Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Fourth Town
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After meeting Yanna in the Third Town and inspecting the town that was developing into an industrial hub, Arc and Yulia arrive at the Fourth Town in a few days later.
“Is that the Fourth Town?” (Yulia)
“Yeah, I didn’t expect the town to be so well developed.” (Arc)
Both were surprised.
It had been about a year since the plan to build the Fourth Town, located equidistant from the Second and Third Towns, with the goal of exporting goods by sea without crossing the mountains. What had once been a vast, empty grassland had transformed into a fully developed and splendid town. Neatly arranged roads, leveled land, and a futuristic, well-organized layout gave it a modern feel.
At the entrance to the town, a grand statue stood, though it was unclear who had made it. Waiting below it were the town mayor, Rishu, and the deputy mayor, Hausar. Rishu gracefully flipped the mantle that covered his body and reached out for a handshake. Her hands were unusually white and clean for an adventurer.
“Hey, how have you been? Arc-kun. I was so worried that you wouldn’t be able to return to Mikanda, I could barely sleep at night.” (Rishu)
“Heh, sorry for making you worry, Rishu. I almost caused you to have sleepless nights.” (Arc)
Arc mocked Rishu’s cheerful reunion, as he didn’t seem all that concerned. Rishu was somewhat similar to Yanna in that regard. Well, the fact that he even said he was worried made Rishu slightly better. Still, there wasn’t anyone like Minerva who would shed tears and celebrate a reunion. After meeting Minerva first, Arc felt a little dissatisfied with the attitudes of Yanna and Rishu.
Arc quickly finished shaking hands with Rishu and Hausar, then pointed at the towering statue, which stood twice the height of an average person.
“What is this statue of?” (Arc)
Rishu began his proud explanation in a high-pitched voice, as if to say that he was glad that everyone had listened.
“Oh, this? When we built the port, we had extra iron and copper, so I told the craftsmen they could do whatever they wanted with it, and they ended up making a statue of me. It seems I’m admired once again.” (Rishu)
Indeed, the statue, wearing a mantle and adventurer’s outfit with a slightly bulging chest, did resemble Rishu now that it was pointed out. It was true that Rishu had overwhelming charisma. After all, she was a figure important enough for adventurers to follow him to Mikanda, after she herself had followed Arc.
However, building a statue of the mayor, rather than the lord, was quite something. True, the craftsmen didn’t know what Arc’s face looked like, so they couldn’t make a statue of him, but still, there was no need to erect such a grand statue of the mayor at the entrance to the town.
Faced with the overwhelming popularity of the mayor, Arc, as the lord, felt a little downhearted.
“Well, take your time looking around the town. I need to go check on the newly finished armory. Hausar, please guide Arc around.” (Rishu)
Without noticing Arc’s mood at all, Rishu left quickly. Arc was sulking again, wondering if there was anything that took priority over guiding the lord. However, at the same time, Arc felt a small sense of relief knowing that, even though he had unilaterally appointed Rishu as the mayor of the Fourth Town, she was doing her best to fulfill her duties.
Arc began inspecting the town while listening to Hausar explanations.
Hausar, who was starting to show white hair, was an old hand from the Warden Trading Company, even before Rishu. He had been the guild master of the Merchant Guild in the former Warden territory, overseeing the merchants in the region. When the Warden Household moved to Mikanda, he followed, leading the merchants, just as Rishu had led the adventurers.
Given that the Fourth Town was in the countryside, it likely caused more stress than before, but as the deputy mayor, he had been energetically involved in activities beyond just his merchant duties.
After the free-spirited Rishu left, Hausar began desperately covering for her in front of Arc.
“Arc-sama. While Mayor Rishu acts like that in front of you, she’s highly respected among adventurers, merchants, and craftsmen, having an elder-sister-like presence. Whenever there’s trouble between adventurers and merchants, she settles things fairly without bias, bringing both sides to agreement. The residents of the Fourth Town, despite their different backgrounds and occupations, are working together on the town’s construction, and it’s all thanks to Mayor Rishu.” (Hausar)
“Well, she’s an exceptional talent, after all. She must be a high-ranking adventurer too, right?” (Arc)
“She’s a Class 2 adventurer. There are only a handful of them in the entire kingdom, and it’s unheard of for someone as young as her to reach Class 2.” (Hausar)
The energetic Rishu and the steady Hausar. Perhaps they made a good balance as the heads of the Fourth Town.
“As the deputy mayor, Hausar, you must continue to support Rishu. She’s very much an adventurer at heart, wandering off to see this and that…” (Arc)
“Haha, that’s part of her charm as mayor.” (Hausar)
The sounds of hammers echoed throughout the town.
“Over there will be the Merchant Guild, Adventurer’s Guild, and Craftsmen’s Guild. That area will be a storage depot and plaza for export goods. On the west side will be the garrison for the soldiers, and the residential district is planned to be on the east side.” (Hausar)
The town was being built far more systematically than Arc had expected. He had left the town’s construction plan entirely to Rishu, but she had done a remarkably thorough job.
“And there are quite a few new faces here.” (Arc)
“Yes. We’ve received immense support from the Warden Trading Company and the Warden Household. With that funding, we’ve spared no expense in bringing in craftsmen and laborers from all over the kingdom. This town, which started with 30 adventurers led by Mayor Rishu and 20 merchants including myself, has now grown to over 100 craftsmen and more than 50 laborers and adventurers, surpassing 200 people.” (Hausar)
The Warden Household was mainly focused on raising funds, leaving Rishu and Hausar to handle the operations, which they seemed to be doing efficiently.
“Especially recently, with Leo’s tyrannical actions throwing the entire kingdom into chaos, more and more laborers are coming here in search of stability and peace.” (Hausar)
“I see. It’s similar to the situation in the Third Town.” (Arc)
Indeed, the kingdom’s turmoil seemed to be benefiting Mikanda. The university in the First Town, the industry in the Third Town, and the port in the Fourth Town were all attracting the necessary people.
“We’ve arrived. This is the port.” (Hausar)
Hausar spread his arms wide as if to show off the port, which he seemed proud of.
A number of docks had been built in a small bay-like area.
“Three medium-sized ships that can carry 30 people and two 50-person ships can dock simultaneously. And on the large dock to the right, a ship that can carry 200 people can also be moored.” (Hausar)
There were already several medium-sized ships docked, perhaps the ones that had brought the craftsmen.
“That’s impressive. But there aren’t any ships that large in this kingdom, are there?” (Arc)
“Arc-sama. If we don’t have them, we’ll simply build them. Once trade begins, money will flow in quickly, and building a ship of that size will be easy.” (Hausar)
“True. A large ship would allow us to transport a huge amount of goods at once.” (Arc)
With the progress in the Third Town, it would likely be possible to produce a large volume of products. Having large ships to transport these products would certainly be advantageous.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Arc-kun.” (Rishu)
While Arc was calculating the potential profits of large ships in his head as he observed the ships, Rishu returned. Arc grabbed Rishu’s hand and shook it vigorously.
“Rishu. I’ve taken a look around the Fourth Town. It’s fantastic. To think you could build an entire town. You’re a genius, truly a genius! What an incredible talent you have.” (Arc)
“Huh? Oh, uh… thanks. It’s nice to be praised… Well, I’ll be going now.” (Rishu)
Richie replied modestly, feeling a little put off by Ark’s rave reviews. Then, she quickly tried to get away from Arc. However, Arc didn’t let go of her hand.
“So, I have another request. I want to build a large ship.” (Arc)
“Sigh. I knew something was up when you started praising me so much. You’re just trying to make me work again, aren’t you?” (Rishu)
Rishu said in shock.
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