The manor surrounding Bricks Castle was filled with dozens of people scattered across the fields beneath the midday sun. At first glance, they appeared to be farming, but a closer look revealed a rather different scene.
“Now, watch carefully. Extend your arm and swing it like this!”
“You need to leave some space between the seeds when you sow them. Scatter them around like this.”
One servant had been assigned to each group of five or six indigenous people to teach them how to farm.
They were learning the absolute basics of agriculture: sowing seeds, tilling fields, and using farming tools such as hoes and rakes.
“You plow a field like this. As the horse moves forward, the plow naturally digs into the earth.”
“Oh, how fascinating.”
“Using a horse’s strength to turn over the soil… I have never heard of such an idea.”
“Does it have to be a horse? Could we not use something else? A tamed Griffon, perhaps?”
Every one of the indigenous people reacted with astonishment.
Even ordinary sights such as a horse pulling a plow or someone using a rake to remove stones fascinated them, making their eyes sparkle with curiosity.
That was only natural. They had never farmed once in their entire lives.
-What? You want us to teach them farming?
-Are there truly people who have never farmed in their entire lives, my lord? They are not nobles, are they?
Dieter had summoned the servants and given them those instructions two days earlier.
Nearly one hundred people would soon be relocating to the area surrounding the castle, so he ordered the servants to teach them how to farm, tend livestock, and perform the other duties of a Farmer.
Thus, beginning today, the servants had become teachers.
“Phew. This certainly is not easy. I never imagined there were people who had never held a farming tool in their lives.”
“His Lordship told us, did he not? They spent their entire lives doing nothing but hunting monsters.”
“Still, they learn quickly enough that teaching them is rather enjoyable. Becoming a teacher at my age is surprisingly entertaining. Ha ha ha.”
When their break began a short while later, the servants gathered together and exchanged such remarks.
Rather than finding the task frustrating, they seemed to regard teaching agriculture as a curious and entertaining experience.
“I heard they are going to build a village for those people soon. For now, they are either sleeping in tents on the empty land or finding whatever space they can inside the castle.”
“That will not be easy. Was it seventy or eighty people? Even if they build houses, they will need nearly thirty of them.”
As the servants said, approximately eighty villagers had decided to leave their old village and settle near the castle.
Of the roughly one hundred residents, the remaining twenty had ultimately insisted on staying behind.
-We will remain in the village. Please permit us to do so, my lord.
-We cannot leave the place where our families have lived for generations. Besides, someone must protect our ancestors’ graves.
Even Rolf, their Village Chief, had been unable to change their minds.
After considerable thought, Dieter accepted their request but assigned them a separate duty in return.
-I will permit you to remain in the village. However, each of you must fulfill your responsibilities. As you have always done, your duty will be to hunt monsters and monitor the forest.
With monsters from the highlands continuing to descend, Dieter needed an outpost from which the forest could be monitored.
Therefore, he decided to use those who remained as Watchers.
Meanwhile, another group had recently joined the territory.
“I still do not know whether we made the right decision. Soldiers of a territory, of all things.”
“Everything else is fine, but this place is far too remote. Monsters are everywhere around us.”
“Of course we made the right decision. We could not keep working as mercenaries when we never received any commissions.”
“Exactly. If we went back, no one would hire us anyway. Becoming soldiers who receive a steady salary is far better.”
Stefan and the other ten mercenaries had just left Dieter’s office after formally signing their contracts.
The agreement stated that they would serve as soldiers of the Bricks Territory from that day onward and pledge their loyalty to Dieter, their lord.
-Let us be honest. You are third-rate mercenaries, are you not? Even if you return to the Guild, you will hardly receive any commissions. In that case, why not serve me instead? I will make certain you are treated fairly.
Dieter’s proposal had persuaded them to sign, but now that their names were actually on the contracts, several appeared uncertain.
Stefan, who had listened silently until then, finally spoke.
“Stop worrying so much. His Lordship may be young, but he seems like a decent man, does he not? Besides, we have already left the Guild. There is no turning back. Whether we like it or not, we might as well make the best of our lives here.”
“Well, you are not wrong….”
“Indeed. Stefan is right. Let us make a proper life for ourselves here. The wages are not bad, either.”
