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Vol 02 Chapter 49-1: Border Conflict I

「Is this the fortress that protects the border?」

「Yes. Does it differ from the ones in Kirisia?」

When I asked Ismene, she nodded.

「Yes. In Kirisia, all borders are fortified with stone fortresses. Checkpoints within the country might be made of wood, but…」

So, my country’s fortresses are on par with Kirisia’s checkpoints…

「Why is this one not made of stone?」

「Well, it’s probably because we lack the technology. Constructing with stone requires knowledge of mathematics, and the skill to cut the stone to the appropriate size. Plus, transporting them is quite the heavy labor.」

However, this is the only wooden fortress we have, the rest are made of stone. This fortress was built about twenty years ago, and since then, it has received some repairs but has not been rebuilt.

There were plans to rebuild it, but soon after, the territory was taken by King Ferme. King Ferme didn’t have the resources to rebuild the fortress. Furthermore, since King Ferme was able to maintain a friendly relationship with King Domorgal, there was no need to reconstruct the fortress.

So, it has been left to rot until now… but now that this area has returned to King Rosais’ Country, it can’t be left like this.

「I think that the fortress should be rebuilt using stone. I can’t guarantee it will be useful as a defensive structure otherwise.」

「That’s true… but we don’t have any quarry in this territory.」

Not to mention, we also lack craftsmen with the skill to cut it. Even if Ismene could instruct the workers on how to build it, without the materials to build it, it’s a no-go.

「Where can we get stone meant for building?」

「I believe the Dibel territory is this country’s leading producer of stone materials.」

Tetra said.

The Dibel territory, huh…

What should I do? Should I ask them to sell me some? But I don’t want to negotiate with that man…

「It’s not like Dibel territory is the only place where we can get stone; it’s just the largest production area. I think we can also get some quality stone from the territory that King Rosais controls directly.」

「What? You should have said that from the beginning. You had me worried.」

It’s best not to get ourselves involved with someone we are incompatible with. Getting involved without reason will only worsen the relationship.

「I’ll order the stone from King Rosais. Ismene, can you handle the design?」

When I asked Ismene, she nodded.

「Yes, that’s fine. I can reuse a design I made some time ago by slightly modifying some parts so I should have it done soon.」

「How long will it take to finish the design?」

「I will have it finished in about a week, including the estimate for the materials.」

Ismene confidently puffed out her chest.

◇

「What kind of design are you planning?」

Akira asked Ismene.

「Well, I’m not planning to change the design much. Almus-sama seems to want the fortress repairs finished quickly. For now, we’ll reinforce the current fortress with wood. Then, we’ll build a stone wall around it. This much should be doable with the technology available on the Adernian peninsula, right?」

Ismene looked around the fortress, making notes as she spoke.

「Is that all?」

When Akira sounded a bit disappointed, Ismene gave a wry smile.

「For now, that is the first phase. Later, we’ll gradually add new parts to the stone walls, and in the end, a new stone fortress annex to the walls will be complete. We can’t just demolish the old fortress and leave the border naked while we build a new one, can we?」

「That’s true. Ha ha, sorry for asking something strange.」

Akira chuckled sheepishly.

「This is my first task. I’ll definitely build something that will satisfy Almus-sama! This will be my first achievement, the first of a long list of them. After this, I want to work on the Aris family’s mansion. I’m itching to make some changes. That building has so much wasted potential. When Almus-sama sees what I can do, he will officially employ me, and eventually, I’ll become this country’s main architect and all construction projects in this country will be supervised by me…」

After saying all that, Ismene sighed.

「What’s wrong?」

「And my ambitions end there. King Rosais’ Country is small, so it doesn’t have the resources to build anything big, that will leave its mark in history. It’d be great if the country develops from here… but the king looks like he’s on his deathbed, and his successor doesn’t seem competent. I’m worried.」

As Ismene spoke, Akira comforted her by patting her shoulder.

「You’re an engineer, aren’t you? Even if the country falls, you won’t go down with it… I think you could make a name for yourself in King Domorgal’s Country too, once they know you designed this fortress. Well, for that you need to build the greatest fortress you can, first.」

Akira joked, and Ismene hit him on the head.

「Shut up! Don’t tempt fate! What if I end up getting beheaded?」

Ismene said this angrily but with a laugh.

She was grateful for the opportunity she had been given and wanted to give her best for the Country, but she wasn’t so loyal that she would willingly go down with it, the Aris Family or even Almus.

「Now I’m feeling motivated. It’s my first job, after all. If this fortress turns out to be a success, I might even get a direct offer to work under him from King Rosais. Maybe even the Rozel Kingdom would become interested in me… Alright, let’s do this!!」

Ismene pumped herself.

◇

True to her word, Ismene completed the design in a week and presented the list of the necessary materials and labor to me.

She truly is excellent. It seems all her boasting about her own abilities wasn’t just air.

「And that’s the story, so please let us purchase the stone materials from you.」

「I see. Buy as much as you need. It’s for the defense of the country, after all.」

King Rosais readily agreed.

「By the way, why didn’t you ask Rigal Dibel? Your territory is next to his, and the stone there is of good quality.」

「Please, don’t go there.」

King Rosais grinned mischievously.

He’s loving the situation…

「By the way, don’t you need to fortify the border with the Dibel territory too?」

「…I haven’t decided whether to accept the throne yet.」

When I protested, King Rosais laughed.

「Either way, you and Rigal Dibel will end up fighting, it is inevitable. Once he succeeds to the throne, who do you think will be the first to be purged? It will be you. You are an eyesore to him. Well, when it comes to that, you’ll have to fortify the border not only with Dibel territory but with all other territories as well.」

「Are you trying to rush me? It’s not something I can decide on so easily.」

The likelihood of Rigal Dibel disposing of me after he becomes king is very low. That’s because the defense of the border with King Domorgal’s Country is in my hands.

Dibel territory also shares a border with King Domorgal, but due to geographical reasons, the main invasion route passes through my Aris territory. If he attacks me, and I join with King Domorgal, the northern border of King Rosais’ Country will become naked, and the defense line will have to be retreated deeply inside the Country.

Rigal Dibel wouldn’t want to stir up trouble so soon after becoming king.

Also, I decided to think about this thoroughly. I plan to sit tight and ponder until the very last minute.

「By the way, why did you send Ismene to me?」

King Rosais isn’t so stupid to let appearances deceive him. Plus, he can speak Kirisian, so that shouldn’t be a problem either. I can’t find any reason for him to send Ismene to me instead of employing her himself.

「If I employ her, she can’t be used to build the fortifications along the border with Rigal Dibel’s territory. And it’s better for her to be employed by you than by me, who will soon die.」

Indeed, if the Country’s main architect did such a thing, it would completely sever the relationship between the Rosais and Dibel Families…

「Do you really want me to succeed the throne that much?」

「Yes, I do. I want my lovely daughter to have a happy marriage. And I don’t want that brat as my son. I’d rather have that brat, King Ferme, as my son than that bastard.」

That much, huh…

「I’ll carefully consider what you said and come to a decision as soon as possible.」

I bowed to King Rosais and left the place.