Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Industrial Revolution (1)
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The summit between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom concluded without a hitch.
No, it went beyond smooth—it brought substantial gains.
Not only were trade routes opened, but the Empire could now extend its reach into dungeon and mine development within the Holy Kingdom.
Of course, it didn't fall completely into the Empire's hands.
They secured mining rights at set ratios or first-mover exclusive access, things like that.
Even so, it put them ahead of every other nation.
About a month had passed since the various treaties were signed and talks exchanged.
Numerous carriages rumbled through the crossroads linking the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
Most headed for the nearest villages and cities.
Among them loomed Salings Territory—the largest, most trafficked hub.
It was the Empire's frontier outpost and widely seen as the gateway to the Holy Kingdom, the biggest city in the area.
Baron Salings let out a gleeful squeal at the sight of the crowds swelling day by day.
"Is this a dream, Sinshi?"
"Amazingly, it's real, my lord. That said, the lead merchant is here to see you now."
"Right. Be there shortly."
Baron Salings straightened his attire and headed off to meet the merchant leader.
This chat was unofficial, but no less critical.
It shaped Salings Territory's future.
He walked at a measured pace—neither rushed nor dawdling.
That stride embodied noble poise, yet betrayed a flicker of urgency.
He reached the reception room and threw open the door without pause.
"Ah, Baron Salings."
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's dive in."
"Very well."
He gestured for the merchant to sit, then claimed the facing sofa.
He called for refreshments from the maid and offered some to his guest.
"One of our territory's specialties. Hope it suits you."
"Haha, much appreciated."
The cookies and tea waiting for him were a different sort altogether.
The merchant savored them with genuine delight.
"Delicious. Any chance I could buy some?"
"Afraid not—our head chef's handiwork. But the ingredients? We'd trade those."
"Let's circle back to that later."
They penciled in a follow-up, and small talk ensued.
How was the market these days?
Didn't all that travel wear on a merchant?
They traded everyday banter until the baron cut to the chase.
"Time for business. The Holy Kingdom trade route just opened up. Goods are flooding in."
"You bet. Merchants like us haul 'em, so you know the score."
"Exactly. Thing is, could you snag more?"
Holy Kingdom wares were hot commodities lately.
They carried a premium as products from blessed soil.
Even identical items skyrocketed in price with that label.
Of course, quality had to back it up.
"Can do?"
"Well..."
A crack appeared in the merchant's steady smile for the first time.
He stammered, visibly troubled, prompting the baron to speak in concern.
"Funds running low? We could sweeten the pot."
"No, my lord. It's not that."
The merchant waved it off—different issue.
The baron pressed, puzzled—what then?
The merchant hesitated before sighing.
"No stock left. Competition's so cutthroat, the Holy Kingdom slapped limits on exports."
"No kidding?"
"Swear it on my humble house!"
The baron could tell the man wasn't lying.
Lingering doubts aside, he let it drop.
Bigger fish to fry.
"Fair enough. How about Empire goods instead? Can't import? Fine—export and profit."
"Ah, got good news on that front."
The merchant beamed, dipping into his coat.
The baron tensed on instinct—thankfully, no blade.
He fished out a single sheet of paper and passed it over.
"Special order from the Holy Kingdom. Take a look."
"Will do."
The baron unfolded it and scanned the contents.
Shadows crept across his face as he read on.
The merchant's turn to fret.
"Problem?"
"This... looks tough."
"What?! No stock?!"
"...Yeah."
The Holy Kingdom order: 40,000 units.
No such volume on hand.
Stockpiling? Too slow.
Three months of nonstop production wouldn't cut it.
By then, rivals with stockpiles would swoop in.
The baron scowled, mood soured.
"Damn. Mass production's all we need."
"Ahem. Half, then, my lord? I'll scramble for the rest!"
The merchant rubbed his hands, desperate for the deal.
A tad shady, sure—but in the baron's interest.
The baron sighed and crunched the numbers on inventory and output.
After a beat, he nodded slowly.
"One month tops. Hold out that long, it's yours."
"Perfect—that works!"
"Settled, then."
Contract inked: merchant grinning ear to ear, baron etched with worry.
"Thanks a ton!"
"Sure. Now, other business. Market regs."
They hashed out price scouting, caps on hikes—smooth sailing, no hitches.
The merchant departed, eager for their next meet.
After seeing him off, the baron stared blankly at his teacup.
"Hell. Chances knock, but we're too damn slow."
The world spun faster by the day, yet people lagged behind.
If only the artisans could churn out more.
Or some spell, some gadget.
But idle wishes stayed idle.
No bright ideas—and even if, no means to act.
"No help for it. Squeeze every drop from what we've got."
He choked back a sigh and buckled down to work.
Back to his office, fountain pen in hand, papers piling up.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Over the past month, I'd rested up plenty and mulled things over deep.
Specifically, poring over the magic tome, my enlightenments, and the Heart Realm.
Why the space-related breakthrough?
Why was an undiscovered space artifact tucked in that dungeon I hit?
Questions piled up, but answers? Not yet.
All I could tell: the script matched my own.
So rather than crack the riddle, I focused on leverage.
"Return to Earth—possible now?"
I'd shelved that dream for lack of means.
No appetite for going in bare-handed.
Now? Means emerged.
Not that I grasped squat on wielding it yet.
Tinkered with the tome every which way—zilch useful.
Just basic telekinesis, really.
Fits the enlightenment, sure. But weak as hell.
Telekinesis sounds grand, but it's iffy all around.
Handy for snagging a nearby mug.
Shifting rocks or anything farther? Forget it.
Still, a foothold's better than nothing.
"Not yet, anyway."
I pivoted elsewhere.
To the fresh trade routes—and the Holy Kingdom boom.
Imports and exports via the route sparked all sorts of shifts.
Other territories felt it, but Rerangbur? Ground zero.
Local specialties, my published books—raking in coin hand over fist.
Bonus: Prometheus's hometown glow-up? Tourists from the Holy Kingdom surging.
Trade plus tourism? We'd be swimming in wealth.
The hitch: demand exploding, supply choking.
Farm tools, say.
Normal days: sell ten, stock overflowed.
Trade boom hits—demand spikes.
Full grind: twenty made and moved.
Still short.
Cap dailies or hire more hands. No choice.
"And even that's falling behind."
Books held stock for now, per reports.
Wouldn't vouch if demand doubled down, though.
This mess screamed what I'd been dodging.
"No dodging it."
Industrial Revolution.
The 18th-century British spark that remade civilization.
Handicrafts yielded to machines.
Lots changed, but top of mind?
"Mass production."
Machines swapped in for artisans' painstaking toil.
Dial 'em right: tireless, error-free.
Plus speed—one human crafts one, machine spits dozens.
"Artisans need a year-plus to get good."
Replaces 'em, births jobs, nails volume and deadlines.
So what's your factory for new inventions?
"Kludged together."
Like Stone Agers forging iron tools.
Works, kinda—but gaps everywhere.
I'd eyed fixes, but slacked off.
It limped along, after all.
Devs leave code alone if it runs, right?
"Eh, close enough."
Anyway: overhaul machining, supply chains from scratch.
Mana grid—nixed by nobles before—towers, the works.
No Earth trip? Fine. Jumpstart civilization at least!
Timing's ripe.
Noble faction's on the ropes.
"Solo act? Nah."
Time to hit up the professor.
I plopped at the desk and started drafting a letter.