Are you a god?

The next morning, I was standing outside the house, thinking, Hmm, where should I start today?

"Master, it's terrible!"

The eldest daughter, Shasuri, burst out of the house in a panic.

"What is it, Shasuri?"

"It's terrible, master—Vera's gone!"

"Ahh, Vera?"

"We've looked everywhere. All of us searched. But she's nowhere."

Shasuri was flustered beyond reason.

I patted her head, calmed her down.

"Vera's at work."

"Eh?"

Shasuri blinked, surprised. At the same time, the other four peeked out from the house and stared at me.

"Message runner. She's taken a message to Meya. That's why she's missing—so don't worry—"

"“““““Cheater!””””"

I jumped.

Five voices, perfectly synchronized. The children’s high-pitched, impulsive tones harmonized perfectly—unexpectedly powerful.

"Cheater?"

I look back, and Shasri answers.

“That’s right. Just one of us working… Vera’s cheating.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”

Even small as she is, she’s still a slave—feels like she’s sneaking out of chores she wasn’t supposed to do, somewhere else.

Typical Eternal Slave behavior.

Then again, she’s their mother, so the story changes.

From my understanding, she’d either bless it with “That’s good,” or say nothing at all, just wait for the order to come down on herself.

That’s the kind of slave they are.

Well, either way, they’re both stubbornly cute.

“Don’t worry—everyone left has work too.”

“Really?!”

Shasri latches on instantly. The other four burst out of the house too.

——Magic power charged: 3,000.

——Magic power charged: 5,000.

——Magic power charged: 7,777.

——Magic power being charged.

——Magic power charged: 4,000.

The mental announcement buzzed louder than ever before.

☆

Directing the child slaves as they built the village.

Even as they dashed about, the children carried out their tasks with precision—like little kobolds, or sprites.

Watching them was endearing.

Even more so, given that I’m the type who adores slaves. The thought of how to pamper them once the work was done made me distracted, overwhelmed by their sheer cuteness.

“Um… Your Majesty…”

Anna came up beside me, speaking hesitantly.

“What is it?”

“…I have something I’d like to discuss…”

“Hmm?”

She sounded like she was about to bring up something serious.

“Alright. Risha.”

“Yesss?”

“Just a moment. I’ll step away for a bit. You take care of this.”

“Got it!”

The child slaves responded cheerfully.

I led Anna away from the group, to a quieter spot.

Though, really—this was already a deserted village. Just stepping a little farther off and the crowd vanished entirely.

Moved until the sound of the roaming child slaves faded, then stopped and turned to Anna.

"Is this good?"

"Y-yes..."

"Then. What’s this talk about a consultation?"

"We... we want to become people of the King’s land."

"Aha. Well, good for you."

That was always the plan.

Which is why I’ve used DORECA and magic to remake this village to match the standard of my country—food, shelter, clothing, all guaranteed.

If they say no now, that’d be the real hassle.

Well, I suppose that’s fine too.

"U-um... about... that..."

"Hmm?"

Anna fidgets. She’s making it painfully obvious she’s struggling to say something.

What’s she even trying to say?

"We might... not be able to pay taxes..."

"Aha."

That’s it, then.

Now I get it—what Anna, and the whole village, are really worried about.

A place this small, this empty—normal people would struggle to pay taxes.

Well, then. That settles it.

"And besides, the fact that you're helping the village right now... paying the cost for it too..."

"Stop worrying about it. Not paying at all would look bad elsewhere. But if you really can't, I'll think of a way to make it work."

"A way?"

"I won't squeeze you dry until you can't eat. That goes against my principles. I'll guarantee the basics—food, shelter, clothes. If you ask for the essentials, I'll make them for free anytime. That's exactly what I'm doing now."

"R-really for free?"

Anna gasps, wide-eyed.

"Huh? Didn't I mention that?"

"Eh... um..."

Anna flusters, stammering. I smile at her.

"That's the point. So don't stress over it."

Anna's eyes widen. Her expression slowly settles.

The shift in her face—she's starting to understand what I said.

Eventually, she looks at me, her expression a tangled mess of gratitude.

"Are you... a god, Your Majesty?"

She says it out loud.