Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 5: Meanwhile, in Elendil
Ren and Grandma Rigg talked happily as they walked through the village.
“Not a day passes without us thanking you for making this place so beautiful, young master.”
“Lessard-sama deserves the greater thanks. The baron made all of this possible.”
“That is true. But your father tells us again and again how hard you work.”
“My father?”
“Whenever a letter arrives from you, he walks through the village boasting about it.”
Ren was pleased that Roy took pride in him, though the image made him intensely embarrassed.
“Then I am glad I kept trying.”
Life away from home could be lonely, but the village’s prosperity reassured him that leaving had not been a mistake.
Grandma Rigg shared another change.
“Merchants have begun visiting us.”
When Ren lived there, he had never seen a traveling merchant enter the village.
Now they came at least once a month, bringing construction materials and goods for trade.
“That explains why the kitchen has so many new ingredients.”
“Your mother is delighted.”
The large construction projects had convinced merchants that profit could be made there.
“Perhaps the village would prosper even more if we developed a specialty product,” Ren said.
“Perhaps, but finding something unique to this area will not be easy.”
Ren laughed at how lightly he had proposed it.
â—‡ â—‡ â—‡
Several hours later, Ren walked with Roy toward the section of wall under construction.
“Grandma Rigg told me merchants are passing through now.”
“Yes. Thanks to you and Baron Clausel.”
“Why come so far into the countryside?”
“The knights say the village is becoming useful as a stopping point.”
The Ashton village occupied a remote corner of the already rural Clausel territory. Until the roads improved, there had been little reason for merchants to visit.
That was changing.
The new route connected Clausel with surrounding settlements and the former Given territory. A safe village along the way could serve merchants and adventurers alike.
More adventurers meant more demand for food, lodging, repairs, and trade.
“I thought we needed a special product,” Ren said, “but perhaps the village will become busy without one.”
Roy laughed.
Even weak monsters supplied valuable materials.
Little Boar fur could be made into inexpensive winter clothing, and its meat was widely enjoyed. Such goods sold cheaply, but they supported ordinary people’s lives and gave novice adventurers a reliable source of income.
“More trade also means more tax revenue for the baron,” Roy said.
“And more work for you.”
“For me?”
“A prosperous village requires administration. If merchants and adventurers stay here, there will be records, disputes, security, supplies, and countless other matters to manage.”
Roy stopped walking and held his head.
“I had not thought that far.”
Ren smiled, then became thoughtful.
Development brought responsibility in equal measure.
Sending money home and training his swordsmanship were no longer enough. As the future head of House Ashton, Ren would eventually have to govern.
If the village continued growing and one day became a town, his present knowledge would be inadequate.
(I need to study more.)
For the first time, Ren clearly understood that earning money and becoming stronger could not solve every problem.
â—‡ â—‡ â—‡
A few days later, in Elendil, Licia walked along the main avenue with Weiss.
Their morning duties were finished, leaving time to tour the territory her father governed.
“It is very different from Clausel,” Licia said.
“Elendil has a long history,” Weiss replied.
They examined the stalls lining the street.
“Perhaps I will govern it through a deputy one day, as Father does.”
“That is common for nobles who hold several territories. Even so, the young lady will remain Elendil’s true lord.”
Weiss continued in a more instructive tone.
“For that reason, you should eventually attend a school.”
“The Imperial Military Academy, for example?”
“Yes. Graduating from the academy would strengthen public recognition of you as Elendil’s future ruler.”
Licia nodded, then spoke quietly.
“I wonder why Ren avoids that academy.”
Before Weiss could answer, a rough shout rose from farther down the avenue.
People were pointing toward a narrow alley. A purse snatcher had fled that way, and a young girl was already chasing him.
“Weiss, let’s go.”
“Young lady, wait-“
Licia was already running.
They entered the alley. The noise of the main street vanished behind them, replaced by the echo of hurried footsteps.
Rather than follow directly, Licia chose another route.
“We’ll get ahead of him.”
“A pincer movement. Understood.”
They cut through a side lane and waited with swords drawn.
The thief soon appeared.
He wore equipment made from monster materials and carried an expensive-looking bag beneath one arm. When he saw them, he pulled a knife.
“Move!”
Licia sighed.
“Weiss, is Elendil not considered safe?”
“It is one of the safer towns in Leomel. Criminals exist everywhere, even in Clausel.”
“Then I suppose this cannot be helped.”
She extended one hand.
A brilliant flash of Sacred Magic filled the alley.
The light was nonlethal, but the thief was blinded and stumbled to the ground directly in front of Weiss.
“May I handle the rest?” Weiss asked.
“Please do.”
Weiss forced the man’s arms behind his back before he could rise.
Footsteps approached from the direction of the pursuit.
Licia intended to thank whoever had chased the thief, but she stopped when the girl appeared.
“Oh.”
The newcomer almost lost her balance from surprise.
She had fair features, disordered brown hair, and a flushed face from running.
“L-Licia Clausel? Why are you here?”
She hurriedly smoothed her hair and clothing.
Licia answered with quiet pride.
“My father governs this town. It would be stranger if I never came.”
Then she held out her hand.
“It has been a long time, Sera.”
â—‡ â—‡ â—‡
They moved from the alley to the guard station, where the thief was placed in custody.
“Let the knights deal with the rest,” Weiss told Licia.
“Of course.”
Licia turned to the brown-haired girl.
“Thank you, Sera. You helped prevent his escape.”
“It was nothing. I only did what someone from the Hero Faction ought to do.”
Sera Riohard was the daughter of House Riohard.
Her ancestor was Gazil Riohard, one of the Seven Heroes. Gazil’s pure swordsmanship was said to have surpassed even the Hero’s, and he had achieved countless feats during the journey to defeat the Demon King.
House Riohard was one of the Hero Earl Houses and naturally belonged to the Hero Faction.
In Legends of the Seven Heroes, Sera was the main heroine. Players had loved her bright, straightforward personality.
Despite belonging to different political camps, Sera and Licia already knew one another well for reasons not apparent to most observers.
Harem expansion?
Pls no
All we need is Licia
Agreed. But there might be room for Fiona to squeeze in.
Why not go the third prince route.
Stop complaining about harems already. It’s not like the girls and the ways they were saved were badly written.