The Story of Hero Among Heroes ~The Founding Chronicles of Arestia - Chapter 107 – Mining and Administrative Organization Reform

Ares was in the Grants Administration Office when George arrived.

[The people I recruited has arrived at Grants. I’ve brought them in.]

In response to George’s report, Ares looked towards his retainer, away from the documents in front of him.

[Oh, that’s surprisingly fast.]

[I had originally invited them to work in Romaria before. They only agreed now, more than anything because a good amount of autonomy is granted to a 『Frontier Territory』.]

Ares nodded his head to that.

[I see. We certainly have more freedom here than in Schwarzer territory.]

[Schwarzer Territory is under Archduke’s authority after all, so we do have some amount of freedom… but it’s still under the rule of the empire. They had no interest in a land like that… which explains their hesitation. In that respect, this land is far from the royal capital. Pretty much an unexplored land. Furthermore, we have the authority as a『Frontier territory』to act more autonomously. They couldn’t afford to pass this up.]

[…..that’s just like them to act like that…]

[They are a bit of an oddball but I believe Milord wouldn’t mind.]

Ares took a glance at each of his retainers who could be considered as the 『Ultimate Weirdos』in their own rights….and sighed.

[Well, whatever. Why don’t you show them in? I’d like to meet them.]

Having said that, Ares began to tidy up the paperwork.

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◆

[Excuse me.]

[Looking forward to work with you.]

[I’m letting myself in~~]

[Yo! Pleased to meet you!]

All four people entered the office after George’s guidance.

Their clothes were still covered with dust from their travel. Traces of fatigue still lingered in their face, but their eyes were gleaming bright.

And when the last one came in… Ares involuntarily raised his voice.

[Ehh? Rodman? Why are you here?]

Entering last was Rodmanーthe one in charge of Schwarzer Territory farmland development.

[As it is now, Romaria is already sufficiently developed. Grants is a wilderness compared to that city… so, the Archduke himself told me that I should go here to help instead.]

George also chimed in.

[The Archduke really did say so. We managed to make do with what we have back at Romaria. However…that’s not the case here. That’s why we are going to need Rodman’s help.]

Convinced, Ares shook Rodman’s hand.

[Thank you, Rodman. Your presence here is truly reassuring for me. I’ll have to trouble you again this time.]

In response to Ares’ words, Rodman smiled.

[Ares-sama…no need for that, I will definitely do my best to help the frontier.]

George added again afterward.

[There are many more arriving from Romaria. Please meet all of them later, whenever Milord is up to it.]

Ares nodded with a smile in response to George’s words.

He then looked at the rest of the group and smiled.

[Welcome to Grants. I am the lord of this land, Ares Schwarzer. Nice meeting you all.]

All four bowed down after Ares’ greeting.

[Well then… allow me to introduce them.]

George started with the man standing at the rightmost.

[His name is Tobias, a specialist in economy. Also, he, alongside myself, and Shion, as well as Rodman were classmates.]

[Well… let’s say we’re stuck with each other.

Tobias replied with a bitter smile.

He was tall with a thin face and curly brown hair. Judging from growing stubbles on his chin, he probably had just gone through some struggle for the last couple of days.

[He was a former secretary, but was fired for reporting bribery and criticizing the commerce tax system.]

[It caused the aristocrats to hunt me down, and I’ve been on the run ever since. But I should be safe here. Thanks for having me here.]

Tobias bowed while saying so.

Next, George introduced the woman standing by his side.

[Next is this woman standing next to me… her name is Natalie. She specializes in accounting.

[Thank you for having me, Your Excellency.]

Natalie calmly smiled.

She was in her mid twenties it seemed. A beautiful woman with tall and slender body. Her long black hair, coupled with her sharp eyes gave out the air of an intellectual.

[She was formerly my subordinate. After I was fired, she was assigned to someone who likes to invite girls in and flirted with her. She reported this, which caused this person to be demoted. Apparently he’s been keeping a grudge until now.]

[Fufufu. It was fun. And that fool deserved every bit of it.]

Natalie smiled fearlessly.

[I want her to manage Grants’ monetary matters. Leaving the finance in her hands would be a good choice.]

[Numbers is what I’m good at. I will do my.]

Then George introduced the glasses wearing, short statured woman.

[This is miss Francesca. She formerly in charge of inventing stuff for me.]

