章 2: Let's Make This Our First Settlement
Noein has a twisted personality. There are two possible reasons for this.
One is a lack of communication experience.
He didn't know parental love, and his only conversation partners were the servants of the Earldom. Even those servants, while speaking politely on the surface, looked down on Noein behind his back as "the concubine's child." Noein had sensed this from an early age.
After being confined to the detached house at the age of nine, he barely spoke to anyone other than Matilda, the slave assigned as his personal caretaker. It would be more difficult to develop a normal personality under such circumstances.
The other reason is blood.
Noein is the child of that petty and neurotic father and the mother who used his father to become a concubine, indulged in luxury, and died. It's easy to believe that he was born with a twisted personality.
However, despite his upbringing and innate temperament, Noein also possessed ordinary human affection and kindness. Although, these emotions had only been directed towards Matilda, his only confidante, until now.
Therefore, he intends to manage his territory seriously and care for his people in his own way. Unlike that shitty father who ruled the Earldom with an iron fist.
"That being said, the Arkwright territory is just a forest right now. There are no people to care for, and we don't even have a house to live in. It's quite amusing, isn't it, Matilda?"
"Yes, Master Noein."
Noein, who sat down looking exhausted after walking through the difficult terrain of the forest, said this to the devoted slave who brought a leather bag of water to his lips.
It hadn't even been 30 minutes since they entered the forest. In terms of distance, they probably hadn't walked even 1km, but for Noein, who had spent his growth period mostly confined to the detached house of the Earldom, it was a harsh journey.
On the other hand, Matilda, being a beastman, had natural stamina, so this level of movement didn't tire her much.
"...Master Noein, would you like me to carry you on my back?"
"Thank you, Matilda. But I'll walk on my own two feet. This is my territory, after all."
It would be unbecoming of a lord to be carried by a slave on the first day he set foot in his own territory.
No one other than Matilda was watching, but Noein stood up again on his own feet with such self-satisfied stubbornness in his heart.
...
They continued to advance through the forest, letting the golems lead the way, and before long—at least before Noein reached his physical limit and collapsed—they reached a river.
This river, flowing from northwest to southeast through the forest, wasn't particularly large, but it had a sufficient volume of water to be used as a water source, and the water was clear.
"Master Noein, shall we establish a base by this river?"
"It's dangerous to be too close to the river when it rains. Let's look for a place that's easier to develop, further north of here."
"I see, that's a wonderful judgment. As expected of Master Noein."
While accepting the words of the slave who blindly affirmed everything he said, Noein manipulated the golems to head north.
Then, they stopped a short distance from the river. There was a slightly more open space there.
"This is good. Let's make this the first settlement of our Arkwright territory."
Noein declared this in the forest where there was no one but the lord himself, his slave, and the silent golems.
...
It was still before noon, but Noein's weak legs and back were already screaming, even though they had only entered the forest in the morning.
Ideally, he wanted to investigate the surrounding area, but it would be difficult to move any further today.
In that case, he had no choice but to do what he could while staying here.
"Master Noein, you must be tired. Let me make you some tea."
"Ah, thank you. I'm sorry for having to rest so soon because of my lack of stamina, Matilda."
"There's no need for you to apologize, Master Noein. My only duty is to attend to you."
Matilda said words befitting a model attendant and skillfully prepared to make tea while her rabbit ears twitched.
She poured water from a leather bag into an iron pot and inserted a rod-shaped tool with a bluish-purple magic stone embedded in it.
As the magic stone part emitted a blue light... steam rose from the pot that had been filled with lukewarm water until just now, and the sound of boiling water bubbled up.
Having boiled the water with the "Fire Magic: Boil" magic tool, Matilda steeped tea leaves from the southern part of the kingdom in it, and when the aroma and color came out, she poured the tea into two wooden cups.
"Here you go, Master Noein."
"Thank you. It smells good. The tea you make is always delicious, Matilda."
"I'm honored to receive your praise."
When Noein smiled with a gentle expression he never showed to other humans, Matilda also showed a shy expression she never showed to other humans.
It was March. As this was the northern part of the kingdom, the air was still a little chilly.
Warming himself with the fragrant tea and soothing his spirit, which had been exhausted by the journey that was quite harsh for someone with his lack of stamina, Noein looked at the scene before him.
Matilda sat beside him with her own cup in hand, watching the same scene as her master, but her sensitive ears were alert to the surroundings. They were in the middle of a forest where monsters also lived.
The two golems removed fallen branches and stones from the clearing that Noein had designated as the settlement, pulled out conspicuous weeds, and flattened the uneven ground by trampling it with their feet.
By the time they finished their tea and rest, a small but flat piece of land had been created.
"With this, we have enough space to pitch a tent and create a small farming area."
Next was setting up the tent that would be their temporary dwelling.
It was originally a heavy task that would require several people, but with the golems, it wasn't particularly difficult.
They erected poles, assembled the framework, stretched a thick curtain, and a tent large enough for Noein and Matilda to sleep comfortably was completed.
...
"A lord living in a tent. How amusing."
"Master Noein is a wonderful person. This is just the beginning. This place will eventually become a town, and Master Noein will live in a splendid mansion."
"Yes, that needs to happen as soon as possible... I'm making you go through a lot, Matilda."
"Not at all. My place is by your side, Master Noein."
They exchanged such words while spreading fur inside the completed tent, transferring clothes and daily necessities from the cart, and making it look like a proper dwelling.
After carrying the luggage, they stretched threads between the surrounding trees and hung several iron rods from them.
This way, they would be able to hear if monsters approached. With her good hearing and keen senses, Matilda would surely not miss it.
"Now, what should we do tomorrow?"
There was so little in this territory.
Create fields. Expand the flat land. Explore the surroundings. There were too many things to do.
When there were too many choices for action, it was difficult to get started.
"Well, it doesn't matter. The first priority is to recover from today's fatigue. If I rest well, my mind will be clearer."
It was almost evening. Noein nibbled on the bread and dried meat he had bought in the town of the Viscountcy of Konitz that morning, drank the tea Matilda had made for him again, and entered the tent to go to sleep early.
"Come, Matilda."
"Yes, Master Noein."
Matilda was a domestic slave who took care of Noein's daily needs, a guard slave who used her physical abilities to protect him, and a pet slave who healed his body and mind.
Called by Noein in a gentle voice, Matilda smiled and snuggled up next to him.
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