Seeing the Dawn Empire's military power, some merchants further confirmed where they should be. They bought property in the imperial capital, preparing to develop it as the headquarters of their merchant associations.
After all, it was much safer here than in other countries. Besides, the public order and laws were much better here than elsewhere. With the roads being built, developing here was very suitable.
Takeru naturally wasn't aware of these merchants' thoughts. But he wasn't surprised the place was favored.
Putting himself in their shoes, Takeru would also be willing to develop in such a civilized, developed city with not-too-high consumption.
"Naofumi, this is your reward for this wave. Also, about becoming the lord of the demi-human autonomous region, since we still have some time, let's go there together." Looking at Naofumi, Takeru took out a bag and handed it to him.
"Okay." Taking the gold coins Takeru handed over, Naofumi nodded with a smile.
"Wait, Takeru-sama, you said the lord of the demi-human autonomous region is..." Raphtalia and Rifana, who had been lounging nonchalantly, were stunned.
"Exactly what you think." Seeing their surprised expressions, Takeru said softly.
"That's great, Naofumi-sama!" Hearing Takeru's words, Emilie excitedly called to Naofumi. After all, it was her hometown. Having Naofumi as lord was a very happy thing, no matter how you looked at it.
"The Shield Hero, is it? Please take care of us from now on." Keel, standing by, also heard Takeru's words and bowed slightly to Naofumi.
"Yes, nice to meet you." Hearing this, Naofumi smiled at him.
"Then without further ado, let's set off now. Sorry, Lia, Chelsea, I'll still need you to handle the empire's affairs." Then, Takeru smiled apologetically at them.
"Yes, leave it to us." Hearing Takeru's words, the two shook their heads gently.
Then, Takeru led everyone to the demi-human autonomous region.
Seeing Takeru's arrival, the demi-humans showed surprised expressions. Many villagers Takeru had rescued looked at him with admiration and gratitude.
Van Reichnott, who had been organizing the reconstruction work here, upon seeing Takeru's arrival, quickly knelt on one knee to pay his respects.
"We came today for one matter. The lord of the demi-human autonomous region will be the Shield Hero, Iwatani Naofumi. Van Reichnott will be the deputy lord, assisting in management here." Looking at everyone, Takeru stated directly.
"Eh, Naofumi-sama will be our lord from now on? And Reichnott-sama will be deputy lord? That's great!" Hearing Takeru's appointment, many demi-humans below cheered excitedly.
After announcing the matter, there wasn't much else to do. Just raising the Dawn Empire's flag here to represent its ownership.
Watching the flag rise, everyone showed happy smiles.
Finally, he let Raphtalia and Rifana wander around their hometown. After all, they would have few chances to return in the future.
Although about to leave this world for an unfamiliar one, considering they had Takeru and the others by their sides, they didn't have much worry or fear.
They had long regarded Takeru as their everything. Where Takeru was, was their home.
Filo and Koyuki, visiting the demi-human autonomous region for the first time, were also curious. Watching many demi-human children playing happily, they found it very interesting.
It wasn't until evening that Takeru and the others returned to the royal capital.
As for Naofumi, he settled down there. Before leaving, Takeru gave him a relatively modern villa. Later, he could expand it to use as his own castle.
...
In the blink of an eye, another two days passed. After the activation and the wave, everyone had taken a bit of a rest.
Now, Takeru was in the palace garden with Filo and Koyuki, preparing to have them sign a contract with him.
After signing, Takeru would only have thirteen days left to stay in this world.
After some preparation by Filo and Koyuki, they quickly signed a soul contract with Takeru.
[Ding! Notice! The monster Filolial (Filo) wishes to sign a soul contract with you (You as master). Do you wish to sign?]
[Notice! Signing the monster Filolial (Filo) requires spending B-Rank Evaluation *1, 5,000 points. After signing, the host can freely summon the monster Filolial (Filo) in the main world, or spend points to summon it in mission worlds.]
[Ding! Notice! The monster Filolial (Koyuki) wishes to sign a soul contract with you (You as master). Do you wish to sign?]
[Notice! Signing the monster Filolial (Koyuki) requires spending B-Rank Evaluation *1, 5,000 points. After signing, the host can freely summon the monster Filolial (Koyuki) in the main world, or spend points to summon it in mission worlds.]
Seeing the prompts pop up for the two, Takeru breathed a sigh of relief and quickly chose to agree.
[Ding, deducting points, contract in progress. Current Remaining EX-Rank Evaluation *1, S-Rank Evaluation *2, A-Rank Evaluation *2, B-Rank Evaluation *2, C-Rank Evaluation *1, Points 614,400.]
Not long after, Takeru saw the successful contract prompt. He also sensed a deeper connection with Filo and Koyuki. He could also impose punishments on them at any time.
"Eh, Filo can see Master even with her eyes closed. Also, it seems there are a lot of strange new memories." Soon, Filo sensed some special things in her mind. Upon closer inspection, she discovered it was the special connection channel with Takeru.
Within a certain distance, she could sense Takeru's presence and communicate with him through it. Besides that, information about the reincarnation space also appeared in her mind.
"That's great! Filo has ten item slots now! She can put things in them!" Then, Filo called out with surprise again. She casually picked up a stone and quickly stored and retrieved it, looking very excited.
Compared to the excitable Filo, Koyuki quietly studied the connection, memories, and item slots that had appeared in her mind.
"It seems it was successful?" Seeing Filo and Koyuki's reactions, Beatrice breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good work, Betty." Seeing Beatrice's expression, Takeru stroked her head again. Beatrice showed a happy smile.
"Congratulations, Filo, Koyuki!" The others also stepped forward to congratulate Filo and Koyuki.
"Hee hee." Seeing everyone congratulate her, Filo scratched her head and grinned stupidly.
Knowing she wouldn't have to be separated from Takeru in the future, Koyuki also showed a happy smile.
Only Raphtalia and Rifana beside them felt a bit disheartened. Among those present, only they hadn't signed a special contract with Takeru.
But they quickly regained their spirits. After all, Takeru had promised to take them to his world.
After settling Filo and Koyuki's matters, the next thing was the other Filolials in the portable space.
Saying something to everyone, Takeru took them into the portable space.
Filo, Koyuki, Raphtalia, and the others, entering the portable space for the first time, were also very surprised. They hadn't imagined Takeru's internal space was so beautiful.
As Takeru and the others entered, many Filolials excitedly gathered around. Everyone had basically seen these Filolials before. The Filolials were also familiar with everyone and happily greeted them.
"Wow, there are so many delicious foods!" Soon, the foodie Filo noticed the large number of delicious foods planted nearby. Tears of greed escaped her mouth.
"You can go pick those to eat if you want. But don't disturb those monsters, understand?" Seeing Filo's excitement, Takeru carefully reminded her.
"Yes!" Hearing Takeru's words, Filo didn't hesitate. She left, jumped onto a Cotton Candy tree, and began eating the cotton candy leaves.
Seeing Filo enter foodie mode, Takeru didn't mind. He just let everyone look around freely.
As for Takeru, he prepared to sign contracts with the Filolials. These Filolials naturally couldn't compare to Filo and Koyuki.
They didn't have that kind of power or intelligence, so they couldn't learn the contract signing Beatrice had taught.
So, Takeru could only sign master-servant contracts with them. Perhaps this way, he could take them out of this world.