Knock, knock.
”Hey there~! Gardo, you in?” Alfred called out, rapping on the doorframe.
”Oh! If it ain’t Al! What’s up? You need somethin’? …Whoa, hold on-should I be callin’ you ‘Lord’ now?” The carpenter Gardo grinned, clearly teasing.
”Haha! What’re you talkin’ about? You’re obviously not serious about that,” Alfred laughed, waving a hand. “I’ve been called Al since the day I was born, so keep it how it’s always been. Anyway, I actually came because I’ve got a favor to ask you-see, I was thinkin’ about makin’ something like this…”
Alfred explained while showing him the blueprints. Gardo took one look, let out a low whistle, and whipped up a prototype in no time flat.
”…Huh. Well, well. Now this is interestin’!” Gardo muttered, turning the piece over in his calloused hands. “So this side’s supposed to look fancy, is it? In that case, you’d better get the stonemason Xeno in on this too. Gimme about ten days to finish it up… Hmm, speakin’ of Xeno, I reckon he’s out at White Demon Mountain today…”
With that, Gardo hurried off to find Xeno without a moment’s delay.
There are two massive rocky mountains in this domain where absolutely nothing grows.
One is in the northwest: a mountain of pure white stone called White Demon Stone, and it’s simply known as White Demon Mountain.
Apparently, this White Demon Stone actually contains a tiny amount of magical energy.
But for ages, no one knew what to do with it. So nowadays it’s just mined and used as ordinary white stone, as if to say, “So what?”
The other is in the southwest: a mountain of reddish stone called Rust Iron Mountain.
As the name suggests, it’s made of iron-bearing rock. The iron that surfaces gets weathered by rain, turning rusty red-hence the name.
You’d think with that much iron, it’d be useful for all kinds of things. But the iron mined here is supposedly pretty low quality, so they say it doesn’t have many uses either.
I sure hope I can find a good solution for both of them someday…
Whenever the stonemasons head into the mountains, it’s usually to one of these two. Today, apparently Xeno was at White Demon Mountain.
…How does Gardo even know that?
”Big Bro~! Welcome back!” Misha beamed, launching herself at Alfred the moment he stepped through the door, rubbing her head against him like an eager kitten.
”I’m home, Misha,” Alfred patted her head gently. “Were you bein’ a good girl?”
”Uh-huh! I was waitin’ and waitin’ for you to come back!” She looked up at him with sparkling eyes, her smile bright enough to melt anyone’s heart.
Ughh-what is this adorable little creature?!
”O-Oh, really? Heheh, thanks, Misha!” Alfred stammered, feeling his cheeks warm.
He ruffled her hair, and she squinted happily, hugging him even tighter.
Ughhh-Misha is seriously an angel!
”Oh, right! Hey, Misha, wanna play with this now?” Alfred pulled out the prototype, holding it up with a grin.
”Big Bro, what’s that?” Misha tilted her head, curiosity written all over her face.
”This? It’s called Reversi,” Alfred set it down on the table, pieces clicking softly.
That’s right-the first idea he’d come up with for developing this territory, thanks to his past-life memories and light novel knowledge, was Reversi.
While Alfred was teaching Misha how to play, his mother and the maid Lina came over to watch, drawn by the laughter.
”Oh my, that looks fun!” his mother said, her eyes lighting up. “Mind if I have a go too?”
”Ah, I-I’d like to try it as well!” Lina added, leaning in with obvious interest.
Since they were both eager, they all spent a while enjoying a few games of Reversi.
”…I lost again..,” Lina muttered, staring at the board in disbelief. “No way… Not a single win… Even to an eight-year-old like Misha… What am I even…”
Lina was muttering darkly to herself, but Alfred decided to pretend he didn’t hear. Don’t worry, you’ll get ’em next time!
”Father, I’d like to talk to you about something.”
Alfred visited his father Jade, who still couldn’t get out of bed properly, and discussed his plans for the future.
”Alfred, that’s remarkable,” Jade listened intently, then nodded slowly. “I’m amazed you came up with something like that-I certainly wouldn’t have thought of it. I think it’s a fine idea. Go ahead and do as you please.”
Alright-with Father’s blessing, let’s get this show on the road!
Ten days later, Alfred went to see the carpenter Gardo, and the stonemason Xeno was there too.
”Al, you came up with a right proper clever little thing, didn’t ya!” Xeno boomed, slapping Alfred on the back hard enough to make him stumble. “I’m hooked on it myself now! Wahahaha!”
Seeing Xeno laugh heartily, Alfred felt confident this would work.
”Speakin’ of which, Al-you’re plannin’ to take this to Granliger, the capital of the Riegel Domain, right?” Gardo scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Ya got anyone to go with ya?”
”Haha, well, actually I haven’t figured that out yet..,” Alfred admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
”Is that so? Hmm. Well then, I’ll come along with ya,” Xeno crossed his arms, his tone leaving no room for argument.
”Oh! If that’s how it’s gonna be, then I’ll come too!” Gardo chimed in, grinning.
”Whoa, really?” Alfred’s eyes went wide. “I’d appreciate that, but are you both sure about your work?”
”Pfft, takin’ a few days off ain’t gonna hurt nothin’!” Gardo laughed, waving a dismissive hand. “Gahahaha!”
”Besides, we don’t exactly have that much work to begin with!” Xeno added with a hearty chuckle. “Wahahaha!”
