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Chapter 244: Progress on the Island

In addition to the field development, the watermill was also up and running now, so they started dyeing the threads. The second batch of recruitment for potential residents — the recruitment conducted after opening the waterways, that is — was already concluded and my personnel were in the process of screening them. We also employed soldiers. As for the knights, I was told it would be preferable if they were also directly hired by me, just like the case with the Changelings.

「Once we’re done with the stationing of the soldiers, we will begin with immigration of the second batch of residents. If the knights come then please interview and hire them yourself. 」
「Eh, that’s too troublesome. 」
「Knights choose their own Master, you know. It’s just a show since it’s peaceful around here, but knights value their ceremonies. 」
Soldiers aren’t picky, but knights had too many requirements for the Master they’re going to serve, so they wouldn’t be too keen on coming here unless this place is famous.

It was easier to gain recognition in regions like the Central Plains where conflicts continued on year after year, but this place is a different story. Even if they were to serve here, they would only be tasked to do menial jobs such as trivial conflict resolutions, so it’s not really the ideal place for knights with blazing aspirations — I mean burning sense of justice.

Territories wouldn’t expand unless the lords engaged in wars, so the aspiring knights would never be granted any land, and they wouldn’t have any opportunities to make a name for themselves as knights. The only gain would be a little bit of self-satisfaction and bragging rights that they were invited and paid a huge sum of money?

「There’s a high chance that a knight-turned-adventurer who went broke because he couldn’t find a master to serve would come here. It might be a good idea to hire two or three people, even for the sake of our face and reputation. 」
「It is also essential to train the soldiers for defense. 」
Auro added to Soleil’s remarks.

「I’m fine with that, but prioritize their character above all else, alright. 」
Reid, Chris’s brother, suddenly came to mind as I listened to them — I wonder if he’s alright? Is he making his way toward the troublesome marshes?

「One more thing, we completed the construction of 『Fae’s Bough』. We’re about to put a Spirit Bough there, but what sacred verse do you think would be suitable for the pedestal? 」
「Somewhat Comfortable? A 4cm Body? 」
「What are you talking about? 」
I answered Soleil, but Kiel cut me off.

「…Which would you prefer, a gold bough or a silver bough? We’re having one made. 」
「…Having it ‘made’? 」
Huh? Now it’s my turn to get confused.

「It’s extremely difficult to obtain a real Spirit Bough. The artisan will make a bough out of either gold or silver, and we will enshrine it in the 『Fae’s Bough』. You can say it’s for good luck. 」
「I see, so you’re decorating a fake one for superstition. 」
For a moment, I thought they knew about X-Stick or Khan.

「If there’s something you want, should we request a consecration ceremony officiated by a priest in the temple? 」
Soleil asked.

「Nah, no need for that. If you’re using a fake for superstition, then does that mean it’s alright even if the monsters come here? 」
I firmly believe that faith in the deities, religion and spiritual leaders are three different things. After all, humans’ intentions and purposes would absolutely taint them, after all.

Besides, we’re in this world, so it’s absolutely better to rely on the spirits directly.

「It’s not like monsters will be coming here, but… to put it in another way, it won’t repel monsters, no it won’t have any sort of effect at all. 」
Kiel seemed exasperated as he replied to me.

「Ou, then I’ll just prepare the bough then. 」
If they don’t need a monster repelling effect, then a branch from X-Stick will probably do. I think the phrase 「Somewhat Comfortable」 will be perfect as the sacred verse on the pedestal, but maybe we should rephrase it to「A Comfortable Life 」— That sounded like a tagline in a woman’s magazine or something.

After the meeting, I had them take Kiel, who started grumbling out of here, and we went our separate ways. Was it really that unbelievable that I made those snacks? Or maybe he was imagining some cute girl making them for him?

And Charles — he turned into another Auro, so what to do with him….

I secretly requested the spirits to make the veggies ultra bitter if somebody were to take them without permission. I think that would be more effective than building a fence around the fields, it wouldn’t be strange if somebody were to steal them after all.

By the way, I also told them to be merciless with their pranks on whoever takes my things out of the island, and the spirits seemed pretty excited about it. So, whoever steals from me would be in for a nice treat.

The ones who would give permission would be Soleil, Auro and me, and maybe Charles too when it comes to the crops. I have to come up with a way so that they would distinguish those guys apart from me.

Maybe a stamp or a seal ring work? It’d be fine as long as the spirits understood, so it could be a tiny thing. They could also put it on a chain and wear it on their necks.

Since the purpose was to help the spirits tell who’s who, maybe I could vary the size and design for each person. Should I link it with the keys so that both objects would work together?

Seals are quite common around here, or maybe I should say they’re essential since the literacy rate isn’t that high over here. They use it as a sign instead of writing a signature. Some folks even used their own portraits as the seal design. Oh yeah, that’s the purpose of crests and seals, right.

Another thing, the towns have many fancy signage, but those who couldn’t read wouldn’t know what store it was just by looking at them, apparently.

I should consult Soleil later about the system for the permissions. Ah, I forgot the spider nest she wanted, I’ll request a few pieces for her later.

The staff for the hospital, the bakery and the bathhouse had also been decided. The other places had also been decided, what’s left was the teacher for the school. There were only a handful of children here so one teacher would do; he or she would teach the kids reading and basic arithmetic so that they wouldn’t be cheated when buying something. I should also add cleaning.

I’d like to teach them about hygiene and sanitation, but I had to find a teacher for that first. And maybe I could also ask the soldiers to take turns teaching them swordsmanship.

Is it also necessary that I come up with another strategy to defend the island other than relying on the natural rocky reefs and the spirits’ help? Maybe I should ask Khan to train some of the soldiers…