Chapter 353
The daytime part of the development tour can be considered a success for now.
"Liberta-kun, am I dreaming? There's a village that shouldn't have been here this morning."
Beside me, Jinx-san, sitting on a log chair, gazes at the campfire and sips hot wine.
"What are you talking about, Jinx-san? Though I'm not sure if it qualifies as a village, it was completed by evening, wasn't it?"
In Jinx-san's line of sight is leveled land, an earthen wall set up surrounding the land, and ten cottages built around the campfire.
It's more like a campsite than a village.
"Hahaha. That's true."
To soothe the fatigue from the day's astonishment, he gulps down his wine.
"My, my. I knew coming here would be surprising, but I didn't think it would be *this* surprising."
Jinx-san is still relatively calm, but the other shopping district folks are still in the midst of excitement.The driving sounds echoing in this campsite.Mixed with that are murmurs and cheers.The golems moving clumsily compared to when I controlled them, but striving earnestly.
Riding on the backs of the Harvester Golem and the Road Roller Golem are the shopping district folks.Nell and Amina are riding along on each golem to assist, giving advice on how to operate them.
"...Can I ask you one thing?""What is it?"
The sight of adults frolicking like children who got new toys.Those hurrying others along by heckling are reminiscent of children waiting for their turn on a swing.
"If you have this much power, couldn't you build a town just by yourselves?""In terms of whether we *could* or *couldn't*, we could, I suppose."
The impact of the golems from this tour seems to have been great enough to make these adults behave like that.
I actually wanted to show more—golems for digging wells or reservoirs, golems for paving roads, golems for maintaining other golems—but with those two golems, the emotional capacity of the shopping district folks reached its limit, and comprehension couldn't keep up.
"I thought so. That makes it even more puzzling. A person with your level of power, why would you need the help of mere merchants like us?""Hmm, the reason, you say?"
That's precisely why they're currently interacting with the golems within their comprehension, desperately trying to accept the emotions.
Looking at them, you can understand.The power level of people in this world.
Recently, because of the leveling, beings closer to FBO players have begun to appear around me, but *this* is the true average.
"That's right. Speaking pragmatically, we could build a town, but we couldn't maintain it. Even considering minimal necessary facilities, we'd need to prepare various things, and thinking about post-creation, we'd definitely need manpower no matter what.""Well, yeah. Considering what you're trying to do, I can't imagine a few people managing it.""That's it. Above all, it's about manpower. If we have to prepare and maintain a rear support system ourselves, we'll never be able to move forward."
You could say finding reliable people among them is an urgent task.The spirits are a trump card.If we keep using that trump card constantly, when they become public knowledge, we won't be able to recover.
It's better to keep spirits as a hidden insurance for when we really need to make a comeback.
Furthermore, if we can solidify our foundation and gather reliable people, we'll be able to establish an even more powerful support system in cooperation with the spirits.
"Interpreted in merchant terms, it's like being so overwhelmed with procurement that sales become neglected?""That's right. I want to focus on the 'sales' side.""A full-fledged merchant can do both, but there's no need to do everything. Owners of big shops skillfully use subordinates to create their ideal stores. Yeah, I can accept the pragmatic reason."
Having followed FBO's story, I know there are plenty of people who do all sorts of nasty things.But conversely, I also know there are trustworthy people.Distinguishing them among nameless NPCs would be extremely difficult, but if I don't challenge myself here and secure reliable people, I'll have to keep doubting everyone forever.
That would be exhausting indeed.
"So, what's the reason beyond pragmatic purposes?""Naturally, personal reasons. You could rephrase it as my willful selfishness, everything included."
Rather than living in constant suspicion of people, it's more gamer-like to have fun with trustworthy comrades.If we could eventually create a cheerful town where spirits and people can laugh together foolishly, it would surely be fun.
"Thinking about going to the Central Continent, the more robust our rear support system, the better. Frankly, there are areas over there where even our current selves would be in serious trouble if we set foot in unprepared. Going there with no preparation is nothing short of suicide."
As the first step toward aiming for that environment, I dispel Jinx-san's doubt about needing their help.I might indeed be capable of more than others.But if asked whether I can handle *everything* flawlessly and *sustain* it, I'd assert 'NO.'
Delegate what can be delegated to others.We need what are commonly called people you can trust to watch your back.
Until now, we've managed by improvising, but from here on, that won't work.
