Ghislain clicked his tongue and continued.
"I only know that it's necessary. So, figure out a way to make it happen quickly. Once you understand the concept, you can do it."
Alpoi immediately grimaced.
'Ugh, as if I weren't already sick of all the dust at the construction sites. Now I have to wrestle with chickens? They stink, and now he wants us to learn some chicken-related magic?'
He was annoyed. What kind of mage in the world studies incubators?
Such lowly tasks should be left to other craftsmen!
Just as he was about to voice his anger, Claude interjected first.
"Now that I think about it, if the research succeeds, it might be possible. But does it have to be done right now?"
"Why?"
"Livestock will increase over time anyway. Surely meat supplies will grow naturally as well. But if the mages are diverted, it'll delay other projects."
"Recruit more workers to handle those tasks. The most urgent matters are already under control."
"We have plenty of food, and no one is starving, so there's no need to rush this. If it fails, it'll just be a waste of time."
"It's necessary. Eating meat is how all the soldiers and residents will grow stronger. Plus, we can produce large quantities of jerky for military rations."
"If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to focus on making more weapons?"
"Weapons are only as good as the people wielding them."
"Ugh..."
Claude groaned and shook his head.
In the past, he would've opposed this outright, but not anymore. If Ghislain said it could be done, it probably could.
'Still, it feels like he only has half the knowledge, as if he just brought back the concept. But if he's this confident, there must be something to it.'
Unlike Claude, the dwarf Galbarik accepted the idea as a matter of course.
'It's not just about technology; the lord's true brilliance lies in his ideas and concepts. I never even thought about incubators, but it sounds plausible. Ah, I want to eat more meat too. I used to eat a lot more in other places.'
To most people, however, increasing meat production didn't seem urgent. There were more pressing priorities.
But for Ghislain, who was preparing for the wars to come, every decision revolved around strengthening the territory's military power.
Dried meat was not only easier to supply than grains but also far more effective in providing calories.
As Claude seemed to be coming around, Alpoi opened his mouth to argue again. However, Vanessa beat him to it.
"I'll do it! Temperature control magic isn't difficult, so if we can just figure out humidity-related magic, it should be fine. If we succeed, there'll be plenty of meat, and everyone will be happy!"
Vanessa's face was brimming with enthusiasm.
She had always wanted to contribute to the territory. Partly out of gratitude for Ghislain's help, but also because seeing the people happier as the territory prospered filled her with joy.
Having endured hardship for so long, she had a deep concern for the well-being of others.
With Vanessa so eager, Alpoi reluctantly closed his mouth. If he had to do it anyway, he might as well salvage his pride.
"Fine... If it's really necessary, I'll take care of it. The ever-persistent Alpoi will handle it."
As he swept his hair back with a flourish, the others offered him half-hearted applause.
After all, if the mages did well, it would reduce the workload for everyone else.
Satisfied that things were settled, Ghislain gave Claude another set of instructions.
"Start breeding the largest and sturdiest chickens. Let's try to improve the breed, even a little."
"Hmm... Understood."
"And once the mages finish their research, the dwarves should assist in developing the incubator."
Galbarik widened his eyes and asked, "Why us? We're currently focused on developing new materials, are we not?"
"Because for precise design adjustments to match the mages' magic, the dwarves need to be the first to work on it. Isn't that right? We only need one working prototype. Once that's done, other craftsmen can learn and replicate it."
"Ugh... Very well."
Knowing that refusal would be futile, Galbarik agreed with a bitter expression.
Thus, the mages and dwarves were semi-forced into new assignments.
"Alright, let's move quickly this time too. Don't worry—it'll work. Just push through," Ghislain encouraged.
The mages and dwarves left with dejected faces, burdened by the extra work.
Fortunately, those whose tasks didn't increase left the room looking visibly relieved.
***
Developing the new incubator was bound to take some time.
In the meantime, Ghislain planned to address other pressing matters.
One of those was the individual standing before him.
"My lord, when are you going to let me leave? Haven't I done enough work yet? You said you'd let me go if I helped," Piote asked with a sulky expression, having come to Ghislain's office.
