Chapter 36

That night.

After returning to the border lord's residence and consulting with Kyle, he readily agreed to the construction of the church and the orphanage.

The Church of Ruincent is the state religion of the Kingdom of Maugaria and is virtually the only religion in this country.

Naturally, it has a strong connection with the state.

"The establishment of a church was absolutely necessary, so there's no problem at all. Besides, if Brother Craft's acquaintance is to be dispatched as a priest, that's reassuring."

"Sorry, but could you write a letter of recommendation for Azure? He's apparently an apprentice right now. He's a beastman, but Kyle doesn't discriminate, right?"

"I lived in a different region from Gandar for health reasons, so I have no prejudice against beastmen."

"Good to hear."

"Since we're at it, let's make both the church and the orphanage as large as possible."

"Agreed."

With that, I had him write the letter of recommendation and the application for the church, and the next morning, I returned to the orphanage with Persia.

"Wh-What!? A letter of recommendation and an application from Lord Kyle!?"

First, I went to the church that directly manages the orphanage and met with the highest-ranking cardinal.

As expected of the church in Gandar, governed by the Baron of Vale Road. It was a very large and magnificent building.

"Yes, this is a direct letter from Lord Kyle. We would like you to dispatch Azure as a priest."

"Understood. We will process it immediately!"

"Thank you."

The matter was settled quite smoothly, which was a bit surprising. I thought there might be some resistance.

"The church has always advocated that beastmen are the same as humans. However, the deeply rooted prejudice against beastmen in human society... This matter is a godsend for us."

"Ah, I see. It's a project the border lord is personally involved in, after all."

"Yes!"

Thus, Azure became the first beastman priest of the Church of Ruincent without any trouble.

Then, together with the cardinal, we headed to the orphanage.

"Wh-What!? I'm going to be a priest!?"

"Yes, the parish priest has also heard about your hard work."

"Thank you! I will dedicate myself to the church from now on!"

"Thank you, I look forward to working with you."

After the ceremony, four orphans came running with shining eyes.

"Awesome! Azure, you're awesome!"

"Congratulations! Azure!"

"Thank you, everyone!"

"Thanks, Brother Craft!"

"You're amazing, Brother!"

The children ran around our feet, laughing and shouting.

"Then, I'll come to pick you up in a few days, so be ready."

"Okay!"

"See you! Brother!"

"Sure, help Azure out."

With that, I successfully completed my mission.

◆

A few days passed.

I spent my time enjoying the city, buying materials, going on a date with Persia (though that was a lie), and helping Azure pack. It was a busy but fulfilling time.

Kyle seemed to be busy with the procedures for the new settlement village, so we only talked a little at night, but he was actively working on it.

"Ugh, I'm so sleepy."

"Are you okay, Craft?"

"Yeah, I just stayed up all night reading Professor Jabeel's book. I took a nap, so a stamina potion should be fine."

"Okay, then."

I took a sip of the potion, and my head cleared up, but even the best stamina potion can't keep up with prolonged sleep deprivation.

I had reread the professor's book multiple times because it was so amazing.

"Well, it's time to say goodbye to Gandar."

"Yeah, the preparations are almost done. All that's left is for you to store the luggage."

"Got it. What about Azure and the others?"

"They're already waiting in the yard."

"Understood."

I had arranged to say goodbye to the Baron of Vale Road, but he was too busy to meet us. In fact, it was unusual that I had met him at all, even as one of the parties involved.

When we went outside, the luggage was piled up in wooden crates.

The orphans and Azure were huddled together.

"Hey, you made it."

"Y-Yes, but is it really okay to be here?"

"It's not like we're entering the mansion. The gatekeeper let us through, right?"

"Well, that's because His Eminence the Cardinal came with us."

"Ah, that important monk came too, huh."

"Craft, your way of speaking..."

"Sorry, I didn't mean it badly."

I had lived in an orphanage run by the church, but I didn't really understand the church organization. I only remembered the face of the priest who raised me.

Despite the same environment, it was impressive that Azure became a priest.

"Well, it seems the border lord won't come out, so let's go easy."

"I can't do that..."

"Brother... you're amazing."

"Even you guys are nervous, huh?"

"D-Don't underestimate us! We won't embarrass Azure!"

"I see, that's impressive."

"Hmph. Of course!"

Yeah, for kids, being able to show this much consideration is enough.

As I effortlessly stored the wooden crates in my spatial storage, the children's eyes lit up.

"Awesome!!!! Brother, teach me magic!"

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

"Sure... if you can read, write, and do math, that would be great."

