102 Lesson 1: New Signs
The carriage goes down the street. I was staring out the window as the carriage rocked me.
The view from the window flows slowly. How long it would have gone by staring at the irreplaceable view. I get an unexpected aberration when I'm distracted.
"Your Royal Highness, you will arrive shortly."
"Oh, we're almost there. I knew it would take a while to get around the carriage."
Return the hammer to the samurai I was riding with in the carriage and I sit all the way down to untie the body that had been stiffening. Getting around the carriage can be tricky.
"We haven't gotten to the stage of carrying a lot of supplies on the air bike yet. We can't afford to travel in a conventional carriage."
"Right, but things seem to work.... Oh, I see it. That's where we're supposed to be."
"Yes, that will be the planned construction of the" new city "for which Her Royal Highness Sister Wang will be in charge. An advance party has arrived earlier and is working on it."
What you can see through the window is a tent built by the Knights for their stay and the sight of a lot of people building the foundations of the building or breaking down an aging building to see.
The knights are deployed or patrolling to escort the construction site. Everyone who works on the construction site moves around busily and the hand of work moves on to flow. Seeing the sight made me laugh at my mouth.
"It's going to be my first big job in a long time, so I have to work hard."
An early year and six months passed since the reign of Ufiria Fez Palettia, the first queen in the history of the Kingdom of Palettia.
The dawn of a new era when the new concept of magic advocated by Annisphere Wynn Palettia, Uphilia's sister-in-law, became widespread.
The demonic props developed by the study of magic began with the Kingsguard Knights of the Wang Capital, and propagation of demonic props was also progressing to each Knights deployed everywhere.
And the propagation of demonic props was not confined to the Knights alone, and demonic props were beginning to be placed among the people to help them in their lives.
A visit to a new era that everyone feels. And to move on from the dawn of a new era to the next stage. Their new challenge was about to begin.
The story begins when Anisphere visits the planned construction site of the "New City".
"New city plans?
I turned my eyes round and grumbled to repeat the name of the plan I had been told.
This is one of the Royal Castle meeting rooms. A meeting is being held today to discuss the policy of the Kingdom of Palettia.
Since Yufi's reign, there have been a lot of things, and I have been cutting it off and resuming activities that I have tended to refrain from. He now undertakes work as an advisor to the Ministry of Magic and Sciences in cooperation and consultancy in technology development.
The Ministry of Magic and Science has been assigned one job after another to welcome the newcomers it has been waiting for since the start of the new system and to make the newcomers grow in the field. Though there were plenty of people screaming at jobs that wouldn't be reduced even if they did, they managed to make a big move as an organization.
My role is to support the Ministry of Magic. I have yet to make a stand and move a big plan. Even though I said I had resumed my activities, I myself thought it was still premature to go around the back for days. It's kind of a memorable story to be worshipped down by Halfis and Marion in the beginning.
One day I received a request from Uffi to attend the meeting. The "New City Plan" was raised as the agenda for the meeting I attended.
It was Yufi who gave me the name of the plan. A year and a half earlier, after assuming the reign of queen, Uffi, completely worn as a queen, was even more feminine and growing beautifully.
"Yes. I was spying on the time of year, but I called Anis to think it would fit me around. I'd like to nominate Annis as head of this new city plan."
"Me? Um, why?
I can't read the intention to nominate me as the person in charge to build a new city. Why me, or something. Why did you need a plan to create a new city in the first place, or something like that? It's a little sudden and I haven't been able to swallow it.
Seeing my reaction, Yufi loosened her mouth only slightly to the shape of a smile.
"Yes, you explain it properly. First, the beginning of this plan begins with what was reported to me jointly by the Ministry of Spirituality and the Ministry of Magic. In view of the importance of the content, this plan was launched because we decided it was necessary."
"A joint report between the Ministry of Magic and the Ministry of Spirit? How'd it go?
"Let me explain that to you."
That's what Lang, who was participating as a representative of the Spirit Ministry, said as he pushed his glasses up with his fingers. Lang, who had focused his efforts on dispelling the evil impressions he had made of the Spirit Ministry over the past year, is now a young leader in driving the Spirit Ministry.
As the executives did back in the days of the former Ministry of Magic, the predecessor of the Ministry of the Spirit, Lang has also become one of those who is asked for opinions by Ufi as an advisor on policy.
