A few days after we started giving magic and martial arts training to the beastmen children.
I asked all the members of the Foxmen and Monkeymen tribes to gather in the main conference room.
The number of people in the room is about forty-eight, which is quite a large number. I smile in front of them.
'Now, let me quickly tell you why I have asked you all to gather here. Actually, in the Bardia territory, we have decided to establish a research and development division that will make general items such as armour and daily necessities. I've heard that you, the Foxmen and the Monkeymen, are very talented at creating things, so I'd like you to make the most of that in this department."
Hearing my words, the children have a scowling look on their faces.
The children who heard my words had expressions of shock.
'Master Rid, may I?"
'Yes, what is it, Noir?"
'That ...... Research and Development Department, does that mean we are competently 'out of strength' ......?'
She muttered unsurely and turned her head slightly.
The other children are similarly looking somewhat dejected.
I continued talking to them as if to gently admonish them.
'That's not true. As I said before, you have a lot of talent for craftsmanship, so I want you to make the most of it. To be honest, I think this will be the most important part of your 'power' for the future development of the Bardia territory, rather than just your ability to fight. This is something that everyone else can't do, and probably only you can do, so you're not 'out of power' by any means."
'Wow, we are? But can a beastman who doesn't fight ...... really be of any use to you?"
The other children nodded in agreement with Noir's words.
It seems that the idea of the weak and strong in the beastman nation still has strong roots, and there is a strong perception that 'not fighting means you're out of the fight'.
Certainly, this may be true in the world of beastmen countries that only seek power.
But that's not what I'm aiming for, and it would be a national blunder to let their talents flow out of the country for nothing.
I look around at everyone here and speak strongly.
"No, it's not like that. I'm not. I think only you can do it. And even if you can't believe in yourselves, I believe you can."
At that moment, a child from the ape tribe raised his hand and I looked at him.
'You are ...... Thomas, I believe. Is there something on your mind?
In response to my question, he spun his words slowly with a powerful gaze.
'I was ...... gathering junk in my hometown and making all sorts of things myself. By selling them, my sister and I managed to make a living. But in the end, even if I could make things, I wasn't recognised unless I had the strength to fight, so I was captured and sold to a slave head count. Is it right that Master Rid recognises that ...... thing-making as one 'power'?"
Thomas looked regretful as he spoke, and asked me to confirm it.
I shake my head at his words and answer.
I'm right. I don't think that 'the power to fight' is everything. And let's not think of the weak as the strong and the strong as the weak, because that's ridiculous. However powerful you are, you can't survive without the help of others. Forgetting that, abusing others as weak and thinking that you are living on your own strength is the essence of folly."
The children are stunned again, as if they didn't expect me to so clearly reject the idea of the weak and powerful.
However, hearing my answer, Thomas of the ape tribe's eyes lit up.
'Haha, Master Rid. You are the greatest. I myself don't know if I really have the talent that Master Lid says I have. But I will do what I have to do."
'Thank you Thomas, your words are very encouraging. And it's not just Thomas. I have high expectations for everyone, so please do me a favour.'
When I look over at everyone again as I speak to them, their faces are quickly becoming more and more confident.
At the same time, I turned my attention to Ellen, the dwarf here.
'Well, next, let me introduce you to Ellen, the head of the R&D department, who will also be your teacher.
She looks over at the children and clears her throat as she steps forward with a shy smile.
'Well, I am the dwarf Ellen Walter, whom Master Rid has just introduced to you. But be prepared, everyone. The development department is currently short of staff. And it's probably the hardest place in Bardia, where we get pushed around the most by Master Rid's reckless behaviour."
'...... Ellen, isn't that a terrible way of putting it?'
I couldn't help but lash out at her words.
I'm aware that I'm being reckless, but...
But she continues to talk with a happy smile on her face.
'Haha, but it's true. But that makes it all the more rewarding. The device that appraised everyone's attribute qualities. That, too, was the brainchild of Rid-sama, and we created it. I'll say it again and again. Please be prepared to enjoy Rid-sama's recklessness."
