Chapter 144: Descision
I head towards the town Female Knight told about.
It’s close enough to this village to walk there.
Villager: “Ah, it’s the Hero of the Shield!”
When I head to the village, I find that construction is already underway. Many people are working on salvaging the pre-existing buildings here, and so are starting construction on new ones. So people stop what they’re doing, and co over to greet .
I put on my best business smile to et them. The leader of the group seems to be a youth from Ryut village.
Naofumi: “I’ve heard about your situation. Have any problems surfaced yet?”
Leader: “Well… There’s a river and a well nearby, and food circulation is going quite smoothly. If I had to ntion a problem, it would be that the managent of personnel is difficult.”
Naofumi: “I see.”
Leader: “It seems there have been so disputes over property rights here and there.”
Naofumi: “Fumu…”
Well, this was a town whose buildings were all destroyed in the wave.
What’s more, the town is undergoing restorations under the supervision of a Hero. So people will probably try to arbitrarily claim so land as their own.
Naofumi: “Even if they used to live here, it doesn’t matter. Please have anyone without the intention to cooperate leave the premise.”
As I declare this, so people seem to rise to object, but they quickly give up.
Naofumi: “Also, if you need to extend past the boundaries of the village, feel free to do so.”
I then begin to consider the possibility of flooding.
I will need soone to manage the roads, but I don’t think there are many people knowledgeable in that field.
Naofumi: “Anyways, for now try to build while focusing on bringing new businesses here, and expand accordingly. Also, we will need to build so inns.”
Leader: “Understood!”
No matter how reparations proceed, getting businesses will be essential. They should build while keeping this in mind.
Naofumi: “Next, we’ll need so sort of security force.”
For now, we are leaving this to the Castle’s guards, but I eventually plan to leave it to the slaves who wish to fight in the wave.
That way, it will be easier to reprimand them for excessive behavior.
Leader: “We’re getting new applicants who want to live here by the day.”
Naofumi: “It will be troubleso if they start gathering at my village, though.”
Leader: “The Female Knight that was with you spread the rumor that this village was your actual base of operations.”
That Knight does good work. I should probably ask for her na at so point in ti.
I can hear hamrs pounding away as people resu their work.
Magic Shopkeeper: “Ah, aren’t you the Shield Hero kid?”
Naofumi: “Hm?”
I turn around and see the old lady from the Magic Shop coming towards . Ah, yeah. A lot of people had co here from Ryut Village. It’s not strange that she would join them.
Naofumi: “Ah, you’re from the Magic Shop. The shop collapsed, right?”
Magic Shopkeeper: “Well, yeah…”
Naofumi: “Did you co here to help with your family?”
Magic Shopkeeper: “I’m currently helping feed the workers.”
Naofumi: “I see… By the way, how are the repairs on your store going?”
Magic Shopkeeper: “I don’t know when they will be finished, but there are quite a few people in the Castle Town waiting expectantly for its reopening.”
With all the damage done to it, I guess re-opening will take a while.
Though the Queen is doing her best to help, the country’s manpower and resources suffered a large loss.
Magic Shopkeeper: “If possible, I would like to set up shop here for a bit…”
Naofumi: “A magic shop will be an important asset. I’ll give you special permission.”
Magic Shopkeeper: “I am very grateful for your words.”
Naofumi: “But only after we get so usable buildings completed.”
Magic Shopkeeper: “I’ll wait expectantly.”
Naofumi: “Don’t worry. Oh, and if you have any free ti, can you co to the neighboring village and teach so magic?”
So slaves have begun learning from books, but there’s a limit to self-study. We also don’t know anybody’s magical affinities. It will probably best to ask an expert in the field.
Recently I have been considering constructing a school-like institution.
Right now, the slaves are learning combat from Female Knight and Rafatalia outdoors, but having a Dojo might also make things easier.
For that purpose, it is very fortunate that we have a Magic Shop close-by.
Magic Shopkeeper: “I’ll think about it once I set up shop.”
“You’re quite a resilient person. To take on more despite your current situation.”
Magic Shopkeeper: “Even though I look like this now, I used to run the largest Magic Shop in the Castle Town, you know.”
