Chapter 56 (1/2)

It was 3 days after that when Irudo and Sedam’s party got back.

Though it was one day later than schedule, I didn’t particularly go out to greet them. Since it’s them, I had faith that they’d be fine.

…… It’s a secret that I got a little worried and used [Fly] to look for them up in the sky, alright?

♥♦♣♠

According to Irudo’s report, he successfully managed to get the dwarves to agree to deploy personnel to design both the trade route from Jiiteias Castle to Senpu Village and also the collapsed mountain road.

“The architects who will be involved with repairing the mountain road — members of the Daroun clan — have already begun work. They’ve gone to make living arrangements at Yuule, which they plan on making their base.”

“Ou, though small, you have a pretty nice castle, doncha! You Margils, the lord here? Well, let’s get along from here on!”

From beside Irudo, who came to diligently give his report, a short, brawny person — a dwarf — pops out.

“Indeed, I am the wizard Margils. You are……?”

“Pardon my lateness. This is……”

“Hey, sorry, sorry! I’m one of the architects, Valbo Daroun! With that degree of collapse, we can fix it up bright and s.h.i.+ny within 5 days!”

Apparently, each dwarven clan is in charge of a specific type of industry. The Daroun are the architects.

The fact that dwarves excel at construction and smithing hold true in this world as well. I’ve heard good things about them so far, so I feel that I’m in good hands.

“I wish to build a lasting friends.h.i.+p with you dwarves. Eventually, I plan on paying Senpu Village a visit.”

“Ahh, come, come! You’re the hero who crushed those Shadow Demons, right? We’ll welcome you anytime!”

Then Valbo returns to the construction site while laughing heartily.

With that, one of my burdens has been resolved.

Eventually, I also want to hire him to work on expansion work on the castle. Especially in regards to the baths.

♥♦♣♠

Two days later, I set off for the villages within my domain.

The members of my delegation are, aside from myself, Irudo, Leiha, Torad, Jiruk, Ted, and Fijika.

Claura and the 4 dark elf sisters will be in charge of protecting the castle in my absence.

When I think of how we would have to split up like this every time there is work to be done away from the castle, I can see how important it is to hire some soldiers.

“The three villages within your domain are called Village of the Pool, Village of Medicine, and Inner Village.”

Irudo is briefing me as we are proceeding along the barely visible trail cutting through the dense forest.

Village of the Pool is the largest amongst the three, but its population is still under 200. Almost all of the inhabitants are woodcutters. They make their living by delivering the timber they cut down to Yuule and selling there.

Village of Medicine is, as can be guessed from its name, located close to several locations where medicinal plants grow in abundance. There are generations of experienced herbalists living here, and this is the only village that travelling merchants actually visit.

The last one, Inner Village, is literally the village located deepest within the forest. Most of the residents of that village make their living from hunting.

“Every single village is like a different character, it seems.”

“Sorry?”

“No, it was nothing.”

Fijika has already gone ahead to inform all of the villages that there’s a new feudal lord, but I wonder how this is going to turn out.

Up until recently, this entire area was technically under the rule of bandits. I hope I don’t get chased out with responses like “we’ve been doing fine by ourselves so far, we don’t need no feudal lord”......

♥♦♣♠

It was right before twilight when we arrived at the village closest to Jiiteias Castle, Village of the Pool.

True to its name, the village is backed by a huge pond and surrounded by a crude wooden fence. The buildings are all made of wood, and it looks seedy even when compared to Yuule.

“...... So late.”

Fijika, who is wearing leather armor, was waiting for us by the entrance.

A sun-tanned man in the prime of his life is together with her. He must be the Village Head.

“All of us swear allegiance to our new feudal lord.”

Without any prompting, the Village Head easily comes before me, kneels down, then swears his loyalty. But on his face, there is no relief nor hope — only fear and unease.

“Ahh, I will do my utmost to answer to your loyalty. Did my letter get delivered properly?”

The first half was directed to the Village Head, and the second half to Fijika. If the Village Head had read the letter written by Irudo, then I don’t understand why he looks so scared.

“I delivered, properly.”

“Y-, yes mi’lord. We have read it fully. For not, not collecting tax at present…… every single inhabitant of the village, we all express our deepest thanks!”

“Umu……”

Perhaps they’re suspicious because it sounds too good to be true?

Well, no helping it. They’ll get used to it eventually.

♥♦♣♠

“Magi-...... Wizard-sama.”

“Feudal lord-sama.”

“We swear our allegiance.”

The villagers are all gathered in the square. Upon seeing me, all of them fall prostrate.

It’s great that they’re obedient, but all of them look as scared as the Village Head, so it doesn’t make me feel good at all.

“As I had wrote in my letter to your Village Head, I plan on developing this village alongside Jiiteias Castle. Firstly, I will soon be starting on building a road connecting this village to the castle and the highway. I wish to ask all of you for your help.”

“ “As you command, mi’lord.” ”

After that, the welcome feast began. But just like the villagers’ moods, the tension at the feast remained quite low the entire time.

Both the wine and food being served paled in comparison to what Mora prepares at Jiiteias Castle. I understand that the village itself is poor, so I manage to keep a smile on my face while eating.

For what it’s worth, I did hand the Village Head several tens of gold coins to cover the costs of our visit, but even then, there was a lot more misgiving than grat.i.tude on his face.

♥♦♣♠

That night, I stayed at the Village Head’s house.

Though I say Village Head’s house, it only had 3 rooms, and the smaller room almost seemed to be growing fur. There was no way to fit 7 people inside, so I was given the entirety of the living room, The Village Head and his family slept in the next room, which looked like it was being used as a storehouse.

Irudo and the rest put up tents in the village square. Of course, I originally also suggested sleeping together with them, but the Village Head got upset saying that he couldn’t allow the feudal lord to sleep outside. I had no choice but to take up his offer.

But still, I feel way too apologetic about this. The next village on, let’s set up camp outside the village.

In fact, that would probably be even more comfortable than this bed of straw.

♥♦♣♠

“...... Let’s just sleep.”