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 4: Project Launch

Episode 4: Project Launch

The report reached Duke Valenstein’s hands three days after Isabella had arrived in Grindle.

‘To Father. Today, I made contact with Noah von Silford. To conclude briefly: he is either a delusional madman… or a genius who could change the very era itself.’

As the duke read through the report, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

The matter of the well, the overly detailed development plan, and the independent request from his daughter for additional investment—

“Heh heh heh… how interesting. My daughter certainly has a sharp eye.”

The cunning duke sank deep into his chair.

“Very well, Isabella. Let her do as she pleases. I shall see with my own eyes whether that foolish Silford son is truly a monster or not.”

It was the casual decision of a great noble who divided the kingdom’s power in two—

Seemingly whimsical. But in truth, it was a single statement that pierced to the heart of things.

And thus, the great project known as Grindle truly began to turn its gears.

◇

“—That concludes the first stage of the irrigation canal construction plan. Everyone, immediately begin surveying and ground inspections of your assigned sections. Maintain strict safety management, and submit your first progress report to me by sunset. Any questions?”

Those gathered froze. They held their breath at my words.

As promised, Duke Valenstein had dispatched a skilled half-elf surveyor, several sturdy dwarf stonemasons, and an elderly bureaucrat who once served the duke himself. Each of them was a professional in their respective field.

Their eyes were glued to the massive parchment spread on the ground — the complete blueprint of the irrigation canal.

Drawn by my skill, [Territory Design], it was a perfect design down to the millimeter: the optimal water intake angle from the aquifer, the canal’s gradient, and routes chosen to minimize environmental impact.

“…Unbelievable. This precision… it’s divine work,” 

The half-elf engineer muttered blankly.

“There’s no waste at all. Even with our dwarven masonry, no finer design could be made,” 

The dwarven foreman rumbled.

Their astonishment was natural — this was a plan centuries ahead of the current technological level of this world.

I turned toward the assembled villagers.

“You lot will handle earth transport and assist the dwarves. It’ll be hard work. But your daily wages will be paid in full. And—”

I pointed at the large pot we had prepared. Inside, a rich soup full of nutrients was steaming.

“Eat in shifts and eat well. A worker without strength causes accidents. The foundation of good work is good health. Understood?”

Daily pay, and warm meals.

It was a simple thing — yet to villagers long crushed by exploitation and despair, it was revolutionary.

The dead, lifeless eyes they once had began to regain light — a spark of will to live.

They were becoming a good team. I nodded quietly, satisfied.

◇

That night, in a temporary tent. 

I made small adjustments to the blueprint based on the day’s progress reports.

The pace was incredible. The professional engineers, combined with the villagers’ renewed motivation, were achieving remarkable efficiency.

At this rate, the project could finish even sooner than planned.

“—Still awake, I see.”

A voice came suddenly from the tent’s entrance. It was Isabella.

She glanced over the spread-out plans and sighed in exasperation.

“Shouldn’t you rest a little? If you collapse, this entire investment will go to waste.”

“Thanks for the concern. But having the client watching over me like this is probably worse for my health.”

“…How rude. I’m merely acting as my father’s representative and overseer.”

“No doubt about that. Still, I’ve never seen such a beautiful supervisor — not even in my previous life.”

“…Previous… life?”

Damn. Slip of the tongue.

“Ah, nothing. Anyway, you must be tired from managing supplies and accounts. Get some rest.”

“…You’re hardly one to lecture me on that.”

She turned her face away with a small huff.

Her pale cheeks were lit by the lamp’s glow. They seemed faintly tinged with red.

A human expression beneath the icy mask.

Not bad, I thought.

After she left the tent, I returned to my work.

The irrigation canal construction was proceeding as planned — no, even ahead of schedule.

What would normally take years could, at this pace, be completed within a single month.

I nodded in satisfaction and looked up at the night sky.

And that’s when it happened.

My skill, [Territory Design], flashed a faint warning at the edge of my vision.

At the border of the territory — deep within the forest — a tiny red light blinked.

[Warning: Hostile presence detected]

(…A visitor, huh.)

A spy sent by the Silford family, perhaps. Or maybe—

I quietly stood up and stared into the darkness of the night.

Apparently, simply cultivating land wasn’t going to be enough for this project after all.