Chapter 36: Malhas’ Revival

One month into the reconstruction.

The pioneer city of Malhas was rapidly undergoing repairs, expansion, and development.

This was because, for the upper echelons of the kingdom, it was quite a headache that this place had faced the crisis of “culling” twice in a short period. They felt the need to prepare for the “next” occurrence.

Even I couldn’t assert that the next crisis wouldn’t happen, so I kept busy every day.

As for the “Silver Equilateral Triangle” that appeared above ground, we had found a temporary solution.

Although we couldn’t destroy it, we could neutralize it by imposing our own rules.

It was quite reckless, but if it wasn’t impossible, pushing through was what we adventurers were all about.

We’ll figure something out in the future.

“Are you lost in thought, Master?”

“If you know, then please leave me alone… Kati.”

“Aren’t you being cold?”

The receptionist raised her eyebrows slightly at my response.

Feeling relieved at her presence, I still couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed and awkward.

“We’re already on familiar terms, so please be a bit gentler.”

“Sorry, I don’t remember.”

“Should I remind you?”

Kati walked confidently towards me. Seeing her like this, her body seemed to be fine now.

“Go ahead.”

“I’m on duty, Director Grimbell.”

“Jurg-san, that’s a bit hurtful, you know?”

I gently pulled Kati, who looked slightly shy, into a chair and onto my lap.

Kati let out a cute voice of surprise.

As I held her loosely, a soft warmth passed between us.

Just having what I thought was lost and gone right here almost made me want to cry.

“Um, did I tease you too much?”

I sigh back at Kati, who giggles a little in my arms.

I was really lucky. Kati is doing this now.

Kati’s wound was fatal.

I don’t know who helped her and how.

However, there were many in the new city who were saved, just like Kati.

There may have been a skilled healer in the stream who was not acquainted with us.

“Don’t worry, I’m alive and well, okay?”

“You were dead once.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Kati smiled ambiguously in my embrace.

Do you know how I felt when I thought I wouldn’t see this smile again? This girl does.

“Now that you’ve replenished your Jurg levels… I’ll get back to work!”

“You can rest a little longer, Kati.”

“You worry too much. There’s so much work to do! We’re short-handed! And, Saran-san has placed additional orders.”

“He needs to pull his weight too.”

As I watched Kati leave reluctantly, I shook my head inwardly.

As happy as I was, relying too much on Kati wasn’t good. She understood that it wasn’t fair, so I wouldn’t intrude too much.

“Well, Jurg-san. See you later.”

“Yeah. Don’t overwork yourself, alright?”

“I know!”

With a light wave, Kati left the room.

Watching her back, I picked up a few parchment papers from the table.

“Hmm…”

This was a matter that required consultation.

Oh well. Let’s go see Saran to gauge the situation.

◆

“What’s wrong? Jurg.”

“This is another miserable situation, hey.”

“You can join in too, you know?”

Saran saying that indicated that things were pretty dire.

Well, looking at the office, it was understandable.

Mountains of documents, piles of letters, and unconscious bureaucrats everywhere.

Saran seemed to have categorized them properly though.

“I came to discuss the emergency defense plan, evacuation plan, and this season’s exploration index list… but it seems it’s better to come back later.”

“If it’s not urgent, it would be better after the day after tomorrow.”

While jotting something down on a document, Saran glanced at me.

His cheeks were sunken, and his complexion was pale.

Well, he might join the ranks of the collapsed bureaucrats soon.

“Saran, I brought this… oh, Jurg?”

“Yeah, Rolo. Are you here to help?”

“Yeah. Saran is being awful, you know? Demanding to enhance the thought processing speed of the clerks with strengthening magic.”

Ah, I see.

That explains it.

If you forcibly enhance the cognitive abilities of people who aren’t used to it with strengthening magic, this is what happens.

“Their inability to keep up is their own fault.”

“Hey, you heartless brute. Think a little more. They might run away.”

“It’s alright. They’re all second or third sons who can’t inherit the family estate. Their ambition to make a name for themselves in this pioneer city is no different from adventurers.”

“…Well, I guess there’s no other choice then.”

Once it’s put that way, there’s no choice but to accept it.

Taking personal responsibility is fundamental for adventurers. Well, let’s just hope they don’t die trying too hard.

“Are you taking a break?”

“Of course.”

“Saran, don’t lie.”

“As long as I’m still moving, it’s fine.”

This one hasn’t learned anything.

But well… I understand that this is the time for him to show what he’s made of, the most enjoyable time for him.

Huge development funds and plenty of manpower have been allocated by the kingdom, and numerous large-scale projects are underway, as Saran puts it, “We can advance our plans by twenty years. We might even see the ‘Transcontinental Railroad’ built in our lifetime,” so the face of Malhas is undergoing significant changes.

The same goes for the old town, which retains traces of the village, and Rolo’s family and the mayor’s house are also slated for demolition.

It’s to be developed as the “gateway to the pioneer city.”

There was some opposition, but ultimately, all the villagers agreed to it.

Perhaps the fact that they were told to “leave everything behind” when this became a pioneer city had an impact.

“We’ll recruit adventurers strong in administrative tasks at the Adventurers Guild. They should be able to do errands and cleaning at least.”

“I didn’t think of that. Thank you, Jurg.”

“So, take a little break. Rolo, if this one gets cheeky again, put him to sleep and tie him up.”

“I’ll do that.”

Saran flinched slightly at our words.

Looks like he’s starting to react more humanly.

“I can handle my own affairs. Act as pawns and move according to my instructions.”

“If that’s the case, make sure to reassure your pawns — ‘Operator’ Saran Zolark.”

Saran’s lips curled up slightly at my words.

“I understand. But be prepared, as you’ll have your own work soon. It won’t be easy.”

“It’s not going to be a hassle, right?”

“Of course, it’s a hassle.” 

Faced with Saran’s unexpected counterattack, we could only exchange wry smiles.

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