Chapter 7

After breakfast, I headed out to the mansion’s garden.

I had already asked Rumburg and Barthol to gather the people in the garden.

Sure enough, the two of them were quick. Despite not taking much time to get outside, people were already gathered in the garden.

"Ah, e..."

A strange sound escaped my lips.

"Is something wrong?"

Elly, walking a step behind me, raised her fine eyebrows.

On the other hand, Alru perked up her cat ears and sniffed the air.

"Killer intent. None."

Alru muttered something scary, but it was clear that there was no one in the crowd who intended to assassinate me. Besides, Rumburg and Barthol were standing at the front of the crowd, preventing anyone from getting any closer. A certain distance was maintained between me and the crowd.

The problem was the number of people.

The number of people gathered was roughly three times as many as yesterday!

Ah, Rumburg is pressing a handkerchief to his eyes.

Of course, being suddenly faced with this many people is confusing. Yes, it is.

"Master Joshua, everything is ready."

Barthol lifted the podium and placed it in front of me with a thud.

"Thank you, Barthol. You must be quite strong to lift it by yourself."

"Yeah. As a gardener, strength is important."

Barthol patted his bicep and showed his white teeth.

Alright, I understand. I'll go up. The expectant gazes of the crowd are painful.

Tap, tap.

I climbed the three steps and stood on the podium.

Then, the crowd raised their arms in unison and began a chorus.

"Glory to Duke Rude!"

"Master Joshua! The duchy exists because of you!"

"Your Highness!"

"You are our lord!"

They were shouting various things, but their voices were filled with praise for me.

I'm no longer a duke or the lord of Rude Duchy...

However, I couldn't help but be surprised that so many people had gathered for me, despite my loss of title and power.

I had already rebuilt Rude Duchy over ten years, and it had finally stabilized. My true wish was for them to continue living in the duchy.

There are some things to consider, but my mind is made up.

I will quickly establish the infrastructure and get to work. I'll work hard here and finish it all at once.

I raised my right hand, and the place fell silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen. There is no place to live or fields to farm here. Even so, will you stay here?"

I asked the crowd kindly.

In response, they all raised their right arms to the sky—

"We are with Master Joshua!"

"Long live Duke Rude! Glory to Cambeland!"

Yes, I just wanted to confirm.

They know that this is the "barren land of Cambeland" and still came here.

"We have already identified the crops. We need your cooperation to secure food, clothing, shelter, and safety. Can I count on you?"

A huge cheer erupted.

The enthusiasm was incredible... Some were shedding tears at the thought of the hard work ahead, but maybe that was like Rumburg. They were probably moved by being asked for help.

With over 300 people, this is no longer just a village.

Considering that more people might join, we should aim for city-level facilities.

"You, you're planning to build a new city here, right?"

"Yes. What?"

I responded normally, but who is this?

I turned to the source of the voice and saw a fox-eared girl standing in front of Rumburg.

Yes, she's the one Rumburg would let pass. I know her well.

She looks like a small girl around 12 years old, but she's not as young as she looks.

"Sequoia. What brings you here?"

I sighed and asked the fox-eared girl, Sequoia.

She was supposed to be doing research in the castle...

"Coming to this remote border without permission. You're neglecting our honeymoon days."

"I didn't come here because I wanted to."

She put her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks, but I wasn't fooled.

I've known Sequoia for nearly ten years, but her appearance hasn't changed.

She has a long life and a great thirst for knowledge. She has brought many of my modern ideas to life.

However, the bad memories of her big explosions and failures are more numerous.

It's great that she eagerly tries everything out of interest.

"Are you going to do it? The 'Kagakutoshi.' I'm so excited, I can't stop the tingling in my body."

"I didn't call you..."

"What are you saying? You called the dwarves and the gnomes, but left me out?"

"Huh?"

In response to my surprised exclamation, Sequoia began to shake her head and pout.

"That's unfair. Ah, I see. You have that kind of taste. Hmph..."

"The dwarves' foremen!"

I shouted loudly to cover up what Sequoia was about to say.

Alru, reacting to my voice, pushed Sequoia with her behind and stepped forward, tugging at the ends of her skirt and bowing her head.

"Master Joshua, shall I bring the dwarves?"

"No, I'll go and get them. Alru, can you ask Rumburg to help divide the potential citizens into groups as he did yesterday?"

"Understood."

Alru stuck out her tongue at Sequoia and lightly leaped back to her original position.

She then whispered to the other maid, Elly, and only Alru went to Rumburg and Barthol.

"Alright, I'll go too."

"I will accompany you."

Elly, the maid, bowed formally as I descended the steps from the podium and offered to accompany me.

She must have thought it was dangerous to walk through the crowd of about 300 people.

There's no danger from the people gathered here... I understand the need to always be on guard, though.

When I gave Elly a long look, she looked up at me with teary eyes.

"Did I cause you trouble...?"

"N-no. You're here as a guard, right?"

"I am well aware that I am not enough to protect you. But, I can at least be a shield for you..."

"Please don't do that."

Using a girl as a shield and saving myself alone would be a bad dream, even if no one blamed me.

"S-such... Are you saying I am not even fit to be a shield..."

But, she started to cry.

"No, no, that's not it. Everyone wants to protect their 'important friends,' right?"

"W-well, I am your... No, no, that's not it!"

The sad expression from a moment ago vanished, and Elly's cheeks turned red as she turned away.

I don't understand. But, even if she is a maid, she is a human being. I don't want her to be my shield.

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