Night fell, a week after more people had arrived and the settlement had begun to take shape.

The house we planned to live in, as well as a temporary lodging for sleeping, had finally been built. Since there were many carpenters, construction progressed simultaneously, so the pace was quite fast.

There were only two houses—for us and for Luna-san’s group—so it wasn’t enough for everyone… but still, it was way better than tents.

I thought Crow and his group would go first, but the three of them willingly gave up their turn, saying it was better to prioritize women and children. Still, two more houses were already being started, so it shouldn't take too long.

Though it was a simple one, having a place where we could sleep under a roof was worth celebrating. Tonight turned into something like a party, with drunk people getting loud and rowdy.

I wasn’t comfortable with that kind of atmosphere, and since Master wasn’t feeling well, I slipped away and returned to the newly built house.

Only the exterior was done, and we hadn’t put in any big furniture yet since we still needed to arrange the interior. I laid out a futon in the room that would be Master’s.

“Sorry about this… You should go back and enjoy yourself a bit more.”

“Master, I’m not good with that kind of atmosphere anyway. Plus, I’m a little concerned about the fields, so I’ll go for a walk.”

I didn’t want to disturb Master’s rest, so after seeing him to his room, I took Momo and headed toward the ranch.

The farmland and rice fields in the settlement were starting to take shape. The rice fields were still at the stage where we were growing seedlings in planters, so they just had water filled in and were left to sit.

In the fields, we planted wheat, potatoes, and corn. I wanted to try growing vegetables like tomatoes and pumpkins too, but I wasn’t sure if they’d grow properly right away. So, we decided to start with easier crops and began farming.

It was night, so I couldn’t check properly, but some of the faster-growing ones were starting to sprout.

While I was doing rounds, thinking I should expand the fields more by summer, a person suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my path.

“…Do you need something?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a favor to ask. You just have to nod—simple, right?”

“Please ask my brother. He’s the one in charge of dealing with you guys.”

I tried to leave, saying I wasn’t involved, but my arm was grabbed.

The man was Launen. Of the four, he was the one I had spoken to the least. I knew he was a bit of a wildcard—he’d sometimes wander off from work, not really slacking off, but acting on his own.

I’d also noticed him watching us during those times… so I had some idea of what he wanted.

“Could you leave without causing any trouble? I really don’t want to hear whatever you’re going to say.”

“No.”

Even though I said I didn’t want to talk, he clearly had no intention of listening.

“I can’t forgive that guy. Come on, just nod. If you say he’s out, Granos and Tiga will agree too. It’s simple—just nod, and it’s done!”

“…Sigh…”

I’d already sensed discord, but if they’d kept it to themselves and gotten to know Rust gradually… maybe things could’ve settled peacefully.

“I choose Rust.”

“What!?”

Between them and Rust, I had already decided who I would side with.

Even if he had hurt me before, I’d judged that he was a vital member of the team, worth keeping close.

“I’ll say it again… Rust is here because I asked for his help. The ones we don’t need here are you guys.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

As soon as he tried to twist my arm, I swept his legs and knocked him down. Once he let go in surprise, I kicked him hard to put distance between us, and focused my mana, ready to cast magic at any moment.

Our levels were just different.

I had properly trained my martial arts skill and ability.

Without magic or weapons, I couldn’t overwhelm him with brute force, but in a pure hand-to-hand fight, I wouldn’t lose. That’s how much I had trained—excluding my brother and Leonis-san, of course. Those two are on a different level.

“Wh-what!? A woman like you should just do as she’s told!”

Still on the ground, he yelled at me.

I wasn’t scared, but… this wasn’t good. Someone was approaching us.

“That’s enough.”

“Jude-san…”

As Launen stood back up, glaring at me, Jude-san and his companions stepped between us.

“You know, if a criminal slave tries to attack their master, they won’t get off easy.”

“…Jude-san. It was the master who used violence against the slave. You saw it, right?”

“You’re talking nonsense. You know how it is.”

I tried to argue that he hadn’t even hit me—that I only kicked him—but Jude just shook his head in disappointment.

“I need a word with the little miss. Take this guy away.”

Jude’s companions took Launen away, leaving me alone with Jude.

I knew that a criminal slave attacking their master wasn’t tolerated. Depending on the situation, it could even lead to execution.

“Little miss.”

“I know what could happen. That’s why… please let me protect him.”

“I don’t know the details. Why Leo and your brother brought those guys, or why you’re sticking up for that softie, I’ve no clue. But I did see a slave make a move, so I will say something about it.”

“I’m asking you to let this go… Can’t you?”

“Don’t be naïve. How long are you gonna keep acting like a half-baked kid?”

I bowed my head slightly to Jude and motioned for him to sit beside me.

