After a comprehensive evaluation and much deliberation, I decided to ask for help from the Goldbeard Count family.

After all, I was representing Melves in the competition hosted by the Marquis.

There was no reason to rely solely on barbarians to compete.

In fact, once we won the contract, all of Melves’ construction-related businesses would cooperate on the project.

“The problem is that man’s pride...”

Because the chairman had unilaterally made the Yandel Baron family the representatives of Melves.

That situation worried me, in case something unexpected happened, but fortunately, the Goldbeard Count dispatched experts the very same day I made the request.

Like a true noble, he valued practical benefit over pride.

Even if the Yandel Barons became the core, everyone would share the additional ripple effects.

“Hahaha! How is it! This is the house we built!”

“Surprisingly... it’s not bad at all...”

The construction technicians sent initially looked down on the barbarians as having nothing to do with building, but seeing their work speed and the results, their expressions turned to admiration.

“The technique is crude, but since they’re all former explorers with strong bones, they’re overwhelmingly powerful when it comes to physical labor.”

“If they take on simple tasks that require no skill but take a long time...”

“The working hours will definitely be drastically reduced!”

Without hesitation, the dispatched technicians began dividing roles.

Simple manual labor was assigned to the barbarians.

Tasks requiring construction knowledge or craftsmanship were for the dwarves.

It was regrettable as the tribal chief that the warriors couldn’t learn skills by watching over the shoulder...

But for now, this was the most efficient way.

Winning the competition was the urgent priority.

“The speed is fast, but they rely a bit too much on brute strength.”

“They won’t last long like this, not even for a few days.”

“Training is necessary.”

The technicians who identified the barbarians’ biggest problems immediately started special training to fix them.

“Watch carefully. When lifting rebar, grip tightly here, then use your back strength here... like this!”

“Oh...!”

“When putting it down, first lower this part at this angle. How is it? It’s smooth even without much effort, right?”

“Ohhh...!”

“When raising a pillar, it’s better to have two people, but if you must do it alone, follow this posture.”

“Ohhh...!!”

The dwarves shared their hard-earned know-how from the construction field, and the barbarians eagerly learned.

From what I saw, their learning speed wasn’t bad.

Maybe not so much in other areas, but as for physical work, they were naturally gifted.

“Not there, use the strength on this side—”

“Oh! So that’s how it’s done?”

“...Exactly! That’s the way...”

After roughly setting the training curriculum, we discussed and finalized the work methods with the technicians.

The decided method was one dwarf technician acting as foreman, supervising ten barbarians on site...

‘Someday, our barbarians will be able to do everything on their own.’

That’s how it usually goes in any technical field.

Starting with menial work and gradually learning step by step.

Eventually, becoming an expert.

“Tomorrow, I will report to the Count so that more technicians can be dispatched. We can’t handle this many people alone.”

“Thanks.”

“So, could you tell me more details about the competition hosted by the Prime Minister? We need to prepare accordingly.”

After explaining how the competition would be conducted, I entrusted the entire preparation to the dwarves, trusting their professionalism.

“...I appreciate the trust, but is it really okay to leave such an important matter entirely to us?”

“Because it’s important, I’m entrusting it to you. You’re the best experts in this field.”

“...The Baron is quite different from what I heard. I will do my best to meet your expectations.”

“I’m counting on you.”

It may seem like I’ve left everything to the dwarves, but in reality, I just delegated part of it.

There was already a mountain of other tasks to do.

“Shabin, I’m going to the city then.”

Phew... when will I get all this done?

Raphdonia is a barbaric city that treats human life lightly but surprisingly modern in some aspects.

There’s a bank, although no interest is given.

Beneath the city lies a huge water supply and sewage system.

Since magic exists, there are everyday items impossible with just science, which can be surprising at times.

Anyway, putting that aside...

As expected from Raphdonia’s strong public authority, starting a business requires a series of preparations.

It’s impossible to just buy land, build, and trade however you want.

Especially in my complicated case.

‘Fortunately, this time the approval was granted.’

After Shabin Emur helped with preparations, the business application, rejected twice, was finally approved today.

It was rare for a noble with a confirmed identity to receive approval with such difficulty, but there was no way around it.

“Congratulations on establishing the Yandel Trading Company. To reiterate, the maximum number of registered employees is 10,000...”

It was unusual to start a business at such a large scale.

Naturally, there were many things to review and numerous documents to submit.

But starting small was impossible.

First, the barbarians had to be registered as employees to be put to work.

The dwarves, having their own companies, could be subcontracted, but...

