The following day.
I had delivered the letters from the two Guild Masters to the Ducal House the previous night, and now I was back at the Abandoned Village Site.
My primary goal during the last visit had been a preliminary survey, and that had been interrupted by the need to protect the victims of an unexpected monster attack. As a result, the logging hadn’t progressed much. Which meant...
"Yudum-san, please take this one too!"
"Let’s take a break after the next load! We still have a long way to go, and if we don't pace ourselves, our bodies won't hold out!"
"Understood!"
This time, I focused on running back and forth to transport the logs after felling the trees and stripping the branches with Slime Magic. Of course, the Goblins were working hard as well, but since I’d heard Glen-san was coming soon, this labor served a greater purpose as training.
"Heave... ho."
Using Physical Strengthening Magic, I hoisted a log onto my shoulder and ran. I let out a grunt as I lifted it, though not because it was heavy. If anything, it was so light that it threw off my equilibrium. I had carried iron beams countless times at part-time jobs in my past life in Japan, and even now, I could exert that much strength in my natural state. When I used Strengthening Magic in earnest on top of that, I simply produced too much power.
It was like riding an old electric-assist bicycle—the moment you pedal, you feel a split second of resistance before it vanishes. My physical movements and the magical assistance weren't perfectly in sync. The more I pushed the output of the Strengthening, the more pronounced that dissonance became.
"Phew..."
"Here, have some of this."
"Thank you."
I accepted the water bottle Yudum-san held out and hydrated.
"You looked like you were really pushing the pace. Are you overdoing it?"
"If anything, it feels too light. It’s not just my movements; my level of fatigue doesn't match the actual workload at all. My goal right now is to compensate for the sensory mismatch caused by the Strengthening Magic, but I think I’m just not used to the very concept of strengthening my body with magic or Qi. Magic-based reinforcement feels even more awkward than Qigong... In short, I’m out of practice. Do you happen to have any tips, Yudum-san?"
"Hmm. As far as Strengthening goes, I was worked to the bone during my days at School until it became second nature... Besides, Physical Strengthening Magic is the very first thing they teach in the curriculum. At the start, the effect is so minor that it just makes you feel like you're having a good day; you don't get enough of a boost to feel any real dissonance. As you train, your body gets stronger and your mastery of the magic improves at the same time. They grow together."
"So, because you habituate to it while you're still weak, you don't notice the gap."
Come to think of it, when I sparred with Sieber-san, he immediately saw through the fact that I had learned martial arts and magic separately, with magic coming later. I knew he’d deduced it from my movements, but I hadn't realized that was why.
"There's also the difference between Qi and mana. I’m sure mastery plays a part, but in your case, Owner, I wonder if your mana capacity is an influence? I've heard that for people with massive amounts of mana, fine-tuned control over reinforcement becomes much harder."
"I hadn't really considered that, but it sounds plausible... Still, I can use other types of magic without a problem. Why is it only Strengthening that feels so wrong?"
"This is just a guess, but I think your senses might be too sharp. The things I mentioned are the reasons the mismatch is produced, but your sensitivity is the reason you feel it. Take a sword swing, for example. Once you're experienced, you notice the tiny details, like your posture breaking slightly after the follow-through. Beginners don't notice those things. If you've truly mastered a skill, it's only natural that the slightest deviation from the norm would bother you."
He had a point. It wasn't just the mismatch between my mind and body; I might have been overthinking the gap itself. That hypersensitivity was likely reflecting in my movements, widening the dissonance further. This was helpful. Having an expert nearby to offer advice was a real blessing.
"Well, in the end, the conclusion remains that you just have to keep training," Yudum-san added.
"That can't be helped. I was aware of the problem but chose to set it aside; now the bill has come due. To be honest, I didn't feel a strong need to train my reinforcement until I heard Glen-san was coming. Martial arts aren't just about being stronger and faster, after all."
"True. Technique is what allows you to overcome a disadvantageous situation without relying on raw physical specs."
As long as my opponents were human, our physical capabilities wouldn't differ drastically. Even in this world with its mix of races, technique and a modest amount of reinforcement were usually enough to bridge any gaps.