[Please just call me Fran~ Nice to meet you~!]

Franceska almost instantly took Ares’ hand for a handshake.

[Yeah, nice to meet you too, Fran]

Franceska shook Ares’ hand with a smile.

[She was… she was dismissed for criticizing the work of an aristocrat who was a 『self-proclaimed』artist]

[Hee? Just because of that?

[That particular self proclaimed artist happened to be an earl.]

[But that’s not art~ that’s nothing but junk~]

Fran seemingly inflated while saying so.

[I was scolded for being honest~! I just don’t get it~!]

[Therefore I reached out to her when I heard that she’s been dismissed. Also, she’s apparently interested in alchemy as well.]

[You’ve produced various things like the matchbox and cooling box~. Those are simply revolutionary~. By all means, I’d like to help shape that art and maybe create my own invention.]

[Her talent is in 『Manufacturing』. She can handle various things, ranging from artistic items, to military weaponry. We can let her handle the industrial development.]

[Looking forward to work together~]

Francesca then bowed enthusiastically.

[And lastly…. Let me introduce you to this roughshod oldman…]

[Oi oi, why am I the only one being treated like that?]

The man pushed through George and advanced forward. He then promptly shook Ares’ hand vigorously.

[Lord-san, my name is Oliver. It’s good to see you.]

Having his hand completely enveloped by Oliver’s hand, Ares smiled wryly.

[Good to see you too, Oliver.]

[Oya, Lord-san actually has a strong hand despite looking slender like this?]

Oliver laughed.

[It’s not Lord-san, Oliver. Please use proper honorifics.]

Seeing the scene unfolded, George was visibly upset.

[Okay okay, you’re still a pain in the butt as you used to be. Well then… looking forward to work with you,『Your Excellency』.]

[…even if this guy here is such a roughshod, he’s actually a professional civil engineer. He’s also a former soldier and a former adventurer. I had a history of hiring him for his expertise.]

[I was interested in buildings from the beginning. That’s why I learned civil engineering at school. After that, as an adventurer, I travelled around the continent as I saw and learned the architecture of various places. Of course, I also taught myself carpentry along the way.]

Oliver explained as he tapped his chest proudly.

[It’s just that his roughshod attitude would cause him trouble everywhere he went… until I picked him up.]

[Oi oi, how dare you to say that. Oh well, it’s true though! Hahaha!]

[He may have his quirks, but he’s certainly a man of talent. The idea of the flush toilet came from his paper during his student days. I’d like to entrust him with the civil engineering matters.]

That said, George took out the administrative organization table and started filling the previously empty positions with the names of each four people.

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Chief Administrative Officer Ares

State Secretary George

State Counsellor Elan

State Counsellor Ramires

Consultant Gail

Treasury Secretary Natalie

Secretary of Agriculture Rodman

Secretary of Commerce Tobias

Secretary of Industry Francesca

Secretary of Security Eckhart

Civil Engineering Secretary Oliver

Family Register Secretary Bergan

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After the names were written, the scroll shone pale blue. Once the shine faded away, Ares smiled in satisfaction.

[With this, Grants government body has been fully set. All we have to do now is to work according to our duty. Let’s do our best together.]

The four nodded excitedly.

And after that… they’re in for a surprise when they heard about the available budget from George…

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A few days later…

[Mining Engineer?]

Ares looked at George and Francesca before him. Other than the two was a middle aged woman he never saw before.

[This woman is very good at mining. She was working to develop a mine in a certain earl’s territory, but the mine was confiscated by the earl, so here she is now…]

[Humph, that greedy aristocrat. That mine wouldn’t produce anything worthwhile if it’s not because of me… good grief.]

The woman muttered to himself, then turned to Ares.

[You don’t look the part as an aristocrat… rather, seeing that you are willing to obey such an eccentric like George, then I can probably trust you.]

Then she reached out with her hand.

[Pleased to meet you, Your Excellency Lord of Frontier. My name is Nora.]

Ares received the handshake and replied.

[All the same, Nora. No need to be so formal in this frontier. And it’s uncomfortable when an elder calls me with honorific. Please just call me Ares.]

[Oya oya, this is even better than I expected. Then I’ll look forward to work with you, Ares-dono.

Nora smiled back at Ares.

