“Regarding the future... considering the secret of you being a Child of God, I’ve decided to dispatch another person from the ducal house to serve as your subordinate, Ryoma-kun.”
“Aside from Mr. Yudum?”
I didn't have a problem with the idea itself, but if it were a matter of technical assistance, Yudum was already filling that role. Furthermore, to keep my secret safe, I thought it would be better to limit the number of people who knew the truth. However, as it turned out, I wouldn't need to disclose my status as a Child of God to this new person.
“On paper, her position will be the same—an assistant technician—but her role will primarily be that of your ‘secretary.’ I want her to act as an intermediary for interactions with us and other relevant parties, handling negotiations with the outside world. Yudum-kun isn’t bad at what he does, but I believe you need someone who can focus entirely on communication and diplomacy.
You see, your name became quite well-known after the incidents at the end of last year. As you continue to build your track record as a technician, it’s highly likely other nobles will try to make contact.”
“Even though I’m already a technician for the ducal house?”
“They likely won’t try to recruit you outright, but they’ll frame it as a ‘request’ for aid because they’re in trouble. Normally, such things would go through the noble house acting as your patron, but there are always those who try to bypass the rules... You can safely assume that any noble who attempts to approach you directly like that is someone you’d rather avoid.
Technicians who run shops in the city or own workshops have easily identifiable bases, making them high-priority targets for contact. When those sorts of people come demanding an audience, you won’t want to deal with every single one of them personally, will you?”
I certainly wanted to be spared from that.
“Neither as a duke nor as an individual do I welcome such interference. And you mentioned a man named Calm-kun? He is an excellent merchant, but he is still a common citizen. In these matters, it’s much smoother when a noble deals with another noble. It serves as a deterrent to keep them from trying anything foolish.”
An eye for an eye, or perhaps leaving it to the professionals. Either way, his explanation was convincing, and I decided to accept the generous offer. However, that left me wondering if I would be able to get along with this new person.
“Is that person, by any chance, the maid from earlier?”
“Oh, you’re quite perceptive.”
“At first, I thought you had just brought a stranger along to confirm the curse’s effects. But after hearing your explanation, I figured you wouldn’t bring in someone random and needlessly increase the number of people in contact with me.”
“True. While I did want to confirm the curse, I intended to take the time to introduce her properly once we knew there were no issues. Her name is Eleonora Lansol. Does the name ring a bell?”
The name... If I recalled correctly, during the chaos at the end of last year, the noble who owned the gold mine acting as the enemy’s funding source was Baron Lansol. When I asked for confirmation, they told me she was indeed the eldest daughter of that house.
“Is this really alright? I don't doubt your judgment, but...”
“It’s a natural concern. I’ll explain the circumstances,” Elise-san offered.
And so, I listened as the Madam laid out the details. To summarize:
First, her family, the House of Baron Lansol, had long been under the thumb of more powerful nobles who exploited the profits from their gold mine. Despite this oppressive environment, her father and brothers were virtuous men who did their best to manage their territory honestly. Because of their integrity, the four families that controlled them grew to despise them.
To break the spirit of her father and brothers, pressure was applied to the family, and Eleonora was forced to marry into the House of Baron Rufred—one of the four families. On the surface, it was a political marriage, but in reality, she was a hostage, treated with utter coldness.
From the very first day, she was banished to an annex of the mansion while her husband, the Baron’s son, lived a life of debauchery with various mistresses. Usually, a noble wife is expected to manage the household affairs, but she was never permitted to touch such matters. Instead, she was burdened with menial chores and forced labor.
However, the events at the end of last year led to the discovery of tax evasion and various other crimes within the Rufred family, resulting in the attainder and dismantlement of their house. While the entire family was sentenced to execution due to collective responsibility, Eleonora was saved—ironically, because of her mistreatment. It was judged that while she was married on paper, the marriage never existed in practice, and she was never in a position to participate in or even know about their criminal activities.
