Military System : Alternate World

When the group of four arrived at the mentioned workshop, they were greeted by a building that, while clearly maintained, was nothing extraordinary. The workshop had a utilitarian design typical of the early 1900s, with plain, weathered brick walls and a modest roof. The windows were functional but lacked any ornate details, and the large, heavy wooden door at the entrance showed signs of frequent use. Despite its simple and somewhat worn appearance, the workshop seemed sturdy and reliable, reflecting its years of service.

"This looks good." Fret remarked as he saw the condition of the workshop from outside. "Let's first see the inside." Fret said. As the group of four entered the workshop, they were greeted by a spacious interior, approximately 3,000 square feet in size. The floor was covered in a mix of sawdust and wood shavings, and the air carried a faint, lingering scent of varnish and fresh wood.

Along the walls, sturdy workbenches were arranged with various tools—saws, planes, and clamps—neatly laid out. A large central area was cleared for assembly and finishing work, with several old wooden tables set up for this purpose. A few shelves lined the walls, holding boxes of nails, screws, and other hardware. The ceiling, supported by exposed wooden beams, had several large, dusty light fixtures hanging down, providing a dim but functional illumination.

In one corner, a stack of unused lumber and a few large pieces of machinery, including a lathe and a planer, were left behind. The large windows, though clean, allowed only limited natural light to filter in, adding to the workshop's practical ambiance. Despite its utilitarian and somewhat worn appearance, the space offered ample room and potential for Fret to design and arrange his own setup.

Later, Fret walked around the workshop, examining the various workbenches and machinery. He noticed the well-maintained tools and the layout, which suggested that the workshop had been used for crafting items, possibly furniture. This observation helped him visualize how he might reconfigure the space to suit his own needs.

While they were inspecting the workshop, a man in his fifties approached them. "Kane? What brings you here?" he asked, clearly puzzled by Kane's presence.

"This gentleman here is interested in buying a workshop, so I brought him to yours," Kane replied, gesturing toward Fret. The man immediately turned his attention to Fret and extended his hand for a shake. Fret responded with a smile and introduced himself. "Fret, pleasure to meet you."

"Valdis, it's always a pleasure to meet a fellow businessman," Valdis said, returning the smile. "I assume you've seen the condition of my workshop from the outside." He inferred that if they were considering a purchase, they would have inspected the exterior before coming inside.

"Yes, we did. I must say, you've maintained this place very well," Fret replied, taking in the surroundings as he searched for any potential shortcomings that might explain why the man was selling the property.

"To be honest, I'm quite reluctant to sell my workshop. Recently, our business hasn't been doing well, and I want to step back from the fierce competition before I end up bankrupt and burdened with debt. I'm getting old and can't continue as a laborer," Valdis said. His face showed clear reluctance, and his voice carried a hint of sadness. The harsh reality of running a business was evident—despite its allure and the dreams it inspires, poor decisions can leave one with nothing but burdensome debts to manage for a lifetime.

"I assume you were focusing on furniture production?" Fret asked, seeking to understand the market better.

"That is correct, I was in the furniture business. Although our products are top-notch, using high-quality wood, the sales haven't been covering the costs. We also can't export them because other countries have their own styles and established manufacturers," Valdis replied, clearly frustrated.

"So you can't export because other countries have their own manufacturers, not because of blockades from Ironreich or the Rovinia Empire?" Fret asked, wanting to clarify whether the issue was due to trade restrictions or just market competition.

"No, although the shipment costs are high for sea exports, they aren't blocking our exports or income. In fact, the Rovinia Empire is trying to help us by lowering customs fees," Valdis answered, giving Fret the information he needed.

"I heard you're selling the workshop for 1,500 CR," Fret said, looking at Valdis. "Yes, though the price might seem high, you won't find a workshop in this town or nearby towns in this condition," Valdis responded, clearly proud of the workshop's state.

"Alright, I'll buy it. Are there any problems I should be aware of regarding the workshop or its surroundings?" Fret asked, meeting Valdis' gaze directly.

Valdis, taken aback by Fret's sudden agreement, showed a mix of amazement and excitement. "No, there aren't any problems with the workshop or its surroundings. If you're worried about local mobs, they won't bother this town due to the consequences," Valdis said, still focused on the prospect of the money soon to be in his hands.

"Mobs are nothing I can't handle. Let's complete the purchase," Fret said, signaling one of his soldiers to bring the money.

"I'll get the contract," Valdis replied and headed to his office. He returned with a few papers in hand. Meanwhile, John walked in with a bag of money and handed it to Fret. At the sight of the bag, Valdis' eyes lit up, and his already high happiness soared even higher.

