Chapter 67 (2/2)
Tools & raw materials needed for equipment maintenance
Uniform, clothing, and bedding for the soldiers: 40 sets
Various livestock (dairy cow, pig, chicken)
Rideable horses: 5
Transport carriage: 1
”Mora and the others were about to reach their limit, so the increase in servants was a necessity anyways. What is this about a Barn Manager……?”
”He and his a.s.sistant will be taking care of all of the livestock and rideable horses. Pigs and chickens aside, a professional will be needed to take care of the horses.”
”Your arrangements are perfect.”
”I beg your pardon, but I disagree. To be honest, I also wanted to get ahold of a healer and an accountant. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so due to the limited amount of time.”
”You've got a point. Hmm, speaking of which, we've bought the tools to maintain equipment with, but what about a blacksmith to do the actual repairing?”
”We do indeed need a blacksmith, but since we'll need to go to Senpu Village anyways, I thought it would be better to hire a dwarven blacksmith.”
Ohh, I see. The architect clan already is in possession of such skill, so I think I can hold quite some expectation for dwarven blacksmiths. I wonder if they can make things like mithril swords.
The expenses climbed up quite significantly due to the addition of 40 sets of equipment and the horses and what not, but even that amount seemed paltry after I went and signed the deal on a construction job worth 3.5 million gold coins.
As a more pressing concern, I realized that these new numbers have brought us above the capacity of the residential hall.
I ended up having to put Nocks together with Irudo, but we are definitely going to need to add a new wing or something if we are going to hire any more people.
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I have now filled my pressing need for soldiers and servants. It would not be much of an exaggeration to say that I've a.s.sembled most of the facilities and equipment and personnel needed for Jiiteias Castle to run as intended.
As such, I decided to have a meeting to facilitate the castle fulfilling its purpose. It was Irudo who advised me to do so.
”The very bare minimum of our duty is to maintain the public order of the area around the castle. Therefore, we will need to organize periodic patrols to the Road of Law and the three villages within the domain.”
Irudo efficiently explained the main point.
”30 soldiers…… if we include those conscripted from Village of the Pond, then 33. Guess we have enough to somehow make do.”
”I would like to focus on training them at the castle.”
”Would it be a good idea to have the dark elves continue their policing in parallel with the soldiers' patrols?”
With everyone exchanging constructive opinions, the new arrangements were decided upon without me having to say anything.
Firstly, Jiruk will become the soldiers' Commander, taking responsibility for training and leading them. Ted will be the Vice-Commander, taking charge of small-scale squads to perform domain patrol as marching practice.
Sedam will be providing Ranger training to the 3 conscripted youngsters, but will generally be on standby at the castle. Fijika and Torad together are the reserves in case something happens during a patrol.
As before, the dark elves will remain in charge of security inside and outside the castle, and also help with maid work in s.h.i.+fts.
While on standby, Torad will be teaching Log and the kids how to read and write. If any of the soldiers or servants also wish to take Torad-sensei's cla.s.ses, they may do so to the degree where their work would not be affected.
Irudo would, of course, be the Steward and manage everything that happens behind the scenes of the castle. He was quite happy about how able Nocks proved himself to be while in Lelis.
”But allow me to say this, castle lord-sama. I can somehow manage 30 people, but if the scale gets any larger, then I won't be able to command them all.”
”Umu……”
So said Jiruk while shrugging his shoulders.
If the castle expands any further in scale, then adding to the number of soldiers will be a necessity. As Claura had said before, we are still in need of a strategist, and I also need to continue gathering top echelon-cla.s.s companions.
”...... By the way, I seem to be the only one who wasn't a.s.signed any role at all……?”
Indeed, Claura had already returned from her mission of sending out a letter to her grand-aunt from Lelis.
There seemed to be the slightest tinge of unease in Claura's eyes as she glared at Irudo.
”Claura-san is already Margils-sama's magic adviser and confidante, so I thought to leave you free from any other duties.”
”There is no need for Okugata-sama to waste her time on any of the miscellaneous tasks.”
As Irudo's nonchalant explanation overlapped with Leiha's earnest opinion, Claura sharply turned her head to the side.
”Well, with our castle lord-sama as ignorant of the ways of the world as he is, I understand how he would need an adviser like myself.”
”That is exactly right. Which is why we immediately need Claura-san to accompany Margils-sama.”
”Hah? Where to?”
”Senpu Village.”
In order to open this trade route with the dwarves, we need to hold negotiations with them.
Though Irudo has already obtained basic consent, the finalities need to be settled between the actual people in charge.
On top of that, I also want to set up that anti-Shadow Demon alliance together with them. I've already witnessed their engineering prowess, and the strength of dwarven warriors in this world is the same as I had expected.
Then there is one last thing. That plan that is still only in my head — the establishment of a direct route stretching from Jiiteias Castle to the city of Filsand in the east — needs a proper evaluation, and to do that I would indeed need to visit the place in person.
The task of turning Jiiteias Castle into a solid foothold for myself has already been completed.
From here on will be the start of the huge project of expanding the alliance for fighting against Shadow Demons.
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Chapter 67: Jiiteias Castle -
Medium Term
Volume 2
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