Alfred bowed deeply to the two laughing men and gratefully accepted their company.
”Alright, everyone-nobody forgettin’ anything?” Alfred called out, scanning the assembled group.
”HELL YEAH!!” came the roaring reply.
Why were they all shouting like that? Well, it turned out that once the other carpenters and stonemasons heard about the trip, they volunteered to come along as guards and pack carriers.
Including Gardo and Xeno, that made twelve of them heading to the capital, Granliger.
”Gahahaha! With this many people, we shouldn’t have to worry about monsters or bandits-not unless somethin’ real nasty shows up!” Gardo declared, puffing out his chest.
”You said it!” Xeno agreed, nodding firmly. “As long as a Red-Haired Quanine Fang Bear doesn’t show up, we’ll be fine! Wahahaha!”
”Wait!” Alfred practically shouted, waving his arms. “That’s-that’s a huge death flag, you know!”
”Death flag? What’s that s’posed to mean?” Gardo frowned, genuinely confused. “Al’s sayin’ weird stuff again.”
”I’m gonna buy a ring in Granliger and propose when I get back!” one of the younger craftsmen declared, his face flushed with excitement.
”Me too!” another chimed in. “I’m gonna find some cool accessories in Granliger and ask that girl out when we’re home!”
”Aw, I never really did much for my old mum,” a third craftsman admitted, scratching his head sheepishly. “So I’m thinkin’ of buyin’ her some clothes in Granliger and makin’ her happy when I get back!”
”W-Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!” Alfred’s voice cracked with desperation. “Everyone, those are all death flags! You’re not supposed to say stuff like that!!”
”Huh? What’s the young master goin’ on about now?” one of the older stonemasons muttered, exchanging confused glances with his neighbor.
”What, you just excited about goin’ to Granliger?” another teased.
”It’s you guys who are excited!!” Alfred shot back, throwing his hands up in exasperation.
”Don’t sweat the small stuff,” Gardo clapped him on the shoulder, grinning.
”YEAH, NO KIDDIN’! Wahahaha!” the whole group roared with laughter.
Alfred could only stare, feeling a headache coming on.
”Big Bro, please be careful,” Misha tugged on his sleeve, her big eyes glistening with concern.
”Thanks, Misha,” Alfred knelt down and gave her one last hug. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
Ahh, Misha really is the cutest-an angel, I swear!
”Alfred, do take care of yourself out there,” His mother smiled softly, smoothing down his collar.
”Yes, Mom-I’m off!” Alfred straightened up and waved.
”May your journey be safe,” Lina bowed politely, her voice warm with genuine care.
”Thanks, Lina,” Alfred returned the gesture. “Please look after Father and the family while I’m gone.”
”Aw, c’mon-with this crew, we’re gonna be fine,” Gardo stretched his arms above his head, completely at ease. “Long as we don’t run into a dragon on the road, we’ll make it back safe and sound! Gahahaha!”
”Wait!?” Alfred spun around, his voice shrill. “Gardo, that’s another death flag!!”
”WAHAHAHA!” The entire company burst into laughter, the sound echoing off the valley walls.
And so, Alfred and his company set off for the capital of the Riegel Domain.
Trivia:
- Alfred’s casual rejection of formal titles (“I’ve been called Al since the day I was born”) establishes his down-to-earth leadership style, contrasting with typical noble arrogance and signaling why commoners like Gardo and Xeno readily volunteer to help him.
- The White Demon Stone’s latent magical energy is mentioned but never explained, serving as a Chekhov’s gun for future development—Alfred’s past-life knowledge will likely unlock its true potential later.
- Rust Iron Mountain’s low-quality ore creates an economic bottleneck; Alfred’s future innovations may need to address purification or alternative uses for this abundant but “useless” resource.
- Gardo’s ability to know Xeno’s exact location (“White Demon Mountain today”) without being told reveals the tight-knit communication network among craftsmen in this small domain, emphasizing community solidarity.
- Misha’s physical affection (rubbing her head, hugging tightly) and Alfred’s internal gushing (“what is this adorable little creature?!”) establish their bond as emotional core—her innocence contrasts with the political/economic challenges Alfred faces.
- Reversi as Alfred’s first “development project” is deliberately low-stakes—a board game requires minimal resources, tests local craftsmanship, and can generate quick revenue through novelty rather than infrastructure overhaul.
- Lina’s meltdown over losing to an eight-year-old serves dual purpose: comedy relief and subtle worldbuilding that games are unfamiliar in this world, making Reversi genuinely novel rather than just a modern import.
- The craftsmen’s death flags (proposal plans, buying gifts for mothers) mirror Japanese superstition about saying “when I return” before a journey, which Alfred recognizes due to his past-life memories but which the locals treat as harmless optimism.
- Xeno’s immediate enthusiasm (“I’m hooked on it myself now!”) suggests craftsmen in this impoverished domain are starved for interesting work—Alfred’s ideas provide purpose beyond mere survival.
- The final departure scene echoes the earlier death flag joke structurally: the group’s laughter at Alfred’s panic shows they’ve accepted his quirks while still not understanding the underlying superstition, creating dramatic irony.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A narrative trope originating from Japanese media where a character’s statement about future plans (e.g., “I’ll propose when I get back”) signals their imminent death or misfortune. Alfred recognizes this due to his past-life knowledge, but the locals interpret it as harmless optimism.