Chapter 357
Alright, suddenly, let's talk about something.
In stories, you often see scenes where the protagonist gains power, acquires land, and gets overwhelmed managing the territory with unfamiliar paperwork, screaming, "I can't take this anymore!!"
They're not used to it because they've never done that kind of work before, and they have no know-how due to lack of experience. Therefore, they can't finish tasks efficiently.
That's precisely why such scenes exist, but...
"Hah! I'm glad I specifically targeted the shopping district folks!"
Unfortunately for that trope, that's not my story. As the name "shopping district" implies, where Jinx-san and the others lived was a street lined with shops. Meaning everyone I brought over this time are merchants.
In other words, they can all do calculations, read and write, and, aptitudes aside, can handle paperwork.
What does that mean?
It means this entire group has the potential to become civil officials. Moreover, it extends to their families. An environment exists where parents teach their children reading, writing, and arithmetic.
In this world, literacy isn't that high. FBO had that setting too. Those who can are limited to nobles, merchants, or educated people.
Overall, the proportion of people who can read, write, and calculate is overwhelmingly small.
In such a world, people who can properly read and write are valuable.
Even that butcher uncle and his son can read, write, and calculate properly.
While thinking merchants are truly amazing, what does this mean?
"It's a huge help that paperwork is minimal!!"
Since I'm considered the leader of this development site, I'm currently the village chief. That means I naturally have to organize everyone. That would require me to act more as a manager than a fighter.
But as I said before, it's still too early to lean in that direction.
I still want to adventure!! So I needed to devise a way to minimize administrative work.
Namely, I need a deputy. Payment confirmations I can manage with stat-boosted speed-reading and stamping, but other administrative tasks require different abilities.
Thus, the first point: I converted several children of the shopping district folks who immigrated here, and some merchants willing to quit, into civil officials.
Among merchants, there were a certain number who didn't mind paperwork and preferred desk jobs over manual labor.
There are also people like the butcher uncle who prefer moving their bodies over using their heads, so it's about placing the right person in the right role.
"Really, Jinx-san, you're a lifesaver.""Since I can't start business immediately, it's fine. I did similar things in the shopping district too."
And the person honored to be chosen as deputy this time is Nell's father, Jinx-san, organizing documents beside me.
He originally has wide connections with shopping district folks and is easy to consult. His document knowledge cultivated as a merchant is useful, and he's trustworthy. He's the unsung hero who prepares groundwork based on my blueprints.
"I'll prepare a proper deputy eventually, so until then, I'm counting on you!""Really, I can only be grateful to Jinx-san."
"Just, please refrain from slipping test documents into the pile.""I have to check if you're paying attention. Anyone can just stamp seals. Since you've become our leader, you need to properly shoulder the necessary responsibilities."
However, him thoroughly checking to ensure I don't slack off is both appreciated and painful. Even for obvious documents like loan agreements, mindlessly stamping would lead to mistakes.
"It's been two weeks since moving to this development village, but surprisingly little trouble occurs. I thought there'd be more.""Hahaha! Liberta-kun, you're good at jokes.""No, I'm not joking."
Tidying documents, I glance out the window at the peacefully progressing development village. I see men working diligently and children helping. The women are probably gathering at the kitchen preparing family meals.
The scene, almost shouting "perfect peace," is proof development is progressing smoothly.
It took courage to have their levels reset in the royal capital and come here, but thanks to that, the men are steadily being trained.
The women's progress is slower compared to the men, but that's also steady.
"With this much pre-development, housing prepared, constant guard patrols, monsters eradicated around the village, and ample funds for food supplies, you can go shopping. If someone gets sick, medicine is prepared. This is a better environment than life in the royal capital, right? It'd be strange if trouble occurred here.""Ah, yes."
I thought if there was dissatisfaction with life, stress would build, relationships would get strained, and a fight or two might break out, but...
"The only troubles in these two weeks were kids fighting and disputes over work assignments. Those were resolved through discussion. My, my, having ample development funds is wonderful."
To Jinx-san, the troubles that occurred over these two weeks are like extensions of daily life.
"Is there no dissatisfaction?""If I had to say, the lack of luxuries. But meals are lavish, and while limited, alcohol is available too. Nothing particularly."
Hmm... At times like this, someone usually rushes in shouting "Chief, it's terrible!!" and an event occurs, but if monsters attack, Genjirou's group handles it.
