Chapter 322
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Dream for the Future
Translator : PolterGlast
Although it was a rushed pace, the two-day subjugation
(entertainment) in the Demon Territory had ended. That night, we
returned to the fort of Aegis and ended up exchanging cups of alcohol to
lament the final night with the companions who, by the course of events, acted
together with us—companions who originally shouldn't have been possible.
In Aegis, just in
case, several VIP rooms are also prepared to handle His Majesty and others
visiting for front-line inspections. And also a salon where discussions can be
held...
After dinner that day, there were 7 people gathered in the
salon.
From the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, me and
Viscount Weiss. From the Griffonia Empire, the Third Prince and
Count Kampfer. From the Fearalt Principality, King Krieger
and Marquis Flame. And from the Kyle Kingdom, Her Highness Clarice.
「Even so, this trip became a good
memory. Forming a friendship with King Krieger was the greatest harvest
of all.」
「Hahaha, that is the same for me. I
never thought I could exchange cups of alcohol with the future Emperor who
leads a peerlessly elite and strong army. I got a good souvenir story out of
it.」
Souvenir story? No, that's outrageous!
「Everyone, please make sure you
understand, alright? That all of you are people who originally must not be
here.」
「Hahaha, it doesn't sound like the
words of Lord Takuhir, whose name resounds with martial valor even in
neighboring countries. But... considering the story so far, there is some truth
to that.」
「As His Majesty says, because we
still don't want the Istoria Imperial Kingdom and the fools to know. Because Your Highness
and I have to receive an unexpected invasion, become isolated and helpless, and
fall into a panic, you see. Your Highness, I'm counting on you for that part.」
「By the way, since the
representatives of the 4 countries are gathered taking this trouble. There is
just one thing that has been bothering me for a while, and I would like to
confirm it taking this opportunity.」
Saying so, I spoke to them about the concern that had been
left vague since that defense battle. There are two points to that concern; first is the story regarding the Clan of Darkness. They
have not been completely destroyed yet.
And the other one...
「Hmm... certainly. It has not been
confirmed in the Empire either. Right?
Sieghart.」
「Certainly. Flame, that point
hasn't been confirmed either, right?」
Both of those asked for confirmation nodded with solemn
faces.
「As a countermeasure for that, there
is something I'm thinking of, but it is still under development and hasn't
reached practical use. Lord Sieghart, we have a grace period of at least
about half a year. Is there no mistaking that point?」
「Yes, they still don't have the
leeway. Therefore, they still require time to proceed with preparations in
hiding. Otherwise, it could end up with them being eaten by the fellows they themselves
instigated, you see.」
「I see... if so, we can proceed with
preparations too.」
「Yes. Besides... the transformation
of the Demon Territory Dukedom, the region named Izumo, must have
reached their ears as well. For them, it is a land you took the trouble to put
effort into. If possible, they probably want to snatch it when it has fully
borne fruit.」
「But what about the Sura
Principality?」
「His Majesty's concern is reasonable,
but they too have suffered a severe defeat by us once. No matter how much bait
is dangled, they probably won't move until they think they can definitely bite
into it.」
「We are those whose lives were saved
by Lord Takuhir. In this matter, we want to provide as much support as
possible. Since we were also able to form new ties this time.」
「His Majesty Krieger, thank
you very much. We will also proceed with countermeasures in the Demon
Territory Dukedom.」
「We too are exceedingly glad that
reassuring allies have increased. Since in the court factions, I also went from
an overwhelming minority to a minority, and finally drew in the opportunists,
just exceeding half.」
「Hahaha, it's similar for me too.
Since a rebellion was even raised against me when I was an overwhelming
minority. Now the groundwork is finally over, but...」
「I would like to share in that good
luck too. When we have openly scattered our worries, let's gather here again
and have a celebratory toast.」
「Right, participating again next time
as mercenaries and delinquent Imperial Guards is also an amusement.」
「... You're going to gather here
again?」
「「「「Naturally. (We will.)」」」」
Tch, you four didn't all have to say it in unison... The
Commander is smiling wryly, and Marquis Flame had a pale face.
Well, someday, if such a day comes... We too will be
released from anxiety and be able to concentrate solely on enriching the
country.
The alteration I desired probably has its goal there. Even
this current scenery, I hadn't even imagined it a year ago...
Thinking so, I tipped my cup with deep emotion. That day,
the banquet lamenting the parting continued until late at night.
※
At the banquet, partly due to the mental fatigue up to now,
I got heavily drunk. Of course, I didn't drink myself to sleep or make a
blunder, but picturing the new future walking together with them, perhaps I was
intoxicated by a momentary dream.
「Now then, as always... my plans have
gone awry again. Well, this time it was in a good way, but conversely, when
things are going well is when one is liable to have their feet swept from under
them.」
After letting out a heavy sigh, I began to organize what
needed to be done from here on.
