After ordering the territorial troops to pull up from the tower, I turned back to the territory by air.

　This was to prepare for the Sea Dragon Sea Serpent Battle.

''Welcome back, Master.''

　So, I went back to the mansion to see the internal politics before the battle, but neither Igarashi nor Garcia were there.

　But neither Igarashi nor Garcia was there, and only the three maids were guarding the house.

Both of them have gone to Igarashi-san's parents' house.

　And Icoca.

'What's in the rice paddies?'

No, I heard we have a visitor here today.

　It's not unusual for Nakamura's influential Igarashi family to have guests, but I wonder if they are such a good guest that they're willing to go out to Garcia for that.

Do you have any idea who the guest is?

Yes, a man with a very unusual name from the imperial capital: ......

　Watermelon said as if remembering.

'He said something like 'Daijin-sama'

Minister!

　I put my jacket back on, which I was about to take off, and hurried to the Igarashi residence.




　When I arrived at Igarashi's residence, I found a black lacquered basket parked in front of the eaves of the house, and more than a dozen samurai officers guarding the residence with a lot of pomp and circumstance.

　It seems to be for real.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of this article.

The young woman was relieved of her guard when she found out that she was the lord of the land. You really do have a minister here, don't you?

Yes. I'm not sure I'm feeling very alive.

　The young wife led me through the veranda, and the shoji, the shoji of that most sunny Buddhist altar room, opened.

　Sue......

　At the back of the room was really the Minister of the Imperial City.

　Below them were Igarashi-san, Garcia, and then the landlord, Isao-san and her husband.

　Garcia and Igarashi-san are not there yet, but Isao-san and her husband seem to be just plain pale and unconcerned at the minister's visit.

''Oh, Eiga-dono!　I heard you were out on a quest?

　When I showed up, the minister welcomed me with a happy face, and Isao and her husband breathed with a relieved look on their faces.

I was saving up my experience and just got back. I was surprised to see the minister himself come to Tohun," she said. What in the world is wrong with you?

　And me.

Haha. I've been traveling around the country for that reason. I had some business to attend to, so I stopped by Tohun.

You wanted to see me?

Hmm. It's about Igarashi-kun.

　That's when I got a bit of a bad feeling and freaked out.

''Igarashi-san, what is it?''

To tell you the truth. In recent years, the number of monster attacks in the Far East has been increasing like never before. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see your own personal life. In other words, there is a shortage of people in the central office. ......

　Then the minister sighed and continued.

I came to ask Igarashi-kun, who had been seconded to your territory, if he could come back soon. It's a good idea to have her on hand to help you out.

Ugh. ......

　Yes, Igarashi-san is a 'minister's secretary'.

　Igarashi-san is originally a "minister's secretary".

　So, just like the legend of the famous bamboo princess returning to the moon in the Far Eastern culture, Igarashi-san will eventually return to the imperial capital...... although I knew that such a day would come.

　Shobon.......

But Maro has been successfully rejected.

　Huh?

Mr. Igarashi wishes to continue working for you, sir.

What?

　You want to do that? The woman secretary nodded toward me and shook her ponytail with a coy smile.

　Igarashi-san is ...... still loves her hometown.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

　He's the minister's secretary to begin with.

Maro had planned to forcefully persuade him to come back with us, even if he said he wanted to stay in his hometown.

　Look.

However, I didn't expect you and Igarashi were engaged to be married. ...... You can't ask me to come back with you.

　Huh?

Husband ...... (whisper).

　I notice that Garcia is making a peace sign at an angle that only I can see.

　I see.

　Garcia brought up the "fiancé setting" between me and Igarashi-san in a flash, didn't he?

　I didn't like it, but it was fine play.

Ha-ha. But Eiga-dono, by the way. You are a handsome handsome young man, as the merchant says. I shall be moderate in my dealings with you.

　But I take it back.

　What the hell did he say?

"......

　Suddenly, I looked to the side to feel the fuzzy butt of her tight skirt and saw that the female secretary was red in the face with a sharp look in her eyes that made her steamy.

　She must be angry because Garcia is messing up.

　But well, I'm glad Igarashi-san didn't end up going back to the imperial capital.

