Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

The setting sun cast its final golden rays over the official residence in Fort Zeelandia.

After dismissing his attendants, Grey walked toward the window and gazed at the city outside. The red-tiled rooftops glowed beneath the fading sunlight, while the evening shadows slowly spread across the streets.

Since arriving in Split Rock, Grey had been captivated by the beauty of the place. On several occasions, he had even imagined bringing his wife here to enjoy a peaceful holiday, free from the endless troubles of politics and trade.

Unfortunately, those pleasant thoughts had become a distant dream.

Now, Split Rock had turned into a headache he could no longer ignore.

Grey furrowed his brows, struggling to understand why the young Prince Simon was so determined to gain control of the region.

As far as he knew, the Eldorian Empire’s officials had never shown much interest in Split Rock. Even during his earlier dealings with Prince Valeric, the prince had tacitly accepted the Dutch occupation.

Yet Simon’s arrival had changed everything.

The young prince had not only challenged their presence but had also demonstrated a military strength that Grey had never anticipated.

"Fifteen galleon warships..."

Grey muttered the words, his expression growing increasingly serious.

The fleet Simon had brought to Split Rock remained the greatest mystery in his mind.

Where had the prince obtained so many European-standard warships?

And how had he managed to equip his soldiers with flintlock muskets?

Since returning from Ashenford, Grey had repeatedly examined these questions, hoping to find a reasonable explanation. Unfortunately, every answer he considered only raised more doubts.

The Eldorian Empire’s manufacturing capabilities were not particularly impressive in his estimation. Although its craftsmen could produce matchlock muskets, manufacturing reliable flintlocks on a large scale was an entirely different matter.

Building an entire fleet of European-standard galleons was even more difficult.

Such vessels required skilled shipbuilders, experienced naval engineers, enormous quantities of timber, and sophisticated manufacturing facilities. Their cannons and other equipment demanded equally advanced production techniques.

Even the most powerful European nations could not expand their fleets overnight.

Yet Simon had appeared with fifteen warships as though the achievement were nothing extraordinary.

And that was not the end of it.

Grey’s gaze darkened as he recalled the cast-iron cannons mounted on the city’s defensive walls.

Cast-iron naval guns had only become widely used in Europe within the past few decades. Although they were cheaper to manufacture than bronze cannons, their tendency to burst under pressure made quality control a serious challenge.

The cannons Prince Valeric had purchased from Brambleford, however, were remarkably reliable.

According to Valeric, a few had exploded during use, but such incidents rarely caused extensive damage. Their overall failure rate was also relatively low.

That was evidence of considerable manufacturing experience.

Producing a cannon was one thing. Producing large numbers of cannons that could be used safely and reliably was something else entirely.

Grey slowly exhaled.

If Simon possessed the industrial capabilities he suspected, then the prince was far more dangerous than he had initially believed.

A conflict with such a powerful ruler in the waters surrounding Split Rock could turn into a catastrophe.

Even if the Dutch fleet managed to hold its own, the financial cost would be enormous. Their merchant ships would face constant danger, their trading partners might lose confidence, and their commercial rivals would eagerly seize any opportunity to replace them.

In the worst-case scenario, the Dutch might be forced to abandon their position in the East altogether.

Grey could not allow that to happen.

It was precisely why he had dismissed Alonso’s suggestion of seeking British assistance.

Inviting the British into the dispute would not solve the problem. It would merely introduce another powerful rival into an already dangerous situation.

The British had coveted the eastern trade routes for years. If given an opportunity, they would happily use the conflict to establish their own foothold.

Instead of driving the Dutch out of danger, Grey might end up handing their competitors the very opportunities they had long desired.

No. That would be foolish.

After a long period of deliberation, Grey finally settled on a more cautious approach.

He would send Alonso to Brambleford, Simon’s principal domain.

Rather than continuing to argue over Split Rock without understanding the prince’s true strength, they needed to investigate the source of his power.

How many warships could Brambleford produce?

How many muskets could its workshops manufacture?

And, most importantly, how much military strength was Simon hiding?

If the answers confirmed Grey’s suspicions, he would have to reconsider their entire strategy.

Perhaps they could negotiate with the prince and preserve at least part of their trading presence in the East.

It was not an ideal outcome, but it was certainly better than losing everything.

Grey shook his head as he thought about Alonso.

The man had spent too many years in Split Rock. He had become accustomed to dealing with the local authorities and seemed unaware of how much the balance of power in Europe had changed.

The Dutch Republic was no longer in a position to challenge every emerging power for control of international trade.

Its competitors were growing stronger, and its own advantages were gradually diminishing.

Under such circumstances, the eastern trade routes had become more important than ever.

Silk, porcelain, tea, and countless other valuable goods generated enormous profits. Losing access to those markets would weaken the Dutch economy and allow their rivals to pull even further ahead.

Grey turned his attention toward the harbor.