“More importantly, we should go do what His Lordship ordered. Did he not say that anyone without other duties should help cut timber? They need it to build houses for all those people.”
“Right. Let us go! I heard they will give us axes at the smithy in the rear courtyard. We should collect those first.”
As the newly appointed soldiers headed toward the Logging Site, Dieter watched them from the window of his office inside the castle.
Until recently, the territory had been little more than a ruin.
Now, farmland was being reclaimed, a Ranch was being established, and houses were being built. The entire territory overflowed with activity.
A satisfied smile appeared on Dieter’s face as he watched.
“It finally feels as though things are beginning to work properly. Do you not agree?”
“Well, it is certainly better than before… However, we still have a long way to go if we are to reach the level you described—powerful enough to enter the Royal Palace.”
“Do not worry. Before long, Bricks will prosper enough for rumors about us to reach even the Royal Capital. I have a plan.”
Dieter answered Hakon confidently.
On the day he returned from his second visit to Ragna’s Tomb, Dieter had gathered Hakon and Rolf and explained his objective for the future.
Over the next year, they would actively gather information and records concerning Dwarven Technology.
At the same time, Dieter would grow into a lord influential enough to receive an audience with the King.
The reason was simple.
The Royal Palace contained a vast collection of Dwarven records.
-The Royal Palace Library holds a monopoly over records concerning Dwarven Technology. However, not just anyone can enter it. Therefore, before the Ancient Dragon’s seal collapses, I will become influential enough to receive an audience with the King. Then I will go to the Royal Palace and search those records.
To rise to such a position, Dieter now had to devote everything he possessed to the growth and development of his territory.
“In any case, our fundamental problem still has not been resolved. You are aware of that, are you not?”
“……”
“I am talking about food. Even if we begin farming immediately, we cannot produce food until the harvest. Until then, we have to distribute provisions and feed all these people.”
“Which means we need money to purchase that food. I know.”
Dieter turned toward Hakon and continued.
“For now, let us wait for news from the forest village. Once the Hunters send us monster materials, we can sell them and earn some money.”
“That may serve as a temporary solution, but it will not work in the long term. Monster materials cannot provide a stable source of income capable of feeding one hundred people for several months.”
As Hakon pointed out, earning money by selling monster materials was unreliable.
There were other problems, but above all, powerful monsters from the highlands would continue descending as time passed.
Hunting would inevitably become increasingly difficult.
That was why Dieter had devised another method.
“I know. That is why I have another plan. I intend to take these men and some of the Hunters into the northern forest.”
“The north… That would be where the merchants travel to trade with the Northerners.”
Beyond the northern border of the Bricks Territory lay a vast tundra inhabited by indigenous people known as the Northerners.
Merchants from Zilvergard and the surrounding cities had traded with them for generations, and the scale of that trade was considerable.
“Correct. I intend to improve that road and turn it into a source of income.”
“Do you mean to collect a Toll?”
“The northern forest is filled with monsters as well, so merchants currently have to hire mercenaries as escorts. However, if we subjugate the monsters and make the road safe, they will no longer need those escorts. If they regard the Toll as replacing the money they previously spent hiring mercenaries, I doubt they will object.”
That was Dieter’s plan.
A Toll was practically a source of income that created money from nothing.
For an impoverished territory like Bricks, it would be exceedingly useful.
“Furthermore, the northern forest lies near the outer edge of our territory. The High-Tier Monsters descending from the highlands probably will not travel that far. Once we clear the road, maintaining its safety should not be especially difficult.”
“I see… It sounds reasonable. Collecting a Toll is hardly something anyone can condemn. Everyone does it, from Minor Lords governing small territories to the kings who rule entire nations. It seems like a sound method.”
“Then let us begin immediately.”
With that enthusiastic answer, Dieter took the lead and left the office.
There was no reason to delay when he needed to develop the territory as quickly as possible.
Work on clearing the northern forest began the very next day.
The forest was home to formidable monsters such as Griffons and Owlbears, but with ten indigenous Hunters led by Rolf and the territory’s soldiers accompanying them, they were able to defeat the monsters without serious difficulty.
After spending a week subjugating monsters and making the route reasonably safe, they constructed a Checkpoint at the entrance to the territory from Zilvergard.
