Chapter 33

Half a year had passed since the treaty was concluded.

I was visiting that mine.

The mountain path, which used to be nothing more than a narrow cart track, had now transformed into a cobblestone highway where large horse-drawn wagons came and went. Along the sides of the road, new inns and warehouses were lined up, and there was an unfamiliar number of people.

The head of the mine bowed deeply.

“Your Highness. Thanks to you, the mountain has come back to life.”

I looked down at the quarry, which was created as if carving into the cliff. Regularly assembled scaffolding. Newly installed hoisting machines.

“The hoisting machines are new, I see.”

“Yes. Engineers came from the neighboring country. Mining efficiency has improved by about twenty percent.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly. Up on the scaffolding, an unfamiliar pulley was turning quietly.

At that moment, the head of the mine gave a small laugh.

“…Even so, it was terrible at first.”

I directed my gaze at him. The head of the mine called out to a man who had been directing the work.

“You, tell His Highness. What did you say when you first saw this mechanism?”

The man called upon slowly turned around.

Sunburned skin. A sharp jawline. A lean physique. He had a fearless face, as if carved by the mountain wind.

He walked up in front of me and bowed quietly.

“…Pardon my rudeness, but I said, ‘Can we even use something like this?'”

It was a low, resonant voice. A small laugh arose from the surroundings.

“It had too many gears and a complex structure. If it breaks, the mountain stops. I thought we couldn’t entrust people’s lives to unfamiliar technology.”

He didn’t make excuses. He just stated the facts.

“I thought the old type was sufficient rather than following the methods of outsiders.”

I asked quietly.

“But it’s different now, is it not?”

The man looked back at the hoisting machine behind him.

The pulley turning regularly. Ore being pulled up with light force.

“…It only takes half the strength. The breaking of ropes has also decreased. Even the young ones can handle it.”

Short and flatly.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s a good mechanism.”

The pride of one entrusted with the worksite seeped through those words. The head of the mine continued.

“He was arguing with the engineers for three days and three nights, though.”

The man furrowed his brow slightly.

“As long as I am entrusted with the mountain, I cannot accept it lightly. However—since there is a treaty, the other side is also seriously offering their technology. If we refused, it would mean making light of the agreement.”

I let out a quiet breath.

Fear wasn’t only at the border. Wariness of the unknown is also an instinct for protection. But in order to protect, they made the resolve to change.

The articles did not merely set the price of iron. They also quietly touched upon people’s stubbornness and pride.

The hoisting machine continues to turn unswervingly today as well.

The number of working humans had also clearly increased.

“The manpower has increased, I see.”

“Yes. Young people have returned from the surrounding villages, hearing that wages have stabilized. Those who left as if fleeing are now returning on their own accord.”

I nodded slowly.

With the price of iron fixed by the treaty and the minimum supply guaranteed, the mine’s income stabilized.

Stability gives birth to investment. Investment gives birth to employment.

And employment calls people back.

“New inns have also been built. Blacksmiths, food merchants, everyone is setting up shop along this road.”

The head of the mine continued as if suddenly remembering.

“…Oh yes. There was something I was asked to convey to Your Highness.”

I directed my gaze at him.

“What is it?”

“Those who used to come to the mountain for migrant work… are now calling their families over.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

“Calling them over, huh.”

“Yes. Because wages have stabilized and they can work year-round.”

Thinking for a moment, the head of the mine said,

“…Shall I call one of them?”

I nodded slightly.

A young man ran over, looking restless.

“Um… I have a wife and a baby, you see.”

He continued while gripping his hat tightly.

“Now, we are able to live together…”

He bowed his head deeply.

“Thank you very much.”

I said quietly,

“It is you people who are supporting the mountain. It is only natural that you can live with your families.”

The young man looked up, his eyes wide.

I directed my gaze to the distant settlement.

The number of roofs has increased, smoke is rising, and children are running.

Iron crossed the border. But more than that—

Life returned to this mountain.

Once, this land was called “a land where iron comes out, but people decrease.”

It’s different now. The road that transports iron has become the road that transports people.