CH 31

The warm spring arrived. Three years have passed since I arrived to this world. The fourth year has just begun, and as expected, I still did not feel any deep emotions.

If something were to happen, would it be during the tenth year?

Regardless, there are more constructive things to do right in front of my eyes rather than wallowing in this homesickness that doesn’t produce anything.

“Slowly! It is better to go slow! Please lift it carefully!” I instructed the beastmen at the north gate.

On top of the stone walls, the beastmen who were proud of their strength were pulling a long and narrow bronze pipe suspended by ropes.

The length of the bronze pipe is about 1 meter, and its weight is close to 100 kilos.

The bronze pipe is being carried towards its base located on top of the stone walls. When the two are combined, the thing will be fully assembled.

After it has been settled onto its base on the stone walls, I knocked it gently.

“Alright. It is splendid.” I smiled.

There was a sense of nostalgia when I looked upon the completed product.

In Japan, the [Mountain Cannon] is called ‘cannon’, and played an active role from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period.

[TL: the name is actually this 四斤山砲 and when I search what the cannon name is called I got the name of Canon de montagne de 4 La Hitte, however I change it to Mountain Cannon after discussed with an acquaintance from France.]

[Mountain Cannon] 130 million yen.

The problem with the upcoming war against the Kingdom of Sandra was what should be done before the enemy’s troops attach themselves onto the stone walls.

If they manage to gain control of the walls, due to the scale of the struggle over it, the end result will gradually worsen. In other words, it is important to attack the enemy from a distance before they reach the walls.

At first, he thought about crossbow and gun units. However, crossbows were not on the list of Edo period products, and regarding guns, I was hesitant to hand over firearms, which are considered overpowered here, to an individual. Also, if the guns fall into enemy hands during the war, and they research about it, it might be pointed back at me.

That is why I chose this [Mountain Cannon]. Its maximum range is 2600 meters, and in addition, this is a heavy object, so it will not be easy for the enemy to take it away. Even if it was stolen, they will definitely have trouble carrying it.

I can [sell] any of my possessions in the town, as well as any possessions near me. So, while the enemy struggles to transport the cannon, I can just [sell] it.

Now then, the beastmen are waiting for my instructions. Today, I have gathered them to teach them how to handle this cannon. Let’s start quickly.

There is no convenient instruction manual for the [Mountain Cannon], unfortunately. But, I have read a series of books which discussed about this [Mountain Cannon], so I have already tried and tested it at the back of the town.

“Ahem, this is called a cannon. Well, please look at what it actually does.” I decided to give a demonstration while explaining about it.

First, I cleaned the inside of the cannon with a cannon sponge that’s as long as my body. Next, I put the cartridge bag to the front, and pushed it inside with a rammer. Then, I loaded the cannonball.

The cannonball is a long, high-explosive projectile that weighs around 4 kg.

Also, there is a preloading method, but a shell matching the helical groove of the rifling of the cannon must be used.

I adjusted the shell to match the rifling, and pushed the cannonball inside with a stick.

“Now then, everyone, please move away a little bit, and cover your ears.” I requested.

Everyone moved away from their spot, and covered their ears. Since their ears are on top of their heads, except for the Goblin and Kobold tribes, their appearance when covering their ears are quite comical.

[TL: I am guessing about how they looks like criminal being apprehended by police.]

I checked the rear bottom of stone wall. It is necessary in case the cannon falls off the stone wall due to the recoil. Well, no one should be there anyway because I have told them not to approach this place.

Next, using a long needle, I stab the cartridge bag via the priming hole at the back of the cannon. After installing the fuse there, I ignited it from slightly remote position. The fuse lit up and eventually reached the priming hole.

The explosion roared out almost instantaneously.

The cannon barrel spat out white smoke over the sky. Then, the sound of a heavy object landing far away resounded, and a cloud of dust arose from its landing spot.

Cheers erupted from the beastmen.

“Incredible!” One of them yelled.

“Even humans can’t do anything to it with that range!” Another exclaimed smugly.

There was only praise and no surprise from seeing this for the first time. The reason was because they probably peeped during the test firing at the back of the town.

“Well then, I will have everyone try do it.” I declared.

First is to select artillerymen from each tribe and train them thoroughly. In particular, they have to remember the landing distance of the cannonball, as well as the elevation angle.

After that, we installed several mountain cannons at the north, east and west walls. With this, the town’s defence became more solid.

At the end of April, we held a banquet in celebration of the 4th anniversary of the town. Everyone surrounded the bonfire, drink good liquor, and eat delicious food. Because we have more money, both the liquor and the meat is of much better quality than usual.

