The Work of My Companions

I decided my first priority was to build temporary housing for the newcomers, Dozul and Rick.

That said, if I used magic, the job would be over in an instant...

"No more magic today," Fee said firmly.

My plans were immediately derailed.

"Why? I took a nice, long rest just now, didn't I?"

"Lord Yuri, you were using magic until the sun came up this morning. You still haven't rested enough."

"That isn’t true. My Magic Power has recovered completely."

"This is your punishment for being reckless. Now, you are going to rest. Leave today’s work to Fee and the others."

I found myself forced into a mandatory break. But is it really okay to leave everything to them? I couldn't shake a sliver of anxiety. Maybe if I just slip away and secretly—

"Rick-san is going to build the house. Fee was told to keep a close eye on you."

"A-Ahaha... I wasn't trying to use magic or anything, you know?"

"I haven't said anything yet."

I had definitely dug my own grave there.

"As I thought. Fee has to watch you."

"Alright, I get it. Fine. I’ll just watch Rick work from a distance. Is that okay?"

"Then I will allow it."

For some reason, I now required Fee’s permission for my every move, but seeing the new man, Rick, in action was a good opportunity. Reluctantly, I let Fee lead the way toward him.

By the time we arrived, Rick had already begun construction. It was a simple, log-house-style structure made by fitting timber together, but the progress was impressive.

"Rick, any problems?"

When I called out to ask if he found life in this territory inconvenient, he let out a strangled, silent gasp.

"...!?"

"Whoa, watch out!"

I used magic to levitate a log that Rick had nearly dropped on himself. Fee looked displeased at my use of magic, but since it was an emergency, she held her tongue.

"Careful. It’ll be a disaster if you drop one of those."

"S-S-Sorry..."

He was still incredibly nervous. When I cautioned him, he practically shrank into himself. Rick was supposed to be much larger than me, yet he somehow looked small.

"No, I’m the one who should apologize for shouting so suddenly."

He seemed so terribly apologetic that I actually started to feel guilty.

"N-No, it’s not..."

"So, you’re building the house already? You only just arrived. Aren't you tired?"

"Me... my only merit is my strength..."

"It certainly is incredible."

True to his race as a Kijin, his physical power was the real deal. It was a shame he couldn't fight, but that was just the way things were.

Name: Rick Gender: Male Age: 25 Race: Kijin Occupation: Farmer Level: 12 HP: 113/113 (A) MP: 5/5 (E) Attack: 26 (A) Defense: 13 (B) Agility: 7 (D) Magic Power: 3 (E)

[Skills] Kind Heart: 10 (EX) Farming: 3 (D) Carpentry: 1 (E)

[Magic] Earth: 1 (E)

As expected of a Kijin, his Attack value was higher than Fritz’s, and Fritz possessed the Superhuman Strength skill. However, what really caught my eye was a skill I had never seen in the original story. What on earth is this?

I focused on the skill name to pull up the details. I was thankful the system worked the same as it did in the game.

Kind Heart: A soul that values others. Because the user abhors violence, they cannot manifest their strength in combat, reducing all stats to one-tenth of their value. However, should a companion be harmed, that kindness explodes into a rage that triples all stats.

The multiplier for the buff seemed a bit low compared to how heavy the debuff was, but considering his base stats were already high, the end result would be monstrous. Still, I shouldn't force him to fight. The man said it himself—he doesn't want to.

More importantly, the fact that he had the Farming skill was a wonderful surprise. Though, for now, he was stuck with Carpentry duty...

"Is there anything I can help with? I can lend a hand."

"I’ll be fine... on my own."

He was probably right. Standing here talking to him was likely just getting in his way.

"If you need anything at all, just let me know."

"Understood."

I realized then that I didn't need to force myself to use magic for everything. I had to learn to rely on others. Perhaps that was the lesson Fee was trying to hammer into me.

With that thought in mind, I headed toward Dozul.

---

"Well, shall we go home?"

"That would be best," Fee agreed.

As soon as we spotted Dozul, we performed a crisp about-face to head back to our house.

"Wait, wait! Where are you going!?"

Dozul had spotted us.

"I just thought you looked busy."

"It’s because you won't teach me how to build this Mock Refrigerator!"

