Chapter 10

Immediately after the contract, I sat down with the company that would be involved in this development to go over the plans and schedules, and their advance team was set to fly to the site.

The military, on the other hand, was planning to send a team of new and veteran soldiers for training purposes, who would soon head to Eubachar. I was a bit worried about their accommodation, but according to the Earl, they would be camping. Perhaps that was part of the training as well...

Hmm... well, camping isn't impossible...

"A little worried."

Especially about the Dark Crocodile.

I was spreading out the map of Eubachar on my desk. The northern Blockenburg Duke's territory had become a royal direct-administered area, but the people there didn't seem to be causing any trouble. Well, the common folk probably just thought the top had changed. In contrast, the people of Eubachar, now under the Earl's rule, were looking forward to his leadership, especially regarding the extermination of the Dark Crocodile. The village chief was overjoyed when I promised to eliminate the Dark Crocodile. Due to this monster, the distance between the mining village, the densely populated Eubachar village, and the gateway village to the neighboring MacPherson Duke's territory was much closer than between other villages. They were in close contact to communicate in case of emergencies, and the reason for this was the existence of the monster. Without it, the towns and villages would have been more evenly distributed, like in the Wilcox territory.

I traced the map with my finger.

If we were to lay down a railway, I'd like to branch off from the Milterra station in the neighboring MacPherson Duke's territory... but that's probably not possible. Using another territory as a branching point would be difficult. However, the neighboring MacPherson Duke's territory is a great place. The Duke of MacPherson is a capable man. Since the territory is on the route between the capital and the Blockenburg Duke's territory, he built a station for the magic train. He even got permission to do so. The inspection trip to Eubachar involved getting off at this station and crossing the MacPherson territory by carriage. This was the shortest route. Milterra in the MacPherson territory was truly a local city, self-sufficient without needing to go to the capital. As we crossed by carriage, the area gradually turned into farmland, but the measures against monsters were excellent, and there were even hot springs, which had become a spa town, attracting tourists from other territories. It was incredibly enviable.

With a secure distribution network, even a rural area can flourish. It's a good thing.

So, Eubachar also needs a main distribution network to the capital.

The royal family, who had been in charge of the direct-administered area, didn't come up with this plan, or perhaps they were too frugal (even the royal family relies on tax revenue for mining). The site was quite primitive, with a lot of manual labor. Still, they were producing magic stones and magic minerals, so the location wasn't bad. Additionally, a byproduct of the mining was concrete, which is perfect for construction. The company that won the bid would likely want this resource and buy it later. If we use it to develop Eubachar from a village to a local city, it will become a valuable resource for the territory.

The Skywalk Company, which will handle the trade route, has the expertise for this. Even if the influence of Sir Breakley extends to this company, choosing them is reasonable. Therefore, the railway will probably start from the northern endpoint, the former Blockenburg territory, and run to Eubachar, even though it's a detour.

"Miss Grace"

My maid, Vanessa, called out, and I shifted my gaze from the map to her.

"What? Vanessa?"

"Actually, my brother wishes to meet with Miss Grace."

"Henry?"

"Yes. I told him you were busy, but—"

Henry is Vanessa's twin brother. Vanessa originally came from a hardware store family and had been interested in business since childhood. After finishing elementary school, she helped at home, but her parents thought that since she was a girl, she might marry into any family, and it would be good for her to serve somewhere to gain experience. She was fortunate to join the Russell's Company. Her two older brothers were the successors and salespeople, and her third brother, Henry, was about to start his own business after apprenticing elsewhere. However, without capital, he wouldn't get many customers immediately. Knowing this, Henry was struggling, and Vanessa, seeing his situation, consulted me.

"If there's anything my brother can help with, he'll be ready to assist at a moment's notice."

I needed skilled craftsmen, so I met with Henry immediately. My bad reputation was known even to him, a commoner, so he was a bit hesitant at first. Now, he's more comfortable.

"I'll adjust my schedule to meet with Henry. Is it about the product we discussed?"

"The production can't keep up."

"Handcrafting alone isn't efficient. It's like two generations ago. Mechanization would be better, but I don't have the expertise. I think Henry is looking for a good solution."

"Yes, he probably wants to recruit more skilled workers and get permission to do so."

"I agree."

"But, it's a confidential matter, I think."

It was created last year. It's not a flashy cheat from a reincarnation story; it's something a craftsman in a rural area of this world and era could make. It could expand fashion design. Since Henry claimed to be skilled in metalwork, I had him make it. What did I have him make?

A zipper.

Incidentally, it was attached to the skin of the Dark Crocodile. After polishing and finishing it, it became a beautiful, shiny surface. I had the Russell's Company's fashion accessories department make a long wallet and entrusted the zipper installation to Henry. When the wallet was completed, the person in charge said, "Lord Wilcox! What a lovely accessory!" Henry finished the zipper, and when I showed it to the young master, he was very excited, saying, "It will sell! It will definitely sell!!" We both got very enthusiastic about pricing and set a high price.

When I met with Henry, he wanted to increase the number of workers in the factory. He had been working alone but had recruited two more people. However, with just two more, mass production might not be possible. The Earl wanted to attach the zippers to military boots, and an order from the military would require a large capital...

"Also, too many craftsmen are asking me to talk to Lord Wilcox..."

I see. I need craftsmen, but I think there are also craftsmen in Eubachar. I'll recruit there too.

"Craftsmen keep visiting his boarding house..."

What? That's not good for business.

"Henry, are you willing to come to Eubachar?"

"Eh?"

"I have the land. It's a territory that will be developed, and I can provide a large workshop. If it doesn't have to be the capital, I'll be heading to Eubachar soon. Would you like to come along and work there?"

"Really!?"

"But, there are many monsters. You need to be prepared for that."

Henry nodded after a moment of silence.

"Yes."

Eh? You're okay with it? You decided so quickly.

"If it's in Lord Wilcox's territory, I'm sure it will become a small town in the near future, even if it's a rural area now. If I can work in a quiet place, I'll go, even if my friends say no."

Thank you! I'll arrange tickets for the magic train to take you and your friends there!

On February 9th, Kadokawa BOOKS will publish the novelization of "The Reincarnated Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir." I've posted the cover and updates, so if you see it in a bookstore or online, I'd be happy if you could pick it up. It has additional content and beautiful illustrations. If you could bookmark and rate it, it would make me cry with joy m(__)m.