Naofumi: “Please invite the Apothecary as well. It’s good for business to have many different facilities.”
Magic Shopkeeper: “It seems the Hero of the Shield is quite the Business Man.”
Naofumi: “Well, I have been called greedy on nurous occasions, and I can use the reasoning of, ‘It’s for the sake of the world’ as I please.”
Magic Shopkeeper: “Fufufu…”
Naofumi: “Hahaha…”
The people around us have begun to distance themselves.
After that, I start to give orders regarding the construction.
…
One Week from that
Rishia’s level is now 40, and the other slaves will be able to class up soon as well.
It’s about ti for us to go to the dragon hourglass.
Female knight already notified the Queen before-hand, so all we have to do is go there.
So I gather together the higher level slaves, and headed for the Castle Town.
Naofumi: “It’s been a while since I last ca here.”
We parked the Carriage at a near-by village, and entered the Castle Town by foot. This is because we will be recognized if anyone sees Firo pulling the cart.
It’s been two weeks, and the Castle town is still recovering.
Kiel: “Shield Nii-chan, Why are you wearing a cloak?”
The slave whose level is second highest to Rishia is Kiel. Her straight-forward personality makes her well suited for battle.
She’s started to be able to coordinate attacks with Rafatalia and Rishia. Female Knight tells that Kiel will beco an amazing fighter soday.
Naofumi: “If I’m found out, it will beco impossible to move.”
Hooray for the Shield! Is what people will say as they fence us in.
Though I’m a hero, I find that it’s quite a pain to actually be treated as one.
Kiel: “Is that so?”
Naofumi: “Firo, make sure you don’t assu your monster form unless you absolutely have to.”
Firo: “Yes~”
Should I stop by the weapons shop on the way back?
… I don’t have enough money. If I get sothing too expensive, and have him put it on my tab, I’ll feel bad.
Though I don’t think I should keep him waiting for too long.
I’ve been slowly saving up, but everyday expenses have been piling up…
I decide to stop on by on the way back anyways.
And so we reach to the Dragon’s Hourglass.
Soldier: “We’ve been expecting you.”
A soldier, who looks quite talkative, cos out to greet us.
Naofumi: “Today, I’m here for my comrades’ Class Up.”
Soldier: “I’m aware, I received the ssage earlier.”
The Ceremony starts in the sa way it did with Rafatalia and Firo. I order Firo to assu her Monster form.
Rishia: “U-um… What should I try and class up to?”
Rishia looks over at with a troubled expression.
Naofumi: “You need to choose for yourself…Though there is sothing here that may choose for you…”
Firo’s Ahoge shows no signs of movent.
Naofumi: “Firo.”
Firo: “Yes~?”
Naofumi: “If your Ahoge starts moving, you need to get out of the building.”
Firo: “Eh…”
Naofumi: “Do you want sothing like that ti with Rafatalia and You to happen again?”
The result worked out, but it wasn’t good for the individuals. In order to let them choose their own paths, I need to caution Firo.
Firo: “Yeah… I got it…”
Okay, I got Firo’s consent.
Naofumi: “Hey, you. Wait for a second.”
Kiel: “What, Shield Nii-chan”
Naofumi: “I’ll ask just in case, but you do know that we have co here to class up, correct?”
Kiel: “Well, Yeah…”
Slave: “You told us earlier”
The slaves all nod at .
Naofumi: “And so, my belief is that you should be the one to choose your own destiny. This is sothing separate from preparing for the Wave.”
Kiel: “What do you an, Nii—chan?”
Naofumi: “I’ll give more training to those that personally want to participate in the wave. But we also have to consider what happens after the wave is over.”
Rafatalia: “…”
Rafatalia watches over in silence.
That’s right, I started this village with Rafatalia in mind. But, everyone here will also have a life in this world after everything is over.
Naofumi: “The class you choose here may heighten your abilities, but it will also narrow the possible roles you can play in the future. Does everyone understand?”
The slaves nod.
I confirm this, and continue speaking.
Naofumi: “Your lives will take you to many places from now. You’ll experience many new situations and take on many roles. That’s why you should be the ones to choose your path here. It’s not always best to simply have soone pick the route that gets you the best stats for you.”