From the latter half of Class 8 onward, the difficulty spikes to a level where players normally die.To ensure the safety of our one-and-only life, to take meticulous precautions, establishing a base is essential.
"Especially the Central Continent is dangerous—seriously dangerous, genuinely dangerous. It's such a hellscape that it feels like the 'dangerous' triple combo keeps going.""You talk as if you've seen it. I thought you were a strange kid since we met... talking like this makes me feel that even more.""I am, after all, someone entrusted as a god's Apostle, so I'm that 'special child,' you know.""I wonder when I started becoming more convinced you were a dwarf adult rather than a human child lately.""I honestly don't know about that."
We could handle the construction ourselves, but for fully automated, complete management, we'd need at least one dedicated golem user. At that point, it becomes someone capable of running a nation single-handedly.We'd have to go all-in on town management, to the point of feeling like we've stepped into a different genre of game.
It's still too early to go down that path.
"But well, I understand that's not normal, so rest assured about that."
This carefree lifestyle with a combat-focused build suits my nature more.I want to complete the endgame content first, then spend my remaining years with production jobs or immerse myself in town-building, switching to that side later.
"Well, seeing Nell, who's watched you, laughing like that... I believe you'll do astonishing things, but you won't do bad things.""Yeah, I'm known as the trustworthy, reliable Liberta-kun on that front. I'll properly share the profits with those who trust me and work diligently."
This town-building is groundwork for future activities and moving to other continents.Until now, we've often been hindered by nobles and monsters, but by creating our own base and gathering comrades like Genjirou's group and Judes's group, we can intercept trouble while proactively selecting and undertaking quests for our own strengthening.
"I see, then. Let me invest in that trust of yours.""You'll cooperate?""Yeah, after seeing all this, not jumping on board would be nonsense as a merchant."
Jinx-san, who will become that cooperator, gently extends his right hand to me.
"As a merchant, I'll lend you my strength.""Please take care of me."
We shake hands, gripping firmly. This makes the first person.
"Are you sure you don't need to ask Teresa-san?""That's right, my wife. She's probably already started packing preparations.""We definitely can't prepare for business immediately, though.""Several of the men playing with the golems will help with development right away. If that happens, this campsite will become a town in no time."
Jinx-san, now the first, gazes at the men gathered around the golems as if he already has an idea of who will follow.
"Then we'll need people who can build houses and secure a water source.""Yeah, and it's better to secure farmland from now on. We can manage with purchases at first, but it's better to minimize expenses as much as possible.""Then we need development personnel, construction personnel, and agricultural personnel."
Among them, the butcher uncle is probably counted too.Transitioning from butcher to developer... probably leaving the butcher shop to his son, I guess.
"And if possible, securing a doctor would be good too. You never know what might happen in an undeveloped land.""I see."
My development knowledge is based on FBO; Jinx-san's development knowledge is living knowledge gained as a merchant active in this world.
A collaboration between game and reality, I suppose.For human life, such raw voices are important.
I had intended to prepare a doctor, but being reminded again, it truly is important.Ensuring food, clothing, shelter, and paying rewards.
"And this might be meddling, but if you're gathering single people, you should also prepare for *this* aspect.""This aspect...?""That face. You understand, right?"
I thought what we were doing was enough, but Jinx-san, with a slightly mischievous grin, touched on a field not implemented in FBO.
Pinking his little finger, he used the word 'single people.'
"Ways to spend money aren't limited to food and shopping. Comfort in *that* area can be a source of vitality for men. Building a town means you have to accept that kind of element too."
I understand what he's referring to.But even I don't have the know-how on how to arrange *that*.
"Do you have an aversion to that profession?""No, not at all. I'd say it's a respectable profession."
Seeing me troubled, he probably thought I disliked that kind of talk, so I hurriedly deny it.My inner self is an adult who has experienced both bitterness and sweetness.
Of course, I've visited adult establishments before.
Because VR games related to that were restricted by the country for various reasons.The ones I was indebted to were the real-world ones.
"...Well, I certainly don't think a child like you would have connections in that area. And with Nell nearby, you probably don't frequent such places either.""I understand it's necessary. Well, I'll consider it positively.""You should consult with Lady Claudia. If this is pushed forward by men alone, problems will arise later.""...Yes."
So, while I'm aware of the stress-relieving benefits of that area and realize we need to consider it, being such a raw topic makes consulting about it feel heavy.
"If it were just about building, it would be easy...""You're lucky to be able to say that."
Jinx-san's words sounded unusually weighty.