Sixteen: That feeling when the thing you raised grows up—kinda satisfying, huh?

The frontier village developed at a rapid pace.

Several reasons, but the biggest one was clearly the Adventurer’s Guild.

It was originally a land where monsters appeared frequently.

Just the right hunting ground for a party with even moderate strength.

Why it had been left alone before? Because there was no base, and it was far too dangerous to stay long.

That changed when a village of decent size, protected by a defensive barrier, was completed—problem solved.

But it wasn’t just that.

“Seilra! One stamina potion, please!”

“Me too! Over here!”

“Also need healing potions!”

“Huh?! Yes, right away!”

The enchanting widow Seilra’s shop was bustling again today.

She just bought potions and gear produced by the crafting guild and sold them—and they flew off the shelves.

"Give me sharpness oil!"

"S-sorry! Sharpness oil's sold out!"

"Gah! You guys bought too much, didn't you!?"

"Only what we needed, that's all!"

"Damn it! I need a hardened blade right now!"

"Going after a hydra today. Wanna join our party?"

"Fine. If you split some oil with me."

"Deal."

This scene played out every morning now.

The inn’s occupancy had climbed past 150 percent.

Three people in a two-person room was standard. Another new adventuring party would probably show up in the village today, drawn by rumors.

The inn was expanding at full speed right now.

And the carpenters overseeing the expansion were the new settlers who’d just moved into the village.

More woodcutters and hunters came in, and before you knew it, there were even shops selling skewered meat, not just places to survive—now there were places for fun and good food too.

Of course, that meant more traveling merchants showing up.

Trade in necessities and luxuries—like wine—was booming, and the population was growing fast.

Right now, the biggest problem was housing.

For now, we’re just renting out the tents we used in the early days of settlement.

But with more carpenters around, it’ll be sorted soon enough.

Quick rundown: every settler gets a meager wage—just a few drops of rain, really.

Plus, for a while, food and shelter were guaranteed.

And for trades, hunting, and such, they were given all sorts of tax exemptions.

So they didn’t need to get cash right away. But that also meant we had to set up our base of life while we still had the chance.

From that situation, we started locking in the jobs for the early settlers. Right now, it’s mostly settled.

Lately, all I’ve been doing is handling guild-related tasks I was handed authority over.

And yeah, I got a decent chunk up front.

The last job from the Adventurer’s Guild—transfer fees to the Production Guild and the cost of sending out the settlement crew.

Plus, I’ve been getting a cut from the potions I’ve been selling to the Production Guild. And I’m still getting a salary from them too.

Only problem is, I’ve got nowhere to spend it. Just sitting there.

“Craft. Got a sec? Need to talk.”

Kyle, who’s been busy lately and hasn’t said much, showed up.

“What?”

Me and Kyle and Persia—brewing tea.

Alphard’s patrolling the village, huh.

"Yes. Actually, I’ve been asked to give the village a name soon."

"...Never had one before?"

"Yes..."

No way.

I mean, sure, we just called it a village or a settlement, but I never thought it’d actually be nameless.

"Since every attempt to settle this land has failed, my father said if it finally succeeds, you should name it."

"Yeah. Makes sense."

If it’s failed every time, then naming it each time would’ve been a pain.

"So I came to ask if you’ve got any good ideas."

"How about 'Kyle Village'?"

"Please don’t say something like that, just like Alphard and Persia."

"Come on. It’d be clear what it’s for. Everyone’s grateful to you. You’d probably like it, right?"

Persia shook her head back and forth, emphatic.

“This village was built by all of us. No, it’s not just us—it’s everyone who comes, every single person adding their hand to make it. So my name? It wouldn’t fit.”

“Don’t say that. If you’re not happy with it, we can come up with something else.”

“Please.”

“Still, you were an adventurer once, right? You’ve got no sense for that kind of thing. Persia? Got any ideas?”

“I’ve only got one—Kyle Village.”

“…Huh. I see.”

Well, this stiff’s not going to help much.

“How about you, Maina? Got anything?”

I ask Maina, Kyle’s twin sister. She looks down, shy, and murmurs quietly.

“Claf… Village.”

“Ah! That’s perfect!”

“Rejected. Rejected.”

Why’s it gotta be my name?

At least make it Leifan Village, if you’re gonna name it after someone in the guild.

When I rejected it, Maina puffed out her cheeks and turned away with a huff.

What do you want me to do?

"Seems like names of people are better avoided, huh."

"Yeah... that's true."

I was scratching my head, running out of ideas, when Leifan showed up in the room.

"Ah, Lord Kyle. Craft, what's going on?"

"No, I was just thinking of a village name."

I explained the whole situation.

"Hmm. How about Dask Village?"

"Dask? That means sunset, right?"

"Yeah."

"Sounds like a village on its way down. Any reason?"

"Sort of."

Leifan glanced at me—no, at the insignia floating above my left hand.

"Look, that crest’s glowing gold, and it’s called the Dusk Alchemist, right? The village’s progress came from that crest’s power, so 'dusk' meaning sunset—how about 'Twilight'?"

"Ah! I get it!"

"Hmm. A blind spot, that was."

"No way! Wait, wait! Something’s off here!"

"True, not bad, but dusk still feels a little off."

"Right?!"

"Then how about 'Dawn'—no, wait, 'Dawn' means beginning. How about 'Dawn'?"

"Then it’d mean new beginnings. Perfect for a frontier settlement!"

"Truly, Kyle-sama!"

It was a chain of联想 from the Dusk Crest. I almost objected at first, but then I thought—dawn, beginnings, not bad at all.

"Dawn Village... huh..."

"If I’m forced to pick anything but Kyle Village, I’m on board."

"Steady as ever, you are."

Kyle Village, I guess. Personally, I agree—but Kyle wouldn’t drink that nonsense.

“I love it! Dawn Village! I think it’s great!”

“……hmm.”

“Right, Maina likes it too, huh?”

Kyle ruffles his sister’s hair. Maina lets herself be fussed over, cheeks flushing.

“Then it’s settled. The name of this village shall be Goldendawn Village!!!”

“Ooh!”

“Huh?”

“Great! I like it!”

Wait—hold up. Where’d “Golden” come from?

“Thought it suited Lord Kyle’s noble flair!”

“No, no, wait—”

“Lord Kyle’s got a real knack for names!”

“Hm.”

“Getting praised like this? Makes me blush.”

“Outstanding!”

“Hey, someone explain where ‘Golden’ even came from, damn it!”

“Shall we announce it under this name?”

“Yeah. Let’s do it.”

“Who the hell ignores ‘Gan’ like that?!”

“I’ll file it in the official documents!”

Yes! Please do it!

And so, I was ignored like I’d never existed, and the name “Goldendoon Village” was decided upon.

“I just wanted to use Craft’s name as the designation…”

“Said something?”

“Nothing at all!”

“You’re such a simpleton.”

What’s that about?

Feeling like I’m being slandered unfairly by Leifan…?

“Totally.”

Persia! Even you?!

Whatever it was, the name Goldendoon Village spread like wildfire through the nearby towns and villages.