Chapter 215
(Kyle Calendar Year 511: Age 18)
Territory Tour - Gaia
Translator : PolterGlast
Previously, the only connection between Ishtar, Dimos,
and Gaia consisted of side roads
used exclusively by locals. In particular, traveling between Dimos and Gaia
required going north to the outskirts of Fran before heading back south
to Gaia.
Therefore, after this area became the Demon Territory
Count's domain, a road directly connecting the two towns was constructed.
It was now becoming a major highway, replacing the detoured route via Fran.
Once the road was opened, maintained, and expanded, traffic
increased due to the development boom in Ishtar. Dimos was also
benefiting from this virtuous cycle, which led to further road improvements.
"Movement of the army has become extremely fast thanks
to this highway. Even if the Demon Territory side is blockaded, if we send fast
horses from Gaia, we can reach Ishtar
in half a day. This is significant."
"That is true, Commander. Via Fran, the travel
distance between these two points is double, so this cuts out a lot of waste.
Well, if I were to be greedy, if we could extend the defensive wall on the
Demon Territory side a bit further, we could move the shortest distance from
the Aegis side to Ishtar, but..."
"Indeed. If we stand in the enemy's shoes to begin
with, Teigoon is the biggest eyesore and the bait they would most want
to target. Solidifying Aegis should be the priority. Since we cannot do
all the construction work simultaneously, prioritizing Ishtar is
unavoidable."
We rode along the highway at dusk, hurrying toward Gaia.
Arriving in Gaia before sunset, we stayed overnight
at the garrison facility to prepare for the inspection the next day.
Excluding Teigoon, Gaia is currently the town
where settlement is progressing the most. Aside from the central fort, there
are 20 pioneer villages and one industrial park. Of the refugees from the
former Hiyorimi territory accepted during the plague, more than 1,000
have now settled in Gaia.
That night, I invited the representatives of the settlers
and dined with them.
"How is life here? If there are any inconveniences or
requests, please don't hesitate to speak up."
"Honestly, compared to before we came to this land, it
is like a dream. We can sleep in peace in dwellings surrounded by safe
defensive walls, without having to fear monsters or bandits."
"Thanks to the two-year tax exemption, I was able to
send money to my relatives this year. From support funds and pioneer farmland
to housing, we have been taken care of in every way. If anyone complains about
this, I'll slap them myself."
"Even for us with few men in the family, we can leave
our children and work with peace of mind. We are sorry that the planting in the
farmland we were given hasn't reached everywhere because the workshop is still
so busy."
Every representative answered with a smile. Yeah, the
fact that the workshops are busy is definitely my fault.
"I am relieved to see everyone's smiles. Regarding the
workshops, please lend us your strength as it will be busy for the time being.
It can't be helped that planting in the farmland isn't progressing. You are
contributing by making products in the workshop instead, so there is no need to
worry."
Eventually, I want to establish a system where they
concentrate on farmland during the busy farming season and work in the
workshops during the agricultural off-season. But for now, it is fine if they
focus on what they can do.
"Furthermore, when manpower is needed for planting or
harvesting, please apply at the reception office. If the soldiers have free
hands, they can help within their capacity."
When I told them this, everyone seemed uniformly relieved.
Gaia has two
major characteristics.
The 20 pioneer villages where settlement is currently
progressing are the pillars of agricultural production, standing out within the
Demon Territory Count's domain; they are the places that support the
territory's kitchen. The crops I am buying from them this year and next year
due to tax exemption will all come in as tax revenue two years from now. When
that happens, our position will change to selling grain to other territories.
Being able to supply food independently and stockpile it is
a very significant thing.
The other pillar is the industrial park.
In the industrial park, where processes are subdivided and a
division of labor is thoroughly enforced to enable mass production, items such
as weapons (starting with the improved crossbow), interior goods like
furniture, clothing, lights, and soap are being created one after another.
Since the processes are simple and do not require skill,
consideration is made so that women and the elderly can also work. Many shuttle
carriages for commuting are also sent out from each pioneer village to the
industrial park in the morning and evening.
And next to the industrial park, there is a daycare and a
school, both of which provide lunch for free. Similarly, lunch is free at the
industrial park, and when overtime is required, additional wages and a simple
dinner are also provided free of charge.
Though it is busy, it seems many offer to work overtime of
their own volition.
Due to these circumstances, there are always many applicants
hoping to work at the industrial park, and we are proceeding with hiring by
prioritizing women and the elderly.