“So she returned to her parents' home, but there was a bit of friction there as well. Ultimately, the Jamil family took her into our custody, especially since the entire Lansol barony has now come under our direct dominion.”
“...She’s certainly had a turbulent life.”
I wasn't sure if that was the appropriate response, but it was the only thing I could say.
“While I feel for her given what she’s been through, I haven't let personal sympathy cloud my judgment of her character or skills.”
“Given her history, there’s a pragmatic side to it as well—she has no reason to betray us. For her, it might feel like she’s simply traded one master for another, but I also have a small hope that perhaps working with you might change her outlook, Ryoma-kun.”
“She did seem to have a very tense air about her. Perhaps a change of environment is exactly what she needs.”
For now, it seemed best for her to rest and recover, but she also appeared to be the serious, rigid type who might find doing nothing more stressful than working. Since she was reportedly quite capable, I figured I would ask Yudum-san to support her and keep an eye on her at first.
“I’m truly grateful for someone who can act as a shield against other nobles, so I’ll accept the offer. Is it alright if she officially begins her duties after I return from the Great Forest?”
“Of course. We’ll arrange communication methods on our end so we can handle any emergencies while you’re gone. Just contact us once you’re back in Gimul.”
“Understood.”
Once I gave my clear consent, Reinhardt-san let out a breath and finally took a sip of his tea. We had been so absorbed in the conversation that it had gone cold, but he must have been parched. He took several more sips, quickly draining the cup.
“Would you like another?”
“I would, thank you.”
As I brewed fresh tea, Reinhardt-san caught the aroma and seemed to relax completely. He had clearly put a lot of thought into how to protect me. While I was deeply grateful, I wondered if there was anything I could do in return.
When I asked, he thought for a moment before speaking.
“This might be slightly different from what you intended, Ryoma-kun, but I heard from my father about the Grave Slimes and your miasma-purifying magic. Is it true you were looking for land contaminated by miasma to use as an experimental site?”
“Yes. As long as I can secure a place for experiments and a food source for the slimes, even a temporary loan or usage rights would be a huge help. I’m not particularly interested in the land rights or management afterward.”
“In that case, those experiments alone would be a massive service to us. Dealing with miasma and the undead is an expensive endeavor, yet it’s a problem we simply cannot ignore. Assuming the person is trustworthy, any noble would be thrilled to grant permission if you were willing to handle it for them.”
I had learned this in the Town of Ghosts as well. Even if a total solution wasn't possible, there was immense demand just for thinning out the undead and maintaining the status quo.
“I’ve only heard the stories, but Ryoma-kun, I suspect you could make a very comfortable living solely through miasma removal if you put your mind to it,” Elise-san added.
“So it seems. For now, my primary interest is experimenting with slimes and magic—just seeing how much I can accomplish out of curiosity—but I do plan to focus on miasma disposal after I return from the Great Forest.”
According to the gods, miasma is toxic to nearly everything in this world, damaging the land and living things alike, but it also serves a purpose by eliminating elements that would harm the world itself. In human terms, it’s similar to white blood cells; it’s essential for the world’s maintenance, but it causes catastrophe if it increases too much.
Currently, the miasma in this world is on an upward trend, so the gods would be grateful for any purification efforts.
“Does that mean...”
“In other words, was this a mission bestowed upon you by the gods?”
Reinhardt-san finished the Madam’s sentence, his expression turning grave. I immediately shook my head to deny it.
“The gods might teach me things or suggest that ‘doing this would be a good idea,’ but they have never commanded me to do anything for their sake. They seem to make a point of not ordering humans around.
I... well, I’ve been helped a lot by the two of you and many others, and I’m just as grateful to the gods for their help. That’s why I want to pursue my own interests while hopefully repaying those debts as a result.
Besides, once I return from the Great Forest, I’ll have reached my current goal. I figured this would make for a good new objective. To put it simply, it’s self-satisfaction. It’s nothing more and nothing less.”
