Kays Translations

Chapter 329: Operation Sympathy

“What are the two of you doing so early in the morning? Being affectionate already?”

“Brother Cain! Please do not tease me. Could you help?”

Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka had come to investigate the commotion. With their help, we carried the unconscious Fabienne to the salon.

“Oh, my. What happened?” Brother Alex asked.

“Fabienne is bright red!” Sister-in-law Daniela exclaimed. “Quickly, bring something to cool her down.”

They had happened to be in the salon when we arrived. Father and Mother would certainly hear about this soon, so it was best to explain myself before the story grew worse.

“Well… the subject came up, and I said that I would like to sleep beside Fabienne.”

“I see,” Brother Alex said.

“So Fabienne is still completely innocent,” Sister-in-law Meeka observed.

“Sister-in-law Meeka, that phrasing is a little excessive.”

Sister-in-law Daniela's face turned crimson. Apparently, she had drawn the same conclusion as Sister-in-law Meeka. Then again, despite being the one who said it, Meeka's face was red as well.

“Well, let us leave that matter alone,” Brother Cain said hurriedly. “We have guard duty today, so we should concentrate on our work.”

“Y-yes. Let us do our best!”

Brother Cain had stepped in to rescue the conversation. I understood his feelings. Of course he thought his future wife was adorable. I felt exactly the same way.

I decided to spend the day concentrating on magic tools. The craftspeople had finally become comfortable with the simpler designs, so it was time to build up our stock.

They were capable of making ordinary magic tools as well as small crafted items, but my designs were unusual and often complicated, which made the techniques difficult to master.

Come to think of it, I had never properly dismantled an ordinary magic tool. I had always built mine directly from knowledge carried over from my previous life.

It might be useful to purchase several common tools from the market and take them apart. Rosalia also needed to learn how ordinary tools were made. Knowing the world's common practices was important.

Once Fabienne recovered, we travelled to the Heine Trading Company with Brother Alex and the others. The production workshop occupied part of the same building, and the craftspeople commuted there each day.

“How is magic-tool production progressing?” Brother Alex asked in the carriage.

“Very well. There have been no major problems, and everyone appears to enjoy the work.”

He was probably asking because of the concerns raised at breakfast.

Perhaps I should not have mentioned the excessive hours. Still, ignoring the problem until someone collapsed would have been far worse. I was a member of House Heine and wanted to do whatever I could for its people.

“That is good. Remind them not to work late,” Brother Alex said. “They may listen more readily if you speak firmly as well, Julius.”

“Understood.”

Work had already begun when we reached the company. It seemed rather early. I was wondering whether to comment when Brother Alex gathered everyone together.

“You have all worked exceptionally hard,” he began. “Thanks to your efforts, the Heine Trading Company has made an excellent start. Once spring arrives, we expect it to become even busier.”

A small cheer rose from the workers. They were clearly pleased that their products were selling well, although the exact sales figures and profits remained confidential.

“I am grateful for your dedication, but I am also concerned that some of you are pushing yourselves too far. Lord Julius can make recovery potions, but that does not make overwork acceptable.”

Brother Alex swept his gaze across the room. Several people smiled guiltily. Most were master craftspeople and foremen, which was typical of people who took pride in their work.

“Those of you who recognise yourselves in my words should take care. If you collapse, you will cause your families great distress.”

Brother Alex smiled, but everyone understood the unspoken warning: if someone collapsed from overwork, House Heine would personally visit their home.

A noble appearing at a commoner's house would make the entire family anxious, no matter how benevolent the reason.

Several employees visibly stiffened. Hopefully, that would persuade them to restrain themselves.

The meeting ended, and everyone returned to work. We naturally proceeded into the workshop.

“Lord Julius, concerning what Lord Alex just said…” one of the foremen began.

“He meant that if anyone falls ill or is injured, we will visit them,” I replied. “I will bring recovery potions as well.”

I gave him the same gentle smile Brother Alex had used.

The foreman's expression plainly said, We are doomed.

The master craftspeople's enthusiasm might be encouraging the younger workers to overexert themselves. We needed to correct the leaders' habits first.

The foreman returned to his station with a rigid expression.

“That was a little cruel, was it not?” Fabienne whispered.

She probably understood the temptation to continue working. Whenever she compounded potions, she became so absorbed that she could easily lose track of time. Perhaps she had once stayed awake all night developing the lung-disease medicine and been scolded by Baron Ambert.

“Perhaps, but it is kinder than allowing them to work until they collapse. We should probably recruit more craftspeople.”

“It would be wise to begin preparing now.”

While supervising the workshop, I freely demonstrated techniques and taught the younger craftspeople how to make magic tools. The written production manuals helped them learn quickly.

We had considered requesting assistance from the Magic Tool Guild, but for the moment we decided to continue training people within the company.

It appeared likely to succeed. I was glad we had written the manuals. Rosalia, the foremen, and I had not wasted our effort.

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