Piote had been working tirelessly here, bolstered by his "infinite potion" abilities.
Thanks to him, everything has become several times more efficient. That was undeniable.
But for Piote, who had lived a life of comfort before being worked to the bone here, it was pure torture.
Ghislain's gaze lingered on Piote's pink hair as he mused to himself.
'Hmm... No matter how I look at it, he's not an ordinary priest.'
It wasn't that Piote was hiding anything sinister or concealing his true identity. But he definitely had unique qualities that set him apart from other priests.
'His holy power is increasing way too quickly.'
Holy power didn't increase easily. It was largely innate.
Even when it did increase, it was by tiny increments, and it usually improved in efficiency rather than quantity as the user grew more accustomed to wielding it.
The mechanisms behind it were a mystery. Those born with holy power naturally became priests, so it wasn't necessarily tied to faith.
'I've heard that doing good deeds doesn't make holy power suddenly increase either.'
This had been a well-established fact for a long time.
No matter how virtuous one's actions or how strictly one adhered to doctrine, the amount of holy power didn't change significantly.
As a result, not all priests were genuinely good people. Most only feigned virtue because of the doctrines and for appearances.
Yet, Piote's holy power was visibly growing. He seemed unaware of it since he was exhausting it every day, but it was unmistakable.
'He's becoming more and more like an actual infinite potion. It's a shame to let him go.'
Ghislain had originally planned to keep him for a while longer before releasing him. But the more he saw of Piote, the more he wanted to keep him around.
At first, Piote had cried and begged to leave every day. Lately, however, those outbursts have become far less frequent.
With that thought, Ghislain decided to test the waters a little.
"Alright then. When do you want to leave? Should I send you off right now? I'll even assign you an escort."
"Huh?"
Piote was taken aback by the sudden offer.
He had asked today, fully expecting to be refused, as he was every other time. He'd thought Ghislain would never let him go. But now he was saying this?
Of course, Piote wanted to return immediately. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to answer right away.
'If I leave... the people here will suffer.'
Truthfully, it was exhausting. He wanted to run away right this moment.
But there were too many people here who needed his help. Thinking of the sick and struggling individuals, he couldn't bring himself to abandon them so easily.
The world outside the temple was a living hell. Realizing this, he couldn't just turn a blind eye and pretend not to see it.
Piote was, at his core, a priest who had sincerely learned compassion from the goddess.
Watching the indecisive Piote, Ghislain smiled faintly.
'He really is untainted.'
He must've grown up bright and sheltered, studying doctrine from a young age. That explained why he was so naive and pure-hearted.
If they'd met any later, Ghislain suspected he'd have been no different from other priests.
After much hesitation, Piote mumbled quietly.
"I'll... help out a bit more before I leave."
"Good. You've made the right choice."
With a dejected look, Piote left to continue helping people.
As soon as he left the office, Ghislain pulled out a sheet of paper from his desk and grinned.
"If he's so eager to stay, I should help him. I'm so considerate, after all."
Ghislain began carefully writing a letter.
[To the Honorable Bishop Forisco of the Juana Religious Order,
...It is with great regret that I inform you of the unfortunate passing of Priest Piote, who had come to assist me. He perished after being struck directly by 26 Fireball spells from an enemy mage... His body could not even be recovered... As such, this lord deeply laments his loss and offers his sincerest condolences…]
Forisco, the bishop of the Juana Religious Order, was Piote's direct superior and the one who had sent him here.
As Ghislain wrote, he paused, tilting his head thoughtfully.
"Is 26 too many? Would he not survive that?"
Even an average knight would be roasted alive if struck by 26 Fireballs head-on.
Although holy power specialized in defense, Ghislain's standards were absurdly high.
The fact that someone would just stand there and keep getting hit was another problem altogether.
"Hmm, maybe this isn't right."
Ghislain tore up the letter.
Claiming someone had died and forcibly detaining them was a method he'd used before, but it often left lingering issues.
He didn't want to resort to such measures with someone as kind and innocent as Piote.
