Chapter 48: Customary Logo :
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I had given my maids the weekend off since I'd be visiting the demi-plane.
"Here… some allowance to get you by while I'm gone," I said, casually dropping a heavy pouch of gold coins into Lily's hands.
The moment it landed, her fingers nearly buckled. Their eyes locked onto it in synchronized disbelief.
"T-This is far too much, Shiori-sama!" Lily said warily, clutching it like it might evaporate if she loosened her grip.
I tilted my head slightly. "It's not that much. Inflation in town markets is getting worse, and I checked last week's pricing index… you've been underpaid relative to labor output."
Silence.
They blinked.
"…Eh?"
I cleared my throat. "I mean—consider it a reward. You've been efficient."
That seemed easier for them to process.
Their expressions softened instantly.
"Shiori-sama…" they whispered, almost teary.
I sighed, slipping on my black hoodie and adjusting the sleeves. Mochi immediately circled my feet like a patrol unit confirming departure protocol.
I gave a small wave without looking back.
"Don't overthink it. Just rest."
As I turned toward the exit—
"Shiori-sama is too cool…" I heard Lily murmur faintly behind me.
I pretended not to hear.
"fang," I called.
The shadow beneath me rippled—like ink reacting to a dropped equation.
A massive wolf rose from it, composed entirely of living darkness, eyes glowing faintly like a system booting up.
"Good morning, Master," he greeted.
"Morning. You're early today."
"I anticipated a high-mana travel request."
"…Good prediction."
I climbed onto his back without hesitation.
"Let's go."
A mist portal unfolded ahead—unstable edges curling like a poorly rendered loading screen.
I noted it immediately.
"…Mana density is fluctuating. I should stabilize the boundary matrix later."
We passed through.
The spiritual space stretched beneath us.
Every time I saw it, I mentally compared it to a strategy map.
Territory expansion: +18% since last cycle. Resource output: stabilized. Population diversity: increasing—good for long-term economy variance.
It was basically a city-building simulation at this point.
"…If this were a game, I'd be severely over-leveled," I muttered.
"Hmm?" fang tilted his head.
"Nothing. Just thinking in systems again."
"WELCOME BACK, SHIORI-SAMA!!!"
The settlement erupted in noise the moment I entered.
I sighed softly.
Too loud… but it's within acceptable morale range.
"Good to be back," I replied.
Inside the main hall, the meeting was already set. We walked towards a room labeled meetings.
Inside, was a custom round table with plush seats for each person present. I of course sat in the one that looked superior.
Ryu, Kyokota, Haru, Dayama, Libara, Ciel, fang—everyone with varying levels of seriousness.
Dayama bowed so deeply his forehead almost calculated gravitational damage.
"I will never get used to that level of loyalty intensity," I muttered.
"Report."
I leaned back slightly, already mentally organizing incoming data into categories.
Ryu spoke first.
"We encountered a summoned hero."
"Hero class designation?" I asked immediately.
"Human male. Name: Tomoki. Class, knight or crusader "
I paused.
"japanrse? …That sounds like a mid-tier isekai protagonist name."
Everyone blinked.
I coughed. "Continue."
Ryu's expression flattened. "Childish. Perverted. Overconfident. Socially unstable."
"…So, stats-wise: low charisma, high ego build?"
"Yes."
I sighed.
"Of course the goddess summoned that archetype."
He continued.
"They attempted to demand weapons and cooperation from a princess faction. They also showed interest in recreating your world's firearms."
That got my attention.
"…That's faster than expected."
My fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"If they reach combustion weaponry without infrastructure control, they'll destabilize early- iseki balance."
Ryu nodded. "I already observed their process. It is inefficient."
"Good. Don't interfere yet—just observe. If they're incompetent, they'll self-balance."
"…As you wish."
Kyokota spoke next.
"Alliance request from beast-human nation."
I leaned forward slightly.
"Good. That improves trade routes and reduces border friction costs."
Haru added quickly, "Labor demand is increasing."
I immediately responded, half-thinking out loud:
"Then we either automate production chains or increase population density through structured migration incentives…"
I paused.
"…We'll do migration. Automation takes time."
Libara stepped forward.
"We found something."
The tone changed.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"What?"
"The ruins of Beatrix."
For a moment, I actually stopped thinking.
"…Wait."
Come again?" I blinked.
Ryu spoke quickly this time.
"Ancient ruins belonging to Beatrix. The legendary engineer from over three centuries ago."
Kyokota nodded.
"No confirmed location has ever been found. Only rumors."
Fang added calmly, "Even monsters know of her existence. Her inventions were that influential."
I exhaled slowly.
"…And somehow everyone casually knows about this except me?"
