Chapter 61

“I apologize for dropping in so suddenly. I thought it best to speak with the Lord regarding Fantland…”

The village chief’s back was hunched more than usual. Since he isn’t quite at the age of a frail old man yet, it likely meant the topic was a difficult one to broach.

“Actually, I was thinking of paying you a visit myself soon. This saves me the trouble. Please, come in, come in.”

I guided him to the table. Mary was sitting there like a sentry again, but since she looks like a young girl, it should be fine. Cerulia prepared some tea.

“I would like the Lord to look over these documents. It’s a resident survey regarding the large-scale commercial facility—”

“I know. Seventeen out of twenty-one people are in favor, right?”

He was probably urged by the developers, or perhaps the residents, to come and persuade me. I couldn’t feel any real drive from this man to force me to retract my opinion, though.

“As you may already know, I opposed it to protect the livelihood of the Marsh Trolls. It’s true they don’t exactly pay taxes, but the plan would result in their eviction.”

“However, without any industry, many residents fear that Fantland will vanish—”

“That is why I intend to establish an industry.”

I placed a new set of documents on the table. This was my answer.

“This is a business plan. Please look it over while I explain.”

The village chief had a look on his face that said he never expected this turn of events. I was aware I had caught him off guard.

Beside me, Mary let out a delighted smirk.

“It says ‘Doburon Sales Plan’…”

Doburon is a cloudy white liquor made in Fantland. It’s produced strictly for local consumption and has never been properly marketed.

“Correct. We will produce enough Doburon to sell and market it in the Royal Capital. The quality of that liquor is high enough to be a viable product. We can compete!”

The next page detailed how many employees would be needed and noted that they would be recruited from within the county.

In my excitement, I had even included prototype designs for the liquor labels.

“I-It is true that if there is an industry, Fantland might survive, but…”

“Also, take a look at this. It’s data I’ve compiled regarding large-scale commercial facilities.”

Mary slid some documents over from the side.

Eh? She made something like that? Even I didn’t know about this…?

“The Mini-Demon Corps did a lot of verifying for me. This is my way of doing things. I call it: Big Data.”

I hurriedly looked through the materials myself.

“To put it simply, the plan for that commercial facility hasn’t been discussed with the markets or shopping districts in the county capital at all. Even if you build the facility now, shops from the capital won’t actually move in. You’ll just end up with a giant, empty white elephant.”

The documents were packed with dense data. It had an almost undeniable power to it…

“Furthermore, the population size of this county isn’t enough to sustain such a facility. There are counties with larger populations where these places collapsed within five years. It would only accelerate the hollowing out of the county capital and speed up the town’s ruin. The ‘miracle drug’ would simply turn into poison.”

Mary looked perfectly composed, but this information was a bombshell.

Cerulia brought the tea, but both the village chief and I were too busy poring over the data to notice.

“The developers didn’t say a word about this. Why?”

“A massive commercial project like this moves huge amounts of money. For the record, even if the facility is completed, they won’t touch the management side. They’re like merchants of death.”

I see. For them, they win the moment the building is finished. Their victory conditions are different.

“I don’t think Franz’s plan is perfect. It still has its idealistic streaks. Even so, the risk is smaller than building a giant box. I believe the village chief’s job is to take the safer path when presented with an ‘either-or’ choice, but that’s for the man himself to decide.”

The village chief slowly sipped the tea that had been served.

Then, he looked me in the eye. Or rather, he finally looked at me. He had been speaking timidly without meeting my gaze until now.

“I apologize, but I believe securing employees immediately will be difficult. There aren’t even residents nearby we could hire for part-time work. How should we handle this?”

Ah, he’s on board.

“Actually, that’s written on the very last page.”

The village chief immediately flipped to it.

It said we would hire the Marsh Trolls.

“I’m sure they have things they’d like to buy with money sometimes, too. I think if we talk to them, we can work something out.”

It’s about getting the Marsh Trolls to meet us halfway, or rather, since they live so close, having both parties cooperate.

“Well, I’ll act as the mediator since I’m the Lord. That’s what a Lord is for, after all. Does this sound workable?”

For now, I had offered up most of my wisdom.

If it doesn’t work out, we can just think of something else.

From here on, it’s the realm of politics. Politics is decided on a different layer than just the correctness of the content. I’ll just have to work hard at that part, too.

The village chief drained the rest of his tea. It seemed like a ritual to catch his breath.
Afterward, his face was as clear as if a weight had been lifted.

“I understand. I will take this back and convey it to the people of the settlement.”

“By the way, Chief, how did you answer that survey?”

“I chose ‘Undecided’.”

I figured as much.

When I first met the village chief, he said there were ways to develop the village but he was troubled by them.

That was exactly what the commercial facility talk was about.

After today, the village chief seems to have made his peace with it.

“Mr. Chief, will you stay for a meal?”

Cerulia approached with a cheerful smile.

“No, since I’m already here, I think I’ll head to the Royal Capital to check out the taste of the liquors served in the taverns.”

As the village chief left, I felt one of the burdens on my shoulders lift.

“Phew… One job as a Lord finished.”