Published: January 15, 2026
I managed to successfully persuade Espada by laying out my arguments. It was a more tense time than the battle with the Yelinetta Kingdom, but somehow I got through it. I’m proud of myself.
Thanks to Espada’s help, my letter was turned into an incredibly polite document and was delivered by the mary trading company.
While waiting for the results, my tenth birthday arrived.
“Finally, I’ve hit the big ten.”
I muttered this involuntarily during the grand ceremony that the entire Seato Village was holding under Espada’s leadership. Arte gave a cute smile.
“...It might only be for a little while, but the gap has shrunk to just one year,” Arte said quietly, and I nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. You’re the older one, Arte.”
When I said that, Arte smiled shyly. Well, the age gap would soon go back to two years after a little while.
As we talked, Kamushin folded his arms and groaned. Since Kamushin’s birthday was ambiguous, we just set it as one month after mine. He’s now eleven, so he’ll be twelve soon. He’s gotten pretty tall, and from a distance he even looks like an adult. As someone who’s struggling with his own height growth, I couldn’t help but envy him.
On the other hand, there were some who looked gloomy.
“...We’ll have a big celebration for Til’s birthday too, so don’t worry,” I said to comfort her, but Til gave a complicated smile.
“W-well, I’ll be twelve on my next birthday too... ah, ahahaha...”
“Huh? Til, you’re turning twenty-one, right?”
“Ugh...”
Kamushin, taking Til’s bad joke at face value, asked honestly. It was a direct hit to Til’s heart.
“...It’s almost been two years since we came to Seato Village. Time has flown by,” I reflected.
The population kept increasing, and within Seato Village’s walls, not only the central area but also inside the star-shaped fortifications, buildings had begun to fill the space. Open land was rapidly disappearing. If this were Japan, land prices would be skyrocketing.
“Thanks to Lord Van, Seato Village has become like heaven.”
“We can’t call him a child lord anymore.”
“Who said that in the first place?!”
The original villagers of Seato joined in the conversation cheerfully while drinking.
“It’s not over yet! There are still more things we want to eat and more fun things we want! Let’s all keep working hard!”
When I encouraged the drunkards, a thunderous cheer erupted. It was a bright, lively, and wonderful village. After two years, I had truly grown to love Seato Village.
While some adventurers moved around like backpackers, many made Seato Village their main base. Ort and his group took care of organizing things, so the adventurer town’s security was very good.
Recently, immigrants from other territories had decreased, but adventurers were increasing again. With the reward of territory this time, not only the land but also the number of residents would surely increase. When that happens, I had many plans.
“If we’re going to get it, we have to think about how to make use of it.”
Muttering this to myself, I enjoyed my birthday.
Just a few days later, over thirty horse-drawn carriages arrived in the village.
“Lord Van! So many have come!”
“What!?”
I jumped out of bed at Til’s loud shout, and reflexively responded. Til seemed flustered too, fumbling as she prepared my clothes.
“Lord Panamera, Prince Freitliner of the Yelinetta Kingdom, and also Lord Talga are here!”
“Huh? They all came together?”
How could such a coincidence happen when they lived in different places? I asked while changing clothes, and Til hurriedly dressed me while answering.
“Lord Van had declined, but there was a ceremony in the capital to honor those who contributed!”
“Oh, that’s what it is. Now that you mention it, yes. Hey Til, you can’t put pants on over your head.”
“Oh, sorry!”
Amid the chaos, I quickly finished getting dressed and rushed out of the lord’s manor, heading toward the castle gate.
“Lord Van! Lord Panamera and Lord Talga are waiting!”