Chapter 30 - Episode 30: Let's Decide on a Name for the Settlement
The settlement of the Arqvist territory, which had already exceeded a population of 50 people while accepting refugees and drifters.
In this settlement, which continued to develop and change day by day, it had recently become customary for the lord and his retainers to gather and hold a meeting several times a month.
On this day, such a meeting was being held at Noein's manor, where the lord, Noein, the adjutant Matilda, the chief retainer Yuri, and the retainers Pence, Radley, Bart, Mai, Edgar, and Anna had gathered.
A status report on the mining site by Chief Retainer Yuri.
A report from Pence, who handled various duties such as maintaining public order within the territory while the chief retainer was absent.
A report from Radley, who was in charge of patrolling the perimeter of the settlement.
A report on the recent situation in Retovik by Bart, who was the person in charge of the practical duties of purchasing supplies.
A report from Edgar, who was coordinating the farmers of each household as the person in charge of agriculture.
A report on the territory's economic situation by Anna, who was in charge of finances.
Noein grasped the current state of the territory from multifaceted perspectives by listening to these, and beside him, Matilda summarized the contents of each report on paper as the scribe.
It wasn't the case that there was a major report every time, but for the sake of smooth territorial management, it was convenient to share even minor information as much as possible. That was precisely why they held meetings consistently like this.
With the main reports finished, Noein finally called out to the group.
"Alright, after that, if anyone has any proposals, please go ahead."
Then, Matilda smoothly raised her hand.
"Noein-sama, may I suggest one thing?"
"Yeah. What is it?"
It was rare for her, who usually devoted herself entirely to supporting Noein, to propose something of her own accord. Thinking this, Noein granted her permission to speak.
"The population of this settlement has exceeded 50, houses have been built, and it has grown to a scale that can already be called a village. I humbly thought that it is about time we give this place a formal name; what do you think?"
"I see, a name..."
It was certainly as Matilda said. There was no need to continue using the bland designation of "Arqvist Territory Settlement" forever.
"Externally, it would be more convenient to have a proper village name."
"Until now, we had no choice but to explain it as 'the settlement of the Arqvist Baronetcy territory,' after all," Yuri agreed, and Bart, who often interacted with people outside the territory as the procurement officer for Retovik, also nodded. The other retainers each showed positive reactions.
"Then, let's move toward thinking of a formal name. Matilda, thank you for the proposal."
"No, I am happy to be of use."
Matilda answered without changing her expression much as usual, but she seemed happy to have been helpful to Noein, as a faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.
"That said, as for what kind of name would be good... we can't decide immediately, right?"
This place would continue to be the center of the Arqvist Baronetcy, and if the territory developed smoothly, it would eventually come to be called the territorial capital. Since it was that kind of name, he had to consider it carefully.
As he was thinking that, Matilda raised her hand again.
"Noein-sama, if I may be so bold, would it be alright if I suggested some candidate names?"
"You've even thought of candidates. I'd definitely like to hear them."
Noein answered, feeling a bit happy that Matilda was speaking so proactively today.
"Then... how about naming it Noeina, after Noein-sama's name?"
"Eh?"
Noein involuntarily let out a sound at the overly direct name.
"Noein-sama is the person who laid the foundation of the Arqvist Baronetcy in less than a year. I believe that you will continue to develop this territory greatly with your extraordinary skill. Noein-sama's name should be carved into this land for all eternity. I believe it would be a good idea to use it as the name of the territorial capital; what do you think?"
"No, wait a second? I'm very happy about Matilda's feelings and I understand what you want to say, but surely that's a bit too..."
While replying to Matilda, Noein looked at the others as if seeking a lifeline, but—
"Isn't it good?"
"It's a perfect name."
"Eh? Wait a minute?"
Yuri and Pence nodded without any hesitation.
"I think the sound is lovely too."
"Aye, I reckon it's a fine name."
"Noein-sama's name should remain forever from here on."
"The residents all respect and love Noein-sama, so I'm sure they will be happy too."
"That's right. Noein-sama is the benefactor of all of us."
Mai, Radley, Bart, Edgar, and Anna all agreed immediately. Noein alone continued to say, "Wait a minute? Wait a minute?"
"Is everyone really okay with that? Isn't it a bit too much of just my name?"
"No, it's relatively common to make the first lord the origin of a town or village's name."
"In Retovik's case, I believe the first lord, Ludvikt Koenitz-sama, is the origin of the city's name," Yuri said, and Anna, who was from Retovik, supplemented that.
Noein also knew that there were many towns and villages with such origins for their names. Logically, he could accept Matilda's proposal. However, he wondered about the propriety of it being decided by unanimous consent so suddenly with a name that was so literal.
"...Isn't it kind of embarrassing? I'll have to keep saying 'I am Noein, the Lord of the Arqvist Territory. Our territorial capital is Noeina' for the rest of my life, right? How should I put it... it's embarrassing."
When Noein said this with a red face, the retainers all involuntarily gave wry smiles. This was because Noein, who was always pondering something and wearing a fearless smile, now looked childishly appropriate for his age.
Noein had just reached adulthood this year, and he was at an age where it could still be said he was half boy. It was a moment that reminded them once again that he was the youngest among them.
"Even so, the moment Matilda proposed the name 'Noeina,' I thought there was no better name. The others feel the same, right?"
At Yuri's words, the other retainers immediately nodded. Noein himself seemed not to understand why everyone liked this name so much.
"We retainers here, and the other residents, were given a new way of living by you. We were given hope and opportunity where we couldn't see the future of our lives. That's why we are all grateful to you. If Noein-sama's name becomes the name of this place, everyone will be satisfied. Rather, no one would be satisfied with any other name."
Yuri said this while looking straight into his eyes. The others looked at Noein in the same way.
Receiving everyone's gaze, Noein appeared to think for a while. Eventually, he answered with a chuckle.
"...Alright. It's decided as 'Noeina.' I'll have to become a lord who doesn't bring shame to this name from now on."
And so, the name of this village was decided simply. It had been decided.