The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Craftsman’s Request

“Are you considering purchasing charcoal?”

“No, I plan to produce it in the village. Once the kiln for bricks is free, we can repurpose it for that.”

The corn drying sheds have mostly served their purpose by now, so they are being used as places to dry timber freshly cut from the forest.

Charcoal is an extremely useful material. It can be used directly for soil improvement, and the ash left after it burns out can serve as a substitute for detergent, fertilizer, or to remove scum from cooking. The wood vinegar produced when burning charcoal can be used as an insecticide, leaving virtually no waste.

Moreover, in the Enkar region, there is a large forest called the Moltre Forest nearby, ensuring a steady supply of timber. It is advantageous to set up an environment for charcoal production.

“If possible, I would like to maintain a stable production of charcoal in the future.”

“Hmm… Lady Melfina, I have a request. Would it be possible for you to accept a few craftsmen as villagers?”

Melfina blinked in surprise at the sudden proposal.

“Not as temporary workers, but to settle here?”

Ricardo nodded gravely.

“…Previously, we asked for someone to come for even minor repairs of knives and tools, but we couldn’t find any willing craftsmen. Given that the Enkar region is sparsely populated, it is understandable. But are there people willing to move here and take on the work?”

If it were just for this winter or until the famine subsided, Melfina could understand.

But for someone to settle in this small village and work would require considerable determination on the part of the craftsmen.

“Ah… It was likely because it was a busy time for craftsmen. But didn’t the lord request through the guild?”

“Yes, of course. We had no other way to reach individual craftsmen.”

In reasonably large towns and villages, it is common for craftsmen to be affiliated with a guild.

That’s because the only way to become a craftsman is to join a guild as an apprentice and be trained until becoming fully-fledged.

When a craftsman is commissioned for a job, if it’s not up to standard, going through the guild means another craftsman can be assigned to redo the work, and the craftsman who did a poor job can be penalized. Therefore, clients generally prefer to request through the guild.

“For craftsmen, having work to earn a living is important, but the type of work they have done and their track record is also crucial.”

Even for Ricardo, while he was currently interested in working for the eccentric lord before him, the main reason for taking on the job was because of the famine, which ensured he wouldn’t go hungry and could increase his stores before winter.

If not for that situation, he might not have been willing to take on the job of traveling to the remote outskirts of the country to build a house.

“In a big city where you can take on a large volume of work at once, it’s different. But just sharpening hoes and sickles doesn’t pay well, and normally, no one would want to go.”

“Then why would they be willing to move here? Wouldn’t they lose the opportunity to build their track record?”

“Returning to our earlier discussion, you won’t find craftsmen who can meet your needs through the guild. However, because there is no guild in this region, you might find the craftsmen you want.”

Guilds are like mutual aid organizations for people of the same trade. They protect and develop their members’ skills and status, monopolizing and managing the work.

Craftsmen cannot establish themselves outside the guild, which is why they work diligently to avoid doing shoddy work and to improve their skills. At least, that’s what Melfina understood.

“In other words, the craftsmen you would introduce are those who can’t go through the guild?”

What flashed in Melfina’s mind were cases of craftsmen who had had disputes with the guild, made significant mistakes on large jobs, or committed crimes.

“That’s correct. Even if there’s nothing wrong with the craftsmen themselves, some have poor relations with the guild and can’t get work through them. This isn’t a new issue, but if possible, I want to provide talented craftsmen with a stable living environment where they can work without worry.”

“In that case, would you be the guarantor for them, Ricardo?”

“Yes, I will bring craftsmen whose character I can vouch for. The guild cannot be relied upon in this matter.”

In this world, registering with the guild is a requirement to become a craftsman. Perhaps because of this, Ricardo’s latter words were spoken in a hushed tone.

Craftsmen who have had conflicts with the guild often find themselves with nowhere to go, despite their skills.

While they could relocate to another town, rumors tend to spread within the same domain.

This world has itinerant clerics and craftsmen, and skilled adventurers often work across different regions. Thus, unless one is a land-bound serf, moving to a new area is not particularly difficult.

If they leave their original location and live in the new one for a year and a day, they are recognized as residents of the new land.

Since Enkar Village is willing to accept them, there’s no issue with the destination. The only remaining concern is whether anyone from their current location would try to retrieve them due to debt or trouble, but Ricardo’s tone suggested this wouldn’t be a problem.

“In that case, we will prepare a workshop and a house here. I will cover the costs myself, so could you handle this?”

“Are you sure about providing a house as well, not just the workshop?”

“Yes, it’s a much-appreciated offer for us too. Specialized craftsmen are scarce in this frontier village. If possible, we would appreciate it if they could settle here long-term, take on apprentices from the village, and help train the next generation. Craftsmen are the bearers of skills, and they must be valued.”

“Under those conditions, many craftsmen would be happy to come. Honestly, if I weren’t already a master in Soarasonne, I’d want to come myself!”

“Oh, Ricardo, you are welcome anytime.”

Of course, since Ricardo was already a master in Soarasonne, he wasn’t serious.

After sharing a laugh, Ricardo mentioned that he knew some potters and blacksmiths who might be interested. They also agreed to approach a few carpenters.

“Maybe in ten years, Enkar Village will be known as the town of craftsmen.”

“A town with famous dishes, the lord’s fine liquor, and a gathering of craftsmen? What a dream that would be!”

Ricardo laughed heartily, and Melfina chuckled along with him.

The future was still uncertain and unclear, but it would be wonderful if the days continued where they could believe in a bright future for ten years and beyond.