Chapter 11

"Damn, my back hurts."

Yuri muttered this complaint as he planted a strange crop called potatoes in the new farmland that Lord Noein had recently dug up.

According to Noein, this was a "crop to save the country," but it was hard to believe that such a yellow-green lump, from which sprouted wiggly shoots, could produce such a convenient food that was easy to grow in large quantities and was rich in nutrients compared to wheat. Still, he followed the lord's orders.

Around Yuri, four others were also working hard in different fields, sweating and toiling.

It had been a little over a week since Yuri and his group were accepted into this settlement. These men, who had carved out their lives with their own hands and swords, were now working with hoes and plows.

For Yuri, it had been 20 years since he last did farm work, back when he helped out on his family's farm as a child. Bending over to face the soil was a different kind of fatigue from running around as a mercenary or a thief.

"Looks like you're putting in a lot of effort. Everyone, good job."

The one who approached with a grin was Lord Noein Arquvist, their lord.

"I can say that because I don't get dirty, huh?"

"Your comment that you're not working because you're not getting dirty is a bit harsh. I'm producing more results than anyone else in this domain, you know."

Indeed, Noein didn't get his clothes or hands dirty, nor did he sweat, and at first glance, he seemed to be the only one playing around.

However, in reality, he was the one doing the most work in the settlement. The golems he controlled dug deep into the soil to create farmland with several times the efficiency of humans and were now effortlessly cutting down trees in the forest to expand the flat land.

While they understood his overwhelming productivity, it was hard not to want to say something when he looked down with a smirk while they were covered in dirt and working on the ground.

"You were clumsy at first, but you're really starting to look like a farmer, Yuri."

"Of course, it's been 20 years since I last did farm work. I'm gradually remembering how to do it, but I'm still worse than when I was a kid."

Since leaving home, he had always held swords and spears. He had almost forgotten how to hold farming tools.

Pence and Radley were in a similar situation, and Bart and Mai, who had been orphans picked up by a mercenary group, had never done farm work in their lives.

They were all so clumsy that a veteran farmer would probably laugh at them.

"It's fine. I'm happy to see the growth of the settlers."

"Is that so... Still, I never thought I'd be back to being a tenant farmer at this age."

He had decided to spend his life as a mercenary when he joined the group and had expected to be killed and die somewhere as a thief.

To suddenly find himself working as a farmer on a noble's land was unexpected.

Just as he was thinking this,

"What? What are you talking about? You're freeholders."

Noein said.

"Wait, what? This is Noein-sama's farmland, and we're working here as tenant farmers to earn wages, right?"

"No, no, I just did the initial digging. This farmland is yours. When you grow and harvest crops here, they belong to you. Of course, you'll have to pay taxes."

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. Actually, I never intended to end your lives as mere farmers. I plan to have you, former mercenaries, eventually serve directly under me as my retainers. You're doing farm work now because we don't have enough people, but eventually, you'll leave the farming to tenant farmers or serfs and work under me."

"...Wow. Thank you."

Yuri, taken aback, replied. The other four, who had been listening to their conversation, also looked surprised.

They had thought they would be hired as tenant farmers to work on the land, but they had been offered positions as landholding retainers.

This was a significant matter. As retainers, they would receive wages for working under the lord and also earn income from the land they owned. Additionally, their status as retainers and their land could be passed down to their children and grandchildren.

For mercenaries living day to day, this could be considered an exceptional offer. They couldn't help but be grateful.

Yuri and the others resumed their farm work with more vigor and brighter expressions than before.

...

"Then, I'll go earn the first cash income in the history of the Arquvist domain. Matilda, Mai, take care of the place while I'm gone."

"Please be careful, Lord Noein. Have a good trip."

"Leave it to us."

After exchanging words with the two, Noein set off for Retvik with the remaining men.

Until now, the purpose of going to Retvik had been to buy supplies, but this time, they also intended to "sell what they had obtained in the Arquvist domain."

What they were selling were the fur, meat, and magic stones of monsters. The shallow parts of the Bezel Great Forest only had weak monsters that a single adult farmer could handle, but hunting them yielded fur and dried meat. Magic stones, which were crystallized magic, could also be extracted from their bodies.

These would be a significant source of income for a domain with only seven people.

"With this much, we should be able to earn a decent amount. It should cover our food expenses for a while, right?"

"It's not just the Graton Rabbits, but we also have the fur of a Plump Deer."

The Plump Deer was a monster that looked like a plump deer, and its fur was popular as material for coats and other items for the wealthy.

It was a rare monster in the shallow part of the forest, but they had managed to hunt one. It would fetch a good price.

They quickly converted the fur and dried meat into cash upon arriving in Retvik after about half a day.

"Lord Noein, do you know where to sell them?"

"I've arranged for Eliza to buy the dried meat. As for the fur and magic stones, I'm thinking of taking them to the 'Miles Company.'"

"Is there a reason you chose them?"

"Of course. I've investigated the main companies in Retvik as much as possible and heard detailed information from Eliza. Among them, the Miles Company seems to be the most trustworthy. I don't think they'll overcharge us."

While having such conversations, Noein headed for the Miles Company building.

Noein held the title of a knight, but he was a minor noble who only owned a forest in name. There was a possibility that they would be underestimated and the fur would be undervalued.

That's why he brought four retainers to show that the development of the domain was going well and that there was potential for future growth. To improve their appearance, he had them wash their bodies with soap in the morning and wear freshly laundered clothes.

He wanted to deal with a company that had the wisdom to think, "Let's build a sincere relationship with this promising noble who is developing his domain smoothly." The reputation of the Miles Company gave him peace of mind in this regard.

The Miles Company was a large three-story building, undoubtedly one of the largest in Retvik.

"Excuse me, I'm Knight Noein Arquvist. I would like to sell the fur and magic stones of monsters hunted in my domain."

When Noein entered the store and addressed a young employee, the employee said, "Please wait a moment," and went to the back.

If the company president, the head of the company, came to greet them, it would indicate that they were willing to build a good relationship.

As Noein waited, a middle-aged, slightly overweight man with a friendly smile appeared.

"Lord Noein Arquvist, welcome. I am Benedict Miles, the president of the Miles Company."