Chapter 62

Mog, the leader of the inspection team, inwardly sighed while maintaining a smile as he stood before Zaid, who had been waiting.

"Nice to meet you. I am Mog Mode, the deputy minister of the newly established Ministry of Development in the kingdom. Please remember me. Lord Zaid Gandal Baerroad."

"Zaid is fine."

"Thank you."

Zaid's condescending gaze and attire exuded the air of a noble, for better or worse. Mog himself came from a noble family but had risen through hard work and valued ability. Therefore, he did not particularly like people who thought they were special just because they were born as the child of a powerful border lord.

To be precise, family members of nobles are not nobles themselves. Only the head of the family is a noble, but generally, the bloodline is considered noble by convention. Since Mog was not the head of his family, he was not technically a noble.

Zaid's attitude was so arrogant that one might doubt if he was really Kail's brother. When Zaid raised one corner of his mouth to request a handshake, Mog reluctantly returned it.

"Indeed, I never expected an envoy from the capital to be here. And not just in this village, but inspecting Golden Dawn?"

"This time, due to the lack of time, it was a light incognito inspection, but you are well-informed."

"Hehe. Gathering information is a significant duty imposed on nobles!"

"Indeed. Lord Zaid seems to be quite capable."

"I am honored to hear that from a deputy minister. But the Ministry of Development? I've never heard of it."

"It is newly established. The survival zone of humans is in a tug-of-war with the survival zone of monsters. There hasn't been a war with other countries recently, and now that our national strength has somewhat accumulated, we should advance. That's the purpose of this ministry."

"I see. That's admirable."

As Mog and Zaid exchanged formal greetings, Ella, the court alchemist accompanying them, whispered to Mog.

("It seems we might be caught if we stay here, so I'll go greet Mr. Jabir. I couldn't visit Golden Dawn without drawing attention.")

("Understood. Thank you.")

("Yes.")

Ella then smoothly left the scene. Zaid, not paying attention to her separate action, started leading them into the village with a wave of his hand. Most of his conversation was boasting about himself and how great he was.

"——So, the inn is the main source of income now, and it's doing well. I believe it will develop even more in the near future."

Mog had been letting Zaid's words pass through one ear and out the other, and only then did he realize that Zaid had finished his speech.

This Zaid Development Village was on the way to Golden Dawn, and it was quite remarkable that a village of this scale existed so far from the human survival zone. If Zaid had built it from scratch, he would indeed be very capable.

The glory of humanity was a thing of the past. It is said that a long time ago, humans, who had a great magical civilization, were destroyed by monsters. The exact details are unknown, but since then, the age of monsters has continued for a long time.

However, humans gradually increased in number, formed several countries, and finally secured their survival zone. Still, the human domain is very small in this vast world.

Expanding the human survival zone is urgent, and if Zaid is leading the way, he should be a person the country should support.

But the information about this village had already been collected. The village was originally based on the former Golden Dawn Village. Located at the midpoint of the long road connecting the border lord's human habitation zone and the current Golden Dawn, it naturally developed as an inn town.

Of course, even with such favorable conditions, frontier development often fails. Zaid had managed to maintain and develop the village, which could be considered capable. But...

Mog could no longer tolerate Zaid's attitude and decided to bring up something that had been bothering him.

"Indeed, it can be said that this village is surprisingly developed for a frontier."

"Of course, of course."

Zaid nodded in satisfaction, but he froze at Mog's next words.

"But why isn't alchemical reinforced stone used in this village? All the necessary materials are available here."

"That... is..."

"Why aren't you using the highly convenient alchemical reinforced stone? I would like to know the reason."

Zaid cleared his throat and, regaining his composure, smiled slyly.

"There's nothing to it. The prices of volcanic ash and lime have been skyrocketing day by day. Volcanic ash, which originally accumulates in the plains near volcanoes, is being sold at high prices by lowly merchants. The price of lime has also risen significantly. Isn't wood sufficient for building materials?"

Upon hearing this, not only Mog but also the accompanying officials and knights were speechless. The plains where volcanic ash falls are quite far from here. Considering the transportation costs, it's natural for the price to be high. Moreover, since the method of making it was published by the academy, the demand in this country has increased. There are regions where volcanic ash and lime are abundant, but as demand increases, prices rise. Does Zaid not know this?

