The two of them crossed several streets and arrived in front of a lively-looking building in the center of Fran City's artisan district.
A huge wooden sign hung at the entrance. Carved onto it was a hammer striking an anvil, beside a massive beer mug. Beneath it were the words "Anvil and Mug Guild."
"This is the largest comprehensive artisan guild in Fran City," Charlotte explained. "In theory, every registered artisan is recorded here. We can't go wrong by finding the person in charge."
She was clearly very familiar with the place. Leading Karl straight inside, she ignored the curious gazes in the hall and went directly to an office on the guild's second floor.
The plaque on the office door read: Director: Bastian Crowe.
Charlotte did not even knock. She simply pushed the door open and walked in.
Inside, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and glasses was bent over his desk, calculating something. He jumped in fright and raised his head, seemingly about to lose his temper. But when he saw Charlotte, his expression immediately changed to one of respect mixed with a faint headache.
"Miss Rochfort! You... What brings you here?" Director Bastian hurriedly stood up.
"Bastian, I'm bringing you some business." Charlotte pointed at Karl. "This is Lord Karl Von Schmidt, the pioneering lord of Carnford. He needs to recruit a group of highly skilled artisans within a short period of time, though they may have... well, been rather unlucky lately. He needs all sorts, especially blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers, and stonemasons."
Director Bastian froze for a moment. A shrewd glint flashed through his eyes as he immediately understood the hidden meaning behind "rather unlucky."
Rubbing his hands, he asked cautiously, "May I ask how many people Your Lordship needs? And what exactly are the requirements regarding their... 'luck'?"
Karl took over. "There's no limit to the number. Skill comes first. I need people who can truly get things done. As for whether they're having a hard time in Fran City because of fierce competition, overwhelming debts, or some other reason, I don't care. Carnford can offer stable work, pay higher than in Fran City, and a chance to start over."
Director Bastian's eyes lit up! He was all too familiar with this kind of request! The guild never lacked people with real skills who had fallen on hard times for one reason or another.
To the guild, these people were a burden. If it could find them somewhere to go, it could even collect a referral fee. It was practically a godsend!
"I understand! Completely understand!" Bastian instantly became incredibly enthusiastic. "Please wait a moment! I'll immediately put out a notice under the name of 'Recruitment of Skilled Artisans for the Northern Territory Emergency Reconstruction Project' and screen suitable candidates! I guarantee they'll all have genuine skills!"
He quickly wrote several notes and had apprentices deliver them at once.
Once the news spread, the results were immediate.
In less than an hour, the office was packed with artisans who had come after hearing the news.
Most wore worried or anxious expressions and dressed simply, even shabbily, but their eyes were filled with a longing for work.
Karl and Charlotte observed from the side.
Director Bastian was extremely efficient. He quickly conducted an initial screening, asked questions about their specialties, and inspected the tools or samples they had brought with them.
Before long, several people who clearly met the requirements were brought before Karl.
Karl looked over their names.
Hector: blacksmith, highly skilled, but burdened with enormous debts from drinking and gambling. His workshop had long since been mortgaged.
Martin: bricklayer, outstandingly fast, but so blunt that he had offended a noble employer and been unofficially blacklisted by the guild.
Norman: master stonemason, highly experienced, but too old to get major projects and living in hardship.
Elliot: carpenter's apprentice, exceptionally talented, but unable to complete his apprenticeship after his master passed away and unable to find formal work...
Karl spoke carefully with each of them, focusing more on the details of their craft and their approaches to solving problems than on their pasts.
His sincerity and respect for their skills quickly won the favor of these frustrated artisans.
In the end, Karl made the decision on the spot and recruited eight artisans of various types, including them. He advanced them part of their relocation allowances so they could quickly settle their affairs in Fran City and set out with the main group for Carnford two days later.
Seeing these skilled workers regain hope, Karl was filled with a sense of accomplishment as well.
Talent was the most precious lifeblood of a territory's development.
And all of this was thanks to the Rose of the Northern Border beside him, who seemed carefree but always managed to help him with pinpoint accuracy.
"Thank you, Charlotte," he said sincerely.
Charlotte merely shrugged indifferently. "It was nothing. I had nothing better to do anyway."
But the slight lift at the corners of her mouth revealed a hint of satisfaction.
After finishing with the artisan recruitment and having a simple lunch with Charlotte, Karl returned to the inn.
He did not rest. Instead, he asked the station staff for a quill, ink, and several sheets of reasonably good-quality writing paper.
He needed to write two letters, both to be sent to the distant territory of the Franklin Schmidt Family.
The first letter was for his nominal father, Duke Schmidt.
Karl forced himself to begin and wrote in a tone that conformed as much as possible to noble etiquette—neither servile nor overbearing, yet subtly edged.
In the letter, he first offered his father the usual formal greetings. Then his tone shifted as he began describing, in detail and with a slight amount of exaggeration, his "glorious achievements" since arriving in Carnford.
How he had annihilated a goblin tribe at minimal cost, how he had begun rebuilding the fortress and restoring order, how he had discovered the highly valuable Flint Mine and begun extraction, and how he had integrated nearly four hundred people and begun spring plowing...
He portrayed Carnford as flourishing, brimming with limitless potential, and already an important piece on the Northern Territory's chessboard.
Only then did he tactfully mention that although the territory was developing rapidly, its initial investments had been enormous and funds were temporarily in short supply.
To consolidate this territory, which held strategic importance for the family, more quickly and effectively, he hoped his father could "invest" some money or supplies. He also implied that the investment would bring the family immeasurable long-term benefits and greater influence in the Northern Territory.
The second letter was for his mother in this body, the Duchess, who was deeply neglected in the ducal residence and living in difficult circumstances.
While writing this letter, Karl's tone became completely different, and his words were exceptionally gentle and caring.
He did not describe the hardships and dangers of the territory in much detail. Instead, he focused on the vast open lands of the Northern Territory, the simple warmth of its people, and the hope of rebuilding their home.
He sincerely asked after his mother's health, urged her to take good care of herself, and made a solemn promise.
Once he had established himself firmly in Carnford and built a safe, comfortable home, he would definitely bring her out of the stifling ducal residence to live with him in the Northern Territory, far from the coldness and infighting there, where she could enjoy her later years in peace.
After finishing the two completely different family letters, Karl carefully sealed them and wrote the recipients' names on the envelopes.
He handed the letters to the station staff, paid an additional fee, and requested that they be sent to the Franklin Schmidt Family's territory by the fastest and most reliable route.
Before you continue