It had been one month since the development of the Sabnock Plains began.
The base camp of the frontier development expedition, led by Second Prince Andrew, had grown considerably in scale and was beginning to resemble a small town.
In the beginning, numerous tents had been set up to form a campsite, but now that lumber had been delivered, several small cabins had been constructed.
Merchants had opened shops, and enterprising settlers who had obtained permits from somewhere were also tilling fields as immigrants.
Frontier development was progressing smoothly.
People were pouring in by the day, and everyone was witnessing firsthand the transformation of this land and the momentum behind it.
"Well then, let's get the regular reporting session started."
It was under these circumstances that the reporting session was held.
The venue was a building constructed in the center of the expedition's base camp — a nameless frontier village, for now.
The building was far larger than the other cabins, with a round table and chairs arranged around it inside.
Among the seats placed at the round table... one of them was occupied by the master of this land, Andrew Aiwood.
"Each of you, report on your assigned areas."
"Yes, I'll begin with the outlying areas of the frontier village."
At Andrew's prompting, a woman stood up and began her report.
"Centered on this village, the frontier village is gradually expanding. Immigrants have already surpassed three hundred, and each of them is farming on the plots assigned to them."
Andrew had been recruiting immigrants from across the kingdom on the condition that he would grant them cultivated and developed land.
As a result, young people who could not inherit homes or land, as well as those who had lost their livelihoods and places to return to due to poverty and other causes, had been gathering here.
"Since there is more than enough land, no disputes over territorial seizures have arisen. However... at this rate, we may run out of food supplies first."
"I see... we'll arrange for additional provisions. We have more than enough funding."
At the report from his subordinate, Andrew nodded.
"The northern plains. House Cattleya and House Rosemary are leading the frontier development. No particular issues."
"The southern plains. House Crocus is leading the development. No particular issues here either."
The representatives of each house continued their reports.
And then... Rest, who had been seated in one of the chairs, also rose to his feet.
"The central plains. The majority of monsters have been subjugated. It may soon be appropriate to install a magic circle and begin proper town construction."
Rest directed his report toward Andrew.
In the normal course of things, frontier development should proceed gradually from the edges of the plains toward the center.
However, the Sabnock Plains were a demon realm. At its center lay the "Dragon's Vein," where mana gushed forth.
If the Dragon's Vein was not sealed with a magic circle and a town was not quickly established, there was a risk of giving birth to a new lord of the demon realm.
"Ah, we'll arrange for that as well. Skilled barrier mages are scarce, but... I'll send a letter to the royal palace requesting they prioritize allocating some to us."
Andrew nodded with satisfaction.
The central plains were slated to become Andrew's direct domain, as he would eventually receive a dukedom as a subject of the crown.
He appeared relieved that the land he would one day govern was being steadily carved out.
"I truly feel terrible about making you work so hard, Count Clover. I will make sure to repay this favor someday."
"You flatter me."
Kaim gave a slight bow and then sat back down in his chair.
"Now then... how about the development of the eastern plains?"
"............"
"The person in charge, please give your report."
"............"
"...Is the person in charge not here?"
"............"
Andrew called out once more, but the head of the eastern plains development project showed no sign of beginning her report.
"Miss Lavender, Margrave's daughter? Urla Lavender?"
"............"
The one Andrew had addressed... was a girl sitting in one of the seats at the round table.
A petite girl with purple hair cut in a bob — it was Urla Lavender.
Urla was, as always, silent with her doll-like face. She sat there without a word, so still you might mistake her for a doll placed on the chair.
"Mm..."
"............"
Urla's gaze was locked firmly onto Rest, who sat on the opposite side of the round table.
What could possibly be so interesting... She had been like this ever since the regular report meeting began.
*(This girl... why on earth is she staring at me?)* Rest shifted in his seat, uncomfortable.
It had been a month since he first met Urla's face to face... and ever since, he had been catching sight of her around this frontier development village more and more often.
He only caught sight of her. She never spoke.
She had never approached him on her own, and when he tried to get close to her, she would simply retreat the moment he drew near.
And yet, she kept staring at him from a distance.
*(I feel like I'm being stalked by a cursed doll... What did I do?)* "Urla Lavender, are you even listening!?"
The man to Andrew's right... Yusgos Bethras raised his voice.
Even if she was to receive a noble title through imperial decree, ignoring the words of someone who was a prince could not be forgiven.
"............"
And then... at last, Urla turned her face toward Andrew.
"No change on the eastern side."
With that single muttered line, Urla resumed the task of staring at Rest.
"...Count Clover."
"...Me?"
Andrew pulled a grim face and redirected the matter toward Rest.
He was telling him to do something about it. Resigned, Rest spoke up to Urla.
"Um... Lady Lavender, the Margravine?"
"——!"
Urla's eyes snapped wide open with a start.
Her gaze intensified, piercing into him like an arrow.
"I... was wondering if you could provide us with a more detailed report?"
"............"
When Rest prompted her... Urla rose from her chair with her eyes still wide open.