CH 40

In the past, Moiré village was a small, remote village at the foot of the mountains.

Because of its mountains and forests, it was originally more prosperous than the old capital (laugh) of Aldora. Still, that was only by comparison. They are far from wealthy. They make their living mainly by hunting and gathering. It was possible to grow crops, but there were very few things that able to take root here, and it was better to take risks and go into the mountains.

Since they choose to hunt and gather as opposed to farming, it is easy to see why they are rather underdeveloped. Compared to that, Aldora is arguably better.

Either way.

The people who settled here were also those who had to travel to such secluded places ...... and their descendants, the villagers here are also people with such natures.

When I was in Aldora and working hard to improve the land, I wondered if I could somehow improve this place as well, but that would not mean tearing up the mountain. Aldora was originally a modest agricultural type, so improving the soil was feasible, but this village had hardly been farming at all. Developing the land for farming would simply result in a richer lifestyle, but it is not something that this village embraces.

It is quite reasonable to say that it is more important to be wealthy than tradition and pride, and the first step of that is to improve the environment for living. But if that were the case, they would not have continued to live in this region in the first place. They should have joined Aldora, and then maybe we would have been able to expand our farmland with the extra manpower.

In the privileged world, those who seek profit and efficiency over tradition and pride are the ones who come after others and say, "It's easier this way, so do it." They are simply being hypocritical, not considering the sentiments of others, the ones who came before them. They believe that their own standards are superior and that those who do not follow or adapt are behind the times and barbaric.

Of course, it is foolish for people to be too caught up in tradition and ruin their own lives. Still, it is not possible for human beings to just "live" without thinking about their beliefs. purpose and dignity, that is what makes us human.

To strike down tradition outright is arrogant and barbaric, on the other hand, blindly preserving tradition will only leave it as a fossil, decaying away.

That is the difficult part, but I decided not to reform the land in this village, but rather to develop its strengths.

And it worked out well. Now now - don't think that you can do whatever you want to us just because you're a lord, okay? If you try to hold them down by force, they will resist even if they are the last, and even if they have only a tooth or a nail as a weapon, they will definitely take revenge on you!　The villagers, who had been so eager to help me, now looked at me as if I were a guardian god, just like the inhabitants of Aldora.

Well, admittedly, I didn't start out with such a complicated idea in mind, it's not that I was threatened by the villagers' pressure and fighting powers!

Anyway, there were times when I felt as if I could count on Randolph, and at the same time, I thought, "This old guy is really badass."

"Welcome Desmond-sama, we have been waiting for you, thank you for visiting us."

The sun was setting when I arrived at the Moiré village.

A row of wooden houses huddled together in a small, compact space. The sun was shining red in the sky, and anyone with an artistic sense would have been moved by the warmth from the past that was so poignantly appealing to one's heart.

But unfortunately, I have already visited the village many, many times, and instead of being overwhelmed by the feeling of the scenery, I was so overwhelmed by the pressure. When I got off the carriage, I was greeted with an enthusiastic welcome by the village chief and all the villagers. It should be chilly on a spring evening, but their eagerness and physique are making it rather hot and humid. --I'm not joking, it is really hot (physically).

"I heard that you are accompanied this time not by Randolph-sama, but by a maid, and a beautiful one at that. This is truly a sight for sore eyes."

The village chief, smiling cheerfully, is well tanned and looks to be in his late thirties. I think he is very young for village chief, but - well, I suppose it is natural for this place. In this village, the "chief" is regarded more in terms of his strength than his political power, so the most powerful person in the village leads the village as chief, and the advisors decide the political and foreign affairs of the village.

Therefore, the village chief is, to be frank, a tough, hard-boiled guy. The advisors are also older than the chief, but they all have good physiques. From the looks of it, they seem to maintain themselves really well......

But in this world where there is no sexual desire, there is not the slightest hint of a lustful gaze to her, even though Katherine is being called beautiful. It is just nothing but an impression.

'I smell something weird' 'Is it from the lord?'

It's definitely better than being asked something like that. ――So before this, I had already taken measures against the smell of juice with 【Clean】, So now I'm presentable, all neat and tidy.

--But I am the only one who knows about the Eros and the pleasures of women.

I almost chuckle to myself, then I realize that in front of me are mountains of muscles as far as the eye can see.

"Haha, the women of this village are no match for her."

I do my best to keep my cheeks from twitching. Although there are many beautiful looking women in this world, and the women of this village are no less beautiful, they also have a supple and toned physique, if not outright muscular - I don't think I can beat them in terms of sheer strength.

"I'm sorry if I caused you any inconvenience, my lord. Now then, let us carry your luggage. Hey, you guys!"

"Hey!" "Ooo!"

It's like I'm in the gym...

――――But.

"That's not necessary."

"Whoa!" And then came the collective gasp from the guys and the ladies.

