Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord (お気楽領主の楽しい領地防衛 ～生産系魔術で名もなき村を最強の城塞都市に～)

Good. That should do it for today.

Indeed. Now, Lord Van, let us begin your studies.

Huh? We're starting now?

That's unreasonable after finishing work.

I do not know of anyone who has died from studying.

That would prove it is not unreasonable.

He's a fiend.

Lord Van.

Welcome back. You've already returned from hunting?

Well, actually...

Please forgive us.

For what?

The truth is we discovered the entrance to the dungeon.

Oh? The dungeon?

Wait, the dungeon?

The thing we were trying to avoid finding?

Lord Van.

If a dungeon has been discovered, you must report it promptly.

Send a messenger to the royal capital.

I really don't have a choice, do I?

Correct.

With the discovery of a dungeon, adventurers will flood the village,

and my father will learn about the development work.

It's our fault.

Forgive us.

Well, now that you've found it, our hands are tied.

On that note, I'd like to ask you to go report this to the royal capital...

Kusala.

By myself?

As the party's scout, you discovered the dungeon, didn't you?

H-How did you know?

I agree Kusala's well-suited to the task, but we should go with him.

I want the two of you to explore the area around the dungeon.

As for your reward...

How does one large gold sound?

Later, Kusala. Take care on your solo trip to the royal capital.

Safe travels!

Huh? You're being way too mean.

Well, I do feel bad for you,

so I'll give you a mythril short sword.

We've used up all the mythril ore, so it's kind of precious.

Is that a good enough reward?

Yes!

Hey, wait! Kusala, switch with me!

No fair! I'll go instead!

I'm the one he asked to do it.

Hey, wait!

Where are you going?

Take me with you!

Sucks for you two, huh, boss?

Okay, I'm heading out now!

Safe travels!

EASYGOING TERRITORY DEFENSE BY THE OPTIMISTIC LORD

A POSTAPOCALYPTIC BAND'S ROWDY DUNGEON EXPLORATION

A POSTAPOCALYPTIC BAND'S ROWDY DUNGEON EXPLORATION

Must be thanks to my good behavior.

Gazing at Lord Van's special-made short sword the whole way

makes the journey to the royal capital go by in a flash.

Normally, these foes would prove slightly tough for me,

but they hardly feel like a challenge to me now.

You should quit while you're ahead for your own good!

You're not coordinated at all.

This is crazy.

I could get hooked on this.

Um...

Thank you very much for saving me.

My name is Flamiria.

You strike me as a man of great renown. May I perhaps know your name?

Ah, I'm just a humble adventurer named Kusala. I'm not famous or anything.

No.

I can tell you're distinguished from the way you carry yourself.

Huh?

No, I really am just...

I understand.

I'm walking from here to the royal capital,

so allow me to repay you at a later date.

O-Oh, I'm on my way to the royal capital, too.

Hop on my horse.

Oh, no, I couldn't trouble you further.

Hup.

See? Even the horse is happier carrying a young lady like yourself instead of me.

Flamiria, where were you heading to in the royal capital?

Well, my father was a baron, but he died in battle and his lands were conquered.

So I came to look for work as a maid in a noble's house.

Oh, so you're free like me?

Huh?

I currently live in a remote village,

but if you'd like, why don't you come with me?

I'm sure there'll be work for you to do there, Flamiria.

Besides, I can protect you.

You won't regret it.

Okay. Thank you so much for everything.

Now that a dungeon's been discovered,

I think I'll build a separate outpost for all the adventurers that'll flood here.

An outpost?

A small outpost for the adventurers.

I see.

In that case, it'd be best to name a governor for this new outpost.

Since you will remain in this village,

you'll need someone to oversee the outpost.

Then, could I ask you to serve as governor?

Yes, that will be fine.

You should also establish a new chivalric order to keep the peace in the outpost.

True.

Okay, Dee's group will be the Seatoh Chivalric Order in Seatoh,

and we'll establish the Esparda Chivalric Order in the new outpost.

Is this payback?

Huh? Payback for what?

I'm only eight, so I have no idea what you're talking about.

Pull that rope over there.

Yes, sir.

Lord Van, where should we put the materials?

Oh, thanks. Just set them down over there.

Thanks to everyone's help, it's going well.

At this rate, we might have the outpost done in a month.

Leave it to us!

We'll acquire the necessary materials this very day!

Yeah!

Huh?

I could make this group my chivalric order, right?

Dee?

Yes? What is it?

Could you headhunt some of these guys for the Seatoh Chivalric Order?

Oh, interesting idea.

I'm afraid we were already recruited for the Esparda Chivalric Order.

We've all signed contracts saying we'll join.

Huh?

Esparda wasted no time.

I can't believe he secured men before the Seatoh Chivalric Order could.

Lord Van.

What is it, Khamsin?

Kusala has returned, but, um...

Lord Van, I filed that report with the royal capital.

Welcome back.

Um, who's this?

Stuff happened and long story short, she had nowhere to go, so I brought her here.

You're still accepting residents, right?

Of course. People are more than welcome.

It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm the lord of this village, Van.

I'm Flamiria.

Kusala rescued me when I was attacked by a band of orcs near the royal capital.

Huh?

Nah, I didn't do much. It was all thanks to that shortsword you gave me, Lord Van.

So you say.

But to me, you were more wonderful than the heroes of legend.

So that's what's going on.

I-It's the apocalypse. The apocalypse is here.

It's no cause for concern.

Huh?

They're adventurers here for the dungeon.

When I told the guild, a bunch of idiots hoping to strike it rich set out for here.

I-Is that so?

Hey now. Yer out playin' in an awfully lawless place, ain't ya?

Listen up, brats. The village may be close, but it's dangerous out here.

Yer a pretty young filly. A gal like you is gonna get attacked by perverts.

So run on home now.

They really are like villains in a postapocalyptic world.

Wait.

Are they concerned about us?

Sounds like it.

They may lack tact, but they seem like nice people.

Th-Their faces are a little scary, though.

Did we frighten ya?

Our bad.

Still, what're ya doin' all the way out here?

Ya'd be in trouble if a monster attacked.

Thanks.

But I'll be fine if something shows up since it's not far to the village.

Village? Where?

Over there.

Ya call that a village?

With those huge ramparts?

How'd they make all that?

I'll show you.

Buh?

Wh-What the...

Well, this is just temporary fencing, so it should do for today.

What was that freewheelin' magic just now?!

Lord Van! I've brought you additional logs.

Thank you.

L-Lord Van?

Th-This brat is the Van Nei Fertio on everyone's lips in the royal capital?

"Brat"?

Whichever one of you just said that, step forward.

As House Fertio's—no, as Seatoh Chivalric Order's commander, I'll punish you!

And who the hell're you?

Any time the mohawk guys saw Dee since, they trembled in fear and greeted him.

Afternoon, boss!

Workin' hard, I see!

Hello!

I won't allow you guys to do anything bad!

Yessir!