"The beginning of this plan is cut off by the problems created by the spread of magic in the first place. It is no exaggeration to say that enlightenment of magic and propaganda has progressed and that our Kingdom of Palletia has acquired a new industry".
"I'm very happy to hear that, but something went wrong, didn't I?
"Yes, I am very pleased that the demand for magic enlightenment and magic props has risen. Since spiritual stones also acquire more spiritual stones than usual due to the struggle of the Knights everywhere, there is no problem in carrying out development or research. But there will be more demand for magic props in the future. That's where the problem is."
"Land...... uh, because if there's more demand, we have to increase the number of facilities that store magic props and stuff?
"That's also true, but if you're going to set up a facility for testing magic props or a workshop for mass production, it's going to be quite a size. And right now, there is no more room in Wang Du to set up this many facilities.... No, that's not accurate, is it? Check out this material"
Lang exhaled once to get his breath ready before raising one hand. Hand out the materials that were prepared by the secretary sitting next to Lang. I also look at it as I receive the material that came around from next door.
Gently stream and read the contents to confirm only the outline. When I read the materials, I saw what Lang wanted to say.
"As far as it goes. There is no land, but we don't want any more magic-related facilities in Wang Du in terms of population growth, historic buildings and other cultural preservation, do we?
"Yes, we are now also giving jobs to those who were refugees in Slam Street as talent for spreading magic. It's a pleasure to see that the population has grown as a result of this impact, but now the aging of buildings has become a problem."
"We can't afford a facility or a place that would temporarily alienate the residents, even if we were to create a new home. So we're talking about building a new city out of the blue?
"Yes, as Annis speculated. And instead of just building new cities, we want to make cities with new axes with features that anticipate mass production, from studying magic and developing magic tools."
"That's why I've been named in charge... I see, a new city for magic."
When I heard that, I got a little, no, pretty excited. It seems at my discretion to further inflate the city's plans from here, although the plan says the equipment I want to include in the new city to be built.
"Now the Knights of Kingsguard are often contracted to test magic items, and at dawn when the newly built city is completed, we want to establish a dedicated Knights of Kingsguard to split the work from them."
"As good as it gets. Well, I did ask because it's convenient, but the Kingsguard Knights are only doing their job of defending and policing the King's Capital. Since you are the main business, you should split the work of testing magic props that affect your original role."
"Yes, we also expect it later as a training and exercise destination for each Knights, which will be a pretty massive urban development plan. We plan to build it at a distance where we can travel to and from Wang Du during that day, so we also want to make it serve as a defensive city for Wang Du."
"I wonder if it's okay to relay the distribution later. In the future, demon props may become more popular and there may be more opportunities to use demon props for transportation. It could also be interesting to build a large workshop to carry out that inspection and maintenance!
Thinking about it, I do feel it would be quicker to build a city from the start rather than build a new one with the original city. It would be a plan that would take years, but I think it's worth it.
I was totally curious about it. As I was thinking about the city's construction plan, I realized that Yufi was smiling a little lonely.
"It is only a matter of slight concern that we will be leaving Wang Du because it will be a fairly large-scale plan..."
"Oh... well. With flying magic props, you can go back and forth, but will you live in a basic new city?"
I have spent time out of the palace with Ufi from one of the betrothal breaking disturbances between Al Kun and Ufi. We used to go home to the Duke of Magenta before Yuffi was still adopted into the royal family, but we were basically together the whole time.
Yufi took over as queen, and even when he got busy working, the place to live was with him. That's why I didn't realize I was that far away, but if I were to be in charge of planning this new city, I wouldn't be able to say so either.
"Mmm. I'd like to spend the holidays away in the palace...... who's in charge of managing the city or running the territory? Is this me, too?
"No, I want Anis to focus only on the cause involved in magic, so territorial management plans to send someone else. When redistributing territory, the territory around this new city is under royal jurisdiction, so you plan to appoint a lord at the same time as this plan moves."
"Is that someone I know?
"It's a little unusual, but I thought I'd ask Baron Cyan."
"Huh!? To Baron Cyan!?"
I was a little stunned by an unexpected name. I laugh when Yufi shudders funny because I shouted.
