110 Lesson 9: Parent-child bonding (2/2)
”... mmm”
My father blames me for pointing my lips. My mother looks young and adorable to match. There's really no sign of getting old, is there, Mother?
Father is getting incredibly healthy for letting old grassy signs drift. I wonder if it's because my assistant in administration is also spending more private time away from me and putting out a sperm in the dirt.
”So, what about the actual place? It's Annis.”
”There are no urgent issues, but there are many cases that cannot be left unattended.”
”Right. … if you need any help, say so.”
”... Yes?
”... Did I say something strange? I am.”
”... Yes, no. Well, I'm surprised your father told me that.”
”Hmm...”
My father looks at me jiggly as he touches my jaw with his hand. I don't feel comfortable with the gaze from my father and I shake myself by accident.
”Our position has changed, and freedom has become advantageous. Your work in recent years deserves recognition. It is not stingy to lend a hand if it is in the interests of the people. Or that you can't rely on me because I'm family? Even Uffi said he kept us working like carriages for a while.”
”Father-in-law, I don't remember treating you that way?
”I'll tell you what. It was used well just to stand up.”
Father looked delightfully at Uffi even though he said it was used. All Yufi had to do was let his father flaunt his shoulder like that.
Rely on your father, huh? Until a while ago, that didn't work either, and this didn't work, because I kept telling you to behave thoughtfully anyway, so I admit it wasn't an idea to rely on your fathers for something.
”I'm glad to hear your words, because all this is a problem that takes time to solve”
”Ho, what's the problem?
Since Father asked me to explain, I will explain to Father and Mother the problems of the new city construction site that I also told Uffi and the others at the salon.
They both took my explanation seriously. He zeroed his breath as his father stroked his jaw around the end of the explanation.
”... I got the story. Indeed, the knights in the same condition as the camp, former workers and their families who live their lives while repairing their abandoned village dwellings. If it is to improve its living environment, it will take time if it is the traditional way of doing it. And it's not like I can't even think of a new way, but I need to work hard to make it happen.”
”Yep.”
”It's Annis. If so, do we not have to rely on the power of the nobility?
”Huh?”
”If we're going to shorten the construction period, can we also use magic and put it into perspective?
”Hey, what are you talking about? Father.”
I turned my eyes round when they said things I didn't even think I would see. I can't believe your father, the first king, said that.
”Father, ask the aristocrats to do the architectural work, I wonder if that...”
”Is that because it's not what nobles do? So what is the job of nobility in this country now? It's Annis.”
”… to protect the lives of the people by considering policies for the operation of the country, the management of the territory and the development of the country.”
”Mm-hmm. And nobility and I need to fulfill our duty as honorable beings who can handle magic for a people without power. It would have been shown by force before. But now this country is about to change dramatically. Is the construction of a new city in progress as a symbol of this?
”But if nobles use magic to build, some people will want it again. Wouldn't that put you in a relationship between nobles and civilians? corners, I think we should be cautious about imitating things like watering down relationships that are getting better...”
If magic makes construction easier, then nobility will do it. I don't think all architects will, but I'm worried they'll lose their enthusiasm for the job.
”So I ask you, Anis, do you allow that?
”Huh?”
”Use magic to shorten the construction period. Is that why you're concerned that nobles will be expected to be disappointed by the people? But do you allow that next opportunity?
”... I will not tolerate that...”
”What's missing from you would be time and the environment? There's no point in having to rely on magic next time because I lent you a hand once. And if a city for magic is developed, it can be used as one of the studies.”
Well, that's true...
”So, but also noble decency...”
”If so, how about gathering manpower in the name of taking over the bastards of nobility and those who cannot inherit their houses and have nothing to do with them? A variety of people will be needed in the future. Isn't it a good idea to strike a cloth stone while you're at it and keep people together?
”... I think it's a good idea. If it's about keeping it here and giving it a job, it's about money. Then I don't hate to spend my money I've saved. However, in the first place, there is concern that some aristocrats are disgusted by the very fact that they try to make architecture do so by magic...”
”If there are any that complain so, they should be enlightened by theory. It would also be the will of the people if they could gain support for the idea. Besides, if you insist it's only a temporary procedure and you're not willing to let it continue. You're the one who leads magic.”
I couldn't argue with your father's words. Because I thought it was appropriate.
It is noble to use magic, but there are noble second sons who become adventurers without being able to inherit their homes and positions. But they are proud to be adventurers in them. It's hard to say if you want to do the architect's job.
Then one of their options before that stage is to develop a magic city, and going there would be enough reason to gather people to pave the way for some position in the finished city.
Originally, even if the construction period could be shortened by magic, I wonder if magic could have been incorporated into the construction site because of the subtlety of rewards commensurate with the effort. It's no wonder some people think that using magic every time for building repairs and construction doesn't work for them if they get paid less.
Even the cost of repairing buildings and walls is not foolish in the Kingdom of Palletia, where there are many demonic raids. Against that background, he said that nobility, which must be left to defend itself and elsewhere, should be left to the civilian population, not to make every effort to build it.
I suppose it has been replaced by the realization that nobility does not work dirty on the soil. The relationship that civilians are taking on jobs instead for what nobles can only do is supposed to be right.
”Anis, think about it, this is a kind of investment.”
”Investment…”
”If I offer my support for your urban development, I may be able to get a job in a completed city. That, if I say so, could also be one of the new positions in which those who showed talent in the Ministry of Spirituality and the Ministry of Magic could remain aristocrats regardless of their homes. We can also make the name of learning the people's work as a download for this purpose. This can shorten the construction period without stimulating the awareness that it is not so aristocratic work. Local knights and workers are helpful and lead to improved living conditions. Aristocrats who have responded to the cooperation are given the option to children who cannot be allowed to succeed the family governor or children who can only be allowed to marry outside. Would that be a good story for both of us?
”It may be that…”
”But you will not be bright in the handouts between the nobles. Then you can rely on me or Sylphine. You don't see what I'm saying?
”No......”
”There are not as many things you think you have to do alone. Tell that to yourself for once now. All right?”
All I could do was slightly drop my shoulder and snort at my father's words. I think Father wants to tell you to rely more on the people around you. As far as I'm concerned, I was already counting on you.
But if I can carry what Father told me, I will solve the problems that I see as problems at once. That's just a little, like, some pity......
”What a face, Anis”
”Ugh, Mother...”
”It's been a good year for you too, but I'm just a kid. Parents can count on it. Use it.... No, no. You're not.”
After Mother said away in a harsh scolding tone, Mother shook her head and breathed.
”You won't let us help you? Anis.”
”... isn't that cheating?”
”But if you don't, you won't rely on people.”
I could not help but look away from my mother's gaze, which looked at me as though I were somewhere frightened, but merciful.
The smiling gaze of Yufi, Raini and Ilia, who had been watching the conversation in silence for so long, made me even more pointy and silent.