Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 60: [59] A Gambit of Iron and Waves

-Third-Person Perspective-

Despite the significant profits steadily flowing from his wine business through the partnership with Marquis Arleon, Arkan found his finances constantly strained. He was generating a substantial income, but restoring the western coastal region—a recently acquired territory mired in economic ruin and administrative chaos—required more than just good revenue. Worse still, he was now saddled with a debt of 15,000 gold coins.

To cover the debt, Arkan was forced to relinquish the patent rights to his wine-making process to the Marquis. Of course, this played right into the old man’s plans, as the wine business was poised to yield long-term profits—and the Marquis was nothing if not greedy.

Arkan, however, didn’t mind losing a single patent for his innovation, especially since he had countless other ideas that promised far greater financial returns than just the wine business.

Unfazed, Arkan forged ahead with his ambitious plans to develop the coastal territory. While the region currently resembled a barren wasteland of poverty, he saw immense potential. With direct access to the sea, trade and fishing could become the linchpins of a thriving economy.

Arkan envisioned a bustling new dock teeming with merchant ships, a vibrant fish market, and fishermen working together under a cooperative system. By introducing the cooperative model, he hoped to empower local fishermen while collectively boosting productivity. Furthermore, he contemplated the untapped iron deposits in the mountains near the coast. Although no one had yet exploited these resources, Arkan was confident that they could fuel the establishment of a basic ironworks industry. Using the modern techniques he had learned in his previous world, he saw enormous opportunities to lift the region’s economy while creating jobs for the locals.

Yet infrastructure was the bedrock of all his plans. The region’s roads were in shambles, and its irrigation systems were practically non-existent. In his mind, he began to draft ideas for constructing roads that would connect the area to major trade routes and digging irrigation canals to support agriculture. Inspiration for these systems came from ancient Roman aqueducts, but with slight modifications using modern engineering principles he had mastered.

Of course, executing these grand plans required an astronomical amount of capital. He had already spent 500,000 gold coins to purchase his noble title and the territory. And although he had a clear vision, execution demanded more than sheer determination. Arkan needed to attract investors, build trust with wealthy merchants, or even sell shares for his development projects. He also considered approaching artisan guilds or major traders in the capital, offering exclusive contracts as an initial step.

Additionally, Arkan recognized that his 21st-century knowledge was a massive advantage. He brainstormed ideas for developing unique products to entice the market, such as organic cosmetics or simple tools that could improve daily life. These ventures wouldn’t just be profitable but could also open trade opportunities with other regions.

But Arkan understood that rebuilding a broken, corruption-ridden territory like this would not be easy. Obstacles awaited him at every turn, both from within and outside his domain. Nevertheless, his resolve was firm. As a mechanical engineering graduate, he knew the foundations of the First Industrial Revolution could begin here. With a blend of innovation and strategy, he was confident he could transform this region into a burgeoning center of trade and industry within the kingdom.

"A massive gamble," he murmured as he gazed at the map of his territory. A faint smile crept across his face. "But who ever said I was afraid of taking risks?"

###

The modest office within Marquis Arleon’s territory was bustling with paperwork. Arkan sat behind a desk piled with financial reports and blueprints for rebuilding the western coastal region. His tired eyes drifted to the hourglass in the corner of the table, realizing he hadn’t rested since morning.

Suddenly, the door swung open without so much as a knock, and Rainer strolled in with confident strides, a large sack slung over his shoulder that clearly weighed heavily.

"Yo," Rainer greeted casually, tossing the bag onto the floor with a loud thud. "I’ve got something for you."

Arkan arched an eyebrow at the bag. "What’s this?"

"Loot from the bandits at the harbor," Rainer explained nonchalantly, dropping into a chair without invitation. "Turns out, Baron Darren’s head steward is still alive. The guy used the leftover wealth from the Baron to form his own little bandit faction."

Arkan let out a long sigh. "Of course, he’s alive. People like that always seem to slip through the cracks." He eyed the sack warily. "And you managed to get this from him?"

Rainer grinned. "Obviously. Wasn’t too hard. Just had to... ’persuade’ him to hand it over."

Opening the sack, Arkan found it filled with gold coins, jewelry, and a few documents. His eyes widened briefly before shooting a puzzled look at Rainer. "This... is quite a haul. Why give it to me?"

Leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, Rainer smirked. "Because you need it. That western territory of yours is a giant money pit, right? I know you’re going to need every bit of funding to fix it."

