A Tour of the Territory

We passed the welcoming sight of the Earth Dragon’s carcass and entered the village proper.

There weren't any local specialties to show off, and I knew that giving my guests a tour of the crumbling hovels where the commoners lived wouldn't leave a great impression. As a compromise, I had no choice but to lead them to the temporary shack I called home.

"There’s nothing out here in the frontier, so it might be a bit uncomfortable, but stay as long as you like," I said, offering Emilina a smile.

She kept a pleasant expression throughout, making it impossible to tell what she was actually thinking. Sasha, on the other hand, wore her emotions on her sleeve.

"Big bro—I mean, Brother, you’re living in a place like this? This isn't just a servant’s shack, is it?"

Compared to a noble’s mansion, this temporary house was tiny. It had been constructed in an instant, so there wasn't much I could do about the aesthetics.

"I’m prioritizing the reconstruction right now. My own house can wait. Besides, all I really need is a place to sleep."

"You are truly magnificent, Master Yuri. You truly deserve to be called the Savior," Emilina said, clasping her hands together in praise.

Something about her felt off, like there was a hidden motive behind those words.

"I still have a long way to go. There’s a limit to what I can do, and there’s so much missing that I'm struggling to decide where to even start."

"Is that so? If you like, perhaps I could look for some people on your behalf?"

Emilina’s offer was exactly what I needed. Anyone could see we were short-staffed. Still, I couldn’t understand why she was going out of her way to get close to me. Maybe she looked at this dying territory and felt a genuine pang of compassion?

There was one thing I was sure of: Saint Emilina was not a pawn of the Mastermind. That meant no one sent by my father, Balan, would infiltrate through her. However, it also meant the chances of meeting characters from the original story had just skyrocketed. After weighing the risks, I finally nodded.

"If there are people who want to come to this territory, I would appreciate the help."

"I understand. Once I return to the Royal Capital, I'll see who I can find. Also, was the person who subjugated that Dragon perhaps a Legendary Hero or a Brilliant Sage?"

"Ah..."

Come to think of it, Fritz was just a Mercenary. Having some sort of title might make his future work easier.

"Well, he calls himself a Mercenary."

"I see. A Mercenary... A Paladin who risks his life to protect the people from evil, then. And since he defeated a Dragon, he deserves the title of Dragon Slayer as well. I’ll personally submit the application on my end. Since there’s physical evidence and my personal word behind it, there shouldn't be any issues."

"I see. I'll leave it to you then. His name is Fritz. He doesn't have a family name, so he's not a noble."

"Understood. I will also report that Master Yuri magnificently repelled the Dragon as well."

Wait, since when did the Saint handle official reports to the crown? Well, it works in my favor, regardless.

"I understand. That’s fine with me."

"By the way, I was a little curious... are those stones rolling around over there Magic Stones?"

Emilina pointed toward the Magic Stones I had made the previous night while hiding from Fee. Fee followed her gaze and immediately began to glare at me.

"Master Yuri! Were you sneaking around making Magic Stones again? I told you to rest properly at night!"

"T-Those? I made those this morning."

"I wake up before you do, Master Yuri!"

"Gugh. S-Sorry. I'll be careful from now on."

Seeing me get scolded by Fee, Emilina looked stunned for a moment before she put a hand to her mouth and let a giggle escape.

"Fufu. It’s almost as if she’s your mother, Master Yuri."

"Hey, I’m the one taking care of Fee, you know."

"That’s right," Fee huffed. "Fee is just warning Master Yuri because he overdoes it without worrying about his own body."

"I’ll leave it at that, then," Emilina said, her smile never faltering.

---

After we talked for a while, it was time for Emilina to depart.

"I am relieved to see that everything is alright here."

"By the way, how are you going to carry that Dragon?" I asked.

They didn't have a cart, and Emilina’s group had arrived on foot.

"It’s okay. I may not look it, but I’m quite strong."

With a serene smile, she grabbed the Dragon by the tail and began dragging the massive carcass away as if it were nothing. I suddenly remembered that a Saint’s weapon of choice was usually a massive Mace. In the game, I’d just accepted it as a mechanic, but seeing it in person was different. She had the raw strength to haul around a hunk of heavy metal without breaking a sweat. I was glad we weren't enemies.

"By the way, why are you staying here, Sasha?"

"Lady Emilina said it would be better for me to hide myself, just in case. She thought it would be safe here."

"...Did something happen?"

"Yes. Actually, I... I ended up overhearing Father talking to someone who looked like a demon..."

Ah. So Balan’s conspiracy leaked.

