Chapter 61. Reasons for erecting a statue (1)
The trading city of Cremo.
It was the central city of Cremona in the eastern province of the kingdom.
It goes without saying that the Earl of Cremo there is the great lord of this region.
In other words, it could be said that he was the actual superior of Baron Frontera.
‘In Korea, it’s like a provincial governor?’
The most powerful person in a province.
Even within the kingdom, he was one of the most influential people.
So Lloyd tilted his head.
It was because I had some doubts.
“Um, is the Count really buying those treasures?”
“That’s right. So why not send this letter?”
“But why?”
“Why?”
“Actually, those treasures are things that the orcs used to handle with extreme roughness as exercise equipment, so the value might not be very high. There will be a lot of small scratches.”
It was true.
No matter how rare a treasure is, it needs to be managed.
Even more so, those treasures were objects that had been used as exercise equipment by the Orcs for a long time.
At first glance, it seemed like a precious treasure.
If you clean it well, it shines brightly.
However, if you look closely, it’s a little different.
There were nicks and scratches all over the place.
It was also engraved quite a lot.
“So, I thought that the person who would buy this would be a rural nobleman who would boast about buying a treasure at a cheap price, or a merchant who would benefit from intermediary transactions with such customers.”
It was Lloyd, as expected.
It was a kind of used(?) treasure.
So I was even more curious.
‘I don’t think I’ll have to buy a used one like this when I’m at the level of a count.’
If he wanted to, he would be a man who could collect brisk treasures.
No, he could even call a craftsman to make a treasure.
But why would you dare to buy such a used treasure?
It was definitely a bit odd.
For example, it would be as awkward as the president of a huge corporation releasing a used car to try a foreign car.
Or would it be like a well-known wife rummaging through second-hand stores because she wants a luxury bag?
“Do you have any other uses?”
Lloyd asked.
The Baron shrugged.
“Okay. Just-”
The baron touched his chin and narrowed his brows.
“According to the news I heard, recently the Count is trying to erect a large statue in the city of Cremo.”
“A statue?”
“It is.”
“why?”
“I don’t even know where I am. Anyway, that’s my guess, but maybe he’s just taking jewels from the treasure he bought from us to decorate the statue.”
“Ah, that sounds like a possibility.”
Then Lloyd nodded.
Small jewels to adorn the giant statue.
I finally understood that it was intended to be used that way.
‘Certainly recycling gems from used treasures can save you money compared to buying new ones. A large statue is something to be seen from a distance anyway. So even if it’s a jewelry with minor flaws, there won’t be any problems.’
Among the treasures stored in the warehouse, Lloyd recalled a chandelier.
A chandelier that once lit up the hall of an aristocratic family.
Was it suddenly turned into an orc warrior’s giant hula hoop?
Fortunately, most of the jewels tightly packed around the chandelier were unharmed. Even if you take out all of them, you will be able to get a fairly large amount of jewels.
‘The Count is very thrifty.’
In any case, I was just happy to have a vendor like this.
Moreover, being able to handle all the treasures at once was even more welcome.
The good news that greeted you like this.
To repay the news, Lloyd also informed the Baron of the good news.
“Then it’s my turn now.”
“You mean the visit to the vassal territory?”
“Yes, the water tax I mentioned in the morning.”
“How was Viscount Lacona’s reaction?”
“Haha, you should have seen it yourself.”
Lloyd shuddered.
He told me what happened with the viscount in the reception room.
He told me all the pitiable things the Viscount had seen there.
Hearing that, the corner of the baron’s mouth curled up in so much happiness.
The expression of a person who has been relieved of the congestion that has been lingering for about a hundred years.
The clown properly ascended to the sky.
In fact, it did.
‘Because it must have been a huge humiliation for Lord Cournot to come and deliver the Viscount’s threat last time.’
It was a threat that there was no way to resist.
I was even blatantly ignored by a mere article sent by a viscount who was not even a viscount.
For a baron, there would have been no such humiliation.
But now?
He was listening to the story of the Viscount who had humiliated him and signed the contract of tears.
Sir Cournot even soaked his pants.
The great humiliation and dark history experienced by those who humiliated themselves.
How do you feel when you hear that?
‘It’s probably like honey flowing through the cochlea.’
Seeing the baron happy made Lloyd feel better too.
My heart was warmed by the sight of the residents enjoying the village festival around me.
‘So let’s settle the debt quickly.’
The first day of Bing, which was mani because he was immediately seized.
Since then, I’ve been running really hard.
Just run a little bit more now.
with just a little more effort.
There was hope that the debt could be sorted out step by step.
Just like the brightening hope, the night of the small festival deepened brightly.
♣
From the next day, Lloyd moved busily.
Time is not on your side.
Lloyd lived with that fact always engraved in his heart.
It was the same on this day when I fell asleep at dawn after enjoying the festival.
‘Because there is a mountain of work to do! Whoops!’