Actually, Genjirou's group proactively hunts monsters in the surroundings. Just this morning, under the pretext of "morning training," they went on an expedition to areas where respawn points weren't eliminated, culled monsters, and returned.
Other typical trouble examples involve nobles from rumors coming to the frontier and causing problems. But Lady Esmeralda seems to have coordinated with His Lordship the Duke to issue warnings preventing such incidents.
After that official's blunder, His Majesty and the Prime Minister seem to be strictly vigilant in coordination with the Duke, so fools who'd come to the frontier arbitrarily have been cleared out.
Other formulaic troubles? Finding ruins, strange monsters reviving from them, leading to battle—that's the formula, but...
"Well, peace is good, right?""Yeah..."
Having defeated the strongest Aži Dahāカ in the Southern Continent, other hidden bosses feel inferior, don't they? In FBO, there weren't any such hidden bosses in this frontier area. Even now during development, none have been discovered.
"That's right, peace is best. And there are things we can do during peaceful times too."
Wondering if I'm getting anxious precisely because no trouble is occurring due to the constant string of troubles since coming to this world...
"Things we can do because it's peaceful?""Yes, properly resting during leisurely times. I heard from Nell that from morning till night, you're either doing territory management work, training, or fighting. Even adults don't work that much.""...Isn't that normal?""No, that's definitely not normal."
I had been working frantically to handle troubles, making that the norm. Recently, I was doing what I wanted, in a state of "Rest? What's that, does it taste good?"
Told by a smiling, head-shaking Jinx-san, I try to recall when I last properly rested. I did rest for about a day after the Aži Dahāka battle.
After that...
"?????""Yeah, take a rest. With things set up this far, weird things won't happen unless something major occurs."
Huh, strange. I have no memory of resting. Thinking further back, I feel like I was always doing something.
"...As a father, it's somewhat concerning, but for now, it'd be good if you played with Nell."
Seeing me like that, he suggests with a wry smile how to spend a day off. I see. To express gratitude for her usual immense luck, I should treat Nell kindly.
"Understood. Leave it to me!""I feel like you're off-track somehow, but well, playing is fine, I guess."
Then, I feel I should do something for the others as thanks too. Amina, even if she enjoys singing, we've had her do various reckless things. Ingrid always works calmly as her job; I should show appreciation. Claudia always listens to my consultations; does she want anything? I'm indebted to Lady Esmeralda for noble-related matters...
"Hmm...""No need to overthink playing, is there?""Well, playing in this village is quite difficult. Going to the royal capital only shows a future of getting caught in trouble."
Not just party members, but I should also do something for Genjirou, Sharia, and Judes. Genjirou would likely say "It's enough," but I should properly handle that. Judes's group would probably accept straightforwardly, making it easy.
The problem is there's no place to play in this development village.
We truly don't have the leeway to build entertainment facilities, but just playing like children doesn't seem right either.
"How do you all play, everyone?""When I was young, I went shopping with Teresa. It served as market research, and more than anything, just walking and shopping together was fun.""I see."
I thought a picnic might work, but having to go armed changes the atmosphere. Thinking that, Japan, where you could do various things, was truly peaceful.
"If you're worried, why not disguise yourselves and go to the royal capital? Ingrid-san goes shopping like that, right?""Disguise... Ah, I see. That's an option."
We've become famous in the royal capital. Walking carelessly could attract troublesome people, so the royal capital was off the list. But with Jinx-san's suggestion, it's back as a candidate.
"Going to cities other than the royal capital is also an option. Regardless of East or West, the Southern port town is under Edelgard Duchy control, and few people probably know about Liberta-kun there?""That's true."
The port town would have various things to see and give Nell good experience. Once I secure a teleport point by going alone to the port town via the royal capital, travel would be easier.
Add disguise to that, and there shouldn't be worry about being recognized.
"Thank you. That was helpful.""Yeah, have fun."
For now, to recuperate energy, taking a break from fighting isn't bad.
If all else fails, we can play in the Spirit World.The downside is spirits gathering, making it hard to play just the two of us... but as long as it's fun, it's fine.
Thinking that, I go to look for Nell.
"Ah, Nell, perfect timing."
Leaving the house serving as the chief's residence and office, just as I thought about finding Nell, I discover Nell passing right in front of the house, carrying potatoes.