And so... despite the many twists and turns, the time had finally come to tackle the frontier development of the Sabnock Plains in earnest.
The one appointed to serve as supreme commander of the development was Second Prince Andrew Aiwood.
Assisting him were Count Rest Clover, Viscount Wilhelm Lubeth, and Baroness Isis Carbelt.
As participants in the development... there were the Magic Department students gathered by Rest, the Knight Department students gathered by Lubeth and Isis, and the Civil Service Department and Clergy Department students gathered by Andrew. For some reason, there were also Arts Department students who hadn't even been invited.
Added to them were supporters dispatched from other noble houses and the royal palace, bringing the total to nearly a thousand people.
"Now then... we shall hereby commence the frontier development of the Sabnock Plains. I trust you have read through the materials distributed beforehand... but I expect you to throw yourselves wholeheartedly into the work assigned to you."
Standing before the development corps lined up at the entrance to the plains, Andrew addressed them.
"First, the vanguard team will handle monster elimination. Each squad will subjugate the monsters within their assigned area. The work is the same as the Magic Hunt Festival... but this time, it's not a competition. When necessary, coordinate with other squads as you carry out your duties."
The vanguard consisted of Magic Department and Knight Department students. The Clergy Department students were also participating as medical staff. They would fight the monsters under the guidance of knights dispatched from the royal palace.
"The rear guard will collect and process the monsters defeated by the vanguard. They will handle the procedures for selling materials to the Commercial Guild. They will also be responsible for procuring supplies and surveying areas where monster elimination is complete. They are to investigate the terrain, whether water sources exist, the quality of drainage, and whether the soil is suitable for cultivation, among other factors — all in order to find appropriate land for building towns and villages. Civil servants dispatched from the royal palace will be present, so I expect you to receive their guidance on the specifics of the work."
The rear guard was primarily composed of Civil Service Department students.
They would receive instruction from the civil servants sent by the royal palace, learning as they worked.
"Furthermore, regarding the Arts Department students... what exactly are you doing here?"
Andrew turned his gaze toward a corner of the assembled development corps.
There, he found Arts Department students clutching pens and canvases.
"We are here to preserve through art the land being opened by human hands — a dying paradise of monsters. We'll be doing this on our own, so please don't mind us."
"I came to gather reference material for writing poetry. I wish to capture all of you in your natural state through words, so please, just ignore me."
"...I see."
At the answer from the artistically inclined man and woman, Andrew nodded with an expression that was hard to read.
While there might be a part of him that wanted to point out what exactly they thought they were doing, the fact that historical events were preserved for posterity as paintings and sculptures wasn't inherently a bad thing.
When it came to artists, telling them to stop never worked. Andrew quickly gave up trying to understand.
"...Well, just make sure you don't get injured by any monsters. If something does happen, it's at your own risk."
They had come uninvited, so the least they could do was not cause any trouble.
"Now, get to your work. And... Count Rest Clover."
"Yes."
Called by Andrew, Rest responded.
"I want your group to investigate the central area of the plains. Sabnock, the ruler of the demon realm, has been defeated, but his kin—his subordinate monsters—are likely still around. You don't need to force a subjugation, but I want you to survey their numbers, find the locations of their nests, and so on."
Even if the leader of the pack was defeated, it didn't mean all the subordinate monsters would be wiped out.
A new leader might have already been born. Of course, it would still take considerable time for a new leader to grow to the colossal size Sabnock had been.
"Apart from Sabnock's kin, there's a possibility that powerful monsters exist in the central part of the demon realm. Above all else, be careful."
"Yes, understood."
Rest nodded in acknowledgment.
This was his first job as a lord, as a count.
*(The frontier development of the land where my family will live... I have to put my all into this.)* Rest clenched his fist tightly.
He was aware that troublesome jobs were constantly being pushed onto him by the royal family, but... this was also for the sake of his future family.
This was the necessary work to obtain the warm family he had yearned for so desperately in his past life, a family he had never been able to get.
"I'll give it my all! Please, look forward to it!"
Rest, brimming with more enthusiasm than he had ever shown, puffed out his chest with pride.