第１０８８堀：未来を見据えて (Part1)
Chapter 1088: Looking Towards the Future
Looking Towards the Future
Side: Ratz
Click-clack...
Lately, I've grown completely accustomed to this sound.
At first, even clean, easy-to-write-on paper moved me, but when paper documents piled up like mountains, it became quite a chore. Now, thanks to the marvel of civilization, the personal computer, all documents are handled digitally.
And once a document is created, a press of the print button...
Whirring...
...and it prints out perfectly.
If there's a mistake, it can be corrected instantly, eliminating the immense effort of rewriting everything from scratch.
What's more, even inventory, which changes by the minute, can be properly managed with a database.
Oh, it's truly wonderful.
"Well then, the supplies to be sent to the Dafaiyo Kingdom are all set."
I had been compiling the list of supplies and their costs, as requested by my brother.
Next, I need Seraria's approval, and then Eris will allocate the budget.
Then, it comes back to me to prepare the actual supplies.
It feels like a never-ending loop, but this is all due to helping my brother and serving as the Commercial District's Vice Representative.
"I wish this kind of work would decrease eventually, but it seems unlikely. Besides the Dafaiyo Kingdom, there are also supply transports to the Great Empire of Zuraburu."
If I were to leave all of that to Representative Non and her subordinates, they'd weep tears of blood...
It seems this cute and capable rabbit is still needed by everyone.
Sigh, a peaceful retirement with my beloved brother still seems a long way off.
Lost in such thoughts...
"Yes. So, please proceed."
I arrive at Her Majesty the Queen's office, located within the Weed General Administration Building.
Technically, as Queen, she also has a 'Royal Palace' separate from here, but...
"Isn't it foolish to move back and forth all the time?"
Due to Seraria's pragmatism, she primarily conducts her work from an office within the General Administration Building.
Well, as she says, it's certainly convenient for work, but... those who prioritize the Queen's dignity are simply left with wry smiles.
Indeed, Quar, her top subordinate, has completely given up and just tells her to do as she pleases.
Yes, I also know it's pointless to tell Seraria to act more like a Queen.
Besides, when it truly matters, she acts perfectly.
While I was thinking such trivial thoughts, Seraria seemed to finish reviewing the documents, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of her eye.
"Bringing it directly to me, Ratz, you're not fond of Eris either, are you?"
"As a friend, I adore her, but when it comes to work, she's incredibly strict. It's much easier when Seraria has already given her approval."
No matter what anyone says, 'Her Majesty the Queen's seal of approval' carries immense weight.
Without it, Eris would cut even the slightest seemingly unnecessary supplies to the absolute minimum.
Well, the nation's finances and resources are limited. It's only natural for Eris, who manages the treasury, to squeeze every last drop from what can be squeezed.
"I think I always say this, but Eris won't show mercy even with my seal of approval, you know?"
"I know that. Still, it's different from me submitting it alone. The fact that two of us, Seraria and I, have approved it, makes it that much stronger."
"That's true. In fact, nowadays, only Eris and Quar are bold enough to complain about documents submitted by Ratz or me."
"No, well, the head of accounting, Tefa, our own head, Non, and Police Chief Poni do offer their opinions."
"Ah, those children... They get so stiff in front of me. Can't something be done about that?"
"Well, I think it's a bit much to tell someone not to be nervous in front of their nation's 'Queen.' Quar might be the best example of that."
Saying that, I glance at Quar, who is doing paperwork beside Seraria, and who also serves as Captain of the Royal Guard, Queen's Aide, and General of the Weed Army. He must have heard our conversation, as he stops his hand.
"Are you asking me to explain the proper mindset for a subject when addressing Her Majesty? If so, then the current state is perfectly fine. To face and converse with the ruler of the nation with a sense of tension and profound reverence—that is the correct demeanor."
Ahaha, typical Quar. He's strict about these things, or rather, he considers this the natural order.
"Who would be happy with such formality?"
"Naturally, the citizens would. Weed has a short history, and it is still often looked down upon by other nations as a nascent state. This is neither pleasant nor beneficial for the citizens of Weed. Therefore, Her Majesty must maintain her dignity, demonstrating a refinement and education equal to any other nation..."
"That's just the officials being happy when the nation prospers through national prestige and interest, isn't it?"
"Ultimately, that leads to the happiness of the citizens. And, you weren't asking about this, were you?"
"Of course not. The issue is that I can't communicate effectively with the young people who will lead this nation. Besides, with Weed's technological prowess, there's no way we'd be looked down upon by other nations."
As Seraria says, the inherent power of the nation of Weed itself would not be underestimated by other countries.
Only nations ignorant of the true situation would be so foolish. Such nations would either be ostracized or become part of the faction that doesn't utilize dungeons.
However, that's different from the nation's authority not being looked down upon.
There are still many countries that perceive us as merely a tiny, nascent state that coincidentally acquired a dungeon.
Even our current handling of the Dafaiyo Kingdom is one action aimed at improving that perception.
I hope the perception of other small nations will also improve through Dafaiyo.
"Indeed, our nation's technological capabilities are extremely high. Or rather, they're off the charts. Conversely, they're so advanced that other nations can't keep up."
"That's only natural. After all, it's packed with technology from my husband's homeland. And you know very well that we're currently developing ways to reproduce it with magic."
"Hmph. That's precisely why we need something that other nations can understand and keep up with... Well, Yuki is handling that... He truly is meticulous. This leaves me with no reason to scold Her Majesty."
"Ahaha. Husbands and wives support each other, you know. But we're getting off-topic. If they can't even engage in active discussions, then as subjects, they're simply lacking. I won't have them claim they don't understand that."
That's right. She's not asking for them to be overly casual; it's important that they can voice necessary opinions properly.
"Indeed. Ideally, it would be best if they could exchange frank opinions with Her Majesty the Queen and Lady Ratz, like the wives do, but that would be impossible. Their positions prevent it."
"What are you talking about? If that's the case, then you, Quar, should also be stiff in front of us, shouldn't you?"