Chapter 92

Kazura moved to the office and, in front of several documents spread out on the desk, received an explanation from Nelson.

The content of the documents mainly dealt with the basic matters concerning conscription within the territory.

Since Kazura still couldn't read the country's script well, Nelson explained the key points of the documents orally.

Lise was sitting next to Kazura, reading out the contents of the documents at Kazura's request.

"According to the documents, each person is supposed to prepare their own equipment based on their assets, but are the specifications of the equipment not standardized?"

"Rich nobles often standardize the equipment of their private soldiers, but the equipment of citizens conscripted is varied. However, for those of the second class and above, we instruct them to prepare spears and shields of specified sizes."

According to the explanation, the conscription content in this territory differs based on income.

Conscripted citizens are divided into five classes based on their assets, and their equipment and the units they join differ accordingly.

The first class is the wealthiest, and the fifth class has the lowest income.

The equipment for each class in the Ister territory is as follows:

First Class: Helmet, round shield, greaves, cuirass, spear, sword

Second Class: Helmet, round shield, breastplate, spear, sword

Third Class: Helmet, round shield, javelin

Fourth Class: Javelin, throwing spear

Fifth Class: Sling, stones

Among these, the first and second classes are classified as heavy infantry, while the others are light infantry.

Additionally, the shields prepared by the first and second classes must be made of bronze and have a strictly specified size.

Furthermore, those who can handle bows are recruited as archers regardless of their class.

Nobles generally receive riding training from a young age, so they are basically treated as cavalry.

The private soldiers of nobles, who are provided with equipment by the nobles, often have better quality equipment.

Since rations are often provided, those with riding skills participate as cavalry, while others are treated on par with first-class soldiers.

Moreover, those who have riding skills and can procure a horse are treated as cavalry, regardless of their income class.

Riding skills, like archery, require considerable practice; it takes many years to be able to wield a sword or spear while riding.

Therefore, only a few can fight as cavalry outside of nobles who receive riding training from a young age.

"I see, so citizens with fewer assets have to prepare less equipment."

"Spears are one thing, but armor, swords, and shields require a lot of money for procurement and maintenance. If we were to make all conscripts prepare standardized equipment, the burden on them would be too great. Therefore, we specify the minimum necessary equipment based on income."

"Can't the lord's side prepare and distribute the equipment?"

"That would be quite difficult... Bronze equipment is expensive, and if we had to prepare all the equipment in peacetime, it would require a lot of maintenance, which would require a corresponding amount of resources."

"Hmm, I see. It's a matter of resources, then..."

Ideally, the lord's side should prepare standardized equipment and distribute it, which would reduce the disparity in combat power and allow for equal treatment regardless of wealth.

However, without the necessary resources, there's no point in complaining.

First, we need to address the resource issues within the territory before we can even think about military equipment.

"In that case, we need to increase the production of the granary areas and reduce costs by introducing new tools... If the introduction of hand pumps increases the mining output, that would be even better."

"Yes. If the silver mining output increases, the resources will be much more abundant. Moreover, if the output of copper and tin increases, the price of equipment will decrease, and the quality of the conscripts' equipment will improve."

"Price and quality... I see."

Listening to Nelson's explanation, Kazura thought about the introduction of iron smelting technology, which he had considered before.

If iron ore is available nearby, the introduction of iron smelting technology could significantly reduce the cost of equipment.

On Earth, iron has a much higher reserve than metals like copper and tin, which means it has a lower rarity value and lower procurement costs.

Using iron instead of bronze should reliably reduce the cost of equipment.

Iron is harder and more durable than bronze, so it would also improve the quality of equipment.

While it requires more effort to process than bronze, the introduction of iron would have significant benefits.

The burden on blacksmiths for making equipment would increase, but the introduction of a forging machine powered by a water wheel should reduce the burden to some extent.

According to what he heard from Valeria, a war with Barbeau might resume in four years.

The last battle ended in a draw, but it's unclear if the country can hold out in the next war.

If support is delayed and Arcadia is destroyed, it would be too late, so the introduction of iron smelting technology should be considered if necessary.

However, if the war does not resume and peace is maintained, there is no need to introduce the innovative iron smelting technology.

If introduced, it would significantly disrupt the power balance with neighboring countries, so caution is necessary.

"Nelson, the diplomatic situation with other countries..."

Kazura was about to say more when he noticed Lise looking at him with a puzzled expression.

He had forgotten that Lise didn't know he was Graciel.

She must be wondering why he, who knows nothing about military matters, is asking such detailed questions.