Based on that logic, my philosophy had been that Strengthening a weapon or using Attack Magic to bypass an opponent's defense was more efficient than boosting my own athleticism. I still believed that held true for the most part, but every rule has an exception. And that exception was Glen-san.
"I don't expect there are many people like Glen-san out there, but this is a good opportunity to get serious about my training."
"I think that’s a good call. It’s not like you’re lacking in skill, so just don't push yourself to the point of injury. I’m happy to help with your training whenever you like. It’ll be good practice for me, too."
"I'm counting on you."
With that, our break ended. Too much rest wouldn't help my training. We returned to clearing the land and logging the trees at the Abandoned Village Site.
Three days later...
"Check complete. Welcome to the Town of Gaunago."
"Thanks for your hard work."
The logging work had reached a stopping point. This time, a contractor arranged by the Ducal House had taken over the transport from the Abandoned Village Site to the Charity Granary. My plan was to return to the Town of Gimul after delivering my report to the Duke.
Before that, however, I visited the rope factory. They had managed to get the facility running over the last three days, and I wanted to see it in action.
"Takebayashi-sama, we’ve been waiting for you. The slaves have begun rope production without a hitch. I would be honored if you could inspect the operations and the quality of the finished goods."
"Thank you for making time for me, Marlo-san. Lead the way."
Marlo-san greeted me and led me toward the back of the building.
I could sense the presence of many people behind the doors, but the atmosphere was surprisingly quiet. The only sounds were the rhythmic braiding of rope and the occasional low-voiced request for tools or materials. The interior consisted of several large rooms along a corridor, all without doors. It appeared they were working in teams.
The teams were a mix of men, women, children, and the elderly, lacking any sense of uniformity. However, they all seemed experienced. Even the youngest child—who looked to be in the early years of primary school—moved with fluid, practiced motions. They were braiding with silent focus; the factory was clearly functioning as intended.
What concerned me, however, were their expressions. They looked somber. Every time I peeked into a room, the workers who noticed me would stop what they were doing and stand at attention, staring at me with anxious faces. Their reaction was born of pure uncertainty.
These were the people Oresto-san had described as Unsold Slaves when I first proposed the factory.
"Takebayashi-sama... if you wouldn't mind, could you say a few words to them? It would certainly boost their morale."
"Of course."
I wanted to introduce myself anyway, so I agreed. Marlo-san called out an order, and in less than twenty seconds, the workers had stopped their labor and lined up in the corridor.
Their discipline spoke to their training, but the sight immediately reminded me of a School in Japan. Once that image took hold, the large rooms began to look like classrooms. The way the children were moved to the front by height only reinforced the impression.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Ryoma Takebayashi, and I am the one who requested your services. First, I want to thank you all for your cooperation."
I bowed my head in gratitude. When I looked up, the corridor remained silent. Some looked surprised or confused, while others seemed entirely indifferent.
"I’ve had a chance to observe your work today, and I am very satisfied. I look forward to continuing our partnership. However, I imagine some of you are wondering... why gather so many people just to make simple rope?"
When I voiced the question directly, I saw a flicker of internal conflict. They seemed to be debating whether it was safe to agree with their employer. The children's reactions were particularly vivid; they were likely terrified that a single wrong word would lose them their livelihoods.
I clapped my hands once to focus their attention and continued.
"It’s a fair question. So, rather than explaining, I’ll show you. Marlo-san, may I use one coil of the finished rope? I’ll pay for it, naturally."
"Please, wait a moment."
He quickly signaled to a subordinate, and a coil of rope was brought from a nearby room. I took it, cast a quick spell, and ran the length of the corridor, laying the rope down the center of the line of slaves before returning to my spot. Most of them watched me as if I were a madman, but a few seemed to grasp that something had changed.
"As some of you may have noticed, I’ve enchanted this rope. This magic rope is my product... It isn't dangerous, so I want each of you to try and step over it."
The slaves exchanged glances. It didn't take long for the first volunteer to step forward.
"Huh?"
The boy who spoke up first was the one with the desolate eyes, perhaps out of bravado or simple boredom.