Beyond the city, the bay stretched beneath the evening sky. Dutch merchant vessels crowded the crescent-shaped harbor, their masts forming a dense forest against the fading light.

Those ships represented more than commercial wealth.

They were the lifeline connecting the Dutch homeland to the riches of the East.

Every vessel carried goods that would eventually find their way into European markets. Every successful voyage brought profits to merchants, revenue to the state, and opportunities to expand their influence.

Grey had no intention of abandoning all that without a fight.

But he also had no intention of starting a war he could not win.

The last light of the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.

Standing beside the window, Grey finally reached his decision.

The Eldorian Empire was not like the territories the Europeans had encountered in the Americas or Africa.

Those lands had often been divided among smaller kingdoms and tribal societies whose military and industrial capabilities could not match those of the major European powers.

The Eldorian Empire was different.

It possessed an established government, a substantial population, organized armies, and a civilization with a long history of its own.

More importantly, it appeared to be developing military and industrial capabilities that could challenge European advantages.

Grey’s expression became solemn.

A nation whose war machine had begun to gather momentum was frightening enough.

A nation whose true strength remained unknown was even more dangerous.

"Alonso," he murmured, "you’d better not disappoint me this time."

He turned away from the window.

The decision had been made. Now it was time to discover whether Prince Simon was merely an ambitious young ruler or the beginning of a much greater threat to Dutch interests.

***

Brambleford

While Grey struggled with the future of Dutch influence in the East, Prince Simon was enjoying an unusually peaceful period in Brambleford.

For the past two days, his schedule had become considerably less demanding.

Sometimes, he remained in the castle, helping Elin refine her underwear designs. At other times, he visited Oxford Academy to observe the students and inspect their progress.

With the immediate military situation temporarily under control, Simon could finally turn his attention toward another important objective.

Developing talent.

He understood better than most that a prosperous domain could not depend on only a handful of capable individuals.

Ethan and James had contributed greatly to Brambleford’s development, but there was a limit to how much two people could accomplish.

If Simon wanted his domain to become a genuine industrial powerhouse, he needed dozens, hundreds, and eventually thousands of skilled engineers, craftsmen, scholars, and technicians.

That was why he had established Oxford Academy.

The academy was not merely a place for teaching students how to read and write. It was intended to become the foundation of Brambleford’s technological development.

Simon wanted his influence to spread throughout his domain and, eventually, beyond its borders.

Every student trained there could become another capable worker, inventor, or instructor.

Every discovery could give Brambleford an advantage over its competitors.

And every improvement in production could translate into greater wealth and military strength.

Naturally, such ambitions would take time.

But Simon was willing to be patient.

After all, the most powerful industries were not built in a single day.

"My Lord, the underwear designs are almost finalized."

Inside the castle chamber, Elin sat close to Simon, her small head resting comfortably against his shoulder.

"The female workers at the textile workshop have already begun production. However, there’s still one problem."

Simon glanced down at her.

"What is it?"

Elin raised her head slightly.

"How are we going to promote the underwear?"

Her expression revealed a mixture of excitement and concern.

The new designs had taken considerable effort to complete. The textile workers were now producing the garments, and the first batches would soon be ready.

But manufacturing a good product was only the first step.

If nobody knew about it, even the finest underwear would remain forgotten inside a warehouse.

Elin understood this problem, but she was unfamiliar with Brambleford’s social circles. She had no idea how to introduce their products to the ladies of the nobility, much less persuade them to purchase something so different from what they were accustomed to wearing.

Simon, however, had already considered the matter.

Brambleford was still developing. Although its population was growing, it lacked the concentration of wealthy nobles and influential ladies found in the imperial capital.

To make the underwear a success, they needed someone whose reputation could attract attention far beyond Brambleford.

Someone whose choices influenced the fashion of the entire empire.

Fortunately, Simon knew exactly whom to approach.

"Actually, I have someone in mind who would be perfect for promoting our underwear."

Elin immediately lifted her head.

Her eyes brightened with curiosity.

"Who?"

"Princess Lisa."

Simon delivered the name casually, as though the answer were obvious.

Princess Lisa was well known throughout the Eldorian Empire for her bold personality and distinctive taste in fashion.

Unlike many noblewomen, she was not afraid to embrace new trends or challenge established conventions.

If she took an interest in the underwear produced by Brambleford, other noblewomen would undoubtedly pay attention.

After all, Princess Lisa was more than a member of the imperial family.

She was one of the empire’s most influential fashion icons.

Her choices could inspire imitation among the aristocracy, and the aristocracy’s choices often influenced the wider market.

If she publicly endorsed the new designs, Simon could gain access to a market that would otherwise take years to cultivate.

Besides, the underwear offered more than practical benefits.

A well-designed garment could improve comfort, support, and the appearance of the clothes worn over it.

For women accustomed to traditional garments, the new designs could introduce an entirely different way of dressing.

