Chapter 45

From the window of Ivalice's office, I looked down at the town, where dwarven craftsmen were passing through the city gates one after another.

All of them carried large loads on their small bodies.

They were probably their tools for business.

These dwarves, known for their dexterity, were highly valued as craftsmen in various places.

Among them, the selected dwarves had come all the way to this rural town, and I had to be grateful to Gunther for that.

As I watched the scene from the window, Sati let out a curious voice.

"The dwarves are coming one after another."

"Yeah," I replied.

"But it's strange that so many humans are also gathering here, not just the dwarves."

Sati pointed out the window.

There were merchants with carts loaded with barrels.

"Probably, the merchants who got the information that the dwarven craftsmen are gathering here came quickly."

The information network of merchants is not to be underestimated.

If they sense a business opportunity, they will come immediately.

When a new industry is born, merchants will take notice and bring what they desire.

"That's amazing. This is how the town becomes prosperous."

"If people gather, there will be those who make shovels and hoes, those who process livestock into ham and bacon, those who make wine, and shops that provide these things."

"That's what you said before, about the primary and secondary industries, right?"

"That's right. If everyone were engaged in agriculture, no one could do other jobs, right?"

"Indeed."

"That's why it's better to have as few people as possible engaged in agriculture. More accurately, it's better to have fewer people produce a large amount of crops."

"If that happens, the remaining people can make things or open shops."

"That's right."

More accurately, it's better to have fewer people make a large number of things. If a small number of people can produce a large amount, they can do other things.

This way, the country will flourish, culture will develop, and industries will be promoted.

This is how civilization evolves.

"…Maybe that's too grand."

It is a time of war now.

The destination for people freed from labor might be, after all, 'soldiers.'

To build the peaceful era that Sati desires, we must first make these soldiers unemployed.

If that happens, we can create a more livable world than now.

As I was thinking this, the sound of someone knocking on the office door was heard.

Knock knock!

This rough knocking must be from the orc advisor Jiron.

I allowed him to enter.

"Sir, it's a big problem."

I wanted to say sarcastically, "You always have big problems," but I just said, "What is it?"

"It seems that the mass production of the musket is on track, but a problem has occurred."

"Problem? Is it still difficult to mass-produce the screws?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then, is it the gunpowder? Is it still faster to find a source of saltpeter rather than synthesize it…?"

"No, that's not it either. According to Gunther, making the bullets is the problem."

"Oh, the bullets."

I had completely forgotten.

I was so focused on gunpowder and screws that I had forgotten about the bullets.

A musket and gunpowder alone are not a weapon; without the bullets, it's just an iron tube.

"Are the bullets those small, round things? Is it difficult to make them?"

Sati asked modestly.

I answered honestly.

"Quite difficult."

"But can't you just shape them by hand, like meatballs?"

"Do you have the courage to knead a red-hot lump of iron with your hands?"

I said this jokingly, but Sati shook her head, saying, "N-no, I can't."

Sati's naivety is really adorable.

She takes everything seriously and imagines it.

"Well, the easiest way is probably to make a mold."

"A mold?"

Sati asked.

"A mold is the original object used to create the same thing. You make the original shape and pour iron into it. It's used when making swords and spears."

The technology for molds exists in this world, but it might be difficult for Sati to understand.

"Then, sir, should we ask Gunther to make a mold right away?"

"Hmm, that might be good, but…"

I was hesitant.

Gunther is probably busy with screw and barrel production right now.

I didn't want to burden him with extra work.

Moreover, with the current mold technology in this world, it would be difficult to make a nearly perfect sphere.

Even a slight distortion would mess up the trajectory.

In other words, the accuracy would be poor.

That wouldn't be very useful.

As a temporary solution, I decided to have a tower built.

"A tower? How is that related to the bullets?"

"It is. You'll see when it's built."

Jiron agreed with a "Yes" and started making arrangements.

A few weeks later, a simple tower made of wooden frames was completed.

I ordered my subordinates to drop a drop of molten lead from the top of the tower.

As it fell through the air, the lead cooled due to air resistance and solidified into a spherical shape.

I won't go into the details of the physics, but the people who saw this were filled with excitement.

"Oh, Sir Ike has performed another miracle!"

"It's like magic!"

Praises rose from the people who witnessed this, and it seemed that my knowledge from my previous life was useful again.

It's not magic or anything, but it's useful to let the townspeople misunderstand.

If they believe I have powers beyond human knowledge, there will be less resistance.

I don't want to rule the town through fear, but I don't want to be underestimated either.

My grandfather used to say,

"It's good to be revered, but don't be a person who is feared."

Judging from the townspeople's reaction, it was right to make the bullets publicly.

Politics and governance are also about performance.

As I was looking at the townspeople with this certainty, Jiron came running up.

"Sir, the captain is calling for you."

Jiron said, out of breath.

It seemed to be an important matter.

"...Another big problem has occurred."

I muttered to myself.

Sometimes he calls me just because he's bored, or he might suddenly use a teleportation spell for no reason.

But when it's a truly important and official matter, he uses the proper procedure.

He sends a familiar or a messenger.

Being called by the proper method means that a problem on a scale of the entire army has occurred.

I headed to Sefiro's residence, Balentzere, for the first time in a while, using a normal method.