Ren and Granny Rigu spent a long time catching up, both clearly delighted by their reunion.
"The village has become so beautiful now. Not a day goes by that I don't feel grateful to the young master," she said warmly.
"No, it’s not just me. It’s thanks to Lord Lezard—I mean, the Baron."
"It is certainly thanks to the Baron as well. However, the Master has told me many times how hard you’ve been working for us."
"Wait, from Dad?"
"Yes. Every time a letter arrives from you, he runs all over the village bragging about it to anyone who will listen."
Ren was happy to hear they were pleased, but at the same time, knowing his father was so overjoyed by a single letter was deeply embarrassing.
"...Well, in that case, I'm glad I did it."
He felt a pang of loneliness being away from home, but if the village prospered and the people lived better lives because of his efforts, he knew he had made the right choice. He felt a renewed sense of purpose; he would keep doing his best for them.
"Recently, even merchants have started stopping by," Granny Rigu added.
It had been extremely rare for merchants to visit this village in the past. In fact, Ren had never even seen one while he was growing up there. Yet according to Granny Rigu, they now visited at least once a month.
"They come not only to bring construction materials but for trade as well."
"Ah, so that's why there were so many more types of food than before."
"Indeed. The Madam was very pleased about that."
Perhaps because the village was undergoing such massive development, merchants had sensed an opportunity for profit. It was a happy development that Ren hadn't fully anticipated.
"If we had a local specialty, do you think the village would get even livelier?"
"Well... that might be difficult to find around here."
Finding a unique product was a struggle for many villages, not just theirs. Ren gave a wry smile at his own naive suggestion, muttered a quiet "I guess so," and gave his back a long, satisfying stretch.
Several hours later, Ren was walking along that same path. Under the spring sunlight pouring down from the zenith, he headed toward the wall construction site with Roy.
"Granny Rigu told me that merchants have started frequenting the village."
"Yeah. It's all thanks to you and the Baron," Roy said, grinning broadly. "With the road being paved, it’s much more convenient for them."
"Even so, do they really come all the way out to the frontier like this?"
"According to the knights, the area around this village is surprisingly strategic in various ways."
Even within the Clausel Territory, which was already considered the countryside, the Ashton village sat in a particularly remote corner. Until recently, there had been no reason for merchants to visit. However, the new road changed everything.
"The merchants say this village can become a new transit point. Once the road is finished, they can travel more safely than they used to."
Merchants traveled from the town of Clausel through the nearby settlements to the Former Viscount Given's Territory. For adventurers, too, the development around the village was a welcome change. As more adventurers visited, the local economy would only grow more vibrant.
"I thought it would get even busier if we had a local specialty, but..."
"Haha! It looks like we'll be plenty busy even without one."
The monsters living near the village were mostly weak, but there was always a steady demand for their materials. For instance, Little Boar fur made for affordable cold-weather gear, and the meat was delicious. While materials from weak monsters traded for low prices, they were essential for the daily lives of commoners. Roy mentioned that hunting them was good work for novice adventurers, or even veterans looking to make some extra coin on the side.
"The tax revenue from the village will increase, and that will make the Baron happy too."
"True. But it sounds like your workload is going to increase as well, Dad."
"...Wait, what?"
"It's only natural. If the village gets livelier and more merchants and adventurers start stopping by, you'll have a lot more to manage."
"Dammit... I completely forgot about that."
Roy clutched his head as they walked. Seeing his father react so predictably to the prospect of paperwork made Ren smile, but then he turned thoughtful.
But—I see.
As the village developed, the responsibilities would grow proportionally. Ren realized he couldn't just stop at sending money home; as a member of the Ashton Family, he had to think about the long-term future. If the village eventually grew to the size of a town...
I can't stay the way I am either.
He realized he needed to learn much more.
I’ve been focused on honing my skills and earning money, but that's not enough.
He thought about the day he would eventually inherit the headship of the family. If the village continued to expand at this rate, he was woefully unprepared for the administrative duties that would follow.
A few days later, the scene shifted to Erendil, near the Imperial Capital.
Known as the Town of Prayer, its main thoroughfares were crowded with people. The city was large, steeped in history and atmosphere, boasting a bustle befitting a major urban center near the capital.
At noon that day, Licia was exploring the town, accompanied by Weiss. Having finished her duties early that morning, she decided to take the opportunity to see the sights.
"It really is a world apart from Clausel."
"It is a historic town, after all. I look forward to the day you inherit it, Young Lady."
