Chapter 40
The long-cherished dream of the Lionel Kingdom had been to have a seaport of its own.
The Lionel Kingdom lay in the central plains of the Axis Continent and controlled a vital transportation hub. However, it had no seaport, so maritime trade required traveling down a river. The territory downstream belonged to another country, which charged hefty transit taxes.
"If we had a port, we could avoid paying unnecessary taxes. This port could completely transform the Lionel Kingdom's logistics. But if we're going to handle large volumes of cargo, we can't be unloading it with small boats."
"Yeah, we'll need to build a big one. The work is going smoothly—it's ahead of schedule. The quality of the seawall—"
As Master Ganze tried to explain, a blast rang out across the sky, cutting him off.
I turned toward the source of the noise that had shaken my eardrums and saw white smoke rising from the rock wall blocking the cove. A crack ran through part of the wall, and shattered rocks came tumbling down into the shallow sea.
They were using explosive magic stones—magic tools that caused explosions—to break apart the rock wall blocking the cove. Workers who had taken shelter now appeared atop the wall and used their tools to break apart the cracked stone even further. As the rocks fell, they gradually filled in the cove.
"The rock in this wall is excellent. It's perfect for reclamation. As for why the work is ahead of schedule..."
Master Ganze looked over the cove as construction progressed. Stones and earth quarried elsewhere were being brought onto the beach, while reclamation work was also proceeding from within.
The workers carried rocks on their shoulders, sometimes working together to move enormous ones. Among them was one particularly huge man. He stood a full head taller than the others and easily carried a rock several times as large as those borne by the other workers. His incredible strength left the workers around him gaping in amazement.
When the man reached the cove, he threw the rock he had been carrying into the sea. A spray of water rose high into the air and splashed across the man's face as well.
The man, his face drenched by the spray, wiped it with his right hand. He was Otto of the Romelia Squad. He was a soldier, but he was also taking part in the port's construction, making use of his impressive strength and his former career as a carpenter.
"We've gotten a lot more work done thanks to him."
Master Ganze nodded as he looked at Otto. His gaze was gentle. He liked the hardworking Otto. Otto, for his part, looked up to the skilled Master Ganze, and by now the two had formed a relationship like that of a master and apprentice.
Having finished carrying the stones, Otto sat down on the ground to rest, apparently exhausted. A young woman then approached him. She had beautiful hair and refined features. She offered Otto a hand towel so he could wipe his face. Otto accepted it with a blush, wiped the seawater from his face, and handed it back. Apparently he had missed a spot, because the woman reached out and wiped his face for him.
The woman smiled, while Otto's face turned bright red and he scratched at his black hair.
"That Eline girl seems to have taken a liking to Otto too."
Master Ganze nodded as he watched the entire exchange. The woman who had wiped Otto's face was Eline-san, Master Ganze's only daughter. She was an exceptionally refined young lady who looked nothing like the rough-edged Master Ganze.
"You don't object to her relationship with Otto?"
I looked toward Master Ganze as he watched the two of them.
Master Ganze was a renowned civil engineering expert. He employed many workers and, though he was not a noble, was considered a local notable. Otto, on the other hand, was the son of a poor carpenter, and his family's status did not match Master Ganze's.
"Heh, people call me a local notable, but I was poor as a kid too."
Master Ganze laughed off his own social standing. Having risen from poverty in a single generation, he probably had no interest in making an issue of family rank.
"Besides, I was always busy with work and never did anything a father ought to have done for her. I can't suddenly play the father and stick my nose in now."
Master Ganze snorted.
"Otto's not a bad fellow, and if the two of them are in love, that's good enough for me."
"That sounds reassuring."
When I looked back at Otto and Eline, the spot where they stood seemed as warm as spring. I didn't know how their relationship would develop from there. But looking at them, I found myself thinking they could be happy together.
"The work is going smoothly, but... what happened with that matter?"
Master Ganze checked to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice and asked.
When he mentioned that matter, I immediately knew what he meant.
The reclamation work required a large quantity of explosive magic stones to break apart the seawall. However, explosive magic stones were rare, making it difficult to gather enough of them. The Girie Valley to the south was home to a gold mine jointly operated by the royal family and the House of Count Graham. Mining required explosive magic stones, so a large supply had been stockpiled there. I had pilfered explosive magic stones from Girie Valley and diverted them to the reclamation work.
It was a serious crime, and if the royal family discovered it, I would not get off lightly. I had arranged for the paperwork to show an administrative error in case it came to light, but there was no denying that I was walking a dangerous line.
"That matter has been resolved. The fact that the gold mine produced so little gold worked in our favor."
I looked south.
The gold mine in Girie Valley had not produced as much gold as initially expected. The investment probably could not be recouped. The workers who had come seeking gold were not earning anything; they had even ended up in debt.
"The royal family seems to have lost interest in the gold mine. So my father, Count Graham, suggested that the materials intended for developing the gold mine be put toward the construction of the port instead."
"They wouldn't even give you the time of day when you first applied to develop the port."
Master Ganze snorted. I had to agree with him.
"They didn't even believe the cove existed. It seems the royal family has only recently started believing us."
"Now? Those people are awfully slow."
Master Ganze shook his shoulders as he laughed.
"In any case, there are no problems anymore."
I emphasized one part of my statement.
Since I was now formally receiving the gold mine's materials, I went back through the paperwork and falsified it. I had destroyed all the evidence, so no one could accuse me of embezzling the explosive magic stones anymore.
"It's good to have that worry out of the way. Now we can work without a care."
"Yes. Please do."
When I bowed and asked him to do so, Master Ganze lowered his broad chin in a nod. Just then, a worker approached and asked Master Ganze for instructions. I bowed once and left so I would not interfere with their work.