High-Speed Slow Life
In the office, I was checking the new card—rare card magic list—when Yuria entered.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"There's someone who wants to consult with you."
"Consult?"
I tilted my head, surprised.
That phrase had never come from Yuria's lips before.
Requests from citizens—pleas, requests, petitions—came daily, but "consult" was new.
"They want to speak with you directly."
"I see."
Yuria, as always, gave no expression. But she looked unsure, like she didn’t know what to do.
If it were a normal "request," she’d handle it herself, gather the tasks, and bring them to me.
Coming to ask if I’d meet them? That meant she was at a loss.
"Alright, let’s meet. Where is he?"
"Outside here."
"Already here? Then bring him in. Name?"
"Nestor."
After hearing Yuria’s name, I gave the order to allow him inside the absolute barrier.
After a pause, Yuria returned, leading a man.
A man in his forties.
A gentlemanly type, with a neatly trimmed square beard.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He bowed deeply as soon as he entered the room.
“Nestor, eh? Sit there.”
I had him take a seat in the chair opposite my desk.
Facing each other across the desk.
I rested my chin on my folded hands, and asked him.
“What’s this about a request?”
“I… actually, I want to leave Rebec.”
“Hm?”
Another surprise.
“Leave Rebec… what do you mean by that?”
“I’ve lived in Rebec for as long as I can remember.”
“Since before Malart’s rule, you mean?”
“Yes. Even before that.”
“Huh.”
"When I was born, this Rebec was just a humble farming village. Then it slowly grew, and after Malart noticed it, he seized control. After that, the King arrived and brought about explosive development—now we’re where we are today."
"Huh. Can’t imagine this place was once a farm village."
Interesting story. I didn’t know Rebec’s history properly—never thought of it that way.
I mean, when Malart was around, it already felt like a trading town.
No trace of farmland left. No hint of its old self.
"Thanks to the King, Rebec has developed—wonderful, truly. Everyone lives in happiness now… but."
"But?"
"To someone like me, Rebec today is a bit too lively… the pace of life is too fast."
"...So you’re saying you’d rather live in the countryside than the city?"
"Put simply, yes."
"I see…"
Leaning back deeply into the chair, she looked up at the ceiling.
So you want to get out of the city and head to the countryside—something like an I-Turn, is that it?
I’ve developed the nation through DORECA all this time.
The nation had been rapidly developed using magic—endless as infinity—gained by loving the slaves.
Things were going smoothly—new threats kept emerging, but they were driven back one after another. The population now easily surpassed ten thousand, and prosperity only grew stronger.
I thought that was fine—never imagined someone like Nestor could exist in my head.
Never seen anything like it, but... I get it.
I get what you're saying.
Then
“Ah.”
I nod.
"Then I'll make it for you too."
☆
Three days later, outside Rebeck.
About ten people gathered around Nestor.
All of them were young men—no families, no companions, just solitary souls.
"Are these all the ones who volunteered?"
Yes
Right after hearing Nestor’s words, I reached out.
We’d gathered people wanting to move to a new village being built.
These ten are the ones who came.
“Is that so.”
“Um… Your Majesty…”
“What?”
“You’re here too, Your Majesty?”
“Yeah. I said I’d make it, didn’t I?”
“Um… It’s… very hard to say, but—”
“—I get what you’re trying to say.”
Cutting off Nestor.
“You want to say it’s getting too fast, too hectic with me around.”
“Eh… yes… ah, I’m sorry!”
“No need to apologize. I get it. I feel the same way.”
Nestor, and these people gathered now—they all want a slow life. A laid-back existence.
They want to leave the city behind, live easy, no rush. That’s their wish.
But if I show up? That new land might become a high-speed slow life.
And that’s what they’re afraid of.
She understands it perfectly.
“Relax.”
“Huh?”
“I left my DORECA behind. Only this one, the one with the normal card, is coming with me.”
“Take care.”
Oliga pops up from behind me.
Svetlana’s daughter. The twelfth slave.
Only this one is coming.
“I’m curious about that slow, easygoing life.”
With that, Nestor and the others seemed to breathe a little easier.