New Arclight Territory (2)
I'm no expert since I didn't study this stuff properly, but for a territory to develop, you need at least three basics: administration, people, and money. Sure, you could list more if you dig deeper, but those three were the essentials in my book. And honestly, in this barren wasteland with nothing but the factory, those were the exact things we were shortest on—making it the most daunting part...
But things had quietly fallen into place.
"Honestly, I figured I'd be slaving away for another two months, too swamped to return to the academy until next year."
"Come to think of it, a ton of time has passed since we enrolled."
I was lost in memories for a moment in the building we were calling a temporary office when Noel nodded and approached, leaning on her cane. It felt like the entrance ceremony was yesterday, but now the year was winding down.
"That just means you've been busy doing great things, right? Good is good."
"Fair point."
"Then, if you could sign here, please."
Noel smoothly directed my gaze to the stack of documents, and I quietly reviewed them before signing.
"Anyone'd think you hate paperwork and I'm getting distracted."
"Your focus right now is heading to the factory for the next-gen unit... the Knight, right? Boosting its completion even further."
"Yeah, exactly."
These past few days, I'd been using data from the tech demonstrator to build a proper version. Mina had approved the budget, so we were planning two new units.
"Feels like I traded a huge chunk of the territory's profits for it, though."
The building used to house mine overseers, so peering out the window showed laborers coming and going. All of them brought in by Mina.
"...To be honest, I should've caught on when she admitted to lobbying. She's definitely jumping deep into territory management."
"Most of it's development-focused, so maybe it's unavoidable? Not sure if that's good or bad."
Noel looked a bit surprised at my words, then smiled.
"In short, it was essential for now, and going forward, it'll depend on the relationship we build."
"Yeah?"
"You've seen all those letters asking to lend money in exchange for trading rights and development permissions from the guild, right?"
There were tons, so I nodded. Was it the magic in this world or some super informant network? By the time people from Noel's house arrived to help with admin, a barrage of letters had flooded in—complete with gifts. Things like "permit road development" or "open up waterways," promising massive loans.
Bottom line: every single one got a back-of-the-envelope rejection.
"They're obviously after tolls or water trade monopolies."
"I was shocked when you wrote something on them—thought you were actually approving."
No concept of "back of the envelope" here, apparently. She really thought I was replying. I remembered how Erica and Noel had burst in, freaking out.
"Roads, water, land—you gotta keep a tight grip as lord. Hand over logistics rights, and the territory rots."
"And if it rots, I'll be too busy fixing it to do what I want."
"Spot on."
I'd had to slack on unit development for territory work, but it was unavoidable. Screw it up now, and it'd cost double the time later. All a sacrifice for the golems...
"Ah. Did it again without thinking."
"It's always amazing, but you unconsciously cast magic to make a perfect model. That's the fifteenth one?"
I nodded at Noel's words and handed it over; she placed the fresh model on the shelf. My little hobby from my past life, recreated with magic—the fifteenth plamo took its spot. Not real plastic, of course, just clay mimicking the shape.
"...Kinda bugs me how many look like Cyclopses, though."
"They might look similar, but names are all different. Like, that's the High Mobility Type, and that one's..."
Noel laughed at my explanation. Guess it was a tough topic for her. No point forcing jargon on someone who doesn't know it, so I dropped it.
"Back to territory stuff—Mina's hands-on, but considerate too. Says she won't push into roads or flood control."
"Feels like she's dodging 'cause you'd block her."
"Probably."
Mina acts like she'd sell out anyone for profit, even old friends—but up close, she treasures her people in her own way. Of course, let your guard down, and she'll fleece you regardless of ties; she knows the line, though. Plus, she wasn't just grabbing gains.
-"Guildmaster's orders! Start building houses from over there!"
-"When's the guild HQ getting done?!"
-"Send blacksmiths to the factory! Anyone bored, go now!"
Development needed manpower, and Mina was filling every slot. Her guild was basically bankrolling the territory's rapid growth—no complaints there. And it didn't stop; she was running a social experiment too, which was fun to watch.
-"Whoa, easy on the controls! Careful!"
-"Quit goofing—lift these materials over here!"
Without us meddling, Mina had her people tweak the Caterpillar Golem into simplified construction rigs. Entertaining to spectate.
"Was shocked when the workshop folks drove those in themselves."
"Even scaled 'em down right. I kept delaying 'cause they had some slack, but she went and did it."
Not mass-production spec—hand-assembled each time—but once ramped up, they'd be everywhere.
"Unexpected industrialization scene..."
"Which means we gotta watch out? Someone might copy your golems and mod them."
More robots sounded good, so I pondered seriously for a sec.
"Weird thought, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Don't?"