Our barbarians had no such system.

No, in all history, none ever existed.

‘The first company founded by barbarians...’

Though it became a new achievement somehow, that was a minor point.

Over several days, after registering the warriors as employees, I started caring for the Viphron residents.

It would be wasteful to leave so many people idle.

I was already covering their taxes and living expenses.

“Shabin, from today, teach all the young men construction work.”

“Huh? I’m already doing that.”

“...Is that so?”

“It’s not a common opportunity. I told them to watch and learn carefully from the dwarves’ technicians. If someday they can take over that role, that would be the best.”

“And what about the women?”

“The women are already working behind the scenes on site. They even prepared all the meals distributed yesterday.”

I had nothing to say.

The instructions I was about to give were already underway.

“Oh, and thanks to the education, most children can read. When there’s time, we’ll provide proper education and have them take on office work.”

“...I see.”

Suddenly, I remembered what the chairman once said to me.

[I can’t tell. Are those talents lucky to be gathered around Baron Yandel, or did they shine because they were with the Baron?]

Honestly, I didn’t feel much then.

After all, I was the one who actually devised the ‘leasehold’ system.

But now I seriously reconsider the matter.

Which is Shabin? The former or the latter?

I pondered but concluded it’s meaningless to distinguish.

Meeting Shabin, who is so capable, was my fortune.

Giving that Shabin a position and removing restrictions so they could do anything was my doing.

“Uh... are you angry about something?”

While thinking that, Shabin suddenly asked out of the blue.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“No, your expression stiffened, so I wondered. Maybe I pushed ahead with things without permission—”

“Don’t worry, not at all. The stiff expression was because I’m glad I brought you here.”

“...That’s a relief.”

Shabin, usually composed, suddenly spoke shyly with a rare smile.

“I also think it was the right choice....”

“...Hmm?”

“Though busy, I’m glad I quit my old job to follow you, Yandel. There... are many good people here...”

No wonder the expression looked like a girl’s.

“For example, someone like Rotmiller?”

I chuckled, and Shabin’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Eek? How did you know?!”

“I didn’t. Until just now.”

“...!”

Shabin made a distressed face and covered their mouth.

Then after a long silence.

“You have to keep it a secret... okay? Otherwise, I’ll quit everything—administration, office, everything.”

That was the most terrifying threat I’d heard.

“O-of course. I’ll keep it secret, don’t worry.”

“Good... then.”

“But why keep it secret? It looks like Rotmiller is interested in you—”

“Really?! Did Rotmiller say he likes me?”

“Not said, felt! I just felt that way!”

“...What, you’re not messing with me?”

Now that I think about it, it wasn’t just a vibe.

Whether Rotmiller feels that or not, Shabin seemed to have moved straight into unrequited love...

‘I’ve never seen this side before.’

I felt unfamiliar watching this strange side.

Knock knock.

There was a knock at the door, and Shabin quickly fixed their hair.

“Why are you doing that?”

“It’s Rotmiller knocking!”

“...Hmm?”

“...Shall I let him in?”

After Shabin composed their voice, the door slowly opened and Rotmiller indeed came in.

“Yandel? You here too?”

“Ah, just for °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° a bit of work. I was just about to leave.”

“It’s rare, so come chat for a bit—”

“I’m busy. We’ll talk later, just the two of you!”

I escaped from the office as if running away.

‘...They’ll manage somehow.’

No matter how I think about it, I’m not one to meddle in someone else’s love life.

Time always flies.

Isn’t that right?

No matter how busy or relaxed I was, looking back, it always passed in an instant.

This time was no different.

‘Why am I busier than when I was in the labyrinth...’

I met the noble introduced by the former chairman turned real estate agent, got summoned by Count Alminos for business coordination, and investigated how other families preparing to participate in the Marquis’s competition were doing.

If we won the contract, we had to decide how to split profits with the Goldbeard Count family and other cooperating families.

“Sir, are you awake?”

“Hurry up and get ready. We’ll be late.”

Days without proper sleep passed quickly, and dawn came.

The day had come.

“Ah! Today’s the day, isn’t it?”

“Yeah! The day to show the world our warriors’ innate superiority!”

As I prepared and headed to the meeting place, I saw warriors gathered in the open field, holding shovels.

Ninety barbarians and ten dwarves.

The top 100 elite carefully selected by competition rules from among our warriors.

‘What a reassuring and gallant sight.’

Seeing each person’s fierce eyes, I said nothing more.

“What are you waiting for? Grab your tools.”

I’d wanted to say that line at least once.