第８１２堀：田舎発展物語 急 (Part1)
**Chapter 812: Countryside Development Story – Rapid**
**Side: Deryu**
“……”
Baron Jarna stood there, speechless, staring at the scene that had transformed in the blink of an eye.
It was only natural. A cluster of buildings had suddenly manifested right before his eyes.
Or rather…
“Yuki. What exactly did you just put out?”
I gripped Yuki’s arm firmly, ensuring he couldn’t slip away before I demanded an answer.
“What do you mean ‘what’? It’s a base. Look, it’s got several public facilities and even the military-related structures are perfect.”
Indeed, the landscape of rocks and grassland that had existed moments ago was gone. In its place stood a cluster of buildings—smaller and more desolate than Weed, perhaps, but impressive nonetheless. However, that wasn’t the issue.
“Is that an airfield behind that chain-link fence?”
“Hmm? Yeah, it is.”
“Why are you answering so nonchalantly?! What do you think we prepared the aircraft carrier for?!”
“What for? The carrier is strictly a sea-based aviation base. This is a land-based one. If the carrier were to sink by some miracle, where would the carrier-based aircraft land?”
“Mmph.”
He had a point. In a conventional war, if a carrier sank, one might consider escaping into the sea on lifeboats. However, since we were anticipating a struggle against sea monsters, the chances of a lifeboat being safe once the carrier went down were slim to none.
In such an event, the crew would likely flee using the aircraft. If they were going to fly, they would certainly need a place to land.
“That said, it’s a simple setup—just paved with asphalt. There are three runways and a small control tower, but no hangars. This place is strictly for emergencies. Besides, the planes can just go into the Item Box.”
“I see your logic.”
If we were deploying an aircraft carrier for the Sea-Scypho Kingdom, then Hyden would indeed require facilities like this.
“Besides, we’re going to be helping with the land reclamation from now on. It’s necessary to show off our technical prowess, isn’t it? It’ll be a pain if they try to push back against us out of ignorance.”
“True enough.”
If we lowered ourselves to their level, they might get the wrong idea about us. Excessive humility can lead to misunderstandings.
“Even so, the shock seems to have been too much. Baron Jarna has completely frozen up.”
“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Even as I spoke with Yuki, the Baron remained motionless, showing no signs of recovery. It simply went to show how unbelievable the event that had just transpired truly was.
Now, I wondered how to bring him back to his senses. Just as the thought crossed my mind, Mikos approached the Baron and…
“Dad! Dad! How long are you going to stand there dazed? You’re making me look bad!”
She gave him a light kick.
However…
“Gofuh?!”
“Eh?”
From the impact, Baron Jarna seemed to hover in the air for a moment before being blasted several meters back, landing with a dull thud.
It seemed Mikos neither understood nor truly felt just how strong she had become! No, perhaps it was our mistake for forgetting to explain that part to her!
“You fool!! Yuki!! Treat him at once!!”
“On it.”
“D-Dad?!”
“You, stay right there!!”
I grabbed Mikos and forcibly held her back as she tried to rush toward the Baron in a panic. When she turned her face toward me, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Deryu-san… Dad… I… because I kicked him…”
“Calm yourself. He is not dead. No matter the injury, Yuki will heal him. You—and Kagura’s group as well—gather around. We haven’t explained things to you properly.”
And so, I had to urgently make Mikos and the others grasp the reality of their own strength. By the time I finished the explanation, Baron Jarna, now fully healed, walked back toward us.
“Dad! I’m so sorry!!”
“No, well… kicking people is bad, but I was at fault this time for spacing out. We’re even. More importantly, start calling me ‘Father’ properly.”
*Phew.*
It was a relief that Mikos’s father was a man of such character. From an outsider’s perspective, it was a scene of a young girl effortlessly kicking a grown man into the air. Normally, that would inspire great fear or caution.
On our end, we had perhaps rushed their training a bit too much in our haste to prepare them for the monsters. No, we had been steadily tempering them ever since we knew there would be a battle at the headquarters of the Highle Church. I simply hadn’t expected her to subconsciously use Body Enhancement during a kick.
Baron Jarna had reflexively activated his own Body Enhancement, but she had easily overwhelmed it. Had he been an ordinary civilian, he would have been killed.
While I was lost in thought, the conversation between the Baron and Mikos continued.
“Still, I didn’t realize Mikos had become this strong.”
“Ahaha… Deryu-san and Yuki-sensei trained me. Though, I really didn't think I could send you flying, Dad.”
“…I see. Between these buildings appearing in an instant and Mikos’s strength, it really was all true.”
“That’s right, Dad. We fought on the front lines for the sake of this country. Well, mostly it was Yuki-sensei, but…”
“That’s enough. You came back safe, and that’s what matters.”
He patted Mikos on the head before turning to Yuki, who had been listening to their conversation nearby.
“Truly, you have my thanks. Allow me to express my gratitude once more.”
“No, it’s my fault for forgetting to teach Mikos how to control her power. And I apologize for startling you with these facilities.”
“Not at all. I had heard the stories beforehand, after all. I finally understand now. I see why the Princesses were moving in such a hurry. And the trouble you mentioned earlier is what’s currently happening in this country, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” the Princess replied. “Thanks to Yuki-sama, Aquenoki’s ambitions were thwarted, but the Sea-Scypho Kingdom is suffering immense damage from sea-dwelling monsters. If we don’t answer this request…”
“At worst, the Sea-Scypho Kingdom might abandon the blessings of the sea and invade inland to secure new sources of income.”
“Yes.”
Indeed, it wasn't just a simple story of being troubled by monster attacks. If things went poorly, Sea-Scypho would have to find a way to live on land. If that happened, chaos would be inevitable. It would almost certainly lead to war.
Yuki had offered his cooperation with all of that in mind. Whether for the sake of the magic power depletion or for Hyden’s future, the problem of the Sea-Scypho Kingdom had to be resolved.
The support base and the simple airfield here in the Jarna territory were the tools for that purpose.
“Now then, we shouldn’t just stand around talking. Would you like to hear about the new buildings?”
“I would, but… I think I’ll pass for now.”
Oh? To refuse an explanation in this situation. I wondered if there was some problem, but Mikos immediately interjected.
“Dad?! Are you stupid? Why would you turn down Yuki-sensei’s proposal?!”
“Calm down. I mean *for now*. If I don’t explain this place to the villagers and the rest of the family first, it’s going to cause a massive panic.”
“““Ah.”””
At those words, not just Mikos, but Kagura and the others let out cries of realization.
Certainly, explaining things to the residents of the Jarna territory took precedence over a meeting.
“Yuki-sama, would that be alright?”
“Yeah. It’s important for the residents to know first. Right… in that case, would it be alright if I brought along some greeting gifts?”
“Greeting gifts?”
“Yes. We won’t exactly be living in the same village, but we’ll be seeing each other since we’re in the same territory. Of course, only if you’re okay with it, Baron Jarna. Also, if you could tell me how many villagers there are.”
“You really don’t have to go that far…”