The Lord Just Wants to Have Fun

Wilhelm’s proposal made Vixen scowl with dissatisfaction.

“Sir, there’s no need to send an investigative team. From what I’ve heard, that human lord is an Apostle of Eldir. Eldir must have taught him how to use Dragon Breath.”

“We need to verify that properly, Vixen, Chieftain. Your assumption might be wrong.”

There had been several humans appointed as Apostles of Eldir before, but none of them had ever been able to use Dragon Breath.

Moreover, Dragon Breath was not originally a technique taught by a god—it was something the dwarves had developed for mining operations.

“And if, as you say, that human really is an Apostle of Eldir, then we might be able to uncover the secrets of that place as well.”

“Fine, Sir. I’ll actively cooperate in dispatching an investigative team.”

Once Wilhelm’s persuasion finally made Vixen concede, Gunter also showed interest and joined the conversation.

“Chieftain Wilhelm, are you referring to the ruins discovered in the Falster Valley ten years ago?”

“That’s correct, young king.”

“In that case, I and my Golden Axe Clan will assist as well.”

Vixen frowned.

He didn’t like how Gunter was trying to insert himself into the matter. Unlike a straightforward and hot-blooded dwarf, Gunter always had hidden schemes behind his actions.

The ruins in Falster that had just been mentioned—Gunter was surely thinking about claiming them for himself.

‘It won’t go the way you want, Gunter!’

‘Hmph, this is a good opportunity to crush your Bronze Anvil Clan under my heel.’

While keeping their true thoughts hidden, the two continued their discussions with the other chieftains regarding the dispatch of the investigative team.

After an intense debate lasting nearly half a day, they finally agreed to select the finest blacksmiths and warriors from each clan to form the team.

Among them were candidates for future chieftains—including the children of Vixen and Gunter.

******

After successfully developing the electric lamp, Philip installed it first in his room, office, and personal research lab.

‘The cost is high because of the platinum.’

Since the artifact relied on magic circles for power, it was bound to be expensive.

However, Philip wasn’t too concerned.

Even so, it was still far cheaper and consumed much less mana than the existing lighting artifacts.

Moreover, he knew of a cheaper material to replace the platinum filament.

‘Edison used carbonized bamboo filaments, right? But is there bamboo on the Laterran continent? Oh, I remember—mechanical pencils use graphite. That could work too.’

The best option would be tungsten, but the problem was its melting point—over 2,800 degrees Celsius.

That was why Philip had asked Hans to create a high-temperature furnace capable of melting various metals.

While Philip was contemplating ways to improve the electric lamp, a report arrived from Solein Village—the sailing ship was finally completed.

Philip immediately rushed to the shipyard in Solein.

At the temporary dock, a sailing ship approximately 30 meters long was moored.

“Lord, you’ve arrived!”

“You’ve done well, Foreman Taylor.”

“Thanks to your generous support, it wasn’t too difficult.”

Taylor’s words weren’t just empty flattery.

Beyond simply providing the necessary materials and manpower for construction, the young lord highly valued his artisans.

Not only did he offer higher wages than other places, but he also provided housing and daily necessities almost free of charge so that their families could live comfortably.

As a result, the morale of the shipbuilders and workers was exceptionally high.

“But Lord, there’s something I’ve been curious about…”

“What is it? Ask me anything.”

Taylor hesitated, glancing around nervously, but when he saw Philip’s encouraging expression, he continued.

“At the rear of the ship, there’s an empty space. What is it going to be used for?”

It didn’t seem to be a cargo hold, nor did it look like it was meant to balance the ship with ballast stones.

And unlike some magically engineered vessels, there wasn’t even space for a brainwashed monster-powered paddle wheel.

“There’s something I’ll be putting there later. It’s still in the research phase, so I can’t say much right now. But once it’s developed, I’ll let you know.”

“Understood.”

What Philip had planned was a steam engine.

No matter how much a Minotaur was brainwashed through magic, it was still a living creature. Compared to a steam engine, which could run 24 hours a day as long as coal was supplied, it was clearly inferior.

‘The problem is the lack of skilled engineers to build a steam engine.’

Even though steam engines were considered outdated by Earth’s standards, their construction required incredibly precise steel refinement, down to the thickness of a strand of hair.

Hans was an excellent blacksmith, but he wasn’t a master at that level.

Philip wasn’t either.

‘Finding someone with that level of skill is rare… Should I resort to kidnapping one?’

As Philip was lost in thought, Taylor spoke up.

“Lord, would you like to test the ship?”

“Of course. That’s why I came.”

Terry was concerned about potential safety issues, but Philip assured him that he would only sail a short distance and then boarded the ship.

“Raise the sails! We are setting sail!”

At Taylor’s command, the veteran sailors, who had been recruited through the Callisto Trading Company, hoisted the triangular sails and the ship slowly left the dock.

At first, the ship moved cautiously and sluggishly across the lake, but once it caught the wind, its speed steadily increased.

“This is much faster than I expected!”

“Adjust the sail ropes!”

Initially, controlling the ship was difficult.

This was because of the Bermuda rig-style triangular sails.

Neither the sailors nor Philip himself had experience maneuvering a Bermuda-rigged sailboat, leading to a series of small mistakes.

