episode_0223

“Okay, then I guess we should build a warehouse.”

I nodded to Jiena’s opinion and immediately decided to set up warehouses here and there.

Of course, I had no intention of starting construction here and there to build a warehouse right away. I was planning to build a warehouse in the territory of people I could trust, including my cooperative family, but in order to do that, I had to talk to the owners of that territory, so it was only natural.

Jiena seemed to understand that part as well, so she didn’t mention the warehouse anymore.

Instead, he started talking about something else. With a new stack of documents.

“This is about imports in addition to exports. Entry and exit were restricted due to the Territory War, so we couldn’t export items, but we also couldn’t bring them in.”

“Huh? Isn’t the village chief in charge of the income part?”

“The boss was away, so I did the final inspection instead. I brought it here because I wanted you to check if there were any mistakes.”

I wondered why Jiena brought something that the village chief was in charge of, but since she was in the position of the lord’s wife and wielded the authority of the lord’s representative, she asked me to make sure she did it right.

I could trust Jienna because she was quite thorough and showed great ability when it came to money, but I still decided to check it out first.

Of course, there were no major problems with the part Jiena handled.

The situation was resolved by removing daily necessities and consumables, such as food, consumed in the territory from the warehouse prepared for emergencies, and placing additional orders from merchants who came as soon as the territory was opened.

There was nothing wrong with the documents, which were full of information about which items were used, how much was used, and how much was additionally ordered.

“Did you do well? Can I leave this to Jiena instead of the village chief from now on?”

“Hehe.”

When I praised her for doing a good job, Jiena’s long ears moved as if she was flapping her wings.

Rather than feeling like I was entrusting him with work, I could feel that he was happy because he believed and trusted me. Of course, as it was a very important part of the estate, entrusting this work was a symbol of trust. I said that because I also trust him.

Anyway, I talked to Jiena for a while about various things other than the business. There were also stories about minor incidents that occurred while I was away or about the elves in the elf area.

“Master… … .”

However, at that moment, the butler skeleton suddenly appeared. Since it was only possible to move through space within the mansion, it appeared as if rising from the floor without any trace, shocking not only me but also Jiena.

Usually, he shows up by giving a signal that he is coming, but I wondered why he showed up so quickly, but he seemed to have his own reason.

“The princess has come to visit… … .”

“The princess? No, what does that have to do with suddenly appearing… … .”

“Viscount Steel!”

As soon as I asked what it mattered, the door to the office burst open. And then, the princess appeared with her gray hair that looked like silver fluttering.

He was holding a frying pan in his hand.

“Princess. Why… … ?”

When I saw him holding the frying pan very tightly, I felt anxious and nervous for no reason. I thought he was trying to use what he was holding in his hand as a weapon.

It was natural to think that way when I saw the person who was so excited and was holding a frying pan in his hand. Even more so, since he was holding a frying pan above his head as if he was going to hit him at any moment.

Jienna was also flinching, probably in the same way as me. He must have been quite nervous, so his ears, which had been fluttering, remained stiff.

But fortunately, the princess did not bring the frying pan to use as a weapon.

“Viscount Steel, do you remember what I showed you at the capital’s Magic Tower last time?”

“If it’s the capital’s magic tower… … . I remember it’s about plating.”

“That’s right! This time, it paid off, so I came here in person. I discovered something while testing and mixing various types of metals as well as various gases and liquids! Most of the results were useless, but there was something along the way that could be called an achievement… … .”

The princess, who was pouring out words with great excitement, suddenly stopped speaking. I looked at him wondering why, but he subtly put down the frying pan he was holding as if he was going to hit him.

It seemed as if he had belatedly realized that he was behaving in a disgraceful manner.

“Hmm, hmmm! sorry. I’m so excited. I should have told you in advance… … .”

“What… … . It’s okay, so don’t worry too much.”

Most of the conversation I had with Jiena was over anyway, and we were mostly talking about personal matters, so my intrusion was not a problem.

Rather, my curiosity grew even more as I heard that I had achieved results. It would have been better to receive a report on the results rather than to be reprimanded for intruding now.

Jiena did not say anything, but she was full of curiosity, as if she was wondering why the princess was reacting this way.

“So, what was the achievement that made you come here in person?”

“Plating has been completed to prevent rust.”

“… … Yes?”

