Chapter 115

Festival
"Did that really happen...? Very well, I'll grant him a baronetcy. If he has children, they’ll be promoted to a viscount upon reaching adulthood. Raising his rank too quickly will only provoke jealousy and foolish commotion.

However, he’ll need to relocate from that land. We can't allow other nobles to meddle in strategic resources."

"Still as noisy as ever."

I connected with my Father in the royal capital through the ship’s communicator to report on the situation here, only to find him looking utterly exhausted.

Currently, my Father is embroiled in political strife. It seems that the changing times have made the Council even more bothersome.

"They’re a nuisance every single day. Demanding the deployment of the Air Force. Insisting on interfering with the Technology Development Bureau. Do they even understand how to run things? Do they have any comprehension? Enough is enough."

"As for the Air Force, I plan to transfer the tech and elevate Captain Pash to a general, leaving the matter in his hands. After all, the paperwork and development are what I handle best."

Truthfully, it would be reckless to place me in command. I lack both the experience and knowledge. I've never received training in command, nor have I had any involvement in it in my past life. What’s impossible simply remains impossible.

Upon hearing this, my Father’s face grew even more fatigued. Likely, the Council’s main objection with Captain Pash is that he comes from a commoner background. But since he's competent, I won’t be replacing him. The once-overlooked Air Force has surprisingly high proficiency, and he’s managed to maintain a cohesive unit.

Naturally, he’s a popular commander among his subordinates.

"Their arrogance has become intolerable. I’d love to demote them all to commoners."

"If you do it once, you’d have to be prepared for the ‘next’ time as well. Even unrelated nobles would oppose such a move."

It must be quite persistent. Father seems considerably annoyed.

"Neither the Air Force nor the military as a whole can handle them, as the systems are too different. Creations that blend science and magic can’t be managed by people with old ways of thinking. Pash, however, uses whatever works, so it’s perfect to place him under your charge."

The Technology Development Bureau’s expertise is at a child’s level compared to mine, yet they’ve ‘accepted me’ without any persecution or resentment. Instead, they aim to learn from my knowledge, seeing me as an ideal to aspire to. I won’t need to give them any directives. I merely provide them with what I create.

With just that, they study and adapt it into their own technology. Occasionally, handing over a technical manual suffices. As for production, I leave that to my Master.

So my responsibilities mainly involve handling paperwork and securing funding. The rest is making whatever’s needed for my clones. I rarely see those people—they’re devoted researchers who seldom leave their labs. Right now, they’re apparently absorbed in enchantment magic research.

Apparently, the support technique I gave them for enchantment magic is groundbreaking, with a remarkable rise in enchantment success rates. It’s still inefficient compared to my low-energy magic tools, though. But with practice, they won’t need support anymore, which should be ideal for cultivating enchantment users. Soon enough, Arland will likely be recognized as the pinnacle of magical technology.

"Yes, I’ll do my best for my own objectives."

"... Just don’t overdo it."

I’ll do what I can. Is the Empire preparing to invade? Then we just need to acquire enough technology and economic power to discourage them. For that reason, the people here are beneficial.

These people will live in another land. I’ll use my abilities there. Let’s create some agricultural and industrial machines from the other world. If I can make their new land a comfortable place, the taxes from there will enrich the kingdom. And in that process, I’ll gain valuable achievements.

Without achievements, I won’t earn anyone’s support.

Technical accomplishments alone aren’t enough. They don’t bring prosperity to the populace. The country needs national power backed by the well-being of its citizens.

So, around here, I should demonstrate that my expertise isn’t solely limited to weapons. Lately, I’ve been neglecting the development of everyday items because of my focus on military-related projects.

Yes, making this a country where the people can live happily is my goal.

After reporting on the remaining issues and getting my Father's approval, I ended the call.

I left the communication room and disembarked from the ship. I didn’t use my smartphone since the airship's communication room offers video communication. For now, smartphones can only handle calls and emails due to cost. But they have the potential for network development, and depending on future updates, could gain more functionality... though that’ll take a while.

As I exited the ship, I found Marza waiting anxiously. He was probably concerned about his future.

It’s a promise from several hundred years ago. He’s probably considering the possibility that the kingdom will ignore it. Other influential elders and young representatives from the village were also present.

"I, Alicetia von Arland, the head of the Viceroyal family, acting as the representative of Draconia von Arland, King of the Arland Kingdom, hereby declare the conferment of the rank of baronet upon Village Chief Marza.

Also, his children will be granted the title of viscount."

"...... Eh?"

"In other words, you’ll become a noble. And it’s confirmed that your child will be a viscount, not a mere baronet. Of course, this is conditional on effective governance of the territory.

Additionally, you’ll be relocated to a new land.

Furthermore, all past taxes are waived, and a 200-year noble pension will be provided. Since the kingdom is entirely responsible for the recent events, you’ll also receive reparations."

That's quite a sum, isn't it? Father was practically begging me to let him cover it from the airship's profits.

