Chapter 142

The arrival of the dwarves brought a bit of excitement to the village.

Due to my lack of worldly knowledge, I have no way of knowing the status held by the dwarves as a race.

Thus, in order to see the results of something, I gauge it by directly bringing that phenomenon or existence before my eyes.

“Hmm, this praise feels strange.”

So saying, the dwarf awkwardly smiled while showing he could somewhat speak the human tongue. Though additional lessons are needed, the fact that he fully comprehends the praise showered upon him is clear.

A long-lost legendary race, thought to have vanished ages ago. The villagers rejoiced, claiming luck had descended upon the village—a joy far beyond what I had anticipated. Whatever the case, their happiness made me feel a little proud.

Even fairies were beloved as symbols of luck, but now with the arrival of the dwarves, the master craftsmen, the village was brimming with anticipation. In truth, I felt the same way. Ore from the mines was piling up, yet due to our lack of smelting skills, we haven’t figured out how to fully utilize it yet.

We could sell the raw materials as they are, but ideally, we’d process them ourselves, train artisans, and sell the finished products instead.

“Quite talented. From refining sand to…”

I recall the early days when I used to melt iron and gold ores in a small furnace. Now, those outdated furnaces are being mass-produced. A system combining magic and technology to fully utilize the mine’s resources.

Bayer’s wry smile stems from the gap between his old methods and these advanced techniques—nostalgia for an old man who feels left behind.

Well, this is a skill only I can use…

But I keep that fact to myself, not wanting to ruin the dwarf’s impression. There’s no need to disturb the happiness of the old dwarf fondling iron.

The hope inspired by an entire race… Perhaps it’s a promising future. The subtle atmosphere suggesting things will get better amplifies expectations even more.

In conclusion, there has been a significant increase in manpower for blacksmithing and mining.

If Rio continues to manage the Melone Merchant Guild well, the refined metals might become another specialty of the Valley of Starwind.

Naturally, all the praise flows toward me. No matter what talent you mention, settling the dwarves in the village is credited to the lord, subtly lifting me up.

Combined with the recent mine incident, the effect is amplified further.

It’s gotten to the point where I’ve reduced my visits to the village, especially since even the monastery praised me as someone God loves.

Given such circumstances, spending peaceful time with family at home is the happiest thing. That’s been true so far, and it will continue to be.

* * *

“Amazing development speed.”

Garim observes the scenery outside carefully as he enters the village in a carriage.

With a massive forest nearby, it makes sense that smoke rises from each house. However, people riding strange contraptions across the village catch his attention. Their baskets carry something, which they deliver to homes, shops, or buildings before returning.

What exactly are these odd devices?

“What’s this thing you’re riding?”

“Eh? This is called a bicycle. It’s used by delivery people.”

“Bicycle?”

“Yes! Our amazing lord created it himself. If you work at the post office, you can use one.”

“Post office?”

“A building where many people ride bicycles.”

“Alright, go on ahead.”

“Eh!”

As Garim pulls his fur coat tighter against the cold, he realizes just how prosperous the village has become simply by observing the commoner wearing such warm clothing.

“Look at that, there’s a road here.”

A neatly paved road welcomes Garim, allowing carriages to pass smoothly. The entrance appears muddy and less maintained, but inside the village, it’s clean. Despite some clutter from construction equipment, the completed sections of the road are quite tidy. It’s clear the roads are being improved for smoother travel by carriage or bicycle.

“What do you think?”

Garim asks the knight following him. After a quick glance around, the knight honestly replies,

“It seems different every time I visit.”

“Yeah. With regular visits like this, the pace of development feels almost unbelievable.”

Garim chuckles, thinking about individuals who transcend human limits despite being human. People whose talents are so extraordinary they don’t seem human.

While some may quietly fade away without achieving anything, others start standing out and rise endlessly. Simply following their path leads to progress and better lives.

“But will the old ones sit idly by and watch?”

His inner thoughts slip out. Garim doesn’t correct them.

The entrenched elite, represented by old men stuck in their ways, are always eager to tear down emerging powers. They prefer dragging others down rather than advancing themselves.

“That’s not someone who’ll fall easily.”

“Yeah. He’s under the protection of a Sword Master.”

“I hear free knights drawn by rumors are visiting the village too.”

“Good news. Strengthening power brings stability regardless of personal strength.”

