“So, this city…er, this village was built from scratch thanks to your [Village Building] Gift…?”
“Naturally, all of this isn’t just due to my efforts. It is only thanks to our villagers’ help that our village is what it is today.”
I offered that supplementary explanation to Gaius-san who had been so shocked he quickly turned pale.
“…and with that Gift, you ended the prolonged civil war, and even repelled an invasion from the Barste Kingdom, am I correct?”
“I suppose, but again, I couldn’t have done those things without everyone’s support.”
It would have been a simple matter to get this information if one was so intent, so I saw no reason to deny them.
“Certainly, if they could build bases anywhere and instantly, the strategic advantages would be innumerable…and, of course, there’s that mysterious ability to move to places in an instant…”
Gaius-san folded his arms as though he was pondering on something. He stayed like that for a while until, as though he had come to a decision, nodded and said…
“Very well. Village Chief Luke, please come to our nation.”
“Oh? A visit, huh?”
I was not enthusiastic about that.
I had accepted the invitations from the other nations, yes, but based on the vibe I was getting from these envoys, I was imagining a visit to Loda would be quite the unpleasant time.
“No, not a visit. We wish for you to become a citizen of the Loda Kingdom.”
“???”
What is he saying all of a sudden?
“If you accept now, I could use my authority to grant you peerage in our nation.”
I absolutely didn’t need something like peerage though.
“Celtia is beyond foolish to make you nothing more than a village chief despite displaying the ability to build such a city in such a short amount of time. Thankfully, our nation has a tradition of promoting anyone of value regardless of the circumstances of their birth.”
He seemed to be under the impression that my position as a village chief was because our nation wasn’t appreciating me properly. In truth though, Celtia had indeed offered me peerage, among other things, multiple times but I simply refused.
“Ahm…I’ll have to say no.”
“What!?”
Gaius-san probably didn’t expect me to refuse because he shouted his reply like that.
“This is peerage in our nation we are talking about. It might only be for the rank of baron and you can’t pass it down, but depending on your future deeds, you can hope to see yourself climb the ranks!”
“No, I’m more than happy with my current position.”
“You fool…do you not understand the opportunity being offered to you here?”
In his annoyance, Gaius-san whispered “like I thought, you’re nothing but a child…”
I could hear you, you know?
“Then, what else do you want?”
“Sorry, but in the first place, I don’t want to be separated from this village.”
“…I have been humbling myself all this time…and yet, you’re still going to refuse?”
At which point were you humbling yourself?
“You will regret this!”
Like that, the envoys left, fuming. They were so mad that they even refused our offer to see them off.
However, just a few days later, they were back in the village.
It didn’t look like they had done any contemplation at all for leaving so suddenly, for Gaius-san accosted me as soon as we met.
“…regarding what we talked about the other day, how about the rank of viscount?”
No, it’s not a matter of rank. Don’t you remember my explanation from last time?
“I confess, I haven’t earned His Majesty’s permission yet, but as long as I was the one to ask it, there’s a good chance you’ll be granted that rank. No one in our history has ever been elevated all at once to the rank of viscount. Think about it, you’ll be the first one in our history! Moreover, as viscount, you will be granted lands as befitting of the rank. The quality of the land to be granted to you will obviously be nothing like this wasteland Celtia has given you. It is no exaggeration to say you are all but guaranteed to have your descendants live in prosperity, to say nothing of your own lifetime of peace and security.”
Once again, Gaius-san patronizingly made an offer.
Of course, my answer remained the same.
“Thanks for that great offer, but…”
“Wha…unbelievable…how long are you going to mock me before you’re satisfied!?”
Enraged once again, the envoys left.
They returned to the village for a few times after that, still wanting to bring me to their nation. They still went about it in a haughty manner too.
“Count! How about becoming a count!?”
“Sorry but no.”
“Marquis!?”
“No thanks.”
“I’ll give you my entire noble house! Of course, that comes with my 4 daughters! They’re all cute!”
“No, and I think that’s going too far…”
“His Majesty has given his permission for you to wed Her Highness the Princess!”
“I told you I don’t even want to hear offers like that.”
“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it! So please! Please go with us!”
“Hey, please lift your head up!”
Gaius-san steadily grew more and more desperate until, finally, he was begging me.
“In the first place, what even are you trying to accomplish by having me move?”
