Chapter 356 - Chapter 17: Promise for Five Years Later
I've returned to Nakanohara. Since it was an official request, we report to Adolf-san with the members of the Marcelo Company. Recently, there were many cases that didn't end in subjugation, so it's been a while since I drew a commemorative plate. Of course, it's the sea serpent extermination.
"In other words, Jeanne, will you be going to Primordia periodically from now on to do shark extermination?"
"Yes. I think that's how it will be."
If I go before the Great Shark becomes too powerful, it shouldn't be that much of a struggle. It would be good if there were orbs with Light embedded in them, but for now, it's probably better not to let them out of Finis. Based on my experience so far, there's no creature as unpredictable as a human. Monsters, which are faithful to their desire to live, are still easier to understand.
"The Marcelo Company has finally become a monster hunter group representing the island. For rat extermination, isn't it about time you hired someone else?" It's Adolf-san. When I instinctively looked at Marcelo-san, he stared straight into my eyes. This is bad, at this rate I'll be removed.
"No, we'll all work hard to somehow continue the rat extermination. If it's about twice a week, it should be fine... right?" Recently, Lyudmila, who wakes up early, has been setting bait every morning. Now, there are times when Beatrix or I go alone. Because we've powered up, the things we can do alone have increased. Of course, there are times when we have to ask Angelica-san or Paul-san.
"Since that's the case, please keep things as they are for now." Marcelo-san said so, and we were able to continue somehow.
"You really love rat extermination, don't you?"
"Because when I learn a new magic, testing it on rats is the easiest way to understand. Besides, rat extermination is about the only thing I can do for this town." Beatrix looked at me with exasperation, but I think the original intention is important.
The report ended successfully, and we held a report meeting and a celebration at the Ghost Mansion. The special guest is Miana. Of course, Dune, Mel, Flora, and Fiona are also there. With Beatrix leading the toast, we talk about the details of the Great Shark and sea serpent extermination, and the encounter with the coastal spirits.
"Are they mermaids?" The one who bit was Lyudmila.
"Hmm. You could say that, but they're more like seals than fish." Beatrix's explanation is probably more correct. The one who had a fish tail was Saxburg. When Beatrix drew a simple picture to show her, she's making a fuss saying she wants to see, she wants to see.
"Next time a talk about Great Shark extermination comes, do you want to go together?"
"Yeah!" She looks happy, but I wonder if Lyudmila, who is the busiest along with Mary, can actually participate.
Speaking of being busy, Matilda, who has been busy lately, said she had something to say.
"When spring comes, I've decided to quit the guards' workshop." This is another sudden development. It seems the selection of a successor has already finished.
"I'm thinking of going independent. From now on, I'll work as a blacksmith while focusing on prosthetic arms and legs. So, I want the Class of 175 Shop to handle the prosthetic arms and legs I make. Is that okay?" What is the manager of the main store saying. She can do as she likes. I thought so, but Mary, the manager of the third shop, put a stop to it.
"Are those ready-made? If not, they won't sell even if you put them in the shop, even if they're for women."
"No, I basically make them to order. I'm not lining up ready-made ones. But there are orders. However, the guards' workshop can't handle any more than this."
"Right? Besides, isn't there more demand for men's ones? In that case, the image is different from the current shop, and a workspace is needed. You should set up a separate shop."
"A separate shop?"
"Yeah, the fifth shop. We'll renovate the backyard. Because it faces the eastern street. You'll take orders there and make them at the farm. Let's talk to Adolf-san and just build a separate wing. If we make it so you can go out onto the roof of the separate wing from the current second-floor passage, you can also sunbathe." Mary says that while the second shop in Regnentes or the fourth shop in the Flatlands are fine, the atmosphere is too different from the main store or the third shop. It seems she wants to keep the main store and the third shop strictly as girls' shops. Regarding the expansion, Adolf-san will surely approve.
"Is it okay? It'll cost money again." The workshop at the farm is one thing. But the renovation of the backyard requires a certain amount of money.
"What do you think, Beatrix?" This time, she threw the talk to Beatrix.
"Actually, I have forty gold coins on hand." It's the profit from the sea serpent. One of them became twenty gold coins. Sea serpents are apparently very rare monsters, so they bought it for twice the price of a snake.
