While the residents seemed satisfied despite not receiving pay, there were those who were faithful to their own desires.
"Th-then my paycheck… there won't be a problem, right?" Ramiris asked, gulping nervously.
Hearing all the talk about withholding wages, it seemed she feared her share might vanish.
I gave her a firm, reassuring glance. Such concerns were unnecessary. With a subtle nod toward Myourmiles, I signaled him to proceed. Myourmiles's grin widened, and he declared in a grand, theatrical voice, "You may rest easy! Mark my words, we will pay you generously."
Ramiris's face lit up instantly, a broad grin spreading.
"So… it's finally happening."
"Hmm? What is?"
"The time has come. My era is here!"
I observed her shrill laugh and shook my head slightly. I wouldn't call this her era… yet.
Treyni arrived with a tray of tea, her own expression radiant with joy. She hovered over Ramiris protectively, a bit overzealous, but that was none of my concern.
"Speaking of pay, what about me?" Veldora's booming voice drew my attention.
Annoyingly enough, he had developed an interest in money. The moment was appropriate to settle accounts. Myourmiles looked to me, and I gave a slight nod.
"Of course, we have prepared your share. Shall we match Ramiris-sama's amount?"
It had already been decided. Veldora's contribution as the labyrinth's king was vital. Though he seemed idle, it was his leaking magicules that stabilized the labyrinth's environment. Turning iron ore into magisteel alone produced immense profits, and fairness demanded proper compensation.
"Ohhh! Is that so? As expected of Atem-sama, I can rest easy now."
"Do not squander it on frivolities."
"Uh, of course not!"
"I know the value of saving," Veldora said quickly, nearly bragging.
Knowing something didn't matter if it wasn't acted upon, yet I allowed them their small moment.
"Hahaha… a bit of spending is acceptable. One must feel the joy of expenditure to truly appreciate saving," I said, my voice calm but resolute.
"Right?! Myourmiles, you understand perfectly!" Ramiris exclaimed.
If you pamper her too much, she will get carried away. I silently hoped Treyni-san's cautious nature would serve as a counterexample.
"What of it? I have worked at the takoyaki shop before. I understand labor and the value of money. Atem-sama, you worry too much!"
Her smug tone drew an invisible line of irritation across my mind. She had merely fried takoyaki while Myourmiles had done the hard work.
I restrained myself. Let them have their fun. Even if they erred, the lesson would remain.
Turning my attention elsewhere, I asked with purpose, "By the way, Myourmiles, how are things outside the labyrinth?"
His eyes brightened.
"It is lively—that is the word. The festival has ended, but the population hasn't decreased. Merchants are steady in their visits."
"So this town is becoming a trading hub?"
"Exactly. Those wishing to conduct business have begun approaching me directly. Rigurd-dono handles correspondences, and I've received inquiries from the Freedom Association and wealthy merchants of the Western Nations. Requests to open shops are piling up."
It was progressing better than anticipated. The Eterna Debut Festival had sparked attention, and the labyrinth's growing popularity ensured the flow of visitors.
All that remained was channeling wealth efficiently.
Challengers earned from the labyrinth while consuming goods from our kingdom. Products ranged from lodging and meals to weapons, armor, and supplies. Foreign merchants participated as well, purchasing monster materials through the Freedom Association and investing their capital back into the country. Rare goods from abroad would follow. By the time all this converged, the town would be vibrant with activity.
Simultaneously, our nation would earn a reputation for high-quality products. Local specialties—culinary ingredients, alcohol, and dishes crafted by Shuna—combined with weapons and armor from Kurobee's workshop, offered a diverse selection. With several of Kaijin's disciples working together, even more products became available.
Word of mouth would carry our reputation without overt advertising. The country would naturally gain recognition and demand.
Some rare-grade gear from Kurobee's workshop was displayed as city specialties in the market.
High-performance equipment drew attention, while the most exceptional rare-grade gear was showcased on the ninety-fifth floor of the labyrinth. Performance doubts mattered little; nearby trial areas allowed challengers to test what they purchased. Rental gear was available, and soon, word of its quality would spread organically.
Step by step, trust in this kingdom was accumulating.
Credibility outweighed profit. Operating at a deficit was unnecessary if the overall flow of gold remained positive. The goal was not mere wealth—it was to establish the country as recognized and respected on the global stage.
