Chapter 2

Swaying slightly, I slowly placed my hands on the window frame and looked outside.

There was a vast, empty garden with no potted plants, and a fence had been installed around the house and garden to prevent wild animals from entering.

The problem wasn't there, but at the gate.

Something unexpected was happening near the gate.

"Wh-what the...?"

I tried to calm my heart, which was about to collapse, and managed to hold myself together.

"Those who admire Lord Joshua chased after him with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and there are so many of them..."

There was a crowd at the gate. Just one day after I arrived here!

Could they be people who followed in carriages or on foot? No, since I came from the capital, those who live closer to this place might have come on foot.

Stunned, I was moved, and the butler, Rumburg, who had walked up silently, dabbed his eyes with a silk handkerchief.

"Y-yes..."

"Lord Joshua, even though you were exiled, you are still the one for the Principality of Ruder."

Not only the butler Rumburg, but the two maids were also sobbing with emotion.

Ah, a headache.

I understand. I can see it.

This is only the first wave. Only the fast runners and those who lived nearby have come.

"Y-yes... We'll run out of food... Haha..."

"Lord Joshua, you will surely..."

No, I won't lose. I will definitely indulge in a lazy life here.

The key is to solve the food problem and ensure safety. If it comes to this, I'll get it done quickly.

"Rumburg"

When I called his name, he raised an eyebrow and his face tightened instantly.

Rumburg sometimes shows a fierce, beast-like smile. I guess that means he's ready to work.

"Please tell me what you need."

"The quick response is appreciated. First, gather the four people in the house. The place, let's see... shall we use the study as an office?"

"Understood."

The two maids, who had somehow appeared behind Rumburg, also bowed deeply.

Do housekeepers always move so quietly...? Sometimes it gives me a start when they're behind me.

It's as if I can't sense their presence at all.

When I asked Rumburg about it, he said it was to avoid dirtying the master's ears.

I thought, how neurotic must the people who hire maids in this world be?

"No, this place is fine. The location isn't that important. Aruru, can you call Bartholomew?"

"Understood."

The small maid with tiger-striped cat ears, known as Aruru (Aruluna), replied softly.

Oh, I forgot one thing.

"You can go through the window."

"Thank you."

It's better to be quick. She's a cat-eared beastkin, so she's naturally as agile as a cat.

Jumping down from the second floor is a piece of cake for her.

"Elie, prepare the writing materials."

"Understood."

The other one is Elie (Elise), a human maid with lustrous black hair.

She has a gentle and kind atmosphere with droopy eyes, giving her a ladylike feel.

Unlike Aruru, who speaks softly, she uses proper honorifics.

"Rumburg, if you have one, a large blackboard or paper."

"We have a blackboard."

After performing a beautiful bow, Rumburg disappeared into another room.

Phew.

First, a strategy meeting.

Well, what should I do?

I sat in a chair, folded my hands, and rested my chin on them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Joshua."

You're already here? That's fast.

A man in his thirties with a lazy wave of his right hand appeared in the dining room, accompanied by the cat-eared maid.

"You're fast, Bartholomew."

"Yeah, but Aruru was rushing me. It wouldn't have made much difference even if I hurried."

Bartholomew scratched his stubble and looked at Aruru.

"I won't tolerate any rudeness to Lord Joshua. I won't allow it."

Aruru flattened her cat ears and glared.

I don't mind his casual tone and even accept it, but everyone else reacts to it.

Personally, I find it more relaxing to have a casual conversation like Bartholomew's.

To prevent the atmosphere from becoming tense, I raised my hands and spoke to both of them.

"Come on, both of you, just sit down."

"No, standing is fine."

"Sit. I am afraid to."

They both refused in unison.

What should I do? I couldn't sit down with my floating hips when the other two returned.

"Rumburg, Elie, Aruru, Bartholomew. I know it's not right to ask this of you, housekeepers, but can you lend me your strength for a while?"

I stood up, looked at each of them, and bowed.

"Thank you. Eventually, I will select at least a few clerks from the villagers. But for now, we need to discuss the urgent matters."

Rumburg drew a circle on the blackboard he had prepared.

"This is our house. I heard it was barren, but there are some plants growing. It's not a vast grassland."

The term 'wasteland' fits best.

It's a bit dangerous, but I have no one else to ask. I'll just hear them out first.

"First, I want to explore the surroundings. One, to find a water source like a river or lake. Two, to check for dangerous wild animals and suitable game. Three, to collect wild plants."

"Understood. I and Bartholomew will handle the exploration. For nearby plant collection, the two maids can do it."

"Okay. I'll also ask for help from the strong villagers. How many horses did we bring?"

"Four."

I wrote down what I said and noted the names of the responsible people.

"Alright, next, we'll meet the villagers. We'll all go."

"Understood. I'll take care of the guard."

"No, I can't expose everyone to danger..."

"What are you saying! We would be honored to be a shield for you."

"A, ah, ah..."

Hold on. How determined are these housekeepers?

I'm grateful for their willingness to protect me, but I can't ask non-combatants to be shields.

"Lord Joshua's kindness is well understood. However, we have received some training. We can handle bandits."

"Actually, that's more like..."

Aruru covered Bartholomew's mouth as he was about to say something.

"No, don't worry, it's fine. They gathered here in just one day because they admire me."

I said this lightly and ended the meeting.

Well, next, let's go meet the potential villagers.

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