With Princess Lisa’s influence, the product might become the next major fashion trend.

Elin’s excitement rose as she considered the possibilities.

But it soon faded.

"My Lord, Princess Lisa is highly respected, and she’s currently in the imperial capital. Would she really come all the way to Brambleford?"

Her concern was reasonable.

Even if Princess Lisa liked the idea, persuading her to visit another domain was not necessarily an easy task.

Simon smiled.

"Not necessarily. But remember, she came to Brambleford last time simply because she was interested in glass."

Elin blinked.

Simon continued, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Write her a letter in your own name. As my consort, you have every reason to invite her to visit."

He paused briefly before adding, "Tell her about the changes taking place in Brambleford. Explain how the domain has developed and mention the new products we’re preparing. Knowing my aunt, she might become curious enough to visit."

Elin considered his suggestion.

She was still somewhat timid when dealing with important members of the imperial family. Nevertheless, she genuinely wanted to help Simon.

If inviting Princess Lisa could help Brambleford’s textile industry grow, she was willing to try.

"All right. I’ll write to her immediately."

With that, Elin called for Kobe to bring her paper and a pen.

She settled at the writing desk and began composing the letter.

Simon remained beside her, occasionally glancing at the page.

As he watched her write, he could not help feeling a little embarrassed.

Elin’s handwriting was elegant and precise. Every character appeared carefully formed, with smooth strokes and balanced proportions.

His own handwriting, by comparison, looked as though a collection of worms had crawled across the page.

Simon had never considered penmanship particularly important.

Unfortunately, seeing Elin’s work beside his own made the difference painfully obvious.

He shook his head inwardly.

Perhaps he should ask someone to teach him proper handwriting someday.

After all, a prince who wanted to build an industrial empire ought to possess at least a few respectable personal skills.

Before long, Elin finished the letter.

She read it once more, made a few small corrections, and handed it to Kobe.

"Please arrange for this to be delivered to the imperial capital as quickly as possible."

"Yes, My Lady."

Kobe accepted the letter and departed to make the necessary arrangements.

With that matter settled, Elin returned to Simon’s side.

However, she had not finished thinking about Brambleford’s textile industry.

"My Lord, there’s something else I’ve been considering."

Simon turned toward her.

"Go ahead."

"We’ve already begun producing the underwear, but our dyeing workshops are still rather limited. Most of them can only produce single-colored fabrics."

She frowned slightly.

"If we want to make more beautiful garments, I think we need to improve our dyeing techniques. The workshops should study the books you provided and learn how to produce richer colors and more varied patterns."

Simon nodded approvingly.

Elin had identified an important weakness.

Textile production did not end with weaving fabric.

The quality of the dye, the consistency of the color, and the ability to produce different shades all played significant roles in determining the value of the finished product.

A workshop capable of producing beautiful fabric but unable to dye it properly would struggle to compete in the luxury clothing market.

If Brambleford wanted to establish itself as a center of fashion and textile manufacturing, its dyeing industry had to develop alongside its weaving workshops.

At present, the textile industry has inherited many of its techniques from the Redwyck family.

Those methods had served their purpose, but they were no longer sufficient for Simon’s ambitions.

He wanted Brambleford’s products to stand out in the imperial market.

Ordinary fabrics could generate modest profits, but richly colored textiles and finely made garments offered far greater opportunities.

More importantly, improvements in dyeing would benefit the entire industry rather than a single product.

Clothing, curtains, decorative fabrics, and countless other goods could all benefit from better materials.

It was precisely the sort of investment Simon wanted to make.

He looked at Elin with a playful smile.

"Princess, it seems we’re thinking along the same lines."

Elin looked up at him.

Simon continued, "The textile workshops in Brambleford inherited their techniques from the Redwyck family. They’ve served us well enough until now, but it’s time to improve the entire dyeing process."

His smile widened.

"If we want our textiles to dominate the market, we cannot rely on ordinary colors and outdated techniques forever."

Elin’s expression brightened.

She had worried that Simon might consider her suggestion unnecessary or postpone it until later. Instead, he had immediately recognized its importance.

A small, pleased smile appeared on her lips.

For a moment, she leaned against his shoulder again, enjoying the rare peace they had found amid their many responsibilities.

Outside the chamber, Brambleford continued its quiet transformation.

New workshops were opening. Students were learning skills that would one day change the territory. Craftsmen were experimenting with improved production methods, while Simon’s plans gradually extended into more industries.

To most outsiders, these changes might have seemed insignificant.

A better textile workshop.

A new type of underwear.

Improved dyeing techniques.

But Simon knew that great industries were often built from a series of seemingly ordinary improvements. One workshop would lead to another. One successful product would create demand for several more. And as production expanded, Brambleford’s wealth and influence would grow with it.

The Dutch might be worrying about their future in the East, but Simon had no intention of allowing Brambleford to remain a minor player in the empire.