第９５５堀：戻ってきた港 (Part2)
With that settled, we returned to Aurelia Port immediately to await the arrival of the Great Emperor.
"Come to mind, how far along is the reconstruction of Aurelia Port?"
"Ah, regarding that... oh, perfect timing. Curse, Mauve, Raiya!"
My husband called out to them, and for some reason, Mauve and his companions were right there.
"What is it?"
"Did something happen again?"
"Come to think of it, you said you were returning from the imperial capital of the Zurable Great Empire, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. We were supposed to be back today, but we haven't arrived yet. But that's not why I called you. I wanted to ask about the reconstruction status of the Aurelia Port area."
"I see."
The three of them nodded in understanding as my husband explained the situation.
"Wait, why are you guys here anyway?" I asked.
"Well, you remember how we said there was a lack of human resources to handle the governance here?"
"Right. We said it would be difficult to send people from Weed to manage an enclave where they don't even understand the local customs."
In truth, such convenient personnel don't just grow on trees. If we could use the gates to Weed freely and send a large number of people, it would be different, but since we are keeping the existence of the gates a secret here, we have to rely on the locals for governance. That, in turn, requires the administrator to possess a significant amount of individual skill. We don't have anyone that convenient in Weed.
Well, if we were to choose from among us wives, there are plenty who have the aptitude, but taking on a job like that would mean living apart from my husband and acting independently. Even if we could use the gates to return quickly, the base of operations would still be Aurelia Port. We are all in unanimous agreement that we don't want that. I certainly don't want that, either.
So, we had said we would send temporary personnel to bridge the gap for now, but...
"So, are you guys the ones doing the governing?"
"No way, I don't have the talent for that. That's Curse's job."
"This guy is the son of a town mayor, after all."
"Ah."
Hearing that, it finally clicked. Curse is the son of the lord of the town where Milly, Mauve, and the others used to live. It was a fairly well-known fact, too.
"I completely forgot about that."
"Can't blame you. Curse's image as an adventurer is just too strong. So, Curse is going to be the administrator and pull Aurelia Port together?"
"No, no. Why are you jumping to such ridiculous conclusions? We're talking about checking the progress of the reconstruction, right? Here, take a look at this."
Curse hurriedly denied my suggestion while handing over a document.
"What's this? ...'Damage Report and Reconstruction Plan for the Aurelia Port Highway, Progress Status.'"
It was a report compiled by Curse. I immediately began reading through the document to check for any major issues.
"...As expected, the people living along the highway were almost completely wiped out."
What caught my eye first was the number of survivors in each district along the highway. In the areas where the Zurable Great Empire's army had been stationed, the number of survivors was zero. The further away you got, the more survivors there were, but even then, it was only a handful.
"Yes. I heard the details of what happened back then from Yuki. The Zurable Great Empire's army seems to have thoroughly eliminated everyone, regardless of age or gender. They were certainly loyal to their orders."
"...And yet, the structural damage to the buildings is minimal. With a few repairs, they'll be habitable again. They clearly had the reconstruction in mind as well."
What a sickening report. I understand the Zurable Great Empire's strategy and their intentions, but seeing the reality of this tragedy makes my heart ache. ...Though, I suppose that's only something we can say because we have the luxury to do so.
"Seraria. I understand how you feel, but let's focus on the documents for now."
"...I know."
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath to calm myself, and looked over the papers again.
"...The mourning for the dead is finished, and the protection of the war victims is complete. Now, they've begun the actual reconstruction work. The budget and supplies are well within the limits we set. Well, it's a passing grade, I suppose."
"Thank you very much."
Curse bowed deeply. His movements were elegant, as expected—nothing to be ashamed of anywhere.
"Say, why don't you just become the lord of this territory, Curse?"
"I refuse. Being an adventurer suits me better."
Curse turned me down flat.
"We'll assign Mauve and Raiya as your subordinates, too."
"Hey!"
"I feel like nothing's going to change from how it's been until now."
Mauve complained, but Raiya seemed to grasp the situation calmly.
"That's right. Nothing will change. It's the same as when you were managing the Beastman village. So, what do you think?"
"I have no interest in being tied down by noble status or anything like that."
...That Curse. He's not as stubborn as my husband, but he's just as difficult. Someone had predicted this, hadn't they? Bingo! It was Curse who was governing Aurelia Port on a temporary basis. Mauve and Raiya have been participating in an assistant capacity.
Man, they're useful—this trio of adventurers. Though, they are stubborn, too. Men will always be adventurers at heart!