CH 54

The second batch, including the engineers we had been waiting for, arrived two months later.

There were 60 people in 12 common families, though the number had increased somewhat.

There were about 100 ordinary citizens.

There were 32 engineers, led by Ludvig.

After all, the lack of jobs due to the apostolic recession seemed to be a serious problem.

It seems that many of them jumped at the chance.

It was better than not being able to eat, even in an uncivilized frontier.

The other thing that seemed to have a big effect was that they heard that we were going to start something new.

There was also a thick letter from Kiara that was about 70 pages long ……

I forgot about the letter and greeted Ludvig.

“Sir Ludvig, I’ve been waiting for you. I’ll get right to it …… I’d like you to start building based on the plans for the city that I gave you.”

I’ve given Kiara the rough plans.

I had asked her to explain it to a group of engineers in advance.

It was a hippodamus-style city plan in the shape of a grid.

With the public buildings at the core, each of us would build our own houses and stores around them.

I can’t be in charge of everything, you know.

So the houses I provide will be the bare minimum.

If you want a nice house later on, you can build it yourself.

Ludvig nodded vigorously.

I appreciate that you are full of motivation.

If you don’t have the motivation, you’ll either fall flat on your face or cut corners.

It’s my job to make sure they have it.

“You’ll draw water from the mountain source and sewage was underground, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And then there’s the lord’s mansion, top priority!”

What are you talking about?

We haven’t even finished the other buildings yet ……

“You can do it later. I don’t mind living in a tent.”

“No! My brother Mario begged me …… Build the mansion first, he said. I think it has something to do with the fact that he was so skinny that he looked like a different person. If we dress together because of that, he’ll look no different than me. That doesn’t make me feel good.”

Kiara …… Let’s not get carried away.

“I understand. Let’s start with the bare minimum ……. Prioritize water supply, public bathrooms, and barracks as much as possible.”

“Yes, sir. So, the concrete material, is it upstream from this river?”

“Yes. So we need a road to connect the mining site upstream with this town. It can be transported by ship, but …… We don’t have the technology for water transportation yet. As a town, the mining site also needs to be developed at the very least.”

If it was originally a volcano, If we’re lucky, there will be hot springs.

“There are so many things we want to do, but we don’t have enough manpower. We’ll get to that in due course …… The dwarves you’re looking for are easy to come by in this economy.”

“That’s good to hear. How many people do you think will be able to come?”

Ludvig’s brow furrowed.

“To be honest, when they heard that you were going to build a town from scratch, they were very interested.”

Did he dodge the question? No, he didn’t.

I know you’re not trying to change the subject, but ……

“So how many?”

“Yes …… It’s about 40 people. I asked Miss Kiara if it was okay to have so many people. She said, “Well, if it’s brother, the more the merrier”, and gave her permission.”

Dwarves are basically loners with a craftsman’s temperament.

That’s 40 people.

It’s reassuring, but we have to be careful so it doesn’t cause any trouble.

More is not always better.

“It’s that many, huh.”

Kiara ……

There are limits to what you should do ……

To ask for more and more, I’m not Han Xin, you know.

If I don’t call her soon, she’ll definitely send more.

I don’t think that’s what she meant.

Ludvig scratched his head a little apologetically.

“The next flight and the one after that will arrive here. Miss Kiara will arrange for additional food.”

It’s not your fault.

So there’s no need to be sorry.

“I understand.”

Ludvig seemed almost relieved that I was so easily convinced.

“And …… There’s something I’d really like to ask you.”

“What can I do for you?”

“To the letter from Miss Kiara! Definitely! Write back! And send it to me! That’s what Mario is begging me to do.”

Oh no.

I’ve been sending letters every time I transport supplies.

But it’s like …… 1 page.

I don’t have time to write letters.

While we were having this conversation, Charles came running up to me with an unusually serious expression.

“My lord, there’s a bit of a commotion happening.”

I knew what to expect.

The situation that was to come had arrived.

That’s all there is to it.

“Is there going to be an attack?”

When you are building a town, the locals in the forest will be on the lookout for you.

It is possible that they will try to drive us away.

I think they were called beastmen ……

Charles smiled wryly.

