Chapter 301: Completing the Mission and Checking the Situation in Murcia

I went to the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Yelenetta, discovered the private assets they had been hiding from the Kingdom of Scuderia exactly as planned, and completed the inventory. All that was left was to report to His Majesty and receive a reward. Yay.

I had Cosworth and Airhart confirm the contents of the inventory, and they signed it without any particular resistance. We bade farewell with smiles to the members of the Yelenetta Royal Family, who wore difficult expressions, and left the Royal Capital with Panamera.

“Boy. That sarcasm was quite effective. Good job.”

“Eh, sarcasm?”

“You saw the faces of the Yelenetta King and the others, didn’t you? With this, the ranking is settled. They couldn’t say anything not only to me, a Count, but even to the Boy, a Viscount. Mentally, they have likely completely become a vassal state of our country now.”

“Is that so? I feel like I did something bad.”

“…Boy. Despite possessing amazing knowledge in various fields, have you not studied how to conduct yourself as a noble? A noble who is merely kind will ruin themselves in no time, you know? I shall mention this to Sir Esparda.”

“…Please spare me from that alone.”

While having such a conversation, we retraced our steps. On the way back, we arrived at Fortress City Murcia and noticed that the population had clearly increased.

“Ooh, the residents have finally…!”

Saying that, as I was looking around the city, I was found by the castellan, Murcia himself.

“Oh, Van!”

Hearing my name called, I instinctively stopped and raised one hand.

“Brother Murcia! How are you?”

“I’m not fine, geez!”

Rarely for him, Murcia whined. Hearing that, I was naturally tormented by guilt.

“A-Ahahaha… The residents have increased, so the city management will start in earnest from now on, right?”

“I can’t laugh… I can’t laugh, Van…”

Murcia said that and shook his head. Oh, he’s weakened. My poor older brother. However, being a handsome, gentle man, a troubled face suits Murcia very well. Noble ladies probably wouldn’t leave him alone.

Wait, this wasn’t the time to think about such stupid things.

Currently, Fortress City Murcia has gathered not only immigrants and adventurers sent from Seatoh Village but also many immigrants from within the territory of the Kingdom of Yelenetta. Normally, one would expect them to gather at Fortress City Cayenne, but perhaps for some reason, many chose Fortress City Murcia.

Because of this and that, the population of Fortress City Murcia suddenly increased to about seven hundred. Considering the land area, it’s still depopulated to an extreme degree. But considering it started from less than a hundred people, it’s a terrifying population increase.

Normally, an increase in population is a good thing for maintaining a fortress city. However, that is limited to cases where the foundation to accept them is ready. This Fortress City Murcia consists mostly of facilities for defense, and it was only the other day that a store was finally opened by the Bell & Rango Trading Company. It seems they are currently in the middle of building shops and houses, with everyone helping the few carpenters we sent over.

What’s difficult here is grasping the names, genders, and ages of the immigrants and creating a register. Also, in the case of immigrants with different positions and backgrounds, troubles are endless. Resolving those must also take tremendous effort.

Led by Murcia, we moved to the inner citadel. By the way, Panamera followed along with a face saying she found something interesting, but Murcia seemed to have no leeway to mind that.

When we went to the office inside the residence in the inner citadel, there were three figures working with desperate faces. They were the three administrator candidates raised by Esparda. One of them was Emira, whom we sent as Murcia’s assistant immediately after establishing Fortress City Murcia.

The three noticed us, raised their heads in unison, and widened their eyes. Especially Emira, who looked like she was about to cry, just like Murcia.

“Lord Van!”

“W-We have been waiting for you!”

“P-Please give us a moment…!”

The three placed their documents on the spot and ran toward us.

“Y-Yeah, long time no see, everyone. So, let’s hear what’s going on.”

Replying with a wry smile, I sat on a chair, and the three looked at Murcia. Returning a nod, Murcia sat in front of me as a representative and opened his mouth.

“First, regarding the confirmation of immigrants. We’ve finished confirming everyone’s name, age, race, gender, occupation, magical aptitude, and household, and the register creation is complete. For housing, everyone is currently staying in the soldier barracks, though they are for the Chivalric Order for now. Also, since everyone in my Chivalric Order has become proficient in operating the ballistae, we are currently dividing them into three units and carrying out patrols and training on a rotation system. Also, regarding food, consumables, and daily necessities, the Bell & Rango Trading Company and the Mary Chamber of Commerce are cooperating, so we are managing somehow, I guess.”

“Ooh, that’s perfect. As expected of Brother Murcia!”

Hearing the current situation of Fortress City Murcia, I praised him without reservation. However, Murcia’s expression remained cloudy.

“…The trouble is, many of the immigrants are residents who have been to Seatoh Village. Normally it would be fine, but this town doesn’t have a sewage system like Seatoh Village, and they don’t have their own proper houses, so dissatisfaction is accumulating. Besides, the number of carpenters is small, so buildings aren’t going up easily… There are even women crying saying they want to enter a large public bath.”

Murcia said that looking troubled.

Is it homesickness or something? Or just selfishness?

I thought that upon hearing Murcia’s story, but I understood that it couldn’t be ignored. Indeed, compared to Seatoh Village, this Fortress City Murcia is vastly inferior in facilities. Or rather, there is a view that Seatoh Village is too blessed compared to other towns and villages.

Anyway, at this rate, those who went to the trouble of trying to live in Fortress City Murcia will return to Seatoh Village. That is very bad. Like Fortress City Cayenne, Fortress City Murcia is a base that will serve as a relay point with the Kingdom of Yelenetta in the future. It would be a problem if these two towns were not developed.

Well, regarding Seatoh Village, thanks to the dungeon, people come on their own, so I don’t worry about it much.

Thinking about such things, I looked at Murcia and Emira’s group in turn and nodded deeply.

“…Understood. Then, let’s have the carpenters continue building houses as before. I will build the infrastructure and bath facilities that residents can use all at once.”

When I announced that, Murcia and the others nodded with relieved expressions. In contrast, Panamera, who had been quiet until then, opened her mouth with half-closed eyes.

“…Since the objective was completed earlier than planned, it is fine, but how long will that construction take?”

“I-If I have a month…”

“Three weeks. That is the limit.”

“…As you command.”

Thus, receiving permission from Panamera as well, the Fortress City Murcia remodeling plan started hurriedly.