A Failed Knight Who Went to the Academy To Get Married

098. Troubles in the mines

Queen Orlot visited Trine’s mansion a week later, as promised, with twenty employees.

She said, glaring at the two women in maid uniforms standing behind Trine.

“You have a pretty nasty hobby.”

Trine then responded in a voice that seemed like he had resigned himself to many things.

“I’m sorry, Queen. This has absolutely nothing to do with my tastes and intentions.”

… It was immediately clear that those two were by no means ordinary human beings.

One is a doll with endless power.

The other one is an angel.

Just the three of us here would be equivalent to thousands of soldiers.

“Then let’s discuss the management of the territory right away.”

Trine kicked out the two maids who had followed him arbitrarily and led Orlot to the parlor.

The cleaning and furniture arrangement definitely looked a lot better than a week ago.

“We convened the village chiefs four days ago and gathered their opinions. Here are the minutes of the meeting.”

Orlot asked, looking through the papers that Trine had turned over.

“What is the biggest problem in this territory right now?”

“Monsters, food, troops.”

“How to solve it?”

“The most obvious way is to build transportation and communication infrastructure.”

“It seems like there is an urgent need to revitalize commerce.”

After a pause, Trine continued speaking.

“However, there is one major specialty in this territory.”

“What is that?”

“The villagers are so exclusive that they are reluctant to interact with the outside world.”

“Is it because there are a lot of demons?”

“There is that, and there are many people who ran away from the secular world in the first place.”

“It’s difficult. Exchange with the outside world is key to the growth of a territory.”

“Anyway, for that reason, we will leave out exchanges with the outside world for the time being.”

Orlot put the papers down on the table and glared at Trine.

“So, how do you plan to solve these problems?”

Trine slowly explained his plan.

First, a market is held once a week in which all villages participate.

That alone will solve the problem of insufficient supplies in each village to some extent.

Also, roads connecting each village will be built.

If there is a road, it is easier to travel and manage monsters.

Additionally, one dispatcher is recruited from each village.

This is to prevent accidents by communicating with each other on a regular basis.

… Queen Orlot, who listened to the explanation to the end, frowned and said.

“These are primitive measures in many ways.”

“Ugh… I’m sorry. This kind of idea is limited to my current ability.”

no.

Considering the special nature of the territory, these are very efficient and reasonable measures.

In particular, laying the foundation by focusing on ‘communication between each village’ was an excellent approach.

If this is a passing grade, it would be good to move on to the next step.

“There’s one big problem with your plan.”

“What is it?”

“Ultimately, the key is to build roads between villages. Do you think that is an easy task?”

When Trine hesitated for a moment, Orlot pushed further.

“With frequent heavy snowfall in the rugged terrain, just maintaining it would be a big problem.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Besides, when a road is eventually built, it will be easier for outsiders to find the village.”

That means the number of peddlers and adventurers will inevitably increase.

The villagers’ reluctance to welcome outsiders is also a problem.

Even useless people, such as angels or spies from other countries, can sneak in.

Orlot sipped his tea and tested Trine’s reaction.

Contrary to her expectations,

“Actually, I have something in mind.”

Trine held out another piece of paper as if he had already expected it.

“…Underground tunnel plan?”

“We are creating an underground passage connecting each village.”

“It’s an underground passage.”

“It can be used regardless of the weather, and it will be easy to maintain.”

“If we set up security, we can prevent outsiders from using it as they please.”

… Honestly, I was impressed.

Who would have thought that someone with no knowledge of territory management would have the vision to see this far?

However, Trine’s expression looked more anxious than bold.

“But, I don’t even know how to estimate how much the budget will cost yet.”

Orlot almost laughed without realizing it.

I can’t believe that a man called the Marquis of a feudal lord would worry about a budget of this size.

I’m sure if other nobles had heard, they would have cursed me for being stingy.

Orlot spoke sternly, trying hard to hide his expression.

“Shouldn’t we first figure out whether it’s technically possible rather than budget?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Have you looked into companies that can handle the construction?”

