Chapter 470
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
Post-Proposal Response
Even after finally making it back to Kusanagi
at long last, the rapidly successive audience with the Special Envoy,
and the important family meeting were safely concluded, but even so, I wasn't
permitted to slowly catch my breath. The reason was that there were still two
more post-proposal responses that needed to be handled urgently.
「Sorry
for being so rushed, but I'm going to quickly head to the Falmus Margraviate
with the Commander. I plan to return in about five days, so I'm sorry,
but can I ask you all to handle the 『field trip』 for the executive
committee members that the Academy Principal brought along?」
Right, upon departing the Royal Capital as a Special
Envoy, the Old Tanuki had quickly convened the executive committee members
as the first group and brought them along with the Special Envoy's
party, didn't he. Moreover, a total of fifteen people! I can understand they
are fully motivated, but it also goes to show just how pressed for time the
Kingdom side is.
As active officials, the executive committee
included the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs under his own jurisdiction, the
Vice Minister of Commerce, the Vice Minister of Internal Affairs, the Chief
Officer of the Construction Bureau, the Chief Administrator of the Royal
Capital Knight Order, and even the Chief Officer to the Minister of Finance.
From the academy in the Royal Capital, they selected and brought five students,
primarily second-years who would still be students next year, and from the
young nobles, five individuals including the children of active Ministers.
All of them were still young, the oldest being
barely thirty, individuals on a fast-track elite course in the Kingdom who are
apparently expected to bear the burden of the next generation's national
politics.
By the way, speaking of a Vice Minister in
Japan, it's a considerably high-ranking position, but in the Kingdom's
personnel system, it's akin to an Assistant Section Chief class, a gateway
position for those who will rise in the Kingdom.
「Yes.
Using past tournament operations as case studies, I will lecture on overall
organizational management and necessary budgets for the upcoming event, and
drill into them the roles and job descriptions using the existing executive
committee as an example.」
Yeah, Miseri is the perfect fit. She was
the one who oversaw the entirety of the numerous events held thus far as the
executive branch, after all.
「Based on
the manuals compiling past business negotiations and exhibitions by the domain
residents, I will lecture on recruitment methods, operational regulations, and
challenges for each.」
It is true that Yoltia was in charge of
managing the trade fairs held in the past, and she also handled the exhibitions
from the domain residents. She will surely be able to speak exactly with the
air of experience.
「I will
lecture on the role the reception desk played as the contact point for
tournament operations, venue operations, voting, and various applications,
along with examples of actual problems and Q&As.」
Right, when it comes to talking about the
reception desk, there is no one who surpasses Claire. To be honest,
various tournaments and events cannot be run without a reception desk.
「In that
case, should I talk about arranging the receiving structure, preparing
accommodations according to the situation, dining facilities, and the renting
and construction of temporary accommodations? Though if anything, I think Miseri-san
and Yoltia-san would be more knowledgeable about...」
「「Anne-sama will be fine.」」
Both Miseri and Yoltia answered
immediately. Of course, I share the same opinion. Anne has always
observed things from the position closest to me. In that aspect, there is no
one who surpasses her.
「In that
case... perhaps I should propose utilizing existing organizations and
operational methods, cooperation among nobles, and ways to utilize the academy
students, all based on the current situation in the Royal Capital?」
No one understands the current situation in the
Royal Capital better than Yuka. She also worked as an advisor when
launching the shooting range in the Royal Capital, she knows the internal
affairs of the academy better than anyone, and she has connections and
interactions with the noble young ladies. This, too, is a job only she can do.
「Hahaha,
you're all perfect. I want you to squeeze them as hard as you can. The Old
Tanuki also asked me to 『use them without holding back』.」
Regarding this part, I could confidently leave
it to them as if sailing on a large ship. I have a few ideas in mind for the
proposal, but rather than putting them out myself first, it's best to have the
executive committee discuss it.
Thus, as an additional dispatch force, I led
2,000 Special Firearms Corps troops and 2,000 Demon Territory Knights, and
departed together with the Commander.
◇◇◇
From Kusanagi to the eastern edge of the
Falmus Margraviate, the ceded land from the former Kingdom of Cain,
is a two-day journey one way even on horseback, but the Commander did
not allow us to simply hurry and advance.
He subdivided the 4,000-strong unit into units
of 500, and imposed various tasks while marching, such as formation changes and
horseback archery. If they showed disgraceful behavior here, they would have to
cut into their break and meal times to handle tasks like going ahead to prepare
for the next training or staying behind to clean up, so every unit tackled it
desperately.
As expected, a demon is a demon even in
peacetime; it's business as usual, huh?
Because of such things, we arrived at our
destination slightly earlier than planned, all while undergoing a hard movement
that could easily be called a military exercise.
「His
Majesty the Archduke, we have
been waiting for you! Because our strength was insufficient, we caused you
unnecessary worry; we have no words to express our shame...」
Saying so, Margrave Falmus was full of
apologies right from the start, but that's incorrect. To begin with, telling
them to 『Prepare for an army of tens of thousands』 with a military force of
only 3,000 is an unreasonable demand in itself.
「That's
incorrect. The situation simply progressed beyond our expectations, so there is
no need to worry about anything. On the contrary, even though it's a territory
I entrusted to you, I feel apologetic for arbitrarily deciding to build a
stronghold here.」
Right, even for me, the changes in the Republic
of Laconia that I heard from Emperor Grat and King Courage
were completely unexpected news.
「I hear
the Director of the National Land Development Bureau, Elan, has already
started marking out the territory?」
「Yes.
When he first visited for an inspection, he brought along several bureau
members in addition to Water Mages and Earth Mages, so...」
Hahaha, his work is as fast as ever. The fact
that he was a workaholic since the old days hasn't changed even now, huh? He
isn't single anymore; if he doesn't moderate himself, won't Sasha file a
complaint to me?
