episode_0050

“Let’s all conduct research and development and find ways to further increase productivity.”

“Yes? Isn’t this enough?”

“Productivity has improved. But isn’t there a way to make it better? You may be experts, but you haven’t directly experienced division of labor like you do now. I found a good method with a brilliant idea, but if I research, I will be able to find a better method.”

Since I remember some, but not all, of my past life, I was convinced that there could be a better way.

When I gave instructions with such confidence, the researchers nodded, even though they seemed to have difficulty understanding.

“Oh, by the way, the compensation for increasing productivity this time will be included in your salary.”

“I will work hard!”

When told that rewards would be given for increased productivity, the researchers smiled happily and clenched their fists.

In this way, we have created motivation to focus on research and development, so it will produce results on its own without prompting.

He chuckled at the sight of the researchers who seemed to want to rush to the R&D headquarters and do research and development right away, and sent them back to the headquarters. Looking at the situation, it was clear that they would be conducting research and development while working voluntarily overtime.

Anyway, after sending the researchers away, I headed straight to the workroom. Although mass production became possible through division of labor, there were some drawbacks. As the process became more complex, production control became more difficult.

Previously, all that Jiena had to do was come into the blacksmith shop, take stock of the inventory, and specify the items to be made. But now the situation has become a bit ambiguous. Due to the division of labor, each product required different parts or had to have variations in the assembly process. If that task was left to Jiena, she would have to supervise the production of goods at the blacksmith shop, rather than managing the store.

That’s why I was thinking of creating a skeleton mage to oversee production. It was a loss for Jienna to focus only on producing goods and not serving customers.

“Let’s see… … . The method I found last time… … .”

In order to make the most of the long travel time, I researched ways to improve the Skeleton Mage while moving. We continued the production of the Skeleton Mage by applying the methods discovered in the process.

One of the ways I found it was to change a basic but important ingredient. Rather than ordinary goblins or orcs, special individuals were used.

I chose a goblin shaman, one of the rarest among goblins, who can use a type of magic called witchcraft, as the base for the skeleton. A goblin shaman is an entity that is slightly smaller than a typical goblin, but uses magic by naturally absorbing magical or dark magic. Naturally, as they used magic, their intelligence was also much higher than that of ordinary goblins.

In addition, I made several changes to the method of creating the skeleton, and ultimately the Skeleton Mage was created to the level I wanted. Although, thanks to the use of special objects and plenty of expensive materials, the cost was enough to make about ten ordinary skeletons.

This was not a skeleton spare mage that had been created at a high price, but a real skeleton mage quickly stood up with a bright blue glow burning in her eye sockets. Although it was a bit smaller than other goblin skeletons, there was a huge difference in the sense of dark magic energy. If the Skeleton Reserve Mage is a candle, the Skeleton Mage could be likened to a torch.

“Are you the one who raised me from death?”

“Oh, yes.”

“A lowly shaman bows to the master who gave him new life.”

Moreover, he didn’t make any cringe-worthy remarks about being the master of death or anything. No, it felt a little creepy, but it wasn’t at the level of a prospective mage.

“From now on, call me boss. Don’t be the owner or anything.”

“Okay. Boss.”

Even, when I gave him a title, he was seen calling me that. The prospective mage was close to not understanding the idea of changing one’s title, but I don’t know if it was because she was a properly made mage, but she understood.

“First of all, I will tell you what to do next, so follow me.”

Satisfied with not having to listen to people calling him the master of death and all, he smiled slightly and returned to the blacksmith shop with the skeleton mage.

“You can coordinate the other skeletons making things here.”

“What does it mean to coordinate?”

“Hmm… … . What should I say.”

After thinking about how to explain for a while, I decided to just say whatever came to mind, relying solely on my intelligence, which was presumed to be superior to that of a prospective mage. I’m sure you’ll figure it out on your own, right?

“Those skeletons are making the things I want. To be precise, we are dividing the work to make that product. Heating the iron over there, carving the wood, transforming the iron, and assembling things. There are several separate processes.”

“I understand.”

“Really? I’m glad. Anyway, I divide the work like that, but all the work can’t start and finish at the same time, right? You have to adjust that gap. Skeletons that finish their work quickly can start the next necessary task in advance, or are assigned to other tasks that can help. If you specify the items to be produced in advance, you must also move the skeletons to produce the designated items.”

“Okay. I will do my best to satisfy the boss with the task he has entrusted to me.”

“Then let’s give it a try now. I can watch you do it yourself and check if there are any mistakes.”

Seeing the Skeleton Mage’s appearance as if he understood, I checked to see him coordinating the skeletons himself, just in case he didn’t know.

For about three or four hours, I watched the skeletons making things at the blacksmith shop, and they moved as I wanted. The skeletons began to move very smoothly, as if they were interlocked with gears.

