Chapter 777 - Chapter Two: Autumn Harvest ②
The day after the banquet, the Class of 175 and the Associate Class of 175, excluding Beatrix, held a meeting at the Ghost Mansion. The reason it was the day after was because Beowulf went to the Royal Palace to give a formal answer to the King. Apparently, there were various other talks as well.
The agenda of the meeting was what to do with the reward for producing results at the testing ground. It's not about Beowulf's story. We have to choose one of the three proposed sites. Among them, the proposal for the Eastern Plains is very attractive, but the problem is what to do with our current base, the Ghost Mansion, the farm, and Shop No. 4. Especially for the farm, Lyudmila took the lead in clearing the wasteland and finishing it into a field with sufficient harvest starting from the soil. If we move, we might end up letting go of it if we can't look after it.
"Now then, the proposal from Eleanor-sama is as you all know. There are three. Since Beatrix isn't here, we can't make a decision, but I'd like to hear everyone's opinions at this point. I'll say it again, we're not deciding today. Don't hesitate to say anything."
Since Beatrix, who usually acts as the organizer, isn't here, Beowulf is doing it. She's the oldest, albeit by months.
"Then, from me."
The first one is Beowulf.
"As I said at the banquet, I plan to become a foreigner."
The lines themselves are nothing special, but she's blushing.
"So I'm sorry, but I'll be leaving. I want to apologize for that."
"It's fine, that kind of thing. A top-tier 'lucky strike' came from our inner circle. That alone is enough. If there's a wedding reception held privately, call me."
Matilda interrupted Beowulf as she tried to apologize. Certainly, there's no reason to be apologized to. Originally, leaving when getting married was the premise.
"No, just in case. Let me apologize. I'm sorry."
Form is important, I suppose. I think she wants to apologize to settle things. Matilda didn't say anything more than that.
"Also, regarding my future, Miana has an explanation, so please listen."
Miana stood up, and Beowulf, who bowed, sat down.
"From me, I will talk about Beowulf's future... including the matter of money."
From Miana? When I look at Mary, she's looking composed. That means it's a 'wealthy person' thing.
"Beowulf's marriage destination is, as you already know, the Primordia Royal Family. In other words, the richest people in Primordia."
It was an extremely easy-to-understand explanation.
"And, Beowulf lineage-wise carries the blood of the Sertogne Royal Family. She also has the right of succession to the throne. However, since she's an illegitimate child and the circumstances of her birth are what they are, she will marry as an adopted daughter of the Sertoria Royal Family. In other words, formally it's a marriage between royalty. In such a marriage, it's customary for a dowry to be given upon marriage. The market rate is... let's see..."
Everyone was wide-eyed at the amount Miana said. What on earth do they spend that much money on?
"Usually, it's to buy and arrange things needed for the marriage and subsequent life, and as a token of gratitude to the parents' home."
Gra-gratitude! Isn't that a bit too blatant?
Beowulf apparently intends to donate that gratitude portion to the orphanage. Well, it is her home, in a sense.
"And, most of the personal belongings Beowulf has now will probably be disposed of by giving them to someone or selling them."
Don't say it's a waste; the belongings of someone who has lived as an orphanage member, a town guard, and a Kingdom heavy infantry soldier are not needed for a Crown Princess.
"And, the clothing, ornaments, and furniture needed for life that Beowulf will use in the future are being arranged by the Sertoria Royal Family. That's how the talk is proceeding."
Beowulf has the right of succession to the Sertogne throne, but she's being treated as almost non-existent. Sertogne probably doesn't want to get involved much. According to Miana's story, a guest will apparently be sent to the wedding just in case. However, it won't be royalty, but someone carrying the blood of the royal family. Since it's effectively a send-off from Sertoria, it'll be someone related to the Sertoria Royal Family. Perhaps it'll be Yorg-sama and Jeanne of Sertogne.
However, in that case, not a single cent will go to Beowulf. Well, since she's marrying into a wealthy family, she won't have trouble living.
"Also, about Beowulf's savings... roughly how much do you have?"
"Um, about three hundred gold coins, I think."
"Whoa," a voice rises from Matilda. Beowulf is a Kingdom soldier and directly under the royalty, so she's a high earner. She must be getting three to four gold coins a month. She's frugal, and considering her previous savings, she probably has about that much.
