Chapter 10

As Meara and I were using our skills to cultivate the crops in the field, a small carriage approached from a distance.

"Lord Noct! Is that Lael over there!?"

"Yeah, it's him."

The man with golden hair, who looked kind, was undoubtedly Lael, pulling the reins from the driver's seat. Next to him sat a girl I didn't recognize, but she was probably a new helper.

When we waved at them, Lael smiled and raised his hand in greeting. The girl, who seemed to be fascinated by the towering wall on the side of the Great Forest, had a wide-eyed expression and hurriedly bowed when nudged by Lael.

Well, it's no wonder she was surprised. In a rural area with nothing much around, such a massive wall would certainly be a shock.

The carriage slowly came to a stop beside us, and Lael and the girl got down from the driver's seat.

"Lord Noct, Meara, it's been a while."

Lael turned to us and greeted us with a kind smile.

"It's been a while, Lael."

"Hey, Lael. It's been a while. Is the girl next to you a new helper?"

"Yes, let me introduce her to Lord Noct and Meara. This is Pico, who is helping me."

"I'm Pico! I'm helping Mr. Lael with his business!"

Pico, introduced by Lael, introduced herself with a nervous but lively tone. She was probably around twelve years old, a bit younger than me. She seemed inexperienced, and her nervousness was endearing.

"I see. Lael has been a great help to me. I hope you will do well in the future."

"Um, yes!"

By deliberately saying "in the future," Pico seemed to be trying to cover up her nervousness.

It seems Lael was thinking along the lines that Meara and I had been concerned about. Lael had a slightly bitter expression.

Normally, he shouldn't have shown such an attitude before getting to the main topic, but he probably lacked experience.

"Pico, Meara and I need to talk for a bit. Why don't you show Meara the goods?"

"O-Okay! I'll show you the goods. Is there anything we're lacking?"

"Well, I'd like to see mainly seasonings and clothing."

With that, Pico and Meara headed towards the carriage.

"...You're not as good at hiding your nervousness as I am."

"We've only been traveling together for about two weeks. While I can think on my feet and am good at arithmetic, I'm still not good at such things."

It seems Lael also had the purpose of letting Pico gain experience by talking to a noble like me and Meara.

"By the way, Lord Noct, I heard about the situation in your territory while traveling. Is it true that Lord Rutherford and Lord Wisheart...?"

"Yeah, they died fighting the orcs that came from the Great Forest."

"Is that so? That's truly regrettable. If there's a tomb, I'd like to pay my respects. Is that alright?"

Lael was close to my father and brother. If he could pay his respects, it would make everyone happy.

"There's one on the hill behind the manor. It's a bit of a walk, but are you okay with that?"

"Of course."

After confirming that Lael nodded firmly, we headed to the hill behind the manor.

◆

When we reached my father's and brother's graves, Lael offered flowers he had picked by the roadside and some alcohol from the carriage. He knelt and quietly prayed.

After a while, Lael slowly stood up.

"Thank you for coming all this way."

"No, I owe them a lot, so this is the least I can do."

"It makes me happy to hear you say that."

Just remembering my father and brother is enough, and having someone pay their respects is even better.

"...But, Lord Noct, it must have been tough for you."

While I was looking at the tombstones with a sigh, Lael got to the point.

Seeing the territory with only two residents, he must have realized that the rumors he heard on the way were true.

"Imagine this: while I was acquiring my skill, my father and brother died, and the next day, all the residents except Meara fled. It's like adding insult to injury, isn't it?"

"...What do you plan to do from now on, Lord Noct?"

"Rebuild the Bigsmall territory as the lord."

"Can you really do that with just the two of you?"

Lael's doubt was understandable. It was impossible to rebuild such a rural territory with just two people.

But that was before I acquired my skill.

"Meara and I can do it. The wall towering on the side of the Great Forest is proof."

I pointed to the massive wall in the distance as I answered Lael's question.

"...I was surprised to see it when I arrived. A wall like the capital's stands in the Bigsmall territory. How did you build it?"

"By the power of the skill I acquired."

