The Lord Just Wants to Have Fun

Time passed quickly, and it had already been a month since Countess Adrienne’s visit.

True to her word, she had fulfilled her promise.

Through her brother, Viscount Montsena, she arranged for Philip to purchase iron and copper from the Baron Brandel territory at lower prices.

She also actively promoted the hot springs and coffee among her social circle.

“Oh my, I was wondering why you had been absent for so long… So you were visiting the hot springs in Baron Brandel’s domain?”

“Hohoho! Just by bathing in the hot springs, the people there seem to be in excellent health…”

Countess Adrienne, who had been reclusive due to illness, returned not only fully recovered but also even more beautiful.

The noblewomen couldn’t contain their curiosity.

“Brandel’s territory, you say…? Perhaps we should visit?”

“Look at the Countess’s skin! It was lovely before, but now it’s as soft as a baby’s!”

“We should all go together!”

While health was an important factor, what truly motivated the noblewomen was their desire for beauty.

Without hesitation, they hurriedly packed their belongings and set off for Baron Brandel’s domain.

When they arrived, Silon Village was already thriving.

“Oh my, there are quite a lot of people here.”

“I heard nearby nobles rushed in as soon as the rumors spread.”

Because of the surge in visitors, the newly built hotel had significantly increased its rates for lodging and hot spring access—yet everyone gladly paid.

As Countess Adrienne had said, the benefits were undeniable.

Furthermore, the noblewomen now had another compelling reason to stay.

“It’s been a while, Viscountess.”

“Oh my, if it isn’t Head Merchant Delpharos. What brings you here? Are you unwell?”

“I’m here to inspect the Baron’s business, as we have a close relationship.”

The hot springs had become a meeting ground for noblewomen who were usually difficult to encounter, including those from the central aristocracy and influential provincial families.

Taking advantage of this new gathering place, they began to build friendships and exchange information.

Philip, too, made sure to occasionally attend these gatherings to reinforce his presence.

“This hot spring is truly amazing… I envy you, Baron.”

“It’s all thanks to the blessings of the divine.”

“But what is that you’re holding? It looks like a windmill or a pinwheel.”

“Oh, this? It’s called a fan. It’s cooler than a handheld fan.”

Philip had brought a hand-cranked fan.

It was a simple device using a spring mechanism and gears—by repeatedly squeezing the lever, the blades would spin rapidly, generating a refreshing breeze.

“Heh, I knew disassembling that cheap Daiso fan as a kid would come in handy.”

To Philip, it was just a toy-like invention, but to the noblewomen, it was entirely different.

Their curiosity and desire for unique, innovative items immediately kicked in.

“Did you make this yourself, Baron?”

“Yes, it was a gift of ingenuity from Eldir. I plan to sell it as a new product from our territory.”

“Oh my! Even as Eldir’s Apostle, you’re so different from the usual blacksmiths. To think you could create such brilliant inventions!”

With that, Philip successfully introduced his new product.

After returning from the social gathering, Philip summoned Daron, the commercial administrator, for a report on Silon Village’s revenue.

“The hotel is completely booked—not a single room is available. We’ve even rented out private homes as temporary lodgings for the noble attendants.”

“We’ll need to expand the hotel soon.”

“There are even nobles requesting land leases to build vacation homes.”

“Handle the negotiations on your end. What about the café and restaurant revenue?”

“We need an exact tally, but they have been full all day, with no empty seats.”

“Just as I expected.”

Philip had personally invested in Silon Village, not only building the hotel, but also opening a café and restaurant—which had become popular social gathering spots after bathing.

“At first, people were hesitant about coffee, but its sales have skyrocketed. Adding milk and sugar helped, but it seems the stimulant effect is the real selling point.”

“Well, the social parties are extending late into the night—it makes sense.”

“Surprisingly, tofu dishes are also selling extremely well. Some say it’s even better than meat.”

Other snacks, like popcorn and corn cheese, were also receiving rave reviews.

The only downside was that golf hadn’t caught on as much as Philip had hoped.

“Well, I can always spread it gradually.”

After receiving a business report from Daron, Philip summoned Viscount Carpenter, the commander of his forces.

“Commander, how is the training going for the soldiers equipped with muskets?”

A month ago, Philip had tasked Old Hans with producing flintlock muskets.

There had been some initial challenges, but since Philip had provided detailed blueprints and manufacturing methods, Hans successfully completed the production.

“They’re a bit heavier than the ones I made using Golden Hammer, but whatever—I’m not the one using them.”

The weight wasn’t an issue for the soldiers, and the thicker barrel ensured durability during live-fire tests.

Though the lack of rifling reduced accuracy, it significantly cut down on production time and costs.

With the mass production underway, Hans’ workshop had already produced 50 muskets—an average of two per day.

Faster than expected, thanks to newly implemented equipment and the division of labor.

“We’ve just begun live-fire training in earnest,” Carpenter reported.

“Any accidents?”

“None. We’ve enforced strict discipline during training.”

Curious, Philip decided to inspect the musketeer training camp himself.

“Alright, let’s go see for ourselves.”

******

“Right face! Thrust forward!”

“Argh!”

“You there! The one moving sluggishly—run a lap around the parade ground!”