"What are you going to do with that?"
"Right. I think it would be good to buy facilities or buildings that can't be covered by the clearing costs of this reward. So, personally, I'm for the Eastern Plains. It'll be clearing from scratch, but that's more interesting, right?"
After all, she's getting land equivalent to fifty fields. Dreams are expanding.
"Hey! Even if you say you'll buy land, what are you going to do after you go to Primordia? Foreigners can't own land in Sertoria."
Matilda interjected. That's right. If nationality changes, it must be sold to a Sertorian or the state at market price. If ignored, the state will confiscate it.
"I'll lend it to Matilda. I'll lend the full amount, so could you pay me back with interest?"
"Le-lend? To me?"
"Yes, I'm lending it. I'll ask for the repayment in cash."
"Y-you, you're going to be the Crown Princess, aren't you?"
"If I get married, yes. But even if I marry Edward-sama as I am, is a Crown Princess not allowed to lend money to a commoner? There's no such law in Primordia or Sertoria. Rather, they even invest in merchants and make a profit."
"Even if you say that, you..."
She's saying that if she guides the making of artificial limbs or the making of dolls for great shark countermeasures in Primordia in the future, she can pay it back little by little with that reward money. To this, Matilda became unable to talk back. After all, everyone knows Matilda has no money. It's because she's pouring it into prototypes for artificial limbs and legs.
Miana is giggling. It seems the match is decided. In other words, Beowulf desires the Eastern Plains.
Next is me. I'm for the Eastern Plains. It's the place I was originally aiming for. It's along the highway connecting the Eastern Plains and the Royal Capital, and while it's currently wasteland, there is land that can be cultivated. And, as Little Serena's forest is nearby, there is also a fine forest on the site. Also, it's far from the border. In an emergency, we can flee to the field trench where we participated in the defense battle. I think it's a good place for the town-building we aim for.
Will, Bonnie, and Mary all had the same opinion. Nakanohara. You get high-quality farmland for free. They'll also mediate tenant farmers. They say we should earn more there and buy more land. I think it's a realistic idea without strain.
Matilda was for the Eastern Plains. The reason is, 'the land in the Flatlands doesn't feel like our own town,' she said. I understand what she's trying to say.
And, Lyudmila. Lyudmila, in a sense, has the most say in this matter. If we get the Eastern Plains, tenant farmers won't be attached. In other words, it can't be cleared unless Lyudmila is there.
That Lyudmila, surprisingly, chose the Eastern Plains.
"Clearing the wasteland of the Eastern Plains can't be done easily. So I think it's better to just get the land and earn in the Flatlands for a while. Let's make a solid plan and clear it when the prospect is established."
It was the opposite idea from Will, Bonnie, and Mary. I didn't think she was planning to let the land we got lie fallow... accurately, she probably has no choice but to let it lie fallow. When the talk of the Eastern Plains came up, the reason she had a serious face might be because she thought the realization of our dream—immediate clearing—wasn't now.
As expected, opinions were divided. Since Beatrix isn't here, it's not a decision, but it's three for Nakanohara and four for the Eastern Plains. If Beatrix chooses Nakanohara, it'll be four against four and won't even be a majority vote.
I also asked the Associate Class of 175. It's what's called a reference opinion.
Fiona and Germana said either was fine. Basically, they just want to be near me. Flora chose the Eastern Plains, and Keira chose Nakanohara. Here too, opinions were divided. Flora said it's better if Little Serena's forest is close, and Keira said she wants to work at Shop No. 4 as before.
"I don't mind buying Shop No. 4."
Finally, it was Miana, but an astonishing statement jumped out.
"B-buy it?"
I'm surprised. As expected of a Princess, what she says is different. When I look at Mary, she's covering her mouth with both hands to hide her expression, but her eyes are clearly laughing.
"Really?"
Keira, who was waiting nearby, jumped at the idea.
"Really. Keira, you want to stay as you are now, right?"
"Yeah. I want to be in that shop."
"Let's continue together."
"Yeah!"
Somehow the hired manager is getting excited with the employee.
"Is it okay? Miana?"
Mary, who was suppressing her laughter, asked.
"Yes, because I love that shop. I want to continue as before with Keira, the triplets, and the new girl coming."
