Chapter 31

I was surprised.

It had been two days since I last properly looked around, but the work was progressing at a rapid pace.

The central square, which was to be the main plaza, had all the weeds pulled out, and a white line was drawn around to mark the area.

The place where the main street was to extend from the square also had the grass pulled out for about 500 meters, with a white line stretching along it.

If the Rubicon River was to the north, then to the southeast, piles of wood were stacked, and many people were working hard, sweating as they built houses.

It wasn't just wood.

There were several kilns made of clay, and bricks were being fired one after another.

Mortar was also placed in large barrels and lined up.

"Starting to set up the pillars means the wood has dried enough, I guess."

I muttered to myself as I dismounted.

Meanwhile, Sequoia, who had nimbly jumped off the horse, landed on my shoulders.

"Whoa."

She landed in a way that made it look like I was giving her a piggyback ride.

"That's right. The construction materials are being mass-produced, and the houses are being built."

"Pretty much as expected. The houses should start to be completed in about two days."

"Indeed. With two days, over 30 houses can be built. To build enough for all the residents, it will take seven to ten days. Not all the resources are being used for housing construction, after all."

I wish you would get off my shoulders, Sequoia. You're not heavy, but it's embarrassing if someone sees me like this, like a dad on a weekend.

Speak of the devil, and here they come.

Alru, wagging her tail happily, was carrying a wooden sign as tall as she was, and Ely was walking beside her.

"Lord Joshua!"

Of course, they noticed me right away.

Alru called out my name energetically, waving with a big smile. Ely also bowed to me.

Naturally, the two of them came over to me.

"Both of you, what are those wooden signs for?"

"They are temporary markers to indicate the locations."

"They are being set up in turns."

Hmm. So you're taking turns setting up the markers to indicate the locations.

The wooden signs had a stake at one end and a square sign on the other.

The sign read "Central Plaza."

"Are they name plates?"

"Yes. There are two types: name plates and directional signs."

"That's clear. Having the signs makes it easy to see what will be built where, and they will serve as landmarks after construction. Thank you."

"No, the residents made them. Alru and I are just helping."

"No, you're not. You're facilitating the communication with the residents. That's the most important part."

It seems the communication with the residents is going well.

I wasn't worried about the two of them, but hearing it directly from them makes me even more at ease.

As I smiled at them, Alru tilted her head.

"Lord Joshua, Sequoia isn't a child. But, Lord Joshua's...?"

"Wait, wait, wait."

Sequoia hadn't said anything yet, and I thought I could just pretend nothing happened, but that was too optimistic.

Alru is Alru. I need to explain properly, or she'll be confused.

"Listen, Alru. Sequoia isn't a child. Even adults sometimes want to revert to their childhood. That's all."

"Hmm?"

"One more thing. I'm single and don't have any children. I don't have a fiancée or a girlfriend. Got it?"

"Yes!"

Good. She's being honest.

It's a bit disappointing that she didn't give her usual sharp salute, but she's carrying the wooden sign, so it can't be helped.

Alru's response was energetic, but she pouted slightly, looking a bit envious of Sequoia.

"Do you want a piggyback ride, Alru?"

"N-no, Alru isn't a child. I can endure!"

No, you're clearly showing that you want a piggyback ride.

Your cat ears are twitching, and your tail is wagging.

"Can't be helped."

Sequoia, who understood, landed gracefully and tried to put her hand on Alru's shoulder... but couldn't reach.

"No. I am Lord Joshua's maid."

Alru, shaking her head, seemed to be resisting her desire.

Right, it would be strange for a maid to get a piggyback ride from her master.

But, who cares about that? If I say it's okay, it's okay. Hehe.

"It's fine. Being a maid or not doesn't matter."

"O-okay!"

Before bending her knees and lowering her head, Alru put the wooden sign on the ground and jumped up, just like Sequoia did, landing on my shoulders and wrapping her thighs around me.

Wow, she's so light. Alru and Sequoia are both...

"Isn't it heavy, Lord Joshua?"

"Actually, it's so light, I'm surprised. Are you eating enough?"

"This girl is a cat person, so she's much lighter than a human child."

"I see."

I nodded in agreement with Sequoia's explanation.

Cat people are agile and light, like felines. Their flexible bodies can easily touch the ground with their stomachs when they spread their legs.

I'm envious.

Me? No, I'm not good at forward bends. Haha.

My body is too stiff. I try to be flexible, but it's just too much trouble.

Oh, shoot.

I should have gotten permission before suggesting the piggyback ride.

Right, Ely was standing next to Alru, looking like a proper maid!

She's as strict about her duties as Rumburg. I suggested to Alru to break the rules right in front of her.

Of course, she's bowing her head and trembling with her shoulders shaking.

I feel bad for her, but I can't get angry at me.

Alright, I'll have to bluff my way out of this.

"Ely."

"Yes."

"Do you want a piggyback ride too?"

"W-w-w-would I, Lord Joshua?"

She stuttered and turned red.

If I was going to bluff, I should have included her in the same situation.

"Come on, Ely, sometimes you need to break the rules."

"N-no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, 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