Dayama tilted his head.
"Information spreads quickly, Shiori-sama."
"…That's not reassuring."
Libara bowed slightly.
"Permission to investigate the diary we recovered?"
I thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Granted. But proceed carefully. No unnecessary risks."
"Yes."
Haru cleared his throat.
"Manufacturing output is increasing, but labor demand is starting to strain current systems."
"…As expected."
Then I tapped my finger lightly against the table.
"Then we optimize it. Also—let's introduce branding."
"Branding?" they echoed.
"A logo. Something that identifies our products at a glance. A mark of origin."
Kyokota's eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
"I understand the concept."
"Keep it simple. Recognizable. Something that represents the kingdom itself."
"…Understood."
"Anything else?"
Dayama raised a hand slightly.
"We have begun contacting external species for potential settlement."
That got my attention again.
"Oh?"
"They wish to meet you personally."
"…Of course they do," I muttered.
"Schedule it."
"Yes."
"Meeting adjourned."
Mochi, with completely unnecessary ceremony, struck a tiny mallet on the table.
Somehow, it felt official.
The next day, I walked through the halls with Haru and Dayama.
"So… what kind of species are we dealing with this time?" I asked.
"They were selected carefully," Haru said.
"…That sentence alone makes me nervous."
Dayama nodded seriously.
"Based on combat ability, economic contribution, and population value."
"Right…"
"…Where is Kyokota?"
"Designing the logo."
"…Of course he is."
[First Species Meeting: Fugal]
Two representatives stood before me.
"I am Kon. Leader of the Fugal."
"I'm Shiori Koromi. I manage this domain."
Straight to the point.
I liked that.
"We were told we may settle here," Kon said. "But we require permission."
I glanced at the documents.
"A large population… you're organized."
"Yes."
"Do you protect your own people?"
"We do."
"And why here?"
"Resources. Stability. And your knowledge."
I nodded slowly.
"…Honest answer. I appreciate that."
Then I leaned back slightly.
"However—once you enter, you follow our laws. No exceptions."
A brief silence.
Then—
Tears.
"…We won't have to steal anymore…"
I paused.
"…That escalated emotionally fast."
✔ Approved.
[Next Meeting: Al-Elemera]
"So you're leaving your home because thunder bears invaded it?"
"We are NOT fairies!" they snapped.
"…Noted."
Behind me, Dayama visibly shook with irritation.
"…How disrespectful to Master…"
"Dayama, breathe," I said calmly.
"They're useful for scouting and
environmental support. That's enough."
"They are?" the tiny winged beings asked hopefully.
"Yes."
"But if you cause trouble," Dayama added softly, smiling in a way that was absolutely not friendly, "I will personally decorate the hallway with your beings"
They froze instantly.
"…Understood."
✔ Approved.
Later, Kyokota presented the logo designs.
A star.
A lotus.
And a chibi fox face.
I studied them carefully.
"The star feels too mystical. The lotus is elegant but too formal…"
Then I pointed lightly.
"The fox is best."
They blinked.
"Why?"
"It's simple. Recognizable. And it represents me."
A small pause.
"…Fair enough."
A few days later…
I held one of the newly branded products in my hand.
A clean emblem. A subtle fox mark. Refined.
"…Not bad," I murmured.
Progress was visible now.
And somewhere in the back of my mind…
I knew.
This was only the beginning...
Later, Haru, Kyokota, and Ryu entered with clothing options for the send-off.
After changing, I stepped out.
"…What do you think?" Haru asked.
"It's nice," I said honestly, "but a bit too extravagant for a send-off."
Ryu handed another outfit.
"Better," I said, "but still too formal."
"We have more!" Haru insisted.
"It's fine, let's just get this over with"
At the ceremony…
The crowd gathered.Whispers faded as I stepped onto the stage.
Silence.
Then awe.
"You look amazing, Shiori-sama!" Fang wagged his tail.
"So beautiful!" voices echoed.
I gave a small wave
"I wish you all the best."
Ryu leaned slightly. "That's it?"
"…Was that too short?" I cleared my throat.
"Listen carefully!" My voice sharpened. "You are carrying the future of our kingdom. Do not act recklessly. Return safely."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Later…
I sat reading while eating cookies.
"Shiori-sama," Ciel called.
I looked up.
"The Al-Elemera reported unusual activity near Draco City. A student transformed into a phantom… but someone cured them using a strange weapon."
I paused.
"A weapon… that cures phantoms?"
I stood immediately, eyes sharpening.
"Ciel. We're going."
With a snap, my outfit shifted into white lotus attire, mask sliding into place as I picked it up.
"Let's check it out."