Chapter 3

The territory of the Earl, the Eubachar region.

I thought, "Maybe gemstones will be mined since magic stones and magical ores are found here. What about gold? Or silver?" But there were no such records, so for now, magic stones and magical ores are the main resources managed by the state. That's why it was a direct territory of the royal family...

However, the production of these magic stones and magical ores has decreased in recent years, and the neighboring territory to the north, the former Duchy of Blockenburg, has a higher production rate. It seems the royal family's intention was to grant Eubachar to someone.

Well, you see, the former Duke of Blockenburg had invested a lot of money in mining, which is why the results were as they were. It's only natural that the production in Eubachar, which uses relatively primitive methods, would seem low.

By the way, the former Duchy of Blockenburg is now a direct territory of the royal family because the head of the house was involved in a plot to usurp the throne.

But let's put that aside for now.

During the off-season of the social season, I went to inspect the Earl's territory.

It's quite far. It takes a month just by carriage.

But in this other world, the Lazulite Kingdom, there are railways running to a certain extent in the four directions from the capital.

It's strange that there are railways in a world where magical beasts exist, but I thought, "This is a fantasy world, after all."

The Lazulite Kingdom's state-owned transportation system, which integrates magic and magical materials, boasts a dream train that repels magical beasts, combining the best of magic and science.

The Lazulite Kingdom's Magic Train.

I went by this! Using this, the travel time is reduced by about half.

Even a regular carriage ride is quite expensive, but I took a compartment (private room)!

However, I had to get off halfway and travel by carriage for a week to reach my destination.

It's that far.

"I did indeed inspect the Earl's territory during the off-season... During the inspection of the mining site, I found out that building materials can also be mined, not just magic stones and magical ores. For the time being, I plan to test them for commercialization by using them for the village's defensive walls, trade routes, and facilities that the country has requested to be built. The military's upper echelons have plans to build a new recruit training ground, and the Magic Academy has plans to build a research facility."

Being a border region, there is plenty of space for any construction.

Since the mining site for magic stones and magical ores is nearby, the Magic Academy would want at least one research facility.

And the military as well.

The List Mountain Range is the border, and until a few years ago, there was intense conflict with the neighboring country (according to the Earl, it was just a slight twist, but they learned their lesson). I think the government's intention is to build at least one new recruit training ground and a fortress city here.

Most importantly, the Earl, who is the lord of the territory, is a military man, so it makes sense as a strategic location.

However, the distance between this territory and the capital is still considerable.

Even if the country provides funds, it will still cost a lot to build administrative facilities.

In any case, I want to quickly find something in the territory that can generate money—be it goods or industries.

"Since it was a former direct territory of the royal family, I imagine the king had some plans for the construction of such facilities when he granted it."

"But the Eubachar border region seems to have a lot of magical beasts. Wouldn't that make development difficult?"

That's right, there are a lot of magical beasts.

Especially near the lake close to Eubachar Village, there are crocodile-type magical beasts called Dark Crocodiles.

They are extremely vicious and have been known to come to the village and prey on people.

I encountered one during my inspection and almost became its prey.

Crocodiles... I could imagine their power and agility in water and shallow areas, but when they came onto land, they moved at least five times faster than I imagined, and I thought, "I'm going to die here."

But the Earl, who was inspecting with me, saved me... he was truly my savior.

He stood in front of the Dark Crocodile to protect me, covered its vision with a cloth, and then froze it with an ice spell.

It was like the magic of Lady Abigail... I was deeply moved.

Since I don't have any magic power, I was really impressed when I saw it up close.

This other world, magic fantasy, is really amazing.

I managed to escape unharmed, but the guide from the Lockwell Earl's family, who was stationed in the border region, told me that these Dark Crocodiles have been threatening the residents.

...I was almost preyed upon, but thanks to the Earl, I was saved. However, I heard that there have been residents who weren't so lucky, and I decided.

I will hunt these magical beasts, hunt them, and hunt them until they are all gone.

Overhunting? Bring it on.

I will strike before they strike.

For now, I bought an entire Dark Crocodile that I had hunted from the Earl.

The residents also hunt them when they can, and they use the meat as food.

I tried it too.

It wasn't bad. It was a mild-tasting meat.

It would go well with a strong sauce, so I'm currently experimenting with different sauces.

When it was a direct territory, the hunted magical beasts were sold to the Adventurer's Guild, which handles the hunting, breeding, and dissection of magical beasts. However, the nearest guild branch is in the neighboring territory's town... it's far.

I definitely want to attract the guild here! I want to negotiate with them!

During this social season, I want to negotiate with the headquarters to establish a branch in Eubachar.

But first, I need money!

Money! I need it!

Noble-oriented products, like these accessories made from the teeth, are just the beginning. I'm still making more.

I want to show the products I developed during this social season and sell them through the Rassels Trading Company!

I will not forgive the Dark Crocodile that tried to eat me...

"There are such dangers, but it's best to capture them. For example, the teeth, while not as valuable as pearls, make good accessories for me. The meat is delicious, and I want to use every part of them."

When I said this, the gentlemen were silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Truly bold or reckless, I suppose."

"Very much like Lady Wilcox!"

"The peace of the Dark Crocodiles is over, it seems."

Good, it's going well.

The main speech of the day is now the perfect opportunity.

"Anyway, if anyone here is interested in the development of Eubachar, could you introduce me to some companies? What we urgently need are civil engineering and construction companies, but we have discovered new materials, so we want to test them in the border region and supply them to the companies first, and then circulate them domestically. We might find other good materials... After all, this is a former direct territory of the royal family with the List Mountain Range, so there's plenty of potential for mining."

Even a typical noble with a territory would be interested in this place.

Do you have any skilled craftsmen or anyone with a relentless frontier spirit?

Yes, yes, of course, I'm talking about headhunting.

If you introduce them, I might let you join in on the business in the future.

Chapter 4, tomorrow at noon.

Enjoy it during your lunch break.

If you find it interesting, I would be grateful if you could bookmark it and click the evaluation button. The author will bow in front of the monitor.