"Yes, and at the same time as his appointment, Baron Cyan will be asked to upgrade his title to Count"
"Wow, you get a title all at once"
"Because it's a lot of inconvenience to remain a baron. Adventurers also want to be treated to the new city of magic, so this is the result of what Baron Cyan, who has former adventurer experience, deems fit. I believe that even Baron Cyan can rule without any problems because the territory is not large and the city to be built is going to be the center. I say lords, but essentially running a new city will be your main job."
"As long as it's done...... but then what about Raini?
"I'd like you to stay here if you can... you'll check with the person later"
Raini's grown in the past year and a half, too, hasn't he? Not only as a samurai, but also as a courtier. Raini has also changed me in a good direction since my relationship with Ilia has changed.
Ilaria's expression has often softened when she is with Raini, and although I feel complicated, I am delighted. It was strange to go away because we've been together for so long, but now we've settled for such complicated emotions as well.
Hmm, it's not that I honestly don't want you to follow me, but I'm worried about Yufi, so if there's going to be a will for you two to stay out of the house, I guess. Ilia's probably going to say she's going to follow Raini...
No, really, those two, there's no sign they're leaving. He's been sticking around for a long time when he's private...
"So, is it okay that Her Royal Highness Sister Wang will take over the head of this new city plan?
"Yeah, of course. It's a big job for me, so I'll do my best to powder myself!
I nodded heavily at the confirmation from Lang.
In this way, I went to the scene as the head of a newly built city that would be a major business for the country.
"Are you planning a new city for magic...! I can't believe your father's going as a lord... and you're pretty stunned that he's going up to the throne."
We were eating out of the palace that night after the meeting. And now it's time for post-meal bickering.
Since the cooks began to enter the outhouse, Raini and Ilia have also been able to relax their time, so eating meals in the outhouse has become customary for me, Yufi, Ilia and Raini.
In addition to the cook, new samurai came in, so Ilia and Raini also treated her as a courtier after returning to the outhouse, employing the opinion advanced by Ilia that it should be used as a place for its training. And the two are in charge of overseeing and grading the newcomers as the first.
At first Raini also gave such expressions as horrible, but now he was completely on the board as a courtesan, so his anxious expression had dwindled considerably.
Such a Raini had overheard the plan decided at today's meeting, turning his eyes round at first, and then his face broken to delight in the birth of his father.
"I've asked Baron Cyan for his opinions on all sorts of magic props, so it's easy for me to deal with them. It's very helpful."
"I hope your father doesn't get sick under heavy pressure to be an Earl..."
"I'm going to help each other there, too. So, what do you want Raini to do? My parents are going to leave King's Capital..."
"Originally, you don't really care because the Baron Cyan family is not my biological home right now... well, if you can, I'd like to keep working at the Royal Castle like this. Right now, when I change places, I'm going to be halfway there."
Raini frowned a little troubled, but immediately squeezed his expression and mouthed his opinion. I'm starting to be able to say things clearly and reliable.
"I was worried about Yufi, too. If Raini's gonna stay, I'm glad, Ilaria's gonna stay, right?
"... Are you sure?
Ilia moved her eyebrows into my words. He's got a slightly sorry look on his face, but his gaze is right for Raini, not me.
There used to be a lot of things that could be pointed at me, and now it's more Ilaria when it's for Raini. I smile, but I get a little carried away by sentiment when I think about the past.
Well, it's true that I'm happy, so don't have a laugh.
"I'll be fine, I'll do well with the new people. But we have to take about one dedicated maid, right?
"Right. Then choose from among the maids who are now coming to train in the outhouse."
"Anis. The same goes for the dedicated samurai, but we also need to select an escort, so please talk to the Knights of Sprout, too, right?
"Ugh, I have a feeling I'm going to be busy before I go..."
"Naturally. What are you talking about?"
I say in a sigh like Ilia was frightened. Then both Yufi and Raini are laughing couscous. It's become perfectly natural to be these four already. It feels like a family.
But if I head to the site to build a new city, we'll spend less time together. That, after all, makes me a little lonely.
"... but I don't feel like stopping"
I shrugged small so everyone wouldn't hear me. Put your hands gently on your chest and you'll feel your heartbeat back. I'm excited, I can't stop being thrilled.
I know what it takes to further the dreams I've dreamed of. I am happy, anxious, and lonely. To delude such complicated thoughts, I mixed them up in conversations with everyone who enjoyed bickering.