Kujonin Chapter 81

Kujonin
Author: Hanabokuro
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"What is a Public Road Corps?"
Margaret asked.
"Basically, we will expand the carriageway across the entire Ruginia Alliance. And that road will take tolls."
"Please picture it. What will happen if the carriages are able to run at their maximum speed?"
Riddle excitedly asked Margaret.
"That is… the circulation of goods will become faster."
Margaret nodded in acknowledgement as she spoke.
"That's right. People inland will be able to eat fish from the sea, things that you can't eat anywhere other than the mountains will be able to be eaten in other countries; even if there's something you can't eat in your own country, people will still think about trying to eat them, right? Even if the price is somewhat expensive. And furthermore, it will be possible to quickly transport large amounts of people. For example, troops, right? In emergencies, you would be able to quickly move them to any country. And even vacations would be fine. Places you heard about that you want to try going to, and even quickly returning to your birthplace that's now far away. It just takes a bit of money, and you'll get there after a few days."
"However, that will require maintenance, right? The Earth Hero is only one person."
It's not like the Hero will be able to show up whenever, wherever. That's certainly the case.
"As for monsters, other than completely removing monsters, we will have to rely on the adventurers. And so, with methods like lowering the tolls for carriages with high-ranking adventurers on them, you can entice adventurers to the carriages, right? Or measures like having high-ranking adventurers ride carriages for free."
"And there are a limited amount of monsters that can chase a feehorse running at full speed, right? And if the traffic increases, the probability that there will be a high-ranking adventurer on the scene would increase, I imagine."
Riddle supported me.
"Certainly. But if it's broken, or if you can't move at full speed, correct?"
"Of course, I believe that there will be unexpected obstacles, flash floods and storms and the like. I'm thinking about making the road with a determined width to deal with those. A road width where someone can quickly, with practice, fix it with a use of magic. Even if it's broken, if you can fix it quickly, then it won't take much time."
"I see. Is there the manpower to be dedicated to repairs? Is it just limited to adventurers capable of using earth magic?"
"No, I was thinking of involving the children at the Hero's place and the villagers. People who have seen the Hero a lot. Because they've seen it, they'll be able to learn fast, and they've had the Hero as a teacher."
At any rate, if they level in the wasteland, they'll be able to earn skill points.
The Hero will do that much, I a.s.sume.
"Have you already decided on the width?"
"I would greatly like the Central Government to decide that. Because it involves the distribution of goods and trade. Currently, each person's carriage size is different, correct?"
"Yes, they're all different. We should match that size to the toll road's width, shouldn't we?"
"That's correct. Thinking into the future, I would like you to decide the size of the box that will ride on the carriage, if possible."
"A box, is it?"
Margaret asked me, as if trying to say, "What are you saying all of a sudden?"
"It would be a large box. I'd like you to think of boxes that are all the same width and length as loading containers. If those are taken to the port town, I'd like them to be able to be loaded onto a ship."
What I'm thinking about are shipping containers.
I took out a sc.r.a.p piece of paper and drew a simple picture with charcoal for an explanation.
"Boat?"
Margaret's eyes went round, and she showed Riddle.
Huh? Don't tell me my sanity is being questioned again?
"If the circulation of goods is improved, then foreign trade will also be made easier to the same extent. If you think along those lines, stuffing smaller items into larger items would be safer, right? If you lock those boxes up, then I believe losing goods from things like having them fall off the carriage midway, or intermediate traders stealing a little bit, will be fewer. Sooner or later, I think it will be possible for businesse that specialize in transport only and storage only to appear. If there's just boxes, then it's possible to stake them and save s.p.a.ce. It would also make management easier, right?"
"… … …"
Huh? There's no reaction.
Did I say something weird again?
Did I forget something about it?
"A! Of course, if you make it so there's feet on the four corners of the box, it won't collapse even it there's a dent and it's shaken, and so…"
"H,hold on! Naoki-san, it's too much information…"
Margaret held her head.
"Now now, Sir Naoki. If you tell us a lot of things all at once, we won't be able to understand. It's fine if you just convey the usefulness of the toll-roads right now, right?
Riddle said as a follow up.
"Th,that's right."
In the first place, it might not go like I thought, and if the Earth Hero refuses, then it will just be an empty dream.
She was someone from the Central Government, so I explained too many things.
When Seth and Merumo heard my plan, their reaction was to the degree that they thought it would be nice to be able to easily go from the countryside to the city.
"My apologies. I talked about too many things."
"Oh, no. I'm old now, so my ability to understand is a little slow."
I calmed down a little and drank my tea.
Drinking a mouthful of tea, my head cooled a little and I realized what I had done, and my face suddenly became hot.
I had gotten all riled up, thinking that the knowledge I had read and seen in my previous world would be useful.
This world has its own pace for doing things.
Even without my involvement, things will probably develop by themselves.
Believing I was some kind of cheat, I had blabbered on.
Just stopping the things I have to stop is enough.
I even drew something like a picture, jeez, do I have no shame?
So thinking, I should crumple up the paper.
"Ah, ah, ah, wait, don't crumple up that paper!"
Margaret stopped me.
"Eh? But it was a weird, random thing I was talking about."
"No, I won't just leave it as a random thing and toss it away!"
Margaret put her hand out in front of me.
I put the paper on Margaret's hand.
Margaret received it as if it was something important.

