第８１４堀：田舎発展物語 発展の光と影それを吹き飛ばす答え (Part2)
"The latter is unrealistic. There is no way the commoners or travelers would remain silent, and the people in the Haiden royal palace are surely aware that the Princess is here."
Baron Jama’s assessment was correct.
Most of the high-ranking officials in the royal palace already knew that a Weed base had been established within Baron Jama’s territory.
They understood the vital importance of cooperating with Weed, and it was only natural that they would seek to leverage those gates to foster future development.
"As someone who requested the development of my own lands, I am, of course, delighted by the prosperity of this region. But you are saying that it won't end there, aren't you?"
"Indeed. Naturally, there will be obstruction born of the jealousy I mentioned earlier. Eventually, they may even seek ties with the Jama family through means such as marriage proposals for Mikos."
"……As a head of a house, political marriage is something one should hope for regarding the family’s advancement, but……"
As he said this, all eyes turned toward Mikos.
"Hah!? Dad, you aren't saying you’d sell me off to some perverted noble who only cares about power and money, are you!? No way, that is absolutely out of the question!!"
Having someone she already held dear, Mikos expressed her absolute refusal.
"……You left this countryside in the first place because you wanted to see the wider world, didn't you?"
"Exactly!! Right now, Mikos-chan is in the middle of an adventure in a vast, wide world after meeting Yuki-sensei and the others!! So, I’m not going to become the wife of some money-grubbing, incompetent noble!!"
Normally, one should be angry at such a lack of decorum for a noble’s daughter, but neither Baron Jama, myself, nor anyone else in the room felt compelled to rebuke her.
The reason was simple……
"And above all, Yuki-sensei and the others saved us! There’s no way I could just leave that debt of gratitude unpaid, right!? Dad, you’re always telling me to show proper respect to my benefactors, aren't you? Mikos-chan will never become the kind of trashy noble who ignores their debts!!"
"……"
Yes, as Mikos said, we had already been saved from the brink of national collapse by Yuki-sama and his Weed forces, and even now, we were being aided against the threats and problems brought about by the Kingdom of Seasypho.
Everyone present knew that turning our backs on that would be a betrayal of our duties as nobles—no, as human beings.
"Besides, the country is in crisis right now! I love this Haiden, and I love Princess Carrie, Princess Stasia of the Findarl Empire, and Bishop Enora, too. So, Mikos-chan will do whatever she can! Well, if the only way to solve a problem was through marriage, I’d consider it. But too bad for them!! I have Yuki-sensei! If I follow that man, everything will absolutely work out!!"
This was not a problem that could be solved by handing Mikos over to some random noble.
The solution was something Mikos—no, something we all knew.
It was to rely on the man who led Weed.
It was a pathetic admission, but the current Haiden, Findarl, and Haile had to rely on Weed.
That was an absolute fact.
Hearing this, Baron Jama opened his mouth.
"I understand well enough that Yuki-sama is an incredible person. Hearing how he saved Haiden, Findarl, and the Haile faith, I can see what kind of immense power he wields. Above all, if Mikos says as much, even her old man understands."
"Dad……"
"In other words, you’re in love with Yuki-sama."
I thought we were having a serious conversation, but Baron Jama suddenly dropped a bizarre bombshell.
Or perhaps, in a sense, he had struck the very core of the matter?
"Wha!? W-wait, hold on!?"
"So that’s why you don’t want to leave his side. That makes perfect sense."
"H-hey!? Dad!?"
"After all, there’s a man right in front of you who makes those small-time local nobles look like nothing! So, has the Princess already given her consent to this?"
"Eh? Oh, yes. If Mikos and Kagura were to become concubines to Yuki-sama, the stability and prosperity of Haiden would be certain……"
Having been asked so suddenly, I answered honestly.
"I see. If you’ve already obtained permission, then as your father, I have no complaints. Go for it with everything you’ve got. You’re quite the calculator, aren't you!!"
"Kyaaah!? No, that’s wrong!! Dad, you’ve got it all wrong!! Mikos-chan isn't attracted to Yuki-sensei because of his power or influence, you know!?"
"I know, I know. Regardless, I’ll have to make sure the people of the territory know. With this, the Baron Jama territory is secure!"
"Stop it—!? You’re making Mikos-chan look like a dirty woman!?"
……Watching Mikos and Baron Jama, I couldn't help but smile, thinking that perhaps this kind of love and affection was perfectly fine.
"Well, I haven't heard any such talk regarding myself, though."
"Hii!?"
"Is something the matter?"
"N-no, nothing at all!!"
For some reason, Kagura and Solo were trembling excessively. I wonder why?
Development, the strange people who try to pull the rug out from under it—well, that’s just what happens when people start moving.
But honestly, love and romance are far more important than such trivialities.
And in the end, it seems the ones left behind are the ones who missed their chance.
Wait? Why do I feel something behind me……?