Chapter 38

Although the number is much smaller compared to the beginning, the remaining people cannot be taken away because they need to repair the houses and the castle that were damaged in the fight with the goblins.

"Ten people? The lord must be crazy!"

"Even if the number of goblins has decreased..."

The vigilantes who didn't see my actions the previous day sent me looks of disbelief.

Indeed, if they only heard about it, it wouldn't be strange for them to shout that this was some absurd exaggeration.

That's how they were.

"A goblin village has been spotted ahead. It's estimated to have about 50 of them."

After hearing the knight's report, I turned my gaze to the ten vigilantes standing behind me.

Their faces were full of disbelief and anxiety.

I didn't bring the vigilantes who had helped me destroy the large village the previous day, so the atmosphere was one of not easily trusting me.

"Are you scared?"

At my question, they fell silent.

It's hard to believe, right? Honestly, if I were in their position, I would have thought they had all drunk a bowl of some kind of drug before coming.

"You'll be scared. You can't help but be scared. Just 10 people coming to clear out a goblin village. You might even think it's right to kill this crazy guy and run away."

There was no response to my words, but it seemed they all had the same thoughts.

If they can't believe it, there's no choice but to show them.

"As I said before, I never allow anyone to die."

As I spoke, light began to flow from me.

Unlike the knights who realized what I was about to do, the faces of the citizens showed surprise as light began to flow from my body.

And then, after the buff magic settled on them, their disbelief disappeared as if by some unspoken agreement.

* * *

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Die, you bastards!"

"The lord is with us!"

"Just a moment ago, they couldn't believe it..."

Although it was a ridiculous scene, I had already seen it once, so I could maintain my composure.

"You bastards! Stick out your necks!"

"The saint is with us!!!"

Yes, I understand that I did a proper job of playing the saint.

"The god is with us!"

"Uo-o-o-o-o!! Feel the hammer of the god!"

"You crazy bastards!"

Their statements, which could get them arrested for blasphemy if anyone heard, made me feel absurd.

Are these the same people who looked at me with disbelief just a moment ago?

Seeing them laugh maniacally with eyes full of madness, sweeping up the goblins, I almost felt sorry for the goblins who were fleeing in fear or trembling.

Ten vigilantes who hadn't even received systematic training, and who hadn't been properly equipped with weapons.

The time it took to slaughter over 50 goblins wasn't long.

When their weapons broke, they would crush the goblins' skulls with their bare hands.

Each one of them was incredibly brave, as if they were extremely enhanced berserkers!

This time, I didn't use a bow, so it was difficult to kill them all, but most of them died, so the ones who escaped wouldn't have the means to do anything.

They would have a much clearer understanding of how dangerous humans can be, and it would be better if they caused confusion among themselves.

The moment they finished, they all gathered around me, and for a moment, I felt a sense of fear.

This is even more intense than before, isn't it?

"Lord! A few of them are running away with their tails between their legs!"

"Haha! They won't dare to look at the Hains territory again!"

"Kya-ha-ha-ha! Their skulls are just like that!"

Without being told, they started shouting praises, and I couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh.

Well, it was a shallow disbelief after all.

"Y-You... You've worked hard."

Yes, as vigilantes who protect the territory, it's not bad to have strong loyalty.

At least they won't have any complaints about what I'm trying to do.

It's not bad, even if it's a bit awkward!

That's what I thought.

Proper image management isn't bad either. However, my thoughts changed two days later when I saw a scene while inspecting the state of the territory.

"Oh... The saint!"

"The saint has come! Clear the way, you guys!"

Rumors spread fast.

Whether they were vigilantes or priests spreading the faith...

For the first time, I started to regret my initial decision.

* * *

As a lord, gaining the trust of the territory's citizens was a success.

After all, it's my territory, and I'm the highest authority, so what does it matter?

One might wonder, but the Conqueror of the Paladia Empire, Astraea, who taught me spear techniques, often said something to me.

He didn't teach me politics, so I didn't learn deep political skills, but I tended to agree with his occasional remarks.

Even though it's a small territory with only about 200 people, everything starts from poverty.

"The butler from the nearby commercial city, Bernil, sent a messenger bird. Thanks to the vigilante captain's good work, they have acquired a lot of supplies. Because of this, the return date might be delayed a bit..."

