Book 5: Chapter 3-3: The Conste


    We can''t produce enough Erucy wine and maple syrup to sell every day. Even limiting the quantity we sell at once, that''s the maximum. Thats why we n to shift to stable supplies like fertilizers in the future.


    I didn''t say it out loud, but we also n to sell coke, made from refined coal. It''s bound to be a popr item. By the time I return to Erucy, Yukino will have umted a significant amount of coke.


    I, personally, would like you to sell crossbows and the hand projectiles that repelled the Empire in Bell Erucy.


    Azul seemed to have obtained information about the hand grenades from Erin''s intelligence operatives in Bell Erucy. Those weapons would undoubtedly appeal to any ruler.


    The powered-up hand grenade, which had been erged and contained more explosives, demonstrated considerable effectiveness for defensive purposes after all.


    It wouldn''t be a good idea to sell crossbows and hand grenades here. If anyone can get their hands on them, not just us, but Erin too, would be in danger. The hand grenades are especially dangerous, using them in the city would result in dozens of casualties.


    Indeed, that''s a valid point. I''m not asking you to sell them here.


    It seemed like she epted my reasons for now, but shell probably try to buy them again in the future, this time as a transaction between countries.


    Before I forget, this is the promised item. Weve just finished unloading it from the cargo, so I''ll give it to you here.


    I took a crossbow out of the luggage.


    The agreement was to recognize Erucy as a nation in exchange for this, with this the deal isplete. I hope you have luck with your research.


    I appreciate that.


    Once known and with enough samples, someone else will eventually reproduce the crossbow. However, that was quite a long way off. While crossbows appeared to have a simple structure at first nce, their firing mechanisms were intricate assemblies of precisionponents. It would take several years to create a perfect one. During that time, they would need to build a force that wasn''t dependent on crossbows. Ultimately, weapon development was always a cat-and-mouse game.


    Afterward, I followed Azul to the construction site of the workshop, leaving behind the other members who hade from Erucy.


    Since this was a st furnace powered by coal, it inevitably produced pollution such as smoke and ash. Id set up mechanisms to minimize pollution as much as possible, but it was impossible to nullify everything. That''s why Id rmended that the workshop be built in the less-popted areas of Erin.


    Now, this is the nned location. Is the space sufficient?


    This ce is more than enough. So, where are the cksmiths?


    Follow me.


    Following Azul, we arrived at a hastily constructed wooden building.


    These are provisional barracks. Once construction begins, you''ll stay here. It''s a waste of time to have youmute from the residential area. Are you ready? I''ll open the door.


    Azul opened the door, and about forty muscr men all turned their attention toward us.


    Everyone from the cksmiths'' Union, this is Cyril-san. He''ll be instructing you here for three days. Hes probably the world''s best cksmith. Learn well from him.


    The moment they heard the words "the world''s best," their hostility toward me increased.


    Cyril-san, these are the ones we gathered from Erin''s various workshops, theyre the second and third best of their respective workshops.


    They were young, skilled, and full of dreams, aiming to have their own shops. In other words, they were at the mostpetitive stage of their careers. To them, an Elf who had been living in the woods,pletely out of touch with the world, being introduced as the world''s best cksmith wasn''t the least bit interesting.


    If I didn''t do something about this, they wouldn''t listen to me at all.


    Nice to meet you all. I''m Cyril, I came from Erucy the country of elves and fire foxes. I was invited by Azul, Erin''s mayor, to teach you various techniques over the next three days. However, I''m sure you all have doubts about my abilities.


    Everyone remained silent, but their eyes affirmed my words.


    So, let''s introduce ourselves, in a way you can understand who I am.


    I handed over two knives I carried for self-defense, a crossbow, and the blueprints I had prepared for today to the cksmiths in the front row. There was no need for words with these cksmiths.


    By showing them what I could create, they would understand my abilities. The cksmiths examined the items I handed them from various angles, touching them and letting out astonished sounds.


    The more skilled they were, the better they''d understand the value of these items.


    Even after thirty minutes, they still hadn''t let go of the items I handed them.


    I''m sorry to disturb your fascination, but this won''t end anytime soon. So, what do you think? Are you ready to ept my guidance?


    I asked, and the cksmiths exchanged nces. Among them, a particrly imposing,rge man slowly spoke up.


    Without a doubt, you''re the best cksmith here. It''s only three days, but let us call you Master''.


    I don''t mind. Nice to meet you.


    Thank you very much, Master!


    And thus, my three days of instruction began.


    In reality, I had a hidden agenda I hadn''t revealed to Azul. It was to recruit cksmiths. There was no need to resort to anything underhanded, as long as I demonstrated overwhelming ability and showed them the potential benefits of following me, they would join on their own. Azul would try to retain them, but in a free city like this, it was impossible to stop them if they really desired to move.


    Erucy was severelycking in cksmiths. I had considered teaching them myself, but starting from scratch with amateurs would take too much time. However, if I could bring trained cksmiths with me, I could leave their education to them. With this ambition hidden in my heart, I began my instruction.