By spending several days maintaining the highway, a route for transporting goods and people between the Marquisate of Rosemary and Count Clover's domain had been established.
The difference in travel time between a properly paved road and bare ground was like night and day. For horse-drawn carriages loaded with cargo, the gap was even greater.
Being able to advance without getting caught in potholes and muddy patches on the ground — that alone had drastically reduced both the time and cost of travel.
At the same time as leveling the ground, ditches and walls had been built on both sides of the road. Naturally, using magic.
This had also significantly reduced the risk of monster attacks.
There were flying monsters too, and the possibility of bandits couldn't be ruled out entirely, but adventurer patrols were being dispatched on horseback at set times.
Even if travelers were attacked, there shouldn't be any serious casualties.
Even if Rest did say so himself, it was good work.
Rest felt a sense of completion and satisfaction — but unfortunately, that was the beginning of the tragedy.
"Lord Clover has built a magnificent highway through his domain, I hear. How impressive."
"…………"
One day, a man arrived at one of the bases under construction. A familiar face.
He had come without any prior notice — Andrew Aiwood, the Second Prince of this kingdom.
Behind him stood his aide, Yusgos Bethras, wearing an apologetic expression.
"I've been working on highway maintenance in my own domain too, you know? Unfortunately… it hasn't progressed as far as yours. Resources are limited, and I don't have enough personnel to use magic for land leveling like you do. And I can't exactly ask court magicians to be reassigned on personal favors."
"…Is that so."
"Man, I'm jealous. If only I had an inexhaustible mana reserve like yours."
"…………"
Andrew kept glancing over, gazing at Rest as though expecting something.
I know what he's trying to say.
In other words… he's asking me to help with road maintenance.
(I swear… this prince sure knows how to put people to convenient use.)
I get where he's coming from.
Road maintenance requires a massive investment of manpower and resources, so if it can be handled by a single person, it's only natural to want to cut costs that way.
(Not that I should say this myself… but I happen to be pretty good at this kind of work…)
Praising myself here, but the road I completed the other day turned out quite well.
Rest was originally Japanese. Perhaps that Japanese artisan spirit had rubbed off on him — the finished road had a consistent width throughout. It was wide enough for carriages to pass each other safely, and proper safety considerations had been taken into account.
Andrew had surely come knowing all of this.
"If someone were kind enough to help, I'd pay appropriate compensation, of course. Surely there's some kind soul out there somewhere?"
"…If you're saying that someone is me, Your Highness, I'm afraid you're mistaken."
"Oh?"
"I'm far too busy developing my own domain. I have no bandwidth to spare for anything else."
"Is that so? What a shame."
Andrew spread both hands and gave a shrug.
"I was under the impression that once you'd cleared out the monsters at your base and finished the road, the rest would be left to specialists like construction engineers — so I figured you'd have some free time on your hands."
"Urgh…"
"Could my information have been wrong? If so, I suppose I owe you an apology. Perhaps I should bow my head and say sorry?"
That statement was nothing short of coercion.
Asking royalty to bow their head — the sheer impropriety of it was beyond words.
"Your Highness Andrew…"
"To tell you the truth… I found something interesting in the domain that was granted to me. Lord Clover, have you ever heard of 'Iridescent Crystals'?"
"Iridescent Crystals… the ones used in those accessories…?"
"They're not the kind of thing you can just find on purpose. I was digging a well and happened to discover a vein of them. It's a miracle."
An exceptionally valuable ore with severely limited mining yields.
It is said to be mined regardless of terrain—mountains, rivers, or otherwise—as long as the land is rich in mana.
True to their name, these gems gleam in seven colors and were immensely popular as accessories, considered the ultimate gift for a lover or wife.
"Lord Clover, you have quite a few lovers, and you'll be getting married eventually, right? You must be thinking about engagement rings and wedding bands by now, aren't you?"
"…………"
"Even if you commissioned a jeweler in the royal capital, a piece the size of your fingertip would cost enough to build a mansion there. On top of that, you'd be on a waiting list for ten years without even knowing when it might arrive. I was planning to give some to someone I love as well… but well, that's fine."
Andrew grinned with a mischievous smirk.
"If you're willing to help me out, I could prioritize giving some to you. Naturally, enough to present to all four of your fiancées."
"…………"
Iridescent Crystals.
Even among the great nobles, this was a gem one would scarcely ever lay eyes on. If he made them into rings and presented them as gifts, what expressions would they wear?
They would undoubtedly be overjoyed. He could say that with absolute certainty.
"…Very well. I'll take you up on the offer."
Rest let out a sigh as he agreed, his shoulders dropping.
"I'm in your debt, Lord Clover."
"But… is this really alright? I'd imagine the money you'd get from selling Iridescent Crystals would be more than what's needed for the road improvements?"
"That's not important. Money isn't everything."
Andrew smiled, his gaze growing distant as he murmured.
"My work keeps piling up, and I have absolutely no time. Thanks to that, I can't even meet up with my loved one. If Lord Clover helps me out and I get some free time, that would be a bargain."
"…………"
Rest recalled that Andrew wasn't supposed to have a fiancée, but perhaps he did have a secret lover.
(A love across different social standings, huh... Well, I won't pry.)
He would have to give up several days to work on this,but if it meant seeing his fiancée's smile again, that was indeed a cheap price to pay.
With a weary shake of his head, Rest took on the task of helping to improve the roads in another lord's domain.