Chapter 143
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Chapter 143: The Huge Business Opportunity Hidden in Hillenbrand Town
While Lolth busied herself in the kitchen and Isabella sat outside, savoring the delicious aroma of baking Ryman meat pie, a small problem arose during the second phase of construction in the Western Development Zone.
In Lolth’s plans, bridges were to be built at both ends of the tributary of the Larech River.
On the north side, where the river was winding and swift, a suspension bridge was planned. This was the main route out of town, so the bridge had to be both sturdy and efficient.
Unlike typical wooden suspension bridges, this one used enchanted refined abyss iron and mithril strands as reinforcements. Its design allowed for even weight distribution and featured strong, flat support structures beneath, enabling several carts to cross simultaneously. However, due to its narrow width, carts could only pass single file.
Despite its expensive materials, the craftsmanship was straightforward. Using resources gathered by Lolth, three skilled dwarf craftsmen and ten bright young men from Hillenbrand Town completed the project in record time. By the time Lolth returned from discarding the New West Line, the suspension bridge was nearly finished.
The real issue lay with the large bridge on the south side.
This southern bridge spanned a wide, calm section of the river near the agricultural area, with a depth exceeding ten meters. Its waters also served as a canal for irrigation and fish farming.
Given the likelihood of heavy agricultural machinery and grain transports in the future, Lolth planned to construct a large cable-stayed bridge from the outset.
This project was one of the largest undertakings in the Western Development Zone and was personally overseen by Maider.
However, midway through construction, a major obstacle arose.
To ensure the bridge’s durability, the bridge deck was crafted from magical materials, while the suspension cables and towers required enchanted reinforcements for stability.
But when work began on the west bank of the river’s midsection, Maider discovered a perplexing phenomenon: a specific area strongly repelled magical power.
Magical materials brought near this zone often malfunctioned or became uncontrollable.
The affected area was significant, covering nearly one-fourth of the planned bridge deck.
Though knowledgeable, Maider found himself at a loss. The project had already been delayed by two days, and Her Excellency Tina had personally arrived to investigate.
Maider, wearing a red safety helmet, stood beside Tina, who donned a white one.
Around them, dwarves in blue helmets scratched their heads, deep in discussion.
“What’s going on here?”
“Magic materials fail completely… even enchanted tools don’t work.”
“Should we try using non-magical materials for this section?”
“But they won’t be strong enough. Without a dwarf forge nearby, making them from scratch will take ages.”
“Should we report this to Master Lolth?”
“She seems busy today, as though handling something important… Maybe we should try solving it ourselves first.”
“Yeah, we can’t bother her with every little issue.”
As the group debated, a strange creaking noise interrupted them.
A uniquely shaped cart approached from the distance, its four metal wheels rolling quickly, radiating intense heat.
Maider and the dwarves stared, astonished.
“Is that… an explosion cart?”
The fiery magic emanating from the cart made the dwarves tense, ready for action.
Before they could react, the cart came to a halt.
From its back stepped a small girl in a chef’s outfit—Kanor Fuen!
During Lolth’s temporary absence from teaching, Kanor had kept herself busy.
Following Lolth’s wisdom—”Everything must come from practice and return to practice”—Kanor realized this applied not only to magic but also to cooking.
Instead of merely studying recipes, she decided to share her creations, just as she had done at the cafeteria.
Though she couldn’t compete with the cafeteria staff for work, Lolth had once told her about a magical idea: a snack cart.
This gave Kanor the perfect solution.
Seeing Maider and the others flustered, Kanor waved enthusiastically.
“Uncle Maider, dear dwarf uncles, and Her Excellency Tina, when you’re feeling stuck, it’s time for a break! Master Lolth always says that work and rest must go hand in hand. Come and try my fried chicken!”
Without waiting for a response, Kanor began frying pre-marinated chicken.
In just three to five minutes, the aroma of freshly cooked fried chicken filled the air.
Unable to resist, Maider, Tina, and the dwarves gathered around the snack cart to enjoy Kanor’s treat.
The enticing smell of fried chicken soon drifted further, catching the attention of a visitor—Little Devil Doyle Candice.
“What a wonderful smell…”
Doyle’s eyes sparkled as she followed the scent.
She had come to Hillenbrand Town under the guise of a “personal matter” but was, in truth, scouting for business opportunities.
During her inspections across Vera Plain on the Demon King’s orders, Doyle had keenly observed that human cities under demon rule were brimming with untapped potential.
The Little Devil Guild, she realized, had a golden opportunity to thrive.
Nobles from Seychelles had recently contacted Doyle. Fearful of losing everything if Seychelles fell, they sought alliances with figures like her.
While the Abyss was rich in magical materials and items—some harmful to humans but still valuable—basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter presented massive business prospects.
However, negotiations with the Little Devil Guild had stalled.
The nobles, though dependent on the Demon Army for protection, remained confident that demons could not meet the common people’s demands—especially when it came to food.
Farming, supplies, and the luxurious cuisines craved by a prosperous populace were still reliant on human imports.
This realization worried Doyle.
After all, demons were increasingly aware that humans’ dietary preferences differed from those of other races.
In this, Doyle saw both a challenge—and a monumental opportunity.