Some tribespeople started to sing after they become drunk from the liquor. It’s probably a song handed down within the tribe. Though I have never heard this song before, it gave me a mysterious sense of nostalgia.

When the song was over, another tribe started singing. When someone started to clap, everyone imitated it and clapped their hands to the rhythm of the song.

I, who was sitting quietly at the corner drinking liquor, started to clap with them.

It is peaceful, I thought.

Suddenly, I saw children carry food into the town. Were they carrying it to their pregnant mother, or is it being taken to the mother who can’t leave their infant behind?

A lot of children are being born in the town. The number of residents will increase steadily from now on. This is also because of peace.

“Fujiwara-sama.” Chief Jiharu appeared with a bottle of wine.

Because I don’t like to think at banquets, I told them to treat me like air, but it seems like he had come all this way just to pour some alcohol for me.

After we exchanged some small talk and liquor, Jiharu returned back to his  tribe.

Following Jiharu, the other chieftains come along one by one with sake as well.

This is unbearable. I glared at Jiharu, who lowered his head slightly while looking apologetic.

The feast and liquor was also sent to the prisoner of war, Romatto. Later on, I heard from the guard that Romatto misunderstood this feast as his last supper, and began to beg for his life in tears. But, after he drank the liquor, his attitude completely changed, and he began shouting furiously.

“Just kill me if you want to!” He had roared loudly.

It was his usual self.

“Let’s do our best from tomorrow onwards!” Before long, I concluded the feast with this sentence and ended the banquet.

Spring soon passed, and when summer began, the merchant group arrived once more. The one leading the group was Lyle.

On top of the stone walls around the gate, I asked him what happened to Elsa. He said that she became a decoy to deceive the merchants who were aiming for the source of the spices.

For the time being, I let Lyle and another two people into the town, and guided the others to the vacant house in the west. Of course, the people who are entering the town have been disarmed.

“Have you gained a some weight?” When I lead them to their lodging, I asked Lyle while atop Catherine.

The present Lyle seems to be slightly more plump than he was half a year ago.

“Ah, it’s because I don’t train with the sword anymore.” Lyle tugged his meaty cheeks while saying so wryly.

[TL:......... shit...... I need to exercise more.... Don’t want any meaty cheeks.]

[TLC : hahaha. Do the OPM menu then xD]

After that, while the sun was still high in the sky, I received the gold coins at usual store.

“From the next time onwards, I think we can come every month. Can you prepare the same amount each month?” Lyle asked after I confirmed the gold coins.

“Yes. There is no problem with the supply.” I nodded.

Trading every month... I felt like dancing out from joy. If we can repeat the trade five more times..! In other words, after five months, the funds will reach the first 100 billion.

But, there are also some concerns and that is, how much gold does this continent have?

I have [sold] several hundred kilograms of gold coins. This means that a large  amount of [gold] has disappeared from this world. And unfortunately, there is no [gold] in the item column in the Town Data. So, the [gold] that has disappeared from this world will never come back.

If I continue to [sell] gold like this, then [gold] will gradually disappear from this continent. I feel like that the market will be greatly unbalanced. Something like that could happen.

To be frank, I don’t know how much unbalance and instability will be created. Maybe the gold coins coming into this town might be seen as insignificant if we look at the big picture, because I have heard that the citizens usually only use silver coins, so even if there are no more gold coins, as long as there are still silver coins, it will be alright. At least, that was what I thought.

“About the gold coins, will there be any problems with the market if I hoard them?” I asked Lyle to assuage my concerns.

Upon hearing that question, Lyle placed his hand on his chin and thought for a while.

“Well... The market reaction is still dull for now. But, if the gold coins continue to flow into this town as it is, their value will increase soon.” He replied.

“As I thought...” I muttered softly.

Well, isn’t this natural? At any rate, including the gold coins from today’s trade, nearly 20 billion in modern value has been brought into this town.

“When there are no gold coins, the demand for silver coins will increase. But, the value of silver coins has been falling for a while now, so it might still be alright.” Lyle shrugged.

“The value of silver is falling?” I asked.

“Yes. Apparently, a huge silver mine was found about 2 years ago in the Kingdom of Castile, leading to the production of the new Barbanil silver coin. It takes pride in its 92.5% silver content, and any other imitation is not allowed.” Lyle explained the situation.

The Kingdom of Castile should be one of the countries in the north. That country found a silver mine, and issued new, high quality silver coins. But, will the value value of silver be so easily being shaken by such a thing? I wonder…

“The scary thing is that the new Barbanil silver coins have been supplied continuously to the market for the last 2 years, so it has been continuously lowering the value of other silver coins.” Lyle continued.