"F-Forty coins?"
"Well, yeah. Because we worked hard. So, I can put out the renovation costs."
"If we split it among eight people, it's five gold coins each. I don't have it now, so lend it to me."
"This profit should originally be split with the Primordian Navy or Henry-sama. But since we received all of it, let's use it for the shop."
"But, I didn't do anything, so I can't accept that." As usual, she's stiff.
"Then, how about this?" It's Miana. Surprising.
"Could you become the technical lead for the provision of prosthetic arms and legs for people with physical disabilities that I will be handling with my mother in the near future?"
"Technical lead?"
"Yes. I want you to be active in the Royal Capital area. Since the craftsmen are also part of the measures for the needy, we'll gather people who are good with their hands at the facility's workshop, focusing on those who actually use prosthetic legs, and start a new business." The workshop will apparently gather people centered around those who actually use prosthetic legs. In other words, they will include those who need prosthetic legs in the place where they are currently gathering people who are hard of hearing.
"No, I'm grateful, but I'll do it alone. I have my hands full with orders from around Nakanohara. That's why I'm talking about quitting the guards' workshop too."
"Jeanne goes to the Royal Capital about once a month, right? I want you to go with her at those times and pass on your skills to the people working at the workshop."
"Me? That's absolutely impossible. The craftsmen in the Royal Capital are definitely better. I'm grateful, but only after I improve my skills." When Matilda refused while waving both hands, Miana looked at Mary.
"What Matilda made has a good reputation in Medioland. They say it's much better than the ones made in the Royal Capital. I was told to persuade her to pass on her skills to Magdalena-sama."
"I-Is that so?" The person herself knows nothing, but it's a fact. It's about the ones she was making for Engrio soldiers along with the old man at the guards' workshop during the war. Most of the patients became Medioland citizens after the war. The quality gradually spread, reached the Medioland Royal Capital, and became a topic at meetings.
"Until now, it was normal for one wooden stick to come out, right? But they say it's shaped like a leg. Besides, since it's integrated with lace-up boots, you can't tell it's a prosthetic leg at a glance. It's comfortable, and they say they can walk without a cane, albeit slowly."
"Ease of movement is number one. Besides, I didn't want the guys using them to feel inferior. Actually, I wanted to make even cooler prosthetic legs, but I don't have any good ideas yet. But, I'm talking about consulting with a woman who is actually using a prosthetic leg I made and making even more stylish ones. The point is..." The normally blunt Matilda began to talk volubly. She must have been happy. During the war, she was apparently the most enthusiastic one making them at the workshop. That is calling for a reputation that can be heard across the border.
"Please." When she was asked again by Miana, she was confirming that once a month is enough. She'll be going with me. If I'm with Matilda, it'll be reassuring.
"Since you're saying it at this timing, will there be a special allowance if Matilda goes to the Royal Capital?"
"Hmm. How about five gold coins for twelve times in a year?" She's scheduled to be at the facility for three days per visit. Since it's thirty-six days a year, it's a bit more than three silver coins a day. It's a reasonable amount.
"One year's worth in advance is fine. However, since I also participated in the sea serpent extermination, please recognize my share too." It's complicated, but Miana's share will be handed over to Matilda as a technical guidance fee.
"I see. Then it's fine." I don't really understand, but it's probably fine since Matilda is satisfied.
Next, there was a report from Beowulf.
"Actually, it seems I've become a candidate for the marriage partner of Crown Prince Edward of Primordia."
"Hmm, wait, WHAT!" Beatrix shouted, and Beowulf's cheeks flushed. Mary also gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
"W-Who did you hear that from?" Beatrix is shaking Beowulf's shoulder. She seems quite shaken. Well, it's no wonder. Starting with Miana, everyone has become unable to say anything.
"Edward-sama himself. It was when I was called to the terrace during the banquet at his private residence." Another surprise. Far from being the most likely candidate, it's almost a proposal.
"Because his build is large, he can't take an interest in ordinary women, it seems. They look like children to him. In that respect, look, I'm large." This isn't the time to be laughing while patting your stomach. What are you going to do!