"Oh, I might just appoint an acting governor, the same as my father did."
"That is only natural for a noble with multiple holdings. Nevertheless, you will still be the sovereign of this land."
The two continued their conversation while browsing the stalls lining the main street.
"For that reason, you should eventually attend a proper school, Young Lady."
"You mean something like the Imperial Academy?"
"Indeed. Graduating from such an institution would grant you significant prestige as the future ruler of Erendil."
Licia nodded at Weiss’s words and whispered to herself.
"—Come to think of it, I wonder why Ren was so adamant about avoiding that academy."
Just as she tilted her head in thought, a commotion broke out from a corner of the main street. Licia didn't hesitate; she ran toward the shouting, with Weiss close at heel.
They reached a crowd gathered near a narrow alleyway. From what she could gather, a snatcher had just fled into the backstreets, and a young girl had already given chase.
"Weiss, let’s go!"
"Y-Young Lady—Good grief, I suppose we have no choice!"
Licia sprinted into the alley before Weiss could protest. The narrow path echoed with the sounds of footsteps. The bustle of the main street vanished instantly, replaced by a strange, quiet tension.
"That way!" Licia pointed, running in a different direction from the shouting.
"We’re going to head him off."
"I see. A pincer movement."
Trusting that the other pursuers would keep the thief moving, they moved to intercept. Licia and Weiss navigated the maze of alleys until the sound of running feet grew louder again. Reaching their destination just in time, they stood ready with their hands on their swords.
Finally, the snatcher burst around the corner.
"W-Who the hell are you!?"
The man looked like a disgraced adventurer, clad in mismatched monster-material gear. He clutched an expensive-looking bag under one arm—clearly his haul. As he ran, he reached into his tunic and brandished a knife.
"...Say, Weiss. Is the public order in Erendil this bad?"
"It is actually quite good by Leomel standards. But criminals exist everywhere, even in Clausel."
"I suppose you're right. Then I shouldn't be surprised."
Licia sighed and took a step forward. Before Weiss could intervene, she raised her hand. A dazzling flash of holy light erupted from her palm. While the spell carried no lethal force, the sudden brilliance blinded the man, causing him to stumble over his own feet.
"G-Gwah!?"
The man tumbled across the cobblestones, sliding right to Weiss’s feet.
"Can you handle the rest?"
"Certainly. Leave it to me."
The capture was effortless. Before the man could recover, Weiss pinned his arms behind his back. Restrained by the knight’s immense strength, the thief let out a pathetic wail that made Licia roll her eyes.
"Now, let us return to the street—oh? It seems the other pursuer has arrived."
The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. As the daughter of the future lord of this town, Licia felt she should thank whoever had been chasing the criminal. However, when the girl finally appeared, Licia blinked in surprise.
Weiss, realizing the situation as well, gave a wry smile while keeping the man pinned.
The girl skidded to a halt, nearly losing her balance when she saw Licia and Weiss.
"Hey! What's going on—"
The girl looked up at Licia and froze.
"—Li-Licia Clausel?! What are you doing here?!"
Her beautiful face was a mask of pure shock. She took a moment to catch her breath, smoothing back her disheveled brown hair and straightening her posture.
Licia smiled triumphantly at the brown-haired girl.
"My father governs this town, so it’s hardly strange for me to be here."
Licia reached out a hand to her.
"It’s been a long time—Sera."
The scene moved from the alleyway to the front of the Knights' Guardhouse in Erendil.
Given its proximity to the Imperial Capital, the town was patrolled not only by the lord’s knights but also by knights of the Leomel central army. The guardhouse served as their base and included holding cells for criminals.
After handing the snatcher over to the authorities, Weiss spoke to Licia.
"Young Lady, we should leave the rest to the knights."
"Yes, you're right."
Licia turned to the girl she had called Sera.
"Thank you, Sera. I appreciate the help."
"It was nothing," Sera replied, waving it off. "I only did what was expected of me as a member of an Archduke Family."
Among the Seven Heroes was a legendary swordsman named Gajir Riohalde. He was a man said to have surpassed even the Hero in pure technique and had performed countless feats during the war against the Demon King.
Sera was a daughter of the Riohalde Family, a direct descendant of Gajir. In the stories of the Seven Heroes, she was portrayed as a central heroine, beloved for her bright and energetic personality.
Naturally, the Riohalde Family was a cornerstone of the Hero Faction. Despite their families' political differences, Sera and Licia—a daughter of the Neutral Faction—knew each other very well for a specific reason.