"...Well, let's talk about it in more detail later. We can continue when we have more time."

As Kazura said this and stood up, Lise also stood up.

"Ah, I see. Understood. We'll talk more later. Thank you for listening."

Nelson bowed deeply to Kazura.

After leaving the office, Kazura walked down the corridor of the mansion with Lise.

It was morning, but in the afternoon, he was scheduled to dig a water channel for a hydroelectric generator with Isaac and Haber.

It was just past 11:00 AM, so there was some time before lunch.

"Lord Kazura, about what happened earlier..."

While Kazura was thinking about military matters, Lise spoke up hesitantly.

"Ah, yes. What is it?"

After replying, Kazura remembered the events in the document room and felt a strange sweat on his back.

If Nelson hadn't come to the document room at that time, he couldn't imagine what would have happened.

He felt like he was being approached with great intensity, but what was that all about?

"If you are interested in military matters, I can show you the military department. The guards and other private soldiers train daily, so you can see them at the training grounds or barracks."

"Ah, that?"

"Ah?"

"No, no! I would really appreciate it! I've been wanting to see the military!"

Kazura, who thought Lise would continue the conversation from the document room, blurted out his thoughts in surprise at the unexpected proposal.

He quickly nodded in agreement, fearing that it might be taken as if he was expecting that conversation.

"Then, let's start this afternoon... I have a meeting scheduled. Tomorrow... I also have a meeting... I'm sorry, let's find a time later and go together."

Remembering her busy schedule, Lise looked disappointed.

While Kazura was away in Grisear Village, Lise had tried to get as much work done as possible and had declined all meeting requests.

However, the people who were turned down didn't give up and rescheduled their meetings, leaving Lise in a difficult position.

She thought that canceling meetings would make them disappear, but that was naive.

It would be unseemly to keep declining, so she had no choice but to start accepting meetings from the afternoon.

"Ah, it's fine. I also have plans this afternoon, so let's go together another time."

"Thank you. When we have time, I would really like to. I'm also looking forward to going out in the city."

"Yes, let's find a time and go out soon."

As Kazura agreed, Lise smiled happily.

"Yes! I'll organize my schedule and let you know when we can go!"

"Ah, yes, I understand."

Seeing Lise, who was excited, Kazura nodded slightly confused.

The incident in the document room and her eagerness in the conversation made it seem like Lise's attitude had changed dramatically since Kazura returned to Ister.

While he thought she was quite sociable, it felt like her focus had shifted in an unexpected direction.

After that, Kazura spent the time before lunch chatting with Lise in the courtyard.

That afternoon,

After having lunch with Nelson and Lise, Kazura was in the courtyard just outside his room with Isaac and Haber.

A cardboard box containing the hydroelectric generator was placed next to Kazura, with the instruction manual spread out on top.

Incidentally, Zirconia did not appear at lunch.

She seemed to be resting in her room today.

"What does it say? 'To operate the generator, a certain gradient is necessary'... It won't work on flat ground."

The hydroelectric generator Kazura bought is a type that uses water flowing through a thick PVC tube.

Inside the tube are blades like a fan, which rotate when water flows through the tube.

The shaft of the blades is directly connected to the generator, which is driven by the rotation of the shaft due to the water flow.

"Do we need to let the water flow from a high place?"

Haber, who had been watching, asked in response to Kazura's muttering.

"Yes. We'll have to use a water wheel to pump water and set up a channel at a high position to connect directly to the tube. It looks like we'll have to do some more DIY work..."

"We will prepare the personnel for the work, so please let us know what you need. We will start the work immediately."

"Then, let's set up a water wheel to pump water from the water channel on the property and bring the water to the front of the room via an aqueduct."

I thought it would be enough to extend the water channel within the property to the front of the room, but it seems that won't work.

It seems that the only way is to use a water wheel and an aqueduct to bring the water to the front of the room and then set up the generator.

"Understood. I'll gather the personnel immediately."

"Thank you. I'll check the necessary materials and the installation location of the aqueduct. Isaac, please arrange for the water wheel. I believe there are a few in the carpenter's workshop that are under construction, so let's use them all."

"Understood."

Currently, a gasoline generator is being used to power the refrigerator, but with the hydroelectric generator, we can also use appliances like air conditioners and microwaves.

We can keep the gasoline for the generator and use it when power is needed elsewhere.

Most importantly, being able to use an air conditioner will make daily life much more comfortable.

Based on the power output of the hydroelectric generator, it should be able to meet the power needs of the appliances brought here.

If the hydroelectric generator is installed successfully, life here should be almost the same as in Japan.