Katherine, single-handedly, lifted all the luggage we had brought with us. Truth be told, I don't really need that much luggage, clothes, daily necessities, etc., my clothes (and underwear) can be managed with 【Clean】, and I'm not putting on any cosmetics.

I only needed one bag - but I brought whole baggage for the official business of a lord, and for show. The contents were gifts for this village. Since the other side knew the contents of the package it was nothing to show off either, but it was also too much for both sides to distribute it here.

So I bring it as my luggage and hand it over there after the appropriate formalities. It was a gift to be given to the entire village. It was a small village, and there were not a lot of goods on the back of the wagon, but enough to fill a whole cart.

This time it was strawberries and liquor made in Aldora.

Fruits are favored by women, and booze is for both men and women alike.

To the untrained eye, its volume is just two barrels or so.

But inside, there is more than the apparent volume packed in by magic. Normally, it would take several men in this village to carry it, but she carries it easily and walks with her normal, almost expressionless face.

I can't believe that she is the same person that was sucking on my rod so enthusiastically just a few minutes ago. Well, it's more like her appearance from earlier that is so far from her usual appearance.

And by the way, our stuff is store using Katherine's magic,【Storage】. I was thinking that we could have just use【Storage】to store this box to make things easier.

But now the villagers recognized her as more than just a pretty maid.

-scary.

"You have a masterful attendant, Desmond-sama. I would very much like to have one round with  her later."

...................

--one round.

Of course, it's not a fight in bed, but a full-on, physical battle. The eyes of men and women are shining brightly at that. Damn these battle-hungry goons.......

Whether she knew it or not, there was no way that this maid was unaware of the heat that was swirling around her. After all, she is a first-class maid with an excellent "presence sense".

Instead of being swayed by the weight, she was heading toward the lodging house at a steady pace. I go along with her, doing my best to behave like an honorable nobleman and a lord.

--But...

"What's wrong, Master?"

"............ nothing."

"I see."

Oh, I hope everything goes well this time.......

My "chicken sense" kind of ruffles its feathers a bit.

／

"Des-sama!"

As soon as we were led to the house of Ian, the village chief, his daughter Monica hugged me tightly. As Katherine was about to react, I barely managed to stop her with my hand.

Monica hugged me with all her might.

"Ohh!" It's nice to be hugged by a fifteen-year-old girl, especially one who's an athletic, battle-hardened girl - well, she's also a very pretty girl.

She has shoulder-length flaxen hair and hazel eyes. She has the tanned complexion typical of a lively girl, and I've known her since she was as small as Emily. It was like a relative girl who fondly missed me, Just like Emily, In many. many ways, Yes Just like Emily (I said that twice because it's important.) Without having to worry about anything, I can just hug her and pat her head with pure, innocent affection.

"Heh heh heh."

And her innocent look is also a healing factor for me. She's getting more feminine these days. Did this girl smell this sweet? I gradually began to think some unpure thoughts.

--Ummm, it's fine, it's fine.

Physically, though, things are not fine.

I was too friendly for being the noble and lord, but I had said "It's fine" to her when she was still a little girl, it would be hard to say "no" to her now, since she was so fond of me, and I felt sorry for her. And I don't want to stop her from doing this because I can feel her growth.

My feelings are innocent, like checking on the growth of a girl relative.

Besides.

"Oh, Des-sama, it's been a long time! Ahh... Des-sama's smell, *sniff*  *sniff*  *sniff*.

I think it's mutual...

"............ so envious."

huh!?

There was a whisper in my head just like Charlotte. Since Charlotte is not here, that means. -unh, Is that you? Katherine?

--but when I turned my head away while Monica squeezed me, she still had her usual cold, beautiful, nearly expressionless face. Still, her narrow brown eyes were directed at the lively 15 year old girl that clinging to me.......

Am I the only one who feels some sort of chill?

"Monica, it's time for you to get off and let Desmond-sama take the seat. Moreover, you'll be with him later anyway--"

"--Hmmm, yes, that's right, okay."

Well, I couldn't say, "I'll be your chair, and we'll see how you grow in other areas," because that would cause a catastrophe of my dignity, but - later?

--Well, I guess that means She'll have plenty of free time with me later.

That's what I plan on doing, too. Of course, I mean that in the purest sense. Just as Katherine had been asked for a fight by the villagers,  Monica like to spar with me too. But it's more like an extended hug session than a fight.

I'm a lord, after all, and she knows that, so she's not going to get serious and throw me to the ground. --I don't think I could win if she really tried. The only exercise I do is walking around the territory, and I've only recently added bed exercises. Although it is getting to be a very hard full-body workout, there is no way I can beat her, who is always running around in the fields and mountains and hunting.

After a short pleasant chat, I brought in a souvenir and give it to the village chief.