The Matter of How Only a Political Rival Duke, Not My Own Family, Recognized My Worth After I Was Disowned ~When I Turned a Remote Frontier Territory Into the World’s Greatest City, the Noble Lady Assigned to Supervise Me Became the Best Fiancée~ - Episode 16: The Aftermath of Victory and the Finest Craftsman

Episode 16: The Aftermath of Victory and the Finest Craftsman

I returned from the Silford family’s main estate to the Valenstein family’s townhouse. There, I found Isabella and Duncan waiting anxiously for me by candlelight. They were too tense to even sit still.

“Lord Noah! You’re safe…!”

“Yeah, I’m back. Sorry for being a little late.”

Seeing Isabella’s worried face as she rushed over, I answered her with a smile.

“Asking how it went would be pointless, wouldn’t it? One look at your face says everything.”

“Indeed. I’ve just finished the finest promotion possible. The royal capital will be a bit livelier starting tomorrow.”

When I briefly explained what had happened at the banquet, Duncan let out an impressed “Ohh…!” While Isabella sighed deeply. A mixture of exasperation and admiration were in her eyes.

“Truly, you are terrible for my heart. But… magnificent. There’s no other word for it.”

The absolute trust shining in her eyes gave me more strength than any praise could.

◇

The next day. 

Just as I had predicted, the entire royal capital’s social circles buzzed with a single topic.

“Did you hear? About what happened at the Silford family’s banquet last night?”

“Yes! That useless third son apparently crushed Lord Alphonse completely!”

“I heard his backer is the Valenstein Duke!”

“Not only that—rumor says he has some kind of ‘magical steel’ no one’s ever seen before!”

The rumors spread fast and wildly. They gained embellishments along the way.

“The disowned noble who performed miracles on the frontier.”

“The mysterious man who won the Ice Rose.”

“The prodigy who wields the gods’ steel.”

To the bored nobles and merchants of the capital, my story was both irresistible gossip and a potential goldmine.

From that morning onward, messengers flooded the Valenstein townhouse. They were all seeking an audience with me.

But I left those trivial meetings entirely in Isabella’s hands and moved on my own.

My destination: the workshop of that stubborn dwarf master, Gran.

“Yo, Master. I’ve come for business.”

“…Oh, it’s you, sir. What do you want? If you’re here to window-shop, try somewhere else.”

Without stopping his hammer, Gran replied bluntly.

“I’ve brought you the best job of your life.”

I got straight to the point.

“Work with me, Master Gran. I’ll supply you exclusively with the finest steel. You’ll use it to craft the best weapons and tools in the kingdom. Together, we’ll make the name ‘Gran Workshop’ echo throughout the capital—and beyond.”

Gran’s hammer froze midair.

Slowly, he turned toward me. His sharp eyes were glaring.

“…I’ve no interest in cozying up to nobles. You’ll just exploit my skills and squeeze me dry, won’t you?”

“Squeeze you? No, the opposite. The finest craftsmanship deserves the finest reward. I’ll fund your workshop expansion, hire new apprentices—everything. You just focus on creating the best.”

I spoke directly to his soul as a craftsman.

“The finest steel is here. The finest hands are there. When those two meet—don’t you feel your bl00d stir at the miracles they could create?”

“……”

After a long silence, Gran set down his hammer. He then thrust out his rough, calloused hand toward me.

“…Tch. Can’t be helped! I’m in, sir!”

His face gleamed like that of an excited child.

“But I’ll say this now—I don’t compromise on my work! Bring me any half-baked metal, and I’ll smash your noble ass with my hammer, got it!?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I gripped his rugged hand firmly.

Production—Grindle. Manufacturing—Gran Workshop.

The two gears of my enterprise finally meshed together perfectly.

◇

That evening. After sealing my deal with Gran and solidifying the foundation of my business, an official messenger arrived from the royal castle.

“Message for Baron Noah von Silford of Grindle. Three days from now, His Majesty the King will grant you an audience.”

At last.

After the messenger left, Isabella asked,

“What do you plan to present to His Majesty? A sword made of that steel, perhaps?”

I gazed quietly at the grand castle towering beyond the window and shook my head.

“No. Steel is merely a product—an investment for the future. What I will present to His Majesty, the kingdom’s greatest investor, is something much greater.”

“…And that is?”

I smiled. A daring glint was in my eyes.

“A new blueprint—one that envisions the future of the kingdom.”

The stage for my greatest presentation yet was finally approaching.