Well, the Air Force’s first priority is showcasing the main cannon of the armed airship, so immediate funding isn’t critical. People with rigid mindsets won’t be convinced until they see the real thing.

"Y-you did it, Village Chief! You’re becoming a nobility!"

"You’ve finally achieved your lifelong dream!"

Everyone celebrated Marza’s rise in status. However, no one mentioned the relocation. Both Alicia and I thought they might be dissatisfied with it, so we exchanged puzzled looks until Marza steps forward.

"The relocation is fine with us. We are incapable of ruling over this land.

We’ve lost countless comrades, waited in vain for help that never came, and cursed each new day. We… likely won’t ever fully forgive the kingdom. But we still have people we need to protect.

We must prioritize the living over the deceased. It has always been our desire to leave this place together."

Their guards fled, and the kingdom forgot they existed, leaving them trapped in this deep forest.

Apparently, all the villagers had long wished to leave here. It might have been possible for the men of the village alone to escape—if they’d abandoned the women, children, and elderly.

But they couldn’t make that choice in the harsh life of the forest. They needed everyone to survive and work together.

That’s why they haven’t even built graves here. Although cremation followed by burial is standard in this world, they’ve placed their loved ones’ ashes in something like a communal ossuary, intending to take them out of the forest one day.

"And… if we don’t return to civilization soon, we may start to lose our humanity."

C-certainly, they were practically turning into indigenous forest dwellers. Their clothing was little more than pelts, and they’ve probably lost the means to weave fabric. Some houses even looked straw-made.

With fewer people and all efforts focused on survival, they’ve lost much over time. Their current state might make it hard for even Arland to accept them… Though the capital's residents might see it as charming.

"Understood. I’ll do my best to ask Father to provide as much support as possible."

The residents of the capital might be open to welcoming them, but closed-minded villagers elsewhere might be less accepting. Plus, there's a chance that their new land already has inhabitants. Many lands are left without a lord, now directly managed by the royal family. It’s possible they might receive one of those.

"Forget about that; let’s celebrate! This kind of life will finally be over, so let’s all rejoice!"

"Y-yes, let’s do that!"

With that, a celebration began, gathering everyone in the village.

I ordered food supplies from the airship to be brought down and instructed them to prepare a feast. If they’re celebrating, then we should, too. I posted 30 golems made of clay around the village's perimeter for security, so no problem there.

"Now is the perfect time to bring out my stockpiled treats!"

I handed out my treasured stash of sweets to the villagers. The men enjoyed them but soon gravitated toward the meat dishes.

Meanwhile, the women and children, who rarely had the chance to eat sweets, stayed around to savor the treats.

"This is so yummy!"

"There’s plenty more, so pace yourselves."

Mothers gently chided their children who were stuffing their cheeks like squirrels. Eating sweets with others really is the most enjoyable way.

"Princess… You’ve been holding onto quite a stockpile, haven’t you?"

"These things are handy for moments like this… It’s not a waste… definitely not a waste."

The reassurance of having treats available is vital for my peace of mind. So, stop looking at me like that.

"Arland definitely needs festivals. It’s better to live with laughter."

"Too many festivals, and the kingdom would collapse, though."

Long ago, there was a time when the residents of the capital petitioned the palace to have daily festivals. The king, thinking it sounded nice, gave a lighthearted approval, which led to chaos in the country.

People neglected their work in favor of constant partying.

That’s why there are now legal limits on the number of festivals. Of course, there’s no penalty, so they still hold impromptu festivals whenever there’s something to celebrate.

"If spending has increased, we should just increase revenue."

"Is that so… You really are inspiringly optimistic, Princess."

Yes, as long as there’s revenue, there’s no problem. The export of airships will surely enrich the kingdom.

The festival that started in the afternoon went on until late into the night. Even Doug, who surprisingly got along well with the villagers, was dancing with them, arm in arm… though the mask he wore looked eerie at night.

Villagers gathered in the square, dancing with their arms around the royal guards as they drank around a large fire. None of the guards drank excessively, only enough to stay functional if needed. People from Arland can hold their liquor, though that capacity varies individually. Father, for instance, barely gets tipsy even after drinking from a barrel.

"Princess, it’s time for bed."

As night deepened, Alicia came to fetch me. I had been enjoying our sweets with the women.

"I’ll decide when I sleep."

"No, ma’am. You haven’t been sleeping properly since we left the dungeon. You need rest for your health."

I haven’t been sleeping well… and I’m not even tired. At my level, I can control my need for sleep… unless I’m hit with a hypnosis reading attack.

"It’s already late, so we’ll skip the bath tonight and take it in the morning. Let’s go… and stop clinging to that tree."

"I refuse."

I clung to a nearby tree, but she overpowered me and carried me to my room.

Once I was tucked into the bed in my room on the ship, Alicia turned off the lights and left. I could sense her presence outside the door. There’s no escaping through the window due to the ship’s structure, and if I teleport, my mana would be detected, and I’d get scolded. Looks like I have no choice but to sleep. Good night.

"Sniff… I wanna go home……… Takuto.”

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