t be.”
Well, I thought so. When a noble falls ill, ordinary medicine is usually enough. The fact that they’re specifically seeking a Unicorn Horn means either they can’t receive ordinary treatment, or ordinary treatment can’t cure them.
In either case, there’s a very high possibility that political enemies are involved.
“I appreciate your honesty. I would like to investigate here as well, but…”
“T-There’s no time! It’s been a month since my father fell ill, he won’t last much longer!”
“…Hmm, I want your father to lose.”
“Lose?”
“I don’t mind giving you the Unicorn Horn and having him recover. But if he continues to hold an important position in the Royal Capital, there’s a possibility that his political enemies will extend their reach to my territory, which supported him. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s, yes…”
Because he’s from a noble family, he probably understands that. Lance-san is nodding.
“So, after treating him with the Unicorn Horn, I’d like him to come to my territory and recuperate… under the guise of helping out. I’ve driven out too many nobles, you see.”
Actually, I’m having trouble with a labor shortage. If possible, I’d like the whole family to come.
“That’s… no, but I can’t promise.”
“Well, I suppose not. But first, let’s have him survive. Please wait a moment.”
I get up and bring the Unicorn Horn. I’ll put it in a plausible box.
“The winning bid at the last auction was 5200 gold coins, if I remember correctly.”
“You’re well-informed. At one point, it was being bid for around 6000 coins.”
“5000 coins is fine. Please take it to him as soon as possible. In return, I’d appreciate it if you could pass on what we talked about earlier.”
“…Are you sure?”
“Well, first we need him to survive. And since we’re asking the head of the family to make the difficult decision to abandon his current position, the sooner the better. Even if it’s still no good, I’d be happy if you could send me some useful people.”
They’re a noble family from the Royal Capital. Moreover, if they’re a family that has been in important positions in the Royal Capital for generations, they probably have a considerable number of personnel. It would be helpful to have them introduce people who can be used in my territory.
My territory is mainly run by people who were formerly slaves or who were originally mistreated in this territory, but there are too few of them.
“Also, I have a request for all of you.”
“!” We’re listening.”
They straighten their posture at my words.
“Ah, it’s not such a grand request. I’d like the payment to be in Iron Cavalry and Iron Warhorses, not cash.”
“Huh?”
“The supply isn’t keeping up with the demand…”
The supply of Iron Ingots isn’t enough. The operating rate of the Magical Furnace is high enough, but there’s still room, and there are enough workers. However, there are many requests from the blacksmiths in the capital, and the people in charge of diplomacy are also urging me a bit. We’re gradually replacing the iron products of everyone who moved to the base, and we’re using them for expanding and building new facilities at the base, so the frequency of use is inevitably high.
I’m having the Knights and soldiers collect them, but that’s not their only job, and they’re focusing more on joint training. I just don’t have enough iron.
“With your skills, you should be able to defeat the Iron Warbeast series further in, so it should be over soon.”
There are Iron Warbeasts that are stronger than Iron Cavalry and Iron Warhorses. There are Iron War Lions and Iron War Wolves that move as nimbly as the real thing, and Iron War Elephants and Iron War Rhinos that have powerful destructive force. They are overwhelmingly more formidable than the Iron Cavalry, but in return, the amount of iron you can get at once is enormous.
If you’re a Rank 1 Adventurer, you probably have a Magic Bag, so it should be efficient.
“Of course, we can defeat them. We were in the Dungeon quite a bit looking for Unicorns.”
Ah, so they were looking for Unicorns themselves instead of suddenly coming to me with a request.
“Ah, you don’t have to do it all together. It’s fine after his father recovers.”
I mean, I want it urgently, but it’s not highly urgent. It’s just that there are many people who want it.
“…What should we do?”
“You guys stay. I’ll take the Unicorn Horn to his house.”
Well, if they’re members of a Rank 1 Adventurer Team, they should be fine alone.
“Is that so? Then let’s do that.”
“Well, it seems the discussion has been settled, so Jake. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Understood.”
Well, it looks like I’ve managed to solve the iron shortage for now. 5,000 gold coins worth of iron—that’s going to be a mountain of the stuff!
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