At the parade ground attached to the Knight’s Tower, around 100 musketeers were practicing bayonet drills under the command of a senior knight.

Philip glanced at the soldier who had been ordered to run and turned to Carpenter.

“In the mornings, we focus on live-fire training, and in the afternoons, we prioritize the bayonet drills and formation training you taught us,” Carpenter explained.

Philip had pondered how to properly train musketeers and ultimately decided to teach them the bayonet drills and formation training he had learned in the military.

He first trained Carpenter and the knights, who quickly mastered the drills despite their unfamiliarity.

Having been rigorously trained in swordsmanship and military tactics since childhood, the knights adapted swiftly.

“Musketeers, assemble!”

At Carpenter’s command, the soldiers snapped to attention, forming perfect ranks before Philip.

“Oho, their discipline is impressive.”

“These are elite troops, my lord. They passed a highly competitive selection process. They’re even better at maintaining formation than the knights.”

The chance to join this newly created corps, armed with advanced weaponry, had attracted many applicants.

Especially since musketeers’ wages were 1.5 times that of standard infantry.

Once selected, they were trained in the style of early modern line infantry under strict discipline.

Carpenter, who admired Philip’s rigorous training, had pushed the soldiers even harder.

“Did you implement P.R.I. training?” Philip asked.

“You mean the Pain, Rigor, and Intensity training—the one that makes you bleed, blister, and grit your teeth? Yes, and the results speak for themselves. Now, none of them drop the pebbles balanced on their bayonets.”

“Heh, that’s what I like to hear. That’s the only way to develop proper aim.”

While line infantry tactics emphasized mass volleys over individual accuracy, Philip had a different plan.

He was training sharpshooters to target enemy officers.

In pre-modern warfare, eliminating a commander often crippled morale and disrupted battle cohesion.

Philip planned to identify the best shooters and train them as snipers, assigning them in two-man teams and equipping them with armor-piercing rounds.

“Excellent. These musketeers will be the core of our army, so their training must remain rigorous. They need to be able to load and fire even in their sleep.”

“No need to worry, my lord. Just ensure we have plenty of muskets and gunpowder.”

Carpenter, his bandit-like face breaking into a grin, took the opportunity to ask something that had been bothering him.

“My lord, did Eldir teach you bayonet drills and formation training as well?”

“Of course.”

As always, Philip used the gods as an excuse, but this time, Carpenter wasn’t convinced.

“Isn’t military expertise under the domain of Valian, the War Deity? Why would Eldir, a different god, teach you such things?”

“Commander, who do you think creates the weapons that warriors use? The maker always understands how to use them best.”

In reality, many blacksmiths were as skilled in combat as the soldiers they forged weapons for.

This was especially true for dwarves, a race of exceptional smiths and warriors, known for their unique weapons and martial techniques.

“Now that you mention it, that does make sense. I was being short-sighted.”

“Don’t get stuck in rigid thinking. Keep up the good work.”

With that, Philip turned back toward his office.

As he walked, he glanced up at the sky.

The blazing sun shone mercilessly.

Come to think of it, since arriving in this world, he had never seen a proper rainfall.

“Hey, Mau. Is the Goddess of Water still in seclusion?”

“Tell them to hurry up. People are dying of thirst here.”

The drought was worsening by the day.

In response, the Brandel territory had been digging wells, constructing canals, and building reservoirs near major rivers.

But without rain, these efforts could only go so far.

“If it doesn’t rain within a week, I’m cutting off all support for Arkina’s temples in my territory.”

Mau was shocked and immediately tried to dissuade him.

“She’s the one crossing the line first! What kind of goddess only takes offerings without giving anything back? She should be grateful I’m not demolishing her temples outright.”

Philip’s fearless threats against a god were unheard of.

And the next day, he received shocking news during a council meeting.

****

“What? The Amire River’s water level has dropped drastically?”

Philip’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Agricultural Minister Boris responded with a grim expression.

“Yes, my lord. It started decreasing slowly a few days ago, but this morning, the water level was down to less than one-third of its usual flow.”

The Amire River originated from the Prill Mountain Range, flowing southward through Brandel territory before emptying into the sea.

It was the lifeline of the region, used for irrigation, transportation, and daily life.

A sudden drop in its water level was nothing short of a natural disaster.

Mau, don’t tell me Arkina is taking revenge because I threatened her yesterday?

Are you sure? Really sure?

As Philip confirmed this with Mau, the Industry Minister spoke up with a serious tone.

“If Boris’s report is accurate, we’re facing a major crisis. Not only will our farms suffer, but water mills will stop functioning, and industries like dyeing workshops, which rely on water, will halt operations.”

“No matter how severe the drought, this seems unnatural.”

The Amire River had never dried up before—not even during previous droughts—because it was fed by the melting glaciers of the Prill Mountain Range.

More strangely, other rivers originating from the Prill Mountains were flowing normally.

Only the Amire River had suddenly lost water.

“This isn’t natural. We need to send an expedition to investigate immediately. Carpenter!”

“Yes, my lord!”

“Send our rangers and swiftest knights to the Prill Mountains at once!”

Carpenter promptly dispatched a reconnaissance team.

And five days later, they returned with stunning news.