Chapter 92: Maritime Strategy

It wasn't that Barrel was intentionally trying to shirk responsibility it was just that when it came to shipbuilding...

This was his first time!

Bruno pointed at the parchment scroll in Barrel's hands and said, "All the specific steps are written in there. As long as you follow them strictly, nothing should go wrong. As for manpower... once the construction at the Citadel of Namur is complete, won't those production teams be available? You can allocate them as needed."

"Additionally, the fishermen at the harbor's docks should have some experience building fishing boats. While they may have only built smaller vessels before, there should be a few skilled ones among them who can offer guidance. Just make do with what you have for now. Besides, once the Idar Avenue is completed, the next road project connects Idar City to the harbor, saving you the trouble of traveling back and forth."

"Understood."

Seeing that the Earl had already made up his mind, White Barrel, despite his nervousness, had no choice but to brace himself and take on the responsibility.

After all, he was the only one in Idar with experience supervising a large-scale construction project.

If he kept trying to decline, it might irritate his lord instead.

"In addition, I plan to establish a shipyard at the harbor. This means that your task isn't just to build a few three-masted ships but also to train a team of skilled shipbuilders to lay the foundation for Idar's future shipbuilding industry."

From Bruno's perspective, since the Franz Archipelago existed to the east of Idar's waters, there was a high probability that other islands or even undiscovered continents also existed.

Given that Idar's land expansion was currently limited, maritime expansion was undoubtedly the best choice.

It was just like in his past life, when playing Fruit Tooth, he had to look toward the sea because the neighboring Kaka was simply too overwhelming...

Thus, Bruno set a personal goal to fully control the Franz Archipelago and gradually eliminate the pirates infesting the coasts of the Norman Empire and the Basel Kingdom!

And the ultimate goal? To take their place!

Once the pirates were mostly wiped out, Idar's warships could hoist the black skull flag and sail freely across the seas!

Just thinking about it made Bruno's blood boil!

Could there be a more profitable venture than this?

Of course!

Ever since Bruno discovered the existence of the Franz Archipelago, a new idea had begun forming in his mind one that had become more refined over time.

The two fundamental conditions for this plan were: Idar needed a fleet of ocean-going sailing ships. The majority of coastal pirates had to be eradicated.

Then, using the Franz Archipelago as a hub, Idar could export its valuable goods those that might otherwise provoke unwanted attention to the Basel Kingdom, cleverly disguising them as local products.

As for the ships returning from trade? They could simply raise the skull flag on the way back and plunder the Basel Kingdom's ships instead.

After all, these merchant ships would have been looted by Basel's own pirates anyway. In that case, wouldn't it be better for Idar's forces to take the spoils instead? At least this way, the merchants could keep their lives and ships.

Thus, establishing a shipyard was a must!

The harbor's docks, with their deep water port and large population, were the perfect location practically the second-largest "city" in Idar.

The shipyard had to be built with the utmost care. Bruno couldn't rely on the system's shop for blueprints forever; Idar needed to develop its own shipbuilding expertise.

Only with a sustainable shipbuilding industry could Idar continue to thrive.

But for now, thinking too far ahead was pointless. The immediate priority was to successfully construct the three-masted ships.

As White Barrel was about to leave, Bruno suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, and take that Captain Jack from the dungeon with you. He may be a pirate, but he has some usefulness. Just have the soldiers keep an eye on him."

"As you command, my lord." White Barrel responded.

...

After waking up, Cario felt his head still spinning—likely a result of drinking too much strong liquor for the first time.

He couldn't even remember how much he drank, nor did he have any clue where he was now.

Where am I?

This thought startled Cario, and he sat up abruptly.

The room was furnished simply: a bed, a desk, a chair, and two cabinets. While nothing about the decor was particularly luxurious, everything was spotlessly clean.

Hearing the noise from inside, someone knocked at the door.

"Master, it's me."

Upon recognizing his servant's voice, Cario sighed in relief.

"Come in." He rubbed his throbbing temples and spoke softly.

His personal servant entered.

"Where is this?" Cario asked.

"Master, last night, you went into that tavern and drank yourself into a stupor... You passed out at the table. Fortunately, there was an inn right next door, so I took the liberty of bringing you here."

"No problem. You did well..."

Cario blushed in embarrassment. He had consumed all kinds of alcohol before, yet he had never expected to lose control in Idar...

But thinking back, the liquor in Idar was truly remarkable.

At first, it burned his throat like fire, but after a few sips, he actually began to enjoy it.

Compared to the vodka and whiskey here, the beer and wine he used to drink felt like utter garbage.

He could only hope he hadn't made a fool of himself while drunk...

"Prepare the carriage. I must go see the Earl."

Cario had come to Idar hoping for an opportunity to rise again. Now, he was even more convinced of its potential.

If he could gain the Earl's approval to sell this strong liquor…

His future suddenly seemed brighter than ever.