[Nora is a mining engineer who works alongside the 『Earth Spirit』. Her tongue might be sharp, but her ability is real.]

[Sharp tongue? You’re just being superfluous there.]

Nora was a bit grumpy with how George described herself.

[Mining Engineer who works together with『Earth Spirit』? That sounds amazing.]

[The way I see it, Ares-dono also has several spirits working for him already, don’t you?]

[But I still don’t have any spirit of 『Earth』who could specialize in mining though]

Ares said with a chuckle.

[Fuhn. Whatever. Then, George. Where is this mine I need to help develop?]

[Right. It’ll be improper to keep talking right here. Shall I show you the spot immediately?]

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Ares and George accompanied Nora to the mining site east of Heinz.

To the east of Heinz, lies a vast mountain range inhabited by dwarves and the Aryans… it’s pretty much a land with untapped potential.

They’re currently heading… to the mountain at the very edge of the mountain range.

[So this is where the Heinz iron mine is located at?]

[Yes. Basically, it’s this entire mountain.]

Ramires was the one who replied to George’s question.

Looking closely, there were several tunnels all over the mountain, and many were still operational.

Nora looked around, then sighed.

[So it’s iron mining… okay then. But this mine has been dug from several years ago. I don’t think I’ll be able to get what I want from here.]

That said, Nora raised her right hand.

[Summon!]

In response to her summoning, the spirit of the land with a childlike form appeared before them.

Seeing this, Ares was slightly surprised.

[So this is the spirit of earth… it’s the first time for me to see one.]

There were only a few mining engineers who could seek the help of spirits. Why are theyso precious? Because the spirit can help find the most efficient vein to be mined. Therefore, this kind of mining engineer was often treated well by their employer.]

[Hi, Nora. Have you found me a new mine?]

[What do you think of this mine before us?]

The spirit flew around for a while… before returning with a surprised face.

[Nora! You should really undertake this job! This mine is amazing! The iron is of good quality, and there are a lot of veins inside! We can dig them out for our entire life and still has some leftovers. Moreover, there is the king of iron『Black Iron』 in this mine. and…]

[And?]

[Perhaps… we can also dig out some silver and gold from that mountain.]

Nora laughed after hearing that last part.

[Then it’s decided. I’ll spend the remainder of my life to concentrate on this mine.]

But when George heard the spirit’s explanation, he frowned.

[Hmm, silver and gold…? I don’t know what to feel to hear that with the overabundant gold and silver we have at the moment…]

Nora chuckled at that.

[Those gold and silver are still a long way to go. They should be in deeper part of the mountain. We’re only going to dig up iron in the meantime.]

Then she stared daggers at George.

[Well… I haven’t heard about the most important part here.]

[That is taken care of already.]

George was quick to reply.

[We will pay you accordingly for each iron ore mined from this place. Of course, we will check the pricing in various places to trade with an appropriate rate. However, we will deduct it with equipment, labor, accommodation cost, etc.]

[….isn’t that a bit overt?]

[It’s only natural. I believe there will be no other who would offer a better treatment]

Nora stared at George’s face… then at Ares.

Then she was reminded of something she heard from George before she came to Heinz. That he wanted to make a mining town centered around Nora.

Mining engineers were relatively low in status and tend to be discriminated against. Hard work, dirty environment… those who engaged in this business were under prejudice. And therefore most of them were recluse. To be able to create a place for themselves, reaping profits for their work and even given the right to build a city based on one’s occupation… there is really no better offer.

[If it’s not good enough for you, then I can only look elsewhere… although I don’t know any miners other than you. I’d be grateful if you can accept.]

George spun up more words, pretending he couldn’t see through Nora’s intention.

After some silence, Nora sighed, and showed a calm smile.

[Really now. I hate to say this, but you’re right. But I’m not doing this for you. I’m now… working for Ares-dono there.]

[Of course, that is not a problem.]

[Geez you really are lame… oh well, I promise that I’ll do my best. Best regards, Lord-dono.]

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Nora then called upon her acquaintances and began large-scale mining. Grants originally had large amount of miners already, so adding them to the lot, the place soon grew into a small town within six month.

By the way, regarding that one mountain, it would be renamed to Mount Nora, and later on became known as the best producer of ores like iron, silver, gold and many others. At the same time, the town they created, Nora town, would later be known as one of the continent’s leading districts in mining.