episode_0088

I calmed my pounding heart and went straight into the store. Judging by the people waiting outside constantly glancing inside the store, it seemed like all the blacksmiths who would become researchers were inside the store.

“Boss, everything is in the reception room.”

“Really? Okay.”

As I expected, all the blacksmiths were in the inner drawing room. As Jienna told me, I went to the reception room and found several people sitting quietly waiting inside.

Since they came from both the Viscounty of Defuty and the Barony of Palmer, the number was small, but there was no shortage of chairs. Gienna must have brought some simple chairs, so everyone was sitting down.

“Oh, are you here?”

And, the blacksmiths who were sitting there talking to each other about various things became nervous when I appeared and kept their mouths shut.

However, some of them were looking at me with a bit of resentment. Of course, it wasn’t something I couldn’t understand. Since they all had to suddenly leave the area where they lived, it was natural that they would not look upon me favorably, which could be said to be the reason.

But I didn’t care that they blamed me. This was not only because it was a natural thing to do in the first place, but also because I had confidence that I could erase their resentment.

“Everyone is gathered together, and it looks like family members are waiting outside, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

He sat down on the luxurious sofa and got straight to the point.

“From now on, you will be working as researchers at my research and development headquarters while receiving a salary. The work itself is almost no different from what blacksmiths used to do. It involves handling metals and making things using those metals. what… … Although it cannot be said to be completely the same.”

Several blacksmiths sighed in relief and nodded at my words. This is because they are telling them to continue doing what they have done so far and what they can do best.

However, not all blacksmiths nodded their heads. Some were still looking at me with a grumpy or sulky look. Because of my status as an aristocrat, it seemed like I was trying not to show it, but I couldn’t hide it completely.

In the end, one of the blacksmiths who looked the most sulky stood up, slowly raising his hand. It seemed like he was trying to appeal that he was dissatisfied. When I motioned for him to talk as much as he wanted, he opened his mouth, still sulking.

“I am risking my life to speak to you, noble man… … . You said you work while receiving a salary, but isn’t that actually just giving us a little money and putting us through a hard time? Please give us some money and you’re not squeezing us out.”

The blacksmith who seemed the most dissatisfied seemed to have been unable to properly understand the situation, as if information had not been delivered properly. However, unfortunately, he was not the only one who was unable to convey the information. The blacksmiths around him also became agitated and began to agree with him.

I sighed at that sight, shook my head, and led them toward the interior of the blacksmith shop, where items were still being produced. I plan to move there soon when the new blacksmith shop is completed, so although it is messy, things are still being made without a problem.

“Skeleton!”

“Is it more profitable to give them a few pennies and squeeze them out, or is it more profitable to use a skeleton without paying them? No, didn’t you hear anything from Viscount Deputy or Baron Farmer?”

“Ugh… … . Yes, I heard it, but honestly, how can I believe it… … .”

Most of the blacksmiths who were complaining quieted down their complaints, probably because they realized that there was nothing to worry about. There was no need to worry about being exploited, and there were no complaints as long as you were paid to do something similar to what you usually do.

But some still expressed dissatisfaction. The reason was that the salary I promised was insufficient compared to the money they were previously earning. Of course, it was not difficult to quell these complaints.

“First of all, the basic salary is uniform to 40,000 meds, but it will change depending on the job. People with good skills will receive more salary, and if their skills are below the standard, it may be reduced.”

“… … By any chance, how much do you plan to give to someone with good skills?”

“Let’s see… … . How much does the R&D headquarters pay to talented researchers? … .”

Perhaps because he was proud of his skills, the blacksmith, who had the most sullen expression on his face, subtly asked about his salary. There was nothing I couldn’t answer, so I looked back on my memories. I remember the basic salary itself, but I had to refresh my memory because the monthly incentives and royalties were different.

“Ah, yes. The basic salary received by one of the most talented people you can count with two hands is 100,000 meds per month. And, those who conducted research and achieved good results received 200,000 med as an incentive. The person who created a new product and received royalties received 80,000 med.”

“Hee, hee!”

The blacksmiths were shocked when they heard the amount of money received by talented researchers. The amount was very large.

“Well, are you giving that much? Aren’t we going to fail?”

He was so surprised that one blacksmith even asked if I was going out of business by paying the salaries of researchers. I covered my mouth as if I was surprised by the question, but I couldn’t take back what I had already said.

I laughed and shook my head at that sight. Although they gave a lot of money, they did not give it out randomly. I gave it to them because I had made enough profit to be able to give that much to them.

Moreover, incentives or royalties did not continue to be provided forever. The money and period of payment varied depending on the commerciality, utility, and sustainability of the research and development. No matter how excellent something was made, if it was difficult or ambiguous to use, the money paid was small or even non-existent.

Anyway, after explaining that part appropriately, the blacksmiths nodded as if they understood. This time, the same was true for those who were sulking. Everyone was nodding their heads as if they were in one accord.

No, rather, I felt a more passionate will from the sulky-looking blacksmiths.

“Of course it’s not coercion. There is no reason to force someone to do something and give them money if they don’t want to do it. If you wish, we also support moving to another place… … .”