If my father found out about this, Sasha’s life was certainly in danger. A man who would sick a Dragon on his own son wouldn’t hesitate to kill his daughter.

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

"Is that... is that why you came here too, Big Brother?"

"Yeah. That’s exactly why."

Sasha finally understood why I had chosen to live in the middle of nowhere. However, she was still a member of the Lousouth House. I couldn't say for certain that she wasn't one of my father’s plants.

"I understand. Stay here with Fee until you get used to the place. You can ask her if there's anything you don't understand."

"Master Yuri, you’re just saying that because it’s a convenient way to keep Fee away from you," Fee grumbled.

"Now, whatever do you mean by that?"

When dealing with a girl as sharp as Fee, playing dumb was the only option.

"P-Please look after me, Lady Fee."

"Fee is fine. Since you're Master Yuri's sister, you're a master to Fee too."

"T-Thank you, Fee-san."

I felt a wave of relief seeing that they would likely get along.

---

That night, while I was diligently working on Magic Stones without a care in the world, Fritz dropped by.

"What on earth is with that Shovel? I killed an Earth Dragon with it like it was nothing."

"I told you it had an Anti-Earth Effect, didn't I? It's extremely effective against things like Earth Dragons."

"That’s the first I've heard of it. Also, the moment that thing died, I felt this intense, sharp pain. Is that Shovel cursed or something?"

"Of course not. ...No, wait."

I stared intently at Fritz. Even with a specialized weapon, he had defeated a high-tier enemy; it was only natural his Level would skyrocket. The sudden surge in power had likely caused Growing Pains.

Looking at him, his Level had jumped by more than ten.

"I see. I know why you were in pain. It’s nothing harmful, so don't worry about it. Is that all you came to tell me?"

"No, that was just a side note. I’m thinking of heading back to the Town of Nest for a bit."

He probably thought I’d turn him down because we were so short on hands. He was a serious guy to the core. Technically, I wasn't even his employer; I just paid him a daily wage for the help. He was free to go whenever he wanted.

"I don't mind, but it’s already dark. You should leave tomorrow morning instead."

"...Are you sure?"

"Obviously. I don't intend to tie you down."

"But you’re short-staffed, aren't you?"

"We are always short-staffed. But you’re coming back, aren't you? Then consider it a vacation. Oh, and while you’re there, could you see if anyone in the Town of Nest wants to move here?"

I gave a self-deprecating smile, knowing there wouldn't be many takers.

"Got it. I don't know how many I'll find, but I'll spread the word at the Mercenary Guild."

"I’m counting on you."

"Right. One more thing... my old weapon got ruined during the fight with the Wolf. Can I take this Shovel with me?"

"No, that’s not a real weapon. I’ll make something that actually suits you by tomorrow morning."

"R-Really? You'd go that far?"

"Consider it a thank-you for everything you’ve helped me with so far."

"I appreciate it. I'll be looking forward to tomorrow then."

Fritz looked genuinely happy as he left the room. Once he was gone, I sacrificed my sleep to forge a weapon specifically for him.

---

The next morning, I woke up to find both Fee and Sasha tucked into my bed, fast asleep.

When did they sneak in?

If an assassin had come in, I’d have been dead before I could blink. Staying up late to make Fritz’s weapon was no excuse for such a lapse in security. I needed to stay sharp.

I slipped out of the covers quietly so as not to wake them and went to find Fritz. He was pacing restlessly at the village entrance.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

"No, I just got here myself."

We sounded like a couple meeting for a date. I shook off the unpleasant thought and pushed the finished weapon into his hands.

"W-What is this?"

"With your strength, you should be able to swing it easily."

I had handed him a massive sword carved from stone—a Greatsword. It was nearly as tall as he was, with a brilliant red Magic Stone embedded in the center of the blade. It came with a specialized scabbard so he could carry it on his back.

Fritz looked at it with deep suspicion. "Can I try a practice swing?"

"Go ahead."

He gripped it with both hands. It was a massive piece of equipment, and he looked a bit clumsy trying to adjust to the size, but he seemed to find a rhythm quickly.

"No light beams? No flying blades? It just feels like a really good, heavy sword. Are you sure I can have this?"

"Sorry it’s just stone. Once I can work with iron, I’ll make you a proper one. Just bear with that for now."

"Are you kidding? This is incredible. I don't have anything to give you in return, but I'll be back to settle the debt soon."

"Yeah. I’ll be waiting."

I watched Fritz until he disappeared into the distance.

Of course, there was no way a sword with a Magic Stone embedded in it was just a "normal" sword. It would take Fritz a little while after leaving the village to realize that fact.