Number of residents

The town of Rebeck, once the stronghold of Malart.

Long dominated by Malart's military force, but now on the brink of ending.

"Akito-san!"

It was Gerasim calling my name.

The one who came from behind appeared, leading the people of Magatan, armed and ready.

"Gerasim. You're here too?"

"Yes!"

"So Agafon's on the other side?"

"Yes. And Akito... people from Akito's group have also come to support us."

"Wait, they came too?"

"Yes. It seems they were searching for Akito and headed toward Beesuk, and ended up joining forces."

"Is that so?"

I was surprised.

The sounds of battle echoed from all over Rebeck.

Beesuk, Magatan... and Akito (temporary).

An attack from three towns, and now the head—Malart—was gone. Rebeck was thrown into chaos.

News of Malart’s death spread fast. His subordinates surrendered without much delay.

☆

Morning broke. Malart’s manor.

In the grandest room of the gilded mansion, we gathered.

Me, Madway, Agafon, and Gerashim.

The representatives from three towns had come together here.

Madway spoke first.

“Malart’s men all surrendered. Seems he ruled by force. When they heard he was dead, half of them breathed a sigh of relief. The other half just said, ‘Well, if that’s the case, what can we even do?’”

Agafon followed.

“The people of Rebeck are grateful to Akito. Malart was doing much the same here—apparently, they’d all been enduring his cruelty for too long. The village head said he’d come to personally thank him later.”

Gerashim spoke last.

"Just… I’m not sure what to do past this point. The town’s safe from monsters since it’s near Ilya’s Spring, but we can’t just hole up here forever, can we?"

"True enough."

"We’ll have to go hunting, I suppose."

"It’d be nice if someone could take over for Marat."

They all spoke at once, glancing sideways at me.

Meaning… they wanted me to do what Marat did.

"...So I’m supposed to patrol and act as guard?"

I’d found something when I got my silver card—something I thought might help with patrolling, at least for guarding duties.

But the answer I got back? Way off the mark.

"Will you rule over the four towns?"

Apparently, they were looking for a ruler… and that’s me.

☆

Inside the Golden Mansion, I was lounging in another room.

Risha and Mira were at my side, along with the two slaves, serving me.

I casually relayed the current situation, slipping it into idle chatter.

"What do you intend to do, Master?"

"I’m accepting it."

I answered without hesitation.

"Originally, I planned to expand the town eventually and build a nation, didn’t I?"

Risha, who had been standing beside the Goddess, nodded.

"Yes."

"Then there’s no choice but to accept it."

"Yes, exactly!"

"Then, Master… um… what will you become?"

Mira tilted her head slightly.

"I think you can call yourself King now!"

"Too soon. The combined population of the four towns barely reaches a thousand. Calling yourself king with that? Not quite ready. At least ten thousand would be nice."

"I see."

"Then let’s get to ten thousand fast!"

"Eventually."

I replied, then looked at the two again.

Elves with golden hair and pointed ears. Eternal Slaves. My slaves.

I praised the two of them.

"Both of you did well yesterday."

"Such kind words."

"We’re your slaves, after all. Just doing what’s expected."

"Is that so? Then keep doing the expected, from now on."

"Yes!"

"Understood."

Smiles stretched wide across their faces.

—— Magic charge: +5,000.

Work for me forever, those were the words. And yet, between them, they’d charged a full ten thousand.

☆

Getting four towns under my rule happened in no time.

Three of them were already mine—rebuilt, reshaped, polished. No complaints there.

As for this one, Rebeck, it seemed people accepted that the one who’d toppled Malart would now lead. Acceptable, in a way. Not great, not terrible.

And so I now ruled four towns.

"But… could we add one more village? Just one more?"

Gerasim came in and said to me.

“One more.”

“That’s right. A small village southeast of Libek. Twenty people. No spring of Iris, no means of defense. They’ve come seeking protection from us.”

“Ah, I see.”

I thought for a moment, then nodded.

Now’s as good a time as any. Twenty more people? Same difference.

“Understood.”

Gerasim nodded back.

I thought.

Twenty people… like that first place we reached, the town we built around Madway’s house.

Same kind of thing, then.

Clothing, food, shelter—get the basics covered, and hand them tools so they can support themselves.

Same job, really.

Since they’re joining our fold, we ought to make things livable.

“The representative from there is here now. Would you like to meet them, Akito?”

“Let’s.”

I stood up, and together with Gerasim, left the room.

“So, what’s this guy like?”

“A young man. Pretty good-looking. Seems like the type women’d like.”

“Handsome, huh?”

“Just… his expression’s a bit… even though he came asking for help, there’s something about him that’s kind of domineering.”

“Huh.”

Reminds me of someone I know.

“Right— he’s got a slave with him. Same kind as the Eternal Slave you’re carrying.”

“…Huh.”

Only one person comes to mind.

I follow Gerasim, half-doubting it.

We reach the reception room and step inside.

Then—

“Shin’ya…”

“You’re—!”

He was sitting, but jumps up the moment he sees me.

A man summoned to this world around the same time as me. Got the same Eternal Slave, and the power to create things—just like the Goddess gave me.

But his method of charging the magic needed to create… it’s totally different. I think he’s probably struggling.

“What the hell are you doing here?!”

“That’s your line. You’re the one who came crawling under our banner, weren’t you?”

“Mine? You’re kidding me.”

Shinga froze, eyes snapping to Gerasim.

“That’s right. Akito is our leader. The one who’ll be chief of the four towns from now on.”

“What did you do?”

“Nothing much.”

Too tired to explain, he cut straight to the point.

“So, what’s it gonna be, Shinga? You with us?”

“Who the hell’d want to bow to you?!”

Predictable.

Ever since the last time they met, Shinga had been eyeing him like an enemy.

No, she’d always looked down on him.

Either way, she wasn’t the type to serve under someone like him.

“Fine. You’re sure about your side—”

“Shut up! That’s none of your damn business!”

Shinga snapped at Gerasim. Gerasim narrowed his eyes.

“Tch! Can’t stay here. Let’s go, you idiot!”

Shinga said that, kicked her slave hard in the gut, and strode out of the room without a backward glance.

The slave, dazed from the blow, groaned and staggered to her feet, then shuffled after Shinga.

"Akito-san... that person...?"

"Got a few things going on. Don't worry about it."

"Yes... but..."

"But what?"

"Being under someone like that... the twenty villagers over there... they're just... sad."

"..."

I didn’t answer. Words wouldn’t come.

Twenty villagers...

"Hey, how many people live on our side?"

"Um... 1,037, as of today. Mostly residents of this Rebeck. Akito-san's new town is by far the smallest."

"Is that right."

1,037...

Damn. We’re really falling behind here.