Chapter 31

"It's quite cold, isn't it?"

"It's almost December, after all."

A few days after the name of the capital of the domain was decided as "Noeina," Noein accompanied Bart on a shopping trip to Retvik. Two domain residents came along to help Bart, and Matilda, Noein's adjutant, also followed.

The purpose of this trip was to visit the Viscount Arnold Koenitz and other merchants with whom they had dealings before the winter made travel to and from Retvik difficult. It was, in a sense, a year-end greeting.

Upon arriving in Retvik, they first headed to Eliza's shop.

"Oh, Lord Noein, you're here today."

"It's been a while, Eliza. And Marco too."

Noein hadn't done his own shopping for a long time, so the opportunities for him to meet them had decreased.

Leaving the food shopping to Bart and Marco, Noein chatted with Eliza for a bit.

"Is Anna working well?"

"Yes, she's very excellent. The smooth operation of the current Arquvist domain is thanks to her support behind the scenes."

Without exaggeration, Noein praised Anna's work. His ability to focus on his duties as the lord and the golem-based development work was undoubtedly due to Anna.

"It's a relief to hear that directly from you, Lord Noein. It was good that I taught her the paperwork."

Eliza seemed pleased to have her daughter praised.

"By the way, the name of the residential area in the Arquvist domain was decided recently."

"Oh, what is it called?"

"It's... Noeina."

"Hehe, it's named after Lord Noein, isn't it?"

"I feel a bit embarrassed, but the vassals strongly insisted that it should be named this way..."

Explaining a village name that was almost identical to his own was quite embarrassing.

After that, they visited the Miles Trading Company, the inn where they stayed when visiting Retvik, and several other shops they had dealings with, as well as the workshop where they often ordered and repaired farming tools.

The last place they visited was the Koenitz Viscount's residence. Noein had sent letters of thanks for the introduction of excellent mining engineers, but this was his first direct meeting with the head of the house, Viscount Arnold, since the lapis lazuli ore incident.

...

As usual, they were led to the reception room, and Arnold entered the room a little later to exchange greetings.

"So, what brings you here today? I heard you have something to convey besides the year-end greeting."

Arnold asked with a slightly defensive tone, apparently wary that Noein might be up to some kind of negotiation.

"Yes. As a first-year lord of a domain, I have been helped by Viscount Koenitz many times. I wanted to come and express my gratitude before winter sets in... and to report that the name of our domain's first residential area has been officially decided."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, that's all."

"Hmm, just a greeting, then?"

Arnold relaxed, looking somewhat disappointed.

"Hehe, there's no need to be so wary. I want to be a good neighbor to you, Viscount."

"You seem capable of undermining us if you wanted to. I can't afford to let my guard down as the head of a noble family."

Arnold replied with a wry smile, despite Noein's seemingly innocent smile.

From past interactions, Arnold knew that Noein was unlikely to suddenly turn hostile, but as a lord responsible for many domain residents, he couldn't completely trust anyone. Noble friendships were hard to maintain.

"So, what is the name of the village?"

"It's... Noeina."

Noein said it with a slight blush. Seeing him, who usually showed only a confident smile, looking embarrassed, Arnold thought to himself, "He can show his age-appropriate expressions."

"I see. You've taken your name quite directly."

"Embarrassingly, the vassals and domain residents strongly wished for this name..."

"It seems you are well-respected by your domain residents. That's a good thing."

Usually, even if a lord's name is used for the capital, some twist is added. The fact that Noein's name was used almost as is suggested that he was deeply loved by his domain residents, thought Arnold.

"You seem to have the talent of a lord. I hope Noeina will grow from a village to a town and eventually a city. I hope we can maintain a good relationship with Retvik."

"I am honored by your praise. We also hope to deepen our friendship in the future."

Not wanting to take too much of the viscount's time with just a year-end greeting, Noein left the Koenitz residence after a brief chat.

...

In this world, the "marriage" system for commoners is simple.

When a man and woman decide to become a couple, they declare their intention to the lord, bailiff, or village chief and live together in the same house, and that constitutes marriage.

Of course, there is a celebration banquet for the marriage. In urban areas, families typically gather relatives and friends for a celebration, while in small villages, a collective celebration is often held at the end of the year for all couples who married that year.

In the Arquvist domain's Noeina, such a banquet was about to be held. It was also a celebration to commemorate the birth of the village name "Noeina," making it a particularly lavish feast for a small village.

In the square, fires were lit, and a sumptuous spread of freshly grilled meat and warm soup was laid out.

Lord Noein had provided a large amount of wine and a whole Plumpdiar for the occasion, which he had bought in Retvik for this day.

Plumpdiars, known for their valuable fur, are also famous for their high-quality meat. Noein had purchased the meat from vassals who had hunted it during their patrols around the village and was now treating the domain residents with it.

When the food was ready, Noein stood before all the domain residents gathered in the square.

Before the feast, Vassal Chief Yuri called out loudly, "Quiet down. Lord Noein Arquvist is about to speak," and the residents quickly fell silent.

Receiving the gazes of the domain residents, Noein began to speak.

"Everyone, today is a joyous day. It is the first wedding festival of this domain, a day to celebrate and praise those who have formed unions here. It is also a day to celebrate the birth of a name for this village."

The domain residents listened intently to Noein's words.

"The name of this village is 'Noeina,' taken from my name. My loyal vassal Matilda proposed this name, and my vassals, who have sworn loyalty to me, strongly agreed. I have also heard that you, the domain residents, are satisfied with this name. I hope this is a testament to the respect you have for me as your lord."

As Noein spoke, the domain residents nodded in agreement.

The name "Noeina" had received very positive feedback from the domain residents, according to reports from the vassals. It was almost universally praised.

"About nine months ago, I entered the Bazel Great Forest with Matilda and the golems. I found a small clearing in the forest, set up a tent, and started a small field. That's where my manor and the lord's fields are now... from there, we gradually cut down trees, cleared the land, and expanded the fields."

Reflecting on it now, it was a deeply moving experience.

"Then I met Yuri and Edgar, and many others who decided to make this their home. What was once an empty forest is now the village of Noeina. This is not only my domain but also your new land, the beginning of your new lives."

The domain residents listened to Noein's words as if savoring them, and some were even shedding tears.

"And this new land now has a name. Today is a symbolic day for our new beginning, a starting point for the new lives that will continue into the new year and beyond."

Noein himself felt a bit teary-eyed but held back. It wouldn't do for the lord to cry in front of the domain residents on a celebratory day.

He closed his eyes for a moment to compose himself, then turned to the men and women standing a step ahead of the other domain residents, including Yuri and Mai. They were the stars of the day.

"Today, four couples have newly become husband and wife. They symbolize the new society and our future that is being built here. Let us bless them."

With that, Noein raised a cup of wine, and everyone present followed his lead.