I didn't know if he’d taken it from Alan or not, but Dozul was currently nuzzling the refrigerated box I’d built. I felt bad for interfering—honestly, I just didn't want to get close to whatever that was—but he caught me anyway.

"I showed you how I made it, didn't I?"

"I cannot replicate something forged with such nonsensical magic!"

"Well, it wasn't exactly designed for mass production..."

The refrigerator had already been upgraded into a massive Freezer. If I showed him that, Dozul would probably crawl inside and never come out.

"More importantly, can you handle the Blacksmithing?"

"How can I smith without a smithy? While the merchant and the Kijin get things ready, I’ll be out gathering ore. I want to find iron, at the very least."

"I see... In that case, do you want to use this?"

I pulled out a Stone Pickaxe. Fee gave me a dubious look.

"You’re making things I don't know about again..."

"I-It just happened to turn out that way."

While I was desperately making excuses to Fee, Dozul took a massive swing at the ground with the Pickaxe. A hole opened up instantly, looking more like a pitfall trap than a mine.

"Ooh! Is this... a Legendary Pickaxe!?"

Dozul held the tool aloft, tears streaming down his face. He was definitely exaggerating, but that was Dozul for you.

"It’s just a Pickaxe. It’s made of stone, so don't get mad when it breaks, okay?"

"You call this a mere Pickaxe!? Do you think my eyes are made of glass!?"

"No, really, I just used stone and a Magic Stone..."

I was telling the literal truth, but he refused to believe me.

"Regardless! Even if you ask for this back, I’m not giving it! Do you hear me!?"

"Of course. Just use it to find us plenty of ore."

"Hyah-haaaa! I’m going to dig and dig until there’s nothing left to dig!"

Dozul sprinted off, cackling with the Pickaxe held high. I was a little disturbed by the sight, but if he was happy, I suppose I was too.

---

Rick and Dozul had only just arrived, but they seemed to be settling into the territory remarkably well.

"Well then, I think it’s about time I—"

"No."

"I didn't even say anything!"

"Lord Yuri was going to try to work again. Delegating to others is also the job of a Lord."

"But at least let me do the things only I can do."

The area inside the moat was becoming quite safe. Thanks to Rick handling the housing, I had the mental bandwidth to think about the town's infrastructure and defense. As for tools, Dozul would manage once the facilities were ready.

That left the most pressing issue: the installation of Water and Sewerage.

I wanted to draw water from the nearby river using a Water Pipe. It was something the Romans did, and with Stone Pipes, I could replicate it. The Sewerage followed the same logic. If I could establish those two systems, the town's living standards would skyrocket.

However, to do it right, I needed someone who could survey the land. I thought I might be able to wing it, but I wasn't an expert, and the fine details eluded me. I was starting to think about asking Alan to bring me some surveying equipment.

"What do you think, Fee? A well would work, but I’d rather have a full water supply system."

"Fee doesn't really understand, but wouldn't those cold boxes work?"

"Charging a Magic Stone with Magic Power? I mean, we could, but then Sasha or I would have to go to every single house every day to recharge them, right?"

"Is that how it works? Then no, that's no good."

"Exactly. I’ll have to be the one to make the Water Pipes with magic, but once they’re laid, anyone can use them. That’s why..."

"You will work hard on them starting tomorrow."

She was a brick wall. She wasn't going to let me use magic today, no matter what.

"Fine, fine. I’ll take my time with it."

Resigned, I turned to head home, but Fee suddenly stopped.

"Is something wrong?"

"Who's there!?" she barked.

I hadn't noticed a thing until she spoke, but now I felt it—a faint, lingering presence nearby. It was skillfully hidden, which meant it was highly unlikely to be an ally.

As if responding to Fee’s voice, a young man in jet-black clothes stepped out from the shadow of a building. He was a demon.

"Oh? I thought I had gone unnoticed, but it seems a beast’s nose is sharper than I anticipated."

The youth stopped suppressing his presence. In the next heartbeat, a wave of pressure hit me so hard I nearly recoiled.

"Who are you?"

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Sagesse, a Staff Officer of the Trismalis Demon Kingdom. Though, I suppose that is irrelevant to those about to disappear from this world."

Sagesse flashed a thin, cruel smile. He unsheathed his claws and vanished, lunging toward us in a blur of black—