Ellen smiled at the children as she finished.
Her words and the atmosphere brightened up the children, making them smile or giggle.
I looked a little clumsy and coughed, then looked over at the children.
'Well, that's why from tomorrow, as soon as you have finished your martial arts and magic training, you will move to the workshop of the R&D Department. There, you will help Ellen and the others with their duties, so please do your best.'
Ellen then explains to the children what they will be doing tomorrow.
In the workshop, there will also be charcoal making work, so we will talk about that as well.
Eventually, the briefing is over and the meeting is dismissed.
In the process, Noir and Lagarde ran up to me.
'What's the matter, you two? What's on your mind?'
'Um, ...... could just me and Lagarde continue to focus on our martial arts and magic training as before?
'Me too, please. I want to become stronger ...... ‼."
The two are looking more desperate than I expected and I get the impression that they have something in mind.
I put on a thoughtful face and then asked the two of them
'That's fine, but if you don't mind, I'd like you to tell me the reason why you're doing it.'
'So ...... it's, with all due respect, still ...... but now, please. I want to be strong ‼.
'I want to be strong enough to protect Noir, too, ‼.'
Apparently, they have a reason, but they can't say it now.
However, from the looks of the two of them, it seems that they have reasonable feelings for each other.
Besides, it wouldn't be pointless to ask them to become stronger.
'I understand. But I'll ask you for your reasoning sometime.'
'...... ministry, yes, thank you ‼."
'Thank you for your ‼.'
Noir and Lagarde have a big smile on their faces at my answer and a light of determination in their eyes.
What is it about them that makes them want to be so strong? I was curious, but I didn't pry any further.
Thus, the foxmen and apemen begin to move under Ellen and Alex, becoming part of the Research and Development Department.
And only some of the children of the Foxmen and Apemen tribes, who had fervently requested it, would continue to focus on magic and martial arts training.
A few days after we started giving magic and martial arts training to the beastmen children.
I asked all the members of the Foxmen and Monkeymen tribes to gather in the main conference room.
The number of people in the room is about forty-eight, which is quite a large number. I smile in front of them.
'Now, let me quickly tell you why I have asked you all to gather here. Actually, in the Bardia territory, we have decided to establish a research and development division that will make general items such as armour and daily necessities. I've heard that you, the Foxmen and the Monkeymen, are very talented at creating things, so I'd like you to make the most of that in this department."
Hearing my words, the children have a scowling look on their faces.
The children who heard my words had expressions of shock.
'Master Rid, may I?"
'Yes, what is it, Noir?"
'That ...... Research and Development Department, does that mean we are competently 'out of strength' ......?'
She muttered unsurely and turned her head slightly.
The other children are similarly looking somewhat dejected.
I continued talking to them as if to gently admonish them.
'That's not true. As I said before, you have a lot of talent for craftsmanship, so I want you to make the most of it. To be honest, I think this will be the most important part of your 'power' for the future development of the Bardia territory, rather than just your ability to fight. This is something that everyone else can't do, and probably only you can do, so you're not 'out of power' by any means."
'Wow, we are? But can a beastman who doesn't fight ...... really be of any use to you?"
The other children nodded in agreement with Noir's words.
It seems that the idea of the weak and strong in the beastman nation still has strong roots, and there is a strong perception that 'not fighting means you're out of the fight'.
Certainly, this may be true in the world of beastmen countries that only seek power.
But that's not what I'm aiming for, and it would be a national blunder to let their talents flow out of the country for nothing.
I look around at everyone here and speak strongly.
"No, it's not like that. I'm not. I think only you can do it. And even if you can't believe in yourselves, I believe you can."
At that moment, a child from the ape tribe raised his hand and I looked at him.
'You are ...... Thomas, I believe. Is there something on your mind?
In response to my question, he spun his words slowly with a powerful gaze.
