Chapter 356
"It's become quite a livable environment, hasn't it?"
"I'd never believe this was just empty land three months ago if you told me."
"Indeed. Even the church members dispatched to determine the boundaries were astonished."
While busily eliminating respawn points, time flies by. Building houses, digging wells, setting up utilities—leading such hectic days makes time melt away.
What was initially a campsite-like setup has now acquired land and facilities too vast to be called just a village.
Building this alongside Genjirou's group and Judes's group truly fosters a sense of attachment to this land.
Calming a fired-up Genjirou exclaiming, "Let's make farmland!!", or teaching safety like "It's dangerous, wear work clothes" to those getting excited as their living spaces take shape.
They were demanding days, but not once did I find them grueling. What resulted were residences too few for the vast land. We prepared enough housing for the incoming settlers, but they're temporary structures before full-scale construction.
We plan to zone properly and build solid houses later. Among the tour participants were carpenters and architects.
So, this current base is in a somewhat ambiguous state as a "village(?)".
That said, it's not without its annoyances.
"The official dispatched by the Royal Family was also surprised.""We have the official documents. I won't let them complain about the development."
Since we've already relocated from the royal capital and started living here, trouble has certainly decreased. But it's not zero. You could say incidents reminding me that most troubles in FBO were man-made are indeed occurring.
Nobles don't go out of their way to interfere, and the Royal Family isn't meddling either.
The noble we're connected to is basically Lady Esmeralda's family, the Edelgard Duchy. His Lordship and I exchange letters weekly and meet monthly.
"The Church side was fine, but the nobles seemed to have something to say.""They were very indirectly asking how we built a village so quickly, how we developed the land."
However, there is minimal necessary contact, and trouble arose there. The border decided with His Majesty was marked with monument-like stones under the Church's witness, but the starting village was definitely built within my territory.
The responses from the Church dispatch and the Royal Family official were polar opposites.
The Church dispatch member methodically did their job, created agreements, and erected stones. In stark contrast, the Royal Family official persistently asked about development methods to the point where I wanted to retort, "Are you a Japanese opposition politician!?", and tried to enter the village under the pretext of "diplomatic inspection rights."
If the Church hadn't immediately intervened to stop it, our relationship with the Royal Family would have undoubtedly soured. After sending a complaint along with a sarcastic letter from the Duke as harassment, I confirmed it was that official's independent decision.
The Duke also confirmed it, making me truly feel the reins weren't being held. To prevent future incidents, I had them stamp the royal seal on a written pledge, set penalties for violations, and as compensation, slightly expanded the development territory. Also, securing a promise to delay embassy establishment for ten years made me sheathe my sword.
"He was so persistent that it became the trigger for our decision to build defensive walls along the border to prevent future nitpicking."
While the Church's impression of us rose, the Royal Family's sank further into negativity—an outcome that can't help but cause unease. At this rate, it wouldn't be strange to receive envious complaints ignoring penalties.
I was thinking of postponing the national defense wall construction schedule-wise, but this makes me feel it's urgent. In a bad way, that's impressive.
"That plan.""Yes, that plan.""I heard from Dark-sama that only five of the golems for that plan are completed.""Rather, completing five in this short time is amazing. Those golems are supposed to be huge.""Yes, but the consumption of prepared materials is also severe.""Ah, I need to resupply those too."
The golems for building that wall are already ordered. I thought we'd use them after some development progress, but...
These golems are much larger than previous ones, requiring an outrageous amount of materials. That doesn't mean they have high combat ability. They're purely for development.
"Hey, Liberta!""Ah, Judes. Did Jinx-san and the others arrive?""Yeah, I think they'll be here within the hour."
During the period of building those golems, Jinx-san and the shopping district folks made their decision and departed for the development site. I heard a month ago that the first wave would leave their royal capital homes, convert assets as much as possible, buy as many supplies as they could, and head this way.
For their escort, I sent Entertainers and Garden Watchmen via "Teleportation Pendulum." Initially, I heard they'd hire adventurers, but I said, "If you're coming, I guarantee safe travel and supplies."
This is when connections with the Duchy come in handy. We prepared travel permits from the royal capital to this frontier with both royal and Edelgard ducal seals, had them report regularly to confirm no trouble, but having Judes, who was out scouting, confirm it is a relief.
