Chapter 373
Another day, another safe start to work—or so I thought. Just as I was about to leave with my yellow helmet, Esmeralda said she had something to discuss. Heading to the office, the topic she brought up was about a visitor.
"Eh? The Duke is coming?"
"Yes, he wishes to meet you sometime soon."
Around the time one mountain was nearly gone, Duke Adelgard sent a message through Esmeralda, along with a letter entrusted to her, requesting a meeting.
Hmm, I wonder what the purpose is this time.
The fact that he's coming here specifically surely means troublesome business.
"Hmm... Sure, that's fine. The construction is going smoothly, and Don and his team seem to have settled down. We can work around the Duke's schedule. Just so you know, we don't have a guesthouse or anything prepared yet. If he needs to stay, he'll have to choose from the available model houses."
Bringing this up now gives me a rough idea of the content.
It's probably either about the diplomat matter, something related to nobles, or possibly both.
"On the contrary, telling a guest to 'stay in whichever house you like' is quite unusual, I think."
"I suppose you're right."
Lately, things have been unusually peaceful for me. I had a feeling something would eventually happen. If I refused this offer, things might proceed without my knowledge, which I'd dislike. So, for now, I'll accept.
Maybe it's time to have the entertainers start some intelligence-gathering activities. I should discuss that with Sharia and the others, considering this point.
Thinking such thoughts, I focus on the matter of this visit for now.
I'd like to build a guesthouse, but the pioneer village has just begun constructing the railway network level. It will still be a while before we reach the residential district level.
So, the environment remains rather incomplete.
For someone of Duke Adelgard's status, we should properly prepare and welcome him. Even in a developing pioneer village, we should at least have a proper mansion for such a guest.
"For now, who's coming? Just the Duke and Lotus? How many guards?"
"No, they will use the transfer pendulum, so it will be about five people, including Father: Father, Lotus, two guards, and..."
However, if guests come to such an undeveloped frontier on their own, it's their responsibility, right? That's why I haven't even built a guesthouse yet.
Fortunately, Don and his team have left a large number of model houses, so we can have them stay in one of those. There was an idea for us to live in them, but if we did, people wouldn't be free to look around. So, I had the women clean them, and left them open for viewing.
In a normal city, leaving vacant houses might lead to squatters. But here, all the pioneer village residents know each other, and we've promised that once the residential level of the vertical city is complete, we'll prepare ideal single-family homes for everyone. So, no one would bother squatting in a model house.
That's why I thought we could accommodate guests there, but...
"I have heard there will be one companion from the Royal Family."
"...I see. That side, huh."
This visit might be a bit troublesome, I thought, inadvertently letting out a sigh.
Judging from the attitudes of His Majesty the King and His Excellency the Prime Minister during the Azhdaha reward negotiations, I knew they were fixated on me.
And I knew they wouldn't give up.
That's precisely why I had Duke Adelgard support me and act as a wall. But have they come to climb over that wall?
"Who's coming?"
The question is who's coming. The most troublesome would be His Majesty the King himself.
Snubbing him would cause problems, but becoming friendly would also be troublesome.
I could flat-out refuse to meet, but that would complicate things when trying to attract immigrants from the kingdom later.
Considering that, maintaining this delicate relationship is actually quite convenient.
If possible, I'd like to keep things as they are.
That would be ideal, but realistically, things rarely go that conveniently.
Clutching at a slim hope, I ask who's coming.
"Lord Madeto Gazes."
"Oh! God! I thank thee!!"
"You suddenly start praying?"
"If it's that person, I welcome him warmly!! In fact, we must give him a grand reception!!"
My mood, which had darkened, shot up to high tension upon hearing the guest's name. I looked around, wondering if Nell's incredible luck had struck again here, but then remembered she and Amina had already left the house earlier. Turning toward the window facing the construction site, I struck a prayer pose.
"An acquaintance?"
"I only know of him unilaterally. He's the person most involved in medical affairs in the southern continent, right? He regularly sends doctors for checkups to orphanages and puts effort into urban sanitation management."
"Yes, that's him. He serves as a court physician in the palace. He doesn't appear much in glamorous social circles, but many nobles hold him in high regard. Especially the knight orders, who suffer many injuries and whose capital is their bodies, strongly support Lord Gazes."
Among the NPCs from my FBO days, he was a highly capable healer character.
A unique glasses character, where raising his favor involved presenting him with properly prescribed glasses.
He was popular with women and, among nobles, remarkably virtuous.
He was one of the few characters who truly embodied 'Noblesse Oblige' in that world.
Believing that those in the chosen position of nobles should help people, he focused his full efforts on medical affairs, engaging in power struggles only moderately.
Actually, progressing his storyline often involved moving to help people during plagues, landslides, and similar events.
His endearing weaknesses—being weak to alcohol and naive around women, a capable character dedicated solely to his work—also scored high points.
"If he's coming, does that mean he wants to discuss medical matters with me?"