Grumbling a bit, he sat down, and I pulled out my canteen and offered him some warm tea.

“You were told by Leo not to form a party if you can't trust them, right? You already know you can't live here together with them.”

“Well, Leonis-san was part of the reason they were included, too.”

“Yeah, I heard. Hey, shorty—those four and that flaky guy? No way. Who are you choosing?”

“Flaky guy... Wait, Jude-san, why are you here?”

“He was following you.”

Hmm... I did fight back properly, so I was hoping that would be enough for forgiveness... but maybe that’s too optimistic.

It’s bad for a slave to use violence. Even if I fought back, they saw that it was the other side who started it, so I can’t really say anything.

“Did I make you worry?”

“No, not at all. Though... I did think you got stronger.”

He rubbed my head with his knuckles.

If he saw everything that happened, then he should know. I’m no longer some half-baked amateur. But still, he keeps treating me like a junior, just like always.

“Shorty. I hate outsiders. Know why?”

“...Because they’re selfish?”

“That’s not wrong, but the main reason is—they effortlessly surpass the people who’ve been working hard.”

“...Yeah.”

When he puts it like that, I really don’t know how to respond.

Jude-san’s always been the lecture type since the beginning, but he’s also someone who looked out for me. I respect him as a senior.

But now, there’s no longer any difference in strength between me and Jude-san. In less than four months, I caught up to him.

My brother and Naga-kun were already equals even before the Stampede. The foundation we came with is just different… The blessing of having magic, skills, and abilities starting from level one is reflected in how quickly your stats grow.

I think I’ve gotten pretty strong too.

“When you say flat-out that you hate me... that stings more than I expected.”

“You’ve got natural talent, and yet you do whatever you want. You never try to be recognized through hard work, you just run your mouth. It’s not just me—everyone secretly feels that way.”

“Yes... so that’s why you hate me.”

“Of course. Do you know how much trouble we’ve been put through? While you were off pulling weeds like you didn’t have a care in the world, we were out researching sage leaves, keeping an eye on troublesome outsiders, physically stopping them when needed, and writing up reports. You get that!?”

“Um... thank you for your hard work... Also, I wasn’t exactly playing around while pulling weeds...”

Well, yeah... It was a busy time for Leonis-san too, and I did hear him vent a little, so I know.

I stayed away on purpose, knowing how much trouble the other outsiders were causing.

And I wasn’t just pulling weeds—I was collecting momogusa herbs for alchemy. I wasn’t playing around... But yeah, those people were really busy dealing with guild requests and other things. So thanks for your efforts.

“People who weren’t even around back then just go spreading rumors about the outsiders, saying whatever they want. It’s fine if someone who actually suffered says it—but they weren’t even there! I can’t forgive people talking like you were the problem when they don’t know anything!”

“Um... Jude-san?”

“I hate outsiders. I get it. They were a pain. But I can’t stand people bad-mouthing you when they don’t even know you. What did you ever do? You just worked hard to brew potions for adventurers in need. Aside from your weird habit of happily pulling weeds all over the place, you’ve never caused anyone trouble.”

Weird habit...

Objection!

Even if everyone else thinks they’re just weeds, they’re raw materials for an apothecary! It’s not weird at all!

If that’s the reason behind all the bad rumors, then I’d like to file a formal protest. I was doing it where no one could see, anyway.

“And you too. I get why you didn’t want to stay in that town because of all the weird rumors. But come on—at least say something before running away. Say you’re struggling, say you want help! You were finally starting to show promise as an adventurer.”

Ah, no... I didn’t really know about the rumors.

I heard there were some going around, but no one ever said anything to my face. And the people who know I’m an outsider... well, they already know.

I figured it was better not to make a fuss denying it—just laugh and let it go.

It’s not like I ran away because of rumors. I just wanted a new base. But yeah... I won’t deny that everything was getting to be a pain.

“Um, well... I’m not quitting being an adventurer or trying to hole up here or anything. I just wanted Master to have a better environment, you know? I felt kinda bad that we were causing trouble in that town. Things were just getting... complicated, that’s all.”

“Don’t just think it—say it. Got it? We know you were trying to fit in. We also know your brothers left town so things wouldn’t get noisy for your sake. No matter what newcomers say, we’ll shut them down. Don’t try to vanish without leaning on anyone.”

Apparently, the reason he came all the way here and helped out even though it meant less income, was because he was genuinely worried.

Maybe he also wanted to figure out what we were really thinking.

“This is going to be Lady Pamela’s final home, right? You shouldn’t be making it all tense and uncomfortable just for your own reasons. Shorty. Sell those guys to me.”

“Jude-san? Didn’t you say you hated them?”

