Chapter 15: Establishment of the Workshop

The renovated Knights’ Barracks immediately became a hot topic within the domain. “Did you hear? Apparently, those run-down Knights’ Barracks suddenly became beautiful.” “Did they hire a large number of artisans?”

“No, I heard that William-sama, the Margrave‘s second son, fixed it using a Skill.” “A Skill? Was there a Skill that could repair buildings?” “They say it was the Production Skill.” “Production Skill? Was it capable of doing something like that?”

“Apparently, William-sama’s Production Skill is on a completely different level. The furniture he creates is also supposed to be of amazing workmanship.” Since there aren’t many new incidents in the frontier, rumors spread quickly. And there were those who heard the rumors and took concrete action.

“Please, make me your disciple!” I was bewildered, facing the young people bowing their heads in front of me. “Father, who are these people?” “Ah, it seems the rumor that Will‘s Production Skill is amazing has spread throughout the domain. These individuals hope to become artisans under Will.”

The young men and women spoke with fervor. “I always thought the Production Skill could only create small things. I was so moved to learn that you could perform such huge tasks like building several houses or repairing the Knights’ Barracks.” “William-sama’s furniture features incredibly intricate decorations. I happened to have the chance to see it, and I believe it opens up the future of furniture.”

The first to speak was Carpenter, the nephew of Craft. No, while I’m happy they are praising me, I’m still just a child. Seeing my distress, Father gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “Will, you’re thinking, ‘But I’m still just a child,’ aren’t you?” As expected of Father, he understands me well.

“However, Will‘s talent was acknowledged by the Guild Master of the Levant Trading Company. Age has no bearing on talent.” “Oh, the great Levant Trading Company!” “As expected of William-sama!” Everyone became even more heated. What am I going to do about this?

“I have been thinking about this since that time. It is difficult to sell items made by Will, a noble’s child, to merchants. However, if Will becomes the representative and establishes a Workshop, the items created in that Workshop can be sold to merchants.” So Father was thinking about that, too. “I hereby declare: The Fairchild family shall establish a new Workshop!” “Ooh!!”

The excitement reached its peak. There was no way I could refuse now. Thinking back, the Goddess said that since I was a Blessed Producer, I would influence the people around me. I need to steel my resolve.

“Understood. I may be young and immature, but I will do my absolute best. Let’s all work together to create excellent things!” Everyone responded with cheers.

Father told me later that they had already confirmed that all the gathered young people possessed the Production Skill. Not only that, but our butler, Smith, had interviewed them beforehand to check for any personality issues. He had already prepared the groundwork without me realizing it.

Father apologized for moving forward without consulting me, but he said that since I am cautious and prefer not to stand out, he thought I might decline if he discussed it with me beforehand. When he put it that way—that pushing forward, even forcefully, would lead to future success—all I could do was thank him.

As for the location of the Workshop, Smith had prepared a spot near the Margrave‘s mansion. And only the materials had been gathered so that I could build the structure exactly as I wanted. Smith really is an excellent butler.

Since it was my own Workshop, I thought I might develop what Craft taught me and try building a structure exactly how I liked. I wanted a new shape that hadn’t been seen in this world yet, so I built a hexagonal building with high ceilings and large windows.

Inside the building, I created living quarters for the artisans who would be living there, and I even included the Bath that was so popular with the Knights’ Order. When I unveiled the finished building to the Workshop disciples, they exclaimed: “Oh, what a beautiful building! And I’ve never seen a shape like this before.”

“Wow, what is this? This luxurious Bath?” “I am proud to be able to work in such a magnificent Workshop. We will work hard so that we can create wonderful things like this someday.” I was glad it was well received. I hope they will all work hard in this Workshop for the development of the domain.

The most eager among them moved in that same evening. The next day, once all the disciples were present, I demonstrated using my Production Skill, and everyone began to work with great enthusiasm. I gave individual advice to those who couldn’t do it well. My explanations tended to be intuitive, but everyone listened intently.

There was no one who slighted me just because I was a child. For example, Carpenter insisted that since he was now a disciple, I should just call him Carpenter, and he wouldn’t yield on that point. The disciples even seemed to be teaching one another.

I thought the atmosphere was excellent. They are all artisans with great potential. Also, I realized one thing while teaching them: There was no one as quick to grasp things, or who could create things exactly as I could, as Theo.

Most people had weaknesses, such as being poor at delicate work like creating intricate decorations, or having low Mana capacity and thus being unable to create large objects. For example, Carpenter seems to struggle with imagining fine details, but he has a large amount of Mana and is good at repairing buildings. It appears Theo possesses exceptional talent.

Everyone worked with motivation, and after a while, I understood who was skilled at what, allowing us to successfully divide the labor. My disciples could now produce high-quality furniture and successfully repair buildings even without my direct intervention.

It was right around this time that a visitor arrived from the Royal Capital. “I heard the news! You’ve established a Workshop!” It was Alex, the Guild Master of the Levant Trading Company, who appeared while trembling with excitement. As expected of his quick ear, he had already caught wind of the news.

“Please, allow my company to handle your products!” “Thank you very much. It’s very reassuring that a great company like the Levant Trading Company would handle our Workshop, even though it’s still just starting out.” I had a feeling we would meet again, but I’m happy that we could reunite like this.