"That's right! Let's do it together!"
This might not be stoppable anymore.
"But Miana, do you have money? You're turning most of your salary into measures for the needy, aren't you?"
This has been the case since she was a Shop No. 3 employee. On the surface it was coming out, but behind the scenes she was giving everything except living expenses to Magdalena-sama.
"That's right. But I've been getting an allowance and I've been saving it without using much. I think I've saved enough to buy it. Ah, lend me the bread oven. I'll pay a usage fee."
The market price amount came out smoothly. I wonder when she became able to understand such things.
"But Miana. If you buy it, it won't be the Class of 175's Shop No. 4 anymore."
"Right. But I wonder if I can't form a business alliance with the Main Shop and do it as before."
"What about the shop's name?"
"What should we do?"
"Hmm."
She and Keira started tilting their heads. Mary is laughing loudly.
"We haven't decided to sell Shop No. 4 yet, so you don't have to think about it now."
"Is that so?"
"That's right. Because it's fine as Shop No. 4. Even if the land we receive as a reward becomes the Eastern Plains, we're not letting go of the current farm or shop. If Lyudmila says clearing can't be done immediately, then that's how it is."
Miana and Keira started saying 'let's see how it goes'. There's no need to buy it right now.
"Also, I've changed my mind after hearing Lyudmila's opinion. I agree with Lyudmila's opinion."
When Mary said that, Will and Bonnie followed suit. After all, Lyudmila's opinion is the strongest.
"Then, only Beatrix is left."
Beowulf started summarizing. If Beatrix chooses Nakanohara, it'll be one against seven. By majority vote, it's the Eastern Plains.
"Actually, I've already received an answer from Beatrix via the letter-sending magic circle. I haven't looked at the contents yet, though."
As expected of the future Crown Princess. She's quick at her work.
Beatrix's opinion was the Eastern Plains. However, conditions apply.
"Um, Beatrix says that if we clear it, we should have the state handle the recruitment and mediation of tenant farmers. She says the target for recruitment should be beastmen."
I see. It's a good idea. There are beastmen working in the Northeastern Forest and the Elven Village, but it seems there's surplus labor. Since they all use powerful magic, the civil engineering work will progress.
"Also, she says we should negotiate with the Royal Family to see if it wouldn't be better to have a fortress made of anti-magic material in preparation for when the Demon Lord resurrects. She says if that's not possible, at least make it so we can use the Paratroop Jaegers' trench in the Eastern Plains as a refuge in an emergency. I agree with this too."
A fortress made of anti-magic material. It's true it would be good to have one.
In conclusion, on the premise of receiving the Eastern Plains, it was decided to have us observe it from above once. Fortunately, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are staying at the orphanage. They probably expected that we'd want to see it.
When the participants went to the orphanage the next morning, the OK was given easily. Miana and Beowulf went to Shop No. 4 from early morning, and Flora participated after leaving Glory with the triplets. If we go in the medium-sized bowl at ultra-high speed, it's over in an instant. If it weren't for the bread baking, Miana and Beowulf could have participated, but it can't be helped. It was decided to have them go once more in the morning or afternoon.
When we went to the site, it was along the highway extending east from the Paratroop Jaegers' field trench. In the range along that highway, the terrain from the west is: trench, forest, wasteland, forest, highway, river. The target land for the reward was a long rectangle from east to west, and it was the forest and wasteland in front of the trench.
"That trench is a place full of memories of fighting with the members of the Class of 175, but currently it is only used as an intermediate base during patrols. The garrison is also limited. However, as you know, there are remnants of the Demon Lord's army in the Northeastern Forest. By the time the Demon Lord resurrects, we plan to repair that trench with anti-magic stone and make it one of the bases for Demon Lord army countermeasures. Therefore, I think we can meet Beatrix's request. However, it won't start immediately, so it will be after the fortification of the cave entrance where the Demon Lord resurrects, which is currently in progress, is finished. Therefore, I think it's just right to wait for the clearing until the timing of Lyudmila's request, as we can simultaneously issue recruitment for clearing personnel and tenant farmers."
"Yes. Understood!"
Lyudmila gave a energetic answer to Eleanor-sama's explanation, and the target land for the reward was decided unexpectedly easily.