"Myourmiles, it seems our plan works. Even though Eterna is a kingdom of monsters, merchants sense the potential profits. The number of challengers grows steadily, and we have an opening to foster ties with the Western Nations."
"Myourmiles, do you concur?" I asked.
"Absolutely. Customers increase steadily. They know this is a monster nation ruled by a demon lord, yet credibility is built. Atem-sama, we are proceeding exactly as you envisioned," he affirmed with fervor.
His perspective was remarkable. Even as a human, he thought entirely from our standpoint. That reliability alone was satisfying.
Trust is fragile—hard to gain, easy to lose. While desires attract attention, earning trust requires more: demonstrating that we can satisfy those desires. Myourmiles exemplified this principle.
Reward those who perform, and they will meet expectations. But blind pursuit of desire is unwise. One must discern character to judge who is worthy.
With Myourmiles as my teacher in this matter, I realized there was still much for me to learn.
After distributing pay to Ramiris and Veldora, I watched as they each displayed genuine satisfaction. I had reminded them not to squander it, yet I doubted whether they truly considered the consequences of their spending.
Still, such doubts were irrelevant at the moment—the discussion pressed forward.
With the labyrinth running smoothly, my attention turned toward what I valued most: creation and innovation.
The research facility, newly established on the one-hundredth floor, had been divided into several distinct sections. Currently, laboratories were overseen by Gabil, while Ramiris conducted her personal experiments.
"Um, Atem-sama… could you prepare a facility for me as well?" Ramiris asked tentatively.
"Very well. But will you be conducting research, or simply observing?" I inquired.
"No, this is development. I have multiple projects in mind, and I want a space to bring them into reality," I clarified, my voice carrying calm authority.
In the city, Kurobee already worked tirelessly in his workshop located in the southwest district, surrounded by the workshops of his disciples—recognized master craftsmen. Rumor had spread that skilled artisans had taken up residence there, some even opening their own shops. The area had become a hub for repairing equipment, evolving into a bustling industrial sector.
The technology developed there was visible to all. This was a domain of open collaboration, not secrecy—a place for friendly competition, but unsuitable for confidential projects.
What I required from Kurobee was armor and advanced technical constructs that could not be replicated by ordinary artisans. I didn't need to research new principles—Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, handled the analytical side—but I did need a facility to implement my designs, based on blueprints already perfected in my mind.
"Understood! I'll prepare it immediately, Atem-sama!" Ramiris's enthusiasm was palpable, her energy unwavering.
Thus, the lowest floor, the one-hundredth underground level, which had originally served as Veldora's grand hall, was transformed into a sprawling space dedicated to research and development.
From both a defensive standpoint and to prevent leaks of sensitive information, no other location could rival its security. This floor was impregnable, perfectly suited for the execution of critical projects.
From this point onward, all major developments would take place here.
"So, Atem-sama, what exactly are you planning to create?" Ramiris asked, curiosity and expectation lacing her tone.
"That remains a secret—for now," I said, keeping my gaze firm.
"What? You always create the strangest things. I am genuinely curious," she persisted, leaning forward slightly.
"Indeed. There should be no secrets between us," she added, her tone both teasing and insistent.
Their insistence was predictable. Ramiris and Veldora were endlessly meddlesome and prone to questioning my decisions. It was simpler to grant them a truthful, if partial, explanation than to constantly deflect their inquiries.
"It concerns bodies," I admitted. "I intend to produce units for Treyni-san's sisters to utilize."
In truth, I had also considered Diablo's request. When planning quantities in the range of one thousand, crafting each manually would be impossible. A facility capable of mass production was essential.
"Make it substantial. I have numerous projects I wish to undertake," I continued, my tone leaving no room for hesitation.
"Understood. Since it benefits one of my subordinates, I will support your endeavor fully," Ramiris replied, emphasizing the word 'subordinate,' acknowledging her position yet accepting the task.
A small, satisfied smirk formed on my face. By revealing only half the truth, I retained freedom to experiment without interference.
Until now, this plan had been a mere thought, suspended by the demands of daily duties. At last, the moment to actualize it had arrived. I allowed myself a brief grin, anticipating the development to come.