"And so, to wrap it up, after the plantation is crushed, the Central Government will make a request Garcia Gnome to make that carriageway, is that fine?"
"Exactly so!"
What a relief. It seems that the important information has been conveyed.
"This is the greatest matter ever since the Alliance was formed."
Riddle nodded his head in agreement.
"Wait a second, could it be that the toll, construction fees, and which country to begin construction in is all decided by the Alliance's Central Government?"
"That's exactly it. Well, even if we're talking about construction fees, as long as we have enough to compensate the Hero and his companions with places to stay, food, and those various things…"
As expected of a rich person.
So sensitive to the scent of interest.
"The flowers to mix into the road, as well as the method to form the road must be kept secret."
"I think it will be leaked out in the end, but I was also thinking that way."
Riddle put a damper on Margaret's words.
"Goodness, I thought I was retired, but it looks like things will get busy."
"Like I said, we shouldn't let the Earth Hero continue to expand his plantation, right?"
Riddle laughed as he said so to Margaret.
"The Ruginia Alliance will be changed. Just where did you find Naoki-san?"
Margaret asked Riddle.
"No, it was Sir Naoki who came to me."
"Naoki-san, have you talked about this plan with any other people?"
"Yes, if you're talking about my employees. That said, there aren't more than 5 people."
"If possible, can you not tell any more people?"
"Understood."
"I will contact the Central Government later. We must decide what percentage of the tolls will go to the Komura Company."
S,Seriously!? We might get a large haul from the transactions and rewards.
At any rate, a very good smell is coming from the kitchen.
Just when I thought so, the door opened with perfect timing.
"Margaret-sama, let's have dinner."
"O-I, Sir Naoki~ it's food, food~"
Already completely at home in this mansion, Black Dragon-san called out to me.
It's already nearly dusk outside.

In the wide dining hall, there was fish dishes, salad, and wine spread out.
Riddle-san said, "My apologies, I must report to my cousin," and returned. When he left, Margaret hammered in, "Don't report about the Public Road Corps yet, please."
Margaret-san gave Granny instructions to release a pigeon monster carrying a letter.
For some reason, Black Dragon-san started off the dinner party with a toast.
"Naoki-san, where did you get that magic tool you used just now, the 'Communication Bag'?"
Margaret asked during dinner.
"I made it."
"-! Haa… I see, so that's how it is. You are at that level, after all. … If it's possible, could you make one for me? Of course I'll pay for it."
"Understood. I'll make it when I have time. May I have Riddle's portion of the dinner? Actually, there's someone I've left behind at the inn."
"Is that so? We'll prepare it immediately! Granny, Granny!"
Margaret went to call Granny, who was at the pigeon monster's hutch.
When I couldn't see Margaret anymore, Red Dragon pulled my sleeve.
"What is it?"
"Well, actually…"
So saying, Red Dragon embarra.s.sedly whispered into my ear, "When I sleep, I might return to my dragon form. Can I ask to stay here today?"
"Black Dragon-san, too?"
When I looked at Black Dragon-san, he nodded.
"Well, Margaret-san already found out you're dragons, so I'll try asking."
"Mu!? Does that Young Lady also realize my true form is a dragon?"
"The master and the servant are geniuses, after all. They're people of this mansion."
Black Dragon-san and Red Dragon tapped their chins, groaning.

