In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

"That's too much! Let's negotiate. I can go up to 100,000 gold."

Considering the money Damian had already accumulated, the amount wasn't too significant. However, this was a matter of pride.

"100,000 is too low. 180,000."

"120,000!"@@novelbin@@

"170,000!"

Philip's glare intensified as he locked eyes with Dominic and Damian. But then, he caught sight of the dragon's massive eye peeking through the office window. The dragon slightly parted its mouth, revealing rows of menacing fangs.

Philip's resolve crumbled.

"…150,000. Let's settle at 150,000."

Defeated, he lowered his head.

Dominic and Damian exchanged triumphant smiles. In truth, selling the rights to another territory had never been a real option. Even so, securing 150,000 gold was still a substantial gain.

Philip's mind was in turmoil.

He already missed his father.

Here, even the duke's influence held no power.

They actually used a dragon to intimidate me… What kind of situation is this?

Having completed the relocation of his subjects and disposed of the rights to his old territory, Michael felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Now, he could focus entirely on his new domain. Watching the fields of the developing frontier gradually take shape filled him with pride.

The highlands, untouched by human hands for years, were transforming into fertile farmland as the development progressed. Although the first harvest would not be abundant, it was expected to yield enough crops to sustain the settlers. Even so, Michael lamented the severe shortage of manpower compared to the vast expanse of land.

Despite bringing over all the freemen from Crassus, summoning the former Iron Valley residents, and even incorporating the Botana tribe, the population was still insufficient. However, since Michael had been generous in granting land, he anticipated that the harvest would improve significantly next year. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

While the temporary tax exemptions caused a dip in the estate's finances, this was a necessary investment. After all, a prosperous populace meant a prosperous lord. The contributions of the serfs from the southern regions stood out in particular. Compared to the barren north, the south's advanced agricultural techniques were instrumental in enriching the soil.

Michael also paid a visit to the reopened mines. Mining operations, inherently labor-intensive, required significant manpower at every stage—from extraction and refinement to smelting and casting. These mines were destined to become a primary source of revenue for the new Crassus estate. To this end, Michael had gathered every blacksmith from the surrounding areas and even attracted some settlers by offering high wages.

Young men eager to learn new skills and save money responded enthusiastically to recruitment efforts. Initially, the blacksmiths were hesitant when Michael shared his plans.

"You don't need to train apprentices. Each worker will handle a single task in the production process. This will make the work much easier. Trust me," Michael assured them.

Vernon, the brick artisan, chimed in to support him. "That's right. We were skeptical at first too, but the work indeed became faster. Sir Knight is someone you can trust."

"But our craft is not so simple," one blacksmith countered. "Such methods won't produce skilled blacksmiths."

Michael remained steadfast. "What we need right now are not master blacksmiths but people who can complete their tasks quickly. Skilled blacksmiths might think they're at a disadvantage in this system, but the reality is quite different."

In an era when iron weapons and tools were handcrafted, blacksmiths were among the most well-compensated workers in the community. Many earned enough not only to cover living expenses but also to own multiple market stalls. This profitability stemmed from the scarcity of their trade, maintained through the apprenticeship system.

Recognizing the potential resistance from entrenched blacksmiths, Michael devised a solution. "Those skilled in forging weapons and armor will have their livelihoods guaranteed. They will act as supervisors for each production stage and receive performance-based bonuses. Base pay for supervisors will be 10 gold per year, with additional incentives for smooth production lines."

Since the plan didn't aim for mass production of fine weapons and armor, as long as workers performed their assigned roles well, the system would suffice. One blacksmith asked cautiously, "So, we won't have to hammer iron ourselves anymore?"

Relieved at the prospect of avoiding grueling work under intense heat, the blacksmiths exchanged glances. If they only needed to teach one specific process, there was no risk of their skills being undermined or their status threatened.

Thanks to the compromise between Michael and the blacksmiths, the clanging of iron echoed endlessly around the mines. With geothermal heat harnessed by mages and assistance from Marcus, high-quality iron was being produced in large quantities, surpassing expectations.

"Sir Knight, could you take a look at these weapons?"

Following Greg, the head blacksmith, Michael approached the busy operations at the mine's edge. The forge, constructed along an extended waterway from the lake, was bustling with activity as ores were melted, iron was extracted, and products were crafted.

Selling raw iron would have generated income, but producing and selling finished weapons was far more profitable. Greg, visibly nervous, presented newly forged swords, spearheads, and shields reinforced with iron, anxiously awaiting Michael's evaluation.

"The weapons... They're not of great quality," Michael noted. "The iron itself isn't bad, but most of these items have flaws that make it difficult to sell them at a fair price."

Michael had not expected high-quality weapons from a basic mass-production system. Examining the swords, he noted inconsistent weights and lengths, while the spearheads lacked precision, potentially diminishing their lethality.

Yet Michael found this outcome satisfactory. After all, these weapons weren't intended for his army; they were meant for sale to other territories. Compared to wooden spears or shields, even these flawed iron weapons were far superior.

Targeting cash-strapped nobles ensured a reliable demand for these products. Attempting to sell high-quality weapons on such a scale would have raised suspicions and potentially drawn attention from the royal family, given the strategic implications.

"This level of quality is sufficient, so don't worry about it," Michael said reassuringly. "Continue producing to this standard. The most important thing is to keep production costs low; there's no need to strive for higher quality."