CH 172

7-9 minutes

I’m back on the island for a preparatory meeting with Soleil after listening to Gold and Silver’s report. Soleil, Gold and Silver are here, Marlou is in Nalluahdid on an errand.

「We confirmed that we have sufficient funds. However, the transportation of materials will be quite expensive. 」

I’m told spirit swords cost as much as a castle, and might be more depending on the actual sword.

The price of castles also varies a lot, so I’m not really sure about the comparative value, but well, it’s a lot of money. But, it’s not unlimited.

「I’ll add later. 」

「… 」

Soleil, Gold and Silver’s stares are too intense.

「May I ask how you plan to procure the funds? 」

「Sell the magic stones I have? Ah, if you see any diamonds please buy them for me. 」

For Van’s popcorn.

「If you have several of them, would you like to sell them to us? However, the deal will be in a month. 」

「Alright then, I’ll leave it to you. The better the shape of the crooked magic stone, the higher it’ll sell? 」

「But of course. Well, it also depends on the color and clarity. 」

「Will anti-back pain jade also sell?」

「If it’s an excellent ornament, then yes. Besides, back pain relievers are something akin to lucky amulets. If you can give us a sample, we’ll do our best to take orders for it. 」

Folks here have a superstitious belief that wearing jade on your waist relieves back pain. I still have a lot of monitor lizard magic stones even after using them for making the chilly chilly plate.

「Master, are you considering blue textile as a source of livelihood for the island? 」

「I’m buying indigo bit by bit for now, but once the cloth is out on the market, the materials will be exposed. Prices might go down. 」

「If we release high quality textiles first, we can establish our brand. We won’t have to worry about being copied and prices going downhill. Our target consumers are nobles, and they’re known for their obsession with source and manufacturer names. It’s their pride, after all. 」

I don’t really get that line of thinking, but I have a feeling that somebody told me the same thing before. Maybe that’s just how the nobles here are.

I also relayed that I’m planning to let the other islanders grow new vegetables and fruits and sell them. Lanterns and mirrors are also options, but I’m the only one making them for now so it’s a bit of a stretch claiming those are part of the industry of the island.

We also worked out other details like where to set up the dyeing factory, buying looms then renting them to the residents, wages of craftsmen — they’ll have a pay per piece commission in addition to their base salary, and other stuff. They want to proceed to production once the first phase of the castle construction is done, apparently.

Soleil decisively worked out all the details, as if crushing the vague parts of my plans one after the other. It’s as if she’s somehow implicitly rebuking me because of haphazard financial planning.

「What about the 『Fae’s Bough』? 」

「Oh, can’t we just use the previous place where it’s at? You know, right in the middle of the plaza just outside the castle gates. 」

I answered Auro’s question.

「I thought you’re going to install the water basin in the belltower? 」

Kiel quipped.

[Well, I guess it’s okay putting it there, but I don’t have any particular plans for now. 」

『Fae’s Bough』also has its own pumping station that distributes water to the entire site. The water level is low; when the water is touched by the spirits, it can be used as an ingredient for making medicines and this blessed water can fetch quite a hefty price.

The ‘water basin’ that Kiel just mentioned refers to a plate with water for the spirits’ enjoyment, and it can also refer to the entire water pumping station for 『Fae’s Bough 』.

「Are you planning to draw water from the well and circulate that? That’s totally unrealistic. 」

Kiel seemed disappointed.

This island has freshwater thanks to the bedrock underneath despite being surrounded by the sea. As long as you properly waterproof the well while digging, folks won’t have to drink saltwater. However, it’s pretty hard labor breaking through the tough bedrock, and having to draw water from a deep well every day can also be quite a pain.

Well, this island isn’t the only one with this problem; countries that primarily use deepwells due to scarcity of rivers aren’t few. There are many bodies of water within the Magical Woods — or should I say there’s more water in less populated outlying areas like the temple in the bogs where Chris’s brother is headed to, at least that’s what I think.

Hmm, I wonder if there’s something going on with that place? I’ll check the library later.

「Ah, don’t worry about the water. Just proceed on the assumption that water will flow to the waterways according to the blueprint I gave you. 」

「Eh, you were serious about that? But the water won’t be enough to cover the water basin and the wells. 」

「Just do it! 」

Kiel was dubiously staring at me, so I cut him off.

「…Well then, we’ll proceed to the repair of the designated place in the plaza. 」

「I guess we can install the water basin later. 」

The plaza in front of the castle gate will have the 『Fae’s Bough』 right in the center, and it’ll be surrounded by pubs, inns, restaurants, and other buildings that are both residences and stores in one. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll use the houses alongside the highway from the plaza to the wharf as stores. This place isn’t a tourist spot, so it’ll be a problem if it’s littered with stores.

「What about the tax categories? 」

「 Per capita tax for those five and above, property tax for those who own houses, inheritance tax, liquor tax, and tax on the sales of merchants’ business. Market tax for those who’ll join the market, travel tax for non-residents and foreigners entering the island. Ah, and it’s the rental fee if they’re going to use the farm, waterwheel, press and other things that’s mine, right? What else? 」

So I counted my fingers for every answer to Soleil’s question that crossed my mind.

We decided which taxes we’ll use according to what they taught me about the general types, how to implement and collect them, plus verification of general laws and penalty fines. It is quite a pain in the neck, but I’ll be tossing everything to Soleil after we decide everything so I guess I have to work hard now.

At any rate, the residents will be exempted from any sort of taxes, except those related to sales, for one year after this. The original citizens of this island will get mad if they’re suddenly required to pay taxes, so they’re exempted until the new industries and the towns have settled down.

Yeah, they told me I’m too soft on the residents, but I hope you won’t compare my method to the taxation system here that leaves people’s lives barely hanging by a thread. In turn, I made the conditions for owning houses and living, unless temporary, in the island very strict.

Residents other than the original citizens of this island have to live in the houses I’m building, so I have to be picky to a certain extent, and I’m also limiting the number of residents so that the island won’t turn into another Nalluahdid were you can’t even see the earth with all the houses and alleys cramped onto that island. I’ll only accept as many as my houses can accommodate!

Ah, well, will people even want to live here in the first place?