"What the... it’s just a rope on the floor, but I can't get my feet past it."
Seeing that it was safe, others followed suit. Once I was sure everyone had felt the invisible barrier, I called for their attention again.
"As you've just experienced, this rope is enchanted to block the passage of humans, animals, and monsters. It isn't like a city gate or an outer wall—it can be bypassed if someone is prepared for it—but it is an incredibly effective deterrent. To change the subject slightly... are any of you former farmers? Please raise your hands."
About seventy percent of the group raised their hands, including the boy from before.
"You there, the young man who spoke first."
"Me? Er... yeah?"
"Don't worry about formalities; just answer me honestly. Have you ever had your fields ravaged?"
"...Of course I have. Animals and monsters can destroy crops we worked ourselves to the bone for in a single night. I’ve seen people starve because of it, or get punished by nobles because they couldn't pay their taxes. We fought like hell just to keep them away."
"And if you'd had this rope?"
"Then... the fields wouldn't have been ruined?"
"It’s not a perfect shield, but it makes it much harder for pests to get in. If you string it around a house or a village, leaving only the gate open, it serves as a simple fortification against bandits, too."
This was a pitch I’d borrowed from Sebas-san, but the workers seemed to grasp the rope's utility through the lens of their own lived experiences. The way they looked at me—and the rope—shifted instantly. I was no longer just a strange child playing games.
"As you can see, this rope is a tool that protects lives. Because of that, there are many people who will want it once they know it exists. Every rope you make will be enchanted and sold. Naturally, this is a business and I will take my profit, but the more rope sells—the more rope you make—the more people we can help!"
I didn't mind being a little theatrical. By emphasizing that their labor served a higher purpose, I could see their spirits begin to lift.
"Furthermore, because the demand is so high, this is a very profitable product. I’ve been told by experts that magic rope is worth ten times the value of ordinary rope."
"Ten times!?"
The sheer scale of the value seemed to shock them. I’d explained it in concrete terms so even the children could understand, and the reaction from the adults was just as positive. Then, I delivered the final hook.
"Producing and selling as much of this rope as possible benefits me, and it benefits you."
The murmuring died down instantly.
"After operating costs and my share, the remaining profit will go to you. My estimate is that you will earn at least three times the standard rate for ordinary rope. And as I believe you were already told, we use a Piece-rate System here. Never forget: the harder you work, the more you earn."
"Ohhh!"
"I look forward to our continued success together."
The light and enthusiasm in their eyes were far stronger than when I’d started. I brought the meeting to a close and stepped out. Once we were out of earshot, Marlo-san bowed.
"Thank you, Takebayashi-sama. Your words have truly ignited their spirits."
"It’s for the benefit of our profits, and besides, I’d rather they work with a sense of pride."
Calling it a "sense of purpose" might have been a bit grand, but motivation and fulfillment never hurt. Understanding your role, knowing who you’re helping, and working with the intent of being thanked makes for a much better work environment. Given their circumstances, these people likely had very little mental breathing room. I didn't expect to change their lives overnight, but by guaranteeing fair compensation, I hoped to provide some peace of mind. If it helped build their self-esteem, even better.
However, I had to ensure that this didn't turn into an Exploitation of Passion. I reminded Marlo-san to make sure the profits were properly returned to the workers.
"I understand," he replied. "I will manage the records strictly so that their results and rewards are transparent. If we maintain this consistency, it will become a foundation of trust for them."
"I'm counting on you."
After some brief small talk, we left the rope factory.
"Well, that covers the bulk of our work in Gaunago. We still have the trip back, but well done."
"You too, Owner. It’s been a hectic few days. Aren't you exhausted?"
"We did cover a lot of ground. I think I'll take it slow for a while once we're back in Gimul."
"You say that, but I bet you'll just find something else to get started on."
"I'll be... relatively relaxed," I defended. "I don't have any other urgent jobs, so I can prioritize that training and balance it with plenty of rest."
"The fact that you can't even fully deny it is just so you, Owner."
Yudum-san and I laughed over the trivial banter as we began our journey home.