#1081 The Explorer Explores the Land

Once again, it’s me, the explorer Racha Leones.

After that, the café owner gave me an earful...!

I promised to pay him back once I struck it rich in the new frontier, and somehow managed to get released. Then I dashed straight to the Demon King’s castle.

When I applied at the Demon Castle’s Lifestyle Department, a few slots were still left.

Apparently, it’s quite popular; right after I signed up, all the spots filled, and they closed applications.

Phew, that was close.

After a rigorous screening where they grilled me about my background, beliefs, work history, relationships, and motivations, I somehow got approved and made my way to the frontier!!!

***

Whoa!!!

So this is the land we’re going to develop?!

There’s nothing here, just trees and grass everywhere!

Well, I guess that’s to be expected since we’re here to develop it.

Including me, only a few dozen people came out here for this project.

Apparently, they can’t support everyone all at once, so they’ll gradually add more people as we expand the settlement.

The first wave has to survive in untouched wilderness... We need to tough it out in this harsh environment.

We need strength, resilience, and a spirit that won’t break no matter what hardships we face.

And I’ve got all of that!

That’s why I was chosen for the first wave of the development team!

Heh heh heh! The Demon Kingdom sure knows talent when they see it!

Brace yourselves, because I’m going to exceed all expectations!!!

I notice a few familiar faces among the group joining the first wave.

Wait, aren’t those fellow explorers from my line of work?

What a small world, running into them here!

Just as I was thinking that, one of my old explorer buddies spoke up.

“Not much of a coincidence, really. About half of this team is made up of washed-up explorers.”

Half?!

Hey now, don’t call us ‘washed-up’! You’re making it sound like I’m one of them!

“What are you talking about? If your ship got scrapped due to old age and you can’t afford a new one to sail, what else are you but a washed-up explorer?”

Ughhhh!

Ouch, he hit a sore spot...is he some kind of debate master?!

“But actually, that’s been happening a lot in the explorer industry.”

“Recently, there have been all sorts of discoveries—the Dragon Emperor’s Castle, Demon Isle. Normally, uncovering unknown territories like that would stir up the explorer community, but...”

“But all those were announced by the Demon Kingdom. Nothing kills a freelancer’s spirit like the big shots taking all the credit.”

Well... that’s true.

We explorers mostly work solo, so when major nations steal our thunder, we lose our place.

“Because of that, many explorers have lost their passion. The whole industry’s on the decline.”

“Some have switched to other fields like shipping. And apparently, it pays quite well.”

“With trade booming with places like the Mermaid Kingdom and Demon Island, it’s said to be a much more reliable way to make a fortune than chasing after quick discoveries.”

“Honestly, that kind of thing is way more exciting, don’t you think?”

What?!

You’re telling me you’re prioritizing money over dreams and adventure?!

That’s betrayal and corruption unworthy of an explorer!

I can’t even call those guys fellow explorers!

Don’t you agree, everyone?!

“And those who didn’t have the funds to switch to shipping ended up here.”

“The industry’s decline has made it tough to continue exploring. As people leave and the community shrinks, mutual support dwindles.”

“We small-timers are the first to feel the pinch.”

So many washed-up explorers who lost their livelihood jumped at the chance to join the development project just to make ends meet...

...Ugh! Enough with the gloomy talk already!!!

Let’s change our way of thinking!

This uncharted territory that no one has set foot in! Untouched, pure nature!

In a way, it’s a hidden frontier!

Isn’t this exactly the kind of place that fires up an explorer’s spirit?!

“Now that you mention it, you’re right...!”

“Actually, that’s why I signed up in the first place!”

“There might be something incredible hidden deep within these dense woods!!!”

Yes! That’s the spirit!

Whether on land or sea, our explorer’s flame doesn’t fade!!!

Let’s work hard on development and make a world-shaking discovery while we’re at it!!!

“Yeah!”

“Wooooohoooo!!!”

“LET’S DO THISSSSSSSS!!”

And so, we former explorers united, our spirits burning brightly.

From the perspective of the other developers, they might be thinking, “What are these guys doing?” or “Are they nuts?” but who cares!

It’s great to be motivated for the task ahead!!

And so, our new stage of exploration began.

***

A few months later...

The development is progressing smoothly.

The land we came to was initially a dense forest, so vast we didn’t know how far it stretched.

We cut down the trees and used them as lumber to build houses without wasting any.

The surplus was picked up by lumber companies who came to collect it.

Fortunately, the cleared land was flat with no slopes, perfect for farming.

The soil was rich enough to support a forest in the first place.

Anything we planted grew vigorously.

So, the development itself is going extremely well.

Though it’s tough, the more we work, the more results we see, and that gives us a great sense of fulfillment.

Every meal tastes delicious.

Even the water we drink is refreshing.

If I may be a bit greedy, I wish some ancient ruins would emerge from the depths of the forest we’re clearing.

That would satisfy the burning passion in our hearts.

But unexpected troubles tend to pop up just when everything seems to be going smoothly.

An unforeseen bit of bad news came our way.

“Huh? A conflict with another development village?”

Another development village? What’s that about?

We’ve already built several houses on the land we cleared, and fields have spread out—we’ve become a proper settlement.

In other words, a development village.

But according to the report we just received, there are other development villages besides ours!

“That’s right, didn’t you know?”

Whaaaaat?!

That’s the first I’ve heard of it! Well then, spill the beans!

“The development is being carried out by several teams. Our village is just one of them—the Demon Race’s Fourth Development Village.”

The fourth?!

So that means there are at least three others?!

And what’s this about the ‘demon race’s’ side?!

“The development teams aren’t just from the demon race. There are also teams from the human race. Since this land is near the border between the Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdom, they decided to cooperate on the development.”

“But those human villages! They only pretend to cooperate and keep getting in our way! Today, they blocked the land we planned to develop and started cultivating it first!”

What?! If they do that, we won’t be able to expand our village!

Then we should expand in a different direction?

Nonsense! Efficient planning and geography matter!

If they take the prime spots, we’ll end up with an inconvenient, ugly village shaped like an amoeba!

“Darn it...! I guess we’re destined to clash with the humans after all!”

“Have they already forgotten that they lost the war?! Looks like we need to remind them who’s on top!”

My comrades are fired up and look ready to explode.

Considering all the hard work we’ve put into this, their anger is justified.

Even I can’t forgive the humans for acting so selfishly here!

Obstacles are part and parcel of exploration!

An explorer overcomes those obstacles with their own strength!

Everyone, grab your weapons!

We must protect our expedition with our own hands!!!