kscans

Chapter 62 - Chapter 3: Part One - The Plan to Shrink the Nation

A week had passed since Mia and I visited the Magic Dorm. Autumn was deepening, though you couldn't really feel it in the stone-built Royal Capital. The usual members had gathered at the Grand Duchess's residence.

I had brought them together for the exhibition we were holding at the Forum. An event that involved renting out that entire vast space was beyond the scope of a mere Silver Company. Their cooperation was essential.

However, today's discussion, the first meeting of the Exhibition Executive Committee, would be a bit more abstract.

"This is the second time, but I'm still not used to this," Dalgan said.

"Quite the pessimist for the famous Dalgan-sama, decorated for his contribution to the dragon subjugation. Even if it was for helping a junior."

"You're one to talk, Master Plural. Word is you're the best confectioner in the capital. Even if it was with a junior's recipe."

The ones trading barbs were the heirs of two companies recently regarded as the champions of the independent merchants. It was a reassuring sight.

"Of course, these aren't all the members, right?"

"R-right. For Vinder to gather us all the way here must mean..."

Behind them, the three from the Kenwell group were huddled together. Belmini was counting the chairs that weren't for them.

"No, you don't have to worry so much. See, the table is round. I want to hear everyone's frank opinions, regardless of status."

Even though I said it to ease their tension, Belmini only seemed to shrink back further.

"Oh, there, there. Vinder, you're worried about the wrong things. The plan was for a slightly flashier version of the Shoken Festival at the Forum, right?"

Rilka glared at me while patting Belmini soothingly.

"W-well, it's a new endeavor. There are things we can't let leak out, so we couldn't exactly do this at the academy."

"Confidentiality is important. Central Garden, was it? That... rather questionable name is the subject of all sorts of rumors, not just at the academy, but within the Commercial Guild, too."

"It's been a while, Jean-senpai. Incidentally, it was your little sister who named it. You're welcome to use your authority as her older brother to change it."

"Hahaha, a brother doesn't have that kind of authority."

"The security is much heavier than the last time I was here."

Roston pointed out with his usual calm demeanor.

"...Well, that's unavoidable to a certain extent."

When I fell silent, an indescribable quiet spread through the room. It was then that we heard the voices of the step-siblings from the hallway.

"...In any case, Prince Craig, please refrain from approaching Ricardo-kun so carelessly."

"...Wait. I am here by official invitation. I cannot meet with him as casually as you can. It is you, Alfina, who should be more reserved here."

"Just because you have Ricardo-kun's permission doesn't make it right. Aunt, please say something to him as well."

"Alfie. We are almost at the venue, so lower your voice."

A conversation among nobles. See? What a relaxed atmosphere.

"Rilka... I want to go home."

"Sorry, but I feel the same way. Mia..."

"I was told not to say anything about the attendees. Besides, Rilka, you should be used to this by now. And I did my best."

All eyes focused on me.

"This is the bare minimum number of people we need. I'll explain everything properly, and I think you'll all understand by the end."

My desperate explanation seemed to have little effect.

The participants took their seats around the circular table. At the merchants' strong request, the noble contingent was seated together at the far end of the table.

I stood up and began to explain the purpose of the meeting, the background for the exhibition to be held at the Royal Capital's Forum. After all, the exhibition itself was just the tip of the iceberg.

"...And so, the real purpose of the exhibition is to establish a new industry in Bertold, the center of the western region."

I omitted the parts about population growth, industrial balance, and competing with Kurtheite, but I was sure this group could read between the lines. It was essentially a repeat of what I had explained to the Grand Duchess at the Forum.

"I thought we were here to talk about the food for the exhibition, but this is a much grander plan than I expected."

Dalgan glanced toward the center of the table as he spoke.

"Of course, providing food will be crucial to making the exhibition a success. For everyone here..."

"Vinder... you can tell us our part later."

Just as I was about to discuss the benefits for the merchants, Rilka spoke in a low voice. Even though they were the ones most involved.

"The benefits for Bertold itself would be increased tax revenue from absorbing the population that has begun to flow into the city, and the prevention of a future decline in public order."

Left with no choice, I shifted my explanation.

"Reduced costs for maintaining public order and increased revenue. Hearing it again, it sounds like a dream. But is it really possible?"

The Grand Duchess's words made even Rilka and the others nod in agreement. To suddenly establish industry, though the word itself didn't exist here, in an economic zone that had previously been almost entirely agricultural was normally impossible.

