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～)

Lord Van!

Please wake up.

What's the matter?

It's still early.

It's urgent!

Sir Dee and Sir Esparda are already hurrying to the site.

The site?

The lake you created behind the village the other day.

Lake Van.

Huh?

Wait, "Lake Van"? How'd it get that name?

The villagers named it that to honor your deeds for generations to come.

By the way, they're thinking what to call the village, and Van Village—

Stop.

That sounds all kinds of bad.

Our lord has arrived.

Lord Van.

What is it?

Well...

Huh? What the...

EASYGOING TERRITORY DEFENSE BY THE OPTIMISTIC LORD

A RARE SPECIES' PASSIONATE ENGAGEMENT COMPETITION

A RARE SPECIES' PASSIONATE ENGAGEMENT COMPETITION

She's an apkallu. They are half-human, half-fish.

An apkallu?

Yes.

They're reputed to live in picturesque rivers in deep forests,

but for some reason, a number are here in this lake you made.

They're a rare species that few ever encounter.

I see.

Um, excuse me. Did you need something?

Uh... What's your name?

Can she understand what I'm saying?

Till, Khamsin, could you bring some meat?

Sure.

Have some if you like.

Offering food is a good way to demonstrate friendship.

Here she comes.

I can eat this?

Yeah.

This meat...

It's armored lizard meat.

If you'd like more tomorrow, I can make some jerky.

Who defeated the armored lizards?

Oh, that would be—

Lord Van did.

Lord Van's strength made it happen.

It was Lord Van!

No, no, it was thanks to all of you.

I see.

What was that about?

Think she'll be back?

Their species is rarely sighted. She likely won't return for some time.

Stands to reason.

THE NEXT DAY

What is this?

Oh, it's that girl.

You're right. The one who asked us who'd defeated the armored lizards.

The apkallu don't view armored lizards as gods or something, do they?

I've never heard of such a belief.

Then...

I would like to speak with the young man.

S-Sure.

That's one scary look. What does he want?

Thank you for being kind to my daughter.

Your daughter?

Oh, you mean...

Young man, I hear you're the one who defeated the armored lizards.

It appears that's what everyone has agreed on.

No way!

This young child?

You're kidding!

Is he a powerful mage?

Although I didn't defeat them on my own—

Hero, you have my permission.

You may marry my daughter, Lada Priora.

Huh?

M-Marry?!

Does the arrangement dissatisfy you?

I am Ladavesta, and Lada Priora is my only daughter.

When she grows up, her beauty will shine as bright as any precious gem.

But...

Lada Priora is still a child.

I don't think she understands what you're suggesting.

Why are you offering her hand in marriage? Is there a reason behind it?

Until now, my people have avoided making ties with humans,

but in recent years, armored lizards have encroached on our rivers,

and many of our number have been lost.

That is why I seek someone strong to become Lada Priora's husband.

I wish to secure a place for us to live in peace.

In other words, he's offering up his daughter as a bride

in order to forge an alliance with a powerful human.

In that case, the marriage part is unnecessary.

Please allow your daughter to marry whomever she chooses in the future.

You're refusing?

I'll protect your tribe, regardless of any marriage.

You sincerely mean that?

Of course.

Then, we shall settle here.

Well, since that's settled, let's get building.

What incredible magic.

It's a rest area. Everyone can use it at their leisure.

It's very spacious and seems like a nice, relaxing place.

You'll be safe in here even when it's gusty and rainy.

I'm glad everyone's enjoying themselves.

Lord Van. It's nearly time to deal with the sewage.

Oh, that's right.

What are you going to do?

Well, you see, I've placed sewer pipes underneath the buildings in the village.

We regularly send water from the moat down them to flush away all the sewage.

Otherwise, it'd get unsanitary.

I see. Then, let us help you.

Huh? You don't mind?

We excel at working in the water.

Thank you so much.

Okay, we're opening it now.

That went well, thanks to your help.

Do you do that every day?

Yes. Several times a day, in fact.

I see.

Then, allow us to take on the task of handling this "sewage."

You mean it?

Consider it thanks for letting us live here.

That'd be a huge help.

Oh, Lord Van.

There you are.

What are you up—

What? Those are apkallu!

I've never seen one before.

Son-in-law, you have my gratitude for your kind welcome.

S-Son-in-law?

Surely not. You married an apkallu?

Uh, no, I haven't—

Yup, I'm Van's wife.

Van is my husband.

Lada Priora?!

See you later, husband.

Lady Arte, sorry for calling you out here so early.

I just thought it might be nice to take in the morning air on the lake.

I-It's fine. I like taking in the morning air, too. It's very refreshing.

I'm glad to hear it.

Um, about that apkallu from yesterday...

I heard the story from Panamera.

It sounds like we both misunderstood.

Th-That's right.

I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions.

I'm happy that's ironed out.

You built this lake and developed the village so much. You're incredible.

Not at all. It was all thanks to everyone else helping me.

Good morning, husband.

Lada Priora?

Who are you?

Huh? My name is Arte.

Uh, we were just having a private conversation—

Oh, hey! It's the meat man!

Don't call him that. He's the lord.

Good morning.

Lord!

Meat man!

Hey, that's dangerous.

Lord!

Husband, are you all right?

"Husband"?

I explained to your father that we're not engaged.

He just bullied Lada Priora.

Huh?

Uh, wait...

Everyone, rock the boat!

Yay!

I'll give you some meat, so just stop!

Hooray!

This is scary!

Meat, please.

Seriously, stop it!

We love Van!

Scary. Too scary.

Son-in-law. Lada Priora told me all about it.

You were flirting with another woman when you already have my daughter?

Huh? You mean me?

Well, first of all, I'm not her husband—

We will hold a competition.

Huh?

You will compete against my people,

and if we win, you will officially recognize your betrothal to my daughter.

Huh?

We accept your challenge!

Dee?

Leave it to me, the Chivalric Order's deputy commander. I'll bring you victory!

Settling this quickly might let you focus more on your studies, it's true.

Oh? This sounds interesting, Lord Van.

But if I lose—

It's all right.

You'd never lose, Lord Van.