Slave: “Can that really happen?”
I give a heavy nod.
Naofumi: “Rafatalia and Firo here are victims of such a phenona.”
The two unenthusiastically raise their hands.
Naofumi: “Do you see the crest on Firo’s head? It arbitrarily decided their class-ups for them. But the class it gave them had higher stats than most normal ones.”
Kiel: “Really!?”
Naofumi: “Yeah, but for you guys, combat abilities isn’t everything. If there’s a role you really want to do, there should be a class that allows you to specialize in it.”
There’s no perfect class. And among those present here, there are definitely no perfect people.
And that’s why.
Naofumi: “Just make sure you don’t regret it.”
The slaves whisper amongst themselves.
Kiel: “I got it, Shield Nii-chan. I… Want to beco as strong as I can possibly be. If such an option exists, then I don’t need a choice.”
Kiel speaks with determination.
The last ti she went back to train, she suffered quite heavy injuries and had to be carried back.
“I want to Class Up like Rishia Nee-chan and lead the others.”
Naofumi: “You won’t be the only one taking damage. In the worst case scenario, so may die.”
Kiel: “I know, Shield Nii-chan.”
Naofumi: “You have a habit of being impulsive. If you screw up here, you may regret it.”
Kiel: “Don’t worry! It’ll definitely work out!”
Is what she said. Though her enthusiasm was unmatched, she put too much focus on a single monster, and took an unexpected attack from a blind spot.
Her comrades were also quite injured.
Kiel: “Shield Nii-chan. I think this is the first ti I have tasted defeat… If I don’t do my best, will it turn out like that again?”
She said afterwards. I had healed her wounds with magic and dicine, but the experience still lingered in her mind.
Kiel: “Shield Nii-chan always protected … so I never noticed. That fighting was such a scary thing.”
Naofumi: “… In the end, It’s fine because no one died, but if anyone were to die under your watch, you’ll feel a pain greater than any other.”
Kiel: “Yeah… Nii-chan, I’m sorry for looking down on you until now. I’ll go tell the others.”
Naofumi: “…I thought it was supposed to be difficult to teach them discipline, but they went and learned it before I had even noticed.”
And that experience gave everyone a lot to think about. It seems that Kiel cried that night.
Kiel still bears the scar of that incident, but the experience she gained outweighs the damages.
After seeing Kiel’s squad co back with injuries, the rest of the slaves have also begun to develop a fear of fighting.
They’ve beco more diligent and have begun to develop tactics. If Rafatalia hadn’t been there to rescue them, who knows what would have happened to them.
Even I understood that I was being too light on them, but it seems Rafatalia and the others were harsh on them to compensate.
Rafatalia is supporting in many ways.
The boy next to Kiel steps forward.
Boy: “I… want to pick my own future.”
Naofumi: “I understand. Please split into two groups, those who want to choose, and those that don’t.”
The slaves follow my orders, and divide themselves.
Naofumi: “Now then, Firo. I’ll have the people that don’t want to choose go first, so please back off when those that do step forward.”
Firo: “Yes.”
Naofumi: “Rishia, what will you do?”
Rishia: “I… Want to beco stronger by my own hand. If it ans giving up my choice, then I don’t need such an option.”
I had anticipated that Rishia would pick that. She ca with for this sole purpose.
Naofumi: “Then it’s fine. Pick a class that suits your tastes.”
Rishia: “Yes!”
The hourglass begins to shine, and Rishia closes her eyes.
The soldiers in the area surround the Hourglass, and liquid begin to flow into the grooves on the floor that ford a magic circle.
The Hourglass glows brighter, and the circle on the floor begins to shine with it.
Rishia’s class up nu appears in front of ,
but I close it
…
Firo: “Hm?”
Firo fidgets with her Ahoge
So it won’t act up like last ti.
Naofumi: “Okay, Rishia, it seems that there are no problems.”
Rishia: “O-okay.”
Rishia begins breathing slowly, and reads through the list.
The light begins to converge on her.
Rishia: “I’ve made my decision.”
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