-By order of Dieter Vermont, Lord of Bricks, a Toll shall be collected from travelers using this road.
The merchants were initially surprised by the sudden announcement, but the fee was reasonable—little more than pocket change—and they paid without complaint.
Some even expressed gratitude that the route was now safe from monsters.
Five days had passed since the collection of Tolls began.
“This is considerably more profitable than I expected.”
Hakon could not conceal his astonishment as he stared at the heavy pouch of silver coins before him.
It was an unexpectedly large sum.
If income continued at this rate, they would be able to purchase all the food the territory required and still have a considerable amount left over.
‘I never expected this much in only five days.’
Dieter was equally astonished.
Now that he had experienced it himself, he finally understood why rulers were so eager to collect Tolls wherever possible.
He had never imagined they could generate such substantial revenue.
“However, Zilvergard will not remain silent. Merchants traveling north no longer need to hire mercenaries, so naturally, the number of customers visiting the Mercenary Guild will decrease.”
“That is true. Furthermore, if trade with the Northerners expands, it will naturally affect Zilvergard’s commercial sector as well. We cannot overlook that.”
It was an easy conclusion to reach.
Nevertheless, Dieter was not particularly worried.
“However, we possess leverage over the mayor, so I doubt any serious problems will arise. Even if the mayor personally comes here to protest—”
KNOCK, KNOCK.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
Wilhelm entered shortly afterward and reported,
“My lord, someone has arrived from Zilvergard.”
“Well, that was quick.”
Hakon snorted in disbelief.
“Who is it? An official from City Hall?”
“No. It appears the mayor himself has come. He brought soldiers with him as well.”
“Really? Understood. Send him up.”
Dieter had not expected Yakov to arrive quite this quickly.
The mayor apparently regarded the issue as far more serious than anticipated.
A short while later, just as Wilhelm had said, Yakov entered the office accompanied by several soldiers.
“It has been some time, my lord.”
“Yes. It has.”
They exchanged formal greetings, and Yakov approached the desk and sat across from Dieter.
Judging by his expression, he was far from pleased.
Considering the purpose of his visit and the fact that Dieter possessed evidence capable of destroying him, Yakov could hardly be delighted about having to come here personally.
“Everyone, leave us. Mayor Yakov appears to have something important he wishes to discuss with me.”
Once everyone had withdrawn and the door closed, Dieter continued.
“This is unexpected. I did not imagine you would come personally.”
“It is a fairly serious matter. I came immediately after receiving the report.”
“Is that so? What report?”
“You already know, do you not? The Mercenary Guild has been in an uproar for several days because of you, my lord. Merchants trading with the Northerners have been canceling all their mercenary contracts. They claim there is no reason to hire escorts now that the Northern Trade Route is safe.”
It was precisely as Dieter had expected.
The Mercenary Guild had complained, and Yakov had been unable to ignore the matter, forcing him to come personally.
“With the situation as it is, trade with the Northerners will only continue to expand. That will undoubtedly affect Zilvergard’s commercial sector. Before long, the Merchant Houses will begin complaining as well, claiming that their profits have fallen. And all of this is because you—”
“Are you blaming me? What comes next? Are you going to demand that I stop collecting Tolls?”
Dieter disliked the way Yakov grumbled and complained, so he answered bluntly.
“You already know that nothing would change even if I stopped collecting the Toll. The road is already open. Do you truly believe the merchants will simply stop trading?”
It was obvious.
Whatever happened, the merchants would continue using the northern road to trade with the Northerners.
There was no reason for them to stop unless the route became dangerous again.
“Or do you expect me to compensate someone? That sounds absurd. If anything, I should be asking whether the merchants of Zilvergard intend to compensate me as a gesture of gratitude. I went to considerable trouble to make the northern road safe.”
“No, that is… Ugh….”
Yakov groaned as though his frustration were about to overwhelm him.
He fumbled for a response before speaking again.
“…Please listen. I have responsibilities and a reputation to maintain as mayor. If I return to the city without resolving anything, the citizens will become dissatisfied. Naturally, that will affect my approval rating.”
“Yes, that precious approval rating is practically your life… Very well. I will make you a proposal.”
“What is it?”
As Yakov hurriedly asked, Dieter answered at his leisure.
“Send me all those mercenaries who have lost their work.”