We had decided to use the explosive magical ore to excavate the Renard River. Our domain was situated in a basin between steep mountains with no way to cross them, so we wanted to create a canal along our largest river. We’d also control the canal, imposing transit fees on any non-Renard citizens who traversed it. Those who didn’t want to pay could ask Renard citizens to operate their ships, which would open up more jobs. And if our citizens’ income increased, so would our territory’s tax revenue.
The Renard River was wide but shallow in places, so we’d need to dig up some of the riverbed. In order to increase the amount of water before summer was in full swing, we decided to use the explosive ore to assist with the construction work. Father was on-site with the rest of us today.
There was a frame in the middle of the river above the spot where a large boulder lay hidden. The rock was underwater, so we couldn’t use the same method of burning and cooling to break it like before. Instead, we set up a frame above the spot, from which a large iron pole would be lowered to break the boulder. The pole was sharpened, then lifted onto the frame using a pulley system operated by the workers. Per Theo’s suggestion, they’d also affixed the pseudo magical ore to the pole’s tip.
The citizens sang loudly together while working on the pulley. Everyone looked in high spirits. Of course, part of that was because everyone was getting adequately paid, but I was sure they were glad to be bettering their territory with their own hands. Lord Reineke watched over them with a warm gaze.
“Whoa! It’s huge!” Bal yelled, staring at the frame.
“People with all sorts of skills are exiled here. They know how to use the same kind of technology as in the capital, while other territories might not even have access to such things,” I said.
“Yeah. There are so many ways to do labor,” Bal murmured with appreciation.
Theo came over to us, carrying some kind of metallic bucket.
“We’re about to begin, so please watch carefully,” he said. Indeed, we’d be unveiling the explosive ore to the public for the first time today. “And please put this on.”
Theo handed out helmets with open faces and cotton earmuffs.
“We should be safe at this distance, but just in case...” Theo explained.
We all put on the helmets without complaint. I slipped mine on, feeling my fox ears get squished underneath.
The method we’d be using to break rock today took a lot of pseudo magical ore, so we could only use it sparingly on the largest boulders. Theo used his magic to search for weak points inside the rock. He affixed the explosive ore to those places and then drew back to a safe distance.
“Go ahead!” he shouted vigorously. I almost couldn’t believe he was the same man who had hunched over and trembled when I first met him. Indeed, people shone brightest when they did what they loved.
As the countdown began, a fire magic wielder from the monastery began chanting a spell.
“Fire spirit, lend me your strength!”
“Three! Two! One! Go!!!” Theo yelled.
The fire wielder snapped his fingers. Instantly, all of the explosive ore detonated with even more force than we’d seen in the cave. The powerful blast shook the earth.
I flinched. My tail swished nervously as I instinctively clung to my brother.
White smoke rose up following the tremendous shock wave, blinding us all. Despite the helmet upon my head, my ears were stinging. The very air seemed to be shaking, and even Lord Reineke covered his ears with a grimace. Bal had crouched down and hidden his head in his arms.
But father and Liam were unmoved.
They’re incredible!
I looked up at Liam admiringly. He smiled and hugged me tightly.
Ah! Brother, I looove you!
I pressed myself even closer against him.
“Wind spirit, clear away the smoke!” father chanted.
The fumes vanished, revealing the viciously crumbled apart remnants of the boulder.
“Wow! Wow! Wow!!!” Even though he’d been cowering moments ago, Bal was now hopping up and down.
The citizens cheered, and I started clapping.
“That Theo’s not half bad at this,” Lord Reineke said with a chuckle. With those words to me, he had truly acknowledged Theo’s skills.
“Lord Reineke just praised you,” I told the man, who smiled shyly.
“Thank you, Lord Reineke. This is all thanks to your guidance,” he said, a golden light of faith spilling from him.
The workers must’ve thought so too, as they all glowed with a similar light.
Lord Reineke nodded in satisfaction.
“That was excellently done, Theo. I’m very impressed, so keep it up and develop it even further. And make sure to let the marquisate know should you need anything,” father said.
He took off his helmet, and I followed suit.
“Thank you very much!” Theo said, bowing deeply.
The construction work became a hot topic within the Garland Kingdom. Theo drew a lot of attention, and people were starting to consider restarting the once-canceled creation of the Grand Canal. For now, the decision was held off so they could see how things developed with the Renard Canal, but Theo was still overjoyed by the news.
The pseudo magical ore raised some interest too, and we were getting a few inquiries about the amulets.
“You were right, Lune. Prettying up the ore was the right choice. The nobles seem to refer to it as magic jewelry,” Liam said, a little excited.
My fox ears twitched happily.
“Really?”
“Yes. And the maki-e is proving very popular. The artists at the monastery are starting to receive commissions, so they’re getting fired up too,” Liam said.
I jumped for joy. “That’s great!”
I was glad that my idea was recognized, but more than anything, I was happy that it had enriched the domain and motivated the criminals.
“That’s my Lune,” Lord Reineke said, rubbing his head against my waist.
“It’s all thanks to your advice, Great Lord Reineke!” I replied, giving him a big hug. “I’ll bring you lots of deep-fried tofu later!”
“Exactly,” Liam agreed.
“I’d prefer wine, actually,” the fox huffed.
“And we should bring Mr. Dragon a bunch of alcohol to say thanks!” I added.
“I wanna help too! I’ll come up with something!” Bal said, joining us.
“Oh, a drinking party? Very good.”
As the three of us eagerly discussed our ideas, Liam watched over us with a gentle smile.