Thinking back, the goal of ‘going to the Great Forest’ was also something I had decided on somewhat casually because I didn't have a clear purpose after choosing to live independently. I just happened to remember my old home and decided to make it a long-term goal.
Now, it’s a goal I’ve committed to. It feels like a rite of passage—a way to settle things for myself as someone born into and living in this world.
“It’s bad for my heart when you mention the words of the gods so casually, as if they were a mundane topic... but I think I understand. Mostly,” Elise-san said with a sigh.
“If you’re going to be handling miasma, I’ll speak with Lord Rosenberg so you can have expert supervision. I’ll also scout some potential sites for you. Do you have any specific requirements? If not, there are several abandoned villages that could be restored if the miasma were cleared. I’d love for you to start there.”
Lately, I had become capable of long-distance teleportation using tamed monsters as anchors, so travel distance wasn't much of a concern. I preferred places with few people, and abandoned villages fit that perfectly. However, I wondered why he was so specific about those locations.
When I asked, Reinhardt-san explained that he was currently planning the construction of new villages and large-scale roadworks. I remembered our previous conversation about building a village to experiment with slime-based agriculture.
“That’s not the only reason. I’ve mentioned several times that monster numbers have been rising over the last few years, and His Majesty the King addressed it during the New Year’s ceremony. He told us nobles to ‘remain vigilant and ensure you can protect yourselves and your people no matter what happens.’
Because of that, more and more nobles will likely start preparing for the worst. If we suddenly start ramping up military spending or stockpiling supplies, it’ll cause panic among the populace. Many nobles also stubbornly believe they’ll be fine without evidence, so I don't think it will happen all at once... but we have to be ready for anything. The primary reason for building these new villages is to minimize the impact of these social shifts.”
If a lord increases their military strength, the resources needed to maintain it also increase. If the ducal house and other lords all try to secure those resources simultaneously while production is limited, the burden will ultimately fall on the citizens. Supply shortages, hoarding, price gouging—it’s a vicious cycle. Reinhardt-san saw this not as a possibility, but as a certainty.
Hearing this made everything click into place.
“So that’s why you were talking about building a village for agricultural experiments at the start of the year.”
“At the time, I only had the idea for the slime farming method and no concrete plan, but I knew it was the answer. I want to increase our production capacity as much as possible. Food and medicine shortages, and the price spikes that follow, are life-and-death issues.
As for the roadworks, there’s no point in having supplies if you can’t get them where they need to go. It’s not just about preparing for monsters; it’s about revitalizing trade. If the slime farming method produces a surplus, we can use it to aid other territories.”
“And just to be clear,” Elise-san added, “no respectable noble will accept aid for free. It affects the recipient’s dignity, and leaving a debt like that can lead to being leveraged in unpleasant ways later on. We always settle the debt with money or some other form of compensation, or we attach specific conditions. So, while it’s framed as ‘aid,’ it’s functionally a sale.”
If there’s a surplus, the territory prospers. Even if it doesn’t go that far, the profit from those ‘sales’ can offset other expenses. They were making moves now to safeguard the future.
I asked if there was a deadline for the miasma purification, but it seemed there was no rush. They would designate candidate sites, and if I succeeded in purifying an abandoned village, they would then decide whether to establish a new settlement there. ...Still, I wondered if villages could really be built so easily.
“If it’s a small village rather than a city, it’s actually quite simple. Provided you have the technicians, the initial capital, and a prospect for future profit, we can hire mages to assist with the clearing and construction.”
“Besides, building a new agricultural village is a massive opportunity for many people. For example, younger sons of farmers often have no house or land to inherit. If they join a new village project, it might be difficult at first, but they can eventually earn their own home and fields.”
It wasn't a guaranteed success, but it was certainly a safer and more reliable bet than becoming an adventurer. In any case, if I could help the ducal house and find a use for my slimes, it made me happy both as a technician and as a friend.
As I was thinking that, Elise-san suddenly went still.