Waking up early in the morning and getting ready for the day.
It was a custom from Korea.
I woke up at the same time as always.
As soon as it was bright outside the window, I opened my eyes and woke Xaviel.
He started preparing to go to the trading city of Cremo.
“I think it would be rather difficult if there were too many attendants. Please hold it as tight as possible.”
“Are you okay though? Thinking of safety issues….”
“it’s okay. Because Lord Asrahan exists.”
“Hmm. It is, though.”
It was Lloyd who wanted to go directly to Cremo City.
Knowing this, the baron set the number of attendants at 100.
Of course, Lloyd was frightened.
“If you have too many mouths, you will need a lot of supplies. Besides, the Corps of Engineers have to stay and keep making the ondol.”
It was true.
If there are too many mouths, there will be a lot of luggage, such as necessary food.
The more luggage you have, the more things you need to prepare and the slower you move.
Besides, winter was fast approaching.
“In the contract written for the residents in the spring, there was a clause that they would make all the ondol before winter. According to the original plan, we should have completed all the contracted ondol by now, but we couldn’t.”
All because of the waterworks construction.
In order to create an unplanned water supply, we had to mobilize all the people who were building the ondol.
“So I will take as few sappers as possible. Even if all of them are invested in the construction of ondol, the supply of ondol must be completed before winter arrives.”
“Then how many were you planning to bring?”
“I think twenty will be enough if we take the minimum number of people to guard the treasure room with a wagon.”
“Will that work?”
“yes.”
According to Lloyd’s firm will, the number of people going to the trading city was set to Lloyd and Xaviel Corps of Engineers.
Of course, it didn’t start right away just because the composition of the personnel was over.
There was work to be done before departure.
Water supply to be supplied to the dye workshop in the self-governing territory.
It was a water pipe installation work for that.
‘Anyway, I signed a contract.’
Water supply installation had to be done quickly.
That way, you will be able to receive the water tax very early.
“Now, don’t be in too much of a hurry and go step by step! What is the best thing on the field?”
“It’s safe!”
“good. Everyone got tired of this on the mountain, right?”
“yes!”
“Then commit!”
“Oohhh!”
Some corps of engineers were mobilized.
From the water purification plant in the territory to the dye workshop in the vassal territory.
The work that had been done countless times in the mountains was repeated.
Podongi dug the designated path.
Corps of Engineers trimmed it.
The Giant Bamboo Conduit was put in, connected and buried.
The whole process was done in an instant.
‘Because I prepared everything in advance.’
From measurement to design.
It was Lloyd who had already finished it before going to the Viscount and winning the contract.
The same goes for Giant Bamboo.
When constructing the conduit from the mountain to the territory, I secured an extra giant bamboo in advance.
It was pre-trimmed and all the stiffeners were placed around it.
All ready to go.
In other words, what if Pudongi digs up the ground and the engineering corps members trim it?
I was able to install the plumbing right away.
‘If I compare the time when I was working hard in the mountains with a set meal for Bulbak, then this feels like eating 3-minute curry with Hetbahn.’
It was so comfortable.
It was quick.
Almost all the conduits could be installed in just 15 days.
Due to the elevation difference between the Frontera territory and the vassal territory, the slope at the foot of the eastern mountain range was appropriately utilized.
Thanks to this, the average slope of all conduits caught is about 0.7%.
‘This is enough.’
The day the last conduit is connected like that.
Finally, the first waterworks were supplied to the dye workshop in Jajaryeong.
It wasn’t limewater mixed with lime. It was water flowing directly from Lake Capua, halfway up the mountain range.
Thanks to this, Lakonata, a specialty of the vassal territory, also survived.
The old color and luster are back.
Of course, Viscount Lacona was thrilled.
“Heh heh! at las. at las….”
“How is it. Isn’t this enough to make water supply worthwhile?”
“It is indeed so. Why did I hesitate to sign a waterworks contract….”
“What do you mean? It was because of the water tax.”
“….”
“Can’t you pay the water tax from the first month?”
“I see.”
It was the viscount who was thrilled while holding the revived Lakonata fabric.
However, the moment he heard the word ‘water tax’, his face turned earthy and gloomy.
An evil smile bloomed on Lloyd’s lips.
‘This kind of hogu is always welcome.’
I didn’t feel a single gram of pity or sorry.
Crisis as an opportunity.
It was a crisis that the viscount presented in the first place.
Overcoming that, he rather inserted a straw into the viscount.
It was a titanium grade straw that I wouldn’t even dare to remove for at least several decades.
Besides, the rewards didn’t end there.
Ding dong.
It was the moment to turn around, leaving behind the gloomy Viscount.
Suddenly, with a clear notification sound, a message came to my mind.
[You have succeeded in introducing a waterworks system.]
[This is the first case in the history of the Laurasia continent.] [
The construction of waterworks and the method of use of the system you showed is a pioneering model in the civil engineering history of the kingdom and the continent. It will be left behind.]
