Chapter 30

While accepting refugees and displaced people, the settlement in the Arkvist territory had already surpassed a population of 50.

This settlement, which continued to develop and change day by day, had a custom of holding meetings a few times a month, where the lord and his vassals would gather. On this day, such a meeting was being held at Noein's residence, with the lord Noein, his deputy Matilda, the vassal leader Yuri, and the vassals Pense, Radley, Bart, Mai, Edgar, Anna, and others gathered.

Yuri, the vassal leader, gave a report on the mining site.

Pense, who took charge of various duties including maintaining order in the territory during the vassal leader's absence, gave a report.

Radley, who was responsible for patrolling the area around the settlement, gave a report.

Bart, who was in charge of purchasing supplies, reported on the recent situation in Retvik.

Edgar, who was in charge of agriculture and managed the farmers in each household, gave a report.

Anna, who was in charge of finance, reported on the economic situation of the territory.

Noein listened to these reports and grasped the current state of the territory from a multifaceted perspective. Beside him, Matilda, acting as a scribe, summarized the content of each report on paper.

There wasn't always a major report, but sharing even small pieces of information was beneficial for smooth governance of the territory. That's why they held these meetings consistently.

With the main reports concluded, Noein addressed everyone.

"Alright, if anyone has any proposals, please go ahead."

At this, Matilda raised her hand smoothly.

"Lord Noein, may I make a suggestion?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

It was unusual for her, who usually supported Noein, to make a proposal on her own. Thinking this, Noein allowed her to speak.

"This settlement has now surpassed a population of 50, with houses built and grown to a size that can be called a village. I have been considering that it's time to give it a proper name. What do you think?"

"Ah, a name... That makes sense."

Indeed, as Matilda said, there was no need to continue calling it the "Arkvist Territory Settlement" indefinitely.

"It would be more convenient to have a proper village name, especially for external purposes."

"Until now, we could only explain it as the 'settlement of the Arkvist territory.'"

Yuri agreed, and Bart, who frequently interacted with people outside the territory as the purchasing officer for Retvik, nodded. The other vassals also showed positive reactions.

"In that case, let's move forward with giving it a proper name. Thank you for the suggestion, Matilda."

"You're welcome. I'm glad I could be of help."

Matilda, as usual, answered without much change in her expression but seemed pleased that she had been of help, a slight smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

"Still, what kind of name would be good... It's not something we can decide right away."

This place would become the center of the Arkvist territory and, if the territory developed smoothly, would eventually be called the capital. The name would require careful consideration.

As he thought this, Matilda raised her hand again.

"Lord Noein, may I humbly suggest some name options?"

"You've already thought of some options. I'd love to hear them."

Noein answered, feeling a bit pleased that Matilda was being unusually proactive today.

"Then... how about naming it 'Noeina,' after Lord Noein's name?"

"Huh?"

Noein couldn't help but exclaim at the straightforward name.

"Lord Noein has laid the foundation of the Arkvist territory in less than a year. I believe you will continue to develop this territory with your exceptional skills. Your name should be etched in this land forever. I think it would be a good idea to name the capital after you. What do you think?"

"No, wait a minute? I appreciate your feelings and understand what you're saying, but isn't that a bit too much...?"

As Noein responded to Matilda, he looked to the others for support, but...

"It's fine, isn't it?"

"It's a perfect name."

"Huh? Wait a minute?"

Yuri and Pense nodded without hesitation.

"I think it sounds great."

"Sure, it's a good name."

"Lord Noein's name should remain for generations."

"The people all respect Lord Noein. They would surely be happy with it."

"That's right. Lord Noein is a benefactor to all of us."

Mai, Radley, Bart, Edgar, and Anna all agreed immediately. Noein was the only one saying, "Wait a minute? Wait a minute?"

"Are you all really okay with this? Isn't my name a bit too direct?"

"No, it's quite common to name a town or village after the first lord."

"Retvik, for example, is named after the first lord, Ludwig Koenitz."

Yuri said this, and Anna, who was from Retvik, added to it.

Noein knew that many towns and villages had names derived from their first lords. Logically, he could understand Matilda's proposal. However, the idea of the name being decided unanimously right away made him uncomfortable.

"Isn't it a bit embarrassing? I'll have to say, 'I'm Noein, the lord of the Arkvist territory. Our capital is Noeina,' for the rest of my life. It's kind of... embarrassing."

As Noein said this, blushing, the vassals couldn't help but chuckle. They saw a more childlike side of Noein, who usually had a sly smile on his face.

Noein had just come of age this year and was still, in a sense, a young man. This moment reminded everyone that he was the youngest among them.

"Still, when Matilda proposed 'Noeina,' I thought there couldn't be a better name. I think the others feel the same."

Yuri's words were quickly followed by nods from the other vassals. Noein, however, seemed to not understand why everyone liked the name so much.

"We vassals here, and the other residents, have all been given a new way of life by you. You gave us hope and opportunities when our futures seemed bleak. We all thank you. If the name of this place is Lord Noein's name, everyone will be satisfied. In fact, no other name would satisfy anyone."

Yuri said this, looking straight at Noein. The others looked at Noein in the same way.

Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, Noein thought for a moment. Then, he chuckled and answered.

"...Alright. 'Noeina' it is. I'll have to be a lord worthy of this name from now on."

And so, the name of the village was decided, almost too easily. It was decided.