Chapter 2: Let’s Perform Good Deeds to the Fullest!

The day after the monster rampage.

I, along with Marie and Milikator, had come to a small village called Figana, about three hours by carriage from the territorial capital. This village thrives on agriculture, supplying various crops throughout the territory. However, for the past few weeks, Figana Village has been plagued by a certain problem. Monsters have occasionally targeted their crops before, but recently, their strength has increased, making it impossible to drive them off. Nine times out of ten, this is likely due to the effects of breaking the seal on the evil god Milikator.

So, to resolve the issue, we arrived at the village. The village chief appeared before us, trembling with emotion upon seeing me.

“To think that the lord himself would personally visit a village like ours… I cannot express my gratitude enough!”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s the duty of a lord to resolve the troubles of his people, no matter how small.”

“Ohh…! What splendid words…!”

I offered words I’d never normally say, raising the chief’s trust in me. This ought to tank my reputation nicely. A smirk crept onto my face, “Kukuku,” as I anticipated the moment when this outcome would flip. Beside me, Milikator’s expression twitched.

“What’s that? Your words sound saintly, but I’m sensing something awfully sinister…”

“What are you saying, Milikator-sama? My master is a wonderful person who always strives for our sake, no matter the time or place. Please mind your words.”

“For some reason, this one’s got a sharp edge against me…”

Ignoring Milikator’s pitiful whining, I surveyed the damaged fields. The soil was torn up, and numerous crops had been devoured. Traces of magical energy suggested the culprit was likely a C-rank monster or higher. Defending against such creatures with the village’s meager forces would indeed be tough.

So, what’s the solution? Simple—boost the village’s defenses with external equipment.

“Milikator, prepare that.”

“Umu.”

Following my orders, Milikator set up a massive stationary cannon, as tall as a person, beside the fields. The village chief’s eyes widened.

“Lord, what is this…?”

“An item that unleashes stored magical energy to annihilate monsters. We call it the Special Fixed Mana Cannon. With this, you should be able to drive off any monsters.”

“Truly…!”

The cannon’s only flaw is that it’s immobile except for the barrel, but its durability and power are unquestionable. I designed the structure, and Milikator crafted the actual thing in a single night. As I nodded in satisfaction at the installed Special Fixed Mana Cannon, the chief spoke up with a hesitant “However…”

“To use this, you need magical energy, right? Few in our village possess magic, and even those who do only have a tiny amount…”

“No problem there either. Take a look at this.”

“…Is that a magic stone?”

“Exactly.”

But it’s no ordinary magic stone. Regular ones are depleted once their stored energy is used, but this one is a special model that can absorb magic from the atmosphere. In other words, it uses the excess magical energy currently overflowing in the Renford territory as its power source. It’s a two-birds-one-stone strategy: consuming excess mana while eliminating troublesome monsters. If we install these in every town and village, the excess mana problem should be fully resolved in no time.

By the way, crafting these special magic stones is quite labor-intensive, but Milikator whipped them up in a single night. Truly worthy of the title “Wise Emperor Evil God.” At this rate, I’ll have her mass-produce about a hundred sets of these cannons and stones.

“Still, I never expected Milikator to put in so much effort for my request. Keeping her alive was the right call.”

“Don’t rewrite history! You locked me in the workshop and ordered me to finish it by morning! And you kept watch the whole time! I was on edge the entire night!”

“Spending a whole night alone with Master in the workshop… Absolutely unforgivable.”

“Oi, Klaus! Your attendant’s radiating an even darker aura now!”

She’s an assassin, so of course she’s got a dark aura. What’s this girl even talking about? Ignoring Milikator’s nonsense, I suddenly noticed something and turned my gaze forward.

“Speaking of which, here it comes.”

Deep in the fields, a wolf-like C-rank monster, a Red Fang, was glaring at us, growling, ready to steal the village’s crops.

“Time for a test run.”

I handed the magic stone to the chief and explained how to use the Special Fixed Mana Cannon. Though hesitant, he followed my instructions, placing the stone in the designated slot. All that was left was to aim the barrel at the enemy and press the switch—

“Fire!”

“G-GARUU!?”

In an instant, a compressed laser shot from the barrel, effortlessly piercing the Red Fang’s body. As the beast collapsed, the chief’s eyes sparkled.

“Incredible! A monster we couldn’t drive off no matter how hard we tried was defeated so easily!”

“Problem solved.”

“Yes! How can we ever thank you, Lord…?”

“No need. As long as my people can live safely, I desire nothing more.”