“That’s a good point. Recently, the beastmen’s reconnaissance has become more frequent and widespread. They have been scouting our side more deeply than ever before …… I’m afraid they’ll launch a night attack sometime soon after this evening.”

Then there’s only one thing for me to do.

“Then …… evacuate the residents and instruct the administration to respond. I entrust the defense, including the operation of the Knights, to you.”

Charles looked dubious at my order.

He furrows his brow.

“There are no detailed instructions?”

I don’t know how you can give detailed instructions in such a future assault.

I’ve chosen a rebellious and proud man so that I can leave him in charge of everything.

I can’t blame you for being skeptical because of your past experiences, though.

“Sir Rossi knows more about the Knights Order than I do. I’m an amateur when it comes to fighting. It’s not a good idea for an amateur to meddle in unnecessary matters. We don’t have an administrative organization yet, so there is no problem in leaving it to us. It will only cause unnecessary damage.”

I’ve already exchanged opinions with Charles about the attack beforehand.

I don’t think we need to do more than that.

I only need to think about not dragging Charles down.

“That’s true, but… Are you really sure about this?”

I didn’t want to waste time with this question and answer.

“Then …… Sir Charles Rossi. I will take full responsibility. I give you supreme command over all military operations in the territory, including city defense and counterattacks.”

Charles took in our intentions and turned serious.

“I respectfully accept the command. Please evacuate to a safer place, my lord. Hey! D’Avorio!”

Joule, who I sometimes forget exists because he’s always behind me in silence, stepped forward.

He stood erect and immobile.

“Ha!”

“Take care of the lord! I’ll get ready to intercept.”

“Please leave it to me!”

The way he’s moving, it’s like he’s a knight in shining armor.

Jules bowed to me in admiration.

“My lord, this way.”

I was taken to the first large building that was built for women and children.

It was a shelter for emergencies.

Since it was for women and children, it was very sturdy.

While we were moving, Jules glanced at me as if he wanted to talk about something.

Basically, you can’t talk to your superiors from your inferiors.

I don’t think I can afford to be so well-behaved in the middle of nowhere.

I’ll have to change this ……

“What’s wrong?”

“Delegating all command and control is …… I’ve only heard of it in fairy tales. If it had been an apostle, there would have been many.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Most of them are partial. It’s like, who’s in charge of evacuating the people and who’s in charge of defense. I’ve never seen or heard of one person giving everything, including counterattacks, to another.”

It’s not often that we have a crisis like that.

But this is the frontier.

There is no guarantee of life.

And we’re just uninvited guests.

“Wouldn’t it be more efficient to give them?”

“You’re not a perfect apostle, you’re an imperfect human, after all. I’ve never seen anyone take such a drastic step.”

Even a fool can delegate authority to a perfect person.

Imperfection is a given.

I just have to figure out how to recognize it.

That’s all I’m talking about.

“It’s better to give command to an ordinary man than to give it to two brilliant men. Above all, Sir Rossi is capable. Isn’t it best to leave it to him?”

I took Napoleon’s line to heart.

Jules laughed a little at my blunt words.

“I think he’s the one who’s most surprised. When he was in the service of my former lord, he was constantly interrupted and it was a disaster. When he left him in charge, he dressed up in front of others, but behind the scenes he interfered in many ways. The result was a huge failure. On top of that, the lord was disgraced.”

It was really unusual for Jules to talk like this.

Is he excited?

“I’m not aware that I’m doing anything strange, you know. I just chose the best move. If I can get a good result by interfering …… then of course, I won’t leave it to others. Nevertheless, I have entrusted my life to Sir Rossi since the day I first recruited him.”

“How delightful that must be for a knight. I apologize. My emotions got the better of me and I …… spoke too much.”

Jules was always serious and never showed his emotions.

But as he spoke, he seemed to be overcome with emotion, and there was a glint in his eyes.

He bowed to me again with a straight face.

“I can hardly contain my joy at finally meeting my lord, whom I will serve with my life.”

That’s an exaggerated expression.

But he must be serious.

My responsibility is getting heavier and heavier.

It’s not just my imagination.

My stomach …… hurts quite a bit.