“Eh..? Doesn’t that mean that the bad money is being driven away by the good money..?” I questioned, confused.

“If you define silver coins of another country with lower a silver ratio than the new Barbanil silver coins as bad money, then that’s exactly how it is.” Lyle answered nonchalantly.

Was it not bad money being driven out by good money? No, that new silver coin, does it really have that amount of silver in it?

“What happened afterwards?” I queried.

“The new Barbanil silver coins have become first class silver coins now, and despite its high silver ratio, it has the same value as other silver coins two years ago. Meanwhile, the value of other silver coins has fallen ⅔ from the past. Even if the prices goes up, the wages of the citizens will not rise, and the lives of people outside of the Kingdom of Castile will be harder.” Lyle sighed.

Rapid inflation... The value of silver coins will decline, and the citizens who are receiving the wages with their own country’s silver coin can’t bear it. No, is there even a limit on the silver?

“Despite the huge silver mine, with so much mining, does the silver not run out?” I questioned.

“Haha. Is it really a silver mine?” Lyle only laughed sardonically.

“Eh?” My eyes widened.

“It’s alchemy. For the past two years, I heard that there was no one who could identify the silver mine’s location. Since there are no places like a silver mine there, then wouldn’t this be due to the presence of a genius alchemist who can produce a lot of silver?” Lyle whispered to me conspiratorially.

“Eh, alchemy is metal magic, right? Can they also produce metal?” I asked.

Alchemy... I saw [Metal Magic Talent] from the card given by god. From the story of the Goblin and Kobold Tribes, it is said that there is a magic that can transform metals. For that reason, those with that magic will take up jobs like blacksmithing.

“Yes, they can produce it. Well, it is reasonable to not know about it. People who can produce metal by magic are top rank alchemists. Their existence is a top secret of a country. They are chickens that lay golden eggs while being kept inside iron cages. The people in the market are only low ranked alchemists.” Lyle explained.

“Then, why silver instead of gold? Wouldn’t it be more profitable to produce gold?” I could not understand that point.

“That is because silver is much easier to produce. Do you know about the Triangle of God?” He nodded sagely.

“I am sorry, but could you tell me about it?” I requested.

“When god created this world, it gave birth to one law - the Triangle of God. It represents the categories of living things and substances, a law that can’t be defied. For example, at the ecological level, humans are on top, and the beastmen and carnivorous animals is lined below them. Further below would be herbivores, grass and trees, and then earth. The numbers on top are smaller, and as it goes further down, the number increases, forming a triangular shape.” Lyle explained patiently. “There is also a ranking for minerals, with diamonds at the top, and other minerals forming a line at the bottom. Silver is considered a high-ranking existence because it is difficult to produce, and God made only a few of them. Of course, it goes without saying that gold ranks higher than silver, and is thus, rarer and more difficult to produce than silver. This is providence of the world. This is taught first when you learn theology. Well, I don’t know how much of it is true though.”

“I see.” I nodded.

This is like an ecological pyramid.

Still the silver mine was found two years ago, and I arrived here three years ago. Isn’t this story too good to be true?

【Metal magic talent】【Extra large】【★★★★★★】

Maybe, someone managed to get this card and he was found by the authorities while producing silver for a living? It certainly seems possible.

A bird in a cage, huh? I do not know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. At the very least, I will consider this a serious matter.

“I am a little bit interested in why the Kingdom of Castile didn’t buy gold coins using their abundant silver coins.” I asked.

“The merchants aren’t so stupid. Why do you think Elsa has been dealing with gold coins until now?” Lyle snorted.

“Er...” I mumbled.

“First, the Kingdom of Castile paid its huge debt to other country with the new silver coins. The merchants were suspicious about this. Where did the silver come from? After this, most of the merchants ceased the use of silver coins in big businesses. Nonetheless, some merchants remain defiant against the trend, and used the new Barbanil silver coins because the Kingdom of Castile is planning to donate the new Barbanil silver coins to the church, so the new Barbanil silver coins will continue to increase in the market.” Lyle elaborated.

“Do you have the new Barbanil silver coins with you now?” I asked.

“Yes, I do have it.” He nodded.

I removed a gold coin from the bag I received earlier.

“Would you please exchange it with this gold coin?” I requested.

“I don’t mind in particular...” He shrugged and took out a bag from his breast pocket, and handed 38 silver coins to me.

I put them into the gold coin bag carefully. Let’s examine its [value] when I return back home. If the silver coins are overflowing in numbers, then it might not be necessary to stick with gold coins for trading.