Chapter 109: Exploring the Undeveloped Lands ~ Freely This Time

His Majesty the King publicly announced that he has ordered the Fairchild family to develop the southern undeveloped lands, and that once developed, I would be ennobled as a Viscount and the lands would become my territory. With this, the path to moving the World Tree to the Leyline Crosspoint has been set. I have been reporting the situation to the Elf Elder and Chieftain Lucelina all along, but when I told them it was formally announced by His Majesty, they were delighted.

However, the actual transplanting will happen only after proper preparations are made. “To transplant the World Tree to the Leyline Crosspoint, we need to take it out of the barrier, but there is a fear that monsters will be drawn to it.” “We will cooperate with the Fairchild Family Knights to secure the safety of the undeveloped lands, so please spend your time freely for a while, Lord William.” “It is as Grandmother says. You have worked very hard up to now, so I think it is fine for you to take it easy for a bit.”

I am happy for their concern, so I’ll spend some time at my own pace. But I think I’d like to explore the undeveloped lands. If it gets dangerous, I can just return using Teleportation Magic, so I’m carefree on that point. I want to see with my own eyes what kind of place my future territory is.

When searching for the Leyline Crosspoint, we couldn’t look around leisurely, so this time I want to look around freely. So, I got Father‘s approval and decided to explore the undeveloped lands again.

This time, there is no need to have the Elves search for leylines; since I’m just going to places I want to go via Teleportation Magic, I thought going with just the three of us—myself and my guards, Ophelia and Gilbert—would be enough.

The day after obtaining Father‘s approval, when I mentioned this to my Apostles, Theo and Oliver… “Lord William, please let me go with you this time.” “No, I think you’re busy too, Theo, and Ria and Gil will provide protection.” “I trust Ophelia-san and Gil. Even so, when you go to a dangerous place, Lord William, I hate just worrying from afar.”

“Yes. Since I have no combat ability, I can only provide support from the rear, but I think it would be better for Theo to be as close to you as possible, Lord William.” Oliver thinks so too. It is something to be grateful for that they worry about me, so I decided to have Theo accompany us as well. I suppose I can have Ria and Gil come in shifts.

The day after returning from the workshop, as I was relaxing in my room at the mansion, there was a knock on the door. Wondering who it was, I opened the door to find my childhood friend Letty and my sister Sophie. “I hear you are exploring the southern undeveloped lands again. I heard it from my father. I am accompanying you this time.” “I will join you as well, Brother.”

I only got Father‘s approval the day before yesterday, yet I’m surprised Letty already knows. No, more importantly, I can’t have the two of them tag along to a dangerous place. “Even with Teleportation Magic, the undeveloped lands are a dangerous place.” I tried to refuse by saying that, but it had the opposite effect. “Because it is a dangerous place, I will protect you, Will. I’ll show you the power of the Mithril sword that you and Theo forged. By the way, your father has already approved of me accompanying you.” “I showed you my magic, didn’t I? If many monsters appear, it should be better to have my magic.”

I am grateful that the two of them want to go with me. But… “Teleportation Magic activates when holding hands, so I can only teleport with two people at the same time.” “Yes, I heard that Will teleports holding hands. But can you really not teleport without holding hands? Even if just being nearby isn’t enough, perhaps just making contact would work.”

Since Letty said that, I tried experimenting with Gilbert‘s help, who was nearby. As a result, even without holding hands, we could teleport together if they just grabbed my clothes, and I could teleport with three people at once. What was I doing holding hands and feeling embarrassed all this time…?

Ignoring me as I slumped in depression, Letty and Sophie were rejoicing that they could now explore the undeveloped lands together. Despite the danger, I am grateful that they want to go with me.

When teleporting with three people, I felt the magic consumption was slightly higher than with two, but it didn’t consume as much as 1.5 times the amount. In that case, I might as well decide to teleport with six people, including Ria and Gil.

Since the number of people is increasing, I suppose I want an exploration base. Even if we return to Northernford at night, it would be good to have a place to rest during the day. Possibly, there might be reasons to stay overnight in the undeveloped lands too. I want to make something more solid than a tent.