Price of Management

Jeron, released from the annuity, was again active in the line of work. Thanks to this, the administration of the territory became smooth, and the effects of the 'Monster Map’ greatly reduced the number of dead territories in the forest, and the territory began to rejuvenate.

I've entrusted Jaron with most of the work on the territory. I've been working to strengthen the loose bindings surrounding the town of Batan Castle.

Well, actually, our little gnome is just having fun shoveling.

Hiya!

Quack, quack, quack! Boom!

Whoops! Whose son is this? How can he shovel so beautifully?

Norum licks his lips with his tongue, almost shoveling as if excited. It's the work force's honor to be able to shovel like that.

Every time I shoveled with my scabbard hand, the wooden ground was firmly hardened. This was to keep the bindings tight so they wouldn't be pushed down.

I reinforced all of my bindings over the course of two days. But that was not enough.

So I decided to dig a hole like a moat in front of a wooden bookcase, even if it was a bit much.

We decided to go about two meters deep. Digging five meters deep like a trap will consume too much Spirit Affinity. That would greatly enhance your defense.

But I don't know……, in the end, this is a wooden wall, not a wall.

If the Orcs invade, we can win with a simple tactic of focusing on defense, but the damage to the territory seems too great.

The other problem is that there are two other villages besides here. Can't we just defend here and give up the other villages?

Winter was beginning. The Orcs will raid before winter comes. It's time to decide what strategy to develop.

On my way back to the castle, I summoned Dean, the captain and guard commander.

“Have you come to a conclusion? ”

“Yes, my lord."

The captain stepped up and said,

“After discussing this, we came up with two measures. The first is a strategy to evacuate the other two villages here and focus on defense. The conclusion is that we should only have to wait until the enemy is dispatched from the Lord's main family, the writer Kunt. ”

“I see. What's the alternative? ”

“We are actively marking off the Orc tribe here. It's the regular army, the Dean mercenaries, and the vigilantes. They're just hunters flying and shooting arrows. ”

“That's a little bold. ”

“Yes, but it's not just attacking. It's a tactic that burns forests and orcs to the ground. ”

“Build a fire? ”

You're too brave, aren't you?

“If you do something wrong, the fire will spread here, right? ”

“I wouldn't worry about it. Orcs are situated about 10 kilometers east of here. And there's a stream in the middle. ”

“What about the wind?"

“The wind is in the northwest, so the flames will spread in reverse. ”

“Hmm. Even so, I'll burn the forest to the ground if I'm wrong. We have many territories that make the forest a place to live, right? ”

“We're worried about that, too. By the way, how many spirits did the Lord contract? ”

“Huh?"

Suddenly, I tilted my head.

“I signed with Noonum, the Spirit of Earth, and Woundee, the Spirit of Water. ”

Then everyone sighed as if they were sorry.

“Most importantly, there are no fire or wind spirits. ”

“Can't you try a contract with another spirit? ”

The guard commander asked again.

I shrugged.

“I don't know. I have to try. ”

Then Dean, who was silent, said.

“In fact, if you can summon Wind Spirits or Fire Spirits, the story becomes easier. We can use the fireworks to control the fire to focus on the orcs. ”

“I'll give it a try. But don't get your hopes up. I've seen it in a book, but it's pretty rare to contract with more than one spirit. ”

“Yes.”

After the meeting, I stepped out for a moment.

Mmm.

It's gnome and undee.

You want me to sign another spirit for all these lovely things?

I don't care, but won't the kids be disappointed? I'm gonna have to ask around.

“Noum, it's Wounded. ”

- Did you call him?

Nutmeg protrudes from the ground with a burst of energy.

Undyne, who appeared like dew in the air, kissed my cheek.

I put the two spirits on my knees and took them out.

“Guys, I'm talking about me. I'd like to sign a new contract for your brother. What do you think? ”

All right!

The gnome was as good as I said. Woundee's eyes are wide open.

- So... is it me?

“Of course. Woundee has a brother, too. ”

Woundee opened her eyes wide and flew around me on the roof. Wounded seemed to agree as well.

But isn't this like a father asking his daughters about family planning?

Well, we gnomes and undees are like my daughters. Oh, my sweet girls.

I suddenly had a good idea.

I told Norm and Woundee.

“Girls, do you want to call me Daddy now? ”

- …… Dad?

- What's a dad?

“Yes, the most caring and loving relationship in the world. It means the most to me that you are. ”

- Yes, I do! I'm your master. No, my father is the most precious!

- …… Dad.

When Norm and Woundee call me Dad, I feel warm.

“My daughters! ”

I hugged the two spirits and rubbed their cheeks. But it was then.

Paaaaaaaah!

A bright light begins to pour from Wounded's body.

What? What?

Is this real?!

Evolve, evolve!

The gnome trembles beside me.

I was able to calm my surprised heart because I had experienced this situation once when gnome evolved.

As in the original contract, Woundee was struck by the light and decomposed into tiny drops of water. Then the cracked droplets began to coalesce together again.

I had no choice but to gaze at the beautiful and mysterious sight.

The huge drops of water coalesced into one form twisted like clay, and then turned into a girl who was twelve years old.

The blue flowing body was about the size of gnome, and the wavy, bouncy hair descended to the toes. Cute eyes were still adorable because she was plumped in a plain dress.

“Wounded!”

-Dad.

As an intermediate spirit, Woundee was still less able to speak, but she was able to speak more clearly than before.

Woundee flew up to me and kissed my forehead. And as soon as Wounded's lips touched,

Flash!

For a moment, I felt like there was a bright burst of light in my head.

And I began to feel a strange sensation. It was the same experience as when each other's souls connected when they first contracted with spirits. I've already been through the evolution of gnome, so I can see what's happening.

The evolution of spirits and spirits deepens our spiritual connection.

In short, it meant that Woundee was able to read my thoughts as well, like Norm.

Change was not the only thing.

As Wounded evolved, so did I.

My head cleared and my vitality flashed.

Norm said.

- My Lord, no. My father's strength is strong!

“Really?"

As Wounded evolved, my spiritual affinity seemed to have risen dramatically with its impact on me.

I was also an intermediate spirit when Norm evolved into an intermediate spirit. The same thing happened.

- I think he's doubled his strength.

The words of Noonum made me smile brightly.

“So we can hang out longer with our lovely gnome and Woundee? ”

- Eh-heh, I'm proud.

Norm laughs as he smiles. Woundee was happy with my words and jumped into my arms.

When Woundee, who was like a baby, evolved to look twelve years old like Norm, I really felt like a father watching her grow up.

“Very well. Let's use this momentum to try the Spirit Contract tonight. ”

As the evolution of Wundine dramatically increased my spiritual affinity, I gained confidence.

It was two and a half years after I entered the world of animosity. In that short amount of time, I had already become an intermediate spirit, looking almost at the upper levels.

Now it appears that I am one of my natural gifts for animosity, although I don't know anything else.

Not really.

He will, because I am more confident of loving my spirits than anyone else.

Whether I read my thoughts, Norum and Woundee smiled happily and held me in their arms.

Hah. I'm so happy with just the two of us, but what happens if I have one more? Then there are three lovely daughters...

I thought I was crazy because I liked the idea.

We need to try the contract tonight. There are just a few things I bought in Ledon Castle before.

* * *