The nickname we FBO players had for him was 'Elixir Production RTA Man.'
In many games, the ultimate recovery potion, Elixir, appears occasionally.
Being the ultimate, its production process is quite a hassle.
In the western continent, it is produced and available on the market, but that's an extremely inefficient, brute-force method using top-quality materials.
No technique, no nothing. And the reason for the western continent's desertification is the Elixir, which is no laughing matter.
The person who realized Elixir production through technical skill, enabling its creation in the shortest time without environmental destruction, is this man, Madeto Gazes.
"He has entrusted a letter for you."
"From him personally?"
"That crest is of House Gazes, the Marquisate."
In the game, even starting from absolute zero with nothing, Madeto was the character who could become able to produce Elixirs the fastest in the story, surpassing even the Elves, a race capable of creating the special environments needed for Elixir production.
Excitedly accepting a letter from such an almost cheat-like character, I read its contents.
"...Ah, I see."
I felt my earlier high tension deflate.
The letter was oddly thick and heavy, so I could tell it contained a lot. Reading it revealed a plea very characteristic of him.
Due to the devastation of the former Boldrinnde territory in the north, shortages of medical supplies and facilities have become severe.
This has led to increased disease incidence and a rise in orphans, with no measures to address it. While the aftermath of the Boldrinnde rebellion is being handled, the reality is that improving residents' living conditions cannot be done quickly.
He clearly and meticulously wrote about the reality that the country's hands are full, detailing their current activities to the point where I thought, "Wait, am I allowed to see this?"—it contained what seemed like state secrets.
He concluded by stating he was writing with the permission of the King and Prime Minister. He humbly admitted the shame of his own inadequacy and lack of power as a noble in such a situation, and begged for help to save the children's future. He asked if he could at least receive some advice during a meeting.
"Well, well, what to do..."
Duke Adelgard must have seen this letter's content and, judging it acceptable, passed it to Lady Esmeralda.
Indeed, the content isn't about noble privileges but a request for aid for commoners.
One might retort, "Isn't dealing with that the nobles' job?"
Technically, I'm a commoner, currently pioneering the frontier single-handedly. I should be seen as having no spare capacity to help others.
"Well, I do bear some responsibility for cornering Boldrinnde..."
But the reality is, we've already achieved food self-sufficiency enough to support the pioneer village residents and have even begun producing surplus.
And just as we're starting to cultivate medicinal herbs and considering beginning potion production, this request comes.
We have enough leeway that helping a bit seems possible.
If necessary, we could even take in orphans.
Children, depending on their education, have the potential to become trustworthy personnel.
"Alright, I accept the visit for now. Let's schedule it."
"Understood."
I'll think more after meeting him in person.
There might be differences between the Madeto I know and the real Madeto.
If there's a difference in ideology between the game's Madeto and the living Madeto, I'll need to adjust the level of cooperation.
Seeing my face after deciding to meet, Esmeralda looked apologetic.
Well, I wouldn't be responsible if I refused, but refusing after being presented with this would leave regrets.
"Esmeralda."
"Yes!"
"Things are going to get busy. Well, there haven't been any non-busy days anyway!"
Appealing to emotions is a common tactic for nobles.
Esmeralda knows this too.
That's why she probably feels pained that they are trying to use my emotions.
I won't call it underhanded.
No, I don't think this method is underhanded.
If I called this underhanded, then all cries for help would be underhanded.
Asking someone to help because you can't do it yourself.
That's a natural action and a right for people living in society.
Moreover, if someone giving their all seeks help, it probably means they truly have no other recourse.
I don't want to call that an underhanded method that exploits emotions.
Well, it's also true that I have no obligation to help.
However, I am kind-hearted enough that I can't turn a blind eye.
Grinning, I encourage Esmeralda,
Insisting that this is my choice.
"...Yes! You're right!"
Understanding the message not to worry, her expression shifted from gloomy to her usual beautiful smile, and Esmeralda sprang into action.
"I need to schedule and start stockpiling aid supplies. I have to talk to Mr. Zinc."
"Understood. I will handle those arrangements."
"Please do."
"Yes, I'll take care of it!!"
Alright, as usual, let's solve the trouble.
Hardcore players don't do things normally.
Ordinary players wouldn't even think about handling disaster recovery within a game.
"And also... I need to prepare to accept orphans, single-mother households, and other families needing welfare support."
"Yes, understood."
"For now, tell Don and his team to temporarily halt construction on the vertical city and start preparing to accept refugees."
But we hardcore players enjoy doing abnormal things.
Precisely because we go all out, it becomes fun.
Because we face it head-on, time melts away.
"What else to do..."
This time, it just so happens that the target of our all-out effort is helping people.
And once I decide to do something, going all out is my motto.
"Let's do it, that."
Because we've tackled foolish endeavors with all our might, our resources have spread out like a peacock's tail feathers, showing various colors.
It's perfect timing to form a connection with someone suited for Elixir production.
Might as well establish Elixir production methods here while we're at it.