Aimee, who initially served me in all aspects, is now also working as my secretary due to her intelligence.

It's unusual for a woman to be in such a position in the Rauen Kingdom, but I tend to hire anyone with talent, regardless of gender, age, or anything else.

Aimee seemed touched by my recognition of her value.

"The rest of the territory-related documents are prepared here. If you need anything else..."

"It's late. I want a clean company. Go home."

"Go... Go home?"

At my words, she looked at me in surprise.

"Of course. How long are you going to stay up all night serving me?"

"How can I..."

She looked like a dog that had been abandoned by its owner, and I tilted my head in confusion.

"Don't you like going home?"

-You know a lot, but you don't understand women's hearts.

'Does she have a crush on me?'

I made a bewildered expression, and Perseus sighed deeply.

-It's not a crush, but it's hard to explain. It's not much different from a dog following its owner. It's not right to reject a child's desire to help you so harshly.

Perseus is experienced and wise. After she said that, I couldn't help but feel self-conscious about Aimee's gaze.

"Sir... I can really do it well! So..."

Seeing her trailing off, I sighed briefly.

I didn't expect her to react like this even though I've been taking care of her.

"Alright, then there's no choice. But I'll be strict, so be prepared."

"Yes!"

"Alright. Go home for today."

She looked like she was on cloud nine one moment and then plummeted the next, but I couldn't have her around, so it couldn't be helped.

"Please do your best tomorrow."

"Yes!"

After she left the office with renewed energy, I let out a deep sigh.

"I never treated her like that."

-Well, from her perspective, she feels a great sense of responsibility for being saved by you.

Ah, that corrupt lower priest.

I did save her, but I can't forget that it was partly my intention. Thinking about it, I even felt a sense of guilt.

Perseus, who had been silent, nodded and sat lightly on the old desk.

She then narrowed her eyes and scanned the documents under her.

"Even though you're from thousands of years ago, you know how to read?"

-I didn't just sit around all these years. The common language of the continent is no problem.

Saying that, she reached out and swept away the large pile of documents.

"What do you think?"

-Do you want an honest evaluation?

"For now."

-If you immediately lift the curse and manage it properly, you can restore the territory to a normal state within five years. To make it the territory you want, it will take about 20 years.

Her judgment was quite accurate.

Just lifting the curse on a land that was dying won't make it healthy.

"That's only based on my strength, right?"

-Of course not. Do you want to hear my thoughts on this territory?

"I'll listen."

Smiling, she chuckled in satisfaction.

She pointed to a document on one side with her small hand.

A light breeze lifted a small document and flew it to me.

"Can you manipulate physical objects now?"

-Just a tiny bit. I can only lift light objects like this.

She looked satisfied even so.

-This territory has no groundwater, so the water supply is a mess. Not only that, the stored food is barely enough due to poor harvests, and the livestock industry has rapidly declined over the past few years.

She continued speaking as I listened silently.

-Thanks to the large amount of platinum coins you obtained from the information guild, you can survive for a while, but that's only a temporary solution. The most serious issue is the financial problem.

She was right.

"Actually, this territory has almost no income."

It's inevitable to feel that it's extremely underdeveloped compared to other territories.

"There are many ways."

-Tell me what methods you're thinking of.

Her eyes were full of anticipation as she asked with a smile.

She also seemed to respect my inner thoughts. After living for thousands of years, she must be bored to death.

It's understandable.

"Fortunately, there are more people than I thought, unlike my initial assumption that most of the young people would be gone. The first method is to barely survive using hunting and monster hunting."

-It's essentially the worst option.

If I start shouting about territory reform tomorrow, the citizens' blind faith is strong enough to follow.

Using them for hunting and monster hunting can help us survive immediately, but that's the end of growth.

"The second method is to produce specialty products, but this is difficult without improving the territory's condition."

-That makes sense.

"The last method is trade. Bringing diamonds with corn."

She tilted her head at my words.

-There's no real reason for other cities to come here for trade, and we don't have any trade goods to offer.

"If we can't trade with people, we can trade with others. Still, let's investigate the territory's situation first, just in case."

We have to use whatever we can.