Chapter 17

Among the new settlers, there were families, and even some couples who decided to get married as a result of this relocation. Including those who were single, a total of 24 people were ultimately divided into 11 households.

Now, with Noein and Edgar, the representative of the new settlers, at the center, they are in the midst of discussions to decide who gets which piece of land.

"This is my land... This is my land..."

"To be able to have our own farmland again..."

The new settlers, each time they are allocated their own land, express their gratitude almost to the point of tears. Some are actually crying.

"It seems that Lord Noein has already won the hearts of the new settlers."

From a little distance behind Noein, Yurii spoke to Matilda, who was also accompanying Noein.

"Everyone is deeply grateful for Lord Noein's kindness in accepting them. It's only natural."

At first, Matilda barely spoke to Yurii and the others, but recently, she responds when spoken to and even initiates small talk. It seems she intends to build smooth relationships with others besides Noein.

"…Well, it's only natural that they would be so grateful, not just for being allowed to live in the territory, but also for being given land outright."

"? Is it not common to give land to the settlers?"

Matilda tilted her head in a slightly puzzled manner. Having been a slave since childhood and raised without knowledge of society, she didn't understand.

"…No, it's not common. For us wanderers and the likes, being given properly prepared land is an incredibly significant thing."

For Noein, who had his own territory and could easily clear forests and till the land with golems, the land might be just a piece of ground. But for ordinary people, that piece of ground is a significant asset.

This is because, in most cases, land is something that one's ancestors worked hard to develop from nature, or something that was bought for a high price.

To be given such land, especially land suitable for agriculture, already tilled and ready for cultivation, is an unimaginable favor for refugees who have no place to call home.

Even Yurii, when Noein said, "This farmland is yours," was so stunned that he could only stammer out a sincere thank you.

For those who had hardly ever left their village and were forced to leave their homeland, wandering in an unfamiliar world with anxiety, to be suddenly given rich land and told, "This is yours from today," would evoke immense gratitude.

Being accepted as a refugee and taken in as a tenant farmer or simple laborer in some town or village is already a blessing, but to be given perfect farmland as one's own is beyond gratitude.

It's not just loyalty; they likely hold feelings of near-worship for Noein. "Giving land" is a powerful word that grabs the hearts of refugees without their consent.

Yurii explained this to Matilda.

"I see. So that's how it is."

"That's how it is."

Yurii answered, seeing that Matilda finally understood.

"By the way, from the moment we were given land without having to develop it ourselves, both Noein and I can never look up to him. I didn't realize this at first, and I don't think they have either. Whether Noein did this unconsciously or with calculation, I don't know..."

"…I think Noein probably knew this would happen and gave them the land. He has a strong commitment to earning the love of his settlers."

Matilda realized why Noein had said with certainty yesterday, "Once they come to the settlement, they won't even think of rebelling."

He must have known this would happen when he accepted the refugees. Perhaps he had even anticipated this when he started clearing the forest and increasing the flat land before there were any settlers. He might have planned this from the very beginning.

When she imagined this, she felt goosebumps.

"To make the settlers love him by first creating a situation where they can't help but love him. That's a ruthless way of thinking, typical of Noein... Hey?"

Yurii turned to Matilda, who had stopped responding, and was startled.

She, who usually shows little emotion, was looking at Noein with a dreamy, almost lovesick expression.

"…What's wrong with you?"

"Perhaps Noein has been planning this from the beginning, from the moment he and I entered the Bezel Great Forest. Thinking about it, I am deeply moved by the foresight and brilliance of Noein's thinking, which goes far beyond my own."

Yurii was even more confused, not understanding how this conversation could lead to such a reaction.

They were supposed to be discussing how Noein's method of earning the settlers' respect through calculated actions was quite ruthless, not how "Noein is wonderful."

"You like Noein too much."

"Yes. I have dedicated my body and soul to Noein."

"I can see that."

……

The population increased dramatically, and the settlement became lively.

Although it was still a collective camp-like life, it was gradually taking on the appearance of a proper territory.

The hearts of the new settlers were completely captured by Noein, who was greeted with bows and polite greetings whenever he appeared, and he would smile and respond.

Each household had their own field, and tents were set up next to them for living.

On the other hand, Yurii and the former mercenaries, as long-time settlers, took on roles similar to Noein's vassals, maintaining order within the settlement and patrolling the surrounding areas, as well as hunting monsters. The hunted monsters were bought by Noein and then sold to the Miles Guild in Retvik.

The wood that had been left around the settlement was further dismantled by Noein's golems, and the construction of a wooden fence to protect the settlement was progressing. Shared facilities such as wells and bread ovens were also being built.

The road from the entrance of the Bezel Great Forest to the settlement was gradually being improved, making it easier to walk.

The new settlers, who had free time from agricultural work, were responsible for improving the environment of the settlement and the road. In exchange for their labor, Noein provided them with food he had purchased in Retvik.

"…The population has increased, so we need to start thinking about raising funds."

While working on the development with golems, Noein muttered.

"Raising funds?"

"Yes. Winter will come eventually. I want to build a manor for us to live in and houses for the settlers before then."

Noein explained to Matilda, who had asked.

Even with the costs of providing food to the settlers deducted, Noein's funds were slightly increasing thanks to the profits from monster hunting. However, it was not enough to hire craftsmen from Retvik to build the houses.

While Noein and Yurii, who were using high-quality tents, would be fine, the settlers using makeshift tents might freeze to death if left as they were.

Noein could use his personal savings to buy high-quality tents for everyone, or, if he wanted, build makeshift huts using the wood from the cleared forest. However, he preferred to provide proper houses.

Moreover, there were many other things he wanted to do besides building houses. He wanted to build large facilities like a mill, raise livestock, attract craftsmen like blacksmiths, and try cultivating cash crops that could become local specialties. For all these, money was never enough.

That's why Noein was thinking about raising funds.

"It would be nice if we could find something valuable nearby..."

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