Plagadaryu

"Run the town's mayorship."

Inside the temporary shelter, I called out to Zahar, straight to the point.

"Me?!"

Zahar looked utterly shocked.

"Yeah."

"But... why me?"

"Because you were the first to volunteer. Back when we built the first house."

During the demonstration, during the tutorial, Zahar had been the first to step forward.

Thanks to that, everything that followed had gone much smoother.

"You've been leading the charge ever since—town building, the Pshini incident, even organizing the hunters. I heard you gathered them all."

"That was just to make life better. Since we’re under the lord’s rule, working harder means a better life. That’s all."

"Maybe. But you stood out. That’s why I want you to be mayor."

Staring straight at Zahar.

"How about it?"

Zahar hesitates. After a moment, he nods, hesitant but firm.

"...I understand. I'll do it."

He nods again, stronger this time.

I thought he could handle it.

☆

Late afternoon, about to head back to Rebeck with Rirya.

At the town’s entrance, most of the townspeople were waiting.

Zahar, appointed mayor, stood at the front, leading them all.

"Goodbye, then."

Rirya whispered softly into my ear.

I nodded, then spoke to Zahar.

"Got a break now, so I'm heading back to Rebeck. If anything comes up, send word. Either me or one of the slaves will answer straight away. You can even reach out to Mira and the others."

"Lord, I have a request."

"Already?"

I smiled wryly.

Shouldn’t have missed anything basic. So it’s probably just a favor.

Well, a little one won’t hurt.

“What, spit it out.”

“Could you… decide the name for this town?”

“……Ah.”

I remembered then, belatedly.

Right—this town never got a name.

“Sorry, totally forgot. So it’s a name, huh?”

I thought. Now, what kind of name would be good?

“If you don’t mind, we’ve already got something in mind.”

Zahar says. I get a bad feeling.

I remember now—the thing Madway did.

“Akito’s out.”

First town. Name forced on us by Madway.

I get it—heroes’ names for towns are common enough. But actually being stuck with one? Painful.

It’s my name. Hard to say. And whenever someone brings up that town, my back itches.

We’ll make a town for the slaves someday. But my name? No more of that.

“No, that’s not it,”

“So, what’s it supposed to be, then?”

“‘Bragadarie.’”

“Bragadarie?”

I said it out loud.

A bit long, but within reason. And most importantly—no shame in it.

Sounds just like Rebek or Permi. Maybe even better.

“You all came up with that together?”

“Yes!”

Zahar nodded, and the townspeople all nodded in unison.

Hmm, so that’s how it is.

“Then let’s go with that. Any inspiration behind it?”

“Yes. We wanted to leave a physical form of our gratitude toward Lord-sama, so we did this.”

“Huh?”

I blinked.

The townspeople spoke in unison, dead serious.

—Bragadarie (We are grateful).

Me, still stunned.

Maybe even more embarrassing than the name itself.

☆

On the road back from Bragadarie to Rebek.

Rirya suddenly burst into excited speech.

"A town’s been made."

"Uh? Why’d you suddenly—"

"A town’s been made. Right where there was nothing, it just popped up in about ten days."

"Ah, you mean that place?"

Answered vaguely with "that place." Plagadarie—still a little awkward to say out loud in conversation.

"It happened in a flash. A spring appeared, houses rose, walls circled it all around. Clothes, food—everything just showed up."

"Everything was there. Well, I figured from past experience that shelter, food, and clothing should be the first things sorted out."

"Everyone was smiling."

"Smiling, huh?"

"Yes, they were. Everyone, thanking the big brother. Rirya was smug as a slave, all proud of herself."

"Is that so."

Then that’s good.

Looked at Rirya.

Didn’t pay much attention to the townspeople, but I’d been watching Rirya.

I know exactly how hard she’s worked.

"Rirya."

"Yes, ma’am?"

“Good job.”

I said it.

Just a simple compliment. But Rirya suddenly flustered up.

“Really? Really? Did I do well, Rirya?”

“Yeah, good job.”

I said it again.

Praising her’s easy.

In fact, I’d rather keep praising her, petting her, making her happy.

That’s my style.

“Did it… well?”

She whispered it softly, giving herself a tiny fist bump—just loud enough for herself.

If she gets this excited over this…

“Rirya. Let’s go somewhere nice.”

“Nice place?”

Her eyes lit up, like she was about to ask if it could get any better.

☆

I brought Rirya into the forest.

A handmade forest, like an oasis in the desert.

“Wahhh…”

I figured she’d like it. Predictably, she went into a giddy fit.

“Where is this?”

“This is the forest me and Risha made.”

"Did you make it?"

“Trees, grass, the lake nearby. I just made and lined up whatever was around here. That’s what it turned out to be.”

"Even the animals?"

“That’s not how it works. Once the forest grows, people just start showing up from all around, settling in however they please.”

“Waaah!”

Rirya grows even more delighted.

She darted through the forest, chasing after animals.

Risha was getting pretty pumped when the plants she’d kept planting started turning into a forest.

Eternal Slave really does like this kind of thing, huh.

And it suits her, too.

In a lush forest, a green dress, golden hair, and pointed ears.

Looks amazing on you.

I went deep into the forest.

A hut sits beside the lake—used for working here, when the time comes.

She stepped into the hut, brushing dust from her clothes. Rirya followed behind.

"Where is this place?"

A cabin for staying overnight. We’ll be sleeping here tonight.

“Is that alright?”

“Gotta take a break once in a while.”

☆

Night. By the lake.

He’d built a fire, just watching the flames flicker.

Stoking the wood, poking the embers with a branch.

Staring at the wavering light.

Just idling like that.

Rirya was beside him.

A crowd of animals had gathered around her.

Squirrels. Deer-like creatures.

Bears. Wild boars—ferocious-looking ones.

They kept arriving one after another, drawn to her side.

Exactly like Risha had been.

“Like animals, do you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Even those ones over there?”

He pointed to the bear lying on its side.

“Yes. Their innocent faces are so cute.”

“Innocent?”

That was a strange feeling, but whatever.

Rirya liked them. That was all that mattered.

I had no idea such a wonderful place existed.

"Didn't say that, come to think of it."

"But but, it could be even more beautiful. If it’s Rirya, she could make a small hill at the back, and a waterfall flowing into the lake."

"Then let's really go ahead and make it, huh?"

Is it really alright?

"Yeah, if you’re making something, best not wreck the old stuff too much—Risha made some of this, after all."

Is it alright if we do it now?

Rirya came at her full speed, buzzing with energy.

That’s fine, but you’ve been crafting nonstop for ten days—don’t you think you should rest a bit?

I'm fine! I'll be off right away—

Rirya darts off, slave card in hand.

The animals that had been playing together trailed behind.

"Best thing ever, seeing you enjoy yourself."

Watching Rirya celebrating so wildly, she thought—was it really worth bringing her this far?