“L-Lord…!”

Certain of my mission’s success as I saw the chief’s move, I turned on my heel. Time to keep raising the people’s trust like this. I can’t wait for the moment it all flips.

“Let’s move on to the next one.”

And so, with Marie and Milikator in tow, I headed to the next site.

◇◆◇

The next day.

After ordering Milikator to mass-produce the Special Fixed Mana Cannons, I visited the commercial guild in the territorial capital with Marie. Apparently, they had something to discuss with me. By the way, when I gave Milikator the order, she said, ‘I didn’t sign up for this kind of heavy labor! I’m going home!!!’ But the moment I prepared to cast Hellfire, she quickly agreed. Her kindness and consideration truly moved me.

Anyway, before me now was the guild master of the Renford branch of the commercial guild, a man named Arakel. I crossed my legs and addressed him.

“So, you had something to consult me about?”

“Yes. I was hoping you, with your great insight, could help us create a new specialty product for the Renford territory…”

“A specialty product?”

“Yes, you see…”

According to Arakel, the number of tourists visiting the Renford territory has been increasing lately. To showcase the territory’s charm, they needed a catchy, accessible product. I tilted my head, thinking, Hmm. Arakel’s idea made sense, but inventing a specialty product was outside my expertise, unlike monster hunting or item development. It seemed like a good chance to boost my reputation, but I’d have to decline—

“Wait a second.”

Then it hit me. In my previous life, while playing Altena Fantasia, there was an event similar to this: the Royal Capital’s Strongest Patissier Championship. In that event, the protagonist’s group developed a financier that became wildly popular across the kingdom, raking in massive profits—a classic money-making side event. If I could recreate that financier, it’d surely become the Renford territory’s specialty. The only downside was preempting a game event, but since it was an unrelated side quest, it shouldn’t affect the main story.

Alright, it’s decided!

“I have an idea.”

“Truly, Lord!?”

“Yeah. I’ll prepare something worthy of our Renford territory in no time.”

With that, I left the commercial guild. After gathering all the necessary ingredients, I returned to the manor’s kitchen.

A few hours later.

To my shock, developing the specialty product was proving incredibly difficult.

“To think baking sweets would be this troublesome…”

I let out a heavy sigh, staring at the pile of failed attempts before me. There were a few reasons for this struggle. First, I had almost no baking experience. In my previous life as a corporate slave, I barely had time to cook, let alone bake. At best, I’d grill some store-bought meat—sweets were out of the question. Second, this wasn’t just any financier. It was a special financier made with a unique ingredient exclusive to this world: Crown Bee’s End Honey, a high-grade honey from an A-rank monster, the Crown Bee. It has dozens of times the flavor and sweetness of regular honey but requires delicate handling. Even with Marie’s help, we couldn’t get it right.

“My apologies, Master. It’s far more difficult to work with than I imagined…”

“Hmm, indeed. This is unexpected.”

With the trial honey running low, it seemed like all was lost—until the next moment.

“It seems my skills are needed.”

A voice, neither mine nor Marie’s, echoed through the kitchen. I turned and widened my eyes.

“You…!”

“Hello, I’m the chef.”

No time for snarky retorts. Standing there was the Renford territory’s exclusive chef—the one I’d once thrown into a cell, to put it bluntly. With a smug expression, he stepped up to the counter.

“Let me show you the skills of the man once called the kingdom’s greatest patissier before the Renford House hired me!”

With that declaration, he began mixing the dough with swift, masterful movements, far surpassing anything Marie or I could manage. A few dozen minutes later, a freshly baked financier was placed before us, glowing with a golden shine. No mistake—this was the Golden Financier from the game!

“Looks alone don’t matter. The taste is what counts…”

“E-excuse me, I’ll try it too…”

Marie and I took a bite simultaneously. The honey’s aroma filled our noses, the texture was moist, and a rich sweetness surged with every chew.

…This is it!

“To think I would be moved by a mere sweet.”

“Yes! I’ve never tasted a financier this delicious!”

And so, through some bizarre turn of events, we successfully created a specialty product for the Renford territory.

◇◆◇

A week had passed since I started working tirelessly for the Renford territory. In all my life, including my previous one, I’d never worked this hard for someone else’s sake. Just how much trust must I have earned from the people by now?

“If my predictions are correct, it’s about time for my moves to flip.”

When that happens, all the good deeds I’ve piled up should drag my reputation down spectacularly. I can’t wait! As I thought this, a blue bird made of magical energy flew toward me—a transmission spell. Apparently, a dispatch team from the royal capital had just arrived.

