The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Reunion in Spring and the Wish to Relocate

Around the time when the snow covering the highway had left only traces of its presence, three carriages arrived at the lord’s residence.

The carriages carried a group including Ricardo, the bald master carpenter with a workshop in Soarasonne, and his apprentices.

“Ricardo, Eddie, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It’s good to see you, Lady Melfina. I’m glad to be able to work here again.”

“It’s an honor to see you again after such a long time.”

Ricardo, smiling broadly, and Eddie, who bowed politely, received a smile in return as they were shown to the reception room. While waiting for Marie to prepare tea, they spread out a map on the table in the reception room.

The table was quite large, but Ricardo tilted his head at the size of the map, touching its edges.

“This isn’t parchment, is it?”

“Yes, it’s paper.”

The paper, known as plant paper, is produced in Romana and imported into Francesca. Melfina, who had no trading connections with Romana, couldn’t get it before, but thanks to Alexis’s patronage, she was now able to purchase it from merchants who frequented the Oldrand family.

“It’s softer than parchment, but it’s also more prone to tearing, so handle it carefully.”

“Hmm… It’s convenient for writing a lot on a large sheet, but if it’s not durable, wouldn’t parchment be better?”

“Plant paper is, you see, Ricardo, much cheaper because it’s easier to produce than parchment.”

“…I see.”

Although he seemed momentarily taken aback, Ricardo quickly nodded in understanding.

“For construction, you need to take notes and manage inventory documents, right? The plans for this spring are large in scale, so instead of stopping frequently to verify things, I decided to introduce inexpensive, large quantities of paper. Also, it’s easier to organize because it’s softer. I plan to replace the lord’s residence documents and reports with plant paper as much as possible.”

In reality, plant paper isn’t as affordable as it was in her past life, but she managed to keep the cost reasonable by negotiating a contract to purchase a certain amount regularly.

“Since it’s an import, transportation costs are unavoidable. It would be nice if a paper mill were to open in the north eventually.”

“These kinds of items usually have their core technologies kept secret, after all.”

“Producing it can be managed, but the issue is that I won’t have the time for a while. Besides, there are other supplies I’d like to order along with the paper, so for now, it’s just a necessary expense.”

Romana is a major technological power in this world, holding many core technologies. There are many things that can only be obtained through Romana, making connections with merchants extremely important.

“Ha ha ha, Lady Melfina, you’re as dependable as ever!”

After laughing unusually happily for some reason, Ricardo turned a serious gaze toward the map spread out on the table.

“So, what should I build?”

“In the end, it will be a city, but first, I need you to build a new lord’s residence—a fortress that will oversee the administration of the Enkar region.”

Melfina pointed to the map with her white fingertips.

“Although it’s called a fortress, the walls will be minimal. You’ll need to dig a moat around the current lord’s residence, using the Mille River, one of the two rivers flowing through the Enkar region. Water will flow in from upstream, with a weir created to maintain a certain depth, merging with the downstream flow.”

“How far is it from the Mille River to the current lord’s residence?”

“About one kilometer in a straight line.”

“Just digging the moat will be a major project.”

“I’ll hire laborers from nearby villages. I’d also like you to oversee their work.”

Ricardo crossed his arms, deep in thought, and muttered thoughtfully.

“If the moat is of this scale, the new lord’s residence is likely to be quite large as well, right?”

“Yes, besides the part where I will live, I plan to build an administrative district, fields, a forge including a blacksmith’s workshop, and also a brewery on the premises.”

“Such a large-scale project is more suited to an architect specializing in castle construction rather than a carpenter.”

“Yes, but I believe you can do it, Ricardo.”

Melfina had seen Ricardo’s work firsthand from the end of last summer to the beginning of winter, and there were thorough records of it. He never accepted orders lightly, always clearly pointed out areas for improvement, and maintained proper communication whether deadlines were moved up or delayed.

In a world where logistics are incomplete and connections with people are largely based on nepotism, the most important factors when entrusting work are a person’s character and trustworthiness.

There are families that have fallen into decline because of misconduct by stewards or estate managers. Even when building a single barn, there are those who work efficiently and those who embezzle materials and funds.

“I thought I could trust you more than a renowned architect… But is the task too heavy for you?”

Ricardo puckered his lips into a frown for a moment, then slapped his knee with a decisive gesture.

“Well, if you put it that way, I have no choice but to show my worth!”

“Will you take it on?”

“An aristocrat who says they want me rather than a master builder is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me! The territory managed by Lady Melfina will surely be remembered in the country’s history. If I were to pass up the chance to be the person responsible for building that castle, I wouldn’t deserve to be called a craftsman.”

