Now, I intended to increase the population and secure personnel capable of taking on managerial roles, but it wouldn’t be easy. I could tour nearby towns and villages to recommend Ceat Village, but the nobles governing those territories would likely hold deep grudges against me.
So, what to do?
“Maybe we should ask the Bell-Rango Trading Company for help.”
I muttered, and Espada nodded.
“That would be the appropriate choice.”
Apparently, that passed muster. I breathed a small sigh of relief internally as I replied.
“Hmm.. First, let’s have them go to the capital and other major cities in the provinces to recruit people who want to work temporarily! We’ll prepare several types of jobs, set wages higher than the capital’s standard! At the same time, we’ll request guards and dungeon investigations from the Adventurer’s Guild! That way, people will think, ‘Ceat Village must be an incredibly prosperous place, wow!’ Then, we can even commission large-scale jobs to mercenaries! If a famous, high-cost mercenary group moves, that alone will be a tremendous advertisement!”
I shared my ideas excitedly. Come on, Espada. Praise me to your heart’s content!
That’s what I thought as I looked at him. But Espada’s expression remained perfectly calm as he regarded me.
“…The Bell-Rango Trading Company has already carried out advertising for Ceat Village and recruited craftsmen in the Royal Capital and the Marquis Feltio counties. Requests have also been sent to the Adventurer’s Guild. Check the report…”
“Ah! I saw it! That one!? I know about it!”
I interrupted Espada, putting my full effort into pretending I already knew. I had to act naturally, or the punishment study session would double in intensity. I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead in style and gave a nihilistic smile.
“I’m fully aware of that! What I meant is to promote Ceat Village in other major cities too! Also, we can have Bell-Rango purchase more slaves! As long as they’re serious, my territory has plenty of work!”
Espada narrowed his eyes at me for a moment, then exhaled lightly and averted his gaze.
“…Very well. I’ll arrange that for you. By the way, what budget do you have in mind?”
Ah, the killer pass. Espada’s question triggered my long-honed Espada radar. Normally, I could probably answer roughly how many platinum coins would be needed by referencing the report. But to be honest, I had no memory of Ceat Village’s finances. After all, there had been war participation, fortress city repairs, modifications, and so much more.
Of course, Espada—the relentless study fiend—would not accept that excuse.
“…Right. Last time we bought young, healthy slaves, it was about three platinum coins for around 150 people, wasn’t it? Then, this time, let’s go with ten platinum coins.”
I stated a clear number while slightly softening it. Espada raised an eyebrow and paused for a moment. After a few seconds of silence, he finally responded.
“I see. With Ceat Village’s resources, you could afford three times that, but why ten platinum coins?”
“Well, if too many people move in at once, it’d be tough to arrange housing and education. Plus, if we bought that many at the slave market, people might look at us strangely, and the market would be troubled too. I think it’s better to buy a moderate number regularly.”
I answered with a face that said, “I’ve thought this through.” Espada’s expression relaxed slightly as he nodded.
“I see. You had a well-considered plan. Very well, I will say no more. By the way, regarding the equipment replenishment petition for the knights…”
Two hours later, I was finally released and managed to escape the lord’s manor almost as if running away.
“…So…tired.”
I walked, hunched over, letting out a long sigh. Seeing me like that, Till and Arte smiled wryly and spoke.
“Good work today.”
“But I think it’s amazing that you handle your duties as lord so properly. I only understood about half of your conversation with Espada.”
I returned a vague smile. For Arte’s age, understanding half would be enough, but if I, being younger, said that, it might sound sarcastic. With that thought, I once again surveyed Ceat Village.
Thanks to Espada’s advice, the area was enclosed by walls and quite spacious. Currently, there was plenty of extra land, but considering the future, it would soon become just enough. Espada really is perceptive.
“I want more shops along this street—restaurants, clothing, general goods—and maybe a marketplace or street stalls too. The blacksmiths will cluster around the dwarves’ forges, while carpenters, trade company warehouses, stylish residential areas, and parks will go elsewhere. Anything else we need?”
As I walked, I imagined the completed Ceat Village in my mind and spoke. At this point, calling it a village almost felt wrong, but I wanted to stick with Ceat Village until the end.
Arte raised a hand.
“A clinic isn’t needed?”
“Oh, that’s necessary. I forgot.”
I agreed with a laugh. Then Till raised a hand.
“Yes! A library, please!”
“I see. What about education? Should we build a facility for that? We should at least teach reading and basic arithmetic, otherwise people won’t be able to read books.”
“Eh? For the ordinary residents too?”
“Yes. For all villagers.”
I answered seriously to Till’s question. Arte tilted her head, while Till and Kamshin exchanged glances. Seeing that, I recalled the common practices of this country.
In this land, nobles could hire tutors, and the children of semi-nobles—knights, merchants, etc.—could receive education similar to a private academy. But those able to teach were often from privileged backgrounds, so fees were high due to differences in financial sensibilities.
As a result, poor children normally couldn’t receive an education.
Some could become merchant apprentices and gain educational opportunities, but those cases were rare.
“…There are countries on Earth with low literacy rates, so maybe it’s just like that.”
Rather than lamenting the national education system, I considered that having an environment where everyone could be educated was an extreme privilege. Especially in this world, that seemed particularly true.
Still, the higher the villagers’ educational index, the easier it would be for development.
“We need to find people who can become teachers. Still, both Ceat Village and Espa Town are short on manpower, so I suppose we’ll have to select from the newcomers.”
Muttering to myself, I began planning the construction of housing for families and apartments for singles.
Then, Arte’s curious voice called out.
“…Um, Van-sama?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
I turned to look at her. Arte pointed at a newly built house, tilting her head.
“Is it just me, or have buildings been getting constructed incredibly fast recently?”
“Hm?”
I looked around lightly. Indeed, several houses had been completed in about an hour.
Just like weapons, construction had also become faster without me noticing.
Analyzing my own magic briefly, I looked at Arte and the equally curious Till and Kamshin.
“When the blueprint naturally forms in your head and you can imagine the details, construction speed gradually increases. That’s why recently I’ve become good not just at weapons but at buildings too. When I made Fortress City Murcia, the walls took a long time, so maybe I hadn’t imagined those in full detail yet.”
Since I was analyzing as I spoke, some parts were vague, but the three nodded in understanding.
“Normally, towns or castles take years to build.”
“Van-sama, if you get too carried away, His Majesty might give you impossible orders again…”
“Van-sama, amazing as always!”
Three different reactions. Only Kamshin praised me unreservedly. But as Till said, drawing too much attention might be a problem.
“…But I feel the completeness of the blueprint in my head is important. If I stop building for a while, I’ll slow down more and more. I should make as many things as possible now for the future.”
I muttered this softly, pondering the future of the village.
Now, the question is: how much can we increase the population? That will determine the speed at which we can conquer the Kingdom of Yerinetta.
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