“Perfect timing. I’ll let them witness the moment the people turn their hatred on me.”

It’s almost time. The Special Fixed Mana Cannons, the Golden Financier, and all the other problems I’ve solved should be bearing fruit! Hard work never betrays! I’ll prove it! With that enthusiasm, I burst into town, laughing, “Hahaha!”

“““Lord! Thank you!!!”””

…What the hell!?

Waiting for me in town, brimming with confidence, were the people’s words of gratitude, their faces beaming with unclouded smiles. Why… why did it turn out like this!? As I stood there, baffled, a man approached—the chief of Figana Village, who’d asked for help with the monster-ravaged fields. He bowed deeply.

“Lord, thank you so much!”

I don’t get it. My head throbbed with confusion.

“…Thanks for what? I already received your gratitude for the Special Fixed Mana Cannon.”

“Of course, but I wanted to thank you again! Thanks to you, we’ve received all sorts of benefits!”

“Benefits?”

“Yes! The monsters defeated by the Special Fixed Mana Cannon were powerful, and their materials fetched high prices from merchants! The village is thriving more than ever!”

“…”

I gave them the cannon to help the village, but somehow it helped too much!? Why!? Shouldn’t it have backfired and made things worse!? Damn it! Not only did I miss out on the reputation drop from the phenomenon reversal, but there’s this awful side effect! What’s wrong with this world!? As I despaired, the chief continued.

“There’s more to thank you for!”

“There’s more?”

“Yes!”

He nodded vigorously.

“When using the Special Fixed Mana Cannon, the villagers with magic took turns operating it. One boy awakened a talent for magic! He learned to replicate the mana flow just by observing the cannon. He joined the Adventurer’s Guild, reached A-rank in just a week, and during a mission, saved a noblewoman from bandits—now they’re engaged! Figana Village will prosper even more! Thank you so much!”

What’s with this random side story!? Wait, is that kid a reincarnator too!? As I clutched my head at the nonsensical turn of events, another man stepped forward—the commercial guild master who’d requested the specialty product.

“Lord, thank you again!”

“…Guh.”

“Lord!? Are you alright!?”

“It’s nothing. Hurry up and continue.”

“Yes, of course…”

Suppressing the blood rising in my throat, I urged the guild master to go on. I felt trapped in a vortex of despair, but was it just my imagination?

“The Golden Financier you developed is a huge hit with tourists!”

“I see. That’s all, right?”

“No, far from it! Here’s the real kicker!”

My desperate plea was shot down instantly. Clutching my aching stomach, I listened to the guild master’s report.

“Here’s the thing: coinciding with the financier’s success, we’ve seen an influx of people besides tourists—adventurers, merchants, and even settlers from the neighboring Markovar territory! They loved the financier so much they thought it’d be a shame to keep it local. So, the Adventurer’s Guild is handling Crown Bee’s End Honey harvesting, and merchants are opening trade routes to sell it across the kingdom, starting with the capital! And get this—adventurers and merchants are offering their services at bargain rates, saying they’d do anything for Lord Renford! Thanks to this, the commercial guild and the entire Renford territory will prosper! Truly, you’re an incredible lord!”

It’s turned into some massive policy without me noticing!? And adventurers are willing to work themselves to the bone for me!? What are they thinking!? Being repaid with kindness for my efforts feels awful. I trusted the adventurers, at least, to spread my bad reputation! Reeling from despair, I nearly collapsed.

But the people weren’t kind enough to let me off.

“Lord! Let me express my gratitude next!”

“No, me first! A gift for Lord Renford!”

“““Lord! Lord! Lord!”””

It wasn’t just Figana Village or the commercial guild. Every good deed I’d done this week somehow yielded results dozens of times greater than expected. The one constant was the swelling respect and trust the people had for me. Even passersby got swept up in the atmosphere, their eyes sparkling as they looked at me.

“To think a lord would work so hard for us commoners—what a wonderful lord!”

“Yeah! For him, I’d tackle any tough job!”

“As expected of Lord Renford. He knows exactly how to win the people’s hearts.”

“Yes! This is truly my fianc—cough, Klaus-sama. I’ve learned yet another valuable lesson.”

Some of the voices sounded oddly familiar, but I had no energy left to focus on them. All I could do was mutter curses in my heart—

Damn it, damn it, damn it! All I did was work tirelessly for a week to help the people! Why is my reputation skyrocketing!? Why…

Why did it turn out like this!?

Shedding silent tears in my heart, I collapsed on the spot.