第１６２６堀：久々の同行とリゾート開発 (Part1)
Chapter 1626: A Rare Joint Outing and Resort Development
Side: Fiora
Lately, despite working in the same place, I find myself having very little interaction with Yuki-sama.
Well, I suppose that is a good thing; it means Yuki-sama’s work has settled into a steady rhythm, and it also suggests that Orelia and the others have grown into capable, independent individuals.
The addition of Nina-den and Prof to the fold seems to be yielding positive results as well.
As for me, I do feel a twinge of jealousy seeing the number of women surrounding Yuki-sama increase. However, as Menou-sama of Seasifo once pointed out, if things remain as they are, we will barely manage to secure an heir, and other issues are bound to arise. I cannot deny the validity of that assessment, so I have accepted it as a necessity.
Even if I were to bear many children, they would likely end up being used as successors for this position, or perhaps for diplomatic purposes—though Yuki-sama dislikes that phrasing. It is simply the path they would take.
Allowing them to act with reckless freedom would only invite trouble. That is the weight of the burden carried by Yuki-sama’s children.
Seraria and the others are also racking their brains, wondering how best to persuade Yuki-sama on that front.
Well, that is assuming we manage to bear many children first...
I, too, share my nights with him, so when the time comes, it shall be done.
But enough of that. Right now, I am here at Ratz’s place to discuss the tourism development project for the port town.
Wait, was it Ratz who asked for this consultation?
"No, no~, sorry for making you come all the way out here."
"It’s fine. You came to us last time, so it’s our turn to come here. Besides, there are more relevant people here, aren't there? It makes communication easier."
"Ahaha~. That’s certainly true. Thanks to that, I’m kept busy running up and down the stairs. Eris and... well, the Accounting Department, they’re constantly flying off to demand resubmissions the moment they find a flaw in the paperwork~."
As we exchanged such idle chatter, Orelia and the others prepared tea. Once things settled down, Ratz turned her gaze toward me.
"So, Fiora is here too—were there any issues regarding the small nations?"
"Ah, no. Today, I am simply here as Yuki-sama’s attendant. Ever since that incident with Suls, the number of nobles coming to make direct requests to Yuki-sama has finally decreased."
"Ah~, I imagine that would certainly drop. After all, anyone seeking an audience in this climate must be either incredibly troublesome or a complete fool."
"Exactly. Well, compared to you and the others, one might wonder why I’m here when we work in the same place, but..."
"It’s perfectly fine~. We were placed here with that understanding, after all. Dealing with nobles is a real pain, isn't it~?"
"Yes, indeed. There are always those who hurl insults at me simply because I refused their unreasonable demands."
I am one of those small nations, yet I succeeded in pushing through the country’s wishes. That is precisely why people ask me, "How dare you refuse?"
Of course, my situation was dire, but to those making requests, that is irrelevant. In that sense, my role as a negotiator has become a sort of "punishment" from Weed.
Though, even then, the treatment I receive is so generous that I find it almost too lenient.
"It happens, doesn't it~. I’m a commoner by birth, so there are still idiots who try to threaten me from time to time~. Well, the moment they do, the people around me tighten the screws on them~."
"So it still happens to you too, Ratz?"
"Of course it does~. Everyone knows Eris and I hold the blood flow of Weed, so they probably think they can win us over or something~. I understand their aim, but they don't seem to realize that if it were that easy to manipulate us, Weed wouldn't be in its current position to begin with~."
Exactly. They should realize that the very thing everyone thinks of—threatening Ratz or Eris—is something no one has managed to pull off.
I, too, have had such fools approach me, and I have promptly kicked them out.
"Are there people negotiating outside of Milly’s adventurers?"
"There are~. After all, it’s not just adventurers who think that if they threaten us, they’ll get their way~."
"Yes. From the outside, Weed looks like a small nation. There are still those who judge that while we have the support of great powers, the country itself lacks true strength. They think I just happened to be blessed with good fortune."
"Sigh. Well, I suppose that perception won't change so easily. For now, should we issue another statement declaring that no one is to lay a hand on the wives?"
"Ah, brother. If you do that, it will exclude Prof, Orelia, Hobis, Yayui, and of course Comet, Nairua, Wazfi, and Havia, won't it?"
Ratz immediately corrected Yuki-sama’s proposal.
Indeed, if we phrased it that way, it could be interpreted as "it’s fine to threaten anyone who isn't a wife."
No, the absolute scum of the earth would definitely interpret it that way.
"I see. Right, that’s true. It’s only natural for them to look for loopholes in the rules. Besides, the very act of resorting to threats is a judgment on their part. Given what happened with Sisia and Sona, perhaps we should establish new rules for Weed’s workers regarding those kinds of threats."
"I think that would be best. Rather than dealing with people who twist the meaning of 'the public,' it is more reliable to communicate the protocols and responses directly to the people of the country. Many of them moved to Weed precisely because they were tired of such things."
"That’s the safest bet~."
No matter how much we warn them, they will inevitably try one trick or another. At worst, they might even take hostages.
It is more reliable to build a system that can handle such situations. Within Weed, it shouldn't be difficult to prevent such things.
"Understood. We should involve the police and others in that discussion, so let’s finalize it later. For now, let’s finish the main topic of why I came here. So, you have something to discuss regarding the resort development plan?"
"Oh, right. For now, please look at these documents."
Ratz handed over the documents, including copies for Orelia and the others.
"Well, please look at the details later. To put it simply, the beach area is already safe, so the plan is to build a massive hotel there so people can play and stay on-site. I’m looking for permission to commission the construction and recruit employees."
"I see. What about merchandise?"
"I’d like to produce some, but I only want to ask you to refine the concepts, brother. Could you make the actual items?"
"It would be better to commission that to the group of skilled blacksmiths led by Narjia-san, as they can handle mass production as well."
"That’s true~. If you and I did everything ourselves, the money wouldn't circulate."
"If I couldn't do it, I would, but that wouldn't be suitable for mass-produced merchandise anyway."