Chapter 46: The Name of the Country and Two Treaties
The village has become quite clean.
It must be the result of my usual efforts! I can't say it out loud, though...
But now, it doesn't matter how things turn out.
What I insisted on was the toilet, water supply, pest control, and the bathhouse!
The first three are Japanese-style. I had them process spider webs to create insect screens as a substitute for mosquito nets.
Initially, I had them carve wooden toilets, but they were unusable, so I had them changed.
The old-style wooden toilets would be hard to clean and would rot.
But, dwarves are indeed skilled.
Except for the toilet, everything else was smoothly produced without major failures.
Here, the useful skill is "Thought Manipulation." It's an evolved skill from "Thought Transmission," and it can be used in the same way.
Therefore, it was easy to convey my ideas.
Even things that are difficult to explain with words or drawings can be simply conveyed by transferring the image directly.
I also conveyed the image of turning a faucet to get water, but it seems to be a bit too much.
It appears that there is a device that uses a high-level water magic stone to create water from the air, but it is quite expensive and bulky.
Moreover, the cost of exchanging magic stones is too high, and it cannot be used for military purposes.
It seems to be a facility only for a few wealthy individuals.
We don't have that kind of luxury, so we have to think of alternatives using what we have.
Well, the water supply system doesn't seem like it will be realized anytime soon.
As a substitute, we created a system where water is supplied to barrels placed at each household or water source, and people can draw water from there.
Just like the toilet, once the water is initially supplied, turning the faucet makes the water come out.
Indeed, it's Kaijin and Mild. I had to explain it to them.
Additionally, I made the monsters maintain the cleanliness of the water sources and instilled the habit of washing their hands.
I don't know if germs can stick to monsters, and it might be unnecessary, but it's a precaution.
According to Kaijin, adventurers initially either have a companion who can use "Purification Magic" or learn it themselves.
They use it to maintain hygiene during long journeys.
However, unless they are at a high level, it seems to be more of an emergency measure.
And the mosquito nets.
Since it's a forest, there are indeed many insects. We need to prevent them, as being bitten by insects can be quite painful.
I'm fine, but the Hobgoblins seemed to be in pain.
That's where my idea came into play.
Ideally, I want to prepare insect repellent barriers, but the dwarves can't make them.
We would have to buy them from a human village, but we don't have the money.
I once asked the trio (idiots) to bring some,
"Please don't make unreasonable requests! They are incredibly expensive!"
"Moreover, if you want to cover the entire village, how many would you need?!
Covering a village is like covering a kingdom!"
"Lord Rimuru, even if you have money, transporting them would be a big issue?"
That was their response.
It's nice that they come to visit, but they are useless when they come.
Most importantly, they get along well with Shuna.
They often cook together, bring sewing tools, and seem to be close.
With guests like them, I prepared a row of apartments.
The birth rate among monsters has also decreased to human levels.
Considering this, we need to think about how to establish a marriage system.
Goblins, orcs, and lizardmen have the right to choose their preferred partner based on strength.
This is a custom to prevent weaker offspring from being born.
The issue here is whether to recognize polygamy.
I think it's acceptable for widows. Ogres can apparently have children with anyone, but they choose not to.
Sometimes, they lose a large amount of mana and can't recover it.
According to Benimaru,
"Lord Rimuru? Just naming something can prevent mana recovery, so even demons don't name things lightly?"
That was a shocking statement!
Yaaaaah!!! I've already named so many things! Why are you telling me this now!
It's good that my mana has recovered so far.
From now on, I need to be more careful about naming things. I thought it was normal and was confident it was fine.
There are apparently two types of children.
One is a pattern where only the seed is planted, and the other is a pattern where they are made with genuine intent.
The former inherits some of the parent's abilities but is weak. The latter inherits all the parent's power.
Making a child with genuine intent also shortens the lifespan.
"I'll stay single! I'm not interested anyway!"
I said something like that.
However, the situation is different for females.
While they can refuse, if the other party is strong or uses coercive means, no child will be born unless the female acknowledges the partner.
This rule applies to high-level monsters and maids as well.
For goblins and demi-humans, there is no such compulsion, and it's similar to humans.
Until now, the number of children born was around 5-10, but it has dropped to 1-2.
From the perspective of leaving descendants, polygamy is acceptable, but only for widows!
We decided to establish such rules. If there are any issues, we will make changes.
At the beginning of the month, we will have a confession ceremony and give houses to the couples who form.
We will establish this as a custom.
Single individuals will live in the row of apartments.
However, if someone gets a higher position, they can have their own house.
I want to set things up so that there are no complaints.
Ultimately, it's impossible to eliminate everyone's complaints, but a custom has been established where people rely on my judgment.
When opinions differ and a conflict is about to arise, they bring it to me for judgment.