「So,
what's the outlook?」
「I hear
construction on the moat and outer walls will begin very soon. In parallel,
laborers will be allocated from the border to first prepare a place where the
minimum necessities of sleeping and eating are possible, and though it will be
temporary, a garrison base for a scale of ten thousand will be prepared first.
He mentioned expanding that scale in the future, and after deciding on the
construction plans moving forward, he temporarily returned to the construction
site on the border highway for now, but...」
I see. Over there, the foundation work for the
city is finished and the box is ready; what's left is constructing the interior
and building the checkpoint on the Principality's side, right? In that case, it
seems possible to allocate laborers in stages.
By the way, there is a reason why Margrave
Falmus pays respect to Elan. Originally, Elan is a Baron; the
Margrave is significantly higher in status. However! Status is one thing, but
there is also his official position.
The current Elan is treated the same as
a Minister, so in terms of his duties, he is treated the same as a Marquis.
Moreover, he is a key vassal shouldering the core of the Demon Territory
Dukedom, and one of the meritorious retainers of the nation's founding.
Therefore, even though he is higher in peerage as a Margrave, he treats Elan
with courtesy.
「For the
time being, the Demon Territory Knights commanded by the Commander will
rotate under the guise of exercises, so 2,000 Demon Territory Knights and 1,000
Special Firearms Corps troops will always be stationed here. Until then, I want
the Margrave to also rotate 2,000 troops from your forces to be stationed here.」
「Yes,
understood. We, too, carry the honor of the House of Falmus, and are
grateful to have been granted the restoration of our house and the great duty
of Margrave. We will continue to strive with all sincerity to meet your
expectations.」
Well, the restoration of the House of Falmus
was strictly the dying wish of Margrave Hastburg; I simply had good
timing and was able to execute it.
「I don't
know if this will serve as a souvenir yet, but once the temporary garrison is
complete, 2,000 troops each from the two adjacent nations and the Principality,
and though it may be slightly delayed, from the Kingdom of Kyle as well,
will enter. I'm sure it will cause you some anxiety, but I want you to deepen
exchanges with the armies of other nations and make a name for yourself as a
Margrave.」
「Y...
Yes!」
Right, it was the same for me, but the Margrave
was also just a frontier Baron until a few years ago. Naturally, he has no
acquaintances in the center of the Kingdom, and exchanges with other nations
were out of the question. Therefore, I believe I understand his hardships and
his feelings of inadequacy. Right now, I want him to break out of his past
shell as quickly as possible.
「Just as
a suggestion, if it were me, I would prepare a town near the garrison with
restaurants offering ingredients from each country, and various forms of
entertainment. In the near future, when construction is complete, over 10,000
soldiers will be stationed at the border stronghold. The money dropped by the
soldiers coming from there will be significant, you know?」
「Ah!
T-That's certainly true...」
That's right, since we're going through the
trouble, I want him to effectively utilize it not just as a security
stronghold, but economically as well. By extension, that will empower the
Margrave.
「You
shouldn't fret over that area alone; you should consult with the Minister of
Internal Affairs, Raymond. And additionally, I would also recommend
preparing the commercial flow and highways in advance. Enormous amounts of
materials, starting with food, will be going back and forth every day, after
all.」
If it's Raymond, he will point out any
deficiencies, and after taking the good with the bad, he will likely propose
the necessary facilities. And above all, highway maintenance and securing
commercial flow; preparing these or not makes a world of difference.
「Then I
have a request. Taking the construction of the town as a certainty, I wish to
receive a name from His Majesty the Archduke for the new town that will
become our hope!」
I mean, why is naming always sprung on me so
abruptly? It's not something you can easily come up with. Given the flow so
far, the Goddess series is good too, but what should I do... If possible,
something derived from each country would be good, right? Since it's a town
that will prosper because of them.
「!!!」
Hahaha, I thought of one. It's simple, but
maybe that makes it better?
「How
about 『Gufrica』 for the town's name? Including the meaning of
gratitude to each country that will place stationed troops here.」
「Gufrica? G-U-F-R-I-C-A... ah!」
You noticed, huh? I just simply took the first
letter from the name of each country, though. Still, the sentiment should get
across.
「After
that, let's see, instead of just showing gratitude with a name, I think it
would be good to research the commemorative days of each country in advance and
plan events on those days. For example, on the birthday of the Emperor of the
Empire, you could set up temporary stalls to celebrate it, or offer one free
ale to Imperial soldiers. If you cherish and celebrate their homeland, they
won't feel bad about it.」
「I feel
like I've finally understood the reason why His Majesty the Archduke's
territory has developed so outstandingly. Not only are you quick to seize an
opportunity, but you even take people's hearts into consideration... Thank you
very much!」
Saying so, Margrave Falmus bowed his
head deeply, faint tears welling up in his eyes.
◇
A few years from this day, in the Demon
Territory Dukedom, a city that achieved remarkable development outside the
direct control of the Archduke would be born. It is said that this city was
governed in a manner unparalleled in this world, catering to the five allied
nations, and the stationed troops dispatched from each country could enjoy
themselves, find healing, and feel their homelands in that city.
However, while the officially decreed name of
the city was 『Gufrica』, it is said that the Margrave who governed the
area alone stubbornly called the city 『Ugufrica』, perplexing the
officials. One day, when an official gathered the courage to ask the reason, he
smiled and said, 『I am aware it causes unnecessary confusion. But
I alone wish to constantly express my gratitude in words to the one to whom I
owe a great debt.』
As time passed, the city of Gufrica would become one of the prominent cities in the Demon Territory Dukedom, boasting a population of tens of thousands, but only two people know that its beginning was on this day.