Tool-Maker

While Leo wanted to keep his goods rare and expensive, he didn't limit himself to crafting only masterworks. Throughout the following days, Leonardo focused entirely on upgrading the orphanage.

You sleep in the bed you make, and for that reason Leonardo wouldn't be too stingy. Despite being able to move out and strike out on his own with Yuki, now that he's decided to make this monastery his home, he would go all out to make it comfortable.

First, he replaced all of the kitchenware. Only he knew how much it disgusted him to use decades worn bowls for his soup. Even in the wild his wares retained more appeal, and he mostly ate on rocks.

The children were fairly enthusiastic too now that their work translated directly into benefits. They rose energetically at every dawn and couldn't wait to go out. Leonardo expected their ecstasy to dwindle, but while this impression lasted, he intended to capitalize on it and wholly win them over.

After a thorough remake of the more commonly used furniture, he set out to improve their work efficiency. By hardening a few chunks of wood to ensure they don't get damaged too easily, he acquired some cheap material not too inferior to low tier metals. Then, he fashioned a few simple wheelbarrows.

Though the terrain was rough and it wouldn't help much, they could still use it on the main pathways. He also cast a small metal outline around the wheels so rocks don't dent them. Even if they would be damaged, a simple wheel replacement would do the trick.

While working on more mundane tools, Leonardo had Yuki send him the orphans as assistants. By cycling through them a few times, he managed to get a fair assessment of their capabilities.

There were no other geniuses to speak of in the monastery, and other than Yuki and Anabella who was somewhat capable, the rest were subpar even compared to your average medieval household child.

Even so, Leonardo didn't give up on unearthing their values and constantly rotated their duties so as to unveil what they might be good at. He didn't blame them when they failed, and only praised them when they excelled.

A few weeks passed in such a chaotic fashion, and as expected, over time the children's enthusiasm dwindled. The supplies acquired from Chimente dwindled too, and barely a hundred or so tari were left for expenses.

Leo naturally took note of it and prepared in advance. While working on elevating the conditions at home, he naturally wouldn't forget about raising more capital.

Relying on the high tier market was also possible, but given his idea of relying on scarcity, he couldn't ruin his own endeavor by mass producing luxuries.

To that end, as Leonardo was working on improving the tools for his little foragers crew, he realized there was money to be made there too. Be it farmers or bakers or smiths, they could also use better tools, and generally had a decent amount of savings too.

That was to be his new prey.

- — ☯ — -

"Yuki, tell Bruno to take a bath and stay at the monastery tomorrow. We'll head out to Valetta at dawn."

While inking down a few remaining details on his design, he rubbed his eyes wearily and looked over the desk, only to realize Yuki was fast asleep on her chair.

Blowing a gentle breeze to dry the ink quicker, he sat up and moaned as he stretched like an old man. Coming over and grasping her cheek with his fingers, he shook her awake from whatever pleasant dream she was in.

"Haaih. The master is overworked while his assistant sleeps and eats. Is there no justice left in the world?"

Smiling wryly as Yuki remained asleep despite being shook, he couldn't help but lament her lack of alertness. Without prodding her further, he gently pulled her off the chair and princess carried her back to her room.

The little fox in his arms stretched even more lazily in his embrace, prompting him to roll his eyes at how carefree she was compared to him.

Truly no fairness in the world. It was as though he was the sole adult in the area and had to care for everything. Even Anabella's attitude showed increasing signs of dependence. Unsure whether to take it as a compliment or bemoan their laziness, he could only shelve these thoughts for later as he lay Yuki in her new bed.

It was one of the three best beds in the monastery, and he didn't even spare metal to create coiled springs. These beds alone cost him half the metal supply, much to his chagrin. Originally, he prepared one for Yuki and wouldn't have minded sleeping on a hard surface himself.

Who would've thought that the little rascal would brag about it to Anabella? Before he knew it, he was saddled with another request. Frankly, it was more of an order, as despite his protests about the lack of supplies and what not, the big lass simply didn't care.

What else could he do but oblige? Now that the nun had one, of course he wouldn't sleep on hard wood himself. That's how they wound up in a material crisis.

Sighing in annoyance for the last time, he laid Yuki under the quilt and gave her a gentle head pat, only to see her eyes squint slyly.

"Oh, so you were awake, little fox…"

Pulling her cheek, he shook his head with another wry smile. He'd been duped again.

"Teehee. Thanks for carrying me, big brother," she stuck out her tongue, then buried her head into the pillow.

"Hmph. Little rascal. You even dared to trick me! I was going to take you to the market tomorrow, but now… you'd best stay home."

Grinning as he departed in mock anger, he ignored her complaints and went to find Bruno.

The boy was fourteen this year, and thus one of the brawniest fellows in the monastery. After losing his starved wolf appearance, he was a presentable young adult now.