[Your name will be recorded in the history of the kingdom and the continent.] [
A large amount of RP will be given as a bonus for the first achievement in the continent.]
[600 RP will be obtained.]
[Current Possessed RP: 2275]
‘Oh?’
Lloyd hesitated.
Messages kept popping up.
[Words about you who have accomplished great achievements spread throughout the neighboring provinces.] [
Especially, the kingdom’s central bureaucratic civil engineers will show a keen interest in the engineering and social value of the waterworks system.] [
You will spread your reputation as a builder . It has started.]
[People who have heard of your rumors will show deeper confidence in your construction plan than before.]
‘It’s a reward for introducing a water supply system.’
Lloyd read the message carefully and grasped its meaning.
‘Somehow even if I made all the waterworks in the territory, the achievement reward didn’t appear.’
Actually, that part was a bit confusing.
But looking at the message that popped up now, I guessed the reason.
‘This time it wasn’t just about installing the water supply. I had to meet the conditions to properly utilize the facility.’
It wasn’t just about opening the water supply.
The actual supply of water through the water supply.
Ultimately, it is to introduce a ‘system’ for receiving water charges.
It seemed that this was the condition for achievement.
‘good. Great.’
A reward message that beautifully decorates your eyes.
Seeing that, Lloyd smiled contentedly.
‘The RP is very overflowing.’
I’ve gotten the most RP I’ve ever gotten in one go.
And that wasn’t all.
‘Reputation and trust as a builder. It’s not expressed in numbers, but this must be a really big reward.’
It was Lloyd who wanted to continue to win big projects in the future.
That way you can earn a lot of money.
You can pay off the baron’s debt quickly.
In the meantime, he gained a reputation and trust as a builder.
In other words, it was said that winning a construction order contract from a client would be easier than before.
‘This is a reward that will be useful in the future.’
It was a reward I liked.
After that, small rewards continued.
The affinity with the baron couple rose by 3 each.
Sir Bayern, who oversaw the construction, went up two.
It rose by 4 compared to Young Ji-min as a whole.
Thanks to that, I got an additional 126 RP.
I also received the warm hearts of the people around me.
“Please be careful.”
The day after completing the water supply connection to Jajaklyeong.
Lloyd set out for the trading city of Cremo.
Lloyd was seen off by the baron and his wife.
The baron raised endless concerns and requests to this direction.
“Be careful in everything and do not act carelessly anywhere. Got it?”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
“If anything happens, hide behind Lord Asrahan.”
“Yes, I will definitely do that.”
“When something dangerous happens, run away first.”
“Then what about the Corps of Engineers?”
“Well, let’s run away together.”
“….”
The baroness was no less than her husband in carrying out the relay of infinite worries.
“If you’re having a hard time, just come back anytime. You must never go to a strange and dark road at night or to a dark place or a dangerous place.”
“Yes yes. All right.”
“Never skip a meal.”
“Yes, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
“Don’t kick the blanket when you sleep.”
“Mmm yes.”
“And take this too.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a talisman.”
“…You mean this cute little pink doll?”
A talisman (?) given by the baroness.
Lloyd’s face crumpled as he accepted it.
It was too cute and chubby to be called a talisman.
Even the color was a delicate, teenage girlish pink.
However, the expression on the baroness’s face as she handed over the teddy bear was only serious.
“It’s the same thing. If you speak carelessly, you will not be able to use it.”
“Hey, but….”
“It’s an amulet that this mother made herself overnight.”
“ah….”
“Don’t just open your mouth and take it.”
“What kind of effect does this have?”
“They say that if you sleep tight every day, you can prevent nightmares.”
“Hey.”
“It is said that people who do not know each other have good dreams and sleep soundly so that their work goes smoothly and even good fortune follows. So, make sure to sleep with this while you travel far away. Understand?”
“….”
All of this was consideration given to me out of concern for this side.
I couldn’t bear to throw something like that away.
Then, I suddenly thought of my mother when I was living in Korea.
‘Are all mothers like this?’
Even though it doesn’t seem necessary.
Sometimes it’s annoying and even embarrassing.
He was the one who endlessly cared for, cared for, and gave again.
But at the time, why did you think it was unnecessary?
Why did I just think it was cumbersome?
Looking back now, I regret it.
You will receive every time you give.
I’ll say thank you more.
I regretted my past self for not being able to do that.
Maybe that was it, I don’t know.
“Yes, thank you. Sincerely.”
I received the doll with a bright smile.
I hugged her tightly as if to reassure her.
More than what I couldn’t do for my mother.
More with regrets of immature days.
That’s how I left the manor while being escorted by the baron couple.
Of course, no one knew until now.
Lloyd heads to the trading city just to dispose of the old treasure.
At least not yet, no one had foreseen the future in which this young boy from a rural aristocratic family and his escort knight would make achievements that would forever be talked about like legends in the trading city of Cremo.