“T-to be honest…”
“So, this city…er, this village was built from scratch thanks to your [Village Building] Gift…?”
“Naturally, all of this isn’t just due to my efforts. It is only thanks to our villagers’ help that our village is what it is today.”
I offered that supplementary explanation to Gaius-san who had been so shocked he quickly turned pale.
“…and with that Gift, you ended the prolonged civil war, and even repelled an invasion from the Barste Kingdom, am I correct?”
“I suppose, but again, I couldn’t have done those things without everyone’s support.”
It would have been a simple matter to get this information if one was so intent, so I saw no reason to deny them.
“Certainly, if they could build bases anywhere and instantly, the strategic advantages would be innumerable…and, of course, there’s that mysterious ability to move to places in an instant…”
Gaius-san folded his arms as though he was pondering on something. He stayed like that for a while until, as though he had come to a decision, nodded and said…
“Very well. Village Chief Luke, please come to our nation.”
“Oh? A visit, huh?”
I was not enthusiastic about that.
I had accepted the invitations from the other nations, yes, but based on the vibe I was getting from these envoys, I was imagining a visit to Loda would be quite the unpleasant time.
“No, not a visit. We wish for you to become a citizen of the Loda Kingdom.”
“???”
What is he saying all of a sudden?
“If you accept now, I could use my authority to grant you peerage in our nation.”
I absolutely didn’t need something like peerage though.
“Celtia is beyond foolish to make you nothing more than a village chief despite displaying the ability to build such a city in such a short amount of time. Thankfully, our nation has a tradition of promoting anyone of value regardless of the circumstances of their birth.”
He seemed to be under the impression that my position as a village chief was because our nation wasn’t appreciating me properly. In truth though, Celtia had indeed offered me peerage, among other things, multiple times but I simply refused.
“Ahm…I’ll have to say no.”
“What!?”
Gaius-san probably didn’t expect me to refuse because he shouted his reply like that.
“This is peerage in our nation we are talking about. It might only be for the rank of baron and you can’t pass it down, but depending on your future deeds, you can hope to see yourself climb the ranks!”
“No, I’m more than happy with my current position.”
“You fool…do you not understand the opportunity being offered to you here?”
In his annoyance, Gaius-san whispered “like I thought, you’re nothing but a child…”
I could hear you, you know?
“Then, what else do you want?”
“Sorry, but in the first place, I don’t want to be separated from this village.”
“…I have been humbling myself all this time…and yet, you’re still going to refuse?”
At which point were you humbling yourself?
“You will regret this!”
Like that, the envoys left, fuming. They were so mad that they even refused our offer to see them off.
However, just a few days later, they were back in the village.
It didn’t look like they had done any contemplation at all for leaving so suddenly, for Gaius-san accosted me as soon as we met.
“…regarding what we talked about the other day, how about the rank of viscount?”
No, it’s not a matter of rank. Don’t you remember my explanation from last time?
“I confess, I haven’t earned His Majesty’s permission yet, but as long as I was the one to ask it, there’s a good chance you’ll be granted that rank. No one in our history has ever been elevated all at once to the rank of viscount. Think about it, you’ll be the first one in our history! Moreover, as viscount, you will be granted lands as befitting of the rank. The quality of the land to be granted to you will obviously be nothing like this wasteland Celtia has given you. It is no exaggeration to say you are all but guaranteed to have your descendants live in prosperity, to say nothing of your own lifetime of peace and security.”
Once again, Gaius-san patronizingly made an offer.
Of course, my answer remained the same.
“Thanks for that great offer, but…”
“Wha…unbelievable…how long are you going to mock me before you’re satisfied!?”
Enraged once again, the envoys left.
They returned to the village for a few times after that, still wanting to bring me to their nation. They still went about it in a haughty manner too.
“Count! How about becoming a count!?”
“Sorry but no.”
“Marquis!?”
“No thanks.”
“I’ll give you my entire noble house! Of course, that comes with my 4 daughters! They’re all cute!”
“No, and I think that’s going too far…”
“His Majesty has given his permission for you to wed Her Highness the Princess!”
“I told you I don’t even want to hear offers like that.”
“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it! So please! Please go with us!”
“Hey, please lift your head up!”
Gaius-san steadily grew more and more desperate until, finally, he was begging me.
“In the first place, what even are you trying to accomplish by having me move?”
“T-to be honest…”
