Chapter 29

After breakfast, I held the morning meeting.

Today, with the completion of the forge, I informed the housekeepers that we would tackle the housing issue all at once.

Lunberg was assigned to guard the area around the forge, and I asked Barthol to guard the people doing construction work.

I also left Al and Ely at the central square of Neraque (the planned site) to handle negotiations with the residents.

Hmm? You’re wondering why there’s no one guarding me?

Don’t worry about that. I’ve decided to act with another strong one, as recognized by Al and the others, a fox girl named Rori.

I’ve decided to proceed with this arrangement until we can see a clear path to solving the housing issue.

I met Secoya outside the mansion, had her ride behind me on my horse, and headed for the Rubicon River.

“Hey, it’s too hot. Move a bit further away.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

Secoya, who was sticking to me from behind, rubbed her cheek against my back.

I wanted to say, “Who do you think you are, some kind of magistrate?” but unfortunately, this is a different world. Japanese references don’t work here.

“Really… Well, if it gets you motivated, I guess it’s fine.”

“Motivated? In the middle of the day?”

This guy is hopeless. I need to do something about it.

I know. She’s just trying to tease me.

Lately, I’ve almost forgotten that Secoya is undoubtedly one of the wisest in this world.

It’s unclear how long she has lived, but her thirst for knowledge is outstanding, and her understanding and analytical skills are high.

Without her cooperation, it would have been difficult to embody “modern knowledge” in this world.

To put it bluntly, in terms of modern knowledge (scientific knowledge), Secoya and I are inextricably linked.

Neither of us can achieve it alone. I have some vague knowledge, and there are difficulties in verification methods and improving failures.

But with her, she can make up for these shortcomings.

Her insatiable thirst for knowledge—

“Hey! I can’t see the front!”

If I let her do as she pleased, she would try to wrap her arms around my neck, causing the horse to sway, and her hands would cover my eyes.

Damn it. In this situation, I’ll do this.

I took my hand off the reins and forcefully pushed her hands away.

“You’ll fall!”

“Secoya won’t fall off a horse, even if she stands on tiptoe. Probably.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Is that so!

I felt like I would lose if I pressed the issue, so I tightened my lips.

“By the way, Joshua. There’s more to it than just wanting to bring me along because I’m cute, right?”

“Of course. I want to find the favorite food of the beast I call ‘Thunder Beast’ from yesterday. I also want to investigate materials that can replace frogs and dig up some metals.”

“Thunder Beast, huh. A good name. Do you want to use lightning? That’s exciting.”

“Right!”

Secoya and I, getting excited. We are indeed of the same kind.

Speaking of lightning, it’s electricity.

With electricity, the possibilities are endless. However, even if we can generate electricity, whether through the Thunder Beast or other means, there are no electrical appliances in this world, so what can we do?

No, with electricity, there are many ways to use it.

“What can you do with lightning?”

As if reading my thoughts, Secoya asked.

“Well, for example, plating. It can also be used for electrolysis. There are many uses.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“But before we get to the fun part, we need to go to the forge and then check on the housing construction.”

“I understand.”

Just as our conversation ended, we arrived at the forge.

I stopped the horse and dismounted. I reached out to help Secoya down, but she jumped and spun in the air, landing gracefully on the ground.

She’s as light as Al. Indeed, she’s a fox.

“Mr. Tohre, Mr. Garam. Are you there?”

The door opened quickly, and Tohre, looking excited, appeared.

“Master Joshua. I heard you were on a three-day hiatus. Are you going to work on the bridge?”

“I’d love to build a bridge, but as I said yesterday, we need to start with housing first. In the meantime, you can make a model.”

“I’ve already made one!”

“Eh…”

“I haven’t brought it, but I’ll deliver it to the mansion. Please take a look at your leisure tonight.”

“Umm, okay…”

You’re too serious.

I thought making a model would satisfy Tohre’s desire to create, but it was too quick.

Then, I’ll do this.

“Tohre. Al and Ely are planning to build a monument in the square. Could you help them until we start on the bridge?”

“That sounds interesting. In the most prominent place in the city, right?”

“Yeah, as a symbol of Neraque. Right in the center of the central square.”

“Ho ho ho. Leave it to me. I’ll be right there!”

He left without me stopping him.

“Really, Tohre is too hasty.”

Garam laughed heartily.

He handed chisels and hammers to his apprentice, who was on the shelf, and nodded to indicate “go.”

“Hmm.”

“You understand, don’t you? As expected of Secoya.”

Secoya sighed in admiration at the chisels and hammers, and Garam looked smug.

Are these chisels and hammers something special?

While I was wondering, Garam held up another item.

It was a saw.

It has a rather fancy color. The metal part of the saw is metallic blue.

It doesn’t seem like Garam’s style… He usually prefers plain, rugged materials.

“I made another one.”

This time, it was a sword. The blade is curved and wide, emphasizing cutting ability while maintaining thickness for durability.

This one, like the saw, is metallic blue and gleaming.

“You’ve really gone all out, Garam.”

“Here, all the materials mined in this land were brought to me. Using all of them, I made these two. Ho ho ho ho ho.”

“Are these fancy blue saw and sword special?”

I interrupted Garam and Secoya, asking my question.

Secoya, folding her arms, nodded in response.

“The sword and saw are made of bluemetal. The chisel from earlier is mithril. Using such rare magical metals for carpentry tools, you’re quite something, Garam.”

“I want at least ten more. Stone-cutting swords and saws for cutting.”

“Garam, is bluemetal harder than iron?”

“Yes. It can slice through iron like butter. A top-notch material!”

Garam forcefully pounded his chest.

That’s amazing. As expected of magical metals. Anything is possible.

“Originally, these are used by top-notch adventurers when facing giant dragons. It’s quite a luxury.”

Despite her words, Secoya’s face was smiling.

“Thank you, Garam. These will be very useful for the large-scale civil engineering projects we have ahead.”

I shook hands firmly with Garam.

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