Chapter 27: Working with the Dwarves on Road Construction

Lately, the heat of the day has softened, and the mornings and evenings have become slightly cooler. It was hot during the height of Summer, and I had been spending my time leisurely, but maybe it’s time to start something new. If I relax too much, I might get fat again.

During the Wheat harvest season, many carts came to Northernford. At that time, it seemed difficult for the carts to move along the bumpy, dusty roads. Carts are often pulled by horses or donkeys, but sometimes people pull them if they cannot afford to keep a horse or donkey.

Seeing the people covered in dust, sweating, and doing heavy labor, I feel like I should do something. I don’t think I ever did manual labor in my past life, but I can’t stand to leave people doing difficult work for low wages alone.

One of the problems is the roads. Even if Asphalt paving isn’t possible, can’t we make them a bit better? Speaking of which, the Roman Empire had maintained Cobblestone roads. Couldn’t we start by creating Cobblestone roads in this world? When I asked around, it seems that Cobblestone roads are maintained around the Royal Capital.

However, if we were to rely solely on human effort, we would need to gather many people and take a long time. This is where my Production Skill comes in. When I tried making Cobblestone materials from raw Stone, it was quite easy. When I had Theo try making them in the Workshop, he could do it right away, and soon after, the other craftsmen could make them too.

Next, we need to flatten the ground to lay the Stones. Doing this by human effort is also difficult. Flattening the soil using Production Skill is not possible, at least for now. But there are Earth Magic specialists in the Fairchild Territory. Yes, the Dwarves who live with the Earth.

When I asked the Dwarves, they accepted immediately. They said they would work for free as thanks for the care they received, but I absolutely do not want to make them work for free like a Black Company. I decided to pay them a proper wage.

Once enough Cobblestone was made, I went with the Dwarves to the road construction site. Theo was with me this time. This was actually the first time I was meeting the Dwarves together with Theo.

I wondered if he didn’t come with me when I visited the Dwarf village before because he wanted to hide the fact that he was the former Chieftain‘s son. “Oh, young master! It is good to see you well.” “Have you grown a little taller?” The Dwarves surrounded Theo. Everyone was concerned about him.

First, let’s make the road from the main square of the Territorial Capital Northernford all the way to the suburban Highway a Cobblestone road. First, we need to flatten the bumpy road. “Oho, leave the leveling of the ground to us.”

When the Dwarves cheered “Nuhn!” several Magic Circles floated in the air, and the bumpy dirt road was leveled in the blink of an eye. We then laid the Cobblestone that had been transported using Storage Magic on top of it. Yes, with this method, we can pave the Cobblestone road quite quickly.

As we worked, the townspeople came to watch the construction. “Huh? What is this? A Cobblestone road appeared out of nowhere.” “I can’t believe it. To pave a road this easily.” We managed to lay about half of the Cobblestone road to the Highway in a single day. Yes, a smooth start.

The next day, when we resumed work, the townspeople came and cheered us on. “You’re amazing, Lord William~! Keep up the good work~!” “The Dwarves are amazing too! Go, go!” The Dwarves were surprised at first, then they smiled.

“It makes us happy to be appreciated this much.” “We must live up to the townspeople’s expectations, then.” Just when I thought it was about time for lunch, the townspeople brought us food and drinks as a gift.

We all shared the Bread and Sausages in the basket. And when you eat together, conversation flows easily. “Can all Dwarves use Earth Magic?” “Oh, since we are the Race of the Earth, we can all use it.”

“That’s incredible. To think you can all use Elemental Magic.” “Well, we can’t use anything other than Earth Magic, though.” “Being able to use one is enough. And since you’re also so strong, Dwarves are amazing, aren’t they?” “Well, we need strength for Blacksmithing.” The Dwarves seemed embarrassed by the townspeople’s admiration.

“I heard you fled from the Sea of Trees. You must have gone through a lot of hardship. But you made such a splendid road for us; we are grateful that the Dwarves came here.” When an old woman said this sincerely, the Dwarves looked happy.

“It was certainly difficult that we had to flee the Sea of Trees. But it is a blessing to be accepted in this land, to be useful, and to be thanked.” After lunch, the Dwarves put even more spirit into their work.

Thanks to them, the Cobblestone road reached the Highway early in the afternoon. “Yes, this is almost too smooth. Let’s not push ourselves and call it a day here.” I decided to finish early so the Dwarves wouldn’t run out of Magic Power. Yes, overworking is bad.

“Starting tomorrow, let’s turn the Highway into a Cobblestone road.” “Ooh!” Everyone was highly motivated. From then on, we paved the Highway with Cobblestone. Since we couldn’t just do road construction every day, we planned to work every few days.

As the construction site moved farther from the town, merchants and travelers passing by the Highway started to cheer us on and bring us gifts. The Dwarves were especially excited when they received rare Alcohol from other countries from a merchant. If we can maintain the roads within the territory, it will surely help the development of the territorial economy.