However, he'd already kept him for months. If he delayed any longer, the Juana Religious Order would eventually send someone to retrieve him.
And once that happened, Piote would have no choice but to return.
"Hmm, I can't ask the Royalist faction for help either."
The Juana Religious Order was even more insular and authoritarian than the Magic Tower. No kingdom dared to meddle with them.
If the Royalist nobles who opposed the duke faction tried to pressure the Religious Order, it would only create bigger problems.
Even Marquis Branford would likely refuse such a request.
"In that case, there's only one clean solution."
The answer was to make the Religious Order willingly send Piote back.
Coincidentally, Ghislain had been planning a trip to the capital soon, so he decided to handle everything at once.
He immediately summoned Lowell, who was nearly as crafty and scheming as Claude.
When Lowell arrived, Ghislain got straight to the point.
"You're coming to the capital with me."
"Huh? Right now?"
"Yes. We'll travel with the cosmetics merchant guild."
"What's this about?"
Ghislain gestured for Lowell to come closer and whispered a few words into his ear.
As he listened, Lowell nodded several times, his expression growing more and more intrigued.
"Understood. I'll prepare to depart immediately."
"Good. Let's get this done quickly."
Ghislain and Lowell packed their things and headed to the capital.
There were no objections or followers this time. The cosmetics business was a major venture for the Fenris territory.
With the war over, everyone assumed he was also going to meet Royalist nobles as a side objective.
Since the cosmetics merchant guild bound for Marquis Branford's estate had a strong escort, there was no reason for concern.
When Ghislain personally delivered the cosmetics, Rozalin was astonished.
"I never thought you'd come in person, Baron! What on earth were you thinking, starting that war...?"
Before she could launch into a scolding, Ghislain interrupted her.
"Thank you for sending the people. They've been very helpful."
"Helpful? You mean they're still in Fenris?"
"Yes. They're so kindhearted. They said they'd help with territorial matters for a few years before leaving. So, there's no need to search for them."
Rozalin tilted her head, puzzled.
Helping out temporarily was one thing, but for years? Who volunteers for free service for that long out of guilt? And all 10 of them?
"Is the priest still with you too? Ah, we can discuss the details inside. I have so many questions about your drought prediction and other matters."
"No, I'm busy right now. I'll come back later. The payment is settled, right?"
'Does this guy really only have money to talk about with me?'
Rozalin felt deflated. The capital had been in turmoil because of the war, yet the one who started it acted like he'd just returned from a leisurely stroll.
It made all the chaos seem almost ridiculous.
Swish.
Covering her face with her fan, leaving only her sharp, glaring eyes visible, Rozalin snapped, "The payment is secured! Do I look like someone who would skim? How dare you!"
"Why are you getting upset? It's just a habit, a habit. Ahem, your temper is as fiery as ever. See you next time."
Ghislain quickly left, almost fleeing. Rozalin huffed for a while before sighing.
"Am I really that unpleasant?"
Then again, she had been incredibly volatile during her treatment. By her own admission, she had acted nearly insane.
Still, a noble lady deserved better manners. She wished he could emulate even half the courtesy shown by other noblemen and knights in the capital.
"Well, I suppose that roughness suits him."
With a self-deprecating chuckle, Rozalin shook her head and returned to her mansion.
Ghislain, meanwhile, sought out Meriel. Like Rozalin, she welcomed him warmly and tried to ask many questions, but Ghislain's insistence on being busy left her no choice but to get straight to the point.
"You want to meet Bishop Forisco?"
"Yes. I hear even nobles struggle to meet him, so I'd appreciate it if you could arrange it quickly."
"Alright, since it's a request from my little brother, I'll try to schedule something soon. Just wait a few days."
The wait wasn't long. Thanks to Meriel, Ghislain quickly secured a meeting with the Juana Religious Order's bishop.
Seated in a place of honor, Bishop Forisco looked down at Ghislain with an arrogant expression.
The man was so obese that he seemed to have trouble moving. His appearance was a stark contrast to Piote's.
"So, what business do you have with me?"
[T/L: Please support me and read 185 extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]