'I was ...... gathering junk in my hometown and making all sorts of things myself. By selling them, my sister and I managed to make a living. But in the end, even if I could make things, I wasn't recognised unless I had the strength to fight, so I was captured and sold to a slave head count. Is it right that Master Rid recognises that ...... thing-making as one 'power'?"
Thomas looked regretful as he spoke, and asked me to confirm it.
I shake my head at his words and answer.
I'm right. I don't think that 'the power to fight' is everything. And let's not think of the weak as the strong and the strong as the weak, because that's ridiculous. However powerful you are, you can't survive without the help of others. Forgetting that, abusing others as weak and thinking that you are living on your own strength is the essence of folly."
The children are stunned again, as if they didn't expect me to so clearly reject the idea of the weak and powerful.
However, hearing my answer, Thomas of the ape tribe's eyes lit up.
'Haha, Master Rid. You are the greatest. I myself don't know if I really have the talent that Master Lid says I have. But I will do what I have to do."
'Thank you Thomas, your words are very encouraging. And it's not just Thomas. I have high expectations for everyone, so please do me a favour.'
When I look over at everyone again as I speak to them, their faces are quickly becoming more and more confident.
At the same time, I turned my attention to Ellen, the dwarf here.
'Well, next, let me introduce you to Ellen, the head of the R&D department, who will also be your teacher.
She looks over at the children and clears her throat as she steps forward with a shy smile.
'Well, I am the dwarf Ellen Walter, whom Master Rid has just introduced to you. But be prepared, everyone. The development department is currently short of staff. And it's probably the hardest place in Bardia, where we get pushed around the most by Master Rid's reckless behaviour."
'...... Ellen, isn't that a terrible way of putting it?'
I couldn't help but lash out at her words.
I'm aware that I'm being reckless, but...
But she continues to talk with a happy smile on her face.
'Haha, but it's true. But that makes it all the more rewarding. The device that appraised everyone's attribute qualities. That, too, was the brainchild of Rid-sama, and we created it. I'll say it again and again. Please be prepared to enjoy Rid-sama's recklessness."
Ellen smiled at the children as she finished.
Her words and the atmosphere brightened up the children, making them smile or giggle.
I looked a little clumsy and coughed, then looked over at the children.
'Well, that's why from tomorrow, as soon as you have finished your martial arts and magic training, you will move to the workshop of the R&D Department. There, you will help Ellen and the others with their duties, so please do your best.'
Ellen then explains to the children what they will be doing tomorrow.
In the workshop, there will also be charcoal making work, so we will talk about that as well.
Eventually, the briefing is over and the meeting is dismissed.
In the process, Noir and Lagarde ran up to me.
'What's the matter, you two? What's on your mind?'
'Um, ...... could just me and Lagarde continue to focus on our martial arts and magic training as before?
'Me too, please. I want to become stronger ...... ‼."
The two are looking more desperate than I expected and I get the impression that they have something in mind.
I put on a thoughtful face and then asked the two of them
'That's fine, but if you don't mind, I'd like you to tell me the reason why you're doing it.'
'So ...... it's, with all due respect, still ...... but now, please. I want to be strong ‼.
'I want to be strong enough to protect Noir, too, ‼.'
Apparently, they have a reason, but they can't say it now.
However, from the looks of the two of them, it seems that they have reasonable feelings for each other.
Besides, it wouldn't be pointless to ask them to become stronger.
'I understand. But I'll ask you for your reasoning sometime.'
'...... ministry, yes, thank you ‼."
'Thank you for your ‼.'
Noir and Lagarde have a big smile on their faces at my answer and a light of determination in their eyes.
What is it about them that makes them want to be so strong? I was curious, but I didn't pry any further.
Thus, the foxmen and apemen begin to move under Ellen and Alex, becoming part of the Research and Development Department.
And only some of the children of the Foxmen and Apemen tribes, who had fervently requested it, would continue to focus on magic and martial arts training.