“They’re just jealous of how well things are going for you guys. Even after we get rid of that flaky guy, they’ll just keep complaining about the next thing. There’s no end to it. You’ve got to let them go. Don’t you trust us?”

“No, I do. I trust you, Jude-san. You’ve done a lot for us... but are you really okay with this, even though you hate them?”

“Yeah. I’ll beat the crap out of their attitude. It’s not like they’re all rotten—some of them actually want to shape up. Still, they’ve got no choice but to throw themselves into being adventurers with everything they’ve got.”

--

It might actually be better to leave it to someone who understands more than just the rumors about the outsiders and actually knows them. I know he’s looking out for me, but I still feel unsure if it’s okay to rely on him that much.

"Just rely on me."

"But, those four are quite a handful, you know? Part of the reason I brought them back was to have them testify about the Empire's situation..."

"I get it. I’ll assign each of them to a different party as porters—ones that are cooperative with you."

"And if they end up hating outsiders and start disliking me too… what then?"

Of course, I don’t actually think that’ll happen.

But I still don’t want to just cause trouble for others.

"If that’s what you’re worried about, then just drop by every now and then. If I stop seeing you for so long that I forget your face, maybe I would start disliking outsiders who look like you."

"Jude-san, here—please take this."

I handed him a magic stone engraved with the Medicia crest.

It’s a symbol of trust… and proof of being associated with Medicia.

It only means that my brother and I trust him, but with that, he’d be allowed into the inner areas anytime, more or less freely.

"Okay, um… if you and the others come here to buy something, I’ll give you a discount. Just show that, and you’ll get the discounted price. How about that?"

"I said rely on me already. Geez."

I thought offering a discount would be a nice way to show my gratitude.

Of course, I’ll also express it in words.

"So, besides the discount?"

"Right. Also, you’ll have free access to Medicia’s territory. That includes whoever you bring with you. I’ll set it up that way… Nobles and such are a pain, so I plan to make this residential area off-limits to them. But anyone with that pass will be treated differently. I’ll give one to Leonis-san and Marii-san too, so it’s not just for you."

"What about the others?"

"I’ll give it to the people who’ve helped me. I can give them to the parties who take in those four too. But do they even want to come to this side? There’s really nothing special here, aside from maybe getting to eat my brother’s delicious home-cooked meals."

"That’s more than enough. Alright, I’ll take it. You should get as good at cooking as your brother, you know."

If I follow the recipes my brother wrote, I can make something pretty decent. Same with my master’s recipes…

But it’s hard. The flavors always end up kind of vague… I wish someone would teach me how to make it come out right on the first try.

"Still, no one came to help you, huh?"

"There are only two people who could overpower me: my brother and Leonis-san. Everyone else is passed out from drinking, right?"

Leonis-san wasn’t drunk, but I did confirm that he and Jude-san were the ones who got my brother drinking in the first place.

But Leonis-san knows I’ll be fine, so he doesn’t step in. He trusts me to handle things myself—he’s not going to coddle me.

"Your brother’s really bad with alcohol, huh?"

"Well, Leonis-san and Jude-san forced him to drink too much. Anyone else and he wouldn’t even try to drink, you know?"

"I’ve bought him drinks a few times, but he always refuses. He says if he drinks while he’s out, he won’t be able to make it home."

He does seem to like alcohol, though. It’s just that most adventurers are bottomless drinkers or pushy, so it’s kind of their fault. My brother shows his face at taverns to gather info, but he never actually drinks.

"Jude-san, if you ever need a high-level healer, feel free to ask. I can help out once in a while."

"Hey, is it okay to just say you’re a high-level healer like that?"

"Well, that rumor’s already going around, isn’t it? It’s fine if it’s you guys—or the ‘older sisters.’"

"Older sisters? Those people? Really?"

"That’s what they asked to be called. I don’t usually call them that though… Still, I am a healer approved by Diana-san, you know. I can even solo. If you need an attacker, I might even lend out my brother."

"What about the Guildmaster?"

"You can tell him. If it’s for a party like yours or the people who came here today, I don’t mind being drafted. But I won’t help just anyone, so I’m not going through the guild for this."

Even now that I’ve moved here, I’m still part of the guild. If they’re short on help, I’ll lend a hand. I owe them at least that much.

But if I’m going to help out in parties, it’ll only be a select few. I won’t just assist anyone.

"I thought you were going to focus on being an apothecary."

"No, that would mean switching to the Apothecary Guild. In my case, I’ll probably keep being an adventurer for another 20 years or so. Also, please correct the rumors—what I was doing wasn’t weird behavior, I was collecting ingredients for alchemy."

"Yeah, yeah, got it."

With Jude-san’s help, those four would be taken back to Mare. Things were bound to get messy otherwise. The next day, the adventurers temporarily withdrew, and Leonis-san would be heading back as well.