“Not there yet-”

“After the topographical survey, geological survey, and safety inspection, we will have to decide whether construction is possible or not?”

Trine responded with an awkward smile.

“That is correct. We will begin an investigation to determine suitability as soon as possible.”

Orlot paused for a moment and then spoke.

“Let me recommend people who are suitable for this job.”

When Trine realized the meaning of those words, his frozen expression relaxed slightly.

“thank you.”

“Have you ever met a dwarf?”

“Oh…actually, never.”

“Right now, there are people protesting for jobs at mines in other territories.”

Orlot unfolded the map and pointed to a place quite far away from Theor.

“Convince the dwarves here and bring them here.”

Trine asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“For some reason, I feel like you’re pretending to help me and then taking on an annoying task for me.”

“Because that’s what politics is.”

Orlot calmly sipped his tea and then continued.

“Also, just because you know the other person’s intentions, it would be very foolish to show it directly like now.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

“Keep in mind that you should never show your cards openly in a situation like this.”

Trine said with a slight smile at those words.

“What can I say, you really speak like Sia’s mother.”

Orlot stood up and put some chestnuts on Trine’s forehead.

“Apod.”

“Don’t climb, kid. You’ll get scolded.”

“sorry…”

Trine looked embarrassed.

However, it is Orlot’s own compliment and expression of affection.

Trine’s own realization of this was one of the things he had to learn.

***

“You will be the first person in history to shuttle a royal.”

When Sirian grumbled while driving the airship, Trine countered.

“Don’t say anything to me, it’s your mother’s instructions.”

“Would you die if my mother died?”

“So you can disobey your mother’s words?”

… Currently, Trine and Siran were on their way to meet the dwarves.

Because the queen scolded Sirian, saying, ‘You too should follow Trine and learn from him.’

Prince Siran’s mood was twisted for no reason.

“I’m telling you, the dwarves are very temperamental people, so it will be difficult to convince them.”

“First of all, since you said you like alcohol, I got strawberry wine from Ally.”

“Hey, if you give me such a weak drink, I’m sure he’ll get angry.”

“shit.”

Fortunately, it was not too far from the academy, so we were able to arrive within half a day.

“You know that the priority is to say hello to the lord here, the Marquis of Aden, right?”

“Yes, I know that much.”

When the airship landed in front of the manor house, a middle-aged man and his daughter came out to meet him.

“Prince Sirian, Marquis Trine. Thank you for your hard work in coming this far.”

“Welcome both of you to our Quayran.”

Sirian and Trine also bowed their heads politely to the two.

“Marquis of Aden, Lady Adelica. Everything was fine, right?”

“Sorry for coming here so suddenly… Adelica?!”

At the sound of the familiar name, Trine straightened up again and looked at the other lady.

Then the girl with the bun hair I met during the academy entrance exam smiled.

“Trine, it’s been a while.”

“Ah, I see.”

“You must have a hard time living with a stubborn wife.”

Prince Siran snorted at those words, and Trine forced a smile in response.

“Well, anyway, formal congratulations on being accepted into the knight department.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

The Marquis of Arden looked at them with a somewhat warm expression and said.

“Then, let’s come inside to rest for a while.”

***

Soon the four of them were sitting together in the drawing room of the Marquis of Aden’s mansion.

Trine said, handing a bottle of strawberry wine to the Marquis of Arden.

“Hey, this is strawberry wine, a specialty of my territory.”

“Hahaha. It’s a special product of Mount Teor. This is also a very rare item.”

“I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

“I am deeply touched just by your consideration, young marquis.”

Prince Sir’an said with his arms crossed.

“Let me be blunt. I have come to take away the dwarves from this place.”

To be honest, in Trine’s opinion, it was a very shameless attitude.

You’re going to take manpower from someone else’s territory at no cost.

However, the Marquis of Arden responded without showing any sign of displeasure.

