Kays Translations

Chapter 126: Well Done

"Lord, now it's time for you to become a villager. I'll give you a residence permit, and then I'd like to appraise you," I explained.

"A villager? What do you mean?" 

The Lord replied with a perplexed expression.

Ignoring his confusion, I granted him the residential permit.

---

Wolfox, Level 45

Villager: Loyalty 62

Skills: Body Enhancement Level 4

Enhances physical abilities.

Activated continuously.

---

It seemed he had high loyalty, likely because he had heard about me and the village from Drago. Nevertheless, loyalty didn't lie. It was improbable that someone under mind control would have such high loyalty, and a detailed appraisal didn't reveal any abnormalities.

Just to be sure, I activated a barrier in place and confirmed that he could enter the village.

"Lord, thank you very much. Our confirmation is complete. I trust your words." 

"…I see, that's a relief. By the way, did I become a villager?"

"Yes, and your loyalty is not an issue. Of course, if you find it inconvenient, I can reverse the process."

"No, no! I'd also like to visit the village. And please, call me Lux. I'm just a regular villager, like Drago."

"Please feel free to visit us anytime, Lux-sama. The villagers will welcome you."

And so, the Lord who governed Keimos became a villager.

For a while, we talked about the city and life in the village. Drago and Maria also joined in, and we ended up hearing a lot of their adventures and heroic tales. It was clear that Lux was quite the battle enthusiast himself. Parting ways with his mentor, Drago, he was now preoccupied with his duties as the Lord. When the topic of dungeons came up... well, there was no need to elaborate any further.

But as the conversation continued, it seemed like Lux might end up leaving his role as Lord to come to the village, so I decided to get to the main topic. However, the situation had changed, and I was unsure how to proceed.

(…Alright, I might as well use his position as the Lord.)

"Lux-sama, the fact is that I came here today with the intention of discontinuing our trade with the city."

"Discontining it suddenly? Without even maintaining the current conditions? That will surely anger the council..."

"They were the ones who broke our agreement first and, to make matters worse, confiscated our slaves. So, there's no helping it, right?"

"I see, I'm at a loss for words."

"However, Lux-sama, you have become a villager today. You are on good terms with Drago, and here, I propose, let's make a deal?"

"I'd like to hear more."

"What I'm proposing is as follows."

1. Due to the inability to secure more slaves, the prospects of increasing food production are dim. Furthermore, because of the broken promise, we're discontinuing the trade.

2. Upon persuasion by the Lord and Drago, the decision to discontinue the trade will be revoked, and the current level of sweet potato sales will be maintained.

3. From here on, this is an unofficial agreement, but if there are any potential settlers or refugees, they will be sent to the new settlement area with the Lord's assistance.

4. If the city's army attacks the village, please feel free to take action. We'll defeat them all.

"That's how it goes. This way, you'll at least maintain the facade of the Lord. If the council, or rather, Ryuunosuke, goes mad and sends the army to attack, please come here with your family or friends."

"I don't have a family... but maybe I can invite some friends."

He might have confessed this now, but when I asked if he, as the Lord, was okay with such irresponsibility...

"I accepted the role of the Lord only because Drago-sama asked me. Otherwise, I would never have done it. Like with me, it'll just be a matter of changing the Lord," 

By the way, he really didn't have any family, and he was currently in the middle of looking for a potential wife.

That being said, his search for a wife somehow led to an unexpected confession.

"Let me say this now. I've liked Maria for a long time. No, I still do! I can't imagine being with anyone else!"

This confession left Maria flabbergasted. She had no idea this was coming. Drago, who was standing beside them, nodded as if he knew what was happening. Additionally, Lux added.

"Now that we're both villagers, there's no longer any distinction between us."

"Village Chief, these two seem to be in love. It seems Maria has feelings for Lux too, Kukuku."

"Seriously... What on earth am I being subjected to..."

I'm talking seriously, but what the heck. This old man is getting very irritated.

"Hey, save these kinds of moments for when it's just the two of you, okay? We're in the middle of important negotiations, aren't we?" 

"Ah..."

If you want to cite being a villager, I won't hesitate anymore. Or rather, I will never do it.

"So what will you do? Does this proposal suit you, Lux-sama? Or would you prefer to cancel everything?" 

"No, please go ahead with this proposal. I will do my best..."

"Understood. In that case, I will take my leave now. The rest is up to the young couple."

In the end, the negotiations were concluded, but it felt like an awkward ending.

Merinad and I finished our greetings and decided to return to the company.

◇◇◇

In the evening of that day...

Just moments ago, Drago and Maria had returned. We were having dinner together.

Maria's face was blushing, so it was evident what had happened without asking. Although Drago had shared various stories, today was not the right mood for that, so I was only half-listening.

"Oh, by the way, Maria, after this morning's shopping, you changed into a stunning outfit. Was it to meet Lux?" 

"What? What's wrong with that?" 

"No, there's nothing wrong with it. It's great that your feelings reached each other. Congratulations."

"Oh, you're not mad anymore?"

"If it weren't for the timing, I would have been congratulating you from the start. So, Maria, are you going to live in the city?"

"No, I'm going back to the village. He'll come there eventually, so I'll prepare our new home and wait patiently."

"I see. I've set up a teleportation circle at the Merry Company, so you can meet whenever you want."

"I'm very happy. And thanks for giving Lux the 'Barrier Necklace.' Village Chief, thank you so much."

It may have ended in an unexpected way, but if it made the villagers happy, it was all worth it. In the end, we were able to incorporate the Lord as well.

"Hey, Drago, was it all according to your plan, with the Lord and Maria?"

"Well, it's hard to say..."

"You sure still have the skills of a former council chairman. This time, well done. If only that troublesome brat wasn't there."

"It's all because of me. Now, once we finish eating, let's return to the village! The dungeon is waiting for me!"

"I'm really impressed."

And so, with the Lord's meeting ending as a kind of great success, the old man returned to the village.

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