Chapter 24

Mining operations are not as simple as just digging into a mountain recklessly. There are techniques to master and precautions to take.

The most terrifying thing is a cave-in. A large-scale collapse that could crush the entire tunnel is, of course, a major concern, but even a minor collapse from the ceiling could be fatal if it hits someone on the head.

That's why Noein decided to ask the Baron Keinitz to introduce him to a mining engineer. Even for small-scale mining, proceeding based solely on amateur judgment carries significant risks. It would be irresponsible to have the residents work in such a precarious environment.

About a week after meeting with Baron Keinitz, a group of mining engineers introduced by the baron arrived at the residential area of the Alquvist territory.

Led by a well-built middle-aged dwarf, a well-built human and a lion-man youth followed behind. The dwarf stepped forward to Noein, presenting a letter sealed with the baron's wax seal to identify himself.

"I am Victor, the mining engineer introduced by Baron Keinitz. The two people behind me are here to assist. The human is my apprentice, and the lion-man is a slave."

"I am Noein Alquvist, the baron of this territory. Thank you for coming all the way to this rural area."

"No, it's part of my job."

Though brief, Victor spoke with a friendly tone and expression.

"I heard you will be guiding the residents in mining the veins?"

"Yes. The mining itself will be on a small scale, but even so, the tunnels will gradually deepen as we continue. We lack the knowledge and skills to prevent collapses..."

"Understood. For small-scale mining, it should be a matter of installing timber supports to prevent collapses. I don't think the guidance will be too difficult."

Noein knew that timber supports were used to prevent tunnel collapses, but the lack of knowledge on how to construct and support the tunnels was the main issue. This was precisely the guidance he wanted from the engineers, and it was reassuring to hear that it wouldn't be too difficult.

"That's good to hear. We have a campsite set up in the Ristio Mountains, and I would like you to depart tomorrow. The steward Yuri will guide you and supervise the residents."

Noein pointed to Yuri, who was standing beside him. Yuri bowed, and Victor returned the gesture.

They then discussed and confirmed the detailed terms and conditions of the contract. The next day, under Yuri's guidance, Victor and his team, along with the residents who would start the mining work, set off north.

...

The mining of the lapis lazuli vein and the sale of the raw stones to the Miles Trading Company quickly put the Alquvist territory on a path to rapid development.

After all, a massive sum of 1.2 million rebo, equivalent to one ton of lapis lazuli raw stones, would flow in every month. With this, Noein could finally proceed with projects he had been holding back due to lack of funds.

First, Noein began the construction of houses, starting with his own manor. He sought help from Benedict of the Miles Trading Company to introduce him to a major construction guild in the Keinitz territory, and he placed an order for the construction of houses for all the households.

In such large-scale transactions, it is customary to pay half the cost upfront and the remaining half later. However, Noein swiftly allocated the entire 1.2 million rebo from the first month's sale of lapis lazuli raw stones to the upfront payment.

Apart from the desire to build proper houses as quickly as possible, this move also aimed to avoid keeping too much cash on hand.

The news that a lapis lazuli vein had been discovered in the Alquvist territory and that the raw stones were being sold to the Keinitz territory for significant profit would eventually spread throughout the northwest region of the kingdom.

If that happened, it could lead to the perception that the Alquvist territory had a large amount of cash, potentially attracting thieves or even large-scale bandits.

Therefore, Noein decided to use the first month's profit to place the order for the houses, ensuring that the news of the Alquvist territory's construction boom and the outflow of a large amount of cash would spread. Merchants would naturally notice the movement of construction materials and workers.

If the news spread that the cash in the Alquvist territory had been converted into immovable assets like houses, the likelihood of attracting undesirable elements would significantly decrease.

Soon after placing the order with the construction guild, a group of about a dozen carpenters and laborers arrived in the Alquvist territory.

In addition to them, some of the male residents who were available also joined as laborers. This was similar to the corvée labor for setting up fences around the residential area and improving the roads, where food was provided to the residents in exchange for their labor.

In the residential area, which until now had only fields and tents, the foundations of houses were being laid, the frames were being erected, and bricks were being stacked, gradually taking shape.

The first building being constructed was Noein's manor. The residents unanimously agreed that the lord who had given them a new home should not continue living in a tent, so the construction of the manor was given top priority.

"Amazing progress. It might be completed in just a few more weeks, don't you think?"

As Noein looked up at the construction site, which was steadily taking shape, the foreman, Dmitri, who was in charge of the construction, answered from beside him.

"Thanks to the lord for lending us the residents as laborers. We were able to secure more workers than expected, so we can push the work forward quickly. Plus, having a large amount of timber on site has been a big help."

Dmitri, a burly man with mountainous muscles and a sun-tanned dark complexion, was a canine-type beastman.

His appearance, reminiscent of a large fighting dog, and his well-built physique, along with his experience in the field, had helped him rise through the ranks. Despite being a beastman, a socially disadvantaged race, he had become a senior executive in a major construction guild due to his proven capabilities.

Under his leadership, the workers were making remarkable progress, and the houses were taking shape at an astonishing speed.

Satisfied with the progress of the manor's construction, Noein decided to leave the site to avoid disturbing Dmitri's work.

Next, he visited the fields of the residents.

"Hello, Edgar. How is the farming going?"

"Ah, Lord Noein. It's going well, of course. It's all thanks to the good soil you provided us."

When Noein greeted Edgar, who was diligently tending to the fields, he replied cheerfully.

"Also, this potato crop grows quickly. I tried the ones we received as payment for corvée labor, and they were delicious and filling... It's like a dream to have such a crop."

It was late August, and the fall-planted potatoes in Edgar's and the other former refugees' fields were sprouting well.

"Potatoes are still largely unknown in the Lodberg Kingdom. I hope to spread them from this Alquvist territory to the rest of the kingdom. While they can't replace wheat for making bread, if they spread successfully, they could improve the country's food situation and reduce hunger."

It might take some time before the production could be exported to other territories, but Noein believed that potatoes would significantly change the country's agriculture in the future.

"To think you've considered all this... Lord Noein, you are indeed a wonderful lord."

"Hehe, thank you."

Noein smiled and replied, swallowing the thought that a stable food supply would also benefit the economy and security of the country.

Not wanting to disturb Edgar's work by talking too much, Noein ended the conversation with some small talk and left the field.