How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 39.2
When the man spoke, he was right. The northern continent was not necessarily a safe place, and the fate of a lord’s subjects depended heavily on who ruled the land. Moreover, he knew his own value well.
He would be fully aware of what his skills meant and how many would covet them. The possibility of attracting the attention of another regional lord and being imprisoned again could not be ignored.
That is why he had chosen Tristan as the only person to entrust his life to.
I lowered my eyes and swallowed a deep breath. Somewhere in my chest, a sharp ache spread.
From the moment I first met them until now, I had looked at them purely as an opportunity. They had valuable skills, the potential to develop the glass industry in Hezekia, a golden goose to lay golden eggs.
That was why I desired them. I cared nothing for their lives, only for them as assets.
Now I seemed to understand why Tristan wanted them to live freely.
Tristan had probably known from the start. He knew the life they had lived on Istenia Island. That was why he did not want to lock them away with his own hands.
But still.
I wanted Tristan to accept them. I thought the territory under Tristan’s rule would be the best choice for them.
At last, Tristan made his decision.
“…Very well. Go to Hezekia. I will take special care to ensure you can live safely.”
“Are you… really saying this, Your Grace?”
“Thank you, thank you so much!”
The artisan and his family bowed deeply, overjoyed as if they were about to leap with happiness.
I quietly looked up at Tristan.
A trace of thoughtfulness flickered across his composed face, but his blue eyes remained unwavering.
It seemed Tristan wanted the artisan and his family to live freely wherever they wished. If that place was Hezekia, he was ready to accept them there.
❖ ❖ ❖
Afterward, the fleet traveled countless times along the route connecting Kalhaven on the northern continent and Belforte, the imperial capital. Regular shipments carried glass products, Lirisia bulbs, and Kalhaven’s woolen textiles.
As profits steadily flowed from the temple and the marketplaces, funds began to accumulate considerably.
Of course, Hezekia did not become wealthy overnight as if by a miracle. The number of Lirisia bulbs available was still limited, and the glass products were still ordinary mid-range items.
The important point was that we now had ‘surplus funds.’
On the day the fleet returned to the territory after a long time, Tristan announced.
“I will open a glass workshop. The artisan family will lead operations, and we will use resources from the local population to help with menial tasks.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Finally, Hezekia would have something to call an industry.
Of course, it was still just a small workshop. Compared to Istenia Island, it was humble and insignificant. But a journey begins with a single step. Gradually expanding its scale, it could one day become Hezekia’s representative trade product.
The workshop was built on a hill near the port, converting a rundown local dwelling once inhabited by the territory’s residents.
Since the work involved a lot of fire, good ventilation and proximity to water were important. Easy access to sand was also necessary. Near the port, the location was ideal in many respects.
Of course, the artisan and his family guided us throughout the process, advising from start to finish, since we knew nothing.
A feeling of overwhelming emotion filled me. I gazed at the blazing furnace, moved to the core.
Until now, we had been grateful even for mid-range glass items, purchasing them and shipping them to the northern continent. But compared to the items the artisans would now produce, what we had handled so far was nothing. It would bring incomparably greater profits. Moreover, if the glasscraft industry grew smoothly, it would open another path for the local residents to earn a living.
‘Come to think of it…’
I suddenly recalled the glass shop in Kalhaven Port we had visited not long ago, and an old memory came back.
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