After Fret reviewed the contract for hidden clauses and underhanded methods, he found nothing amiss. Satisfied, he picked up the pen, freshly dipped in ink, and quickly wrote his name, followed by his signature. Valdis did the same, and they shook hands before Fret handed over the bag of money.

After the transaction was finalized, Valdis quickly introduced Fret to the workers, handing him the keys before hurriedly leaving the workshop. Though the workers didn't care much about who owned the shop, they were still anxious about losing their stable jobs.

"Alright, I can see the concern in your eyes, but don't be afraid. Those who work hard and do their jobs correctly will stay. As for the others, they'll be let go," Fret addressed his new employees, meeting their uncertain gazes.

His words, meant to reassure, only deepened their anxiety. They didn't know what Fret's standards were for 'hard work' or 'doing the job correctly.' Some slackers resolved to shape up, while others didn't take his words seriously.

"Congratulations, Fret. You're now officially a town resident and businessman. Tomorrow, you should visit the Employer Regulation Council before they come looking for you," Kane advised, patting Fret on the shoulder. This caused an instinctive reaction from the two soldiers nearby, but they quickly relaxed, recognizing Kane as the Grand Marshal's friend.

"What's that?" Fret asked, unfamiliar with the term but having some idea of its purpose. 'Could this country be leaning towards communism?' he wondered.

"They oversee employers, making sure workers are treated fairly. They started small but gained official status after the king's recognition," Kane explained, recalling that everyone in the town knew this, though Fret was different. As someone from the future, Fret knew this council might eventually evolve into something much larger, perhaps even a communist party.

"Alright, I'll visit them tomorrow. Anything I should watch out for?" Fret asked. While confident in his speaking abilities, he was cautious about dealing with any potential grudges within the council.

"Just don't belittle the workers. They hate that. There was a rich businessman who did that a few months ago, and it didn't end well for him," Kane warned.

"Thanks for the heads-up," Fret said before instructing the workers to go home and rest for a few days. He explained that he would be rearranging the workshop and recalibrating the machines for his own use. Initially, the workers thought they were being fired, but upon hearing his explanation, they left the workshop relieved, eager to spend extra time with their families.

"Let's get you back to the house," Fret said, locking the workshop's large wooden door before getting into the truck with Kane and the soldiers. To Fret, today marked a solid second step in his plan, which would be complete when he successfully produced a camera with the quality of those from the 1940s.

After dropping Kane off and returning to the forest to retrieve the rest of his soldiers, Fret rented several rooms in town. Though he didn't buy a house, he could afford hotel accommodations. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, and Fret slept with his mind buzzing with plans to convince Alise.

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The following morning, after breakfast at the hotel, Fret headed to the workshop. His first task was to purchase the 1940s camera technology using 50 SP, reserving the rest for summoning engineers to get the workshop ready for production. Afterward, he planned to visit the library to talk to Alise and the head librarian, hoping to convince them to manage his business.

Though Kane had warned it might be near impossible, Fret was optimistic. He believed that once they understood the benefits his business could bring to the town—like turning it into a major city within the kingdom—they would see the potential to reach more people with their books, boosting the library's collection. Given their passion for books and spreading knowledge, Fret was confident they would be eager to accept his offer.

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When Fret arrived at the workshop, he quickly purchased the camera technology before hiring nine engineers to organize the workshop and compile a list of necessary equipment for production. As usual, after a blinding flash of light, seven soldiers equipped with various weapons appeared before him. Unlike the others, these soldiers had folding shovels attached to their belts and a large backpack.

While Fret was inspecting their equipment, the soldiers had already saluted him and were waiting for his orders. Noticing this, Fret quickly composed himself and began speaking. "At ease. I have a task for you, but I'm not sure if it can be done."

Hearing this, the soldiers exchanged puzzled looks. They hadn't expected their Grand Marshal to express uncertainty. "We will do our best, no matter the task!" said one of the soldiers, who was wearing a grey military uniform and carrying a Sten gun, with a Browning Automatic Rifle slung over his shoulder. Encouraged by his words, the others responded in unison, "We will!"

"Alright then, you in the grey uniform, study this blueprint," Fret instructed, handing the mass of papers to the soldier. The soldier's eyes widened as he glanced over the blueprint, but he remained silent, determined to keep his promise to do his best.

"The rest of you will assist him with his task, while those available will work on setting up the workshop for camera production. List everything and report back to me," Fret ordered. After he finished speaking, all nine engineers headed inside, determined to complete the task assigned by the Grand Marshal.