"It might be something I shouldn't say, asking for such
a luxury... but it would be helpful if there were a carriage service connecting
the city of Teigoon and Gaia here, like when the King visited
before. Of course, we would be grateful even if it is paid, as long as the fare
is within a range we can afford."
I see... It's
around 10 km from Gaia to the city of Teigoon, so it's a fair
distance to walk. It would be a considerable burden for the elderly,
especially.
The number of shops and the assortment of goods in the city
of Teigoon are outstanding. Does this mean the new immigrants have
developed the financial leeway to shop for such things?
"Understood. We cannot make it free, but let's
establish a carriage service that runs regularly at a reasonable fare."
"Ooh! Thank you very much. Even an old person like me
can go buy things I want to get for my grandchild."
Right, let's differentiate between subjects and non-subjects.
It will be cheaper for the settled subjects, the standard
price for temporary workers like laborers, and more expensive for those not
involved with the territory, such as travelers.
Fortunately, in my territory, there is a metal plate
citizenship card issued by the reception office that serves as an ID card.
Similar to a Japanese driver's license, it has numbering and engraving to
prevent forgery.
And we have established the custom for them to carry this.
We should just adopt a system where the fee is decided by presenting this.
As for the operation of the carriage service itself,
wouldn't those who retired from being soldiers due to war injuries or those who
retired due to old age be able to handle it sufficiently? If possible, it would
also secure employment for such people.
When I return, I'll consult with Miseri and Claire.
The dinner and exchange of opinions with them ended without
incident, and for the time being, I was able to hear satisfied voices.
As a side note, they frequently brought up Eroll.
When I talked about him—though strictly speaking, about meeting him at my
brother's wedding recently—they were extremely happy.
Eroll, that guy
is really adored by the subjects... It's still hard to believe, but... I
thought that once again.
The most complicated part was a single remark made by an old
man.
『Takuhir-sama
is the second coming of Eroll-sama! We express our heartfelt gratitude
for always being saved by you two. 』
Me, the second coming of Eroll... No, even though I
understood, it was a very complicated story for me, who knew the previous
history.
The words my brother said before:
『The current Eroll is honest and straight, a cute guy
worth teasing. And as a Knight, he has the makings to become my right hand.』
Hearing these words, that role of being the one teased...
That was my role previously. Does that mean, by any chance, that he resembles
me? I couldn't help but think that.
That night passed, and I conducted an inspection of Gaia
the following morning.
First, when I visited the industrial park, Carl, the
Workshop Head and concurrently the Industrial Development Administrator, was
waiting.
"Everyone, stand up! Bow to Takuhir-sama!"
"Welcome!"
No, isn't that unnecessary? I thought so, but apparently, everyone is surprised when
they do this for people from other territories who come for inspections or for
clients.
"Even with division of labor, we are craftsmen. Having
pride in one's own work and a feeling of gratitude toward the client are the
minimum requirements."
Workshop Head Carl said so and laughed.
On the mass production line, craftsmen were lined up in a
row, proceeding with their work. For tasks involving small parts, they
processed parts placed inside shallow wooden boxes, and upon completion, they slid
the entire wooden box to the next line.
There were no conveyor belts, but rollers were attached to
make it easier for the wooden boxes to slide.
Large product lines each had a work cart, and when the
prescribed work was finished, the person moved along with the cart.
No, no, where did you get this idea?
"What do you think? I tried reproducing the 'mass
production line' that Takuhir-sama mentioned a long time ago. Efficiency
has gone up drastically with this. It's truly an amazing idea!"
Eh? Did I say something like that? No, you who faithfully reproduced something the person
himself doesn't remember are the amazing one.
After that, I went around several pioneer villages, and then
toured the commercial district, steelworks, and visited blacksmiths established inside the fort.
"Thanks to the people from the former Hiyorimi
territory pulling in craftsmen from over there, skilled craftsmen are gathering
in both Gaia and Teigoon from the vicinity. If it's just single
products, I think the production capacity here is already rivaling the Royal
Capital. Master Est whined a bit, telling me to send some craftsmen his
way too. In exchange, we're ordering a massive amount from there, mainly
arrows."
"Hahaha, so Workshop Head Gerd has completely
become a subcontractor and is cooperating?"
"Yes, craftsmen help one another, after all."
Regarding Gaia, everything seemed to be going
exceedingly smoothly.
Having confirmed the system within the territory like this,
we would accelerate preparations for the calamity ahead.
However, we were not the only ones proceeding with
preparations under new measures. In the surrounding countries as well, there
were those proceeding with preparations for the coming Great War and the
calamity.
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