When the princess said that she had completed the plating that prevents rust, I immediately wondered if I had heard something wrong.

However, the princess probably thought I was asking the wrong question and confirmed it by saying that she had perfected a method to prevent rust from forming again.

“No, you’re saying you’ve actually completed something that won’t rust?”

“Yes. I confirmed that it did not rust at all even after submerging it in water or salt water, burying it in the dirt, and leaving it among metal pieces covered in rust. Since it was checked over a short period of time, there may be some errors, but it will not rust for at least four to five years.”

The princess was overflowing with confidence when she said that she had obtained such results by calculating the deformation of atoms through a large magnifying glass.

Of course, it was very nice to see a princess with such strong confidence. The fact that an object that does not rust was created means that it could be used in a truly infinite number of ways.

Simply put, it was possible to renovate the iron wooden fence surrounding my entire territory. Strong defense power is maintained by periodically replacing rusted parts, but if rust does not occur, it is possible to skip that process.

This was a huge benefit as it saved materials and time.

But there was one part that was strangely annoying. It was the frying pan that the princess brought, saying it was fruitful.

When I came to tell them that it was rust-free, the question of why I brought a frying pan with me was a question that never left my mind.

It would have been enough to bring a dagger or a piece of iron plate that was several times lighter than the frying pan, but I didn’t understand why they brought a frying pan and nothing else.

In the end, I decided to ask him bluntly why he brought the frying pan.

“… … It’s true that it’s a very welcome story, but why did you bring a frying pan?”

“Well, there is something a bit disappointing about it. The places where this method can be used are limited.”

“Usage is limited? So it can’t be used for non-detainment?”

“Unfortunately.”

I felt a deep sense of regret when I saw the princess nodding her head. Not being able to use it for non-detained goods was tantamount to disappearing a huge market.

Although the same goes for other iron products, brassware had to be especially meticulously maintained to prevent rust. Rusted swords and armor could not perform their original role properly. Naturally, there were many people who bought the product just because it did not rust.

“Is it really impossible without detention?”

“Because I’m not that strong at shocks. It is not suitable for use in things that must withstand shock, such as weapons or armor. It may be enough to lightly drop it, but I can’t handle swinging it with all my might and even using up my mana.”

I sighed as I heard the princess speak again as if confirming her death.

And, perhaps because the princess was surprised to see me like that, she continued her story quickly, looking a little flustered.

“Still, it is useful. I didn’t bring a frying pan for no reason.”

“It’s good if the frying pan doesn’t rust. There is nothing good about eating rust… … .”

“There are reasons for that, but plating in this way makes it easier to cook. Unlike frying pans made only of iron or cast iron, you can use less oil and it prevents food from sticking. So it becomes very easy to clean.”

As I listened to the princess explaining the usefulness of a frying pan that was plated to prevent rust, the frying pan began to seem really useful.

Aside from everything else, it reminded me of memories from before I became a warlock rather than a nobleman.

There were times when I had to wash the dishes while I was clinging to my mother who was preparing a meal, wondering if I would get something to eat. At times like that, it was difficult to clean the stuck things, but if it became easy, it could be said to be useful.

Of course, the fact that it does not rust or requires less oil was also very useful.

“Boss! That, I must make that and sell it!”

And, Jiena, who was nearby, must have thought the same thing, as she grabbed my hand and reacted violently, pointing to the frying pan the princess had brought.

“What, why are you reacting so strongly? It looks useful, but is it worth it?”

“That’s not just an ordinary useful frying pan! It’s a must-have item in the kitchen, and it’s something every housewife can’t wait to have! It might be something that feeds Smith Skeleton in the future!”

Ziena argued very vehemently that the frying pan should be sold immediately.

These days, he was quiet, but he seemed to be obsessed with money. It was as if he smelled a very strong smell of money.

“Really?”

Jiena’s extremely violent reaction began to make me feel tempted.

It’s no different because Jienna took charge of the store on my behalf and her insight into products has improved, as she is good at choosing items that will sell well.

So much so that if you follow the suggestions that a certain part of a product will sell better if you modify it, the sales volume of that product will skyrocket.

As I was looking at Jiena like that, I decided to make and sell frying pans that are plated to prevent rust, also known as plated pans.

Of course, after going through the process of checking whether everything the princess said was actually possible.