However, most issues are resolved by the elders, so it only happens in severe cases.
They are all considerate and try not to bother me.
I was surprised by the high level of cooperation among the monsters.
Whether it's socialism or capitalism, there are different perspectives, but corruption cannot be tolerated.
A country where a king who always does the right thing governs. In such a place, everyone is equal under the law.
It's an impossible dream, but...
I decided to make it my goal.
I hope I don't become corrupt. If I do, I hope someone will come to eliminate me.
While watching the confession ceremony, I thought about these things.
Now that life in the village has stabilized and rules have been established, I want to visit a human village.
Since I can now take on a human form, I want to visit and observe confidently.
Usually, when someone is reincarnated into another world, meeting humans is one of the initial events, but I have met very few humans so far.
The dwarves who caused trouble in the dwarf village, Seizu, and later, the trio (idiots) are the only ones, right?
Thinking about it, it's been over a year, yet I've met so few humans.
I mustn't forget my original goal of meeting "people from this world."
The names of the two disciples in the fragments of Seizu's memories: Yuki Kagurazaka and Hinata Sakaguchi.
I want to meet both of them, but Hinata Sakaguchi gives off a dangerous vibe.
However, there was something that bothered me. Why did the kind Seizu leave Hinata Sakaguchi alone?
As a senior and a fellow townsman, why didn't she guide him? I think it's necessary to meet him.
"Predators" inherit some of the memories of their prey, but it's not all-encompassing. Memories are that delicate.
I have been thinking about meeting him and checking out the situation.
The trio told the free guild master, and I received a letter.
The letter said he wanted to meet me.
He calls himself the guild master of the small country's free guild branch and has connections.
I want to meet him to receive various conveniences.
If it goes well, he might even write a letter of introduction to the grand master of the free guild branch in the capital, Yuki Kagurazaka.
The village is on track, and I think they can manage without me.
In that case, something is needed.
That's right! Money.
The trio was poor and didn't have much money. I didn't expect much from them.
We can buy vegetable seedlings in the village, and there might be rare items like magic stones and crafts.
At first, I thought about selling the "magic steel" I have, but I abandoned that idea.
The reason is simple: "magic steel" is rare.
They use it for their own armaments, so selling it would be a waste.
"Magic steel" is also essential for developing advanced weapons. By changing its shape, it can be used for both slashing and striking attacks, and it's convenient to carry.
We have a large amount, but it's a limited resource, so I decided not to leak it until there is a prospect of distribution.
Iron ore has been discovered in some mountainous areas, and the high orcs regularly supply it.
Thanks to Kurobe and Kaijin, weapon production based on steel is progressing smoothly.
Weapons and armor seem to be self-sufficient, but we need magic stones to make magical weapons.
Moreover, a large amount of magic stones is needed for research. Magic stones are processed by humans through spirit engineering, and natural ones are rare.
They process "magic crystals" obtained by defeating monsters.
Large-scale factory equipment is required, so only the free guild headquarters can process them.
When monsters are defeated, "magic crystals" occasionally appear and are collected by each branch and sent to the central office. The amount determines the funding for each branch.
This system is in place. Adventurers hunt monsters not only to prevent damage but also for profit.
It's a well-designed system.
If that's the case, the only way to obtain magic stones is to buy them...
Here, we are again faced with the wall of money.
Then, how can we get money?
Working to earn it is too inefficient.
Selling something, but vegetables are still far off, and I don't think they will sell for a high price.
I don't plan to sell weapons and armor except for our own use.
So, is there nothing to sell?
Actually, there is! I had Gabiru cultivate something for this purpose.
That's right! Hippocretes!
I called Gabiru.
"Gabiru, how's the cultivation going?"
"Hehehe. You asked well! It's going smoothly! It's the result of my efforts!"
Saying that, he showed me some grass.
It was a weed.
I silently cast "Black Lightning" at Gabiru.
Don't worry, he won't die. Recently, I've perfected the power adjustment.
"Kuuu! What are you doing! What is this!"
"Idiot! Weeds? What are you growing!"
"What! This is a mistake! This Gabiru rushed a bit!"
"Rushing doesn't solve the problem! Seriously.
Be careful! It's harder to grow weeds in such a high-density mana environment!"
Despite this conversation, things went according to plan.
The cultivation of the rare plant Hippocretes proceeded smoothly.
Teaching Gabiru to distinguish between grass and Hippocretes was challenging.
Despite this, Gabiru walked around the cave with a proud face and has become the master of the cave.
Monsters run away when they see Gabiru.
Even his subordinate dragonkin can defeat a centipede, and the cave has become their territory.
It's quite impressive. I won't say it, but I'm impressed.
He's the type who fails if praised. He's similar to me.
People who are alike understand each other. By entrusting him with the cultivation, a considerable amount of Hippocretes is being produced.