Arkan paused, staring at the sack again. "But... this feels wrong. You’re the one who took the risk, and now I’m taking the profit?"

Rainer shrugged, the corners of his mouth tilting up in a small smile. "Relax. I don’t care much about money. Besides, I couldn’t carry all of it. I’d rather see it used for something meaningful."

Rubbing his temple, Arkan couldn’t shake the discomfort but knew he couldn’t refuse. "Alright. If you insist... thank you."

"Don’t be so serious, Arkan. You look like you’re going to lose sleep over this," Rainer quipped, chuckling.

Arkan gave a faint smile. "That’s just how I am. But I promise this money will be put to good use."

Rainer stood, patting Arkan on the shoulder. "Good. Glad to hear it."

As Rainer left the office, Arkan stared at the sack again, already mapping out ways to use the funds to restore the western coast’s crumbling infrastructure. Gratitude mingled with unease in his mind.

"Rainer," he muttered, glancing at the man’s retreating back. "Sometimes I wonder... what’s really going on in that head of yours?"

Rainer paused at the door as though he’d heard the murmured words. Turning around with a playful grin, he added, "Oh, one more thing. Don’t overwork yourself, Arkan. You’re starting to look older than you are."

"Of course I look old! It’s because of all the problems I have to deal with every day!" Arkan retorted, his tone a blend of exasperation and humor.

Rainer laughed before disappearing through the door, leaving Arkan with a small, resigned smile as he returned to his endless stack of work.

A week ago, Arkan had been a thriving merchant focused on managing his wine business and crafting simple tools inspired by his 21st-century knowledge. But in a matter of days, everything had changed. With Marquis Arleon’s backing and his alliance with Sarasota, Arkan was now officially a noble.

It was a life he had never envisioned for himself. Managing a fief, dealing with medieval feudal responsibilities, and overseeing an impoverished territory was far from his original plan. But this was reality. His new position as the ruler of the western coastal region came with monumental challenges that demanded his immediate attention.

Standing in a grand hall within Marquis Arleon’s mansion, Arkan found himself adorned in formal attire provided by the Marquis. The silk tunic, dark with golden embroidery along the edges, gave him the appearance of a proper nobleman. Despite his discomfort, he understood the importance of adhering to procedures and traditions.

Marquis Arleon smiled, clearly satisfied, as he stood before the gathering of nobles and local officials. "Today," the Marquis declared, his voice echoing through the hall, "we welcome a new leader for the western coastal region. Lord Arkan Lawrence has shown exceptional skill, dedication, and courage. Under his guidance, I have no doubt the territory will prosper."

The guests offered polite applause. Some faces betrayed skepticism, while others seemed more interested in the wine flowing freely on the long tables. Arkan, though out of his element, maintained a calm smile as he bowed respectfully. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Thank you for this honor, Your Grace," Arkan said, keeping his voice steady despite the lingering doubt. "I will do my utmost to meet the responsibilities entrusted to me."

The Marquis clapped Arkan’s shoulder with enthusiasm. "You’ll do just fine. I’m certain of it."

After the formal ceremony, Marquis Arleon hosted a modest celebration. While nobles mingled and indulged in rich food and wine, Arkan did his best to remain diplomatic. He accepted congratulations from guests who seemed less interested in him as a person and more intrigued by the rare phenomenon of a merchant ascending to nobility.

A few days later, the arduous journey to his new territory began. Rainer accompanied him, riding in a carriage laden with supplies and equipment for reconstruction. As the carriage entered the western coastal region, the landscape deteriorated rapidly. Roads were crumbling, houses looked old and ready to collapse, and land that had once been fertile appeared barren.

Breaking the silence, Rainer commented, "This place is in worse shape than I thought. There’s not a single promising sight anywhere."

Arkan sighed, his gaze fixed on the dilapidated villages they passed. "Which is why we’re here. This place is full of problems, but it’s also full of potential."

When they arrived at the Baron’s former castle—now Arkan’s seat of power—the scene was no better. The stone walls, once sturdy, were now moss-covered and cracked. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and the few people within the castle looked malnourished and worn down.

Stepping out of the carriage, Arkan stood silently for a moment, surveying the dismal sight before him. He took a deep breath, steadying his thoughts.

"Alright," he muttered, almost to himself. "Let’s start rebuilding everything from scratch."

Rainer clapped him on the back with a confident grin. "You’ve made it this far. I’m sure you can pull it off."

With renewed determination, Arkan strode into the castle, ready to face the monumental challenges awaiting him.