"Got it."
Fine by me, but no need to invite a noose. I'd already guarded the engine against sabotage, but reinforcing more wouldn't hurt.
We were swapping work talk and daily chit-chat when—
-"Lady Noel, pardon, but the baron's..."
"Another spot needing Aizen's help. Wanna handle it on your way to the factory?"
"Easier that way."
Work sucks—it piles up if ignored. Wanted to tweak and test units ASAP, but duties first. Earth magic plowing? Potato farming made it second nature. Golem spells for building frames? Instant. Low stress, really. I'd personally clay-built several structures around already.
-"...This dev speed's insane... gotta report to the duke."
-"What mana reserves... how trained is he...?"
As I headed out for construction, Nexia house admins and servants whispered, eyeing me. Noel and I stepped outside.
Mina directing laborers from afar and Erica self-appointed "security" strolling over, spotting us. I quietly gathered mana.
"Wanna play noble for once?"
"That sector. Thanks."
"Next, a Cyclops sparring arena! Territory entertainment!"
I rolled up sleeves happily at Erica's idea. Then Mina materialized ghost-like behind, chin on my shoulder.
"Cyclops arena management to my guild."
"Sell french fries and beer too."
"Approved."
Sniffed profit, and the investor bit instantly.
****
-"New Arclight Territory just ahead! Short break here!"
-"Sir Galred, no stragglers! But..."
-"You'll really support us a full year if we go...?"
-"The Phoenix County lord's top ally's territory—he'll back you nonstop! A church-blessed guild's joined too! No worries! Just spread the word!"
On the road from Phoenix County to New Arclight Territory, the group—equal parts hope and anxiety—clustered together. Arrival was imminent.
"Heard you strike it rich there."
"Won't be easy. Brand-new territory—probably barren."
"Then why come?"
"The pay. Sigh. Regretting it now, though... feels like bought trouble."
Simple reason: New Arclight Barony was fresh-minted. Map-savvy folks praised the location, but everyone knew development was key. Starting from scratch meant endless work.
"Can't shake the feeling Phoenix lord sold us out for gain."
A few nodded. Ordered to pioneer and spread rumors with hefty support pay—great at first, but closing in bred second thoughts. Whole new start from nothing.
"Long as food's good and beds comfy, no gripes."
"True that."
A few nodded at the hooded man's words—skin-sensitive excuse, but solid ID kept suspicion away. Fallen noble with cash for horse and sword, they said. Phoenix knights leaned on him; he'd earned trust handling grunt work.
"Daniel! Moment?"
"Sir Galred."
Educated squire in tow, Daniel nodded and approached. Galred nodded back.
"Truth, you've helped tons. Almost there—wanted to thank you personally."
"No need. Free knights don't care for that."
"Fallen noble, though?"
Squire's petty jabs slid off Daniel.
"Anyway, fine. Didn't peg you for the grateful type, Sir Galred."
"Made an irreversible mistake once. Tamed my temper since."
Still hot-headed as hell, Daniel thought but didn't say. He smiled and nodded.
"Then, a question."
"Shoot."
"Seemed you know Baron Aizen Arclight personally?"
"He's the one I hugely insulted, and the guy who massively aided Phoenix County."
Galred sped up—not annoyed, eager to hype Aizen to Daniel. Tales of sleepless mass-prod Cyclops facilities, overpowering him physically, bravely dueling a one-eyed giant during monster invasion despite no duty.
Above all, Galred had to say it:
"Worlds apart from rude pricks like Abatus."
"He's a baron—expected?"
"Barons are titled nobles. Rude ones abound. Even accounting, he's leagues above Abatus trash."
Galred didn't mince. Voice low:
"Job hunting? Recommend leaning on him. Phoenix lord favors him—guaranteed support, solid career."
"Heard Abatus marked him enemy? Skipped post-coronation banquet, so they're slamming him."
"What matters a palace non-event?"
Daniel nodded. More pro-Aizen praise flowed; he listened intently before slipping away.
Over dinner with his squire:
"Impression's way off from rumors."
"Heard the baron's a huge weirdo—can't talk to him."
Daniel nodded. Squire whispered:
"Your thoughts, Your Majesty?"
"Rumors and hearsay fall short—gotta meet him. Hope it's true, though."
Squire bowed politely. Daniel—Danimus Rex Vespa—grinned.
"Reckon it's safe to trust."
"How so?"
"Duh?"
Daniel chuckled.
"My favorite niece Noel sticks to him like glue—gotta be trustworthy, right?"
Nexia Duke house split from Vespa royals ages ago. Danimus smirked, slurping soup.
"Hot!"
"Cool it first, sire."
Squire's scolding was par for the course.