I called Kaijin and showed him the Hippocretes.
Next to it was a healing potion made from the mass-produced Hippocretes. It's black, but it's labeled as "high quality."
It's a good result, no different from natural ones.
We decided to discuss it.
"Kaijin, if we sell this healing potion in the village, I think it will bring in a lot of money. What do you think?"
Kaijin thought for a moment,
"Hmm. Lord, it's difficult. This potion is too effective.
The leakage rate is too high. It's almost perfect!"
He said that.
Then, I heard various explanations from Kaijin.
This healing potion has a 99% leakage rate, making it the highest-level potion, a perfect healing potion.
Usually, 98% is the limit, and even with dwarf technology, that's the limit.
At 98%, it's a high-level healing potion and quite expensive.
That's what he said.
"If that's the case, if we put this on the market..."
"It will attract attention! In a bad way."
Indeed, there was a reaction from the sky.
There was no reaction from my "Mana Detection"!
"It's been a while, Kaijin! And, slime. Do you remember me, or rather, me?"
Saying that, a figure riding a winged horse appeared from the sky.
A magnificent white horse with wings, a Pegasus. It landed on the ground, and the person dismounted.
I wouldn't forget him, the Dwarf King! The Hero King Gazzel Dvalin.
"Y-You're the king! Why, why are you here?
Eee!!! More importantly, did you leave the castle?!"
Kaijin was so surprised his eyes almost popped out, and he was flustered.
Of course, that's understandable. The king came alone, or rather, with one more person. Two people came here!
Moreover, the other person, I've seen him before...
Ah! It's Vester! Ah! The one who tried to trap us... Why is he here?
"Hmph! Despite having 100 soldiers for my security, they didn't notice me leaving!
They are slacking off. When I return, they will be retrained!"
"Ah, no, that's the king's way of..."
"Is there something you want to say, Kaijin?"
"Ah, no! Nothing at all!"
"Is that so? Then it's settled!"
Ignoring my thoughts, the two were having a conversation right in front of me.
The king leaving the castle, what's going on?!
We decided to move to a different location to talk.
Not a makeshift building, but a solid central building. This building is where the main figures of the village have their offices.
We entered a small conference room in the building.
"So, king, what's going on?
You even brought Duke Vester..."
"Ah! It's nothing serious!
I thought, since I banned you from the Dwarf Kingdom, I would come to find you.
I also made Vester take responsibility for your suggestions and restricted his access to the palace.
So, I thought it was a waste for such a capable person to be idle, so I brought him."
"..."
"So, I brought him! Isn't that right?!
King, do you understand?
Do you plan to have Duke Vester work here?"
"Hmm? Is that a problem?"
"That's not the issue! Isn't it the same as leaking Duke Vester's skills?"
Kaijin said seriously.
He's always serious, and he's desperately asking the king.
In contrast, the king is calmly brushing it off. The dignified appearance he showed before might not be his true nature, but this is.
Vester, the person involved, seemed to be unaware of what was happening.
"Leakage...? From the moment you left, we lost it!
Honestly, I even thought about erasing you. But I didn't. I don't do unnecessary things.
I brought Vester to have him work here!"
At that, Vester's eyes lit up.
"Oh, King!"
"Don't misunderstand, Vester. I had high hopes for you. That's true.
I won't forgive you if you serve me, but I allow you to work here to your heart's content.
That's all there is to it!"
"King, if that's the case, does that mean you're saying it's fine for Vester to freely use and reveal dwarf technology here?"
Kaijin seemed greatly troubled.
"Hmph. Do you understand? Listen.
If you are here, you are at the forefront of technology.
Do you understand?
Not as the king of the Dwarf Kingdom, but as your friend, I am interested.
Do you understand?
The Dwarf Kingdom will formally sign a non-aggression pact with this place today!
However, that's on the surface. What I truly want to sign is a mutual technology exchange agreement.
This will not be revealed publicly under any circumstances.
How about it? Are you willing to sign two treaties?"
He looked at me seriously and said that.
A non-aggression pact and a mutual technology exchange agreement? That's what I wanted!
By recognizing us as a group, he's saying he will recognize us as a country.
"Is it okay? That's the same as recognizing us as a country, right?"
To my question,
"Of course. Don't you think it's a mutually beneficial arrangement?
By the way, what is the name of this country?"
Eh? The name of the country?
Kaijin and I looked at each other,
"It hasn't been decided yet..."
"Come to think of it..."
That's what we realized.
Dwarf King Gazzel Dvalin said he would stay the night.
With a Pegasus, it takes about a day to travel from the kingdom to here.
However, flying at night is dangerous, so he will return tomorrow.
We gathered the usual staff and hastily held a meeting to decide the name of the country.
We decided on the monster village "Tempest."
It was almost going to be named after me, Rimuru, but I stopped it because