I don't know if they have a talent for magic, but if they start learning at this age, they might be able to use basic magic even without a crest.

"Great! It's a promise, okay?"

"You better keep your promise too."

"Sure!"

"You sound confident, but Ed, you still can't do multiplication, right?"

"Uh..."

In any case, reading, writing, and math are essential for magic. The priest who raised me was very strict, and I was thoroughly trained. Now, I'm grateful for it.

"Hey, hey! So, Brother, you really defeated that dragon, right!?"

"Not alone. I did it with many adventurers and Persia."

The dragon's head, after being on public display, had been moved to the edge of the yard (of course, I moved it). Even at the edge, it still took up a lot of space and was quite imposing.

The disassembly started last night, and dozens of craftsmen were carefully removing the materials.

At first, there was a plan to take it to the capital, but they couldn't figure out how to transport it, so they decided to disassemble it.

"Awesome! If I learn magic, can I defeat a dragon too?"

"Not alone, but if you make a lot of friends, I think you can."

"Really!? Alright! I'll become an adventurer! Everyone, let's become adventurers too!"

Ed, the de facto leader of the orphans, was passionately speaking to the others. By the way, Kai is a wolf beastman. However, he looks very human, except for his fangs and ears. This is true for all the orphans, including Azure.

"I don't want to... fighting such a terrifying dragon..."

"Kai is really a coward!"

"Ed is just reckless."

"I might do it. It sounds fun."

"Wamika..."

It's good that they're having fun.

The preparations were complete, and while waiting for Kyle, I told the children stories of Persia's bravery.

"So, I cut off the horn that was interfering with the magic."

"Awesome! Persia is awesome!"

"Ugh... I might become an adventurer too."

"Saika, Persia is a knight."

"Oh, right."

Well, her current affiliation is different, but I won't crush her dreams.

As long as they grow up well, that's all that matters.

Just as the children were about to move to observe the disassembly of the dragon's head, Jitaro quietly approached.

"Craft, who is that beautiful priestess!?"

"Huh? She's the priestess I brought to the settlement village. She's also the head of the orphanage we're planning to build, Azure."

"So, you'll be living together!?"

"Yeah, she'll help protect the children."

"Of course! Leave it to me! Azure, I'll guard you all the way to the village!"

Jitaro ran up to Azure.

Yeah, good luck.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Craft."

"Hey."

(Everyone! Be polite to Lord Kyle!)

(Okay!)

The children suddenly became very polite.

"Let's go!"

"YEAH!!!"

We joined up with the adventurers waiting outside and set off for the settlement.

Of course, we returned in an incredibly short time, thanks to the stamina potions.

◆

About two weeks later.

"What is this!?"

Zayed and his 300 soldiers were confused upon arriving at the settlement village.

The village, which had developed beyond what could be expected in such a short time, was empty except for one person.

"I've been waiting for you, Zayed."

"Who are you?"

"I am the guild master of the adventurer's guild in this village. Technically, I'm the branch manager."

"Details don't matter! Why... why is no one left in the village!?"

"Everyone followed Lord Kyle."

"What!? Did that Kyle not announce the decree I gave him!?"

"Are you referring to the decree that provides five gold coins per month for a year to those who stay in the village?"

"Do you know about it!?"

"Of course. Lord Kyle not only announced it verbally but also posted a sign."

"Five gold coins per month! That's the same as a poor person's monthly salary! For a whole year!?"

"Indeed."

The branch manager of the adventurer's guild, who had voluntarily chosen the poorer option, nodded in agreement.

But in his heart, he muttered, "Of course, because life in the village governed by Lord Kyle is happier than the income."

"Ugh... Fine! We can recruit more people! So, the materials for the village are still here, right!?"

"Yes. I'm managing them on Lord Kyle's request. This is the village's warehouse."

"Wow! This is mithril ore! Five barrels is impressive!"

"These are stamina potions."

"Ten barrels of potions. But potions in barrels are unsettling."

"They don't deteriorate at all."

"So I've heard. And one spoonful is effective. This is a barrel of healing potion? And this is a cure potion. Also a barrel. Yes, these will be useful for the soldiers."

The branch manager smiled inwardly, thinking they would be shocked by the effects once they used them.

"Leave one barrel of mithril and one barrel of potions, and sell the rest! Use the money to recruit settlers!"

"Understood!"

Zayed's subordinate responded.

Seeing this, the guild master sighed inwardly.

(Not using the stamina potions and selling them... I can see the future of this village.)

The hardworking branch manager of the adventurer's guild shrugged his shoulders in resignation.

Zayed: "Grrr..."