It had been some months since Master Noah vanquished the wicked ishkitini monster.
“Things have calmed down here quite a bit. But there’s still a ton left to do...”
Master Noah muttered in the office of an administrative building that was annexed to the town’s chapel. The town development was moving along as planned.
I, Liber, asked him about this. “Woof? (What has to be done?)”
Noah thought for a moment, then nodded. “Hm... There’s plenty, but cleaning up around town comes first. Luckily, our publicity worked out and we’ve gotten a lot more people coming in, but not enough houses for them. Our area just isn’t that big in the first place, so we need to clear some more land. We’ll also have to purchase or build more kinds of equipment.”
“W-Woof... (That certainly sounds like a lot...)”
I shuddered from the sheer number of chores he could think of offhand. I knew that Master Noah’s workload had increased significantly since becoming mayor of Asyl, but hearing the specifics instilled in me a new understanding of how hectic it must have been for him.
Thus I said, “Woof, woof, woof woof! (Master, if there’s anything we can do to assist, please call upon us at any time!)”
We kobolds had survived to this day because we had fought against, been saved by, and then were trained by Master Noah. From my perspective, it was only natural that we should follow his commands and work for his sake.
But Master Noah simply gave a strained smile. “You’re all doing plenty for me already, so there’s no need to push yourself even further. Besides, right now, it has to be humans doing the administrative stuff related to the town’s development. I don’t think I can give you a job there. I could ask you to cut down the forest...but there are still a lot of strong monsters around. The hunts you’ve already been doing are fine, but I’m still leery of having you work on clearing the forest for lengthy periods.”
After that, Master Noah was called away by someone and left the office. But as he was going, he told me, “Give me some time to think about what job I can give you. Right now, the only things for you are hunting for food and taking on adventurer quests. It must be getting monotonous, but I’ll have something for you eventually.”
He said this and exited, leaving me alone there. Of course, I had nothing to complain about...
“Woof... (Is there nothing we can do to aid Master Noah now?)”
...but I couldn’t deny feeling unneeded.
✦ ✦ ✦
∗ ∗ ∗
I suddenly had an idea. I just have to make it so I can be of use to Master Noah! Not knowing what I should do in order to achieve this, I decided to call upon someone who would likely have sound advice.
“Oh my, if it isn’t Miss Liber. Is something the matter? You appear rather dispirited.”
This was Lady Aht. She was one of the Church’s Holy Maidens, and had just recently become the organization’s highest authority, the <Holy King>. She was a remarkable person. But Lady Aht was concerned about Master Noah. She had apologized to him, feeling guilty that the name of her position was the same as his root skill. Of course, Master Noah was not the sort of person to be distressed over something so minor, so he had insisted that he didn’t mind at all. This only reinforced Lady Aht’s deep reverence for Master Noah.
“Woof woof... (I feel fine, but I just talked to Master Noah, and...)”
I summed up what had just happened. Lady Aht gave a look of understanding. She then gently smiled and beckoned. She had me sit on her lap, then hugged me. She smelled nice, and her softness made me feel relaxed. She patted my head and spoke to me in a lilting voice.
“I understand. However, there is no need for you to be so tense. After all, our greatest worry has already been resolved.”
I instantly knew what she was referring to. “Woof? (You mean the Church of Astral?)”
“Correct. As you know, the Church had been persecuting Master Noah, but all of its workings are in my control now. Therefore, we can all lead a peaceful, leisurely life here.”
“Woof, woof... (I know, but...)”
We had once spent our days in the Purgatory Forest, where tomorrow was never a certainty. Now we could live cheerfully under the open, sunny sky, without having to worry about finding enough food or getting attacked by monsters. I should have been satisfied by that. But perhaps I had become much greedier than I once was. Peaceful living wasn’t enough anymore...
“Woof, woof. (I want to be of use to Master Noah.)”
Yes, that’s it, I was reminded once I put it into words. My current goal is to help Master Noah however I can.
Lady Aht nodded. “I see. I am the same way, so I understand how you feel. However, if you were to say the same thing to Master Noah, I’m sure he would say that you and the other kobolds are of great aid to him already.”
“Woof, woof woof. (But Master Noah seems so busy. We must not be helping him enough.)”
“Is that really so? Your group is to thank for thinning out the monster population in the vicinity, and you regularly secure materials from them as well. Maintaining the town’s food supply is still a concern, and your work is crucial in that respect.”
“Woof? (Do you really think so?)”
“Yes. Truthfully, I would like to assist with that as well, but I must go back and forth between here and the Church headquarters. If anyone is not pulling their own weight, I believe that would be me.”
“Woof! (That’s not true!)”
“Eh heh heh, really now? I hope you’re correct.”
“Woof, woof woof, woof. (Master Noah loves you, Lady Aht, so I’m sure he’s happy just to have you near.)”
“Gracious... That is very heartening to hear. But I believe the same can be said for you, Miss Liber.”
“Woof? (Huh?)”
“Master Noah holds all of the kobolds dear. Naturally, he values all the new residents of this town as well, but I believe he still considers Miss Cath and the kobolds his greatest priority. You were the ones who lent Master Noah your strength when he was alone in the Purgatory Forest, after all. That is my understanding, at least. Miss Liber, you wish to solve this town’s problems alongside Master Noah, correct?”
“Woof. (That’s right.)”
“I believe you are already accomplishing that...but if you wish to strive further, then it may be wise to start with what you are capable of.” Lady Aht made a spontaneous suggestion.
“Woof? (What I’m capable of?)” What would that be? I wondered.
“Let me see... You could help everyone else with their tasks, for example. Master Noah’s job as mayor involves a large amount of paperwork that he must review himself, so that may not be an option. However, there are other people working for the town’s sake. You may find it easier to assist Lord Forneus, Sir Kuzan, or Lady Merikur.”
“Woof! (That’s it!)”
“Other than that, you could surmount a labyrinth with me. As I’ve told you before, strength comes in many forms. However, it would be wise for you to gain physical strength in order to cut down the forest. If I were able to stay here permanently, I could lead the kobold effort to clear the land, but as I must travel to the Church headquarters each month, that is a tall order at present. I believe it would be best to have you take charge of that mission instead, Miss Liber. Would you care to try any of these ideas?”
Lady Aht had supplied me with a wealth of options. I answered her affirmatively. “Woof! (I’ll try them all!)”
“Oh my, you are a greedy one. I would think even just one would be sufficient. However, you cannot be sure which will suit you best without trying each one first. In that case, since exploring a labyrinth with me will require considerable energy, we can save that for last. Please try the other tasks first. I must return to the Church for today, but please tell me of your results when I come by again tomorrow.”
Lady Aht petted me one more time, then departed for the Church.
“Woof! (All right, I’ll try my best!)” I psyched myself up. I had figured out what I needed to do, and I was going to get it done.