Chapter 68 - The Mine
The story of the duchess helping with the grass cutting spread like wildfire. At first, no one believed it, but as Opal appeared in a straw hat wherever land needed clearing, the number of doubters dwindled. In lands she could not visit directly, people simply believed it when the scythes were distributed. Everyone was delighted with the new scythes, which could cut grass at twice the speed of traditional sickles, and Opal came to be welcomed with joy wherever she went. It was a stark contrast to when she first arrived in the duchy. The fear had vanished from everyone's faces, and smiles could be seen. Opal was walking Dog Claude, contemplating her next move.
"You seem to have persuaded Duncan quite skillfully."
"Yes. Thank you, Connally. It's unusual to see you outside."
"It is my duty to keep an eye not only on the manor, but on the entire fief. I must at least walk the grounds of this palace myself to do so."
"So when you cannot walk them yourself, you dispatch a substitute? Like Julian?"
Connally's words were amicable, but one look at his face told her they were not from the heart. Even the friendly Claude seemed to dislike Connally, tucking his tail between his legs.
"Your Ladyship seems to go out yourself, but are you truly planning to go to Pasma Port?"
"Yes, that's right. I leave tomorrow. I told you as much, didn't I?"
"But is there any need for Your Ladyship to go in person?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Pasma is not a very safe place. The men who work at the port are rough, and there are many ruffians. Therefore, I believe it would be best to entrust the matter to a representative."
"...I won't be alone. Of course I will be taking guards with me."
When Opal replied, Connally gave a slight shrug and then bowed deeply.
"I have been presumptuous."
"It's quite alright."
Opal pardoned him with ease and headed back to the manor with Claude, once again thinking over her plans. Farm machinery from Sosylle Kingdom would soon be arriving at Pasma Port. Opal planned to be present for the unloading and then inspect the northern region from the port.
Most of the ore, the duchy's primary source of income, was transported downriver to Pasma Port for export. But only a single railway line had been laid, to the station near the estate. The river's water level was inconsistent and its course was limited, making it an unreliable means of transport, only marginally better than land routes. Thus, connecting the various mines by rail and developing Pasma Port was a goal she and Claude had set, alongside agricultural reform. Claude knew more about the railway business, but there were things Opal could do. She wanted to make preparations so they could begin immediately once Claude finished his current work and arrived.
And I'd also like to close the lead mine in the north if possible…
Considering the output and the risks associated with mining, it was barely in the black now, but it would surely be in the red soon. She and Claude were in agreement that it should be closed. However, considering the livelihoods of the miners and the nearby residents, it couldn't be done immediately. She had to consider whether they could continue to live on that land after the mine closed, or if they would have to relocate.
As for handling the farm machinery, she had Omar's personal subordinates dispatched for the task, so her own involvement would be minimal. She had secured an agreement with Duncan to accept the new machinery, and her plan was to give a brief explanation to the dispatched men at the port before heading to the mine. Thanks to the railway, the journey to Pasma Port wouldn't take long. The problem was the road from there to the mine. Traveling by carriage was faster than going upriver, but most of the mines were at least a two-day journey away.
Transporting goods to major cities is important, but this is so inefficient.
Opal entered the study and gazed at the map as she thought. The only railway connected to Pasma Port had been laid before the plague spread. The region had been in chaos for some time after that, but the fact that nothing had been done in the four years since the civil war ended was likely due to a lack of funds. There were countless lands that needed developing as a nation, and it was understandable that this rebellious territory had been put on the back burner. If that was the case, then there had been no reason to dispatch engineers to Mantest four years ago. Under normal circumstances, that is.
He put me in his debt…
King Alessandro's decision to allow engineers to be sent abroad had also been a long-term investment. With the development of Mantest now a success and generating huge profits, investors would surely have considered investing in the Boccelli Duchy as their next venture. At the very least, Alessandro must have judged at the time that Hubert would invest out of a sense of gratitude. He would have noticed Hubert's naivety after meeting him in person. Claude had probably been aware of everything when he offered his help.
Well, whatever his motives were, the fact is that he helped me, and I can't thank him enough.
However, one thing that neither Claude nor Alessandro could have predicted was her divorce from Hubert. Still, she had a feeling that even that had been skillfully used to their advantage. She possessed ample funds to invest in the development of the Boccelli Duchy.
...Well, I suppose it can't be helped.
She could believe that Claude would have proposed to her even if she were penniless. If she said she hated this land, he would likely accept that as well. But she would not test Claude's love in such a way. She would use what she had and do what she could. Pushing aside the unnecessary thoughts, Opal returned her focus to the map.
Looking at the lead mine she was considering closing, the Lead Mine, it was clear that it couldn't possibly turn a profit if they had to transport the ore all the way to Pasma Port. In fact, it was a wonder it had managed to stay in the black for so long. It would have been less expensive to build a port closer to the mine and ship from there. Based on the topography shown on the map, there was even a suitable location for a port nearby.
"Is it an issue with the ocean currents…"
Opal murmured to herself, staring intently at the map again and marking the locations of the various mines. Then she frowned.
"Could this possibly be…"
Though she thought it was unlikely, she placed her finger on the map and moved it slowly. Various thoughts rose and fell in her mind, but they were all just speculation. Opal suddenly stood up, took a directory of Taisey Kingdom's nobility from the bookshelf, and looked at the entry for the Duke of Boccelli. As she expected, the previous duke had marriage ties to a noble from Sosylle Kingdom, Marquis Saymes. However, there was another connection she hadn't anticipated.
No, His Majesty must know about this.
Opal, who had married into this country from another, was still learning, but there was no way that King Alessandro would be unaware of the kinship relations of his own nobility. Even so, she quickly penned some letters. One addressed to Claude, one to Omar, and one more. Just as she had sealed all of them, Julian knocked and entered the study.
"I have come to light the lamps."
"Thank you. I am returning to my room now, so I will leave the rest to you."
"Very well. In that case, I will take these letters for you as well."
"...Yes. Please do."
Opal replied to Julian, who had noticed the letters on the desk, and stood up. Julian took a step back to allow her to pass and bowed his head. Giving Julian a sidelong glance, Opal left the study.