Specifying the goods to be produced, a task that Ziena had been doing until now, became very easy. Overall, this was thanks to the Skeleton Mage, who was in a position with a view of the forge, controlling the skeletons with dark magic. I don’t know if it was because he was a skeleton mage, but he was moving regular skeletons like his own hands and feet.

Now it was possible to operate the skeletons in detail 24 hours a day. Until now, neither I nor Gienna could control the skeleton’s behavior while it was sleeping, but now it is possible.

“Hehehe… … .”

Looking at the Skeleton Mage showing a very satisfying appearance, I couldn’t help but laugh.

I couldn’t help but be happy because it was able to move on its own without me managing it. It was strange that I wasn’t happy because all I had to do was tell them what to make and how much to make, and they made it quickly.

However, as I was smiling happily at the skeleton mage, Jienna sneakily entered the blacksmith shop.

“Boss, were you here and not in the studio? But why are you smiling so grimly like a warlock?”

“… … Because I’m that warlock?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

For a moment, I wondered if my smile was that strange, but then I saw Jienna tilting her head.

But I was able to quickly guess the reason. This is because I have entrusted Jiena with specifying the items that need to be made so far. Since I had informed them that I had to make a large quantity of items, it was clear that they had come with the intention of checking the production status of the items and managing the items to be manufactured. However, in that situation, it was puzzling that the internal structure had changed due to division of labor.

“Now, there is no need for you to specify items here from now on.”

“Yes? Really?”

Jienna’s ears perked up when she heard that she no longer had to upload the items she needed to make to the product designation section. Like a dog, he was expressing his emotions with his ears, showing that he was in a good mood.

“Why do you like it because you have one less task?”

“Of course! How much incentive will you get if you sell even one more item to customers during the designated item time?”

In reality, it was only a few meds of incentive, but I couldn’t help but shake my head at Jienna’s appearance as if it was very precious. How did I become an elf crazy about money? … .

I really didn’t expect that the answer would be that it’s not that it feels good to have onerous tasks relieved, but that it’s good to be able to earn incentives while doing that work.

And while I was shaking my head at Jienna’s unexpected reaction, Jienna immediately ran out to the store. It was because I heard someone entering the store along with a creaking sound.

“Welcome! This is Smith Skeleton’s main branch!”

I shook my head again as they ran into the store, shouting greetings energetically, and watched the skeletons create items.

I don’t know if it was because each skeleton was doing a different job due to the division of labor, but it was perfect for just watching in a daze.

A skeleton rotating a wooden stick with a hand that can rotate 360 degrees and carving a wooden stick with a handle, a skeleton repeatedly putting a piece of iron in and out of a kiln while making a rattling sound periodically, a piece of heated iron in front of me. Several skeletons were attracting attention, such as a skeleton that banged like crazy when released and a skeleton that assembled parts one by one with its four hands.

Through the division of labor and the coordination of the Skeleton Mages, the Skeletons, who had no time to play even for a short while, began to produce an enormous amount of items.

There were obviously very few items in the place where the made items were piled up, but by the time I thought I should close the store and go home, there were so many items piled up.

Since goods were produced quickly at that level, the goods that had to be delivered were also produced quickly. About a week after the division of labor began, all the items ordered by the Carbon Branch and the Carbon Lord had been completed.

“I will visit Carbone again, so the store is being managed well.”

“Are you going again? These days, I spend more time away from the village than I do in the village.”

“I can’t help it. The Count’s order was mixed up. If I create a route where I receive separate orders later, I will make another Skeleton Mage and send it instead of me.”

“You must come back and pay me that salary!”

“Ugh… … .”

I left the village with a small sigh at the sight of Jiena, who instead of telling me to have a good trip or be careful, insisted on coming back and asking for my salary.

Behind me, riding on a skeleton cart pulled by a skeletal horse, a procession of skeleton carts filled with items to take to Carbone followed.

“Wow, it’s cold, it’s cold. I should make a real skeleton mage faster and make it move instead of me.”

As it was approaching a cold winter day, a cold wind was blowing. The cart skeleton was modified to resemble a carriage for movement, but it could not stop the cold wind blowing between the bones. I had to wrap myself in a thick blanket and move while warming the air with a flame made with black magic.

Just as more skeletons were needed for mass production of goods, it was thought that more skeleton mages were also needed for movement and other functions.

The more I thought about it, the more useful ways the Skeleton Mage came to mind. With its high intelligence, it could be used to move around without me, and it was also possible to entrust the job of processing the blood purchased from Father Thomas into blood essence.

And, as I was thinking about how to use the Skeleton Mage and learning more about black magic, I arrived at Carbone.

First, I roughly dumped the items requested at the Carbon branch into the store and then headed straight to the Carbon lord’s mansion. I don’t know if it was because they knew about me from previous visits, but the soldiers guarding the mansion did not block me and opened the door.