Chapter 12

The next night.

I was walking towards a certain place in the village.

The building I was aiming for came into view.

Its exterior wasn't much different from other buildings, but it was slightly larger.

This place was used as a meeting room.

It was a building where leaders of various races gathered to discuss matters when something happened.

When I entered, there was a large table with chairs lined up.

The leaders of the various races were already seated and stood up when they noticed me.

Then, they bowed slightly, so I responded with a wry smile.

"You don't have to be so formal."

"But you are the chief, after all. Please let us do this much."

Libia said this teasingly, and the others also smiled.

...Really.

I sighed and sat down, and everyone else followed suit.

Since I had become the chief, I had to accept such reactions even if I wasn't good with them.

"Anyway, I want to talk about what we should do from now on. First, about the village's facilities, Gorga, can you give a report?"

I glanced over, and Gorga stood up.

I had entrusted the management of the village's facilities to Gorga.

The village's facilities are often built by vampires, golems, and dryads, so after consulting with the leaders of the various races, Gorga, who lost the rock-paper-scissors, was assigned the task.

I do wonder if this is the right way to decide, but so far, Gorga has been working diligently.

"In a few more days, the outer walls will be completed. As for the buildings, we have already prepared enough housing for all the residents. ...If there's anything else needed, I'd like to hear your opinions."

"Is there anything?"

The room fell silent.

"It seems there's nothing. Gorga, if you get any opinions, please report them to me. Everyone, if you need anything, feel free to ask."

After summarizing, everyone nodded.

With that, Gorga's part was over, and I turned my gaze to Sphy.

"Next... Sphy. How's the potion making going?"

The slime race is good at making potions, so I had entrusted this task to them.

Sphy gave a thumbs-up.

"Yep, it's perfect. I've made plenty and stored them in the warehouse, so feel free to use them."

Seeing her proud expression, I felt relieved.

Considering the future, there might be occasions when we need to use potions.

"I see. Understood."

"Sphy, I've prepared potions infused with my love, so just let me know whenever you need them?"

"...Aren't they already made?"

"I'll give them to you by mouth."

She winked, so I ignored her.

It would be a waste of time to take Sphy seriously.

With that, the discussion about the village was over.

What comes next is the talk about the north.

"So, Katrina. You mentioned that there are sub-humans living further north..."

"Yeah. I gathered information by communicating with the trees... It's true that there are sub-humans, but I only have vague information about their presence."

...Katrina seems to have become able to hear the voices of the trees more deeply since she named them.

However, gathering information is quite difficult, and I had been gradually collecting information from her, but she received a report from a tree yesterday.

"I see... How much information do you have?"

The race of the sub-humans, their personalities...

If we knew whether they would be hostile to us, it would be easier to plan our next steps.

However, Katrina shook her head apologetically.

"I don't know... But they are living quite far north of the ogre village, near the edge of the island."

"...I see."

"Sorry, it's not very accurate information. I'll let you know if I find out more."

"No, it's enough, thank you, Katrina."

I smiled, and Katrina blushed and smiled back.

We don't know if the sub-humans in the north will be hostile.

We need to gather more information, including this.

If they are not hostile, that would be the end of it.

...However, if they are hostile, we will need even more information.

"...For that reason, I'm thinking of conducting the investigation alone for now."

When I said this, everyone looked at me with worried expressions.

"A-Alone? Even with the Assassin skill, isn't it dangerous?"

The Assassin skill makes it harder for others to notice you, but it has its drawbacks.

A perceptive opponent can still detect you.

For example, I was detected by Rugar last time.