“What is it, Elise?”
“Dear, didn’t you say you wanted to find a way to thank Ryoma-kun? Somehow, we’ve ended up in another situation where we’re the ones getting all the benefits.”
“...You’re right. It seems to turn out that way before I even realize it.”
The two of them shared a troubled smile. Given the conversation about nobles earlier, and since I’d had a similar experience recently, I could relate to how they felt. But still... I really didn't think they needed to worry so much.
The fact that the ducal house provided such a powerful safety net was a massive benefit in itself. Even in my previous life, power was a useful tool, but in this world, noble influence was absolute. That kind of peace of mind was something money simply couldn't buy.
“You’ve already helped me in so many ways, including the suggestion regarding Eleonora-san.”
“We know how you feel, Ryoma-kun. But every time we try to repay you even a little, you end up giving us back double.”
“I’m happy that you act out of pure goodwill, but it’s almost... disorienting. If we were negotiating with a corrupt noble, we’d never be caught off guard like this.”
“If I’ve earned that much of your trust, then that makes me happy too.”
When I answered from the bottom of my heart, the tension seemed to leave them, and they laughed softly before drinking their tea.
“Well, I don't think our current dynamic is a bad thing. I just don't want to jeopardize this relationship by taking too much advantage of your kindness,” Reinhardt-san said.
“I feel the same way.”
“Fufu. Then let’s set this matter aside for now. It would be counterproductive to force a repayment,” Elise-san concluded.
We were all in agreement. We shared a quiet hope that our good relationship would continue and promised to consult each other whenever the need arose.
“Now then, should we wrap up the private talk?”
“Hughes and the others mentioned wanting to speak with you before you leave for the Great Forest. They’ll be cross with us if we monopolize you too long. If you’re up for it, of course?”
“Yes... I’m fine. I want to talk with Hughes-san and the others too. As for being a Child of God, I’m still figuring out how to explain it simply. If I were to tell the whole story, it might take more than a day.”
I was reincarnated. That fact alone was simple, but to make them truly understand, I’d have to talk about Earth, about Japan, about who I was in my past life... When the moment finally came where I felt I could talk about it, I realized there was so much I wanted to share that it was almost overwhelming.
“I’ll have my story summarized by the time I eventually tell Elia.”
“Understood. We’ll make sure to set aside plenty of time to listen when that day comes.”
The secret meeting ended on a warm note. Reinhardt-san closed the lid of the magic tool, and the soundproofing spell deactivated. When I called out that we were finished, the others who had been waiting in the next room came inside.
After that, I spent time talking with everyone.
I received the medical report from Lord Rosenberg and discussed the miasma purification for after my return. He seemed a bit surprised by the proposal but readily agreed to cooperate. To my surprise, he was even more enthusiastic than I’d expected. Apparently, curse specialists and exorcists were far rarer than I had thought, and the constant demand meant they were perpetually overworked.
I greeted Eleonora-san again, and it was clear she was still pushing herself. She mentioned that the protective magic she’d been given had neutralized the discomfort of the curse, but she still looked physically unwell. However, the moment I mentioned her role as a secretary, she immediately began asking for instructions.
Since some people find it unbearable to do nothing, I gave her a few simple tasks to focus on, but I primarily told her to take it easy and rest.
Finally, the four guards were their usual selves. They told me how worried they’d been when they heard about the curse and said how glad they were to see me looking healthy. We talked about the Great Forest and my plans, and I listened to their recent news... The time passed delightfully.
“Well then, stay safe.”
“Make sure to contact us the moment you’re back.”
Before the sun could set, they began their journey home. The goodbyes were brief and casual, but I could feel their encouragement and their prayers for my safety. I was the one seeing the guests off, yet at the same time, I felt as though I was the one being sent on my way—it was a strange, heartening sensation.
...Everything was in order.
With a clear heart, I would head for the Great Forest.
And when I finished my journey, I would return to this home.