Capítulo 46: Update

Moira froze. That shameless bastard!

Her face had turned fiery red before sending multiple murderous glances at Derrick, who didn't back down and kept smirking.

He knew that her pride would never let her be tied to a man, so he had instead decided to 'claim' her.

He still refused to involve himself emotionally, although with difficulty now due to Lacha, but he was determined to get all the beauties the world had to offer.

Just imagining a palace full of these women made him slightly smile. Death really could change a man...

Julio, who was standing next to his daughter, silently sighed.

He was against his daughter being forced into a relationship, especially to a cold-blooded killer, but Derrick had already stated he wouldn't touch her and wouldn't force her to do anything she disliked, meaning he had no reason to fervently oppose the relationship.

On top of this, the necromancer was excessively strong, meaning she would never come into harms way.

In a sense, it reassured him. She wasn't getting any younger, and she hadn't found any interest in the men of Yamato. Getting a husband at this stage would relieve the burden imposed on his lineage if she came to accept him.

Overall, the situation wasn't all bad.

Murmurs had exploded throughout the crowd. When had the Miss eloped with the man? The situation made her blush in anger and embarrassment.

Derrick loudly coughed on stage, bringing back the focus to himself.

"Now that you've heard of our current and future facilities, I hope you'll dedicate yourselves to Akata's future. I do not demand anything but the best version of yourselves. Together, we will usher a new era on this war-ridden land and will take back our dignities. I sincerely hope that the residents will help the new folks settle in! Oh, and before I forget, there's one person missing on this stage. It's the General of the Army, Eloise. She is currently indisposed and will present herself later. Everyone is dismissed"

He turned around and left the platform with the group, leaving behind an excited crowd.

"Jack, give me a report on the progress you've made"

"Your Highness, we're right on schedule. We are halfway done with the Military Quarters, and we will start building the school afterward"

"Great! Gather new workers from the new arrivals. We need to make more houses"

"Yes, Your Highness. Also, our food supply is beginning to dwindle too fast due to our farming land's limitations. May I have your permission to clear more lands and expand our operations in the forest?"

Derrick pondered a bit before answering.

"Yes, but only do so with the presence of soldiers. There are dangers and monsters lurking, and we can't afford to lose anyone. Also, I have a new project for you"

Derrick quickly ran through his mind and found the Iron mine, which was located to the south of Akata.

"How long would it take to build a three kilometers long road?"

Jack's face contracted weirdly at the request, as if his stomach had just been turned upside down...

His ruler really was someone unreasonable to the extreme!

While crunching the numbers and trying to take every variable into account, he finally spoke.

"Your Highness, I believe that, with all our teams on deck, we could achieve this in a week. However, it would be very crude and without any defenses to protect it"

Derrick realized how demanding he was, but it was vital for the village's development. They needed raw materials to modernize every sector, be it the agriculture, military etc.

As for the security, he wasn't worried about it since he would be accompanying, with soldiers, the miners himself.

He'd also ask for a few sheds to be built, and for the food to be sent from Akata via carriages. The same carriages would also be used to bring back the mined materials to the village.

"It's fine, set up the plans. Now, Fomamli, how about you? Has your progress been smooth?"

The dwarf, who had remained silent, beamed with pride when he asked.

"Yes Master! I've been steadily improving, with the 150 sets of iron armor done, ready to be distributed. I'm now slowly making my way through the bronze sets"

Derrick was pleased.

When it came to the military side of things, he had heard of the tournament organized by Eloise, finding his subordinate quick-witted. He had only given her vague instructions, thus letting her imagination figure out their implementations.

However, Thomas' awakening as a Berserker had ruined it, leaving the results hanging. He would have to ask Atta to conclude the exercise and determine the winners while Eloise recovered.

"William, I assume you've been inquiring on whom you'd be teaching?"

"Yes. I've already chosen the first class of students who'd benefit the most, and I can't wait to get started! It has been too long since I've really felt useful"

"I'm happy you feel that way. Well, you can go now. I'll be eagerly awaiting the results"

With a bow, they dispersed, leaving behind Lacha and Derrick.

"I'm sorry for making you work from home... Once everything is done, I'll give you a proper workplace like the others"

Lacha laughed. It appeared that Derrick was a self-conscious fellow.

"Don't worry... As long as I can help people, I'm fine"

"Don't say that... If people saw that I neglected my wife, what would they think?"

He winked at her, making her slightly blush, but that was when she also hit him, utterly confusing him.

"A new wife, uh?"

Derrick's face twisted when he heard the remark, having already forgotten the stunt he had pulled earlier.

The concept of polygamy was new to him, so this was completely uncharted territory.

"You wouldn't be jealous, would you?"

After getting back his composure, he went on the offensive.

Lacha's face flushed, incapable of replying. Was it really jealousy? She hadn't even slept with the man, so how could she be jealous?

Her reaction made Derrick giggle.

"Please watch over her. She's quite unruly, so your patience might be tested"

Lacha nodded and before leaving her side, Derrick awkwardly decided to give her a kiss on the forehead, freezing her in her tracks. He immediately left afterward, not wanting to see her reaction.

"Ah... What am I going to do with him..."

***

After tasking Atta with Eloise's responsibilities, Derrick finally had time to think for himself.

First, he had to personally train Thomas.

He was sure that nobody in this place possessed knowledge on Berserkers, meaning that he would be in charge of drawing its utmost potential. Such a trump card couldn't be neglected now that he knew the amount of damage it could inflict.

Second, the finances. The end of the month drew near, which meant he was set to receive a payday of 500 gold coins from Brigand. Of course, this implied he had to craft weapons to sell at the auction, which he would take care of later.

Finally, the expansion of the territory. The core of the town was slowly solidifying itself, meaning they would soon have to go outwards. This would require several patrols and heavy surveillance to avoid enemy and monster attacks.

After thinking some more, he had a brilliant idea.

Why not combine all three problems into one solution?

It was time to go hunting.