Volume 6 Chapter 30-3 Love Letter
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I remembered that in this world, some government workers get paid or given land, but many others work like volunteers without salary. Especially the low-level officials—sometimes they get gifts like clothes or swords, but mostly, they work for free. These people take bribes as if it’s just a normal reward… In my land, I want to ban bribery, but it’s hard for many reasons.
Just before the gates of the royal city closed, I slipped outside. I almost lost valuable time. The rule that no one can enter or leave the royal city at night is inconvenient, but it is probably reasonable when you think about the cost of keeping the peace.
The Sabroa Dukedom aims to build a trade nation with the Merchant Guild working hand in hand. I want to try reforms like 24-hour business hours, but it might not work as well as I hope.
I slid above the canal on my hover shield and quickly moved to the original Toyata Viscount territory. On the left bank, I could see the familiar streets, but no travelers were walking at this time with the evening shadows coming.
The path along this canal was originally made for horses to pull boats going upstream. Because this use has stopped recently, fast-growing trees like willows have grown by the water’s edge.
The trees by the bank get in the way when pulling boats with ropes. In my land, I could just cut them down, but near the royal city is another noble’s territory, so I cannot change it freely. Maybe I should ask the Merchant Guild to negotiate?
Well, the canal’s flow is slow, so boats can row upstream, but easier ways are better. When the wind is behind, they can also sail with sails.
I landed directly from the under-construction slope and slid into the base of the fortress built above the teleportation gate. This fortress, guarded by the Antfolk, is the most important place. Until we become strong enough to resist other countries’ interference even if our secrets are exposed, the secrets must stay secret.
I immediately took the teleportation gate to Master Ragul’s concrete workshop. The large concrete factory under construction in my land is waiting for the foundation concrete to harden. We still need Master Ragul to run the workshop at full power.
”Hey, I’ve been waiting for you, brother.”
”The materials?”
”Yes, but also take these already formed blocks. There’s no more space to store them.”
In the empty space around the workshop, many concrete parts of the same shape were lined up. Each part is made to be carried by two dwarfs, and of course, they fit into my magic bag.
I talked with Master Ragul and chose the idea of making many copies of the same parts to reuse them. It is a unit system. It’s a secret that the train tracks from my favorite toy as a child inspired it.
Normally, dwarf craftsmen don’t like making the same thing again and again, but concrete craftsmen who can use molds for copies don’t mind.
The start was the concrete pipes I designed. Master Ragul seemed to find beauty in this systematic way of mass production and combination.
I worried that too much focus on function would make a dull concrete jungle, but he said it depends on city planning and turned the pressure back on me.
The parts are made light, strong, and easy to mass-produce. As expected from top dwarf craftsmen. They have no useless decorations. They are strong but can be quickly replaced if broken. If we redevelop in the future, we can take them apart and rebuild.
We made a 1/24 scale model and played with it, giving lots of feedback. It was very fun. Of course, we tested full size in the end, and it was like a festival.
* * *
After that, the dwarfs urged me, and I started putting the half-dry parts into my magic bag.
As soon as space opened, the dwarfs brought new parts and I stored those too. I also stored parts being removed from molds at the workshop.
Seeing the concrete blocks disappear instantly, leaving only the mold, Master Ragul seemed to get an idea. He shouted joyfully and started dancing.
He has made many great inventions lately. Even my shallow knowledge of science helps, and he thanks me by working actively with me. I feel sorry to make him work for free but hope to repay him someday.
I added more volcanic ash and sand to the materials storage that had run low, then released mana and took the many emptied magic stones to the teleport gate. Master Ragul’s magic stones have grown a lot lately; he must have borrowed from his dwarf friends.
Magic stones can be reused almost forever, so dwarfs with close ties lend and borrow stones while playing. I cannot always borrow without returning, so I must secure magic stones quickly.
Notes:
• Ragul – A dwarf and a master craftsman on the temple. His appearance is typical of dwarves, with a sturdy build and a beard. He is kind-hearted, offering the narrator a place to stay. His relationship with the narrator is that of a temporary host and a fellow enthusiast of craftsmanship.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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