第１４８９堀：予算の使い方 (Part1)
Chapter 1489: How to Spend the Budget
Side: Seraria
Despite the various minor hurdles, I had successfully managed to prepare for our participation in the auction. We were set to depart tomorrow, but...
"So, what is the meaning of this?"
"W-what do you mean, 'what'?"
"Exactly. We came here to welcome you, and suddenly you’re telling us to sit in seiza? What is the meaning of this?"
Steve looked confused, and Lowell, far from being confused, was outright complaining. I wordlessly slid a document across the table.
"Do you know what this document is?"
"Ah..."
"It’s just a document, isn't it?"
Steve seemed to grasp the situation, but Lowell, as expected, just tilted her head.
"It’s an accounting document! A ledger!"
"Oh. And what about it?"
"What do you mean, 'what about it'? You’ve spent an astonishing amount of money!"
That’s right. The budget I entrusted to them had been completely drained. I had told them I would provide more if they ran short, but the contents of this report...
"You spent it all on purpose, didn't you?"
It was obvious. This wasn't a case of unavoidable expenses; it was clear that Lowell had made sure to spend every last coin. Wasting tax money like this was simply unacceptable. I had intended to convey that sentiment, but this was Lowell we were talking about.
"That stands to reason. We cannot afford to fail at this auction. I had to prepare that town as much as the budget would allow. Is that wrong?"
"That may be true, but why is the majority of it spent on groceries?"
That was the point that caught my attention. Even if they had spent the entire budget, it wouldn't have been an issue if the items were reasonable. However, Eris and Ratz had calculated that 40% of the budget would suffice, and even if they fell short, 70% would be the absolute limit. When I received the report and saw that it was completely spent, I couldn't imagine what my face must have looked like.
*Your Majesty, your expression is terrifying,* Qual and Una had remarked.
*Indeed, it is,* they added.
When I showed them the document, they both said in perfect unison, "Good luck." Those two knew exactly how troublesome Eris and Ratz could be, so they understood the gravity of this report. That was precisely why I had to conduct a proper inquiry for the sake of my own peace of mind. I never imagined Lowell would spend money in such a way...
"It was to ensure the townspeople would accept us."
"Huh?"
I didn't quite understand what she meant. Accept us?
"Ah, Seraria-neesan. May I speak as well?"
As I tilted my head in confusion, Steve quietly raised his hand.
"Go ahead. Explain."
Right. When I thought about it, I had assigned Steve as a stopper to keep Lowell’s recklessness in check. Yet, for Steve to approve of draining the budget was unheard of. He knew exactly what the budget entrusted by Eris and Ratz signified. That was why I had called him here as well.
"We submitted the application and got it approved, you see. You know, the soup kitchen. It’s actually going according to plan. It’s just that the scale ended up being much larger."
"A soup kitchen? Ah, I suppose that was a way to mitigate the nuisance of us causing a stir at the auction, but..."
"Exactly. The scale just got a bit bigger."
"...That’s not what I’d call a 'bit.' Even if there was 30% of the budget left, that amount of food wouldn't just fill a house or two, it would be astronomical!"
If they had purchased groceries with that kind of budget, the volume would be staggering...
"Hahaha! That amount has already been used up."
"..."
I turned my gaze to Steve, demanding an explanation.
"It’s the truth. You see, there was talk about hiring locals to build the roads, right?"
"There was. I heard it was completed faster than expected, though."
"That’s right. Because of that, the employment period was shortened. Which means..."
"Ah, I don't even need you to say it. The employment period was shorter than planned, so the money that was supposed to be distributed to the people was left over. Wait, that’s a problem. Why didn't you tell me?"
This wasn't a matter they could handle on their own. The Ewai Kingdom, which was supposed to collect taxes, would have taken a hit as well.
"Don't worry. I already handed over the amount for the losses, so the higher-ups have no complaints."
"No, that’s so blatant."
"Blatant is fine. The Ewai Kingdom prefers money anyway. The diplomat from Rumel who followed us said the same thing. Besides, you told us we could handle things on our own if we were able to. And the amount for the losses was within the original budget."
True enough, looking at the documents, the figures were exactly as planned. *Grrr.* She was doing her job properly, and there were no issues. She hadn't embezzled the tax money for personal gain. Well, she had spent it elsewhere, but the issues regarding employment and the resulting taxes had been resolved. In fact, since the wages for the employment period were no longer needed, they had actually saved money by only paying the tax portion.
"Fine, whatever. So, why does the employment relate to the soup kitchen?"
"That’s because the street stalls we set up alongside it became an issue..."
"Street stalls? Ah, you were supposed to provide delicious food from Weed, weren't you?"
Ratz and Eris had a devious plan to have the people spend the wages they earned at the stalls, effectively funneling the money back into Weed.
"Because of that, it became popular among the workers, and the people of Wean town started coming in droves to buy things. In other words, we had massive sales..."
"...What? You mean you fleeced the people of Wean town of their money?"
"That’s about the size of it. We realized that was going to be a huge problem."
"Exactly. It would be a major issue if the Alliance sucked the commoners of Wean town dry. So, we panicked and bought up groceries in Wean town to provide free meals. We managed to distribute the wages and some delicious food that way. Man, I’m glad I listened to Hilen’s advice."
"Hilen?"
"Yeah. When I went back to the church for some business, I consulted her because the popularity had grown more than expected and we were in a bind regarding the money. And then..."
*'That’s easy. Why don't you just hold a soup kitchen? You can buy the food there, hire people, and increase the scale. Then everyone will be happy, right?'*
"That’s what she said."
At Lowell’s words, I couldn't help but hold my head in my hands. That new goddess...
"So, I thought about it. If we do as much as we can within the budget, the money, the townspeople's wallets, and their stomachs will all be full. It’s brilliant, isn't it!"
I was so... I had absolutely nothing to say!