Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 39.2 - Adding Fuel to the Fire

Breaking free from conventional thinking isn’t easy. But relying solely on my past-life memories forever isn’t sustainable.

 

Just as I was considering giving up out of disappointment, one attendant raised his hand.

 

“My lord, what about making and selling alcohol?”

 

“Alcohol?”

 

“The Aquitaine region is famous for its wine. Like them, we could create liquor under Marseille’s name.”

 

Even if it takes time, it’s a decent idea. I recalled the types of alcohol produced in Marseille—various beers, white wine, and others.

 

‘What if we distill fermented liquor to make whiskey and cognac?’

 

Deciding to act on the thought immediately, I assigned the task to the attendant who proposed it.

 

“The Great Forest is full of fragrant, high-quality oak. Make barrels out of it. Distill beer and white wine, then age them in those oak barrels. If stored for over two years, they’ll become fine liquor.”

 

“…Me, my lord?”

 

The attendant’s face turned pale.

 

“Start a liquor company and manage it. The initial investment will be covered by the budget.”

 

“But I’m just an attendant…”

 

Many attendants from noble families are sons of lower nobles. Though this one seems a bit slow, he’s had basic education.

 

“If you think your skills are lacking, hire employees. Learn distillation from the alchemists.”

 

“Yes, my lord…”

 

It must feel like diving headfirst into the unknown. 

 

But everyone has to start somewhere. In the end, you’ll do just fine.

 

When making whiskey, caramel is added, and when making cognac, sugar is included—there are additives, but I should probably teach you about those after you’re prepared.

 

If I explain everything now, I’m worried the servant’s head might explode from overload.

 

After that, various opinions were brought up, but most were either trivial business matters or pie-in-the-sky ideas.

 

Then, a boy quietly raised his hand.

 

Judging by his unfamiliar face, he seemed to be a newcomer.

 

“I don’t recognize you. Are you new?”

 

“Yes, my lord. I arrived from Cagliari not long ago.”

 

The head servant must have picked out a bright kid from among the pirates’ children.

 

“If you have an opinion, don’t hesitate. Speak up.”

 

What the boy said next, however, was quite baffling.

 

“There’s an object that always points north. It was found when raiding a ship from the Delhi Sultanate. It was so fascinating that Boss Luca kept it in his house.”

 

“Are you talking about a compass? Why is that fascinating?”

 

“Huh? If such an incredible object isn’t fascinating to you, then what could possibly…”

 

At that moment, I realized I had been making a huge mistake.

 

This world is not Earth. 

 

The progression of technology here is different from Earth’s Middle Ages.

 

While there are highly convenient magical tools due to the existence of magic, some incredibly simple inventions haven’t been made yet.

 

I hadn’t even noticed that compasses, which I assumed would naturally exist for sailing, didn’t exist here.

 

‘No wonder long-distance voyages always stick close to visible land.’

 

The Marseille-Catalonia sea route is short and only requires sailing in one direction, so a compass isn’t necessary. But when sailing from Westphalia to Catalonia, ships had to navigate by keeping land in sight as a reference.

 

He slapped his knee in belated realization.
‘I should examine other objects in detail, not just the compass. There might be something else worth making and selling.’

 

Having heard that the compass was only used in the Delhi Sultanate, he decided to commission its production immediately.

If he applied for protection from a multinational guild in the Northern Continent, exclusive production would be possible.

 

He called Diego, who had been quietly observing the meeting.

 

“Diego, find a few skilled blacksmiths or artisans who are good at crafting small items. We need to make a compass.”

 

“Do you happen to know the materials required?”

 

“It’s called lodestone—it has magnetic properties that attract iron. Inquire about it.”

 

“I’ll go right away.”

 

Diego, perhaps excited at the thought of securing a budget, hurried out in a flash.

 

‘I was in high spirits too.’

 

But…

‘If this compass becomes public, it could shift the balance of maritime power. I might end up twisting history. If there’s someone who’s regressed, they’d probably curse me endlessly.’

 

With a mix of seriousness and absurd thoughts, I smiled.

 

⚔️

 

The office of the Chairman of the Lisbon Nobles’ Council.

 

Chairwoman Itana Vonmati examined the object her aide had brought.

 

“Is this the rumored compass?”

 

“Yes, Chairwoman. They say the red needle points to magnetic north.”

 

“Magnetic north? Isn’t this just pointing to the north?”

 

“It’s slightly offset from the true north pole, but the exact position is unknown. In any case, it does point toward the north.”

 

Chairwoman Vonmati shook the compass and placed it on the desk. The swaying red needle soon settled, pointing steadily in one direction.

“It’s pointing precisely north.”

 

“Isn’t it fascinating? To think someone could make such a thing—Count Marseille truly is an incredible inventor.”

 

“He’s certainly no ordinary man.”

 

After staring at the compass on the desk for a long while, the Chairwoman spoke again.

 

“Have you considered the impact this object could have?”

 

“By impact, you mean… war?”

 

“Right. It’s war. The fleets that once relied on the sun and constellations can now move freely.”

 

“The scramble for colonies will intensify.”

 

The Assembly Leader rose from his seat and looked out the window. Dozens of ships came into view in the massive harbor.

“Soon, those ships will cross the western ocean. To claim new lands.”

 

“…You intend to participate, I see.”

 

Chairman Vonmati turned around, clenching his fist. Though her fist was small, it carried unmistakable resolve.

“Of course. Look at the Germanic Empire now. Hasn’t it grown rich and powerful through colonial rule? Our kingdom, too, must seize vast colonies and bring back resources.”

Not the kingdom—the Vonmati family, you mean. 

 

The aide brushed aside the fleeting irreverent thought and replied, “I will request Ma Tap to assess the projected expenditure.”

“Do that.”

 

Colonial expansion, spurred by ship-accelerating magical tools, would now extend across the world with the advent of the compass.

 

This was inevitable—even if Eric had never invented the compass.

 

The colonization of the southern continent was already wrapping up, and the Delhi Sultanate’s compass couldn’t remain a secret forever.

 

All Eric did was pour a little oil onto a fire already burning.

 

And make a bit of money along the way.