“Kkooook! I want to!”

When I was about to say that if I didn’t want to become a researcher, I would be willing to help them move to another place, the one who was the most sulky ran out and prostrated himself in front of me. The Skeleton Knight reacted to the sudden jump, but stopped quickly after seeing the prostrating figure.

The blacksmith must not have guessed that if he had made a mistake, his heart would have been pierced, so he bowed down in front of me and shouted loudly.

“I really want to be that researcher! Please let me do it! If you just let me do it, I’ll give it my all!”

I nodded my head unconsciously as I saw him showing such enthusiasm that he seemed ready to lick his shoes. And, as if that was a catalyst, the other blacksmiths also bowed down and screamed that they really wanted to do it.

In the first place, I was trying to persuade people who wanted to go somewhere else to become researchers, so I was momentarily taken aback by that, but then I nodded and accepted them as researchers. They say they will work hard on their own, so there is no reason to refuse.

We rounded up the new researchers and sent them straight to the inn. It was the only inn in the village right now, but thanks to its size, there was no problem accommodating them and their families.

After having them settle in the inn with their families until they could find a home, they immediately sent the blacksmiths who became researchers to the research and development headquarters. I got to know the researchers who were my seniors and superiors, and learned from them what a researcher should do. Of course, there was also a reason why he was sent to help him adapt to things that would be different from when he was an ordinary blacksmith.

And, the researchers who headed to the R&D headquarters showed that they adapted very quickly. There was no particular antagonism with the existing researchers, and we blended in naturally. When I visited unexpectedly, I was able to witness existing and new researchers working together to share knowledge.

Even, some new researchers have achieved some results. When I heard that a new blacksmith shop was being built, the efficiency of the existing facilities was slightly improved. The efficiency of the equipment itself has been improved, making it more durable and long-lasting, which can also affect the quality of the results.

Perhaps thanks to this, the equipment for the new blacksmith shop was built fairly quickly. This is because with one person taking the center stage and leading the construction of the equipment, the production of the equipment itself has become quite efficient.

As a result, all internal facilities were completed around the same time as the blacksmith building was completed. I expected that it would take some time to build the facilities after the building was completed, but that time was drastically reduced.

Since the new blacksmith shop was fully prepared without any problems, I decided to move the blacksmith shop right away without hesitation.

Dozens of skeletons worked hard to carry materials and items that needed to be moved, and the existing blacksmith shop was quickly emptied. Since I also used the cart skeleton to move the items, it didn’t take long to empty the blacksmith shop.

“Boss. What are you going to do here now?”

Jienna asked curiously as she looked at the blacksmith shop, which had suddenly become empty because she had made some preparations for moving in advance.

“Here? I’ll just leave this place blank. No, to be exact, it’s not just emptying. Later, as the village expands, I plan to move the store to a location designated as a commercial district, so until then, I plan to use it as a warehouse or my studio.”

As the workshop had become quite crowded, I planned to use the empty blacksmith shop sparingly. Since I was still purchasing monsters from mercenaries, I also had an idea to use the monster corpses for storage.

“Then what are you going to do with this place once the store is relocated?”

“Why?”

“I thought it would be a little disappointing. Since you said this will be a residential district, there will be no houses built here either. It’s a place with its own memories, but I think it would be a bit disappointing if someone else lived there.”

It seemed like he had many memories from working as an employee, such as decorating and displaying things himself. Jiena tapped on the display stand with a strange expression, as if she was reliving those memories.

“Then there is no need to feel sorry. I’m thinking of buying some more land around here and building my mansion.”

“A mansion? Me too, I live together, right?!”

When I heard that they were building a mansion on the site of the store and blacksmith shop, Jienna suddenly approached me with wide-open eyes.

“I think so. Why don’t you like it?”

“There’s no way you wouldn’t like it!”

My heart pounded for no reason when I saw Jienna smiling brightly and expressing joy. As a man, I couldn’t stand the thought of a pretty, beautiful woman being happy to live together. Even if there was talk of biting and all, Jiena was an outstanding beauty.

In particular, just looking at her with a bright smile and blonde hair that sparkled when the light caught it was enough to make you feel happy. Even now, I felt that excitement and excitement.

“If you live together, you don’t have to pay accommodation or rent! The savings from that are huge.”

“… … Ah, yes.”

However, I must say that it was Jiena, but when Jiena shouted something about money, my pounding heart quickly regained my composure.

“And, I feel safe when I’m with the boss. It feels like it will protect me… … ?”

However, I soon felt my heart pounding again when I saw Jiena talking with her face down as if she was embarrassed. You look like a lovely elf.

“Keu, keuhm! greatness… … !”

While I was looking at Jiena, who had been embarrassed and was now twisting her body, I suddenly heard someone clearing their throat.

Since the store was still in operation, I turned my head and wondered if a customer had come. However, the customers who were there were customers, but not customers who had come to the store for business.

“Sorry to interrupt your good time, but can we talk?”

“… … I’m sorry.”

It was Count Carbon, the guest who came to visit me, and Levs, the eldest son of Duke Digar.