First is to construct the system of the new territory. This
is proceeding smoothly.
〈Izumo〉
With the massive input of manpower and Mages, there
was a prospect of securing the cultivated land planned in the initial stage.
From next spring, we will finally shift to grain cultivation, and from next
autumn, we should be able to secure food on our own in the new territory as
well.
After that, if we strive to enrich livestock, we can feed the
massive number of soldiers and immigrants. Including this part, it's in a state of being thrown entirely to Alexis,
but there probably won't be any problems regarding his ability either.
〈Kusanagi〉
Various prospects have also taken shape here. Well, since it
was thrown entirely to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Raymond) from
the beginning, there is no problem. By the harvest season next year, the
appearance of the city will be largely in order, and just the defense
facilities will be completed soon. The townscape is still far off, but I think
it's fine to enrich it gradually.
〈Other
New Territories〉
To be honest, these are still close to untouched. Excluding
the Count Falmus
territory, magistrates are placed at each key point, maintaining an overall
loose governance system.
The New Territory Garrison Brigade is going around
maintaining public order and pacifying, but manpower is still lacking. We are
proceeding with local recruitment as well, but in terms of human resources, the
current situation is that this area has not yet recovered from the blow of the
defeat five years ago.
The current situation is that even hands to engage in
agricultural work are uncertain. Therefore,
during the busy farming season, soldiers are proactively helping out in various
places. They will probably gradually come to understand our stance
as well.
Since the steering here is also currently entrusted to the
Minister of Internal Affairs, we plan to gradually put effort into it going
forward.
(Relations with
Merchants)
This is also proceeding smoothly. The bidding every 3 months
is also seeing an increasing number of participating trading companies, and our
relationship with them is good right now.
Of course, there are some exceptions, but...
such merchants are being gradually eliminated. Besides the
aforementioned three trading companies, several trading companies are leaning
towards our side. Recently, the ones worth mentioning are the Handler
Trading Company and the Bottakuri-na Trading Company.
Handler was
successfully won over by Raphael, and is now an exclusive purveyor
trading company that also doubles as foreign espionage in the eastern
direction.
The former Botakleyna Trading Company had its name
changed to the Bottakuri-na Trading Company by Viscount Kamin in
commemoration of his encounter with me. The name has impact, but even in the
temporary orders towards the harvest festival, they steadfastly procured goods.
It seems Bart, unable to just watch the 'Samurai
Business', gave him a little advice. The Viscount was greatly thankful to Bart
and seemingly followed the advice obediently, and the Viscounty has apparently
now begun to develop as a relay point on the main highway.
(Former Kingdom
Territory)
There are no particular problems here. Or rather, it is accelerating
in a good direction.
The southern half of the Westlights Demon Territory
Dukedom is boiling with a large-scale development boom, and supplies and
human resources are flowing as if being sucked up from the northern half as
well. If commercial distribution flourishes, the coming and going of people
also increases.
The Teigoon area (Teigoon, Aegis, Ishtar,
Gaia) is achieving growth as usual. Since a large number of people left
for the new territory, there were parts I was a little worried about, but to
fill that hole, settlers are increasing.
Especially the mass production lines of Gaia are
constantly operating at full capacity due to the special procurement demand
from the new territory, and the rice cultivation in Aegis and Ishtar
is also increasing its cultivated area to catch up with the growing demand.
Sugarcane and honey production also continues to grow, and
beekeeping, as a government enterprise, is spreading from Teigoon to
other cities as well. The production of grains, potatoes, and turnips is also
stabilizing to the point where they can be exported to various directions from
the domestic demand of the former Demon Territory Count's domain.
Marquis Gorman's territory, Marquis Solis's
territory, and Viscount Bold's territory are also achieving development.
Because at my request, they postponed new territory development and are
investing massive amounts of funds into the development of existing districts.
In that sense, turning our eyes outward, the four locations
said to be the former frontiers of the Kyle Kingdom are also
respectively riding a boom of reconstruction and development. War reparations
funds were dropped, massive amounts of people, goods, and money flowed into
various places from the center, and each is enjoying those benefits.
As a Kingdom, it's on an upward trend, isn't it. Because
there is a prospect for that, they probably brought up the Royal Capital
Competition.
Shall I make this an opportunity to go to the Royal Capital,
also serving as a report to the Old Raccoon? The problem is personnel
selection... It's not interesting if it's just the usual members. However, it's
meaningless if we don't win.
Right, this time I'll ride on Christoph's proposal.
Fufufu, the guys in the Royal Capital will be surprised too. While thinking about
such things, before I knew it, the night was beginning to grow light.
I screwed up... Tomorrow, no, today is a forced march from early morning, yet I've practically stayed up all night! Just a little bit... Muttering so, I let go of my consciousness on the sofa.
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