When I explained the situation to Margaret, who came back bringing Granny,
"Yes, I'm fine with you sleeping in the hall and the courtyard as you please."
is what she said.
Granny immediately wrapped up the food and gave it to me to take.
"Then, I have a hungry slave waiting, so I'll excuse myself here. Then, Black Dragon-san, Red Dragon, We're leaving early tomorrow morning, so don't drink too much."
"Umu, I understand."
"Then see you tomorrow."
So saying, I left the mansion.

But that was close.
If Riddle hadn't introduced me to Margaret, the dragons wouldn't have a place to sleep tonight.
Is this also G.o.d's intervention?
Well, probably not.

When I returned to the inn, Cynthia was up, waiting for my return.
"Sorry, sorry. I should have at least left food behind."
"Uun. I'm a slave, after all."
"Would you like to be released?"
"Is that fine!? So simply?"
"It's fine. For now, eat dinner."
She might not be able to eat while talking about the plantation's matters, so I had her eat first.
Cynthia seems to be starving, and she immediately gulped down the food with tears in her eyes.
"I couldn't eat too much when I was sick, so."
Cynthia said so, and she seems to be truly happy that she's cured, so she thanked me over and over.
With dinner over, I began to tell Cynthia, who was sitting on the bed, about the things I had to tell her.
"Let me explain about the Hero's plantation and the disease that turns people into a ghoul."
For the fourth time today, I explained.
Spreading out the map, I explained the things she didn't understand many times.
"Tomorrow, I'll return to Gnomefield bringing these herbs."
I didn't tell her we were going to ride the dragons.
"Un, I understand."
"We're going to destroy the plantation. I'm sorry. But after we destroy it, things will be fine. I properly talked things over with the people from the Central Government today."
"I see. I understand."
"I'm sure Garcisan has a large amount of emotions towards the making that plantation. He said it took 20 years. I haven't faced that kind of hardship, so I can't understand him. A person who doesn't understand is going to destroy the plantation. He will definitely resent me. But I don't want to allow the villagers and children become ghouls, nor do I want the people who live on the banks of the lake to also become ill. I want to save the lives I can save. No matter what kind of evil person they make me out to be."
I'm not some superhero, and I can't save everything.
And of course I can't return everything to how it was.
I faced Cynthia with as much sincerity as I had, telling her my thoughts.
"Un."
Cynthia only said one word and nodded.
"If the villagers refuse to be treated, will you cooperate with me?"
"Of course, if they see me, they should understand. No matter what happens, I'll cooperate."
Cynthia said.
Even so, her face was bitter.
Maybe, when I wake tomorrow morning, she'll have gone off somewhere.
Some bad guy who's going to destroy the Hero's plantation, she might call the guards on me.
I can't say I don't have those doubts, but I removed Cynthia's collar and erased the slave seal on her back.

Was it because she had eaten? Cynthia quickly fell asleep.
I also was extremely tired and slept, but late at night, Velsa's voice woke me from the communication bag.
["Naoki … Naoki."]
"N? Oh, Velsa. How is it on your side?"
["Not real good. The villagers aren't accepting it. Pastor Romeo ran around the village, and said it's impossible."
"So you can't treat them?"
["Yeah, pretty much. We're outsiders, after all. Even so, the masks have spread well. The wind is strong here, so they're being careful."]
"Ou, I understand. I'll go immediately in the morning."
["N. Then see you."]
"Yeah, don't push yourselves too hard."
I cut off my magic power from the communication bag.
They're still rushing around this late at night?
Where they constantly explaining all over the place?
From the moonlight streaming in through the window, I saw Cynthia turning over in the next bed.
Did she hear the conversation?
I quietly stared at the room's ceiling.
There's all sorts of things to think about, but first, let's begin curing the people in Gnomefield tomorrow.
So thinking, I closed my eyes.