"It may be rude to say, but Bertold's foundation is limited to the production and repair of daily necessities. While it's of a scale appropriate for its population, it can't compare to resource-rich Kurtheite. And without a waterway from the Empire, it loses out to the Royal Capital even for importing materials."

In short, it lacked both people and goods. In a world with limited transport capabilities, location was incredibly important.

"And besides, in that case. I don't see where I fit into this," Craig said.

"This relates to all of you. If we can create what I'm thinking of, it will revitalize not just Bertold, but all of commerce. And it can solve the problems of military activities, agriculture, and even resource acquisition."

I laid out my rosy vision for the future.

"In short, you're saying it will invigorate every activity in this country," Craig said, tilting his head.

"It's hard to believe something so convenient exists."

"Even coming from you, isn't that a bit of an overstatement? Are you suggesting you'll move Bertold itself somewhere else?"

A string of negative opinions. It was to be expected. If I were in their shoes, I'd be getting ready to leave. But this plan had a proper basis and substance.

"Her Grace the Grand Duchess's words are, in a sense, correct. However, this isn't just about Bertold, but the entire country."

I pointed toward the entrance of the room. Accompanied by Fulsy, today's main attraction entered.

"This is Noel Jualzen, an alchemist from the Magic Dorm. What I want to create is a new carriage, improved by her hand. This carriage will have an increased carrying capacity and an extended travel range. Furthermore, the effort required for maintenance will be reduced. Its top speed probably won't increase much, but the total transportation costs should be nearly half of what they are now. In other words, we'll be halving the size of the nation, in terms of transportation."

If the means of transport were poor, then the solution should become Bertold's industry. Japan, too, had exported products all over the world despite its lack of resources. Of course, the same couldn't be done in Crownheite, which lacked fossil fuels and vast oceans, but if long-distance transport costs could be cut in half, the geographical conditions that had mattered until now would be drastically altered.

What I had asked Noel for at the Magic Dorm was the key component to make that happen.

◇◇

A few hours earlier, Noel, who had come to the Grand Duchess's residence with Fulsy, was pulling her hood down low in the waiting room. It seemed she had just been told who she would be presenting to. Fulsy had a nasty streak, not telling her until she arrived.

"Wh-why, why? Y-you said it was just a gathering of merchants!"

Of course, the glare from under her hood was directed at me, an innocent bystander.

"Well, I said the majority were merchants."

"The rest are all royalty. And Prince Craig is the commander of the Monster Knights, isn't he? What is going on, Mia..."

"It can't be helped. It just can't. That's just how Senpai is."

Mia patted Noel on the back.

"The prototype turned out great. You should be confident."

I said, spinning the metal object in my hand.

"I have no confidence in anything else! Th-that's right, Sage-sama, p-please take my place!"

"A sage cannot simply take credit for a young mage's achievements. If you plan to keep working with these people, you'd best get used to it quickly. You're young, so you'll be fine. I, on the other hand, was just recently made a baron, and now I have to deal with all the jealousy from my relatives."

Noel, who had been clinging to Fulsy's robe, let her head drop.

I mean, I get how she feels. But I think this is less difficult than watching a dragon's fireball fly at you or throwing a fit in front of the king.

Then again, getting involved with those three means you're highly likely to end up in situations like this.

◇◇

"U-um, uh..."

Having reached the lectern set up in the center of the round table, Noel's legs began to tremble under everyone's gaze. I could tell even through her robe, so it must have been bad. Perhaps I should just take over as moderator.

"What she is about to present is a groundbreaking carriage component."

"Ho, a new face. From the Magic Dorm, you say? Could it be you plan to improve carriages with magic metal?"

The one to bite was, of course, Craig. He understood well the struggles of transporting military supplies on expeditions. As the commander, the issue would be all the more pressing the larger the scale. Seeing those military carriages back then was one of the things that sparked this idea.

"Eh, uh, umm. That's not... Ah, Your Highness, my apologies. That is half... no, almost entirely correct."

Realizing who she had just contradicted, Noel became even more flustered.

"U-um, s-so, what I was made to make... what I created, is this bearing..."

Noel held up the circular component with a trembling hand. Mia and I distributed identical ones to everyone. This component, small enough to fit in one hand, is what will revolutionize the transport capacity of carriages. A groundbreaking axle bearing in this world. A ball bearing.

"What a complex mechanism, one I've never seen before. A bearing, you called it? What is this?"

Craig asked, peering into the space between the inner and outer rings.