"Even if you ask me what I'm going to do. The opponent has just become an adult. Edward-sama's birth month is August, so he's still fifteen. I'm May, so I'm still twenty for now. Well, it doesn't feel bad. But he said he wants to wait until he's in his twenties to marry, and who knows what will happen in five years. I'll be twenty-five too."
"Aren't you going to get engaged?"
"He wants to decide when he's twenty. Well, eventually, he'll probably get engaged to someone else and it'll disappear." She's talking quite lightheartedly, but the palace won't be like that. They're talking about making you an adopted daughter.
"Honestly. National diplomacy is involved. Is it okay to be like that?" When Beatrix pressed her, Beowulf took on a serious face.
"I understand. At least my own value in diplomacy. I wanted to be left alone, though. But, I told Edward-sama that I want to live as a Sertorian and I want to succeed my father. Above all, I want to realize my future goals. Then, he said let's both work hard in our own way for five years." She said it firmly while looking into each person's eyes. So that's what being twenty means.
"I see," Mary said.
"How are Beowulf's feelings? If you look at Edward-sama as a single woman, setting aside everything like him being royalty, bloodline, or the future." Perhaps because Miana is here, both Beowulf and Mary are choosing their words carefully.
"We only met the other day. As a Crown Prince and a single soldier. Besides, if I were to have romantic feelings for Edward-sama as a man, I'd have to report it to everyone, wouldn't I? Have I ever said such a thing?"
"Hehe. I understand. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Everyone except Miana and Keira breathed a sigh of relief.
"Beowulf, I want you to promise one thing."
"What is it? Mary."
"If the future and marriage cannot be reconciled, please decide based on your own feelings first. I don't want you to sacrifice your personal thoughts." Beowulf paused for a bit.
"Understood. I promise. Well then, just in case, I have to earn and save money. For a parting gift, you know." Beowulf said with a wink.
A parting gift means she'll be marrying into another country...
"Right. Let's all do that. Let's decide on five years. Including this year, it's five years." After five years, the results of the Flatlands will be out. If it goes well and the reward is the land in the Northeastern Forest, we might be able to build our town.
"Understood. It's better to decide on a milestone. First, let's work hard for five years. However, if someone leaves during that time due to circumstances, no complaining."
"I know that without being told. Right?" Beatrix agreed, and Matilda asked everyone. Everyone in the Class of 175 except Matilda, who was asked, agreed that it's natural.
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Keira asked. It's no wonder.
"We want to make our farm even bigger. We'll all save money little by little and first make it completely independent. It's still small in scale now." "Hmm," Mel is saying.
"If it gets wider, can we live together with the goblins too?"
"If possible, I want there to be a forest near the site, and I want to build at least a villa for Serena and Renata. Of course, the goblins can live together too, and they can even go hunting with Bonnie. It would be good to have one Alraune colony too." Flora is overjoyed at Beowulf's words.
"Not just wheat fields, I want to keep lots of sheep and goats and do grazing too."
"Let's keep rabbits too." When Lyudmila said that, Keira added.
"A blacksmith will be needed too, right?"
"An apothecary too."
"We'll be in trouble without magic tools too."
"It would be good to have a girls' shop too, right?" Before I knew it, even Miana is participating.
"Is Miana going to open her own shop?" As usual, the thick-skinned mage asks something difficult to ask without concern. If you're not careful, it'll become a state secret.
"Yeah. If possible, I want to do that." That's a delicate statement.
"But, you know. I thought about it after being allowed to study various things." Her expression is not dark. No, rather, it's on the bright side. During this expedition, she learned the new spell Freeze. She's originally a user of two mid-level spells. If things go smoothly, she might even be able to learn something like Clump Water.
By the way, Beatrix learned the long-awaited Illusion. With this, it should be easier to learn Camouflage. Mary, who aimed for Cocytus, missed, and I also missed.
"I am unavoidably royalty, and first in line for the throne. I can't escape from that. If something happens to the Kingdom, I have to take a position suitable for royalty. Depending on the case, I might have to take the throne. That's why I've decided." Humans and ghosts are all holding their breath.