Volcanic ash was not even a commodity before. It was just cheap. The price increase is merely a return to a reasonable price. More importantly, does this man understand the convenience of alchemical reinforced stone?

Furthermore, this village not only has the materials but also the famous alchemist Jabir. All the necessary conditions for production are in place.

"Lord Zaid, have you actually seen Golden Dawn yourself?"

"What? I've heard reports. They are building fortresses and walls, it seems."

"Details?"

"Hmm? I've heard they are quite large."

At that moment, Mog realized something. Zaid either misunderstood the reports based on his own interpretation or the reports were altered to avoid angering him.

"Lord Zaid, the current Golden Dawn, in terms of wall defense, is on par with the capital."

"What...?"

Zaid blinked several times. Perhaps he finally began to understand the significance of what Mog, an official from the capital, had said.

"Of course, the capital has many soldiers and mages, so in terms of military defense, it cannot be compared."

Zaid blinked several times. Perhaps he finally began to understand the significance of what Mog, an official from the capital, had said.

"Of course, the capital has many soldiers and mages, so in terms of military defense, it cannot be compared. However, the capital is also urgently introducing alchemical reinforced stone. A new wall will likely be completed in a few years."

"The capital's wall in a few years?"

For a city the size of the capital, building a wall would take decades, or even a hundred years. Hearing that it could be done in a few years, the high price of materials would be insignificant. In fact, compared to the massive project of transporting large amounts of stone from quarries, it would be much cheaper. Moreover, the design is highly flexible, and using the method discovered by the blacksmith Reifan, which involves reinforcing the structure with iron bars, it might even be possible to build a castle that lasts a thousand years. The alchemical reinforced stone, developed through advanced alchemy, consumes a large amount of magic in its production and hardly degrades.

Did this man discard it simply because of the high price? Did he dismiss a powerful tool for frontier development as worthless?

Mog, unable to hide his anger, said firmly.

"It seems, Lord Zaid, that you cannot utilize the alchemical reinforced stone, the famous Mr. Jabir, or these favorable conditions. I recommend you actually see Kail's development site."

At that moment, Zaid did not consider the usefulness of alchemical reinforced stone or how to use Jabir. What he thought first was that he was being looked down upon by his incompetent brother. So, Zaid decided to quickly prove his own capability.

"Wait! Actually, I've been focusing my efforts on other things! The village's fortification has been put on hold!"

To Mog, Zaid's vanity was immediately apparent, but this was the frontier. There might be something interesting to hear, so he straightened his collar and encouraged Zaid to continue.

"Actually, there is a large wetland not far from this village."

"A wetland? Is it not dangerous?"

Wetlands are often inhabited by dangerous monsters and can be considered a dangerous area if near a village.

"No, I said it's not far, but it's not close enough for monsters to attack. More importantly, I plan to develop that land!"

"Interesting."

Mog became slightly interested. The kingdom had attempted to develop wetlands many times before, and most of those attempts had failed. However, the few successful ones had all turned into highly productive rice fields. Rice, which is suitable for cultivation, is an important grain comparable to wheat. Being able to produce it in large quantities would be significant for the kingdom.

"That's impressive. If successful, it would certainly be a great achievement worthy of a medal from His Majesty the King."

"Th-That's right! I'm allocating all my resources to this great achievement!"

If that were true, he would have to reconsider his previous evaluation. However, Mog, based on his experience, was skeptical.

"So, Lord Zaid, what is your plan, and how far has it progressed?"

"Th-That... is..."

Mog inwardly sighed, thinking, "I knew it."

"Of course, at this stage, it must be a secret. I apologize."

"S-Sorry. But the plan is progressing steadily!"

"I see. Then it was impolite of me to question you here. Since it's a good time to stop, we will head to the inn."

Zaid probably had rooms prepared in his residence, but Mog did not want to be invited there. While Zaid hesitated to call out, Mog quickly led the inspection team away from the scene.

"Ugh... I have to stop them and explain."

Zaid hurriedly tried to catch up with the inspection team but couldn't think of what to say and stopped. Anger began to boil within him.

"I, who have built such a village in this desolate frontier, have been mocked!"

Zaid genuinely believed this.

He let out a voice that seemed to rise from the depths of the earth.

"Kail... I won't forgive you!!"