Garim steps down from the carriage and begins walking through the village.

“What’s that?”

Stopping a passerby, he inquires about something unfamiliar.

“That’s a school.”

“School? What kind of building is that?”

“If someone wants to learn, whether children or villagers, they can study something there.”

“Study?”

“Yes. Mainly teaching reading and theology, but recently it’s also used for training soldiers by a knight.”

“Oh, right. There’s the Cluny Monastery nearby.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Alright, go back to your work.”

A school…

Teaching orphans and villagers… For what purpose?

It will take a long time to see any results.

Garim considers himself awake, yet struggles to accept inefficiencies from an efficiency standpoint.

What is this school built for?

For whom?

If the commoners know too much, it could lead to bad outcomes. Knowing more means recognizing more injustices. Ignorance truly can be bliss. Education beyond one’s level often carries a high risk of negative consequences. That’s why Garim doesn’t welcome education for the ignorant masses.

Enlightenment or revolution…

He cautiously guards against such values.

A natural issue for nobility to consider.

“I don’t quite understand.”

He’ll have to ask directly.

Minho, Baron Melone, grows more intriguing the more he learns about him.

“What’s this then?”

“This is a laundry shop.”

“Ah. Where do they get water from?”

“I’m not entirely sure.”

Perhaps Gilbert helped with magic?

Garim surveys everything in the village while slowly making his way to the baron’s residence. It took quite a while.

Walking outside in the cold, his body stiffens and cheeks turn red. His ears tingle sharply, but the anticipation growing in his heart knows no bounds.

A capable person.

Not just skilled in farming or swordsmanship, the baron governs the village well, earning respect and admiration from the residents—an exemplary noble.

A jack-of-all-trades.

“If he stands out too much… he’ll get hit with a hammer.”

Despite already facing such incidents, a strange premonition lingers in Garim’s mind. Standing out too much invites trouble. Greedy raccoons could target him anytime. A chill runs down his face when imagining clashes in the future.

“Ho.”

A young girl riding a smaller bicycle catches his eye. Her ruby-like eyes sparkle with happiness as she laughs and pedals through the yard against the cold wind. Fairies accompany her. Although incomprehensible, their cheerful language isn’t negative.

Nearby, the baroness stands. A neatly groomed woman with fiery red hair, possessing beauty fit for high society. Elegant and graceful, she greets Garim with a gentle smile.

“Welcome.”

“Pleased to meet you. Is the baron inside?”

“He stepped out for a moment. Would you like to wait inside?”

“Yes, I’ll wait.”

“The child, Yul, can you escort this gentleman home for me?”

“Okay!”

The relationship between parents and child looks good. Their smiles radiate happiness.

The baroness guides Garim into the house.

Warmth greets him indoors. Fairy clusters flit about quietly. Among them sits a blonde woman elegantly sewing clothes.

“Welcome.”

“Excuse me.”

“Of course. You’re dealing with our husband, so please make yourself comfortable.”

Though it’s not the first time being guided in the baron’s absence, their handling improves with each visit. Politeness comes naturally with ease.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Our hostess, Anne, asks after stepping outside again.

“Thank you. Could you also serve a few cups to my knights who’ve worked hard?”

“Of course.”

Her radiant beauty makes the two knights behind momentarily entranced. Such elegance is rare even in the capital.

Sitting at a warm table, waiting quietly for tea, Anne serves a green-infused aromatic brew.

“These are leaves of Cheong-rok. Rare tea leaves, they say.”

“I’ll drink it well.”

“Yes. Let me know if you need anything.”

Her soft voice echoes as she resumes sewing. Once her task restarts, the previously subdued fairies regain their energy.

“The fairies seem to like you.”

“They like the clothes I make.”

“Are the clothes people wear in the village also your creations?”

“No, I only make clothes for the fairies and the children.”

“Do you happen to know where the fur coats come from?”

“Hmm… You should probably ask our lord.”

She returns to her work. Expanding into textile businesses perhaps?

Garim chuckles at the thought.

Metals, textiles, crops…

The scale of operations is impressive.

There’s no doubt he’s an extraordinary individual.

Taking a sip of the tea placed before him, its aroma is excellent. As promised, it feels luxurious.

“Hmm…”

He relaxes, organizing the questions he wants to ask the baron. There’s so much he wishes to inquire about.

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