After speaking earnestly, Ricardo nodded once.

“In that case, Lady Melfina, I have one request of my own.”

“What is it?”

“I would like permission to build a workshop in the Enkar region and to allow myself and my apprentices to relocate there.”

“Master!?”

Eddie, Ricardo’s apprentice who had been silently listening until now, spoke up in surprise.

“Relocate? What will happen to the workshop in Soarasonne?”

“I’ll pass it on to you. You’ve already got the skills to be recognized in the next master carpenter exam.”

“W-what?”

Ricardo crossed his arms and nodded emphatically.

“Frankly, it didn’t sit well with me to stay as a master while watching promising young ones being sent out on their travels without even getting a chance to take the master’s exam. I was just lucky to become a master because I married the daughter of a master carpenter. It’s time to pass on the seat to the next generation.”

“Please wait, I’m not strong enough. There are other seniors as well.”

“I’ve looked after many apprentices and craftsmen, and you have the most potential. Your skills are solid, and more importantly, you don’t look down on those below you. You don’t resort to violence against apprentices or steal petty cash.”

“But, what about my sister?”

“I spoke with her this winter. She wants to take on new challenges if there’s work in the Enkar region next year and beyond.”

“What about the young master?”

“He’s still an apprentice. I’ll bring him here and train him myself.”

“B-but I still want to work under a master and, if possible, leave a mark in history!”

Cedric, who had been standing quietly behind, cleared his throat, causing Eddie to shrink his shoulders and fall silent. However, his eyes, glistening with unshed tears, remained fixed on Ricardo with a serious expression.

“Um, may I say something, Eddie?”

“Y-yes!”

“This job will take a lot of time. Just digging the moat is a major undertaking, and while building the walls and constructing a fortress-sized building, if the population increases, we’ll also need to build new villages and settlements. It’s expected to take ten years or more to complete.”

Public works tend to be time-consuming. It’s common to face changes in the plan or have delays if discussions are needed.

In her previous life, pyramids took over twenty years to build, and cathedrals, such as those that were still unfinished even after nearly 140 years, took even longer.

“During that time, it would be helpful if there were a strong connection between Ricardo and Soarasonne. Given that the famine and economic downturn will continue for a while, it might be a good idea for you to work in the Enkar region as a master carpenter, just like Ricardo did last year. That way, when Ricardo’s son or another suitable craftsman grows up, they can take over Ricardo’s role in the Enkar region.”

“Oh, as expected from Lady Melfina! That way, everything will work out perfectly!”

“Is it decided that I will become a master?”

“You are a craftsman I have trained. You already have the skills. What you need now is to strengthen your resolve.”

Ricardo, laughing cheerfully, patted Eddie’s back. Eddie, with a voice as small as a mosquito’s, said, “Please, no,” but finally managed to crack a smile.

“However, even without me, there are likely many craftsmen who want to move to the Enkar region and find work. There’s certainly a lot of hope here.”

“Castle construction and urban planning require many craftsmen. If there are people willing to work even at the northern edge, they will be welcomed.”

“I was very fortunate to become acquainted with Lady Melfina ahead of time. It’s certain that those who come later will envy me.”

Melfina also smiled at Ricardo’s hearty laughter, feeling a sense of uprightness in her posture.

In this world, becoming a master is the ultimate goal for craftsmen. Despite training as an apprentice from a young age, the position of master is limited, and even highly skilled craftsmen can be dismissed through the traveling system or find it difficult to get work after returning from their travels.

Last spring and summer, it was difficult to find craftsmen willing to take on work assignments, and those who relocated to the Enkar region were often in situations where they would have to give up their status as craftsmen due to various circumstances.

Work at the northern edge of the country is that unpopular.

As a lord, Melfina must respond to the skills and determination of the veteran craftsmen who are willing to relocate to the Enkar region and pass on the position of master to the next generation.

“Ricardo, Eddie, I look forward to working with you for a long time.”

“Thank you as well, for providing such meaningful work and, above all, for your trust.”

“I-I also look forward to working with you!”

After reaffirming their mutual respect, the three shared a shy but genuine smile.

“I’m so happy to welcome such strong companions!”

With that, Marie brought in tea and light snacks, allowing them to shift their focus to the specifics of their plan.

“It would be helpful if you could introduce me to a stonemason for constructing the moat. If you don’t have any recommendations, I might need to ask the duke’s family for assistance.”

“Currently, there are no large-scale projects, so let’s follow up on some leads. As for the depth and width of the moat—”

Despite the grand scale of the project, the discussion about the plans continued energetically, only coming to a halt when Marie and Cedric gently reminded them that it was time for a break.