"They're probably tired, so let's prepare baths and meals. Also, housing assignments. Job distribution can start tomorrow."
I know the number of settlers beforehand, so preparations for reception are complete.
"The atmosphere wasn't great when they left the royal capital. We should welcome them properly.""That's true.""Yes, leave the meals to me.""I'll liven up the banquet!""Count on you, Amina. 'Fun' is the most important emotion for humans."
And as expected, there were those who didn't think well of Jinx-san and the others for choosing to abandon stability.
"Genjirou, Judes, go greet Jinx-san and the others just in case. I don't think it'll happen, but injuries from bandit attacks at the border or such would be bad.""Understood!""Got it."
Having a shop in the royal capital is quite a status symbol for merchants. Even just owning a home and living there is considered impressive by society.
Some think it's strange to abandon that for the frontier. I heard Jinx-san was mocked by jealous fellow merchants with sneers.
"The rest of you, prepare baths and meals. Remaining Garden Watchmen, split into bath and cooking teams. Entertainers, stay alert. We sealed monster respawn points around here, but just in case.""Right!""We'll handle it!"
Well, Jinx-san said with a smile, "We can show results soon, so it's fine." I'm not worried, and I'm also motivated to show results quickly.
The result of that motivation is this vast land progressing beyond expectations.
"Alright, Ingrid, please oversee the cooking. There are many people, and I heard there are children, so let's prepare plenty.""Yes, understood."
I told Jinx-san development was going well. Excitedly wondering if they'll be surprised seeing this, I help Ingrid with meal prep.
We have a communal bathhouse ready, so they'll prepare that. There's also a communal kitchen.
Since we often work together, doing things en masse is more efficient. Once the town is built, work hours will diverge, and private baths and kitchens can come after having detached houses.
"It smells wonderful.""Yeah, I'm getting hungry too.""With this much monster meat, it's truly impressive.""The bread is baking nicely too."
Garden Watchmen need to cook on battlefields sometimes, so they can handle basic cooking. Familiar with blade work, they finish prepping vegetables and meat at high speed with stat boosts.
Once prepped, under Ingrid's direction, they rapidly mass-produce dishes by stir-frying, boiling, etc.
Of course, we're helping too.
Nell, Amina, and Lady Esmeralda each manage five large pots, making stew.
Claudia and I wait by the oven, baking batch after batch of bread.
For food like wheat, Ingrid goes shopping daily with a Magic Bag using "Teleportation Pendulum," so as long as we have money, we can buy without issue. Buying through the Duchy avoids being taken advantage of.
Money-wise, well, we have savings enough to last half a century even after accepting settlers. We can also replenish by taking monster materials to the royal capital.
Actually, if we don't shop in the royal capital, gold coins end up piling up here.
"Master!! I've brought them!""Oh, they're here."
While making loads of bread, Genjirou called. Turning around, I saw Genjirou jogging over, followed by Jinx-san and Teresa-san in travel robes.
I take off my apron and headscarf and step out of the kitchen.
"Welcome, Jinx-san, to the development site. Glad nothing happened on the way.""Yeah, thanks to the guards you sent, neither monsters nor bandits came near. But it's gotten quite spacious. I thought development was progressing, but it's further along than I imagined. I'm surprised."
They must be travel-weary, but their complexions look good.
"Mom!""Nell!"
Nell ran and hugged Teresa-san. Stat-wise, Nell is overwhelmingly stronger; full force would send Teresa-san flying. But she held back appropriately for the parent-child reunion.
"You must be tired from the journey. Meal prep is ready. After eating, take a bath, then housing assignments.""I knew it, but hearing it makes it even more different from the development villages I know. 'Lacking nothing' describes this perfectly.""Motivation is crucial for getting people to work hard. You need to properly rest today and tomorrow."
I also exchange a reunion handshake with Jinx-san. Feeling the firm grip of his strong arm, sensing a "still can do more" spirit, a smile unintentionally forms.
"Please go easy on me. Unfortunately, I'm not as trained as you or Nell.""We'll improve that gradually too, so rest assured. Food will be ready soon. Shall we head to the dining hall?""That sounds good."
Walking alongside Jinx-san, Teresa-san and Nell holding hands follow behind.
At the sole gate in the earthen wall surrounding this village, the settler group from the royal capital waits.
Their faces are lit with hope.
Well, with more people gathered, we can do even more.
That thought brings joy.