Chapter 9 – The Trap Set by the Saintess (Part 6)

Somehow, life here seemed like it would be on a different level than before. Although not even a day had passed since they arrived, this thought deepened as time went on.

“You’re giving us such a nice house?”

People exclaimed in surprise.

“I’m glad you like it. Liam’s house-building skills are indeed impressive.”

Ellerdin laughed brightly. She spoke casually, but such things were unheard of.

Ordinary commoners usually lived in poor conditions, barely habitable.

However, the houses provided for free in the north were built with care, considering the residents.

‘This is a house we couldn’t afford even after a lifetime of work…’

People looked at the house in awe. This alone was surprising, but the surprises didn’t stop there.

“The tax is 15% of your earnings?!”

People exclaimed again in shock.

“Yes. It’s 15% because the territory is still unstable at the beginning, but I’m thinking of lowering it once the territory stabilizes.”

“No… What…”

In their previous territories, even handing over all their earnings as taxes wasn’t enough. And now, they were lowering the amount.

The territory residents, accustomed to the lord’s tyranny, looked at each other in bewilderment.

“Oh, and also…”

“Also, what else is there?”

People looked at Ellerdin in shock. They were now afraid of what she might say. They had never received such kindness in their lives and didn’t know how to react.

“The land in the north is still frozen, so farming seems a bit difficult. I looked for work that can be done in the north, and you can choose the job you like from these.”

Ellerdin scratched her cheek and unfolded a paper. The paper listed the results she had pondered over for days.

Mining, logging, education, and even monster subjugation were written at the end.

“Excuse me, this monster subjugation, does it mean…”

A man pointed at the word and asked.

“Oh, it’s literally subjugating the monsters in the north with multiple people. I’m planning to distribute 50% of the monsters’ value as wages based on the number of people.”

“Subjugating the monsters in the north… by us?”

“Oh, don’t worry too much. Fernan and Celine will help for at least a year.”

Ellerdin waved her hands in embarrassment.

But that wasn’t what surprised people. Of course, that was part of it, but the main reason was that they would distribute 50% of the monsters’ sales value as wages per person.

The monsters in the north were highly valuable. Even just 1% of a monster’s value could feed a family of four for a week.

With housing, taxes, and even jobs provided, people’s eyes began to sparkle.

Though they were insignificant commoners, they wanted to pledge their loyalty to this angelic duchess.

From afar, Nisroch exclaimed in admiration.

“Madam is indeed different.”

Mollek chuckled, looking at Fernan.

“What if you lose Madam like this?”

“…Ellerdin is a lovely person. It’s only natural that everyone likes her.”

Fernan answered seriously.

Having finished talking, Ellerdin was seen running towards them from afar. Fernan quickly ran to her.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Fernan embraced Ellerdin and whispered softly. Ellerdin burrowed into his warm embrace, smiling happily.

***

Exactly two weeks later, a flood of people began to arrive.

In territories where the lord’s tyranny was severe, up to 80% of the territory residents moved.

Nisroch cooked food that could feed many people, and Liam gathered those among the territory residents who worked in construction to start building the lacking houses.

Even though they had prepared enough land, so many people came that Fernan cut down trees and cleared forests at night, avoiding people’s eyes, to develop the territory.

With the barrier gone, Celine and Mollek began hunting monsters in earnest. Due to the large number of people needed, Leston even came up to help Celine.

Ellerdin lightly tapped the kitchen wall. Nisroch turned to look at Ellerdin.

“Madam!”

He was in the middle of preparing dinner.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

Ellerdin asked as she entered the kitchen. Nisroch tilted his head while stirring a large pot.

“I’m not sure if this will suit human tastes.”

He was a bit worried since it was meat made from the flesh of slain monsters. Of course, it was somewhat popular among demons.

“People will like it. Meat is hard to come by.”

“Hmm… Is that so…”

“Yes. But Nisroch, isn’t this pot a bit small? Is there really nothing I can help with?”

Ellerdin asked curiously. The pot he was cooking in was indeed large, but it seemed insufficient to feed all the people outside.

“Oh, it’s fine. This is a product from the demon realm.”

Nisroch spoke proudly, tapping the pot.

“A product from the demon realm?”

“It has the ability to adjust the quantity, so it can cook any amount of food.”

“My goodness, that’s really amazing.”

Ellerdin exclaimed in surprise, looking at the pot. Nisroch shrugged his shoulders proudly under her amazed gaze.

“The quantity is sufficient. It’s enough to feed all the demons in the demon realm.”

The real concern, however, was the taste for humans. Originally, he wasn’t this insecure, but Ellerdin’s preference for vegetables over meat had been quite a shocking event for him.

“Everyone will like it. I haven’t tasted it myself, but I’ve heard that the meat of monsters, once the poison is removed, is quite delicious.”

“Hmm… If you say so, Madam…”

Nisroch nodded with a determined expression. Having finished cooking, he lifted the heated pot with his bare hands.

“Isn’t it hot?”

Ellerdin asked in surprise.

“This isn’t hot at all. I used to be a cook in the demon realm, you know.”

Nisroch burst into laughter. Compared to the flames of the demon realm, this heat was nothing.

As he brought the food outside, he saw a large crowd of people. Those who understood Ellerdin’s words well were waiting with utensils they brought from home.

Since there were so many people, the castle’s utensils were insufficient, so Ellerdin came up with this idea.

Nisroch began serving food generously onto plates with a ladle. A piece of meat larger than an adult man’s hand was equally placed in everyone’s utensils.

Having been hungry from the long journey and unable to have a proper meal, people began eating hurriedly.

Thanks to the well-cooked meat, it melted as soon as it entered their mouths. People let out exclamations at the heavenly taste they were experiencing for the first time.

Seeing them enjoy their meal happily, Ellerdin smiled softly.

She quietly observed the people. Everyone was doing their best in their place, living each day.

‘I’m glad, this choice wasn’t wrong.’