"I'll work hard to be able to have my own shop, but I'll become a person who can always think about what's best for the Kingdom and its people." She looked up and said it clearly. There is power in her eyes. How should I put it, there's dignity, or an aura. This part is royalty.
"Oh!" While humans and ghosts were stirring, Mary gently hugged Miana.
"Miana, you pass. When April comes, please be the manager of the fourth shop. Everyone is okay with that, right?" There's no way anyone would oppose. Lyudmila, who is currently the nominal manager, hardly ever shows her face at the shop.
"M-Manager?" Miana's voice flipped, but what's the point of being surprised now. We had planned that from the beginning.
"That's right. A person who can't think about the whole shop can't think about the whole country, can they? First, let's see, once a month you'll wear the sales items and be a model."
"Eh? Eh? Eh?" She's completely flustered. Where did that radiance of a Princess from earlier go?
"It's okay. It's not like you're going outside the shop wearing the sales items."
"Can I wear them too?" Ignoring Miana who is bewildered, Keira chimed in.
"Right. Whenever you have time from taking care of the rabbits, you can wear them. If you're going to do it, do you want to be an exclusive model?"
"I'll do it! I just have to talk with the old men in the shop, right?"
"That's right. Manager Miana, Beowulf, and the triplets will run the shop, so you can just be as usual."
"Yay!" Miana, who escaped from the model role, looked at Keira and laughed. Before I knew it, a collaboration has been formed.
"Well, since we have an exclusive model, once a month is fine. But you're already the manager, so wear them occasionally. What's the point of selling clothes you don't wear yourself?"
"Y-Yes..." She became dejected.
"Hey, Mary? There are people who get married in their teens, right? Aren't you going to make cute aprons for such young wives?" Since she's pitiful, I'll lend her a hand. It should be fine as long as she's wearing a new apron over her uniform.
"I see, it would be a good gift for Glaciate-sama too, so that's an option. Beatrix, shall we make a design?"
"Okay!"
"Ah! That's nice. If it's that, I'll wear it anytime." Miana also became energetic. If she starts wearing cute aprons, that's a good start.
"Honestly! You're so opportunistic." When I made a motion to hit her head pat, Miana went eek, stuck out her tongue, and laughed.
"Didn't she take after the manager?" Beatrix chimed in, and everyone laughed for a while.
Class of 175 Management Scale Update (Excluding personal assets like cash and jewels)
・Shops: Main Store (Nakanohara, Kingdom of Sertoria), Second Shop (Village near the Sertorian border in eastern Regnentes), Third Shop (Sertorian Royal Capital), Fourth Shop (Flatlands), Fifth Shop (Temporary Shop: Primordia)
・Right of Free Passage and Free Commerce: Medioland, Regnentes, Finis, Northern Gram, Primordia
・Fields: Eight fields (including buildings with farm functions)
・Livestock: Goats, sheep, pigs, a few
・Contracted Animals: Eight honeybee colonies
Chapter 14: End
Chapter 14 has ended.
In the story, five years and six months have passed.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
Growth Period Arc Part 3 was the Primordia Expedition Arc, and it was a story that introduced new characters while putting the spotlight on Beowulf, one of the oldest characters. Simultaneously, the milestone for what they are aiming for was shown as five years remaining.
Could it be that it's only halfway? So long...
Well, please don't say that. Regardless of whether it's actually halfway or not, please stay with me for a while longer.
In terms of PV and bookmarks, it could be called a crushing defeat. However, I was happy to achieve 200 BM at the two-year anniversary of the start of posting. Despite it being a low-flying work with a high word count, I am truly grateful to those who maintained their registration, those who newly registered, and those who gave evaluations. It becomes motivation.
Now, regarding future plans, although there is a sense of a milestone, the Growth Period Arc will still continue.
Because I watched the Winter Olympics too much (ice hockey, snowboarding, curling, etc., I am currently suffering from a devastating sense of loss), I struggled a bit and am currently writing the final chapter of the next arc, but the posting pace can be maintained.
On Friday, one interlude. Starting from Monday, Chapter 15, Part 1 will begin.
In the next arc, one of the countries the protagonists are most wary of will become one of the settings, so please look forward to it.
If you read it and liked it, please by all means give bookmarks, evaluations, likes, and impressions.
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