“Is that so? I’d like to give you as much as I want, but…”

The Marquis of Aden paused slightly before continuing.

“The dwarves are the core personnel who manage the mines in our territory, so it is difficult to give them up easily.”

… Trine already knew that that was a lie.

According to Queen Orlot, the dwarves are arbitrarily occupying the mine.

However, I also remembered the advice not to carelessly reveal my hand, so I answered calmly at first.

“I know. Since they are so capable, I came here to shamelessly ask them a favor.”

The Marquis of Aden pretended to be embarrassed and spoke carefully.

“Then let’s do it this way. Instead of giving the dwarves, how about making a trade agreement with our territory?”

… Alas, I never thought I would ask for trade.

When Trine tried to open his mouth,

Suddenly Adelica became angry at the Marquis of Aden.

“Father! You’re so shameless!”

“Wow, how shameless? I didn’t really ask for money-”

“Your opponent is the great hero Trine, right? It’s not good to lie to him!”

“You’re lying…”

While the Marquis of Aden was sweating, Adelica spoke to Trine instead.

“The dwarves are not our manpower. They are just occupying the mine as they please.”

Trine asked her, sympathizing with the Marquis of Arden.

“Is that so? There seems to be some story behind it.”

“Those dwarves were originally a group of wanderers, but suddenly they said they would buy the entire mine.”

“Did the Marquis of Arden reject that offer?”

The Marquis of Arden answered, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief.

“Actually, it’s not a question of money. Dwarves are a pain in the ass in many ways.”

“Can you elaborate on what you mean?”

“They are people whose craftsmanship is fanatical.”

According to the Marquis of Aden’s explanation,

The dwarves said they were planning to build a huge laboratory in the mine.

And most of the experiments involved explosives.

Regardless of whether it is safe,

They said that because they were classified as weapons, they were in fact illegal facilities.

“In the end, I, as the lord, must take full responsibility for the laboratory.”

Adelica added next.

“Trine, if you take them with you, you will definitely find yourself in the same awkward situation.”

After hearing the explanation to the end, Trine’s mouth opened without realizing it.

Was this damned Queen Orlot planning to take on this even though she knew it all?

Sirian snorted next to him and said.

“Anyway, this means that it would be beneficial for you if you kicked those dwarves out of the mine, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You shamelessly tried to use that as a bargaining chip.”

Prince Sir’an stood up and spoke to Trine, looking somewhat displeased.

“Let’s go. It would be better to talk to the dwarves in person.”

However, Trine did not stand up yet and spoke to the Marquis of Aden.

“Honestly, from the perspective of a fellow lord, the Marquis of Aden’s negotiation style was a bit admirable.”

“Haha, uh, sorry.”

“If you don’t mind being rude, may I come and ask the Marquis to learn various things from time to time?”

“Of course!”

Only then did Trine stand up.

“Apart from that, we will discuss the trade recommendation separately later.”

After the two left the living room together,

Sirian sneered at Trine.

“You have a really nice personality too.”

“There’s nothing wrong with building up connections, and it’s true that he seems good at negotiating.”

“Hmph. I kind of understand why my mother told me to follow you.”

Just before the two were about to board the airship again, Adelica came out chasing them.

“Trine! Just a moment!”

“Yes, Lady Adelica?”

“Just feel free to talk to me. We’re going to be seniors and juniors soon, right?”

“Well, that’s true too.”

Adelica slightly bowed her head to Trine.

“I’m sorry. Your father was rude.”

Trine smiled sheepishly and answered.

“There’s nothing to worry about. It was the right thing to do from the Marquis of Aden’s perspective.”

“If you don’t mind, may I follow you to the mine?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

When Trine caught sight of Sirian,

Siran glanced at Adelica and said.

“You still haven’t made up with Sia, have you?”

Then Adelica suddenly got angry.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Even if Sia kneels in front of me and apologizes, I have no intention of forgiving her!”

“Tsk…whatever. If you want to ride, go for it.”

So the three boarded the airship together and headed toward the mine.