''Thank you, Minister. I'm sure I'll make the territory stronger and contribute to the empire as well.

Hmm. I have high hopes for you. It's a pity that the brilliant Igarashi-kun won't be able to return, but in the long run, it might be better for the entire Far East if she were to remain in power under Lord Eiga.

　Hoho.

　Thus, after Igarashi-san's talk was put to rest, I talked with the minister about quests and territory management.

　The story of the One-Winged Tower and the Fusion Stone was a great adventure story, and since Isao-san was there, he was very interested when I told him about herbs and experience transfer skills.

''Speaking of which, you. You said at the last council meeting that you were going to build a port.

Oh, yes. Thank you for that.

　That's right.

　At that time, it was the minister who presented me with the nice idea that 'the ship should be built in Tohun'.

' "And then how's the construction going?

Actually, that's what it is: ......

　The minister held out his hand and said, "Good, good, good," and stopped him.

It is not uncommon for young lords to misjudge the productive capacity of their fiefdoms and to vainly claim that they can do what they cannot do.

What?

Your territory is a small country of 2,500 grain, and it would take years to build such a large port. It would take years to build such a large port. I have known that from the beginning.

Ha, ha.

The ships are on our radar, and if you show us the proposed port site, we'll divert the workforce from our own jurisdiction to match the size of the port.

　Apparently, the minister is a little premature.

'Oh, um. That's very kind of you to offer, but, uh...

...... Mr. Minister. There is no need for you to do that.

　When I'm not sure what I should say to him, Igarashi-san answers crisply, "Igarashi-kun?

'Igarashi-kun?　Mmm. Don't worry about it. Even if the construction work isn't progressing very well, it's inevitable considering the size of the distant clouds. Anyway, let me see the site.

No, ...... no construction work has already been done.

What?　Have you given up on building the port?

No.

　Igarashi-san, sitting perfectly upright with her fingertips together on her knees, glances down at me with downcast eyes.

　After receiving her eye contact, I said.

''Minister, the port is already complete.


　◇


What a great ......!

　In front of the minister, who was standing in front of a huge, neatly reclaimed harbor, the sea breakwater was already in place, and the waves in front of him were calmer than the inland sea.

　The sea breakwater was already in place, the waves were calmer than the inland sea, and the wharf was lined with warehouses, lighthouses, and office buildings.

　A waterway ran beside the wharf, connecting Nakamura to the pavilion and then to the harbor, and this waterway had been used to bring the minister from Nakamura to here.

'Such a major construction project in less than six months ....... What kind of magic did you use, my lord?

I did use magic, or rather magic, but ......

　I said, thinking for a moment.

'The territory was strong to begin with.

　It's true that I diverted my power as an adventurer in the Territorial Legion to power heavy machinery, possessed Kyoko to investigate the seabed, had Akira and Shohei conduct geological surveys, sent experience to those with blacksmithing and carpentry skills, and all sorts of other little tricks I did... ...

　This is all possible because each village has its own community that is capable of coordinating the "Fushinboukou" in the first place.

Eiga-sama: ......

　Igarashi-san glares at me as if he wants to say something.

I'm sure you'll be able to build a dock with this one, anyway. You may begin building the dock in cooperation with Okuga.

Oh, no. The thing is.

　And then, when I said to him.

We've done that too.

　Igarashi walked to the dock and led the minister away.

　He led the minister on a brisk walk across the harbor, where a dock had been set up beyond the warehouses, unfortunately it was empty now.

　The dock was unfortunately empty at the moment, but it was a huge depression.

　The brick subterranean space, neatly demarcated in the huge hollow, was a sight to behold.

　Looking down at this, the minister was at a loss for words.

I've been to all the shipbuilding countries except Okuga: ...... I've never seen a dock like this one!

That's what happens when you build a ship that can defeat a monster.

　And Igarashi-san is a bit smitten with the minister, like 'the girl who brags about her craft to her father'.

''So then, we're finally going to start building the ship?''

　The minister looks at me and gulps down a spit in my face.

　But.

　Gogogogogo ......

　In the background, the [ship], which had just returned from a test sailing, was about to enter the port and the dock's sluice gates were about to be opened.