第１０２０堀：どこでも必要なもの (Part2)
"Well, that’s how it is. Take a look. These are the projected costs for the upcoming investigation and dungeon attack."
"Leaving that for the very end... are you an idiot?"
"I needed you to understand the necessity first. What do you think would have happened if I’d shown you this from the start?"
"..."
Good grief, he’s right, and I can’t even argue with him. If he had shown me the sheer scale of the budget first, I would have looked at it with nothing but skepticism. Honestly, he’s such a wicked man.
As I thought this, I cast my eyes over the document detailing the required budget, and my heart sank further.
"...The range for this budget is far too wide."
The first thing that caught my eye was a trial calculation so low I briefly wondered if it would even be enough, but right next to it was the maximum estimate, which would consume roughly 20% of our current DP reserves.
"Knowing you, I’m sure you didn't just pull these numbers out of thin air, but there’s no way Eris is going to approve a budget like this."
True, one might be tempted to think that 20% of our total assets leaves 80% remaining, but that amount would be consumed solely for the support of the Zurable Empire and this dungeon investigation. And all within less than a year.
Furthermore, this isn't the end of our responsibilities. We still have to deal with the Highn Empire, the ongoing management of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, and the need to hoard precious DP for the various threats we have yet to encounter.
Above all, this is the blood-tax of our citizens. No one would agree to squander it recklessly—not even if the one proposing it is my own husband.
"That’s exactly why. If I don't present it this way, they’ll just draw a line at a 'reasonable' amount, won't they?"
"Well, I suppose so. Knowing Eris, she’ll properly assess your situation and the Zurable Empire’s needs before setting the budget. She’ll likely settle somewhere in the middle. The chances of this maximum budget being approved are zero."
"Right? Eris isn't the type to go soft when it comes to money."
I nodded at my husband’s words. In Weed, there are three people you should never, ever anger. It’s a bit of a running joke, but it’s taken seriously.
The first is me. That’s only natural, of course—I am the Queen, the highest authority in Weed.
The second is Ratz. She controls the flow of supplies in Weed and throughout the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. If you anger Ratz, the supplies stop. The nations in the alliance would be in a world of trouble if they crossed her. Though, unless something truly drastic happens, that’s unlikely.
And finally, there’s Eris, whom we just mentioned. She oversees Weed’s finances. While she officially handed over financial management to a successor, she still holds the purse strings behind the scenes. Or rather, that’s a poor way to put it—she manages them with absolute precision.
"Fine, I understand the situation. Let’s go together, then."
"Thanks. That helps."
"...Though, even I can't just wring money out of Eris."
It’s true. Even as Queen, begging Eris for funds is incredibly difficult. If anything, the fact that my husband has to rely on me shows just how tough this is. It would be easier to just use my personal allowance, though that’s limited.
Well, I suppose I have no choice but to do my best.
"I see. I understand the situation. Now, please show me the budget proposal."
Eris smiled brightly and held out her hand. She wanted the documents immediately.
"Please, go easy on us, Eris."
"I’m asking as well."
"Understood. If I determine it is necessary, I will provide the budget."
Eris listened to our explanation, but she remained firm. It seems tearful pleas won’t work on her. Just as I was thinking that, she glanced at the documents and immediately changed her tone.
"This won't do. I cannot approve a budget based on this. Please provide the exact figures required. Actually, Yuki-san, you wouldn't provide such vague numbers. You have the detailed documents, don't you?"
"Ah, yeah. Here’s the minimum budget, here’s the mid-range, and here’s the maximum."
My husband pulled out a stack of documents—different from the one he showed me—and handed them to Eris.
"You didn't show me these, did you?"
"There was no point in showing you the fine details back there."
"I suppose that’s true."
While we were talking, Eris was already scanning the stack of papers with terrifying speed. She truly is the formidable former accounting representative of Weed. A few minutes later, she looked up.
"I see. Under certain circumstances, the maximum budget may indeed be necessary. However, it becomes a question of how much preparation is considered 'perfect'."
"Just be glad I’m not factoring in the deployment of modern weaponry."
"If you did that, the national treasury would be empty."
And so, our budget negotiations continued. We need money. Nothing in this world is free. You can only move forward once you have a budget. Being a Dungeon Master is quite something, isn't it? This is what management is all about. It’s something that follows you everywhere—at home, in business, and in a nation.