‘But since they’re veteran sailors, they’ll get used to it soon enough.’

As expected, the crew quickly adapted to the new ship.

Thus, after several trial runs near the shipyard, the first test voyage was successfully completed.

“This exceeded my expectations, Foreman Taylor.”

“I’m just as surprised myself.”

Taylor smiled with admiration at Philip’s praise.

Though he had built the ship as ordered, he hadn’t expected it to perform this well.

From the blueprints he had received, it was clear that the young lord had some knowledge of shipbuilding.

However, given that Philip had never built nor frequently sailed on ships before, Taylor had been skeptical of the design.

In fact, he had to make adjustments, particularly in balancing the ship, to ensure it would not tip over or sink.

‘I figured it wouldn’t capsize, but I didn’t expect it to perform this well.’

The high, triangular sails looked unusual at first, but they were easy enough to maneuver, and they caught the wind efficiently.

If the hull had been designed even sleeker, this ship might have been fast enough to be classified as a clipper.

“At this rate, it should handle the open sea quite well.”

“Foreman, isn’t that assessment a bit premature? We still need to conduct more test voyages.”

“Of course. But I haven’t just built one or two ships in my lifetime, and I’ve been out to sea often enough to be confident in my judgment.”

A ship too good to be confined to this meager lake.

There were still minor improvements to be made, and the crew needed more training, but it wouldn’t take long.

“Continue testing the ship while refining its performance and improving the crew’s proficiency.”

‘This young lord is planning to expand toward the coast and dominate the seas one day!’

If that wasn’t the case, there was no reason for the lord of an inland territory to spend a fortune building a shipyard and constructing a cutting-edge sailboat.

Taylor, who had once been the heir of a renowned shipbuilding and trading company, felt his heart race as he recalled the dream he had long abandoned.

“Understood, my lord! Leave it to me!”

As he looked at the enthusiastic Taylor, Philip smiled to himself.

‘Hehehe, now I can go on boat rides without a problem!’

Taylor never once suspected that Philip had launched the shipbuilding project just for his own leisure.

*****

Vargas sat in the dimly lit room, reviewing a report sent by Viscount Musette.

His expression darkened with displeasure.

“Hmph, trying to check an opponent only to end up benefiting the young king instead… How utterly foolish and pathetic.”

The political struggle between Duke Volzard and Princess Amelia in the royal capital was only causing losses for both sides.

Viscount Musette had been secretly attempting reconciliation with the princess’s faction, trying to unite the two forces to defeat the king’s faction. However, his efforts bore no fruit.

The two factions had already fought a street battle in the capital, deepening their animosity beyond repair.

‘And they can’t very well side with the king’s faction either.’

The king’s faction sought not cooperation, but submission.

Even if they joined forces with the king to crush the opposing side, it was clear that they themselves would be purged next.

“It seems political strife alone won’t be enough to shake Arteria. If I want to create the chaos he desires, I’ll need a different approach—rebellion or foreign invasion, perhaps.”

As Vargas’s mind raced through schemes, an imp entered the room and reported.

“Master, Brigol has come seeking an audience.”

“Brigol? Let him in.”

Moments later, a towering monster entered—a creature with the body of a man and the features of a shark.

This was Brigol, chieftain of the ‘Black Sharks,’ the most violent tribe among the Tritons, the marine monsters inhabiting the southern seas of Laterran. Vargas had taken an interest in them some time ago.

“I greet you, Lord Vargas. Long time. I give respect.”

Though his speech was crude, he at least understood manners. Brigol placed his trident on the ground and knelt respectfully.

Vargas raised his hand slightly in acknowledgment before asking, “What brings you here?”

“Humans attack. Need power. To destroy humans.”

“So you want my support.”

Once, the Triton race had terrorized the seas and coasts.

During the Second Divine Era, many human kingdoms had even issued naval bans, forbidding ships from venturing into the waters.

But as time passed, humans continued their maritime expansion.

With the emergence of high-ranking knights and mages among them, the Tritons were eventually driven back.

Even so, their combat prowess remained formidable, and merchant ships and fishermen still fell victim to their attacks from time to time.

This was why naval forces across various nations were constantly on the hunt for Triton lairs.

‘There’s no particular gain in supporting these fish… No, wait. Perhaps I can use them.’

Initially dismissive, Vargas suddenly saw an opportunity.

“I will provide you with weapons.”

“Grateful. Not forget. Lord Vargas. Kindness.”

“In return, there is something you must do.”

“Brigol obeys. Speak, tell me.”

As Brigol readily agreed, Vargas waved his hand.

A crimson glow spread across the floor, forming a detailed map of the Kingdom of Arteria.

“There is a troublesome human. A lord in the western region of Arteria who seems to possess unexpected power.”

“Tell me who. Kill, if you command.”

In water, the Tritons could be more dangerous than even the most elite assassins Vargas had trained.

Their scales could deflect blades, and they could move freely in any body of water.

‘If I remember correctly, that lord’s territory has a lake connected to the sea… Perfect.’

With the weapons Vargas would provide, Brigol wouldn’t just probe the enemy—he might be able to wipe them out completely.

A sinister smile formed on Vargas’s lips as he began relaying information about Baron Brandel’s territory.