"---! A wall like that with a skill?"

Even Lael, who usually doesn't show much emotion, was visibly surprised by this answer.

It's easy to imagine that the Bigsmall territory, which suffered a devastating blow from the monster attack, had neither the time nor the money to build such a massive wall. Therefore, the only way to make the impossible possible would be through magic or a skill.

Since it's a skill, it's possible to make the impossible possible.

If I want to sell our usefulness to Lael, now is the time.

"Hey, Lael. I have a good business opportunity. Would you like to hear it?"

"...Sure, it's free to listen. I'll hear it."

"The skill I received from the temple is called [Enlargement & Reduction], and it can make anything larger or smaller."

"[Enlargement & Reduction]? A skill with two effects? I've never heard of it. But now I understand. The wall is an enlarged Earth Shield, right?"

Hearing the skill's effects, Lael quickly deduced this. He's certainly quick-witted.

"That's right. I plan to use this skill to enlarge valuable materials. For example, the gem on this necklace."

I took off the necklace I was wearing and removed the gem from the center, holding it in my hand.

"Enlargement."

When I activated the skill, the small gem grew to the size of a fist. Lael's eyes widened at the sight of the enlarged gem.

It's been years since I've seen him react like this. It's fun to surprise him.

"Do you want to touch it?"

"Y-Yes, please."

I handed the enlarged gem to Lael, who cautiously took it and examined it closely.

"The quality doesn't degrade due to the enlargement."

"It doesn't seem to."

It's understandable to be skeptical when a small gem suddenly becomes large. Without the power of a skill, one might suspect fraud.

"How long does Lord Noct's skill last?"

"I've only had it for about a week, so I can't say for sure, but I think it's permanent as long as I don't cancel it. I've left a skill-affected item untouched, and it hasn't returned to its original size after a week."

"I see..."

The enlarged object hasn't returned to its original size. In most cases, such skills have a permanent effect.

"Sell the enlarged gems. What do you think? Isn't it a profitable business?"

"Various concerns need to be addressed, such as whether it's permanent, if other gems can be enlarged, and if they can be processed. But if these issues are resolved, it could be very profitable."

Lael, thinking about selling the enlarged gems, put his hand to his chin in thought.

Indeed, whether other gems or crystals can be enlarged and processed without issues hasn't been verified yet. As a merchant, he's considering various scenarios.

"I want Lael to sell the goods I enlarge with my skill."

"...What's the compensation?"

As a traveling merchant, Lael quickly understood my proposal, which was very helpful.

"You'll pay me a share of the profits."

"Of course. What percentage?"

Lael asked with a serious expression.

"I want fifty percent."

"Can't you make it a bit less?"

Losing half is tough, but with gems, the profit is huge, so it shouldn't be a problem. However, valuable gems don't sell easily.

"Fine. Let's make it forty percent. In return, I want you to bring people to my territory. Preferably not just villagers, but also craftsmen like blacksmiths."

"Bringing people requires certain conditions and costs..."

"I'll provide the conditions later. You can use the money you pay me, but of course, there's a limit."

"Understood."

"Also, I want you to come to my territory regularly for business."

"Of course. I want to maintain a good relationship with Lord Noct."

Before hearing this business opportunity, he probably intended to give up on me. But that's how business relationships work.

"Is there any problem with the conditions I've offered?"

"No."

"Then, let's consider it a deal."

I extended my hand, and Lael smiled and shook it.

At least, this should solve the problem of getting people. I was relieved that the negotiation with Lael went well.

"By the way, if you're going to sell gems, why not use a different one?"

"Huh?"

"Isn't that a memento from your mother? Selling it would be painful. If you could enlarge a gem I have instead, that would be great."

It seems Lael knew this necklace was a memento from my mother. His kindness warmed my heart.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"The cost of the gem will be deducted from the profit."

I was about to be moved to tears, but Lael's extra comment ruined the moment.

"Hey, wouldn't it be cool to say you don't need the money?"

"Such coolness can go to hell."

Lael's stinginess hasn't changed. I really wanted to feel the emotion again.